Politics - Marblehead Current

Rep. Armini, Zisson advocate for three-year Select Board terms

27Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

Rep. Armini, Zisson advocate for three-year Select Board terms

State Rep. Jenny Armini told colleagues on Beacon Hill that the time has come for Marblehead to transition to three-year terms for its Select Board. At a Sept. 26 hearing, she emphasized that the constant campaigning required by one-year terms is detrimental. State Rep. Jenny Armini spoke in support of three-year Marblehead Select Board terms on Tuesday, Sept. 26. COURTESY PHOTO Town Meeting last May approved the change, but it needs to be approved by the Legislature to take effect. Testifying before the Legislature's Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, Armini pointed out that Marblehead is the only Massachusetts town that still elects its Select Board members to one-year terms. This annual election cycle, she said, hampers long-term planning. "Expertise...

19Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories, Travel

State law requires town to identify a total of 27 acres of denser zoning

The Marblehead Planning Board is exploring ways to comply with a state law that requires MBTA communities to zone for multifamily housing. Marblehead must zone for multifamily housing within 1/2 mile of at least one MBTA bus stop, like this one on Humphrey Street. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD The mandate will help the state “meet our goals for housing, transportation and climate resiliency," explained Lily Linke of the Citizens Housing and Planning Association at a Planning Board meeting last week. She said cities and towns that don’t comply may lose state funding and grants and face enforcement in state and federal courts. "All MBTA communities must comply with the law,” Attorney General Andrea Campbell wrote in an August advisory. Marblehead has until the end of 2024 to z...

19Sep

By Letter to the editorNo Comments

LETTERS, Politics

To the editor: Faith in government restored

Over the last few years, our sense of idealism has fragmented. Between hearings, trials, leaks, and exposes, it was hard to maintain a grasp on our hope for a better tomorrow. We watched as our nation’s capital was stormed and defaced. We watched shouting matches in the pool of the House of Representatives. The darkest elements of politics were exposed and amplified, while the voices of our true leaders were silenced. Politics were demonized and the leaders of our municipalities, states and nation were pegged as corrupt and greedy. But my entire perception of the people behind politics changed this summer when State Representative Jenny Armini honored me with the opportunity of interning in her office. Molly Blander with State Rep. Jenny Armini at the State House COURTESY PHOTO ...

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Life Style, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Recreation, Top Stories

‘Less bridge, more rail trail’: Marblehead rethinks use of $1.4M COVID-19 funds

After hearing from several disappointed residents, town officials adjusted their plans to use $1.4 million in federal COVID-19 relief money to reconstruct two aging bridges along the Marblehead Rail Trail. A section of the Marblehead Rail Trail at Lead Mills to undergo improvements as part of a phased expansion plan funded by redirected federal COVID-19 relief money. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD After hearing from residents that they viewed maintenance of the well-traversed trail itself a higher priority, the town adopted a “new approach,” Town Planner Becky Cutting and Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer reported to the Select Board Sept. 13. "What we're trying to do is make less bridge, more trail," Kezer said. The funds will now be used to construct smaller bridges to impr...

14Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Politics, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Massachusetts GOP Chairwoman Carnevale dismisses lawsuit as ‘frivolous’

Marblehead resident and Massachusetts GOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale is being sued by her predecessor, Jim Lyons, and others in the Republican Party. Marblehead resident and Massachusetts GOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale, leading the Massachusetts GOP through times of internal division and legal challenges. COURTESY PHOTO The plaintiffs claim Carnevale and others deliberately sabotaged business deals and violated a relationship of trust that required acting in the GOP’s best interests. The complaint alleges that GOP Treasurer Pat Crowley improperly froze the state party's bank account in January 2022 after a dispute over the budget, blocking the organization from paying employees and honoring contracts. Lyons claims this damaged the party financially and reputationally. Lyons filed ...

