Name: Jim “Jimmy” Zisson
How long have you lived in Marblehead? Laura and our two daughters moved to Naugus Head permanently about 15 years ago. I grew up right across the line in South Salem and, since childhood, spent a lot of time in Marblehead — especially on and in the water and, in later years, at Jacob Marley’s, Miguel’s, Flynnie’s on the Avenue and other fine white-glove dining establishments.
Profession: Registered professional engineer
Elected and appointed positions held: Various. Most recently, Brown School Building Committee and Town Charter Committee
With Marblehead facing a structural deficit, what are your priorities for balancing the budget without compromising essential services? Would you support a Proposition 2½ override, and under what circumstances?
I view essential services through the lens of the town departmental structure – public safety, schools, DPW, etc. For years, I have been independently analyzing the budget with ClearGov and Excel spreadsheets. I trade constructive ideas with the FinCom and Finance Department and their responses are always rapid and informative. I thoroughly understand the nuts and bolts of the budget and will be ready to make tough priority calls on day one. While much improvement has been made to the town’s financial tools, there is still work to be done — and I will support that. One area we need to improve on is timely and accurate free cash forecasting which has been hobbled by archaic tools. Until we get a better handle on free cash forecasting, it will be extremely difficult to predict the need for any potential future override and the taxpayer appetite for such will remain low.
Do you believe hybrid meetings should be mandated for all Marblehead boards and committees? Why or why not, and how would you address any logistical or financial challenges to making that happen?
Yes. One hundred percent. In my day job, it’s an everyday occurrence to slap a laptop down on top of a beat-up shipping container in a sweltering remote overseas aircraft hangar and start a global hybrid Zoom on a moment’s notice. In the year 2025, hybrid meetings are neither difficult nor expensive
How would you balance the need for housing development with the preservation of Marblehead’s historic and community character?
The Select Board makes appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Old and Historic Districts Commission. It is incumbent on the Select Board to carefully select members who honor the fine balance between preservation and common-sense improvements and development. The selected individuals and groups must also be able to work collaboratively with the independently elected Planning Board.
How would you approach long-term capital planning to address aging infrastructure and climate resilience needs while ensuring fiscal responsibility?
The Select Board recently reinvigorated the long-dormant Capital Planning Committee, which is a huge plus. It’s a mix of residents and town professionals. I attended the Select Board meeting when the appointments were made, and it is a stellar group of experienced individuals. But the list of needs is long, and it is up to this group and the Select Board to prioritize those needs and make a case before Town Meeting. As a Select Board member, I will ensure the committee has the resources to do this important work. As a registered professional engineer, capital planning and project execution is a passion of mine. As a member of the Brown School Building Committee and value engineering subcommittee, I am extremely proud of the work we did to come in $1.5 million under budget, which tends to be all too infrequent in the public space.
