Early voting hours approved for July 8 special election
The Select Board approved early voting hours for the July 8 special referendum election at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St. Town Clerk Robin Michaud requested the board vote on hours after the Board of Registrars unanimously approved early in-person voting last month. The approved hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1. The board previously approved early voting for the June 10 town election. For more info, contact Michaud at 781-631-0528 or michaudr@marblehead.org.
Horribles Parade permit approved for July 4
The Select Board approved Gerry 5 Veteran Fireman’s Association’s request to hold its annual Horribles Parade at 10 a.m. Friday, July 4, with Sunday, July 6, as the rain date. The parade route remains unchanged from previous years, starting and ending at National Grand Bank’s parking lot on Pleasant Street. Registration occurs Thursday, July 3, from 6-8 p.m. at Gerry 5 VFA, 210 Beacon St., and July 4 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at National Grand parking lot. Co-chairs Carol McHugh and Joan Champlin said the association sponsors the event with National Grand Bank at no cost to the town. The organization can be reached at 781-631-5214 or gerry5.com.
Southern Essex registry to remove ‘dirty deeds’
Essex County Register of Deeds Eileen Duff announced June 10 that the Southern Essex Registry of Deeds is working to eliminate discriminatory language from land records. The “dirty deeds” initiative, launched with support from Harborlight Homes and the North Shore NAACP, targets approximately 600 property deeds that still contain illegal restrictive covenants.
These covenants, once used to exclude racial and ethnic groups from neighborhoods, have long been voided by law. Still, Duff said, their presence in land records reinforces a discriminatory past.
“It is not enough to say this language is unenforceable; instead, we must ensure the language is discontinued and removed from future deeds,” she said.
The registry will notify property owners by mail and phone, offering assistance to remove the language through a legal affidavit at no cost. Duff noted many discriminatory clauses are copied from older documents used as templates for new sales. Going forward, staff will no longer record deeds referencing exclusionary terms.
For questions or concerns, contact the registry at 978-542-1700. More information is available at salemdeeds.com.
Board approves Ocean Avenue tree removal after hearing
The Select Board approved removing two Norway maple trees in the right of way adjacent to 344 Ocean Ave. following a public hearing. Property owner Martha Walton requested removal of the 11-inch and 13-inch diameter trees located 4 to 5 feet from her property fence on Brown Street. Tree Warden Jonathan Fobert found the 50-to-55-foot trees viable but recommended approval of the removal request. Walton committed to purchasing replacement plantings at her expense from species agreed upon by the tree warden’s office, following town shade tree regulations.
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.
North Shore Civic Ballet opens online auction, proceeds support dancers
The North Shore Civic Ballet’s 2025 online spring auction is now live, offering people the chance to bid on a wide variety of experiences and gift cards through June 27. Proceeds support scholarships, performances, costumes and training equipment for aspiring dancers in the North Shore region.
Bidders can access the auction at biddingforgood.com/ballet and explore options ranging from hotel stays at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem and Bayside Resort on Cape Cod to adventurous outings like Skydive Pepperell. Theater tickets, restaurant gift cards, and museum passes are also available, with more items added regularly.
Donations of gift certificates are welcome and can be dropped off or scheduled for pick-up at the ballet’s home at Marblehead School of Ballet, 115 Pleasant St. in Marblehead. Call 781-631-6262 or email msb@havetodance.com for more information.
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.
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.
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.
