CDC Gains Non-Profit Status
Community well-being is tops for Stoneham CDC
Stoneham has a new non-profit corporation devoted to community well-being. Formed this spring, the new Stoneham Community Development Corporation (CDC) will undertake community development projects, special events, and support long-term planning.
The new non-profit grew out the Stoneham Town Center Action Plan developed for the Town of Stoneham by the MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) in 2014. With tight resources at the town level, volunteers formed working groups to implement over 40 recommendations to help Stoneham Square work better for residents, businesses and visitors. These ranged from establishing a How to Do Business in Stoneham guide, better parking signage in the Square, and improving bus service to Stoneham, all projects that have been accomplished in the last 2 years. “We’ve achieved much of the plan, but there is still much more to do,” said the first President of the CDC Board of Directors, Rachel Meredith-Warren.
The Stoneham CDC incorporates under its umbrella those volunteer committees: the Stoneham Square Neighborhood Group that was the nucleus of the new CDC, as well as the Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee and the Stoneham Square Advisory Committee. The CDC will maintain a close relationship with the Stoneham Square Merchants Group, part of the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce.
Changes happening in Stoneham
“This is an exciting time for Stoneham!” notes Chris Senna of C&S Capital Properties, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “There are so many positive things happening in town that directly result from the collaborative work of resident groups, volunteers and the business community. Our businesses are benefitting from these efforts – such as the new A-Frame signage for our downtown merchants, and beautification projects to bring more business traffic to Stoneham.”
Stoneham Town Planner Erin Wortman said she looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the CDC’s groups. “This type of civic engagement is critical to the success of a public planning process, and I know that the CDC will be a great partner as Stoneham continues to move forward.” Stoneham Selectman Shelly MacNeill agreed. "The newly-formed Stoneham CDC will be instrumental in driving the critical projects identified by Stoneham residents and businesses forward by creating opportunities for meaningful public-private partnerships." said MacNeill.
Stoneham has a new non-profit corporation devoted to community well-being. Formed this spring, the new Stoneham Community Development Corporation (CDC) will undertake community development projects, special events, and support long-term planning.
The new non-profit grew out the Stoneham Town Center Action Plan developed for the Town of Stoneham by the MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) in 2014. With tight resources at the town level, volunteers formed working groups to implement over 40 recommendations to help Stoneham Square work better for residents, businesses and visitors. These ranged from establishing a How to Do Business in Stoneham guide, better parking signage in the Square, and improving bus service to Stoneham, all projects that have been accomplished in the last 2 years. “We’ve achieved much of the plan, but there is still much more to do,” said the first President of the CDC Board of Directors, Rachel Meredith-Warren.
The Stoneham CDC incorporates under its umbrella those volunteer committees: the Stoneham Square Neighborhood Group that was the nucleus of the new CDC, as well as the Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee and the Stoneham Square Advisory Committee. The CDC will maintain a close relationship with the Stoneham Square Merchants Group, part of the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce.
Changes happening in Stoneham
“This is an exciting time for Stoneham!” notes Chris Senna of C&S Capital Properties, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “There are so many positive things happening in town that directly result from the collaborative work of resident groups, volunteers and the business community. Our businesses are benefitting from these efforts – such as the new A-Frame signage for our downtown merchants, and beautification projects to bring more business traffic to Stoneham.”
Stoneham Town Planner Erin Wortman said she looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the CDC’s groups. “This type of civic engagement is critical to the success of a public planning process, and I know that the CDC will be a great partner as Stoneham continues to move forward.” Stoneham Selectman Shelly MacNeill agreed. "The newly-formed Stoneham CDC will be instrumental in driving the critical projects identified by Stoneham residents and businesses forward by creating opportunities for meaningful public-private partnerships." said MacNeill.
"This kind of civic engagement is is critical to the success of a public planning process,"
Future Work
The CDC will also work to promote Stoneham and its amenities to a wider audience. “Stoneham is the perfect small town. It’s not too big, walkable, and manages to be close knit but welcoming to new neighbors. It’s also come a long way in the past few years in beginning to actively planning for its future, managing its resources efficiently, and getting away from the reactivity that challenges other communities.” says Meredith-Warren.
The CDC is now working on pursuing a number of projects including a loop trail around Spot Pond, bike parking at the library and other key areas, events for residents and visitors, and more transportation improvements.
Why a non-profit
Until now the type of projects the group could undertake was hampered by its informal status. “We needed to establish more financial structure and non-profit status in order to undertake larger projects, such as a film or arts festival,” says Michael Bratina, CDC Treasurer.
The CDC has just received tax-exempt status from the IRS, which will allow any donations to be tax-deductible.