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RAINBOW REWARD
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MHS garden party
What to know about coyote breeding season
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January 17, 2024
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VOLUME 2, ISSUE NO. 8
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VALUATION VEXATION
‘Outrageous’ tax hikes stun homeowners Assessments soar up to 40%, tacking thousands onto bills BY WILL DOWD When Brenda Kelley Kim opened the mail this month, her jaw dropped in disbelief. The town had increased her home’s assessed value by 29% from $649,500 to $836,800 – adding nearly $200,000 overnight. Even with accounting the tax rate decreasing from $10 in Fiscal Year 2023 to $8.96 in Fiscal Year 2024, her taxes shot up about 15
»Market analyst Andrew Oliver explains Marblehead’s property taxes, Page 5. percent, the type of spike that Proposition 21/2 was designed to eliminate. “I looked around my house going, ‘Hey, where’s the addition to justify this?’” said Kim. “Because this is crazy.” Kim soon learned she was far from alone. As tax bills landed in mailboxes across town, a
swarm of baffled homeowners demanded answers. Many took to social media. Harbor Avenue resident David Moran couldn’t fathom how his assessment leapt 32% in one year, tacking about 18% onto his annual property tax bill. “You can’t spring this on
people out of nowhere,” said Moran, a resident for over three decades. “I don’t care what the numbers say — something is fundamentally wrong here.” Compounding the shock that Kim, Moran and others are experiencing is that January tax bills for the third quarter of FY 24 also incorporate the town “catching up” with shortfalls in taxes paid by homeowners in Q1 and Q2, those bills having been
estimated based on the prior year’s assessment. One of Moran’s neighbors on the Neck shared with him an analysis she had performed, seemingly unraveling part of the puzzle. The neighbor found that properties listed with a particular neighborhood code, “3N,” indicating the Neck, had been whacked with a particularly TAXES, P. A2
PUPS TO GO
Teen helps deliver puppies in the back of an SUV on I-95 BY WILL DOWD
Felix Regnault with the puppies he helped deliver in the back of an SUV recently
COURTESY PHOTO
A Marblehead teenager helped deliver 10 puppies in the back of a Chevy Tahoe while traveling on Interstate 95. Felix Regnault, 15, was taking his dog, Kiki, to the vet for a scheduled Cesarean section last month when the Labrador retriever went into labor earlier than expected. “I knew we were in for a ride when the first pup started emerging before we even got on the highway entrance,” said Mary Ellen Fletcher of Swampscott, who shares the dog with Regnault and was driving. Fletcher coached Felix through the delivery. “My initial reaction was concern for Felix, as he’s never witnessed anything like this before, and for our sweet girl, Kiki, in the backseat,” she said. “I’ve never delivered a litter before, but it was quite beautiful to see them,” Regnault said. His initial reaction? Nervousness. “It was definitely, definitely a little bit of panic in the
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
The new family bundled up: A cluster of Labrador puppies snuggles together.
beginning,” he said. To keep Kiki healthy, Regnault fed her calcium tablets (which Fletcher kept on hand in case of an early delivery) for energy between puppies. When the supply ran out before reaching the vet, they called fellow dog breeder Steve O’Neill to bring more. He met them in the parking lot outside the vet hospital. PUPPIES, P. A13
RAISING REVENUES
Voters to get their say on local meals, room taxes BY WILL DOWD AND LEIGH BLANDER Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer is proposing a meals and room tax in Marblehead and hopes Town Meeting voters will approve it this May. Kezer discussed the new taxes at a recent Select Board meeting when he previewed several articles he has prepared for Town Meeting. Town departments have until Jan. 26 to submit articles for the Town Meeting warrant. Several of the plans are aimed at creating more income for the town to help close its structural deficit.
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Kezer is proposing a 0.75% meals tax and up to a 6% tax on rooms. Marblehead could also adopt a short-term rental community impact fee of 3%. “It would generate a really significant amount of revenue that would help take a lot of pressure off of trying to close the structural deficit and get some things done,” Kezer said. “Looking at the hotels and meals is all about trying to take pressure off of a tax increase.” The state already collects sales tax on meals (6.25%) and hotels (5.7%). If adopted locally, the additional tax revenue would be remitted back to
Marblehead on a quarterly basis. Kezer estimates the new taxes could generate $400,000 a year initially, and up to $1 million annually in the future. Peter Conway at the Harbor Light Inn is worried about the tax impacting his business, especially if it’s 6%. “We have a $400 room. If you add six percent on the 5.7% you’re now up to 12%. It’s a big number to add to the cost of staying somewhere.” Conway said the fact that Marblehead hasn’t had a room tax gives him a competitive advantage over hotels in Salem. REVENUE, P. A7
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
People staying at the Harborlight Inn could be hit with up to a 6% room tax.
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A2 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Marblehead Current
SLIPPERY WHEN WET
MHS roof leak halts basketball game No progress yet on repair project BY LEIGH BLANDER The Marblehead High School basketball team had to stop its home game against Peabody on Jan. 8 when the roof started leaking onto the court. Last month, a ceiling tile damaged during a rain storm fell and hit a student. The teen was treated in the nurse’s office. Town Meeting voters approved $9 million in roof repairs for the high school and municipal buildings in 2022, but the projects have not yet been put out to bid. The schools and town are looking
to hire a joint project manager. “We are working on the documents and they have not yet been released,” Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations told the Current on Jan. 11. At a recent School Committee meeting Cresta said, “We were in discussions this spring to move forward with this plan, and then a few other things came up that required my time and attention.” Athletic Director Greg Ceglarski said the postponed game against Peabody will be played at home on Feb. 6.
nEWS FOr PEOPLE, nOT FOr PrOFIT. CO-CHAIRPERSONS
Jessica Barnett Ed Bell NEWSROOM Editor - Leigh Blander
lblander@marbleheadnews.org
Community Editor - Will Dowd wdowd@marbleheadnews.org
Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@marbleheadnews.org
Sports Reporter Joe McConnell
jmcconnell@marbleheadnews.org
Intern - Benji Boyd CONTRIBUTORS
The leaky roof at MHS is causing problems.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
DOWN BOY
Coyote sighting prompts concern at Village School BY LEIGH BLANDER
It is coyote breeding season.
COURTESY PHOTO / RICK CUZNER
Recess had to be moved indoors at the Village School one day last week after a coyote was spotted on a field outside the building. Principal Mandy Murphy alerted parents via email. “We immediately called animal control and they quickly responded. When they got here, the coyote was gone, but seems to keep reappearing,” Murphy wrote. Assistant Animal Control Officer Daniel Proulx said it
is coyote breeding season and the animals are active. Also, recent rains have displaced small mammals like rodents, prompting coyotes to chase after them. Proulx emphasized that coyotes are a threat to dogs, but not to children or adults. He encouraged anyone interested to follow his Facebook page MarbleheadCoyoteTracker. Proulx is giving a presentation on coyotes and other local wildlife on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at Abbot Public Library.
Jo Ann Augeri Silva Stephen Bach Bob Baker Linda Bassett Nicole Goodhue-Boyd Laurie Fullerton Mark Hurwitz John Lamontagne Christine McCarriston Eyal Oren Pam Peterson Chris Stevens Lisa Sugarman Linda Werbner BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Virginia Buckingham - President Gene Arnould Jessica Barnett Ed Bell Francie King Robert Peck Donna Rice Richard Weed - Treasurer EDITORIAL BOARD
Ed Bell Virginia Buckingham Kris Olson Will Dowd Robert Peck Joseph P. Kahn DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Kathryn Whorf DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Marion Warner Greely FOUNDERS
Jessica Barnett Ed Bell Leigh Blander Will Dowd David Moran Kris Olson
Taxes From P. A1
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
large increase in the land value of their parcels — more than 40%. Meanwhile, adjacent properties with different codes saw vastly smaller increases, Moran’s neighbor found. For example, properties categorized as “3W” and “4W,” the “Neck Waterfront” neighborhood,” saw their land value increase by less than 5%. But as Kim’s experience shows, the issue is not limited to the Neck.
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What’s going on?
Local residents are outraged after receiving exorbitant property tax hikes they say vastly exceed home values and set dangerous precedents. They also argue assessments are inconsistent, with comparable neighborhood homes receiving substantially lower increases around 20-40%. “With the housing shortage, real estate is in high demand, and values are increasing,” Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer explained. “This year, we’ve seen an average increase of 16%, but some properties, due to their type or location, have seen higher hikes.” Kezer explained that the first week of January marks the distribution of actual tax bills for fiscal year 2024, as opposed to the estimated placeholders sent out over the summer and fall. This first bill reflects any changes in property valuations applied to the new fiscal year. “Folks are just receiving their new tax bills,” said Kezer. “So this is the first adjustment for the new year.” Kezer said the town’s total tax levy is only rising 2.5 percent this year, as restricted under Proposition 21/2. But assessments updating the values of each individual property can fluctuate more wildly – especially amid housing shortages with demand surging more for certain home types. “But the fact is that the increase
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COURTESY PHOTO
Marblehead resident Brenda Kelley Kim didn’t anticipate her home’s valuation to rise as much as it recently did.
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REACT
or decrease in property values does nothing to raise any new dollars for municipalities; it’s all based on how much taxes in dollars we collected the year prior plus 21/2% to account for any increases in property values,” Kezer explained. “All that does is change the share of who’s paying more and who’s paying less to hit those dollars.” Marblehead assessor Karen D. Bertolino said her office bases valuations on arm’s length real estate transactions in the prior calendar year. For the fiscal 2024 tax bills, her department reviewed 2022 sales and applied Massachusetts Department of Revenue criteria. “The department tries to come as close to fair market value as possible,” said Bertolino. “So we have a range which we need to follow. And that’s between 90 and
110% of market value.” Bertolino said Marblehead has been in an appreciating real estate market in recent years, further impacted by the COVID pandemic. When homeowners call with questions about increased assessments, Bertolino recommends they compare total tax bills year over year rather than focusing solely on the assessed value. This year’s tax rate is $1.04 less than the $10 rate in fiscal 2023.
‘Prove I’m not being gouged’ However, residents like Moran and Kim are not convinced. “There must be a more transparent and equitable way to assess these taxes,” Moran stated. Further complicating the situation is the disparity in increases across different
neighborhoods. The residents charge the town has failed to provide transparency or clearly explain the staggering hikes. Moran, a tax attorney, is threatening legal action unless the town substantiates its valuations with hard evidence. He considers the lack of communication and due process regarding his spike unacceptable and potential grounds for a lawsuit. “Who are you to charge me thousands more without proving it or notifying me in advance?” demands Moran. Kim is similarly upset. “Don’t tell me you now value my little house at over $800,000 and expect me to shrug and pay up,” said Kim. “Bring me the facts to prove I’m not being gouged.”
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 17, 2024 A3
RAINBOW REWARD
CURRENT PHOTOS / WILL DOWD
The annual Christmas tree bonfire illuminated Riverhead Beach.
FIERY FELLOWSHIP
Annual Christmas tree bonfire a big draw BY WILL DOWD Hundreds of people bundled up against the wind and cold and descended on Riverhead Beach Friday night for the annual Christmas tree bonfire. The pile of discarded fir and pine trees was smaller than years past, but once ignited by firefighters around 6 p.m., lit up the sky with orange flames. Recent transplant Cara Jane Walker Gipstien and her golden retriever, Bonnie, were first-time attendees. “We moved here in October, and it feels like I’m on vacation and someone’s gonna wake me up to leave and go back to the real world,” Gipstien said. “Marblehead has that small-town character that you just don’t find everywhere.” Gipstien added that having yearly traditions is nice, giving residents events to anticipate. Swampscott residents Kyle and Amanda Bannon said they appreciated that the bonfire unifies people and gives them something to look forward to each year. They used to have bonfires in Kyle’s hometown in New Hampshire where people drove around collecting discarded trees. But the scale here impressed them. “Part of the reason why we came
After a Saturday storm caused flooding around town, a spectacular rainbow appeared. Thank you to Current reader Betsy Powers who sent us this photograph.”
