Friday, June 2

Municipal Matters

Emergency sewer main repairs to cause detours
31May By Leigh BlanderNo Comments
Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

Emergency sewer main repairs to cause detours

The Marblehead Water & Sewer Commission announced emergency sewer main repairs that will impact traffic on Thursday, June 1, beginning at 7 a.m. "Detours will be in place at the intersections of Elm/Sewall, Elm/Evans, Elm/Pleasant and Elm/Creesy," the town wrote in an email. "Expect trafffic delays." Residences and businesses within the workarea will be accessible but there will be no through traffic.The MBTA has been notified and will be operating a modified route starting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning, according to the town. The route will be: inbound Pleasant Street, right onto Washington (by the Three Cod Tavern), a left onto Essex Street from 5 Corners Intersection and then another left onto Pleasant Street and back out of town. The bus will not be accessing any stops past Sta...
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Current launches its comprehensive Election Guide
31May By Leigh BlanderNo Comments
About Us, Community resources, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Politics, Public safety, Top Stories

Current launches its comprehensive Election Guide

Marblehead voters head to the polls on June 20 to approve or reject a $2.5 million permanent override and elect many town leaders. The Marblehead Current has got you covered with its comprehensive Election Guide that features up-to-date information on the override question and races for Select Board, School Committee, Board of Health, Recreation and Parks Commission, Light Commission and Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees. You'll find news articles, candidate Q&As and statements, editorials and letters to the editors, plus clips of the League of Women Voters of Marblehead's candidate's forum, courtesy of Marblehead TV. Find the Election Guide HERE. The Current will accept election-related letters to the editors until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 16. To submit yours, click here or...
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Supporters tour $10M Abbot Library renovations
31May By Leigh BlanderNo Comments
Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Supporters tour $10M Abbot Library renovations

About a dozen Abbot Public Library volunteers and supporters donned hardhats recently for a tour of the Pleasant Street building’s $10 million renovation project. Abbot Public Library Executive Director Kimberly Grad talks with a supporter during a tour for members of the Friends of Abbot Public Library on May 19. CURRENT PHOTOS / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD “We’re just so excited,” said Kathleen Waslov, president of the nonprofit Friends of Abbot Public Library. “We’re delighted to see how well it’s going — and that it’s on budget.” Town Meeting approved $8.5 million for the renovation in 2021 and supporters have raised another $1.5 million. The construction, which began in January 2023, is about 20% complete and is on schedule to be completed by spring of 2024. In the meantime, the lib...
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With bowed heads, Marblehead pauses on Memorial Day
30May By William J. DowdNo Comments
Culture, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

With bowed heads, Marblehead pauses on Memorial Day

With Old Glory gracefully waving in the wind and heads bowed in reverence, Marblehead came together on Memorial Day to pay homage to those who made “the last full measure of devotion.”  A Cub Scout from Pack 11 holds the American flag as the national anthem is played during the Memorial Day service at Memorial Park on May 29. CURRENT PHOTOS / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD Hundreds lined Marblehead’s old, narrow streets to watch the parade and descended upon Memorial Park and Waterside Cemetery for ceremonies under a flawless blue sky. At Memorial Park, the parade’s grand marshal, Daniel Genis, 95, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, received hearty applause and cheers. Marblehead Veterans Agent David Rodgers called Memorial Day "the most expensive holiday on the calendar." "Every hot d...
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Abbot Public Library looking for help keeping grounds clean
28May By William J. DowdNo Comments
Local News, Municipal Matters

Abbot Public Library looking for help keeping grounds clean

Abbot Public Library is looking for volunteers to help keep the lawns around the library clean as it prepares for its Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration on June 10. Visit the Main Desk inside between noon and 5 p.m. on Monday, June 5 through Friday, June 9 to pick up a free pet bag dispenser while supplies last. The event has been made possible by the Friends of Abbot Public Library. For additional information, visit abbotlibrary.org, email mar@noblenet.org or call 781-631-1481.
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NEWS IN BRIEF: Specimen ballot for June 20 election published
28May By William J. DowdNo Comments
Local News, Municipal Matters, Uncategorized

NEWS IN BRIEF: Specimen ballot for June 20 election published

The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to News in Brief. Send yours to info@marbleheadnews.org. Democrats to elect convention delegates On Saturday, June 3 at 10:30 a.m., Democrats will convene in person at the Village School cafeteria, 93 Village St., to elect 14 delegates and four alternates to represent Marblehead at the 2023 State Democratic Convention. Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Marblehead 16 years old by May 23 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/massdems-convention. The 2023 convention ...
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Honoring veterans: Check out Memorial Day activities in town
27May By Leigh BlanderNo Comments
Community resources, Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

Honoring veterans: Check out Memorial Day activities in town

The town has several Memorial Day weekend activities planned, beginning with a traditional veterans breakfast and culminating with a parade and wreath-laying ceremony. The veterans breakfast, sponsored by the Masons, was held at the Council on Aging on Friday, May 26. On Saturday, the public placed flags on the graves of veterans at Waterside Cemetery, according to Veterans Agent Dave Rodgers. On Sunday at 1 p.m., the VFW will hold a public veterans service at Star of the Sea Cemetery. Then on Monday, all veterans are invited to muster at the Old Town House at 7:45 a.m. and walk together to State Street Landing.  “There’s a brief service there to honor the men and women who lost their lives at sea in the wars, including Merchant Marines,” Rodgers said. “We throw flowers ...
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Marblehead to celebrate Pride Month with art, flag raising, tea dance
25May By Leigh BlanderNo Comments
Community resources, Culture, Education, Life Style, Local News, Municipal Matters, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

Marblehead to celebrate Pride Month with art, flag raising, tea dance

To kick off Pride Month in June, Marblehead businesses Creative Spirit and MacRae’s Sustainable Goods will host a public reception on Friday, June 2, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for the opening of their next non-juried art exhibit, “Love Wins.” The reception will be held at MacRae’s Sustainable Goods,108 Washington St. Learn more and register artwork at creativespiritma.com. Families celebrate at the Pride flag raising in 2022. COURTESY PHOTO On Saturday, June 3, at 3 p.m., the town of Marblehead will celebrate Pride Month with its fifth annual flag raising ceremony on the lawn of Abbot Hall. The ceremony is produced by a small, grass-roots committee of local volunteers and the town. The event is open to the public and will feature  speakers including town officials, clergy, youth and...
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In split vote, Select Board awards liquor license to hotel, not new brewery
25May By William J. DowdNo Comments
Business, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

In split vote, Select Board awards liquor license to hotel, not new brewery

On Wednesday night, the Marblehead Select Board granted The Hotel Marblehead a liquor license, disappointing the owners of a North Reading brewery competing for the same coveted license. Contingent upon the state’s approval, The Hotel Marblehead, located at 264 Pleasant St., will be permitted to serve beer, wine and malt beverages for consumption on site, including in rooms. After both businesses pitched their proposals, members Jim Nye, Jackie Belf Becker and Moses Grader sided with the hotel, while Alexa Singer and Erin Noonan backed the taproom. Contingent upon the state's approval, The Hotel Marblehead, located at 264 Pleasant St., will be permitted to serve beer, wine and malt beverages for consumption on site, including in rooms. The hotel has been in business since the ...
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