Top Stories - Marblehead Current

18 Mar

Folk community to honor Franke on Good Friday

Leigh BlanderArt, Top Stories

A cherished Marblehead tradition will take on added significance this year as St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church hosts a special Good Friday performance in memory of acclaimed folk singer and songwriter Bob Franke. Franke died Oct. 16, 2025, after being struck by a motorcycle in Antigua, Guatemala, where he and his wife had retired just weeks earlier. He was 78. On April 3 at 8 p.m., musicians who worked closely with Franke over the decades will reunite to perform “Meditations on the Passion,” a work that…

17 Mar

Marblehead FinCom details cuts, fees needed to close $7.7M deficit

Akanksha GoyalTop Stories

With a roughly $7.7 million deficit still unresolved, the Finance Committee Monday night walked through multiple scenarios outlining the town’s limited options for closing the gap, with new analysis showing the scale of cuts, staffing reductions and potential fees still on the table.Chair Alec Goolsby laid out three potential paths to a balanced budget, each involving tradeoffs between municipal services, school funding and new revenue sources.He repeatedly emphasized that the impacts outlined are not hypothetical.“These are not scare tactics. These are real cuts,” Goolsby said.…

17 Mar

OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS: Tough choices prompt surge of override requests statewide

Akanksha GoyalMunicipal Matters, Top Stories

Editor’s note: This is part three in the Marblehead Current’s series, “Overriding Considerations,” which explores various facets of the “fiscal cliff” on which the town is teetering. To read the previous installment, see: Part 1: Behind Marblehead’s $65 million payroll in 2025 Part 2: Analysis: Town’s tax burden ranks low among peers Communities across Massachusetts are increasingly turning to property tax overrides as rising costs outpace limits on local revenue growth. Data from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue shows a sharp increase in both the…

17 Mar

New children’s book puts Marblehead, arts festival in spotlight

Leigh BlanderEntertainment, Top Stories

Anyone who knows Jodi-Tatiana Charles knows she is a force of nature. The international marketing strategist ran the Marblehead Festival of Arts in 2023 and 2024, bringing new events and fresh energy to the popular annual tradition. Now, she has written a children’s book that highlights how festivals build stronger, more connected communities. It’s called “Going to the Festival.” Award-winning marketing strategist Jodi-Tatiana Charles ran the Marblehead Festival of Arts in 2023 and 2024. COURTESY PHOTO/NOCERA PHOTOGRAPHIC The 58-page story “celebrates community, friendship and the…

17 Mar

Marblehead ramps up pothole repairs after punishing winter

Leigh BlanderTop Stories

After a winter marked by punishing storms, potholes are now popping up across Marblehead, and crews are working to catch up as snow operations wind down. Department of Public Works Director Amy McHugh updated the Select Board March 11 about the pothole scourge, saying the winter pushed public works crews to their limits and left roads battered by repeated freeze-thaw cycles. “The first pothole calls came in around Jan. 12,” McHugh said. By March 11, the DPW had been notified about more than 100. Residents…

16 Mar

Overrides take center stage in Marblehead budget talks

Leigh BlanderTop Stories

This week, the Select Board and School Committee are moving closer to finalizing potential property tax override requests for May’s Town Meeting. Marblehead hasn’t approved a general override — permanently raising the tax base — in more than 20 years. On March 19 at 1 p.m., Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer is expected to update the Select Board after researching three potential override “tiers” to address a $7.7 million deficit for fiscal 2027. The board is also scheduled to vote on a budget that day. The…

14 Mar

All hands on deck: Marblehead christens new harbor patrol boat

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

State Rep. Jenny Armini christened Marblehead's new harbor patrol boat on Friday as it was lowered into the water. The 31-foot vessel has full firefighting capabilities and a communications center, according to Harbormaster Mark Souza. The boat was funded by a grant. It's named the Stacey H. Clark, in honor of its predecessor. Harbor and Waters Board member Karen Finnocchio, left, celebrates Marblehead's new patrol boat with State Rep. Jenny Armini and Harbormaster Mark Souza. COURTESY PHOTOS The new Stacey H. Clark is lowered into…

13 Mar

CURRENT EVENTS

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories

Don’t miss Marblehead’s best bets coming up Current Events spotlights notable happenings around town in the coming week. To submit a listing, email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org Shipwrecks of Salem SoundWednesday, March 11, 7-8 p.m. Discover the North Shore’s maritime mysteries with author Ray Bates at Marblehead Yacht Club, 4 Cliff St. Bates will talk about why the North Shore is such a common spot for shipwrecks. Free and open to all. Spirit Night Bourbon TastingFriday, March 13, 6 p.m. Join Marblehead Museum…

13 Mar

School Committee begins weighing override to restore budget cuts

Leigh BlanderEducation, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

At its March 12 meeting, the Marblehead School Committee began discussing override options to help restore deep budget cuts planned for fiscal 2027. As directed by the town, the district delivered a level-funded budget that includes more than a dozen staff layoffs. Now the town is requesting an additional $1.5 million in cuts. “I’m not interested in backing a band-aid situation,” School Committee member Melissa Clucas said about an override. “I’m interested in backing something that structurally fixes the problem.” Select Board Chair Dan Fox…

12 Mar

Marblehead’s election season kicks off Monday

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories

Nomination papers for the town's June 9 election will be available Monday, March 16. There are several seats up for grabs on the Select Board, School Committee, Board of Health, Light Board and more. Here is the complete list of terms expiring this spring, according to the Town Clerk's Office. Anyone interested in running can pick up nomination papers at the Town Clerk's Office in Abbot Hall. Candidates must collect at least 50 signatures and return them by April 21 at 5 p.m. Nomination papers…