Painting A Picture Of Discord At Stoneham Select Board Meeting

STONEHAM, Ma. - There were more important topics at the Stoneham Select Board meeting, starting with beautiful artwork in honor of two Stoneham heroes. But somehow agenda item 8 became the biggest takeaway from Tuesday night's meeting. Unlike the two paintings done by Lori Del Genis, it wasn't pretty.

Board member George Seibold wanted to discuss the Citizen's Comment Policy, a common practice at the beginning of town meetings across the state where the public gets to comment and the boards listen. Seibold was concerned about the tone that had been set during recent public comment periods and suggested pushing that time to the end of meetings. It's not the first time the subject has come up.

Fellow board member Caroline Colarusso immediately protested and it didn't take long for suppressed emotions to surface. To her supporters, Colarusso is a voice for the people who looks out for their tax dollars. To others, including fellow board members, she's a fingernails-on-a-chalkboard personality whose goal is to irritate those around her. At best, it makes for an uncomfortable mix at times and Tuesday night was one of those times.

"There's a history and a pattern here of trying to censor our citizens," said Colarusso. "You guys don't get to bully people. I feel bullied by both of you."

Colarusso also said no one would want to stick around until late at night to make a comment. She said that, "my political opponents on this board are blatantly trying to deny this right ... What you guys are saying is that you don't like what they're saying."

Seibold and chair Shelly MacNeill both objected to Colarusso's statements with MacNeill saying she didn't approve of unfair public comments that were directed at town employees. If the public wanted to comment on the Select Board members, that was fine according to MacNeill. Both Seibold and MacNeill said they strongly supported public comment.

Board member Raymie Parker left the room early in the back-n-forth and with Heidi Bilbo absent, it left Colarusso going toe-to-toe with Seibold and MacNeill, who did their best to control their obvious irritation with Colarusso. It's safe to say if board members watch Tuesday's meeting on TV, no one will be pleased.

The paintings really should be the lead to the story. Del Genis, a self-taught Stoneham artist, did two paintings. The first was of longtime Stoneham Public Library staff member Mary Todd. The second was of Stoneham Police Officer Thomas Cullen, who died in 2014.

The paintings were the result of a grant and support from the Stoneham Cultural Council as well the library. If the picture above this story isn't enough, the two paintings will be on display in the library during October. The quality of both the paintings and the individuals honored was something the board could agree on, with each reflecting on their connections to Cullen or Todd or both.

Parker also gave an update on the Stoneham Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC). Since 2015 the group has been dealing with the notion that in Stoneham, you can't get there from here. Surrounded by towns with commuter rail stops, Stoneham residents just have MBTA busses. STAC is trying to get the state to add or adjust bus routes to reflect the needs of residents. Bus routes 131 and 99 are current targets of potential change. There's also the possibility of automated fare systems, or commonly known as the Charlie card machines, coming to Stoneham.

The board also closed the warrant for the Oct. 21 Town Meeting. Two of the articles gave a preview of the night. Phyllis Warren joined with Cory Mashburn to create a citizen's petition to ban the use of single-use plastic bags, something most towns around Stoneham already have in place. After Warren spoke in support of the article, Colarusso spoke as a resident and questioned the idea that paper bags were more environmentally friendly than plastic bags. She said there were "two sides to the coin."

Earlier there a discussion about an article that included spending from the town's free cash account on items like a new lawnmower for the DPW and road improvements. There was universal agreement in the need to support the article but Colarusso asked that endorsement of the article be delayed until she could question the town accountant. With MacNeill playing peacemaker, the article was approved but there was no endorsement by the board pending Colarusso's questions. The warrant was eventually closed, but the groundwork for agenda item 8 had been set.

The board also said the town's government survey has been extended to Nov. 1. Residents can do the survey here or residents can get a copy at the library or the senior center ... Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan said the town is still awaiting a decision on Weiss Farm from the Massachusetts Housing Appeal Committee. More information on Weiss Farm can be found on the town website.

Colarusso had the night's final word, reminding residents that October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that it was important for women to have mammograms.