After weeks of urging residents to complete the town’s community wellness survey, the Board of Health said participation has surpassed 2,600 responses, and it outlined plans to build on that work through state funding at its Nov. 10 meeting.
Board Chair Dr. Tom Massaro credited a recent CodeRED alert for boosting survey participation and said the board hoped to reach 2,500 responses before the survey closes Nov. 16. Hitting that mark, he said, would give the results “statistical legitimacy” to guide future public health efforts.
Given tight town finances, Massaro urged creating a nonprofit to pursue outside funding for the board’s programs.
“New monies for additional public health services will… have to come from external sources,” he said. “We might as well start today, because it’s not going to get any better tomorrow.”
Massaro also outlined plans to pursue a Massachusetts Department of Mental Health grant, due Nov. 21. The proposal would build on lessons from the CAHM survey and focus on public health literacy through education and youth engagement.
“The biggest measurable that we can figure out how to do in this town is improve community health literacy,” Massaro said.
As part of the initiative, Massaro suggested a 12-session, 80-minute course to give residents a comprehensive understanding of public health and the local healthcare system, using case studies to explore topics such as substance use and mental health. Participants could earn a certificate upon completion, with sessions potentially offered in partnership with local schools, the police academy or nearby universities.
Underage drinking
The board also focused on addressing underage drinking in town. BoH member Tom McMahon said parents repeatedly report feeling helpless as parties hosted by other parents become more common.
“They’re almost like bragging about it,” he said, describing how some parents post images of the gatherings on social media. He also expressed frustration that, while police have broken up some parties, no arrests have been made.
He identified several streets repeatedly mentioned by residents and plans to provide that information to the police to help target enforcement and ensure accountability. The streets McMahon identified include: Kenneth Road, Abbott Street, Gregory Street, Clifton Avenue and Liberty Road.
He said many parents feel caught between wanting to protect their own children and fearing their teens will be excluded if they refuse to participate.
To address this, the board is considering requiring parents to attend an educational session on social hosting and its legal consequences before prom. Another idea under discussion is a speaker series that would bring in individuals affected by substance use or drinking and driving to speak directly to parents.
The board plans to work with the Select Board, School Committee and town officials to review current laws and compare them with policies in other communities, exploring potential steps the town could take to strengthen enforcement and prevent future incidents.
Trash & recycling
Members also reviewed recent community feedback on curbside collection, where residents raised questions about barrel sizes and pickup frequency, with majority input favoring weekly trash and recycling collection. While some residents suggested major changes, board members emphasized that advancing proposals such as “pay as you throw” would require following formal procedures.
Beach sign
Officials also approved a minor revision to the Riverhead Beach sign, changing the wording to “water may not be suitable for swimming” to clarify that the area is not monitored for bacteria and is not intended as a swimming beach.
Food security
Food security was another key topic as board member Dr. Amanda Ritvo stressed the importance of ensuring families have access to nutritious meals, particularly in light of recent disruptions to SNAP benefits.
“Access to healthy food is one of the main drivers of good health and when families struggle to put meals on the table… the impact reaches beyond hunger to all members of the family,” she said.
Residents were encouraged to support local food pantries such as the Marblehead Food Pantry, My Brother’s Table in Lynn and Project Bread’s FoodSource hotline. McMahon also offered guidance on preparing healthy meals on a budget, highlighting how nutritious food can be affordable with careful planning.
Public Health Director Andrew Petty said the department will again request $120,000 for the Marblehead Counseling Center in its fiscal 2027 budget, restoring a cut made last year. He said work is underway at the town’s Transfer Station, with excavation beginning this week. Commercial operations are expected to be closed for about 25 days, while residential access will remain open.
