To the editor:
I have been following the discussion in reference to 3A the past several months. I was interested in the fact that the type and value of the grants that would be denied Marblehead were all over the place, so I decided to do some research myself.
I studied the Marblehead 2023 and 2024 town reports, Town Meeting handouts and relevant information from various town departments and commissions and met with town staff.
In my humble opinion, the conclusion that I reached is if 3A is voted down on July 8, it will be a financial disaster for Marblehead.
While our property taxes keep the town running, state discretionary grants provide the resources for improving our infrastructure and enhancing the character of the town. Prose and poetry, if you will.
Recent discretionary grants financed many projects to include Rail Trail resurfacing, Pleasant, Vine and Cross Street intersection traffic flow improvement, Municipal Shipyards Project design, Five Corners intersection-School Street redesign, State Street landing, Tucker Wharf Harbor Master Office sea level rise resiliency study, Marblehead Comprehensive Master Plan update, Fort Sewall Restoration and Pleasant Street-School Street Stormwater Drainage Upgrade.
The town is applying for grants to finance Village Street Bridge Replacement, Coffin School Reuse Study and Market Assessment, Housing Production Plan, Marblehead Business District Study plan, Washington Street roadway, streetscape and pedestrian enhancement and Marblehead Shipyards Project construction costs and completion of the Rail Trail resurfacing.
This is just a snapshot in time of the importance of grants to the well-being of the town. Now that the Community Development and Planning Department is fully staffed it will be able to do an even better job identifying grant opportunities and securing grant awards.
Marblehead is one of the most beautiful towns in America. I am voting yes on 3A as I feel it is important that the town continues to be eligible to receive grants to enhance its infrastructure, outdoor recreation, historic heritage and improve the resiliency of town harbor facilities and roadways.
Richard Thibedeau
Glover Square
