Municipal Matters - Marblehead Current

MARATHON MEETING: FinCom weighs in on warrant articles, calls for long-term fiscal plan

17Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Meeting

MARATHON MEETING: FinCom weighs in on warrant articles, calls for long-term fiscal plan

This article is part of a series looking at warrant articles leading up to the Town Meeting on May 6. The Finance Committee met for over four hours April 8 to review and vote on its recommendations for the 53 articles appearing on the Town Meeting warrant. The Finance Committee led a four-hour meeting April 8 to review and vote on recommendations for the 53 articles on the Town Meeting warrant. CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD Following a several-month review process involving numerous subcommittee meetings with town departments and officials, the nine volunteer Finance Committee members discussed each article in depth and heard public comments before voting whether to recommend, indefinitely postpone, table a decision until Town Meeting or make no recommendation on the articles with fi...

PUBLIC SAFETY: King looks to future with promotions, new hire

17Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

PUBLIC SAFETY: King looks to future with promotions, new hire

In unanimous votes, the Select Board recently approved the promotion of two veteran police officers and extended a conditional job offer to a new recruit, acting on the recommendations of Police Chief Dennis King. Select Board members Jim Nye and Alexa Singer, police officer candidate Christian Hennigar, newly promoted Sgt. Tim Morley and Lt. Jason Conrad and Select Board member Moses. This moment followed the Select Board's approval of Hennigar’s conditional employment and the veteran officers' promotions. CURRENT PHOTO/WILL DOWD In a milestone for King, who started in Marblehead in 2021, these promotions mark the first made during his tenure. The candidates were evaluated using an assessment center for the first time in the department's history, in addition to written exams and o...

PLANNING BOARD: Controversial MBTA zoning changes head to Town Meeting

15Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Meeting, Uncategorized

PLANNING BOARD: Controversial MBTA zoning changes head to Town Meeting

Division among residents over a state mandate that the town zone pockets of Marblehead for multifamily housing came through loud and clear during a Planning Board public hearing on April 9. A map shows three proposed MBTA zoning districts totaling over 58.4 acres, with a density of more than 15 units per acre to allow approximately 897 housing units. The hearing came nearly a month before the Town Meeting will vote on the matter under Article 36, exposing the community’s concerns and differing perspectives on the zoning plan, which seeks to bring Marblehead into compliance with the MBTA Communities Act. The Planning Board voted 4-1 to recommend the proposed zoning changes at Town Meeting. Board members Andrew Christensen, Barton Hyte, Edward O. Nilsson and Chair Robert J. Schaeff...

Transfer Station project receives zero general contractor bids

11Apr

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Transfer Station project receives zero general contractor bids

The Transfer Station renovation did not receive a single bid from general contractors, delaying the $1.6 million project once again. “Obviously, this is a disappointment,” Public Health Director Andrew Petty said at a Board of Health meeting April 9. A handful of bids came in for roofing, painting, electrical and more, but there is no general contractor interested in coordinating the project. Renderings of the renovated Transfer Station. Board of Health member Joanne Miller asked why. “There’s a lot of work out there,” Petty answered. “This isn’t a big money job. We do live in Marblehead. It’s hard to get to. It’s hard to get everything here. That all factors in.” After consulting with attorneys, Petty said he would reach out to some general contractors in town, includi...

CHECK IT OUT: Read what’s happening at Abbot Public Library in April

10Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Abbot Public Library, Culture, Education, Life Style, Local News, Municipal Matters

CHECK IT OUT: Read what’s happening at Abbot Public Library in April

The Abbot Public Library is temporarily located at the old Eveleth School, 3 Brook Rd., while its Pleasant Street building undergoes a multi-million-dollar renovation. All programs require registration at abbotlibrary.org unless otherwise stated. Library renovation update The library has announced it will no longer facilitate the pickup of holds at 3 Brook Rd. in anticipation of its upcoming move back to 235 Pleasant St. Library users are encouraged to speak with staff to reroute their holds to an alternative location. Despite the impending move, basic services will remain accessible until the closure period begins. The library has also stated that in-person programs will be paused starting April 16. However, two virtual programs are scheduled to proceed later in the month. The m...

