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75% of MBTA communities approve multifamily districts
Seventy-five percent of Massachusetts communities required to comply with the MBTA Communities Law have now approved multifamily zoning, with more than 4,000 new homes already in the pipeline, state officials announced May 30.
The 133 cities and towns out of 177 that have adopted the zoning changes represent a significant milestone in addressing the state’s housing shortage, according to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
After months of collaboration, Milton recently achieved interim compliance by submitting an action plan that was approved by state housing officials. Gloucester and Ipswich also recently came into compliance with state assistance.
“Cities and towns across the state are saying yes to housing, which will lower costs and create more opportunities for families to stay in the communities where they work or are raising their kids,” said Gov. Healey.
Earlier this year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $8.7 million in MBTA Communities Catalyst Funds to 10 fully compliant communities to support housing development in the new multifamily districts.
Street Sweeping
The Department of Public Works will deploy its sweepers town-wide Monday through Thursday, June 9-12, clearing winter sand and spring debris from narrow gutters ahead of summer traffic. A temporary parking ban runs each night from 12:01- 7 a.m. on posted streets in the downtown and the shipyard district. “No Parking” signs will go up 24 hours in advance, and CodeRED calls, flyers and social-media posts will remind residents. Cars left curbside can be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. The operation is weather-dependent but will move forward in light rain.
Cultural Council seeks community input
The Marblehead Cultural Council is conducting its annual community survey to gather input on funding priorities across the arts, humanities, history and science programming. Residents are invited to share which types of programming matter most to them.
The council uses the survey results to help determine how to allocate state grant funding. Responses are due by July 15.
To participate, visit marbleheadculturalcouncil.org/survey or scan the QR code.
Gas leaf blowers banned until Labor Day
With summer in full swing, Marblehead police and health officials are reminding landscapers and homeowners that gasoline-powered leaf blowers are prohibited town-wide until Labor Day. The seasonal bylaw aims to cut noise and emissions during the months when windows are open and outdoor dining is popular. Electric or battery-powered blowers remain legal. Violators can face escalating fines and equipment confiscation, though police say the first step will be education and a written warning. Reports can be made to the department’s non-emergency line, 781-631-1212.Scan this QR code to access the Marblehead Cultural Council’s 2025 community survey, open through July 15. COURTESY PHOTO
Letters of support approved for eight state grant bids
The Select Board voted to send eight letters of support behind grant requests that could bring more than $2 million in state money to Marblehead. The Community Development and Planning Department has bundled projects that touch almost every corner of town, including grant applications endorsed by the Select Board. They include:
— Accelerating Climate Resilience Grant: Urban-heat mitigation at New Farrell Court, Powder House Court/Green Street and Barnard Hawkes public-housing sites (shade trees, benches and storm-water improvements).
— Massachusetts Downtown Initiative: Data-driven parking study covering Marblehead’s two business districts.
— Underutilized Properties Program: Abbot Hall attic-access project (code-compliant stairwells and ADA upgrades to open a future museum space).
— Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program: Refundable tax-credit pool to lure businesses into downtown storefronts vacant at least six months.
MBTA Communities Catalyst Funding: Rail Trail “Y” segment design near the Village 13 electric substation.
— Real-Estate Services Technical Assistance: Community reuse study for the condemned Coffin School property.
— MassWorks Infrastructure Grant: Complete-streets redesign Washington Street from Five Corners to Hooper Street.
— Municipal ADA Grant: Elevator repair, accessible restrooms and compliant service counters in Mary Alley Municipal Building.
Officials cautioned that several applications — including the MassWorks infrastructure grant and the MBTA Community Catalyst request — are contingent on the town remaining in compliance with the state’s 3A multifamily zoning mandate, which faces a repeal vote July 8 and a July 14 compliance deadline.
Most of the programs require local matches of five to 10%, which officials said can be met with staff time, private donations or already-appropriated capital funds.
