Environment - Marblehead Current

02 Oct

Marblehead fire chief briefs light commission on lithium-ion battery hazards

Will Dowd0 CommentsEnvironment, Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous, powering everything form electric vehicles and electric toothbrushes to laptops and iPhones. Demand for lithium-ion energy storage systems is on the rise even in Marblehead. Many residential lithium-ion battery systems are installed in homes and store electrical energy generated by a household’s solar panels. These energy-storage systems' benefits include: Less dependency on the grid Long life and fast charging Mitigate a household’s carbon footprint Lower electric bills Store more power with less space and use it during peak periods “Battery storage…

19 Sep

Scenes from Sustainable Marblehead, SPUR’s beach cleanup

Will Dowd0 CommentsEnvironment, Local News

Sustainable Marblehead and SPUR volunteers were out in full force Saturday, cleaning Lynn, Marblehead, Salem and Swampscott beaches and parks. Sustainable Marblehead taught volunteers about the dangers of ocean plastics and actions that we can do to be environmental stewards. The day was capped with free ice cream from Scoop by Sea Salt. COURTESY PHOTOS / SIENA DAY

15 Sep

The Marblehead Farmers’ Market Sept. 17

Will Dowd0 CommentsBusiness, Community Resources, Environment, Local News

Late season crops are arriving at the market, while many summer crops continue at the Marblehead Farmers’ Market. Shoppers can expect to find winter squash, apples, carrots, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, beans, beets, and brussels sprouts. Farms will also have mushrooms, eggs, beef, chicken, pork, eggs, cheese, cut flowers, maple products, a wide variety of salad and cooking greens, potted plants and much more. Farms this season are: Grant Family Farm will be offering fresh eggs, cut flowers, and vegetables. Bear Hill Farm will…

14 Sep

Google executive picked to fill Marblehead Light Commission vacancy

Will Dowd0 CommentsEnvironment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

A Google business executive will fill a Marblehead Municipal Light Commission vacancy, members of the Marblehead Select Board and Light Commission decided on Wednesday night. Adam Smith's selection arrived around 8:45 p.m. after officials interviewed eight candidates. After Marblehead Town Clerk Robin Michaud swears him in, he will step into the vacancy created when Karl Johnson resigned, citing health reasons, two weeks after the 2022 municipal election in June. Marblehead Select Board and Municipal Light Commission selected Adam Smith, a Google business executive, on Wednesday…

13 Sep

Student reflects on Philmont Scout Ranch trip

Will Dowd0 CommentsCulture, Environment, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories, Viewpoints

If you happen to see a bunch of teenagers wandering around in gray hoodies shouting “I BELIEVE IN FOREST FAIRIES” when they accidentally rip open a snack package all the way, then they may have just come back from Philmont. Back in 2019, the local Troop 79 of the Boy Scouts of America created a "linked troop," which has allowed girls to join, including me. The creation of this troop has opened up many amazing opportunities, the latest - and perhaps greatest - was the…

01 Sep

Despite a very dry summer, MWRA membership spares Marblehead from water restrictions

Will Dowd0 CommentsEnvironment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Science, Top Stories

In a season marked by yellowing lawns, community water bans and even the occasional brush fire, Marblehead residents have enjoyed a summer free of water restriction - despite one of the driest summers in years. As many North Shore communities face outdoor water bans, the town’s membership in the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority for its water supply has spared the town from the worst effects of the regional drought, Marblehead Water, Sewer and Public Works Superintendent Amy McHugh told the Marblehead News. A map of…

31 Aug

The Marblehead Farmers’ Market: Saturday, Sept. 3

Will Dowd0 CommentsBusiness, Community Resources, Culture, Environment, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Shoppers can expect to find a variety of winter squash, corn, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, fresh onions, cabbage, beets, radishes, potatoes, beans, carrots, mushrooms, as well as a wide variety of salad and cooking greens, cut flowers, potted plants and much more. Farms this season are Middle Earth Farm with vegetables. Grant Family Farm will be offering fresh eggs, cut flowers, and vegetables. Bear Hill Farm will have pork, vegetables, and local fruit. Brookford Farm will have vegetables, meat, cheese, fermented products,…

30 Aug

Marblehead public health officals issue Redd’s Pond advisory

Will Dowd0 CommentsEnvironment, Local News, Top Stories

Marblehead Public Health Dept. issued the following statement on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The Marblehead Health Department has issued a public health advisory for Redd’s Pond due to a suspected bloom of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria. Based on initial visual inspection of the pond, it appears likely that Redd’s Pond is experiencing a harmful algae bloom. These blooms may produce toxins that can make people and pets sick. Residents are urged to avoid contact with the water and any areas of algae concentration, even…

17 Aug

Marblehead officials suspect transfer station blaze was set intentionally

Will Dowd0 CommentsEnvironment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

Marblehead public safety officials suspect someone intentionally ignited the fire that spread to several large piles of yard waste at the transfer station off Woodfin Terrace Aug. 1. Officials estimate the hours-long response and overnight cleanup cost $65,000. "It is suspected that the fire was set," Fire Chief Jason Gilliland told the Marblehead News, adding that Sgt. Sean Brady and Capt. Eric Ridge are conducting the criminal] investigation. Marblehead firefighters battle blaze at the transfer station on Monday, Aug. 1. [STAFF PHOTO / WILL DOWD]…