Town Election Guide - Marblehead Current

11 Jun

School Committee hears results of latest youth risk behavior survey

Leigh BlanderMarblehead Public Schools, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

The number of Marblehead High School students suffering from depression and anxiety dipped slightly from 2023 to 2024, according to results of a youth risk behavior study at MHS. However, the study also revealed that 6% of MHS students report using alcohol regularly, compared to 1.5% of high school students statewide. Forty-two percent of MHS students reported ever using alcohol, up from 40%. Superintendent John Robidoux, left, and the School Committee listened to the results of the high school's latest youth risk behavior survey. “It’s…

11 Jun

Local teen saves elderly woman from apparent Bitcoin scam

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Eighteen-year-old Addy Mooney of Marblehead knew something wasn’t right with the older woman at Richdale on Smith Street. She was asking the cashier for help with the Bitcoin machine. Addy Mooney shows off her junior officer badge sticker. COURTESY PHOTO “She was in her 70s or 80s, and she was holding her phone like she was talking to someone while this interaction was happening,” Mooney said. “It seemed kind of scammy.” Mooney walked home, but, she said, “I felt deep down there was something up.…

11 Jun

Voters head to polls this election day

Leigh Blander and Will Dowd0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

On Tuesday, June 11, voters are going to the polls to decide who will help lead the town in the next year and beyond. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at three locations: — Precinct 1: Old Town House, One Market Square — Precincts 2 & 3: Abbot Hall Auditorium, 188 Washington St. — Precincts 4, 5 & 6: Judy & Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St. Voters can find their designated precinct at sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA. The election features contested races…

30 May

CURRENT’S 2024 CANDIDATES’ GUIDE

Will Dowd and Leigh Blander0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

On Tuesday, June 11, voters go to the polls to decide who will help lead the town in the next year and beyond. This year, there are only two contested races: for Select Board and Recreation and Parks Commission. While there are two names on the ballot for the Housing Authority, one candidate, Laura Gallant, has since dropped out. The Current has put together its second annual Candidates’ Guide, with brief bios and Q&As with candidates in the two contested races (One candidate, incumbent Rec…

22 May

Candidates make their cases at League forum before June 11 town election

Will Dowd0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

Dan Albert, the town's MBTA advisor and Select Board candidate, set himself apart from his opponents during the candidates' forum hosted by the Marblehead League of Women Voters on May 21. Albert stood alone in his opposition to the MBTA zoning law, which failed to pass at the recent Town Meeting, arguing that it would do little to address the housing crisis and could lead to environmental damage. Select Board candidates Erin Noonan, Bret Murray, Dan Fox, Moses Grader and Dan Albert present their platforms…

28 Jun

For some, fight for funding goes on despite override loss

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Politics, Public safety, Sports, Top Stories, Town Election Guide, Uncategorized

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…

21 Jun

School Committee chair ‘shocked’ by town budget announcement that could lead to more layoffs

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

The Marblehead School Committee and the district are dealing with a bombshell announcement late Wednesday that the town may not be able contribute the full $350,000 expected toward school energy costs in fiscal year 2024 because there may not be enough funds available. The town also notified the schools that it has to charge back approximately $60,000 in utility costs to the department for the current fiscal year, according to the district. The new Select Board is sworn in Wednesday night. Shortly after, it adjourned…

20 Jun

Changes coming to School Committee amid budget crisis

Leigh Blander0 CommentsLocal News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories, Town Election Guide, Uncategorized

Voters sent two familiar faces to the School Committee, as the district is forced to cut 30-plus positions and several programs with the failure of the tax override. Jenn Schaeffner (a former School Committee member) and former Glover School Principal Brian Ota beat incumbent Sarah Gold and Paul Baker. Schaeffer won 3,052 votes and Ota 2,497. Gold received 2,390 votes and Baker received 2,262. Former Glover School Principal Brian Ota will join the School Committee. Jenn Schaeffner is returning to the School Committee. "I'm very…

20 Jun

Marblehead voters head to polls to decide tax override, candidate races

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Politics, Public safety, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Marblehead voters are heading to the polls today, June 20, deciding a $2.5 million permanent tax override, along with several hotly-contested races for Select Board, School Committee, Board of Health and more. Override supporters say the tax increase is necessary to fund dozens of town positions in the schools, public safety and public works, along with programs. Critics say the town has mismanaged its finances and should live within its means. Read more about the override debate here. For a complete election rundown, check out…

09 Jun

Marblehead Current launches override calculator

Leigh Blander0 CommentsLocal News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Politics, Public safety, real estate, Top Stories, Town 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. It has been 18 years since Marblehead has approved a general override. Launching today within its comprehensive Election Guide, the Marblehead Current is including an override calculator which allows residents to input their property's estimated value and learn their additional tax burden should the override be approved. The calculator, created by Marblehead resident and web developer Ed Lewis, shows additional taxes for…