Beacon Hill - Marblehead Current

Rep. Armini, Zisson advocate for three-year Select Board terms

27Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

Rep. Armini, Zisson advocate for three-year Select Board terms

State Rep. Jenny Armini told colleagues on Beacon Hill that the time has come for Marblehead to transition to three-year terms for its Select Board. At a Sept. 26 hearing, she emphasized that the constant campaigning required by one-year terms is detrimental. State Rep. Jenny Armini spoke in support of three-year Marblehead Select Board terms on Tuesday, Sept. 26. COURTESY PHOTO Town Meeting last May approved the change, but it needs to be approved by the Legislature to take effect. Testifying before the Legislature's Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, Armini pointed out that Marblehead is the only Massachusetts town that still elects its Select Board members to one-year terms. This annual election cycle, she said, hampers long-term planning. "Expertise...

State law requires town to identify a total of 27 acres of denser zoning

19Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories, Travel

State law requires town to identify a total of 27 acres of denser zoning

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to remove references to outdated information about how close to bus stops multi-family housing must be located under the new state law. Final guidelines released by the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development on Aug. 10, 2022, allow communities like Marblehead with fewer than 100 developable acres within a half-mile of a bus station to choose any appropriate location for the revised zoning. The Marblehead Planning Board is exploring ways to comply with a state law that requires MBTA communities to zone for multifamily housing. Marblehead must zone for multifamily housing within 1/2 mile of at least one MBTA bus stop, like this one on Humphrey Street. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD The mandate will help the state “meet o...

PLUGGING IN: How is Marblehead preparing its power grid for the electric-vehicle boom?

30Aug

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Environment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Travel, Uncategorized

PLUGGING IN: How is Marblehead preparing its power grid for the electric-vehicle boom?

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain traction in Marblehead, the town's officials are taking proactive measures to ensure the local power grid can accommodate the growing demand. Across Massachusetts, communities face a state mandate to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Widespread EV adoption is a key strategy, aiming for at least 900,000 electric cars on state roadways by 2030. ‘10 years is really tomorrow’ "EVs are coming. How quickly are they going to come? That is the question," said Jean Jacques Yarmoff, a Marblehead Municipal Light Department commissioner focused on the town's energy future. "But for the light department and utilities across the country, 10 years is really tomorrow.” Marblehead is no exception and faces the challenge of reinforcing an aging municipal power...

Marblehead climate activist honored with Heroine Award

5Jul

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Marblehead climate activist honored with Heroine Award

Dr. Eileen Mathieu, a Marblehead resident, has been recognized for her instrumental role in local environmental advocacy with the 2023 Commonwealth Heroine Award. Dr. Eileen Mathieu, middle, is seen celebrating her 2023 Commonwealth Heroine Award at the Massachusetts State House with Renee Ramirez Keaney, left, and state Rep. Jenny Armini. COURTESY PHOTO / State Rep. Jenny Armini Mathieu was presented the award in a late June ceremony organized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women in the Great Hall of Flags atop Beacon Hill. The award celebrates women who make impactful contributions to their communities. Mathieu, a physician and active environmental leader in Marblehead, was nominated by a group of state representatives, including Rep. Jenny Armini, Democrat of...

Armini, Singer testify on safety of EV charging stations

14Jun

By Colin A. YoungNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Environment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Armini, Singer testify on safety of EV charging stations

Marblehead Select Board member Alexa Singer got an up-close look at the network of electric vehicle charging stations in Massachusetts last fall, and the professional pilot and aviation educator came away horrified. Marblehead Select Board member Alexa Singer, left, and State Rep. Jennifer Armini offered testimony atop Beacon Hill on Wednesday. COURTESY PHOTO / STATE REP. JENNIFER ARMINI “Imagine unlocking your car, getting out in the pouring rain with an umbrella as there is no shelter overhead, you have your credit card, your cellphone, your keys in hand; you’re trying to start the charger, looking at a tiny little screen with your back to your vehicle. You have to insert and replace the charger multiple times, still trying to hold that umbrella.” She continued: “Now it’...