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Water and sewer rate-setting hearing scheduled for June 24
The Board of Water and Sewer Commission will hold its annual rate-setting hearing on Monday, June 24, at the commission’s offices at 100 Tower Way, Building 11.
The evening will begin with the board’s regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., followed immediately by the public hearing. The annual rate-setting hearing determines the town’s water and sewer utility rates for the coming fiscal year.
Marblehead Little Theatre announces auditions for fall production
Marblehead Little Theatre will hold auditions for “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller on Sunday, Aug. 3, 3-5 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 4, 7-9 p.m. Callbacks are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 6, 7-9 p.m.
The play centers on the Salem witch trials of 1692 and serves as an allegory for “witch hunts” occurring at any time or place. Auditioners should prepare a two- to three-minute monologue from an American play.
Performances run three weekends from Oct. 3-19. To register for an audition slot, visit the theatre’s website. Marblehead Little Theatre is located at 12 School St., Marblehead, Massachusetts. For more information, contact info@mltlive.org.
Marblehead Rotary Club announces 2025 scholarship recipients
The Marblehead Rotary Club announced its five scholarship recipients for 2025. These students were selected for their academic excellence, leadership, community involvement and strong character. Each year, the club awards several one-time scholarships and one four-year scholarship to outstanding local students. This year’s awardees are Sean Dolan, Brady Selvais, Maren Potter, Arielle Khan and Will Finnegan.
Sean Dolan received the Donald Humphreys Veterans Memorial Rotary Scholarship, which honors the legacy of a respected community leader and veteran. He will attend Boston College pursuing science and aviation this fall.
Brady Selvais was awarded the Randolph E. and Barbara K. Goodwin Memorial Scholarship, a four-year scholarship given in honor of two longtime Marblehead community advocates. He will study engineering at the University of Miami.
Other recipients include Maren Potter, heading to Northeastern University to pursue marine biology; Arielle Khan, who will study economics and psychology at the University of Michigan; and Will Finnegan, continuing his studies in engineering at the University of New Hampshire.
Current awards scholarship to MHS senior/intern
Marblehead High School senior Benji Boyd received the Frances “Fraffie” Welch and Edward “Ed” Bell Scholarship from the Marblehead Current on Wednesday night. Editor Leigh Blander presented the scholarship to Boyd at the high school. The scholarship is funded by The Mariner in Marblehead.
Boyd, who worked as an intern at the Current for more than two years, will attend Vassar College in the fall. The Current described Boyd as a talented reporter and writer during his internship.
The scholarship honors two significant figures in journalism who contributed to the Marblehead community. Welch, a graduate of Marblehead High School, spent more than 30 years as a journalist and was committed to community service. Bell had a distinguished 50-year career in newspapers, broadcasting and wire service, retiring as chief of bureau for the Associated Press in Boston. Bell was a co-founder of the Marblehead Current.
The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in journalism and writing, continuing the legacy of both Welch and Bell’s commitment to quality journalism and community engagement.
Water main improvements continue on multiple streets
Marblehead’s Water and Sewer Commission provided updates on water main improvements affecting Curtis Street, Roosevelt Avenue, Rowland Street, Pleasant Street and Bubier Road through June 13.
Work on Roosevelt Avenue is complete, with the new water main installed and service reconnections finished. Final trench paving has been completed and temporary bypass piping removed.
Curtis Street’s new water main installation is complete and has passed water quality testing. Service reconnections are estimated to be completed the week of June 9, after which temporary bypass piping will be removed.
Rowland Street’s water main cleaning and lining is complete with temporary bypass removed and final paving finished. The water main connection to Cross Street and Washington Street has not yet been scheduled.
Pleasant Street work continues with temporary bypass installation complete and individual service connections finished. Water main cleaning and lining is in progress. A 24-hour, seven-day parking ban remains in effect from Watson Street to Washington Street. Vehicles parked in this zone will be towed.
Bubier Road’s temporary bypass installation is complete from Pleasant Street to Atlantic Avenue. Bypass connections from Atlantic Avenue to the harbor will continue the week of June 9.
For questions, contact the Water Department at 781-631-2694.
Current editor participates in Boston media panel
Current Editor Leigh Blander was featured on a Meet the Media panel in Boston June 5, hosted by the State House News Service. She joined journalists from the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Axios Boston, WGBH, El Mundo and Northeastern University. Blander spoke about the independent, nonprofit news model and its incredible impact on local news.
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.
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.