Firefighters keep the fames under control.
is because he loves fire,” said Kyle, referring to their three-month-old son, Everett. “We figured that we’d stand out in the cold and watch the fire.” Intense heat could be felt hundreds of feet away as spectators — many families with young children and dogs — encircled the bonfire. Marblehead natives Blake and Laura Forman agreed events like the bonfire represent the town’s tight-knit community. They brought their dog Nara with them. “We’ve never seen this, and as you get older, it’s nice to have traditions,” Laura Forman said. “Something you take for granted when you’re younger.”
In between calls on Saturday, Capt. Eric Ridge snapped this photo outside the fire department.
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FINAL-17 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A04 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:18 PM
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A4 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Marblehead Current
Opinion EDITORIAL
On charter review, the Select Board should be cautious Thanks to officials from the University of Massachusetts-Boston’s Collins Center for Public Management, the Select Board is about to get a crash course on what it would mean for the town to take its first steps down a road that could lead to the adoption of the first governing charter in its long history. After 374 years, we believe there is value in reassessing how Marblehead’s government is structured. For some residents, embarking on this journey may seem like blasphemy. The longstanding town meeting-select board system is deeply revered, symbolizing a rich history and a strong sense of civic pride ingrained in the community. Since 1649, the town has operated a decentralized government — an amalgamation of local bylaws and state laws. The result has created a local government with power dispersed across dozens of elected and appointed entities, preventing the concentration of authority in the hands of only a few. The setup fosters a plethora of access points for public participation, but it can also lead to challenges. Department heads report to independent elected bodies rather than a central administrative figure, creating what some Select Board members have described as situations where policies, initiatives and programs are pursued in isolation at the expense of a cohesive strategy that considers broader objectives. This can produce either overlap or gaps in responsibilities and services, causing inefficiencies and confusion among the public and within town government. A charter review committee, if established, would play a pivotal role in drafting Marblehead’s first formal charter, akin to a mini-constitutional convention. To develop that draft, members We find the fact would spend months that writing a scrutinizing the existing town charter is government, conducting not a cookie-cutter analysis and fostering process reassuring. community engagement. We find the fact that writing a town charter is not a cookie-cutter process reassuring, as it allows Marblehead to tailor governing frameworks to reflect the local culture and needs. “There are so many flavors to how you do a charter,” Marblehead Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Current. “You can custom design it.” A charter clarifies and delineates the scope of authority and duties of appointed and elected bodies. It can define mechanisms for holding elected officials accountable. It could stipulate terms of office for elected officials or move department heads under the town administrator. We are encouraged that the charter would include a built-in review, set to occur every three to five years. This periodic reassessment ensures that the charter remains adaptable and aligned with evolving needs. It also guarantees that the governance structure remains a subject of continuous public dialogue and scrutiny, thus maintaining active community involvement. Marblehead’s governance, deeply entrenched in Massachusetts’ tradition of local self-rule and town meetings, has evolved over centuries, balancing decentralization and direct democracy. However, the changing demands of contemporary governance necessitate reexamining this model to ensure it remains effective and responsive. Those opposed might argue that adopting a formal charter risks compromising Marblehead’s unique identity. They could contend that centralized structures often concentrate power in fewer hands, gradually marginalizing participation. A crucial point to consider is that the proposal for a new charter does not intend to abolish or diminish our open town meeting system. In embarking on this journey, we urge both officials and citizens to envision a forward-looking governance structure that is deeply respectful of our historical roots in community engagement.
EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY
Of pasts and prologues BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM I stumbled across the ABC special “Pretty Baby” the other night and came away with a profound respect for the actress Brooke Shields and an unexpected reinforcing of a lesson it can take a long time to learn: the past doesn’t have to be prologue — the most important factors in determining your future are ultimately your own choices. (If you missed it, the special has been streaming on Hulu since April.) It’s probably more fair to say I have a renewed respect for Shields. I’ve been a fan since she admitted struggling with postpartum depression two decades ago. Infamously, she got publicly berated then by that numbskull Tom Cruise for taking antidepressants. Her epic slapback in an op-ed published in the New York Times is seared in my memory. The “Pretty Baby” documentary finds Shields at 58, the mother of two teenage daughters, long and happily married and surrounded by loyal women friends. She’s still beautiful, but more accessibly so — I’m a sucker for wrinkles around the eyes that are as much a window on our life’s journey as that famed saying about eyes and souls. Well-gone is the sing-songy child’s voice on talk shows that repeated lines fed to her by adults, some well-meaning, some cruel. The movie “Pretty Baby” in which she at 11 was auctioned for sex in a brothel, and kissed a 29-year old man on camera was “done in good taste” and the visible effect of her mother’s alcoholism was “allergies,” she said almost robotically then. Her voice now and her unflinching self-reflection are strong and clear, and completely without bitterness. Shields describes what can only be defined as a posttraumatic-stress response as she recounts numerous instances of dissociating while filming sex scenes. She recalls “zooming out, seeing a situation but you are not connected to it. You instantly become a vapor of yourself.” Referring to the entertainment industry, she said, “The system had never once come to help me, so I just had to get stronger on my own.” How did she reclaim herself from the grips of a narrative completely not of her own making? First, she
broke the mold of child actress and model by going to and excelling at college. There she learned that she could think and speak for herself. A first marriage to someone as controlling as her mother-manager ended when she realized what she had reconstructed. She found the courage to take risks and face rejection by trying on other entertainment hats in comedy and theater. Of the hypersexualized persona that was forced upon her, a past sexual assault and the harrowing nature of being raised by her loving but erratic mother, she says, “Sometimes I’m amazed I survived any of it.” How many times have you thought that about your own stories? We don’t have to have the same past as Shields to have employed the same tools to make a different future: » Forge your own path. » Unflinchingly acknowledge the past. » Start over again if you repeat mistakes. » Take risks. » Be vulnerable. » Keep faith. Remarkably, and perhaps most importantly if one is to build a new better life, as Shields has, is her determination not to wallow in bitterness. “There’s no judgment. I’m not interested in that concept.” Her attitude resonated with me, recalling a conversation I once had with an older gentleman wise in the ways of Washington and the world. Upon hearing my 9/11 story, he asked me, “You know what the most important thing to do now is, right?” I did, after a long journey. I promptly answered, “Have a happy life.” And I know that to be the right answer, if only because of how hard it is to achieve day to day. What a wonderful model Shields is for helping me and others to keep trying and to embrace what follows Shakespeare’s “past is prologue” line — “what to come, In yours and my discharge.” Your choices, your life. Thanks for the reminder, Brooke. Please, readers, remind me again tomorrow! Virginia Buckingham is the president of the Marblehead Current’s board of directors. Her column appears weekly.
ASK LIZZIE
Your kids have lots of new toys. Now what? BY LIZZIE ASSA
Dear Lizzie, This year, my child’s eyes lit up with each gift they unwrapped at Christmas, but now those same toys seem forgotten, gathering dust in the corner. It’s frustrating to see, and I’m not sure how to encourage them to play with their new toys. Do you have any advice? Dear reader, Ah, the post-holiday toy dilemma! One minute, your living room looks like a toy store, and the next, it’s as if the toys have become invisible to your little one. I have two words for you — toy overload. It’s natural for kids to feel overwhelmed when faced with too many choices. Imagine walking into a room full of every dessert you love — where do you even start? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with a few simple steps you can take to get your littles playing productively. Step one: Unpack and organize the toys for your child. For example, for puzzles, replace the bulky boxes with clear bags and a picture of the completed puzzle. For magnetic tiles, take them out of the clumsy box they came in and stack them at your child’s eye level. This reduces the initial overwhelm and makes it easier for your child to pick and start an activity. Step two: A toy on a shelf is just an object, but a toy laid out and ready to play becomes an adventure waiting to happen. Before your child returns from school or wakes up, set up a simple invitation to play.
Place a puzzle on a table with a few pieces connected, or set their new doll on a blanket with accessories nearby. These small touches can transform a toy from overlooked to irresistible. Step three: Remember that your kids love to be where you are. If their toys are put away in a basement playroom, they will be less likely to play with them. Instead of the playroom, carve out a small corner of your kitchen or living room for play. This proximity can subtly encourage them to start playing. Set them up to play with a toy at the counter where you are preparing dinner. Be present, but not directly involved, allowing them to explore their play independently. Next time you’re tempted to say, “You have so many toys, go play!” keep these tips in mind. By reducing overwhelm, creating inviting play setups and being present in their play area, you’re not just encouraging play. You’re nurturing their ability to engage and explore independently. Consistently apply these strategies for a few days, and you might just be surprised at how naturally your child develops a routine of independent play. Good luck!
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 17, 2024 A5
BEHIND THE NUMBERS
Marblehead’s property tax explained BY ANDREW OLIVER (Editor’s note: This is the first in a twopart series on how your tax bill is calculated, including the assessment process.) In February 2023, the town administrator presented the State of the Town, in which the budget for the following fiscal year was outlined. In simple terms, the budget, based upon a 3% increase in Expenditures, looked like this: Receipts ($ million) Property taxes State aid Local receipts Other F unds to reduce tax rate
$82.18 $8.25 $5.59 $0.04 $9.20 $105.26
78.1% 7.8% 5.3% 0% 8.7% 100%
Expenditures General fund $92.91 Debt service $10.78 Town Meeting appropriations $103.69 Cherry Sheet offset $0.03 State assessments $2.81 Overlay $0.30 $107.03 Surplus/(Deficit) ($1.78)
Additionally, the following fiscal years were projected to show increasingly large deficits. Expenditures will continue to increase, largely as a result of employee contracts, while revenue increases are limited by Proposition 2 1/2, which limits the increase on the total of all property — not on individual properties — to 2 1/2% each year. The purpose of this article is to explain how the property tax rate is calculated, bearing in mind that property taxes produce nearly 80% of the town’s revenues. The tax rate for FY 2024 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024) has been set at $8.96, down from $10 in FY 2023 following a 16% increase in assessed values. The formula for calculating the property tax is: » Take the dollar amount of the previous year’s tax levy. » Add 2.5% for Proposition 2 1/2 and also add any “new growth” (such as new construction or a condo conversion). This figure is the new tax levy. » To this figure is added debt service — the principal and Interest payable on the town’s debt — to produce the total
tax levy. The tax rate is then calculated by dividing the tax levy by the assessed value of property. Crucially, that calculation is based upon prices as of Jan. 1, 2023, using data from sales in calendar year 2022. What that means is that 2023 sales are used for the calculation of the tax rate in FY2025 — not FY2024. Here are the numbers for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024, remembering that FY 2024 runs from July 2023 to June 2024. Assessed FY 2023 value $7,908,527,005 FY 2022 tax levy $67,106,065 2.5% increase $1,677,652 New growth $434,109 FY 2023 tax levy $69,217,826 $8.75 Debt exclusions $9,898,848 $1.25 Total tax levy $79,116,674 $10.00 Assessed FY 2024 value $9,170,927,793 FY 2023 tax levy $69,217,826 2.5% increase $1,730,446 New growth $468,709 FY 2024 tax levy $71,416,980 $7.78 Debt exclusions $10,813,091 $1.18 Total tax levy $82,230,071 $8.96
The tax levy calculation
The dollar amount raised by the property tax will increase year by year. That is because of the formula: last year’s
number plus 21/2% plus new growth. In the table above, you can see how the FY 2023 tax levy of $69,217,826 becomes the base for FY 2024. Add $1,730,446 for Prop 2.5% and $468,709 for new growth, and the new figure is $71,416,980. To this number is added the debt service of $10,813,091 — to give a total amount to be raised of $82,230,071.
