Municipal Matters

NEWS IN BRIEF: Household hazardous waste collection, town administrator job posted
14 Sep

NEWS IN BRIEF: Household hazardous waste collection, town administrator job posted

Leigh BlanderLocal News, Municipal Matters
The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews.org.  Household Hazardous Waste CollectionThe Marblehead Health Department has scheduled the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m. at the Transfer Station.There’s a long list of items that may be disposed of that evening, including oil-based paint, anti-freeze, lighter fluid and furniture polish. For the full list, visit marbleheadma.gov/2026-october-household-hazardous-waste-day/. New police hireThe Select Board approved the hiring of Marblehead native and Marine veteran Luke Morris as a new police…
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Revised Broughton Road redevelopment plan calls for 50 new senior units
09 Sep

Revised Broughton Road redevelopment plan calls for 50 new senior units

Akanksha GoyalMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
The Marblehead Housing Authority and WinnDevelopment presented a revised plan Tuesday to redevelop Broughton Road, proposing 50 new age-restricted units while preserving all 62 existing family housing units. The revised concept, presented to the Planning Board on Sept. 8, follows months of feedback from residents, abutters, town officials and other stakeholders. The proposal calls for either renovating or demolishing and rebuilding the 62 existing units, along with construction of a three-story building containing 50 new senior units. The rear portion of the site would replace…
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New state variance rules give Marblehead ZBA more room to weigh housing
08 Sep

New state variance rules give Marblehead ZBA more room to weigh housing

Akanksha GoyalBeacon Hill, Business, Municipal Matters
For decades, Massachusetts property owners seeking zoning variances faced a high bar: They generally had to demonstrate that strict application of local zoning rules created a “substantial hardship” tied to particular characteristics of their property. That changed this summer. A new state law replaced the “substantial hardship” standard with a lower “practical difficulty” standard and gave zoning boards greater discretion in deciding whether to grant variances.  The law also requires boards to consider the benefits to the applicant and the public interest, including the interest…
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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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Housing only: Town posts RFP for Coffin School property
04 Sep

Housing only: Town posts RFP for Coffin School property

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
The town has issued a request for proposals for the former Coffin School property, making clear that any redevelopment must be for housing. The RFP states: “The property shall be ground leased or sold solely for a housing use. Proposals that contemplate any use other than housing will not be considered. The selected respondent shall be required to use and develop the property in accordance with the permitted housing use and all applicable requirements, approvals, restrictions and conditions established by the town and applicable law.”…
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Town still working out how new ADU rules work — homeowners feeling uncertainty
01 Sep

Town still working out how new ADU rules work — homeowners feeling uncertainty

Akanksha GoyalMunicipal Matters, real estate, Top Stories
Massachusetts has spent the past two years making it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units, but in Marblehead, figuring out how those rules apply to individual projects has proven more complicated. The town has received 12 ADU applications since 2024, according to Community Development and Planning Director Brendan Callahan. Three applications were submitted and approved in 2024, another three were approved in 2025, and four were approved through June 2026. Two remained pending as of June. Town officials are still trying to determine…
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Looking for answers to road and sidewalk projects
25 Aug

Looking for answers to road and sidewalk projects

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer says there is a “method to the madness” behind Marblehead’s much-criticized road and sidewalk work, while acknowledging that communicating that plan to residents has been a challenge. The condition and construction of the town’s roads and sidewalks have become a heated topic on social media and in letters to the editor, with residents questioning how projects are prioritized, how money is being spent and what work is planned next. People are also complaining about bumpy patchwork, saying it creates dangerous conditions…
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Select Board dissolves Charter Committee after receiving final work
18 Aug

Select Board dissolves Charter Committee after receiving final work

Leigh BlanderLocal News, Municipal Matters
The Select Board has formally dissolved the Town Charter Committee after receiving the committee’s final work product. The Charter Committee was formed April 24, 2024, with the mission of developing Marblehead’s first town charter, similar to a constitution. The group examined Marblehead’s existing government structure, authorities and processes. The committee submitted a package of materials, including Draft C of a proposed charter, an executive summary, appendices, organizational charts, potential recall language, public forum and hearing points, and alignment memoranda. Charter Committee Chair Amy Drinker emphasized…
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Town to seek Coffin School reuse proposals in early September 
13 Aug

Town to seek Coffin School reuse proposals in early September 

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
The town plans to invite companies to submit proposals for the Coffin School reuse project in early September.  The school closed in 2021. The property includes roughly 3 acres and was assessed at $3.4 million in 2025. The town has hosted several public forums and meetings to gather input on how the property should be used. Ideas have ranged from town-owned green space and a dog park to townhouses and a development for seniors and veterans. The Coffin School has been closed since 2021. Ideas…
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