Town Planner resigns, Select Board considers plan to cut energy use

Town Planner Alex Eitler has resigned effective Dec. 12. Eitler has been on the job for a little more than a year. He plans to move to Australia, according to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.

At a Nov. 20 Select Board meeting, Kezer announced that the planner position would be posted soon. Member Jim Zisson asked whether the town might want to pause on new hires until more is known about its financial future. Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin has projected a half-a-million reduction in revenues and is predicting the need for the town’s general override in 20 years. Kezer will deliver a financial update at the State of the Town in late January.

Also at the meeting, Marblehead Sustainability Coordinator Logan Casey presented a Municipal Energy Reduction Plan he says will cut energy use in town-owned buildings and vehicles by 20% over the next five years. The Select Board is expected to vote on the plan at its next meeting. 

Approval of the Municipal Energy Reduction Plan is required for the town to apply for a Green Community designation from the state. Green Communities are eligible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, but only if the town is compliant with the MBTA Community Act.

Marblehead is not compliant; however, town leaders are working on a new compliance plan that may rezone part of the Tedesco Country Club for multifamily housing. The zoning plan is also expected to include Broughton Road. The new plan will likely be voted on at Town Meeting in May.

According to Casey’s presentation, the town runs 25 buildings, 28 water and sewer stations and 175 vehicles. They produce 3,796 MT of CO2e, or 2% of the community’s CO2e emissions. 

Some reduction strategies include:

— Initiating insulation/energy efficiency measures
— Cutting lighting and plug loads
— Evaluating heating setpoints and equipment schedules
— Identifying electrification projects
— Conducting lighting and deep energy retrofits


MBTA Communities Act impacts

Select Board member Erin Noonan spoke twice at the meeting about the importance of becoming 3A compliant to help ease the state’s housing crisis and earn local grants.

“I hope we remember what type of a community we want to be. Are we part of the solution or are we part of the problem?” she asked.

Meanwhile, Kezer reported that the town is no longer eligible for a state Community Transit grant which helps fund senior transport vans at the Council on Aging.

“The COA’s transportation service is a vital lifeline for many of Marblehead’s most vulnerable residents, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. Last year, the COA provided more than 5,100 rides for medical appointments, treatments, pharmacy visits, grocery shopping and other essential mobility needs for more than 200 residents.”

The grant provides up to an 80% state match for vehicle purchases and operation expenses. Since the program’s inception in 2013, Marblehead has been awarded funding for four vehicles and $45,000 in operating support.

Coffin School hazardous building materials investigation

The Select Board approved $5,950 for a survey of the old Coffin School on Turner Road. The goal is to get preliminary cost estimates on asbestos abatement, building demolition and waste disposal. The town is hosting community listening sessions as it decides what to do with the property.

Town warrant is open

The Select Board to open the warrant (agenda) for the May 2026 Town Meeting. Residents can submit citizens petitions until Friday, Jan. 23, at noon. Town officials have until Friday, Jan. 30, at noon, to submit articles.

To submit a citizen petition, pick up a form at the Town Clerk’s Office at Abbot Hall and collect a minimum of 10 registered voter signatures. The clerk will then verify the signatures.

MPD accreditation

Police Chief Dennis King and Lt. David Ostrovitz spoke about the department’s recent accreditation by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. MPD is one of only 112 police agencies in the state (out of 258) to earn this accreditation.

“What’s the purpose of accreditation?” Ostrovitz asked at the Select Board meeting. “Kind of gives us a solid structure to keep us in line for things that are mandated by law… Those are things that cover patrol, training, hiring, discipline, all things — there’s virtually nothing in the department that isn’t touched by accreditation, as well as every member of our department.”