William J. Dowd - Marblehead Current

Marblehead celebrates another successful exchange tournament with Saint Lambert, Quebec

27Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Sports

Marblehead celebrates another successful exchange tournament with Saint Lambert, Quebec

The 59th annual Marblehead Youth Hockey/Saint Lambert Hockey Exchange took place from Nov. 17-19 at Lynn’s Connery Rink. It brought old friends back together again. The Marblehead Hollyhocks girls youth hockey program is stronger than ever, and showing theirAmerican pride during the annual MYH/Saint Lambert, Quebec youth hockey exchange earlier this month at Lynn’s Connery Rink. A total of 16 teams participated throughout the weekend, competing in a total of 24 games, a skills competition and a coaches game, plus the memorable opening ceremonies. Marblehead Youth Hockey Association president Mike Calabrese faces off with Hollyhocks player Elizabeth Bedrossian during the ceremonial puck drop to begin the 59th edition of the Exchange with Saint Lambert, Quebec program on Nov. 17 at...

CHOOSING UP SIDES: Youth basketball players meet their teams

27Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Sports

CHOOSING UP SIDES: Youth basketball players meet their teams

The Marblehead Youth Basketball Association hosted its first "Meet Your Team Night" Nov. 21 at Veterans Middle School. The event included 300 boys finding out which team they would be playing on, meeting their coaches and teammates, and of course receiving their new team jersey. While loud and chaotic, it was great fun for all, according to MYBA’s leadership. Surrounded by an anxious crowd, Suns coach John Donovan names the members of his team at the Marblehead Youth Basketball Association’s first ‘Meet Your Team Night’ at Veterans Middle School. COURTESY PHOTOS/VICTORIA DOSCH Raptors coach Chris Bruell introduces his team at the Marblehead Youth Basketball Association’s first ‘Meet Your Team Night’ Nov. 21.

OLD TIMERS NIGHT: Former governor helps kick off rivalry week

27Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Sports

OLD TIMERS NIGHT: Former governor helps kick off rivalry week

About 160 attendees from the Marblehead and Swampscott Gridiron Clubs gathered at the Gerry 5 Nov. 20 to hear Charlie Baker, former Massachusetts governor and current NCAA president, share his thoughts on the power of football to forge life skills and create opportunities for student-athletes. Former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, who now serves as NCAA president, speaks to alumni of the Marblehead-Swampscott football rivalry at the annual Gridiron Club Old Timers Night at the Gerry 5 on Monday, Nov. 20. COURTESY PHOTO Baker said that his son had told him that there are two types of people in the world: those who have been in the huddle and those who have not. Baker also talked about the crucible of football in towns like Marblehead and Swampscott: how the traditions, history ...

The 2023 wild turkeys of Marblehead photo album

24Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Environment, Local News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

The 2023 wild turkeys of Marblehead photo album

Wild turkeys were not just a Thanksgiving centerpiece in Marblehead; they have become a year-round spectacle. The Marblehead Current created a local wild turkeys photo album featuring photos from our readers. Wild turkeys are spotted in Marblehead, maintaining a tradition of appearing in local neighborhoods. COURTESY PHOTO / THERESA COLLINS Turkeys roam the neighborhood around Togan Way near Redd's Pond in Marblehead. COURTESY PHOTO / DOUG HILL A solitary turkey known as Eloise struts with confidence along Circle Street. COURTESY PHOTO / HAYLEY MARTIN Hayley Martin captured a bold turkey named Eloise on Thanksgiving Day, right on Circle Street. Elaine Leahy didn't miss her chance, photographing turkeys outside the medical building on Widger Road. Meanwhile, Doug Hill's lens...

BALANCING ACT: Resident loses fight for eco-friendly heat/AC unit on appeal to town

22Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Environment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

BALANCING ACT: Resident loses fight for eco-friendly heat/AC unit on appeal to town

The Marblehead Select Board unanimously upheld a decision requiring Front Street homeowner Sally Thompson to relocate exterior electric air conditioning equipment on her historic home, despite her pleas of financial hardship. Sally Thompson, center standing, makes her case before the Marblehead Select Board to allow exterior air conditioning units to remain on her home in the town's historic district during an appeal hearing Nov. 15. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD The Select Board rejected Thompson’s appeal of an order from the Old and Historic Districts Commission, demanding she move heat/air conditioning line sets attached to the outside of her house at 34 Front St. by March 2024. The OHDC said the highly visible line sets violated historic preservation rules prohibiting moder...

