Kris Olson

983 Posts
REALITY CHECK: Why is Retirement Board meeting Wednesday?
08 Jun

REALITY CHECK: Why is Retirement Board meeting Wednesday?

Kris OlsonLocal News
You may have seen the anti-override citizens group Better Way Marblehead calling attention to a meeting of the town's Retirement Board, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, the day after the town election in which voters will decide the fate of a tiered set of general overrides to fund town services and a fourth override question related to trash collection. "The very first item on their agenda for June 10th — the day after you vote on a permanent tax increase — is a…
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Current denied request to attend health board member’s info session
07 Jun

Current denied request to attend health board member’s info session

Kris OlsonMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
Tom McMahon, a candidate for re-election to the Board of Health, has denied the Current's request to attend his information session on the override vote and the town's new trash collection program scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Tom McMahon Asked whether the press would be welcome to attend, McMahon first asked the Current to prove its lack of bias by demonstrating that it understood the formulas underlying the two override calculators created by the citizens' groups For Marblehead and Better Way Marblehead. After a response was…
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Signs point to… not the whole story
01 Jun

Signs point to… not the whole story

Kris OlsonMunicipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Election Guide
By now, you likely have seen them on lawns throughout town: the anti-override group Better Way Marblehead’s signs, which read “$7,500+ Per Home Every 3 Years, Forever!” Some residents may have wondered, “Is that true?” Here’s our assessment. WHAT THE SIGN GETS RIGHT: The overrides the town will be voting on June 9 are, in fact, “forever.” They are general overrides that remain part of the tax rate rather than exclusions that drop off the tax levy when the bonds issued to finance a particular…
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Town’s 3A plan: What happens next?
12 May

Town’s 3A plan: What happens next?

Kris OlsonMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
With their vote under Article 4 on May 4, Town Meeting voters amended the town’s zoning bylaw to adopt a multifamily overlay district designed to meet the town’s obligations under the MBTA Communities Law (G.L.c. 40A, §3A). But Marblehead is not yet technically “compliant” from the state’s perspective. Marblehead can achieve “interim compliance” with the law by submitting a complete application package for review to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, a spokesperson for the office explained. That package will include the town’s…
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And the answer is… Marblehead: Town appears in ‘Jeopardy!’ clue for first time in 17 years
26 Feb

And the answer is… Marblehead: Town appears in ‘Jeopardy!’ clue for first time in 17 years

Kris OlsonEntertainment, Top Stories
Marblehead "Jeopardy!" enthusiasts may have done a double take during the Feb. 26 Double Jeopardy round when host Ken Jennings read a clue that referenced the town. The $1,200 clue in the "Geography" category was: "A tombolo is a sandy or pebbly one of these connecting an island to the mainland, like in Marblehead, Massachusetts." (We'll give you a minute to come up with the answer.) Marblehead appears in a clue in the Double Jeopardy round of the Feb. 26 episode of "Jeopardy!" COURTESY PHOTO/LISA…
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19 Jan

Headlight: Jan. 21, 2026

Kris OlsonEducation, Headlight
Check out the latest issue of Marblehead High School’s Headlight. In this edition: Sophomore reporter Anna Baughman writes about a student art installation at National Grand Bank. Sophomore reporter Jack Buckley documents the success of the undefeated junior varsity boys basketball team. Freshman reporter Sophie Li reports on the business competition in which members of DECA, a club that prepares students to practice leadership and entrepreneurship skills, recently took part. Headlight January 21, 2026Download
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Auld acquaintance not forgot at Marblehead’s Burns Night
16 Jan

Auld acquaintance not forgot at Marblehead’s Burns Night

Kris OlsonEntertainment, Top Stories
The sound of the bagpipes and the smell of haggis filled the air at The Landing Restaurant on Thursday for the annual Burns Night celebration hosted by Rhod Sharp and his wife, Vicki Staveacre. A tradition dating back to 1801, Burns suppers celebrate the life and poetry of Robert Burns, the prolific national poet of Scotland best known as the author of “Auld Lang Syne.” From left, Vicki Staveacre, Rhod Sharp, Shauna Martin, Jeremy Bell and Julianne Gearhart at the Burns supper at The Landing…
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14 Jan

Headlight: Jan. 14, 2026

Kris OlsonEducation, Headlight
Check out the latest issue of Marblehead High School’s Headlight. In this edition: Luka Bornhorst writes about what student-athletes should expect from the college recruiting process. Assistant Editor Evan Eisen explores the age-old question of whether students are courting lasting harm by cracking their knuckles. Headlight January 14 - B (21 inches), 2026Download
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