News in brief: School Committee, sports complex, stargazing and more

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Committee votes to self report possible OML violation
At the Sept. 30 School Committee meeting, member Jenn Schaeffner made a motion that the committee should self report a possible Open Meeting Law violation to the state. Schaeffner said that an email sent by Chair Al Williams regarding School Committee goals violated the OML because it included suggestions from two members for possible goals.

The School Committee ultimately voted 4-1 to self report, partly to avoid paying their attorney for a legal opinion. Williams was the sole vote against the motion. The committee agreed to additional Open Meeting Law training.

More progress on plans for a new sports complex at Reynolds Field. CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Sports complex one step closer to reality
The Recreation & Parks Commission voted to hire the firm CHA for $381,000 to begin planning the new Reynolds Park sports complex project. The project includes three phases, including a refrigerated ice rink with a pavilion-style roof and modular turf system allowing the facility to serve multiple sports throughout the year.

Rec & Parks Commissioner Shelly Bedrossian said CHA would start work this fall with engineering, topography and drainage studies. The results of those studies will help determine the scope of the project. The new sports complex is funded by a $3 million bequest left by Larz Anderson.

Marblehead’s Amy Gingle is the newest member of the Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA board of directors.

Nonprofit fundraising expert joins Y board
Marblehead’s Amy Gingle, a nonprofit fundraising expert with nearly 20 years of development experience, has been named to the Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA board of directors, announced board chair Pat Milner. Gingle also works as a senior director at the Orr group, a fundraising consulting firm.
“We are thrilled to add Amy to our team,” said Milner, who noted that the Y’s fundraising efforts support $800,000 in annual childcare scholarships, youth camperships and member assistance for those unable to fully pay.

: The Win-4-All Pickleball Tournament in Marblehead raised $35,000 for Girls, Inc.

Pickleball tourney supports Girls Inc.
Marblehead Pickleball and TQM Wealth Partners raised $35,000 for Girls, Inc. of Boston and Lynn at its third annual Win-4-All Pickleball Tournament at the Veterans School on Sept. 14. More than 140 players participated.

Star gazing and astronomy night at Goldthwait

Weather permitting, the Goldthwait Reservation and members of the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club will host a Star Gazing Party on Friday, Oct. 17, 7-9:30 p.m., with a cloud date of Saturday night, Oct. 18. Attendance will be limited to the first 50 to register for the event, and children 6 years and up are welcome.

The Gloucester Astronomy Club will have laser tours of the autumn constellations and some fabulously high-powered telescopes set up to show the wonders of the dark night sky. Celestial objects observed will be planets, star clusters, nebulae, distant galaxies and stars almost as old as time.

Star-gazing etiquette dictates that only red lights are permitted after dark. Red light flashlights (flashlights covered with red brake light tape) will be provided to assist people from their cars to the observation area. White light compromises night vision. Flashlights and iPhone lights can be easily adapted with red cellophane paper or red brake-light tape.

To register, text 781-724-5734 or email fionaclubbock@gmail.com.

Household hazardous waste day
The town is hosting its fall household hazardous waste day at the Transfer Station on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 4-7 p.m. Here are a few items that people can bring: oil-based paints, fuels, motor oil, insecticides, chemical fertilizer, photo chemicals and fluorescent bulbs. People may not bring prescription medicine or syringes, ammunition or fireworks, or commercial or industrial waste.

There are new fees this year:

$40, 0-3 gallons or up to 6 lbs.
$55, 3-10 gallons or up to 20 lbs.
$90, 10-25 gallons or up to 50 lbs.

Enter the Transfer Station on Green Street. Only credit cards and checks will be accepted. For more info, call 781-631-0212.

Holiday Pops

Marblehead Harbor Rotary will present Holiday Pops featuring maestro Dirk Hillyer and The Hillyer Festival Orchestra in historic Abbot Hall on Dec. 13. Tickets go on sale Nov. 12 at rotaryclubofmheadharbor.org. Floor tickets are $85, and balcony tickets are $45. For sponsor details and event information, visit rotaryclubofmheadharbor.org or call Jessica Barnett at 781-639-0624.