Municipal Matters - Marblehead Current

At MBTA-zoning meeting, residents raise concerns over impacts to schools, traffic

1Nov

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, real estate, Top Stories

At MBTA-zoning meeting, residents raise concerns over impacts to schools, traffic

***Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m.: The Planning Board holds its second public meeteing on the new zoning mandate. It will be held in-person at the Veterans School Performing Arts Center. More than 150 people Zoomed into a virtual public meeting Oct. 26 to discuss new state zoning requirements that mandate denser, multi-family housing. Marblehead is classified as an 'adjacent community' under the law since it borders two MBTA communities with train stations, Swampscott and Salem. COURTESY IMAGE / TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD The meeting, led by the Planning Board, aimed to gather community input on how best to comply with the law which requires MBTA communities to adopt zoning changes allowing multifamily housing by right in certain districts. Marblehead is classified as an "adjacent com...

Marblehead Select Board appoints two ‘measurers of leather’

1Nov

By Will DowdNo Comments

Culture, Life Style, Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Marblehead Select Board appoints two ‘measurers of leather’

Marblehead has appointed two new “measurers of leather” to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of John Smidt, the latest keepers of a quirky, ceremonial tradition dating back centuries. Newly appointed Marblehead Measurers of Leather Dr. Brian Ruocco (left) and Amy Egelja pose together following their appointment to the ceremonial role by the Select Board on Oct. 25. The Select Board unanimously approved Amy Egelja and Brian Ruocco to serve as the new honorary leather measurers after their interviews. The measurer of leather was a local official who verified the dimensions and quality of leather being bought and sold in a town to ensure fair trade and commerce. Select Board member Jim Nye called it a “difficult decision” between two qualified candidates, while Town Administr...

Tonight: Virtual public meeting set to discuss new housing mandates

26Oct

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Public safety, real estate, Top Stories

Tonight: Virtual public meeting set to discuss new housing mandates

The Marblehead Planning Board is inviting residents to a virtual public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 26 to learn about new state rules requiring denser housing in parts of town. Marblehead has until late 2024 to adopt zoning changes that allow denser housing near transit or risk penalties. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD The requirements are part of a push by the state to encourage more housing around public transit. Under the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Community Law, municipalities served by commuter rail, subway and major bus routes must adopt zoning changes allowing multifamily housing by-right. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer said the state is making compliance a “very high priority” by providing resources to help towns navigate the process while also increasin...

Communication boards coming to playgrounds to support kids with speech challenges

25Oct

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Community resources, Education, Local News, Municipal Matters, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

Communication boards coming to playgrounds to support kids with speech challenges

Marblehead mom Jen Montenario is excited about a new addition coming to five playgrounds later this month — and it’s not a slide or swing set. The Power of Speech, Marblehead Family Fund and Rec & Parks Department are installing communication boards to support children who may struggle with language skills. “We’re so excited,” said Montenario, whose two-year-old son Lorenzo has a speech delay known as Gestalt language processing. “These communication boards will help so many kids with speech delays, or if they’re not verbal.” Jessica Brown, a speech and language pathologist who owns Power of Speech, is behind the communication boards. She designed them and is working with the Marblehead Family Fund and the Rec & Parks to fund and install them at Hobbs, Stramski’s, Devereux, ...

A grave undertaking atop Old Burial Hill

25Oct

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Uncategorized

A grave undertaking atop Old Burial Hill

Restoration work on damaged gravestones is underway at the historic Old Burial Hill Cemetery. A two-person team has begun making repairs to some of the most deteriorated slate headstones and markers at the colonial-era site. Standley Goodwin, member of the Old Burial Hill Oversight Committee, examines weathered grave markers at the historic cemetery on Monday, Oct. 16. Goodwin, a historian of the site, says continual fundraising and awareness are needed to preserve the colonial-era burial ground. As of Oct. 16, Michael Gallagher, owner of Village Green Restoration, and apprentice Jacob Thomas had carefully epoxied a handful of head and foot stones dating to the early 18th century that had snapped in two. “We repair this with structural epoxy,” said Gallagher. “Then we'll fill in ...