The tax rate
The actual tax rate depends upon the total assessed value of all property: residential, commercial and personal. The tax rate is calculated by dividing the total dollar amount to be raised by the total assessed value of all property. Thus, while the dollar amount raised by the tax (and therefore the median tax bill) will increase each year, the headline tax rate will fluctuate depending upon the direction of assessed values. In simplistic terms, the dollar amount raised before debt service will increase by a little more than 21/2% each year, so if the median assessed value also increases by a little more than 21/2%, the tax rate will be unchanged. If the increase in assessed values is less than 21/2%, then the tax rate will rise. And if the increase in assessed values is more than 21/2% then the tax rate will fall. One additional factor is the cost of debt service. In FY 2023, the tax rate was $10,
achieved by dividing the $79.1 million to be raised by the $7.9 billion of assessed value. And in FY 2024, when assessed values have increased 16%, the calculation is $82.2 million divided by $9.2 billion, which produces a rate of $8.96. The median tax bill, based on the higher assessed values, will increase by $244 or 3%, to $8,318. Note that the calculation of the tax rate is made simpler by the fact that Marblehead’s Select Board votes each year to have a single tax rate for both residential and commercial property. In towns that elect to have a differential rate — i.e., by taxing commercial property at a higher rate than residential — there are generally two different tax rates, achieved by dividing the amount to be raised from residential and commercial taxpayers by their respective aggregate assessed values. How does debt service affect the tax rate? The announced property tax rate announced each year also includes the cost of debt service: FY’19 FY’21 FY’22 FY’23 FY’24 Levy $9.72 $9.37 $9.25 $8.75 $7.78 Debt exclusions $1.02 $1.05 $1.27 $1.25 $1.18 Total $10.74 $10.42 $10.52 $10.00 $8.96
What matters is the tax bill, not the actual rate While we tend to focus on the property tax rate — and Marblehead has the third lowest rate of the 34 towns and cities in Essex County — what matters more is the actual tax paid. Let’s assume a tax bill of $1,000 as an example. Now let’s assume that the property has an assessed value of $100,000, which means that the tax rate is $10 per $1,000 ($100,000/1,000 x 10). If the assessed value was, instead, $120,000, the tax rate would drop to $8.50, but the tax bill would still be $1,000 ($120,000/1,000 x 8.50). In FY 2024, the total assessed value of property in Marblehead increased 16%, but the actual median tax bill increased only 3%. Coming next week: answers to frequently asked questions Former Marblehead resident Andrew Oliver is a realtor, market analyst and referral specialist.
I BEG TO DIFFER
Sorry, not sorry BY JO ANN AUGERI SILVA Ah, politics. This is a presidential election year, so we are going to be bombarded with political ads, political discussions, talking heads talking about politics and family members and friends driving you to distraction with their political opinions. Ad nauseam. I used to be a news junkie. We were a media couple, my husband and I, working at different levels of news reporting but equally engaged in (obsessed with?) what went on in the world. We ruined a perfectly lovely Italian vacation in November 2000 watching European versions of the embattled presidential election. It was bad enough that we missed all the newsroom black humor while we were away. It was far worse that our candidate was beaten by the Supreme Court. News watching wasn’t nearly as much fun after that. The year 2016 was worse. As previously stated on these pages, I’m a devout liberal, so I supported the best candidate, who happened to lose. The winner was, and still is, a person so repugnant I can’t bear seeing
their image or hearing their voice. Even when he’s on trial for his multitude of crimes, which happens a lot these days. So, I stopped watching and listening to political news in 2016, and haven’t resumed the habit since. What little patience I have is certainly not extended to that person’s supporters. So, I avoid engaging in political discussions, as well. I know, I know. I should show some tolerance. I should agree to disagree without being disagreeable. That works for some people. The same people who practice random acts of kindness and senseless beauty. For some of us, upbringing, culture and temperament make it exceedingly difficult to smile and nod or murmur something imperceptible. And not only when engaged in political discussions. In my Sicilian family, what popped into your head invariably came out your mouth. There was no clutch, no pondering if gentler phrasing might soften your words. My family was “honest” and frank about all things, especially politics. Volcanic temperament came with the territory. Family gatherings were lively, primarily loving but also contentious and loud.
I’ve needed to apologize, far more than once, and not just because I’ve hit the roof when someone was supporting that bulbous orange fellow. It came as a shock to my system to discover that other families choose to speak differently. Softly. Gently. Interacting with a mildmannered, soft-spoken person or family can feel like learning a second language. Honesty and frankness, one discovers, can be a handicap socially, not to mention in the workplace. How is it that some people can talk about intense topics without becoming intense? There’s also this: Those who live with depression are brutally aware that irritability is part of our condition. Increased irritability is a sign that something is awry, and in 2016, something in our nation’s politics went very awry. In general, it can take a while for depressed folks to pick up on social cues that to others must seem startlingly obvious, and it can take a long time to deal with the detritus of hurt feelings resulting from irritability. I’ve needed to apologize, far more than once, and not just because I’ve hit the roof when
someone was supporting that bulbous orange fellow. It’s exceedingly difficult to admit that one has an unpleasant streak, but there they are, the former employees, former employers, former friends, former relatives (do not ask), all ready to testify that it exists. So here it is: the apology. I’ll make it general, because being specific would take way too long. I’m sorry if my harsh words or dark moods affected you negatively. Unless you deserved it by talking positively about that guy. Sorry, not sorry. I don’t think I’m totally clueless — I really am learning that silence is an answer I need to heed and a more than acceptable response to give. Cluelessness, though, works both ways. If I’ve had to pry open my ears, my eyes and my heart in order to spend time with people I love despite loathing their politics, that other side should invest in some reality sessions as well. Refusal to see the truth when it hits you
between the eyes doesn’t go far when you’re trying to persuade someone of your truth when that person is intensely liberal and cranky to boot. A final thought. Yes, my short temper is quickly ignited by supporters of that guy I won’t name. One thing lights that fuse faster: people who say they won’t vote. You won’t vote?! I have voted in every election, from local to federal, since I reached voting age, whether I’ve been working or sick or toting a toddler on my hip or out of town on voting day — that’s why absentee ballots exist. Excuses for not voting are always poor: It won’t count, neither candidate is great, I don’t want to bother learning about the issues. None of those excuses hold any weight. Voting is a hard-won right that to this day is a struggle to exercise for many people in this country. For those of us lucky enough to have no politically installed impediments to voting, it should be a duty. Handing that right over because you’re too lazy, disinterested or even disgusted? Don’t make me mad. Marblehead resident Jo Ann Augeri Silva, a retired journalist, author, public relations professional and educator, was an editor of the Marblehead Reporter.
FINAL-18 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A06 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:20 PM
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A6 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Marblehead Current
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Meet Noelle LeBlanc, owner of Work Loft
REVOLUTIONARY FRIENDS
Acquisition brings George Washington letter to Marblehead BY WILL DOWD
The Marblehead Museum has acquired a rare piece of Revolutionary War history: A 1779 letter from Gen. George Washington to Gen. John Glover, responding to the Marblehead resident’s request to resign from the Continental Army. BY MELISSA STACEY The letter features Washington’s signature The following is an and came up for auction in interview with Noelle October, an opportunity LeBlanc, owner of Work that Marblehead Museum Loft, conducted by Discover Executive Director Lauren Marblehead. Work Loft McCormack said the provides dedicated desks, nonprofit pounced on. private offices, a conference “You just don’t see room and daily reservations the caliber of a historic for your working needs. connection to Marblehead To learn more about their come up,” she told the workspaces and schedule a Current. “It was a couple tour, go to workloftmhd.com of weeks of scrambling to bid on it.” Tell us about Work Loft Gen. George Washington’s signature adorns this 1779 letter Glover’s Marblehead and why you started it. to Gen. John Glover responding to the Continental Army Regiment, a group of Work Loft was born from officer’s attempt to resign after his wife Hannah’s death left history re-enactors, my own experience in eight children motherless. The Marblehead Museum recently made a donation to cover acquired the rare piece of Revolutionary War history. work-from-home mode the $9,000 price tag to for many years. Working purchase it from Swann from home can feel Noelle LeBlanc, owner of Work Loft, created the shared workspace to provide professionals an inspiring place to Auction Galleries. isolating and can also be work and collaborate in town. “We have Glover’s demotivating. It’s hard to desk, his ledgers and show up for work as your other documents in best self when the dining a little something for What is your favorite our collection,” said room table or sofa is your everyone, including a spot in Marblehead, and McCormack. “Now we office. Work Loft is the professional conference why? Do I have to pick have this letter.” cure — it gets folks into a room for your business just one? That isn’t an The letter came to professional environment meetings and client visits, easy question. If I must Glover in the middle of that is friendly and social, which you can rent by the pick one, I will have to say the war, and Washington’s with all the amenities hour. Work Loft… because the correspondence answered of a great office… and people are cool and we COURTESY PHOTOS Glover’s request to resign Glover’s Regiment will lead its annual procession to the more. At Work Loft, you What is the best piece have great office spaces following the death of his Revolutionary War hero’s grave. can focus on your work of business advice available. wife, Hannah, to attend to in an exclusive, casualyou’ve ever received? their eight children. with that concern which I intact to Manhattan. professional atmosphere. The best piece of business What is something “I am sorry for the cannot help feeling on the Glover’s regiment also We have dedicated desks, advice I’ve ever received people would be unfortunate occasion loss of a good officer.” fought courageously at the private offices and daily is, “Just show up.” surprised to learn about that urges you to leave As McCormack put it: landing at Kips Bay and reservations. There is you? People would be the service; but as I “He is basically saying, the Battle of Pell’s Point. surprised to know my cannot take the measure ‘We can’t give you what The crossing of the natural hair color. on myself of accepting you want — you’re so Delaware, conducted in The business spotlight is a your resignation, I have important.’” secrecy and dangerously weekly feature published in referred your letter to Washington forwarded cold conditions on partnership with Discover Congress,” Washington Glover’s resignation Christmas night 1776, led Marblehead. To learn more, wrote to Glover. “\[S\] request to the Continental to Washington’s famous visit discovermhd.com. hould your resignation \ Congress — which denied surprise attack victory [be\] accepted, it will be it but granted him leave against Hessian soldiers to grieve. He would return in Trenton, helping later and serve until 1782. rejuvenate the colonials’ Construction Management Services Glover played a morale and alter the Residential & Commercial Inspections significant role in the course of the war. American Revolutionary War, most famously Unveiling, lantern-lit walk leading the operation to ferry Washington’s army The Marblehead across the icy Delaware Museum will unveil the River on the way to the letter at a special event Battle of Trenton on Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. The MANAGEMENT DESIGN ASSOCIATES Christmas night 1776. unveiling will be followed His regiment, comprised by Glover’s Regiment Robert A. Erbetta 218 Beacon Street of men from Marblehead, commemorating Glover’s Marblehead, MA 01945 P.O. Box 44, Marblehead, MA 01945 evacuated the Continental life with a lantern-lit (617) 293-8512 Army forces after their march to his burial site at 781-631-2218 defeat in Brooklyn, Burial Hill. raerbetta@comcast.net allowing them to retreat The newly acquired Washington letter will Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. be on permanent display when the Marblehead Museum reopens March 1, joining another Washington piece already showcased nearby. The second Washington letter hangs in Abbot Hall’s Select Board Room, penned shortly after the president made an impromptu stop to meet with Marblehead residents in the autumn of 1789. Washington insisted on visiting the town during his inaugural New England tour before continuing to Salem. He had taken office as the first president just six months prior. Washington’s decision to visit Marblehead was largely motivated by his desire to see Gen. John Glover, according to Town Historian Emeritus Bette Hunt.
