Beacon Hill - Marblehead Current

14 Oct

Nine questions, one ballot: What voters will decide Nov. 3

Leigh BlanderBeacon Hill, Politics, Top Stories

Editor's note: This article was updated Oct. 14 to correct an error regarding the effects of "yes" and "no" votes on Question 9 and to clarify that Emily DeJoy and the Marblehead Republican Town Committee oppose Question 9. The Current has been reporting on the Nov. 3 election, when voters will decide several key races as well as nine ballot questions. On Oct. 7, we reported on the local impacts of Questions 1-5. Here’s a look at Questions 6-9. Question 6: A fund for conservation…

08 Sep

New state variance rules give Marblehead ZBA more room to weigh housing

Akanksha GoyalBeacon Hill, Business, Municipal Matters

For decades, Massachusetts property owners seeking zoning variances faced a high bar: They generally had to demonstrate that strict application of local zoning rules created a “substantial hardship” tied to particular characteristics of their property. That changed this summer. A new state law replaced the “substantial hardship” standard with a lower “practical difficulty” standard and gave zoning boards greater discretion in deciding whether to grant variances. The law also requires boards to consider the benefits to the applicant and the public interest, including the interest…

30 May

Cod and Whale auction kicks off with first-look party

Marielle SabbagBeacon Hill, Top Stories

Marblehead residents Amy and Alf Wilson decided to do something new for their date night on Friday, May 29. For the first time, they went to the annual Cod and Whale first-look party held at Abbot Hall. With dozens of other locals attending, the couple marveled at the 55 cod and 12 whale art pieces on the tables. Amy Wilson said her favorite cod design was a deck of cards. This whale adorned with flowers was created by Bethany Ross. CURRENT PHOTOS / MARIELLE SABBAG…

16 Apr

At State House, Marblehead woman shares story of sexual abuse by doctor

Leigh BlanderBeacon Hill, Health, Top Stories

Rory McCarthy says her life changed forever when a prominent Boston doctor sexually abused her during a medical exam. “I am a survivor of sexual violence within the Massachusetts medical system. This experience has completely derailed my life and my identity,” McCarthy testified at a State House briefing on April 9. McCarthy, 31, is one of more than 200 people who say Brigham and Women’s Dr. Derrick Todd sexually abused them. Todd has been arrested and charged with rape. There is also a civil case…

16 Oct

ELECTION 2024: Local educators, student weigh in on MCAS ballot question

Leigh BlanderBeacon Hill, Education, Local News

COURTESY PHOTO / CHASE YAWS This is the latest in a series of articles examining the five ballot questions facing voters on Nov. 5. Marblehead High School senior Jared Kaplowitch will cast his first votes on Nov. 5. And he’s looking forward to voting “yes” on Question 2 to eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement. “I’m all for getting rid of MCAS,” said Kaplowitch, who is MHS senior class president. “It’s not a good measure,” he added. “It doesn’t tell you anything about how good a…

29 Apr

Select Board members will reluctantly back MBTA zoning

Will Dowd0 CommentsBeacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Meeting, Uncategorized

This article is part of a series looking at key warrant articles leading up to the Town Meeting on May 6. Check out the Current's 2024 Town Meeting Guide HERE. The Select Board engaged in a lengthy discussion about the controversial MBTA Communities Act and its mandated multifamily zoning, which Town Meeting voters will accept or reject on Monday. The Select Board engaged in lengthy discussions on April 24 regarding proposed zoning changes to comply with the state's MBTA Communities Act, which mandates allowing higher-density,…

28 Mar

Petition opposing MBTA zoning proposal surfaces

Will Dowd0 CommentsBeacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, real estate, Top Stories, Town Meeting, Uncategorized

EDITOR'S NOTE: In the article "Petition opposing MBTA zoning proposal surfaces," there were two inaccuracies regarding the proposed overlay district in Marblehead. First, the correct maximum building height is 35 feet, even for multi-family buildings. Second, the correct minimum lot area per dwelling unit in the three proposed districts (Broughton Rd, Pleasant Street, and Tioga Way) would range from 2,200 to 2,500 square feet. The Marblehead Current regrets the error. A Marblehead man has initiated an online effort to challenge the town’s proposal related to…

15 Mar

Gov. Healey signs law, changing Select Board terms to three years, effective immediately

Will Dowd0 CommentsBeacon Hill, Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Meeting

On March 14, Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation extending the terms of Marblehead Select Board members from one year to three years. The home-rule petition, which was the result of a positive vote at 2023 Town Meeting, will take effect immediately, increasing the importance of the upcoming June 11 town election. State Rep. Jenny Armini and Sen. Brendan Crighton expedited the home-rule petition through both chambers of the state legislature over the past year before it reached Gov. Healey's desk for approval. The decision to…

01 Mar

Tuesday’s primary election: How and where to vote

Will Dowd0 CommentsBeacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

Tuesday, March 5, is primary election day in Marblehead and across the state. Voters must cast ballots at their designated polling precinct. Voters can find their precinct via the Massachusetts Election Division’s website: bit.ly/49qoGcA. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at three locations around town: — Precinct 1: Old Town House, One Market Square— Precincts 2 & 3: Abbot Hall Auditorium, 188 Washington St.— Precincts 4, 5 & 6: Judy & Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St. Voters will have one…

01 Feb

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll swears in town administrator as newest SSU trustee

Will Dowd0 CommentsBeacon Hill, Education, Local News, Municipal Matters, Uncategorized

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer was recently appointed to serve a five-year term on the Salem State University Board of Trustees. Town officials and family members recently celebrated the swearing in of Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer as a trustee of Salem State University at the Hawthorne Hotel. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, former mayor of Salem and pictured in red, administered the oath. Courtesy photo / Thatcher Kezer. "I want to congratulate you, Thatcher," said Select Board member Bret Muarry during the Select Board's Jan. 24 meeting.…