Waterside Cemetery gazebo to get facelift

25Oct

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters

Waterside Cemetery gazebo to get facelift

The gazebo honoring veterans at Waterside Cemetery, which had fallen into disrepair after years of neglect, is getting a facelift thanks to community support and volunteer efforts. A Waterside Cemetery gazebo‘s wood had become warped and gray, with peeling paint and rotting areas. The metal support beams are corroded with rust. The once-white wooden gazebo sits atop a hill in the veterans’ section at Waterside, overlooking Salem Harbor. For decades, it provided a peaceful place to reflect and remember fallen heroes. But weathering over time has taken a toll. The structure’s wood have become warped and gray, with peeling paint and rotting areas. The metal support beams are corroded with rust. Concerned citizens like Joan Cutler had been calling for the restoration of the landma...

Select Board approves ‘as needed’ parking bans for snow

24Oct

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Travel, Uncategorized

Select Board approves ‘as needed’ parking bans for snow

The Select Board has voted to implement an "as needed" parking ban during snow emergencies. State Street is flanked by snow piles after a winter storm. The Marblehead Select Board voted in October 2023 to implement a new snow emergency parking ban policy, prohibiting on-street parking overnight during declared snow emergencies to aid snow removal efforts. Vehicles parked in violation would be ticketed and towed. COURTESY PHOTO / MASSMATT VIA FLICKR During a declared snow emergency, on-street parking will be prohibited starting at midnight the day of the expected storm through 7 a.m. If a snow emergency lasts more than one day, the parking ban will be in effect each night of the emergency. Vehicles parked on streets in violation of the ban are subject to ticketing and towing. The ...

Finding Marblehead’s next building commissioner proves difficult

24Oct

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Uncategorized

Finding Marblehead’s next building commissioner proves difficult

Months after John Albright departed the building commissioner post, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer says Marblehead continues to struggle to fill the vacant position permanently. Albright left April 30 after failing to take and pass three state-mandated exams within his allotted time frame, despite receiving extensions due to COVID-19 disruptions. The town appointed interim commissioner Bob Ives, but finding a qualified permanent replacement remains an elusive goal, one mandated under state law. Marblehead Building Department operates out of the Mary Alley Municipal Building on Widger Road. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD "It's been a challenge trying to identify a candidate that meets the credential requirements and has the right experience," Kezer said. "We've been advertisin...

Marblehead to hold Open Meeting Law workshop on Nov. 1

23Oct

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters

Marblehead to hold Open Meeting Law workshop on Nov. 1

The town will host an open meeting law workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 5-7 p.m. Town Counsel Lisa M. Mead of Mead, Talerman & Costa, LLC will lead the hybrid session covering the basics of open meeting laws. Topics will include meeting notices, accessibility, public participation, executive sessions and meeting minutes. The in-person session will take place at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St. Remote access is available via Zoom at bit.ly/3FqR1SI, meeting ID 845 6670 0456, passcode 735889. The workshop is intended for all town employees, elected officials, appointed board and committee members, commissioners and volunteers.

23Oct

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters

2nd quarter tax bills due Nov. 1

The second quarter real estate tax bills for fiscal year 2024 are due Wednesday, Nov. 1. Payments can be mailed to: Tax Collector Town of Marblehead P.O. Box 806Reading, Massachusetts 01867-0406 Checks should be made payable to the Town of Marblehead. Payments can also be placed in the red mailbox outside the Mary Alley Municipal Building, 7 Widger Rd., or left at the revenue window. For electronic payments, taxpayers can use the online payment portal at bit.ly/3VdzmVt. Questions regarding tax payments can be directed to the Tax Collector's Office at 781-631-0587 or by emailing revenue@marblehead.org. The Tax Collector's Office advises residents to kindly disregard this notice if second quarter taxes have already been paid.