Marblehead, Swampscott sharing building commissioner

22Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

Marblehead, Swampscott sharing building commissioner

Marblehead and Swampscott have entered into an inter-municipal agreement to share a building commissioner, buying Marblehead some time to figure out a permanent solution. Stephen Cummings was appointed as the new part-time building commissioner for Marblehead under an inter-municipal agreement with Swampscott, where he also serves as building commissioner. COURTESY PHOTO / THE TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT "The current agreement runs through the end of the fiscal year to plug the vacancy and to act as a pilot program," Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Marblehead Current on Nov. 17. "I am confident that this agreement can also work in the long term." The Marblehead Select Board appointed Swampscott Building Commissioner Stephen Cummings as building commissioner unanimously this mon...

Board of Health navigates internal dynamics, hears Transfer Station update

22Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Health, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Board of Health navigates internal dynamics, hears Transfer Station update

Candid discussion about ongoing tensions among members opened the Marblehead Board of Health's meeting on Tuesday. Dr. Thomas Massaro of Marblehead proposed a public health advisory committee in town. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD Board member Joanne Miller said, “What we're kind of missing is: Working as a board is hard when you can’t talk outside of meetings.” Under the Open Meeting Law, a majority of officials serving on the same governing board cannot meet privately outside of an official public meeting and discuss board of health business. For a three-member board, a majority would consist of two members. Therefore, if two of the three board members were to meet in private and discuss business, this would constitute an unlawful meeting lacking proper public notice and acce...

Marblehead Select Board sets 2024 Town Meeting table

22Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

Marblehead Select Board sets 2024 Town Meeting table

On Nov. 15, the Select Board unanimously approved four motions to open the warrant for the 2024 Town Meeting. Residents pack Marblehead Veterans Middle School for the 2023 Annual Town Meeting. The 2024 Town Meeting will take place on Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in the same location. The motions set key dates for Town Meeting, which serves as the legislative body for the town and allows residents to vote on budgets, bylaws, home-rule petitions and resolutions. The Town Meeting will take place on Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Veterans Middle School Auditorium at Duncan Sleigh Square, 217 Pleasant St. The warrant is now open for voters to sponsor warrant articles — known as citizen petitions — until Friday, Jan. 19 at noon. Meanwhile, the cutoff for town government boards and commi...

Local photographer captures New England coast

17Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Art, Culture, Local News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Local photographer captures New England coast

In his photography, Marblehead resident Fletcher Boland captures the ever-changing personality along New England's coastline. Through his lens, Marblehead photographer Fletcher Boland vividly documents the constantly evolving character of New England's shoreline. COURTESY PHOTOS Boland first discovered his passion for photography after graduating from high school. "I started photography when I was probably 19," the Sudbury native told the Marblehead Current. "I started studying art first, starting off doing a lot of [metal] sculpture and then, took some photography classes and really got into it." In the years since, Boland has traveled the U.S. and abroad, honing his skills and photographic eye. But it was settling in Marblehead — where he joined the sailing community a...

17Nov

By William J. Dowd1 Comment

Obituaries

OBITUARY: Lee Bartlett Weed, 83

Lee Bartlett Weed, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, steadfast friend to many and a lifelong and proud ‘Header, passed away at her home on Nov. 15 at 83 years old. Lee was born in Marblehead on April 7, 1940, to Doris “Snooks” and Charles “Dubby” Bartlett. She attended the Gerry School and Marblehead High School, where she met the love of her life, Barry Francis Weed. They graduated together from MHS in 1958. Lee graduated from The New England Baptist School of Nursing in 1961 and began work in her hometown at the Mary Alley Hospital. She was truly home, as taking care of fellow ‘Headers was her calling and passion. Lee and Barry were married at St. Michael’s Church in Marblehead on April 28, 1962, and settled in downtown where Barry and Lee’s father “Dubby” built a ho...