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FINAL-20 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A07 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:22 PM
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 17, 2024 A7
ABBOT HALL
TRASH TALK
Transfer station project Town hires its first HR director going out to bid BY LEIGH BLANDER
BY WILL DOWD The Select Board has appointed Thomas Howard as the town’s first-ever human resources director to lead a newly created department focused on centralized personnel management. The unanimous hiring decision came last week based on the recommendation of Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, capping a months-long search. Town Meeting approved the new department in May. Kezer advocated for investing in a dedicated department and director to oversee the town’s largest expense area: employee salaries and benefits, representing $15 million or 18% of the $87.9 million fiscal 2023 budget. Along with centralized expertise and policymaking, the department could yield cost savings through strategic management of insurance rates, contract negotiations and controlling employee benefit expenses, Kezer told the Current. Marblehead previously lacked consolidated human resources infrastructure, with only two finance staffers handling
basic payroll and benefits administration for separate departments. “Finding the right human resources leader was crucial for optimizing our policies and operations covering our biggest costs,” Kezer told the Select Board when recommending Howard. “Mr. Howard brings over 20 years in municipal human resources leadership to our town, and I’m fully confident in his ability to construct a sustainable, value-driving department.” Most recently the human resources director for Andover Public Schools, Howard has also held senior personnel management positions with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office and the Caritas Christi Healthcare system. Town Meeting budgeted $110,000 salary for the position. “I’m thrilled for the opportunity to build something impactful here,” Howard said after his appointment. “I know we can craft cohesive human resources solutions tailored for Marblehead’s needs.” He has already started on the job.
The long-delayed, $1.2 million Transfer Station renovation project is going out to bid on Jan. 17, with all proposals due back Feb. 21. The Health Department is still waiting for final permitting from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. The Planning Board approved the site plan in August. Public Health Director Andrew Petty explained that the “base bid” will be for a pit renovation, which includes site work and a foundation for a new scale house. A new compactor is already on site and ready to be installed. After the base bid, remaining money will be spent on the following, in this order: » New scale house » Transaction hut pad » Swap shed pad » Transaction hut » Swap shed “Construction costs are still pretty high, unfortunately,” Petty said at a Jan. 9 Board of Health meeting. If money runs out, he proposed reaching out to volunteers to help build the transaction hut and swap shed. Petty said there will be some service disruptions during the building process. “That new scale pit is going right in front of the compactor so while they’re building that we will be down.”
Budget update
Petty said he would begin putting together the 2025 budget after the State of the Town on Jan. 24. The town has asked all departments to
Revenue
roles to optimize development planning. » Increasing fees for some transactions for Recreation and Parks and Inspectional Services to reflect increased costs of services. » Adopting the state’s
From P. A1
(See the room and meals taxes in neighboring towns below.)
A ‘need for fairness’
The idea was floated before the pandemic, Select Board member Jim Nye recalled, but did not gain much traction. Member Bret Murray said introducing the taxes would likely spark debate. “That’s why we’ll make sure that Chamber and all the other businesses come to a (Select Board) meeting because we want to hear from them,” Murray said. Kezer said a key consideration will be analyzing the impact on local businesses’ competitiveness, compared to other area communities. He stated the goal is to make sure “we’re not making Marblehead businesses less competitive.” Out of the state’s 351 cities and towns, Marblehead is one of 100 without a meals tax, 135 without a room tax and 322 without a short-term rental community impact fee. Neighboring towns collected substantial tax revenue in 2023. » Salem brought in $3.6 million: » $1.5 million in meals taxes » $2.1 million in room taxes » $445,000 in shortterm rental taxes » Swampscott collected $410,869: » $367,665 in meals taxes » $43,204 in room taxes » $18,396 in short-term rental taxes » Lynn generated $1.24 million: » $1.19 million in meals taxes » $53,066 in room taxes » Beverly amassed $1.51 million: » $1.1 million in meals taxes » $405,885 in room taxes
COURTESY RENDERING
Health Director Andrew Petty is putting the Transfer Station project out to bid.
produce two budgets: one with level services and one with level funding, which would likely require cuts. “Town Meeting is going to be very interesting,” Petty said. “The town is in a tough economic place but individuals are in a tough economic place so it’s going to be a challenging town meeting.”
Communication workshop
Board of Health Chair Helaine Hazlett proposed a communication workshop for the three-person group, which has had several tense meetings since the June election. “I really support this enthusiastically,” member Joanne Miller said. Tom McMahon, the newest member, said he was not opposed to the idea. Hazlett mentioned using the Resolution Center of Beverly to lead a 90-minute workshop. The board will try to schedule the meeting soon.
Prudent Investor local option, which applies to trust funds, to give the town more investment options for better returns. » Adopting a statute to withhold permits if payments are not made, giving inspectional
services more enforcement power around delinquent accounts. Transferring the Gerry Playground to Rec and Parks. This would unify the management of local recreational facilities.
INVITATION FOR BIDS
CURRENT ILLUSTRATION / WILL DOWD
A graph depicting meals, room and short-term rental taxes collected by Salem, Swampscott, Lynn and Beverly in 2023.
Nye said any room tax will have to be implemented fairly and impact short-term rentals like Airbnb, too. “It’s essential to ensure that it’s not just the bed and breakfasts and hotels that are affected, but that there’s an equal playing field for all accommodations.” Conway agrees. There are two hotels in town, Harbor Light Inn and The Hotel Marblehead, with a total of about 30 rooms. Conway says there are about 150 short-term rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo. “The town would have to insure that every one of these Airbnbs are paying the tax. We have to be all treated the same, because we’re already outnumbered.” Conway agrees with Murray that the Select Board should hold a “public forum and invite all the restaurateurs and lodging people” to hear their input.
At The Beacon Restaurant, managing partner Johnny Ray isn’t too worried about the proposed .75% meals tax. “We are for anything that will help this wonderful town that we are fortunate enough to live and do business in,” Ray said. “I think our clientele will feel the same way.” Some of the other warrant articles Kezer is preparing include: » Increasing the amount older citizens can earn from the Senior Tax Write-off Program, to provide more tax relief for seniors. » MBTA zoning amendment to create denser housing zones as required by the state. » Creating a Planning and Community Development Department by reorganizing some existing positions to minimize additional salary requirements. This would consolidate
HELP WANTED!
Marblehead Children’s Center is looking to hire Infant/ Toddler and Preschool teachers for part and full time positions. MCC’s philosophy is that children learn best through play. We are seeking enthusiastic, dedicated professionals who will engage in and uphold our mission. We provide a collaborative and supportive environment where teachers have opportunities to develop their skills through education and training. We’re proud of the positive impact MCC continues to have on children, families and our community. Please contact us at 781-631-1954 for more info about salary + benefits (including free childcare).
The Town of Marblehead, the Awarding Authority, invites sealed bids from General Contractors for the Improvements to the Town Transfer Station in Marblehead, Massachusetts, in accordance with the documents prepared by Winter Street Architects dated 10 January 2024. The Project consists of: Replacement of the existing Pit Structure façade and roof with the addition a new pit 'Control Area' (37 sf), improved site grading, relocated the existing scale, replacement of the Scale House trailer with a new structure (448 sf - includes staff bathrooms, lockers, office and kitchenette), replacement the existing Swap Shop container and the addition a new Transaction Hut adjacent to recycling. The Swap Shop (988 sf) and Transaction Hut (80 sf) are within the area of the existing landfill cap while the other facilities are outside of the limit of the cap. All structures will be clad in white fiberglass siding with solar-ready roofs. The Scale House, Control Area and Transaction Hut will be conditioned while the Swap Shed will remain seasonal and unconditioned. Bids are subject to M.G.L. c.149 §44A-J & to minimum wage rates as required by M.G.L. c.l49 §§26 to 27H inclusive. General bidders must be certified by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) in the following category of work -- General Building Construction and must submit a current DCAMM Certificate of Eligibility and signed DCAMM Prime Update Statement (Form CQ 3). General Bids will be received until 21 February 2024 at 10:00 AM and publicly opened. Filed Sub-bids for the trades listed below will be received until 7 February 2024 at 10:00 AM and publicly opened. Filed sub-bidders must be DCAMM certified for the trades listed below and bidders must include a current DCAMM Sub-Bidder Certificate of Eligibility and a signed DCAMM Sub-Bidder's Update Statement. SUBTRADES - BASE BID 07 00 02 Roofing and Flashing 08 00 01 Metal Windows 09 00 07 Painting 22 00 01 Plumbing 23 00 01 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning 26 00 01 Electrical SUBTRADES - ALTERNATE 1 - NEW SCALE HOUSE 07 00 02 Roofing and Flashing 22 00 01 Plumbing 23 00 01 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning 26 00 01 Electrical SUBTRADES - ALTERNATE 2 - TRANSACTION HUT PAD - NONE SUBTRADES - ALTERNATE 3 - SWAP SHED PAD - NONE SUBTRADES - ALTERNATE 4 - TRANSACTION HUT- NONE SUBTRADES - ALTERNATE 5 - SWAP SHED 07 00 02 Roofing and Flashing This project is being Electronically Bid (E-Bid). All bids shall be submitted online at www.Projectdog. com. Hard copy bids will not be accepted by the Awarding Authority. Tutorials and Instructions are available online at www.Projectdog.com. For assistance, contact Projectdog, Inc. at 978.499.9014. Bid Forms and Contract Documents shall be available online at www.Projectdog.com, Project Code 859604. Bid documents are made available to all bidders in electronic form at no cost. Neither Owner nor Architect/Engineer shall be responsible for full or partial sets of Bid documents, including Addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than Projectdog, Inc. Bidders may obtain one (1) full paper bid set for a refundable deposit of $150 in the form of a certified check or money order payable to Projectdog, Inc. Bid sets may be picked up at Projectdog, 18 Graf Rd Unit 8, Newburyport, MA, or mailed for a non-refundable shipping & handling fee of $45. The full amount of the deposit will be refunded to all responsive Bidders who return the documents to Projectdog in good condition within ten (10) days post-bid. Otherwise, the deposit shall become the property of Projectdog, Inc. Additional hard copies of the Bid documents may be purchased online. General bids and sub-bids shall be accompanied by a bid deposit that is not less than five (5%) of the greatest possible bid amount (considering all alternates),and made payable to the Town of Marblehead in the form of in the form of a certified check, a bid bond, cash, or a treasurer's or cashier's check. The Pre-Bid Conference and site visit will be on 23 January 2024 at 11:00 AM at 5 Woodfin Terrace, Marblehead, MA. All bids for this project are subject to applicable public bidding laws of Massachusetts, including G.L. c.149, § §44A through 44H, as amended. Attention is directed to the minimum wage rates to be paid as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development and the weekly payroll record submittal requirements under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 149, Section 26 through 27D inclusive. Attention is further directed to the requirements of G.L. c.149, §44D requiring submission of a Division of Capital Asset Management approved Certificate of Eligibility and Update Statement with all bids. Selection of the contractor will be based upon bidder qualifications, including evidence of past performance in similar projects, and bid price. The contract will be awarded to the bidder deemed by the awarding authority to be the lowest responsible and eligible bidder. The bidder agrees that its bid shall be good and may not be withdrawn for a period of 30 days, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays excluded, after the opening of the bids. The Town reserves the right to waive any informalities, to accept or reject, in whole or in part any or all bids, or take whatever other action may be deemed to be in the best interest of the Town. The Town of Marblehead Rebecca Curran Cutting Town Planner
FINAL-19 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A08 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:22 PM
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A8 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Marblehead Current
Donations Items We Love To Accept:
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This milestone is not just ours — it's a testament to the wonderful community we serve, including you.
