Beacon Hill - Marblehead Current

Marblehead judge moving from state’s top court to UMass general counsel

6Dec

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Local News, Politics, Top Stories

Marblehead judge moving from state’s top court to UMass general counsel

After more than seven years of handing down rulings on Massachusetts' highest court, Supreme Judicial Court Justice David Lowy of Marblehead is handing in his black robe for the head general counsel post for the University of Massachusetts system. On Nov. 18, 2016, then-Gov. Charlie Baker swore in Justice David Lowy of Marblehead to a seat on Massachusetts’ highest court before other state officials in the chamber of the House of Representatives. COURTESY PHOTO “This opportunity came up, and it’s just too awesome a job not to take,” he told the Marblehead Current in a phone interview. Lowy will officially step down on his birthday on Feb. 3, capping over a quarter century as a Massachusetts judge. Before the SJC, he served on the Massachusetts District Court for four years and t...

6Dec

By William J. DowdNo Comments

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

Marblehead officials praise launch of statewide coastal resilience program

Local officials are praising the launch of a statewide coastal resilience program focused on safeguarding seaside communities like Marblehead from the escalating threats of climate-fueled flooding and erosion. A winter storm in December 2022 batters Marblehead’s Front Street buildings. COURTESY PHOTO / BRUCE DURKEE Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announced ResilientCoasts, which will establish regional coastal resilience districts based on climate vulnerabilities to develop strategies and solutions tailored to those areas. A chief coastal resilience officer will lead the coastal resilience efforts across the state. “Clearly, it is good news because we — through the harbor plan, municipal vulnerability preparedness, hazard mitigation plan and the coastal resiliency pro...

8Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Local News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Marbleheaders weigh in on daylight saving time

Marblehead residents have mixed feelings about whether the biannual ritual of switching the clocks forward and back should continue. Senate Sergeant at Arms Charles Higgins turnsforward a clock for the first daylight saving timeat the U.S. Capitol in 1918. COURTESY PHOTO/ HARRIS & EWING COLLECTION “I hate it. I know everyone I know hates it,” said Marblehead resident Merilee Wolfson. “Every year [lawmakers] want to do something — and they never follow through with it. Let’s just get rid of it.” State Rep. Jenny Armini, Democrat of Marblehead, did not mince her words on where she stands on the issue. "I am pro sunlight," Armini told the Current, saying she would vote to abolish changing clocks twice annually. "It is good for our health. It's good for restaurants and merchan...

1Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Health, Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

Locals speak out on gun reform push after latest mass shooting

The mass shooting that left 18 people dead and 13 injured in Maine reignited calls for gun reforms across the nation — including in Massachusetts. The shooting in Lewiston was the deadliest in Maine's history. Police say an Army reservist opened fire inside a bowling alley and a bar last week and then took his own life. His body was found after a two-day manhunt. Ghost guns and ghost gun parts are displayed on a table in Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office at a press event. COURTESY PHOTO On Oct. 18, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed major gun control legislation. The final vote was 120-38. It now heads to the state Senate. Locally, gun control advocates strongly praised the House's action. "This comprehensive bill will close loopholes in our laws and hel...

18Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

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

Marblehead lawmakers talk local benefits tucked into $1B tax package

Massachusetts lawmakers recently enacted a $1 billion tax relief package that includes benefits for Marblehead residents, earning praise from state Rep. Jenny Armini and Sen. Brendan Crighton. The relief targets families, renters, seniors and businesses with changes to credits, deductions and tax rates. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll snaps a selfie Wednesday, Oct. 4, with Gov. Maura Healey, after Healey signed a $1 billion tax relief law in the frame. Healey signed the bill into law at a packed ceremony at the State House. COURTESY PHOTO / STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE “Through changes to programs like the Child and Family Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, we have created real savings for Massachusetts’ residents, which will benefit not just eligible families but our small businesse...

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...

19Sep

By William J. Dowd1 Comment

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...

30Aug

By William J. Dowd1 Comment

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...

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...

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’...