Nature School Seeks Weekly Use of Whip Hill

Conservation Commission · Meeting of October 7, 2026

STONEHAM — The Stoneham Conservation Commission moved toward letting a nature school use Whip Hill weekly and approved fire-alarm wiring without a $5,600 covering option. Mulberry Forest Montessori, a Reading-based micro-school newly accredited by the Reading School Committee, proposed one day a week at Whip Hill, capped at 22 people including teachers, for a $300 annual donation; the plan awaits town counsel review, targeted for the October 15 meeting, partly to resolve a scheduling conflict with the Garden Club's standing Thursday meetings. Whip Hill caretaker AJ reported a multi-year Japanese knotweed treatment is needed and that ice dams caused three leak points last winter, saying "I don't think we're going to have leaks if we stay on top of the roof." Commissioners also discussed a "Friends of Whip Hill" nonprofit, eyeing a November open house, and noted the property's Santa event nets about $400 against $1,400 in costs.

Vice Chair Jeremy Zasowkski agreed to draft an updated strategic plan for Whip Hill by the next meeting.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,685 words

Source: the Conservation Commission meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.