TOWN MEETING: Reforms, new department on 2024 warrant

10Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Business, Local News, Municipal Matters, Town Meeting

TOWN MEETING: Reforms, new department on 2024 warrant

This article is part of a series looking at key warrant articles leading up to the Town Meeting in May. A series of articles in the 2024 Marblehead warrant is aimed at bolstering the town's economic future and quality of life, proponents say. The first page of the warrant for Town Meeting on May 6. CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD Articles 34-35 and 37-39 propose governance reforms covering community development, financial oversight and public health. The biggest change proposed would establish a new community development and planning department and hire a director to oversee it. The impetus behind the request: longtime town planner Becky Cutting's retirement in February. "Becky was a department of one, and she wore multiple hats," Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Curre...

Chiefs warn retirements, injuries may hinder ability to maintain levels

10Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Police Log, Public safety, Top Stories

Chiefs warn retirements, injuries may hinder ability to maintain levels

Marblehead's police and fire departments are facing a new reality as the town's $4.2 million budget deficit impacts public safety services and puts increasing pressure on strained resources. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland discusses his department's fiscal 2025 budget with the Finance Committee liaisons to the Select Board departments. CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD That reality came through loud and clear during multiple budget meetings with Finance Committee members as they reviewed the budgets of departments under the Select Board's jurisdiction. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland highlighted his department's precarious position as it faced the loss of three positions last year, operating with a minimum of nine staff members per shift instead of the normal staffing of ten and one short of the s...

Town allocates $79K in COVID funds for bike, pedestrian plan

10Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Business, Life Style, Local News, Municipal Matters, Sports, Top Stories, Travel

Town allocates $79K in COVID funds for bike, pedestrian plan

The Select Board recently approved $79,000 in funding to develop a town-wide bicycle and pedestrian plan, a move that local officials and advocates say will help guide future investments and improvements for non-motorized transportation. Marblehead Cycle Shop is the only bike shop in town. COURTESY PHOTO / DAN SHUMAN The plan, which will be developed by an outside consultant, aims to identify and prioritize bicycle infrastructure projects based on the needs of cyclists. It will also look at ways to improve the overall environment for bicyclists in Marblehead, where narrow, winding streets and centuries-old architecture pose challenges. "This is going to be a holistic plan that really reaches into every form that might be used in a public way," said Amy McHugh, superintendent of t...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Week of Monday, April 8, 2024

10Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Municipal Matters, News in brief

NEWS IN BRIEF: Week of Monday, April 8, 2024

The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews.org. Marblehead Select Board approved a $50,000 contract, laying the foundation for the Fourth of July fireworks. COURTESY PHOTO / JOE RECORD VIA FLICKR 23 seats up for grabs The June 11 town election will see 23 seats across a dozen different boards, commissions and committees up for grabs. These include the following: — Select Board: Five seats — Board of Assessors: One seat (three-year term) — School Committee: One seat (three-year term) — Board of Health: One seat (three-year term) — Moderator: One seat (one-year term) — Cemetery Commission: One seat (three-year term) — Housing Authority: One seat (five-year term) — Trustees of Abbot Public Librar...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Week of Monday, April 1, 2024

1Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters

NEWS IN BRIEF: Week of Monday, April 1, 2024

The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews.org. 23 seats up for grabs The June 11 town election will see 23 seats across a dozen different boards, commissions and committees up for grabs. These include the following: — Select Board: Five seats — Board of Assessors: One seat (three-year term) — School Committee: One seat (three-year term) — Board of Health: One seat (three-year term) — Moderator: One seat (one-year term) — Cemetery Commission: One seat (three-year term) — Housing Authority: One seat (five-year term) — Trustees of Abbot Public Library: Two seats (three-year terms) — Planning Board: Two seats (five-year terms) — Recreation and Park Commission: Five seats (one-year terms) — W...