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Your trust and continuous support have been pivotal. As we step into this year, we remain committed to exceeding your expectations and fulfilling all your real estate needs.
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Sports Equipment/ Bikes/Scooters Mattresses Car Seats Or Cribs Questions? Email magichatthriftshop@gmail.com or call the shop at 781 990 2542
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The Mariner is Marblehead’s first dedicated senior living community - providing a unique lifestyle experience for residents and families. At The Mariner you will find secure, supportive services and the social atmosphere you need and want without giving up the traditions you cherish.
To learn about The Mariner call: 781.731.1583 Independent Living, Assisted Living & Avita Memory Care 265 Pleasant Street | Marblehead, MA | MarinerMarblehead.com
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FINAL-17 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A09 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:23 PM
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 17, 2024 A9
Sports GARDEN PARTY
On famed floor, MHS comeback falls short After game with Salem, donation made to Walker Fund BY KRIS OLSON “Surreal.” That is how Marblehead High School senior Nick Lemmond summarized the experience of stepping out onto the parquet floor of the TD Garden on Jan. 14. Indeed, he acknowledged that the awe-inducing experience of taking the same court as so many Celtic greats “hurt us a little bit” in the first two or three minutes of the game, as Salem built an early lead that it never relinquished. However, once the Magicians’ nerves settled, they made the Witches work until the final seconds to secure the victory. Down 14 points to Salem midway through the fourth quarter, the Magicians rattled off 11 straight points, closing the gap to 62-59 when Lemmond went up and under a Witches defender with 1:15 to play. On the ensuing possession, Marblehead forced a three-point miss and secured the rebound. That gave Lemmond a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer of his own. The shot was just off the mark, however. Lemmond said he thought he had made the shot, noting that it is one that he had worked on extensively in the offseason. But he acknowledged that, in hindsight, it might have been a better decision to drive to the basket, given that he had scored his team’s last six points in the paint. Lemmond wound up taking the shot behind the 22-foot NBA three-point line, instead of the 19-foot, 9-inch high school line. The two lines were a source of confusion for him and his teammates throughout the game, according to Lemmond. Instinctively, players tend to use the three-point line as a reference point to set up offensive plays, he noted. After Jordan Maxson put Salem back up by five points on a layup, Marblehead kept its hopes alive by perfectly executing an inbounds play coming out of a timeout, with Ryan Commoss catching a pass and putting up a shot in one motion to make the score 64-61 with five seconds to play. Marblehead was forced to foul, and Salem’s Elian Rodriguez calmly made both free throws to seal his team’s 66-61 victory. Rodriguez was a perfect 7-fo-7 from the line, accounting for half of his 14 points in the game. Salem was led by sharpshooting senior Eddie Butler, who topped all scorers with 24 points. Butler helped get the Witches back on track after Marblehead surged at the start of the second half, trimming Salem’s 10-point halftime lead to three. Butler scored eight straight points, including back-to-back three-pointers, to stretch the lead back out to double digits. Butler was forced off the floor when Marblehead’s Finn Baron drew his fifth foul on a drive with 1:53 to play, a departure that only served to bolster the Magicians’ comeback hopes. Coming into the game, Marblehead figured it would need to focus on stopping Salem’s freshman guards,
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
Ryan Commoss goes up for a shot over Salem star Eddie Butler Jan. 14 at TD Garden in Boston. Commoss scored 17 points for the Magicians. PHOTOS BY EYAL OREN/WEDNESDAYSINMHD.COM
‘It was crazy,’ Marblehead’s Nick Lemmond says of looking up at the giant scoreboard at TD Garden and seeing a giant version of his own face staring back at him.
Marblehead’s Scott Campbell rises up to block a three-point attempt by Salem’s Kevin Santell.
Marblehead’s Finn Baron drives past Salem’s Eddie Butler at TD Garden on Jan. 14. Baron drew the fifth foul that disqualified Butler after he scored a game-high 24 points.
Rodriguez and Jordan Maxson, who had led the team in the early season, according to Lemmond. To have Butler step up and provide a strong third scoring option was an unexpected challenge, he said. Commoss led Marblehead with 17 points, followed by Scott Campbell with 16 and Lemmond with 15. Lemmond said he was encouraged that his team once again had spurts where it showed the necessary intensity to succeed, especially on the defensive end of the court. Now, it just needs to do a better job of avoiding those five-minute stretches where it lets up, he said. Still, the result of the game did little to dim the experience of
playing at the Garden. Lemmond said at one point, he looked up inside the Jumbotron to check the score and saw a massive magnified version of his own face staring back at him. “It was crazy; it was really weird,” he said. The Magicians were buoyed by an “awesome crowd” from their hometown that was “super loud,” Lemmond added. “It was definitely an experience I’ll never forget,” he said.
Presentation to Walker Fund Both teams were invited to a postgame reception in the TD Garden’s Putnam Club, hosted by the Marblehead Youth Basketball Association.
At that reception, the captains of both the Marblehead High girls and boys basketball teams presented a $5,000 donation to the Heather Walker/Dana Farber Fund. Walker, 52, died after battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, on April 26, 2023. Walker worked with the Celtics as vice president of public relations for 16 years before her illness. After her diagnosis, Walker and her family launched #Move4Heather, a campaign to raise awareness and funds for glioblastoma research at Dana Farber, which raised more than $640,000. “If you are one of the few people in this room who didn’t know Heather, you’ll soon learn
from her countless friends that she was a true force — a funloving, free-spirited lover of life with a generous soul, a love for lobster, a downhill skier who lived life to the absolute fullest,” said MYBA President Bob Lemmond, who led the presentation. He continued, “She loved basketball but yet most of all she loved all those in and around the game.” To get a feel for Walker’s spirit, he recommended reading the Boston Globe’s story in which Walker assisted former Celtics center Tacko Fall in his quest to find a tuxedo that would fit his 7-foot, 5-inch frame ahead of his appearance as guest conductor of the Boston Pops in December 2019.
Part of larger event
The contest between Marblehead and Swampscott was part of a daylong slate of games played in an annual event sponsored by the Andrew James Lawson Foundation. Lawson had Down syndrome and died at the age of 27 after a two-year battle with cancer. A 2008 graduate of Norwell High School, Norwell benefited from inclusion in both academics and sports. The morning’s first two games on the Garden floor featured the unified teams of Plymouth North, Plymouth South, Revere and Everett high schools. In unified basketball, people with and without intellectual disabilities play on the same team.
FINAL-17 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A10 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:25 PM
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A10 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Marblehead Current
ON THE RUN
Magicians indoor track teams sweep past host Danvers BY JOE MCCONNELL The Marblehead High boys indoor track team (3-1) began 2024 with a close win over host Danvers on Jan. 4, 44-42, while the girls squad (3-1) exploded past its Falcon counterparts, 60-26.
Boys high jump
Sophomore Graham Tips won an exciting matchup with a clearance of 5-8 on his second jump. His Danvers counterpart didn’t clear that mark until the third jump. “Graham’s consistent clearance of 5-8 puts him on an impressive trajectory,” said coach Nolan Raimo. “At the statewide freshman sophomore meet, a jump of 5-10 won this event.” Miles Fontella-Tuttle cleared 5-0 to secure a third-place finish. It was a critical point in a close meet like this one.
Girls high jump
Elise Burchfield and Philine Heuermann ended up in a firstplace tie with a clearance of 4-8. Paige Tredwell (4-6) finished third. Campbell Crane (4-2) came in fourth.
COURTESY PHOTO / ANGIE FISCHER
Marblehead High girls indoor track juniors Paige Tredwell and Elise Burchfield take the lead over Danvers in the 55-meter hurdles during the Jan. 4 meet.
Boys shot put
Riley Schmitt led the way for the Magicians with a throw of 39-10.5, coming in just an inch behind Noah Wade of Danvers, who finished on top. Graham Firestone threw 34-6.25 for a modest, but not insignificant four-inch personal best. Dylan
Gilmore also continued his improvement this season, hitting 33-3 for a huge 1.5-foot personal best. Tucker Crane rounded out the team’s efforts with his throw of 29-8.
with a throw of 28-3.5, while Lillian Reddy (27-1) was second. Hannah O’Brien (20-11.5) came in fourth. Maddie Gelb threw an impressive 12-4 in her varsity debut.
Girls shot put
Boys 55-meter dash
Rachael Albert took first place
away from the pack to win the dash. Matt Mahan (7.3) finished third. Ethan Harwood (7.5) came in fourth in her varsity debut. “With Thomas Carlson not competing, Jacob stepped up to top all participants. He ran one TRACK, P. A11
Jacob Bobowski (6.8) broke
IN THE POOL
MHS swimmers remain undefeated BY JOE MCCONNELL The Marblehead High swim and dive team (4-0) continued its winning ways into the new year with a 102-76 win over visiting Masco at the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA on Jan. 4. “This was the best competition of the season with many swimmers making postseason cuts,” said coach Sue Guertin. In the 200-yard medley relay, Ian Chemel, Greg Podstrelov, Gary Podstrelov and Owen Torstenson (1:53.46) came out on top. Sophia Weiner, Song Waitekus, Finn Bergquist and Bella Takata (2:03.21, sectional cut) finished second. Logan Doody (1:56.92, sectional cut), Cale Nelson (1:59.19) and Chemel (2:10.21) swept the 200-yard freestyle. Greg Podstrelov (2:16.40), Bella
COURTESY PHOTO
After helping secure another win, Marblehead swimmers Song Waitekus, Bella Takata, Finn Bergquist and Maddy Auerbach, from left, celebrate in the pool. The team is 4-0 after its most recent win against Masco on Jan. 4.
