OUR town stands at an important crossroads. I’m a relative newcomer, having resided in Marblehead for a little over 20 years (and a U.S. citizen for four), but I have learned that, for generations, Marblehead has been defined by the character of its people — a community that values quality of life, mutual support and responsible stewardship.
Yet this year, we face a real challenge, one that has been years in the making: We need to come together and support an override that will allow us to maintain the very services, schools and infrastructure that make OUR town such a special place to live.
The reality is simple: For years, costs have risen faster than revenues and state-level funding and local revenues have not kept pace with the demands of maintaining high-quality schools, safe streets and essential public services. This is not about excess or indulgence — it’s about sustainability. We cannot continue to draw from the well without replenishing it, for make no mistake, our well has run dry.
A comprehensive Tier Three override represents a responsible, forward-looking solution. It allows Marblehead to plan realistically for the long term rather than cobbling together a crisis-averting budget year after year.
OUR town is no longer a town of cordwainers and fisherfolk. We come from all over and are employed in careers that those industrious ‘Headers who came before could never have imagined.
By supporting an override, we affirm our commitment to shared responsibility — ensuring that future generations benefit from the same strong schools, responsive public safety and vibrant community that we, and all those who came before us, have all enjoyed.
This override is about more than numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about preserving the heart of Marblehead — the sense of belonging, safety and pride that binds us together. Fiscal responsibility is not simply about cutting costs; it’s about making wise investments in our shared future.
Let’s come together, as ‘Headers always have, to care for OUR town and for one another. Supporting a Tier Three override is not just an act of fiscal prudence — it’s an act of community.
Please show up to Town Meeting on Monday, May 4, and join me in voting to make sure that OUR entire voting population has the opportunity to vote for the future of OUR town on Tuesday June 10.
Paul Baker
Overlook Road
