Environment

Light Board backs Green Community effort, winter rate discount
30 Sep

Light Board backs Green Community effort, winter rate discount

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Municipal Matters, Top Stories
Marblehead’s effort to become a state-designated Green Community cleared a key hurdle Tuesday night when the Municipal Light Board voted to join a state renewable energy fund, a step officials said is necessary for the town to complete its application. The board also approved a new, temporary tiered electricity rate for residential customers this winter designed to lower bills while encouraging residents who heat with electricity to use more power during months when the Light Department has excess capacity. Both rate changes are expected to…
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Investments can be your climate action
30 Sep

Investments can be your climate action

Elaine LeahyColumns, Environment, Nonprofit corner, Opinion
When we think about reducing our carbon footprints, what usually comes to mind are actions like electrifying our home heating systems, driving less, walking and biking more, or using less energy. These are important measures to consider, but another very effective — and often overlooked — way to make a difference is to consider our investments and what our money is supporting. Whether it’s a retirement account, mutual fund or other investment, our money doesn’t simply stay put. Financial institutions invest and lend money throughout…
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Nor’easter brings rain, wind, high surf to Marblehead
26 Sep

Nor’easter brings rain, wind, high surf to Marblehead

Leigh BlanderCuzner in Nature, Environment, Top Stories
An early season nor'easter is bringing rain, wind and high surf to Marblehead. High wind and coastal flooding warnings remain in effect through Sunday at 8 p.m. with heavy rain expected throughout the day. "There are several trees and limbs down around town, but with the leaves still on the trees and the gusting winds, it was expected," Fire Chief Jason Gilliland told the Current Saturday evening. This tree in Green Street Cemetery split during the nor'easter Saturday. CURRENT PHOTO / NOAH WILSON Kids check…
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Five thousand pumpkins, one big community effort
21 Sep

Five thousand pumpkins, one big community effort

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Environment, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories
At Clifton Lutheran Church, the pumpkins are multiplying. What began 10 years ago as a modest experiment — with about 600 pumpkins and a congregation wondering whether anyone would actually buy them — has grown into one of the church’s biggest annual traditions. This year, roughly 2,500 jack-o-lantern-sized pumpkins are already on the church's front lawn, with another full truckload arriving in two weeks. By then, Pastor James Bixby expects the total to reach about 5,000, not counting the countless tiny pumpkins and decorative varieties…
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Conservancy airs concerns as Rail Trail work advances 
17 Sep

Conservancy airs concerns as Rail Trail work advances 

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Top Stories
Marblehead is moving ahead with plans to improve several stretches of its popular 4.5-mile Rail Trail, with one section approaching 90% design, another awaiting coordination with a Marblehead Municipal Light Department resiliency project and a third tied up in a state contract that town officials have been waiting more than a year to execute. But as the plans advance, the Marblehead Conservancy is raising concerns that the town may be going too far — transforming what it sees as a rustic, natural trail into something…
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CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up
15 Sep

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Entertainment, Environment, Top Stories
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org.   Find Your Climate Action with Vienna TengFriday, Sept. 18, 4-5 p.mReady to take action on climate change but aren’t sure where to start? Join Sustainable Marblehead for a workshop to discover climate actions that fit your life, interests and priorities. Singer-songwriter Vienna Teng hosts interactive climate action workshops while on tour to help fans connect their personal lives and priorities with meaningful…
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From tiny oysters, big hopes for healthier waters
14 Sep

From tiny oysters, big hopes for healthier waters

Leigh BlanderAnimals, Environment, Top Stories
Outside the Marblehead Harbormaster’s office sits a big white box that has been attracting curious looks all summer. Inside are six orange buckets containing about 25,000 tiny oysters — some no bigger than a grain of rice — quietly doing their part in an ambitious effort to restore oyster populations and improve the coastal ecosystem. The oyster upweller outside the Marblehead Harbormaster’s Office contains about 25,000 baby oysters. People gathered for an update on the project Sept. 10.  The box is an oyster upweller, installed…
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Swim, sip, repeat — without the waste
09 Sep

Swim, sip, repeat — without the waste

Leigh BlanderBusiness, Environment, Sports, Top Stories
Four mornings a week, a group of local women starts the day with a swim class at the Marblehead YMCA. They call themselves the Noodlettes. But the exercise is only part of the ritual. Afterward comes coffee — and conversation. The group of 14 women has been swimming together at the YMCA since 2014, gathering at Dario’s Cafe after their workouts to catch up over a cup of coffee. Over the years, the post-swim gathering has become as important as the laps in the pool.…
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NEWS IN BRIEF: New town hires, schools return $800K, Green Communities vote coming
08 Sep

NEWS IN BRIEF: New town hires, schools return $800K, Green Communities vote coming

Leigh BlanderArt, Education, Environment, Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, News in brief
The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews.org. Town hires treasurerThe town has hired a new treasurer, Shaun Strobel. Strobel has more than 20 years experience as a treasurer in various municipalities, including Worcester, Sharon and, most recently, Marshfield. For the last several years, Marblehead has combined the positions of treasurer and collector. Cami Iannarelli remains as collector. The collector is responsible for billing and collecting money owed to the town, including property taxes. The treasurer manages that money. School business managerOn Aug.…
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