Takata (2:20.89, state cut) and Waitekus (2:21.82, state cut) did the same in the 200 IM. Torstenson (24.82), Nate Rosen (25.01) and Simon Quicken (26.18) maintained the
trend in the 50-yard freestyle. Caroline Crosby (137.75 points) and Hailey Gilmore (129.25) finished fourth and fifth in diving. In the 100-yard butterfly,
Brady Leveroni (58.69, sectional cut) and Gary Podstrelov (59.24) topped the ticket, with Maddy Auerbach (1:16.46) coming in fourth. Doody (51.23, state cut), Quicken (56.98) and Takata (58.65, sectional cut) took the top three spots in the 100yard freestyle. Finn Bergquist (5:46.52, sectional cut), Brinleigh Callahan (5:54.68, sectional cut) and Sophia Weiner (6:05.19) experienced similar results in the 500-yard freestyle. In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Doody, Brady Leveroni, Rosen and Nelson (1:40.24) secured first place, while Takata, Waitekus, Weiner and Bergquist (1:50.47, state cut) were third as a quartet. Chemel (59.49, state cut) and Leveroni (1:02.78) topped the ticket in the 100-yard
backstroke. Rebecca Vaynshetyn (1:15.82) was fourth overall. Greg Podstrelov (1:10.39), Rosen (1:14.44) and Elizabeth Hayes (1:29.27) ended up in that same order in the 100-yard breaststroke. In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Doody, Greg Podstrelov, Rosen and Nelson (3:46.80) accounted for another firstplace finish. Abby Moore, Maddy Auerbach, Rebecca VCaynshetyn and Monica Pechhold (4:28.27) chipped in with a third-place finish. The Marblehead divers were at the Peabody YMCA on Jan. 13 (after press deadline) to compete among their peers. The team was then back together again on Jan. 16 against host Salem. They will then return home to face Gloucester on Jan. 18.
SPORTS ROUNDUP
Wrestlers compete in super quad meet BY JOE MCCONNELL On Jan. 6, the Marblehead/Swampscott High Black & Blue wrestling squad (2-10) participated in a super quad meet at Beverly, with St. John’s Prep, Bridgewater-Raynham, Plymouth South and North Attleboro also taking part. The youthful Magicians lost their four matches, but individually there were a number of fine performances. Brady Haskell, a Swampscott eighth grader, ran his record to 19-0 after sweeping all four of his opponents, which included 18 pins and a forfeit. Sophomore captain Liam O’Brien of Swampscott (120-pounds) is now 16-4 on the season following a 3-1 showing at the super quad meet. His only loss was a close defeat against St. John’s Prep. Junior captain Mason Hinshaw of Swampscott (138/144-pounds) also went 3-1, and is now 16-4 on the season. He had three pins in the match at Beverly. His lone loss was a very close and controversial decision to the Prep, 9-8. Junior captain Clive Connolly of Marblehead (150) went 1-3 during the Jan.
6 meet, and is now at 8-8 on the year. Senior captain Angelo Knight of Marblehead (215) went 2-2 that included a thriller against Plymouth South. He came out on top in that match in overtime on a last second takedown. Marblehead junior Jayvery Monegro grinded out his first varsity win via pinfall versus North Attleboro. He was losing the entire way, but was able to turn it around with a third period pin. Swampscott junior Alejandro Haven (157) went 2-1 to run his overall record to 8-6. He had pins over BridgewaterRaynham and Plymouth South. The Black & Blue wrestlers followed up the super quad meet with a tough loss against the Beverly Panthers, 54-23 on Jan. 9. “While the score was lopsided, I was still pleased with the way we wrestled in this meet,” said coach Mike Stamison. “Many of our first-year starters are making great strides.” There were solid wins for Haskell, O’Brien, Hinshaw and Connolly, plus a storybook ending for
Marblehead senior Will Woodward (138). He pinned his opponent quickly in the first period to complete his varsity career at home in style. Knight ran into top-ranked Gino Sicari, only to suffer a defeat in his last ever home match.
Basketball Magicians bounce back after loss to Salem The Marblehead High boys basketball team (4-1) lost its first game of the season to Peabody, 75-51 on Jan. 9. Scott Campbell led all Marblehead scorers with 23 points. Ryan Commoss and Nick Lemmond were next in line with 11 points apiece. But two nights later, the Magicians bounced back to beat rival Swampscott, 66-63. “This was a great game between rivals that came down to the wire,” said veteran coach Mike Giardi. Lemmond had the hot hand in this game with 27 points. Campbell contributed 20 points to the winning cause. Commoss chipped in with 13. After the TD Garden game against Salem on Jan. 14, the Marblehead boys
hooked up against host Masco two nights later after press deadline. They will then be taking on host Beverly this Friday, Jan. 19, starting at 7 p.m.
Girls hockey defeats Fenwick
The Marblehead High girls co-op hockey team (2-6), coached by Hadley Woodfin, defeated Bishop Fenwick, 3-1 on Jan. 10. Sophomore Ella Graham scored the first Marblehead goal in the second period. Classmate Teyah Fleming netted the second goal with 57 seconds left in the period. Graham lit the lamp again to account for the insurance tally assisted by freshman Melanie Earl. Addie Co-Peeps turned in an excellent defensive game with eight blocked shots, while Graham was the offensive star. Freshman goalie Scarlet Lee made 22 saves in net to help secure the triumph. The Magicians have games coming up against Newburyport (Jan. 13) and Fenwick again (Jan. 14) after press deadline, before facing visiting Pope Francis Jan. 17 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
FINAL-18 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A11 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:26 PM
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 17, 2024 A11
HOOP DREAMS DASHED
Former Celtics player shares his story of addiction, recovery BY LEIGH BLANDER Former Celtics player Chris Herren remembers sitting in his Fall River high school gym in 1994 when a recovering addict came to warn students about drugs and alcohol. Nearly 30 years later, Herren was in the Marblehead High School gym, sharing his own story of losing almost everything to addiction. Later the same day, Jan. 10, he spoke to parents. “We put way too much energy and effort into talking about the worst day, and we forget about the first day,” he said, explaining why he talks to students about small, stupid choices that can change your life forever.
Hoop dreams
A star high school basketball player, Herren went on to play in college and the NBA with the Denver Nuggets and the Celtics. But by 24 years old, drugs had killed his career. Herren started drinking his father’s Miller Lights (his dad is also an alcoholic) and smoking marijuana as a freshman in high school. “It was swept under the rug, as long as you were winning,” he said. He tried cocaine at Boston College. “I promised myself it would be just one line,” he said. “That one line took 14 years to walk away from.” After failing drug tests, Herren was kicked out of B.C. and later went on to play at Fresno State. He was drafted by the Nuggets and traded to the Celtics. Playing for the Cs had been his dream since he was a little boy. “What should have been my dream come true, I knew in my heart was my nightmare beginning,” he said. At that point, he was spending $20,000 a month on Oxycontin. He was cut from the Cs after one season and went to play in
COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Former Celtic Chris Herren started drinking and smoking pot when he was a high school freshman. His drug addiction ended his basketball career. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Former Celtics player Chris Herren spoke to Marblehead parents, sharing his story of addiction and recovery.
Europe, where he started using heroin. Herren and his wife and young children came back to New England after 9/11, and he says spiraled downward, becoming a “street junkie.” “In the morning, I would drive to Dunkin Donuts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island,” he said. “My drug dealer would pull up, and I would shoot up. Every single morning. I would lay my seat back and wait 10 minutes and then drive back home to my kids.” One morning, though, Herren overdosed. He woke up to a police officer standing over him. “You hit the woman in front of you,” the officer told him. “This little secret you’ve been living with is about to be a public tragedy.” Herren bailed himself out… and immediately called his drug dealer.
‘By the grace of God…’
On June 4, 2008, Herren overdosed for the fourth time. His friend and former Nuggets teammate Chris Mullin called and offered to pay for Herren to enter his second rehab. Two months later, Herren remembers falling to his knees and praying. “By the grace of God, Aug. 8, 2008, is still my sobriety date,” he said. Herren eventually launched the Herren Project, and speaks to students, athletes and others across the country about his journey. “We’ve given out $8 million in scholarships (to rehab) to 3,300 people that were just like me and had a family behind them with a broken heart, but had no resources to do anything about it,” he said. “Five years ago, we opened Herren Wellness, a treatment center in Seekonk.” Herren’s treatment center
of his best races this season,” said Raimo.
Girls 55-meter dash
Ava Machado (7.4) continued her undefeated regular season. Le’Daisha Williams (7.7) stepped down from the 300 to finish second. Lidia Jasmine Tiedra (8.3) continued her excellent rookie campaign with a fourthplace finish against the Falcons.
Girls two-mile
Cat Piper (13:25.6) took home an impressive victory. Jessly Roemer, who put together a great freshman campaign in cross-country, stepped up as a traditional miler to run 13:32 in the two-mile. “To have two two-milers running around the 13:30 barrier is a huge advantage over other teams in the conference,” said Raimo.
Boys 55-meter hurdles
Girls 55-meter hurdles
Marblehead High boys indoor track sprinters Grey Collins, a sophomore, and freshmen Maxwell Doron and David Magen, from left, are shown running in the 55-meter dash against Danvers.
Girls mile
“The Danvers’ distance boys are a quality group, who won the state cross-country title just two months ago, and it’s a great sign that Henrik, Will and Blestowe ran right with them,” said Raimo.
Maren Potter (6:26) came in fourth. Shannon Hitscherich (6:45) was right behind her in fifth place.
Boys mile
This was an exciting race, according to Raimo, with Henrik Adams (third, 5:02.2), Will Cruikshank (fourth, 5:04.6) and Ryan Blestowe (fourth, 5:08.6) chasing the Danvers lead runners.
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
Herren shared that his mother died at age 51 “of a broken heart.” She did not live to see him in recovery. If he had a chance to talk to her again, he said he would tell her how much
Isaac Gross (2:48.5) dropped down from running the two-mile sprint to an impressive win. David Alpert set a personal best record of 3:09.7, and Nicolas Regnault (3:18.4) battled back from illness to finish sixth.
From P. A10
Tredwell won the hurdles with a new personal record of 9.3. Elise Burchfield (10.5) finished second after overcoming a tough break getting past the third hurdle. Crane (11.7) was fourth.
‘You never asked me why’
Boys 1,000
Track
Schmitt (9.4) continues to improve, while coming in first in this meet. He was followed by Marc Grazado (9.7) and Nate Jendrysik (10.7) to complete the sweep.
helps people with all kinds of addictions. “The scariest thing I see today at my center is little teenagers with cannabis-induced psychosis,” he said. “These 15-year-olds with their (vape) pens — they can’t function without them.” Herren also spoke about his own three children, now 15, 22 and 24. “If I catch my little guy drinking, I won’t be like my mom and dad and say, ‘He’s a teenager, just accept it,’” he said. “I won’t punish him. I’ll walk into his bedroom, hug him and say, ‘I need you to tell me why.’” Herren continued, “Addiction is in my family. I’m not wasting any time. I’ll find out why my son would take that chance.”
Girls 600
Kate Twomey took the victory in a time of 1:56.4. Juliet Burchfield (2:08.3) finished third.
Boys 600
Ethan Horgan (43.0) stepped up to finish third. Seamus Crowley (43.4) was fifth.
Xavier Grazado (1:37) won the 600. Peter Sullivan (1:44.3, personal best) was fourth. Sean Heenan (1:45.6) accounted for a fifth-place finish.
Girls 300
Girls 1,000
Boys 300
Gabby Hendy led the way for Marblehead to finish second in a time of 48.5. Manuela Puente (48.9) was third. Cora Gerson (49.9), making her debut, came in fourth.
Isabelle Mortenson (3:55.3, personal best) finished second. Avery Wysor (3:56.3) and Savannah Caruso (4:03.3) were credited with third and fourth place finishes.
Boys two-mile
Nate Assa cruised to a firstplace finish in a time of 10:15. Will Cerrutti (10:22) was second. Jonah Potach came in fourth in a personal best time of 10:49.8. “The distance crew on the boys side is filled with talent, and they have been leveraging each other in training to continue to lower their times,” said Raimo.
Boys 4x400
Graydon Waller, Graham Tips, Jack Burke and Slater Johnson (4:08.80) sprinted to a secondplace finish.
