The publication of this Town Code begins a new era in the history of the compilation of the bylaws, rules and regulations of the Town and the legislative acts applicable to the Town. This is the first Town Code published on a personal computer and printed in-house. With these tools of the computer age, the Town will be able to more easily update the Code on an annual or semi-annual basis.
As with all history, this Code was built upon the hard work of others, those who have previously labored in or through the Office of the Town Counsel to compile and update the Town Code. Particular mention goes to former Town Counsel, Thomas M. Leahy, who initiated and oversaw the recodification and revision of the town code, its bylaws, rules and regulations and special acts, published by Michie City Publications Company in accordance with the vote of the 1972 Annual Town Meeting. That recodification and revision was approved by the Annual Town Meeting held on April 29, 1976. It was the first comprehensive compilation of the Town’s Bylaws and Regulations since the publication done by former Town Counsel Orvis H. Saxby in 1947-1948. In addition, the 1976 publication of the Town Code was the first one
done in an expandable book format. Subsequent to the 1976 recodification, the Code was updated on a periodic basis by Town Counsel Leahy, with the invaluable assistance of Arthur Chapman and Elizabeth Luciano. In 1982, due to the extensive number of amendments, Town Counsel Leahy supervised the update of the Town Code by Michie City Publication Company. Thereafter, the Town Code continued to be updated in-house through the efforts of Town Counsel Leahy. In 1984, the entire code was input by Catherine Broderick using a Wang word processor and photocopied at the North East Metropolitan Regional Vocational School, which was supplemented thereafter.
This publication changes the Town Code to a letter size ( 8 ½" x 11") format. The layout, design and printing of the Code and its cover resulted from the creative and inventive work and supervision of Catherine Broderick. Assistance on the cover design was provided by Ruth M. Lyons.
The Town Code has been extensively updated in a number of ways, including:
a. The inclusion of the Selectmen/Administrator Act (the "Act"). In addition to the editorial provision of subheadings, the Act has been cross-referenced throughout the bylaws and has been included in the updated and revised index.
b. The addition of the regulations of the Council on Aging and the Stoneham Public Library, reviewed for substance and format by this office.
c. Amendment and reorganization of the regulations of a number of boards with the assistance of this office. Particular mention goes to the efforts of the Board of Health under the direction of its Chairman Michael J. Rolli.
d. Expanded state law and cross-references in a more readable format.
e. Expanded notation of adoption dates and article numbers for previously adopted bylaws, including zoning bylaws.
f. Expanded notations of general law references for acts and resolves accepted or petitioned by the Town of Stoneham.
With the publication of this Code, the Town and this office can turn its attention to updating the General Bylaws, whether through recodification or by a less comprehensive approach. That task will, in many respects, mirror the work involved in updating certain regulations contained herein. In fact, to a large extent it will be less involved than the revision of regulations, since much of the task is simply the elimination of bylaws no longer relevant or applicable due to the Selectmen-Administrator Act and laws of the Commonwealth. Some of these changes have, in fact, been made on a gradual basis in recent years.
Subsequent to an update or recodification of the General Bylaws, it is the intent of this office to have the Town Code electronically formatted to allow for computer search and retrieval of information by computer disc or network, and possibly over the INTERNET.
The assistance of Faith M. Jenkins, clerk of the Board of Appeals and Planning Board, was most invaluable with respect to the updating of the Zoning Bylaws and the Rules and Regulations of those boards.
The encouragement and support of Tom Leahy is also noted and appreciated. His contribution to the Town of Stoneham and its legal department needs no elaboration.
Finally, this project could not have been successfully completed without the outstanding efforts and dedication of Catherine Broderick. Her efforts in all aspects of compiling and preparing this Town Code are greatly appreciated.
William H. Solomon
Town Counsel
Dated November 11, 1996
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