30Aug

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Politics

Town Democrats gather for annual picnic

About 150 people turned out reccently for the Marblehead Democratic Town Committee annual picnic at the Gerry 5. The crowd enjoyed dinner and heard from Congressman Seth Moulton, along with Seceretary of State Bill Galvin, Auditor Diana DiZoglio, Representative Jenny Armini, Senator Brendan Crighton and District Attorney Paul Tucker. Several Marblehead elected officials were there as well, including Select Board Chair Erin Noonan, Select Board member Alexa Singer, School Committee Chair Sarah Fox, School Committee member Jenn Schaeffner, Housing Authority member Terri Tauro and Board of Health member Joanne Miller. A big crowd at the Town Democratic Party annual picnic. COURTESY PHOTOS / PATRICK GECOYA District Attorney Paul Tucker (left) Rep. Jenny Armini and Sen. Brendan Cri...

14Jul

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Politics, Top Stories

Moulton votes ‘no’ on defense spending act that ‘attacks reproductive rights’

Congessman and Iraq war veteran Seth Moulton, who represents Marblehead and the sixth district, today voted against the FY '24 National Defense Authorization Act, saying it has been hijacked by Republicans and targets abortion access for servicewomen. "This morning, I voted against this new bill full of extremist amendments that harm our troops," Moulton wrote in a statement. "The now partisan Republican bill attacks reproductive rights and access to basic health care for women in uniform. " Congressman Seth Moulton (right) at a recent Veterans Day ceremony in Marblehead. CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD The NDAA is an important piece of legislation that lays the foundation for the policies, organizations and expenditures of the United States defense agencies. Today's Hou...

6Jul

By William J. DowdNo Comments

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

In break from tradition, Select Board places hold on dozens of volunteer positions

The Marblehead Select Board has placed a four-month hold on reappointing over 100 volunteers to commissions, committees and boards — including the Finance Committee — signaling a shift in approach and break from the precedent following the June 20 election that unseated longterm member Jackie Belf-Becker and replaced her with Bret Murray. Photo slugged select board. CUTLINE: Select Board members voted to hold the reappointments of over 100 volunteers until Nov. 1. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Murray’s motion for the hold passed on a 4-to-1 vote, with Select Board members Erin Noonan, Moses Grader and Alexa Singer in the affirmative. Select Board member Jim Nye was the lone dissent. "This will hold the existing volunteers until Nov. 1,” Murray said. "It's not to say those p...

28Jun

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Politics, Public safety, Sports, Top Stories, Town Election Guide, Uncategorized

For some, fight for funding goes on despite override loss

With the failure of the $2.5 million override last week, some parents and residents are determined to find other ways to fund the schools and town next year and prevent the loss of more than 30 positions and several programs that have been cut. Pink slips were sent out to affected teachers and staff on June 23. Freshman sports have been canceled for next year. Voters rejected the $2.5 million override, but some residents aren't giving up. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER “I personally feel that we have to continue to advocate for what our kids need,” said Sarah Magazine-Yount, who has two young children in Marblehead schools. “There’s a lot of energy in the parent community to get engaged. There’s been a little bit of a wake-up call.” Resident Jim Zisson believes the town should ...

25Jun

By William J. DowdNo Comments

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

Marblehead’s 2023 election saw highest turnout in years

Marblehead witnessed its highest voter participation in approximately a dozen years on June 20. Out of 16,315 registered voters, 6,613 cast their ballots, a 40.5% turnout — 4.5% higher than last year. As the result of a 2019 Town Meeting warrant article, the annual town election was moved from May to June, and turnout has been up since the change took effect in 2020. “My main motivation back in 2019 was to combine the two elections [voting to elect leaders and referendums on proposed Proposition 2 1/2 overrides] into one to increase voter turnout,” said Walter Horan, the sponsor of the warrant article. "So, I'm thrilled with the turnout." From the 1970s until 2019, Marblehead's town elections took place a week after Town Meeting. If Town Meeting approved an override, a speci...