Girls 4x400
Ava Machado, Gabby Hendy, Manuela Puente and Le’Daisha William zoomed to victory in a time of 4:47.90.
he misses her, and he’d ask her one question: “How come, as a mom, you weren’t curious?” “I was 14 and drinking my father’s Miller Light,” he said. “I was 18 years old putting cocaine up my nose. I was 24 years old with a needle in my arm, and you never asked me, ‘Why?’ Not every parent asks it, but I promise you… kids like to talk about it.” MHS social worker Gina Hart introduced Herren to parents. “It is extremely important to provide programming like this in order to address the needs of prevention, education, awareness and, most importantly, the de-stigmatization of substance use disorder for our students and our families,” Hart said. For Herren, it’s all part of his recovery. “I truly believe in my heart that I’ve made a difference,” he said. For more information about the Herren Project, visit herrenproject.org.
MHS VARSITY SPORTS SCHEDULE Wednesday, Jan. 17
6 p.m., wrestling, vs. Gloucester, at Gloucester High 7:30 p.m., girls hockey, vs. Pope Francis Prep, at Salem State O’Keefe Center
Thursday, Jan. 18
5 p.m., wrestling, vs. Josiah Quincy, at Swampscott High 6:30 p.m., boys and girls swimming/diving, vs. Gloucester, Lynchvan Otterloo YMCA
Friday, Jan. 19
7 p.m., girls basketball, vs. Beverly, at Marblehead High 7 p.m., boys basketball, vs. Beverly, at Beverly High 7 p.m., gymnastics, vs. Winthrop, at Winthrop Gymnastics Academy Saturday, Jan. 20 8 a.m., wrestling (varsity quad), vs. multiple schools, at Triton Regional High
Sunday, Jan. 21
9 a.m., girls and boys indoor track, MSTCA Relays, at Reggie Lewis Center, Roxbury 10:30 a.m., boys hockey, vs. Hopedale Jr./Sr., at Salem State O’Keefe Center
Monday, Jan. 22
6 p.m., girls basketball, vs. Winthrop, at Winthrop High 7 p.m., boys basketball, vs. Winthrop, at Marblehead High 7:30 p.m., gymnastics, vs. Salem, at Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA
Tuesday, Jan. 23
5:30 p.m., alpine ski racing, vs. TBA, at Ski Ward Ski Area, Shrewsbury
Wednesday, Jan. 24
4:30 p.m., girls and boys indoor track, vs. Gloucester, at Gloucester High 4:30 p.m., wrestling, vs. Saugus, at Saugus High 5 p.m., girls hockey, vs. Medford, at LaConte Rink, Medford 5:30 p.m., alpine ski racing, vs. TBA, at Bradford Ski Hill 6 p.m., boys hockey, vs. Gloucester, at Talbot Rink, Gloucester
FINAL-17 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A12 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:27 PM
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A12 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Marblehead Current
NEWS IN BRIEF BY WILL DOWD
in advance is required for both Zoom and in-person participation at tinyurl.com/ Government-Jan-2024.
The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews.org.
Citizens Police Academy
Senate OKs Marblehead Select Board terms The Massachusetts Senate has given preliminary approval to legislation that would extend terms for Marblehead Select Board members from one to three years. The Senate passed the home rule bill last week on a voice vote. It heads next to the House. “It’s in the House’s hands now, and I suspect it will move along quickly,” State Rep. Jenny Armini of Marblehead told the Current. The bill follows a May vote by Town Meeting. Jim Zisson sponsored the citizen petition, arguing that longer terms allow members to “focus on running the town, not running for re-election.”
State of the Town
Marblehead’s 2024 State of the Town will be presented on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m., one hour before the Select Board’s regular meeting, in Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer will discuss town finances, policy priorities, capital projects, development issues and more from the past year, while also looking ahead to 2024.
Holocaust Remembrance Day The community is invited to a Holocaust Remembrance Day observance at Abbot Hall on Friday, Jan. 26, noon. Select Board member Moses Grader will speak at another observance that evening at 6 p.m. at Temple Sinai.
Bells to toll on Washington’s birthday The bells at Abbot Hall and churches across Marblehead will ring next month in honor of George Washington’s birthday. The Select Board voted last week to continue the town’s custom of commemorating Washington’s Birthday. On Thursday, Feb. 22, bells will ring for 30 minutes in the morning, midday and evening.
Dog license renewals are due Jan. 31.
Specific ringing times are 7:30 a.m.-8 a.m., noon-12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Facility stickers
Marblehead has set the 2024 fee for resident facility stickers at $80 per sticker. The stickers, which allow access to the Transfer Station and resident parking at Devereux Beach, are available for purchase at the Treasurer-Collector’s Office and Transfer Station. Additional stickers for vehicles registered to the same household cost $25 each. Lost or stolen stickers also require a $25 replacement fee. To purchase stickers, proof of Marblehead residency and vehicle registration are required. Stickers must be affixed to the left front bumper to be considered valid. The 2024 stickers expire Dec. 31. Residents can purchase stickers with cash, check payable to the Town of Marblehead or credit card with a 3% convenience fee at the Transfer Station only. For more information, contact the Health Department office at 781-631-0212,
Dog license renewals
Marblehead pet owners are reminded that the deadline to renew dog licenses for 2024 is Jan. 31. Town law requires annual renewal of dog licenses. There is a $50 per month late fee assessed for any licenses
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
renewed after Feb. 1. Owners who no longer have a dog should notify the Town Clerk’s office. Licenses can be renewed online at epay.cityhallsystems. com or by filling out an application at bit.ly/48RJA3s. Completed applications should be mailed or dropped off with payment at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or the Mary Alley Building, 7 Widger Rd. Payments should include the renewal notice or completed application, along with a check made out to Marblehead. Rabies and neuter certificates should also be submitted if not already on file. Contact the Town Clerk’s office at townclerk@marblehead. org or 781-631-0528 with questions.
Town Planner to talk at Abbot Public Library Residents interested in local governance can hear this month from veteran Town Planner Becky Curran Cutting. The Abbot Public Library has scheduled a Jan. 29 program at 6:30 p.m. featuring Cutting. She will discuss her duties spanning zoning policy, historic preservation, transportation, grant writing and more. Cutting has served Marblehead for over three decades, including stints as town planner and chief procurement officer. The free public talk is presented in partnership with the Marblehead League of Women Voters. Registration
Marblehead Police are offering their latest Citizen Police Academy course this winter, Feb. 23-April 12. Classes meet Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon, and include trips to the police station and Salem District Court. Participants must live in Marblehead and be at least 18 years old. For more information, contact Lt. David Ostrovitz at 781-631-1212 or dostrovitz@ marblehead.org, or Janice Salisbury-Beal at 781-631-6225 or salisburybeali@marblehead.org. Details are also available on the Marblehead Police and Council on Aging websites.
Citizen petition deadline approaches Residents have until Jan. 19 at noon to submit citizen petitions for this year’s Town Meeting warrant. The deadline for town boards and commissions to sponsor warrant articles is Jan. 26. “With the signatures of 10 registered voters of the town, a registered voter may place an article on the warrant,” according to the town’s website. To learn more about the submission process, visit: bit. ly/3H8u3k5. Moderator Jack Attridge will preside over his second Town Meeting on May 6 at 7 p.m. at Veterans Middle School.
Still no decision on suspended police officer The disciplinary case against Police Officer Christopher Gallo, who has been on paid leave for 2.5 years for allegedly spending over 100 hours at home during shifts, is still in limbo. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, the hearing officer in the case, told the Current he is still working on his recommendation, but “fires keep popping up” during his work days. Kezer plans to present his recommendation to the Select Board in a closed or public meeting. The board can either agree with Kezer’s decision or take a different path regarding Gallo’s fate. Gallo, who has accumulated
the most complaints of any Marblehead officer over his 22-year career, has continued collecting his approximately $5,400 monthly salary while on leave.
Snow emergency reminder Over Facebook, the Marblehead Police Department reminded residents about the protocols regarding on-street parking when the town declares a snow emergency. Under the policy, on-street parking is prohibited from midnight to 7 a.m. on any day the town has declared a snow emergency. Vehicles left on streets during the parking ban are subject to being ticketed and towed by police. Marblehead used to have an outright overnight winter parking ban but decided to instead implement emergency bans on an as-needed basis during storms. The Current will post when snow emergencies have been declared.
New COVID-19 rapid tests The Health Department, located in the Mary Alley Building at 7 Widger Rd., has announced the arrival of a new batch of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Kits. Residents are encouraged to visit and collect their kits promptly. Note: The tests are valid until March 25.
Tax work-off program
The town is accepting applications through Jan. 19 for the 2024 Senior Tax Work-Off Program, which allows residents age 60 and older to volunteer for the town in exchange for a property tax reduction up to $750. There are 30 openings for seniors whose income is under $51,528 (single) or $69,824 (twoperson household). Participants will complete up to 50 volunteer hours with town departments by Oct. 15 to receive an abatement credited at the 2024 minimum wage rate of $15 per hour. Applicants must pass a CORI background check and conflict of interest training. Placements consider skills, availability, location and physical limitations. Applications are at the Council on Aging at 10 Humphrey St.
POLICE LOG
Car into Crosby’s, Celtics’ ticket scam Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Dec. 21 – Jan. 4. Consistent with state law, Marblehead police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Dec. 26 9:17 a.m. — Officers Luke Peters and Jason McDonald responded to Crosby’s Marketplace on Washington Street for a vehicle into a building. A driver’s accelerator pedal allegedly became stuck, causing him to strike railings and crash into the stone foundation. The driver declined medical attention. Witnesses reported the vehicle was driving erratically beforehand. The vehicle was towed.
11:33 a.m. — Officer Charles Sweeney spoke with residents who responded to a scam Facebook post selling Celtics tickets. After paying $1,100 via Zelle, the accounts blocked them. The officer determined the accounts were fraudulent and advised the victims on next steps. The report was forwarded to detectives. Dec. 29 9:33 p.m. — Officer Tyler Bates spoke to a woman in the police station lobby regarding identity fraud. The woman reported receiving a scam call claiming multiple unauthorized iPhone purchases on her Apple credit card. The caller allegedly tricked her into sharing Apple ID account information and then made various online purchases under the compromised account.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Buyer(s)
Apple was notified of the fraud. Jan. 1 9:17 a.m. — Officer Andrew DiMare responded to vehicle parts and fluid on the road on Leggs Hill Road, apparently from an overnight hit and run. A downed tree stump on the outskirts of Forest River Conservation land was struck by an unknown vehicle which fled towards Salem. Recovered parts match a white Nissan Altima. 3:45 p.m. — Officer Robert Picariello responded to Spitfire Tacos at Pleasant Street for
youths allegedly causing a disturbance, engaging in inappropriate behavior, throwing trash on the ground and allegedly stealing a storm drain cover. The area was checked and involved parties located across the street and spoken to. Information on no trespass orders was provided to the landlord. 4:21 p.m. — Officer Andrew DiMare spoke to a house cleaner in the station lobby regarding a text message from her employer on Madison Road accusing her of stealing jewelry and savings bonds, without proof. The cleaner was advised on next steps if items are reported stolen. Jan. 4 10:39 a.m. — Officer Timothy Morley spoke with a man who reported receiving a scam call
claiming his daughter was in a car accident needing bail money. The caller allegedly impersonated the daughter and a second person requested $12,500 payment. It was determined to be fraudulent when the actual daughter arrived home uninjured. Police advised the victim on common tactics used in similar scams. 12:02 p.m. — Officer Douglas Mills spoke with a woman at the police station lobby regarding check fraud. The woman’s $500 check to Pan Mass Challenge had allegedly been chemically altered to show $3,500 and deposited into an unknown account. Her bank was notified and the account is now closed. The report was forwarded to Criminal Investigation Division detectives.
