To the editor
The recent letter to the editor regarding the sorry state of our roads in Marblehead (Aug. 10, 2026) was all too familiar to me. For the last six years I have had the DPW repeatedly come onto my property without permission to destroy it. They have also destroyed trees I have legally planted in the right of way in an effort to improve the streetscape and replace trees they had removed, and without notice relocated an MBTA bus stop from an appropriate location to an unsafe, unlit location with multiple hazards right next to where they knew I had just made significant and costly improvements in my backyard. This seemed personal and malicious without any regard for proper safety. Sure enough, a serious accident recently occurred adjacent to that very spot.
When I brought my concerns to the Town I was treated rudely by the Director and ignored by the Select Board.Then when I brought alleged abuse of DPW Director’s position to their attention they continued to ignore me. Now the account of roads in improper repair and neglect once again speaks loudly to the unprofessionalism and ineptitude of our DPW management, which is responsible for overseeing right of way construction and maintenance projects. The misuse of scarce funds for ill advised projects that seem motivated by malice while roads openly descend further into disrepair is an odd way to treat the residents you work for.
Although I was not among them, the Town recently voted to entrust departments like the DPW with utilizing our resources in a cost effective and responsible way. It seems this trust has certainly been misplaced as sidewalks to nowhere are installed all over town while our most important transportation routes become more dangerous by the day.
Sincerely,
Chris Reilly
Tedesco Street
