Beacon Hill - Marblehead Current

06 Dec

Marblehead officials praise launch of statewide coastal resilience program

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

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…

08 Nov

Marbleheaders weigh in on daylight saving time

Will Dowd0 CommentsBeacon Hill, Local News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

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,…

01 Nov

Locals speak out on gun reform push after latest mass shooting

Will Dowd0 CommentsBeacon Hill, Health, Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

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…

18 Oct

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

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

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…

27 Sep

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

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

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…

19 Sep

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

Will Dowd1 CommentBeacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories, Travel

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…

30 Aug

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

Will Dowd1 CommentBeacon Hill, Environment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Travel, Uncategorized

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…

05 Jul

Marblehead climate activist honored with Heroine Award

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

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…

14 Jun

Armini, Singer testify on safety of EV charging stations

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

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…