Town Meeting voter registration deadline April 25
The last day to register to vote for Town Meeting is Friday, April 25.
Registration can be completed in person, online or by mail. To apply online or check voter registration status, residents can visit the Secretary of State website at sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/elections-and-voting.htm or call the Town Clerk at 781-631-0528.
Housing Authority interested in Coffin School
At an April 15 meeting, the Marblehead Housing Authority agreed to contact the Select Board right after Town Meeting to express interest in the old Coffin School.
“Let’s make it clear that our interests are to build housing that is in need,” said MHA Executive Director Cathy Hoog.
“I think we could get 60 units in there,” said MHA member Bill Kuker. “Forty would be elderly, 20 would be true handicapped units.”
MHA Chair Jenn Schaeffner said, “There will be a prescriptive process and tremendous community input.”
The School Committee voted earlier this year to hand over the former school to the town.
Town new website still on hold
The town’s new website, which launched Feb. 20 but was pulled down in two days, is still being worked on, according to Marblehead Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin.
Benjamin said it’s not clear when it will be fixed and ready.
The $13,750 website overhaul, developed with vendor Revize LLC over a six-month period, reportedly suffered from broken links and incomplete information.
Earth Day celebration planned at Ware Pond
Marblehead Conservancy’s Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration will be held Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at Ware Pond.
Volunteers will plant native flowers and shrubs at Ware Pond to replace invasives. Scout Troops will be among those helping, and organizers hope to see other residents, particularly children, enjoying the experience.
Gloves will be provided, but participants should wear sturdy shoes. Parking on side streets is limited, so attendees are encouraged to use the rail trail to walk or bike to the event.
Pride flag raising set for June
The Select Board approved the Marblehead Pride Flag Raising Committee’s request to hold its 2025 ceremony on the lawn at Abbot Hall on Saturday, June 21, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Free shredding event, food drive at Marblehead Bank
Protect your personal information at “MarbleShred,” a free community shredding event at Marblehead Bank, 21 Atlantic Avenue, on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The company Shred-It Document Shredding will be on site to securely destroy old documents that could put identity at risk. Documents will be recycled afterward at their facility.
No cardboard, food waste, paper plates or paper towels will be accepted.
Additionally, the bank will hold a food drive to support the Marblehead Food Pantry during the event. Donations of non-perishable food, paper goods, toiletries, cash and checks will be collected.
The bi-annual event will be held rain or shine. For those unable to attend, Food Pantry donations are collected year-round at all bank branches.
Health Dept. hosts diaper drive through April
The Marblehead Health Department is sponsoring a diaper drive benefiting families in need during the month of April.
According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in two families in America struggles to afford diapers. The drive seeks new, unopened diaper packages in all sizes from newborn to size 6, with sizes 5 and 6 in greater demand. Baby wipes are also needed. All donations will be distributed to local food pantries and shelters.
Last year, the Health Department collected over 3,000 diapers for the Marblehead Food Pantry.
Donations can be dropped off at the Marblehead Health Department in the Mary Alley Building, 7 Widger Road, during regular business hours Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Retirement board seeks fifth member
The Marblehead Contributory Retirement Board is seeking qualified applicants for its fifth member position, to be appointed by the other four board members for a three-year term starting July 28.
Applicants must not be employees or retirees in the Marblehead Contributory Retirement System or any of its governmental member units. The five-member board oversees the administration of approximately 860 active, retired and inactive members.
Board members must file annual financial interest statements, complete ethics training biannually, develop knowledge of open meeting law and Chapter 32 of Massachusetts General Laws, attend meetings and trainings and complete 18 hours of education during their term.
Interested candidates should submit letters of interest and resumes to the Marblehead Retirement Board by May 30 at noon. For more information, contact Linda Gifford at 781-639-3418 or giffordl@marblehead.org.
The shots could have been fired in Marblehead
At Old North Church in Marblehead, 35 Washington St., on Sunday, April 27 at 11:30 a.m., local historian Judy Anderson will talk about where the first shots of the American Revolution were almost fired — and it’s pretty close to home.
On a cold winter day in 1775, more than 240 British troops landed in Marblehead and marched through the town to Salem to search for cannons that had been stockpiled there. Attend the event to find out what happened.
Later on Sunday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., a short walking tour will show the location where the British are said to have landed. Meet at the end of Front Street near Fort Sewall.
For more information, contact Judy Anderson at781-631-1762, or visit marbleheadtours.com.
Pickleball tournament supports mental health
Registration is now open for the Rally for Mental Health Pickleball Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 3, at the Veterans School courts.
Money raised will benefit the Marblehead Counseling Center, which provides mental health resources.
“MCC is thrilled to partner with Marblehead Pickleball as a recipient of their fundraising efforts,” said MCC Board member Ellen Kessler. “Being a pickleball player myself, it seemed like a natural synergy to bring these two organizations together. We are planning a fun day for and with the community. We hope to raise as much money as we can from players and sponsors, while also raising awareness to all that Marblehead Counseling Center has to offer.”
To learn more and register, visit marbleheadpickleball.org.