Seller(s)
Address
Date
Price
3 Glover Square LLC
Old Salt Realty LLC
3 Glover Square
Dec. 28
$625,000
J & N Re Company LLC
Adam Lund FT and Mortimer S. Adams
10 Risley Road
Dec. 29
$1,535,000
61 Jersey Street RT and Deborah B. Sudenfield
61 Jersey St.
Dec. 28
$805,000
QBW LLC
286 Ocean Ave.
Dec. 28
$2,900,000
Gilbert R. and Jodui L. Hendry
51 Sheridan Road
Dec. 29
$1,100,000
Marblehead
Banzai Boutique Abodes LLC Andler, Samuel Swampscott George and Laura Stockfisch
FINAL-17 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A13 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:28 PM
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 17, 2024 A13
SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD
Charting the course for a clean energy future BY PETRA LANGER Just a few weeks ago, representatives from more than 170 countries meeting in Dubai for the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference known as COP28 reached a surprising agreement. They signed a global pact that for the first time called for “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner.” That message sounded very familiar. In 2018, Marblehead Town Meeting voters overwhelmingly approved an article sponsored by Sustainable Marblehead which set a similar goal of “using 100% carbonfree energy in Marblehead, including in electricity production, building energy use and transportation, and moving with fiscal responsibility and all deliberate speed to achieve this goal.” Not only did our small New England town reach consensus five years earlier than global climate negotiators, Marblehead set a deadline for achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, did the hard work of measuring our carbon emissions and articulating our vision for the future, and developed a Net Zero
COURTESY PHOTO / SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD
Public Works Director Amy McHugh and Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer stand in front of the town’s all-electric Ford Lightning.
Roadmap that charts the course for our clean energy future. Not bad in five short years. During this time, Sustainable Marblehead has worked hand in glove with the town, conducting the town’s first Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report and serving on the town’s Green Marblehead Committee for the past four years. Special thanks go to Eileen Haley Mathieu and John Livermore, our two representatives on the GMC, for their dedication to this important work. Additionally, at Town Meeting in May, despite tight budgets, voters gave our town administrator the authority to
hire a full-time sustainability coordinator who will help town departments reduce their energy costs while also securing the grant funding necessary to implement our Net Zero Roadmap plan. Word is that we have some great candidates and should have someone in place in early 2024. The town is also looking for more opportunities to go green. Recently, when the Water and Sewer Department needed a new truck, the town elected to purchase an all-electric Ford Lightning. According to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, who drives an electric vehicle himself, “During the annual
budget process, if we are asked to replace a municipal vehicle, we will look to see if an EV exists that meets our needs and if so, we will choose that path.” The Ford Lightning boasts a powerful electric motor and has an estimated range of more than 300 miles on a single charge. It can tow heavy loads and haul cargo while also having the capacity to generate electricity via its 220-volt and 110-volt electrical outlets and power buildings and pumps during emergencies. EVs have lower operating and maintenance costs and produce no tailpipe emissions. The town is also looking to add more EV chargers for residents who are unable to charge at home and visitors who may want to charge their electric vehicles while they’re in Marblehead shopping or dining. Currently, there are eight public chargers, two each in the Light Department parking lot on Commercial Street and in the Mary Alley Building parking lot, and four on Roundhouse Road at the end of Anderson Street. More chargers are needed to help reduce our reliance on gas-powered vehicles which currently account for 29% of our carbon emissions.
We’ve also seen increased activity on the part of the Marblehead Municipal Light Department and Light Commission to purchase more carbon-free electricity and potentially produce our own electricity by installing solar panels on town buildings like the new Brown School which was constructed with a solar-ready roof. This is critically important since electrification of buildings and transportation only helps reduce emissions if the electricity we use comes from carbon-free sources. Currently, 43% of our electricity is carbon-free, but with a new contract to purchase hydroelectric power just announced and a new nuclear power contract in the works, we should reach 50% by 2030. As Light Commission Chair Lisa Wolf remarked in a recent interview with the Marblehead Current, “There’s an increased sense of urgency that I don’t think has been there before. Most people do understand the urgency now.” Amen to that. Petra Langer is board chair of Sustainable Marblehead, a nonprofit community organization working to reduce waste and pollution and help the town reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.
CUZNER IN NATURE
Freeze frame: Photographing snowflakes BY RICK CUZNER When we get a nice snow storm, I like to take a break from wildlife and do some microphotography of snowflakes. Over the years, I have built a small “set-up” consisting of a camera mounted to a rail on a small frame. The mount allows for very precise movement of the camera to dial in the focus. I run around the backyard catching snowflakes on a piece of felt, with the hopes of capturing images of perfect snowflakes. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t!
Puppies From P. A1
Once Kiki delivered 10 puppies, they went inside for an X-ray to confirm the litter was complete. In all, it took a few hours from start to finish. The highway labor and delivery was a first for Fletcher, an experienced breeder. “We just had to deal with each situation as it came about — drying puppies, clearing their airways, tying off umbilical cords and making sure my girl was as comfortable as possible,” Fletcher said. “I walked Felix through step-by-step what to do.” Regnault and Fletcher met during the pandemic when
Snowflakes form in clouds when water droplets freeze around particles like dust, creating ice crystals. As they fall, varying temperatures and humidity shape their unique patterns. No two snowflakes are exactly alike due to these different conditions they encounter. All snowflakes have a six-sided symmetry because of the hexagonal structure of water molecules. The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner. For the past 16 years, he has taken thousands of nature photographs.
Regnault’s mom, Marine, was looking to get a pup for her son. While walking in Swampscott one day, Marine crossed paths with Fletcher and her beloved Labrador, Angus. Fletcher breeds and shows championship Labrador retrievers under her Integrity Kennels imprint. Excited by the breeder’s credentials, the Regnaults put a deposit down on a Lab puppy from an upcoming litter. They soon brought home Kiki. But sudden allergy issues had the family agonizing over having to re-home their new furry friend. Heartbroken at having to separate the boy from his canine companion, Fletcher generously offered for them to co-own Kiki themselves.
“I couldn’t break this little boy’s heart,” Fletcher recalled. Three years later, the pair was delivering Kiki’s puppies. Of the 10 surviving newborn pups, five were male and five female. Regnault helped dry and warm the puppies while Fletcher handled reviving any that were weak after birth. Regnault said the experience, while nerve-wracking, gave him an appreciation for the miracle of life. “It’s definitely matured me,” he said. “I think personally it made me grateful for just life in general. I’ve never seen that before. And being able to be part of it, it really gives you a greater appreciation.” Fletcher was duly impressed.
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
Chocolate Labrador Kiki watches over her litter of 10, a mix of black and brown puppies.
“I was so proud of how Felix kept his composure and continued encouraging our girl that she was indeed being the
amazing mom she is,” she said. Kiki’s puppies are home with her but will be available for sale soon.
FINAL-17 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A14 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:30 PM
marbleheadcurrent.org
A14 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Marblehead Current
LETTERS
Retired educator urges transparency in school matters To the editor: I don’t make it a habit to write letters to our local papers though I often have strong opinions about life in Marblehead since living here from 1996. As a retired teacher who spent 15 years teaching special education students at two schools in Lynn, in addition to getting two master’s degrees relating to my second career as an educator, I write this letter to congratulate Meagan Taylor on her brave decision to quit this particular School Committee. The level of pure egotistical drama is unprecedented and we still don’t have a real clue why John Bucky was fired. And the news about how teachers were directed to JUST TEACH when they may be under assault by a class of students out of control? I’m completely appalled by the pretense that just because we are living in this beautiful and mostly affluent town our public school system is exemplary. Well, it sure isn’t anymore if it ever was. My son graduated from the MHS in 2009. He had transferred from Landmark
school in ninth grade and the special education department wasn’t great even then. Most sincerely, Liz Ayer High Street
students a meaningful voice. Angus McQuilken Ticehurst Lane
To the editor: Thank you for your coverage of the school flag controversy. When living in France, I was surprised that children as young as 11 were offered glasses of wine at the dinner table. France, it turns out, has a much lower rate of alcoholism than the United States, which does not permit these liquids to touch lips until a citizen turns 21 years of age. What does this tell us about the accumulation of experience and wisdom? Minimally, nurturing reflective decision-making is the first requirement for full participation in our democracy. Why wouldn’t our School Committee long to do just this rather than own all decisions affecting this population? It’s infantilizing. Allowing our students to decide what flags, and thus causes, are important to them both as a step to better citizenship and conferring some ownership of the space
To the editor, It was troubling to read about Meagan Taylor’s resignation from the School Committee, as she appeared to be a voice of reason in the Committee’s deliberations (thank you Meagan for your service). As there is now a need to fill the vacancy that her departure leaves on the Committee, I would like to put forward a proposition to the community — that the seat should be filled by a student representative. Many school committees around the state, including Marblehead, have non-voting student liaisons to the school committee, but their influence on the policymaking process is limited without a vote. There is legislation pending on Beacon Hill (that I strongly support) that would require voting student seats on school committees across the state. I myself served as a voting student representative on the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees (in the 1990s), elected by my peers to serve as their
advocate and voice. Students in our community have raised valid concerns about their voices not being heard by members of our School Committee. This vacancy is a terrific opportunity to rectify that by giving students a voice, and a vote, on the decisions that impact them more than any other segment of our community. Based on what I read about their recent protest of the School Committee, we clearly have articulate and effective student leaders in our town who would represent their fellow students well on the Committee. As students are in the classroom every day, their unique perspective will improve the ability of the district to adjust to the realities experienced by students and meet their needs. I hope that one or more students will apply to fill the vacancy on the Committee, and would urge both the Board of Selectman and School Committee to choose a student to fill this seat. Better yet, how about we let the students decide on their voting representative through an election in our schools, which will also serve as a learning opportunity about the importance of living in a democracy and the electoral process? Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to give our
After childhood in Hyde Park, New York, Stephen attended Marist College in nearby Poughkeepsie, majoring in history. For his junior year,
he attended The American University of Paris, France. Following college graduation in 1970, Stephen joined the Peace Corps, serving two years in Ivory Coast teaching English to French-speaking students. He later completed a Harvard Business School Executive Education program. Returning from the Peace Corps, Stephen joined Landmark School in Prides Crossing in its inaugural year, retiring in 2011 after 38 years, having enjoyed his tenure there as public-school liaison, advocating for public school students throughout New England in their eligibility for
education at Landmark. After raising their family in their Banks Road home, Stephen and Christine continued their Swampscott residency, moving in 2020 to Fisherman’s Watch condominiums. There, Steve continued to enjoy the things he loved: his family and many friends, the sea, reading, cooking, world travel, photography, gardening ( joining the fledgling Seaside Cooperative Garden on Humphrey Street) and with Christine their long-time membership in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist
Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford St., on Saturday, January 20, at 2 p.m., in person and via Zoom. Optional parking will be available nearby at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stephen’s name to the Building and Grounds Fund at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, or to The Trustees of Reservations (thetrustees.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for the Krom family.
He served as captain in the Army Reserve following his residency. Howard enjoyed a long and successful career as an anesthesiologist at Union Hospital, Salem Hospital, and later, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. He was proud
of the fact that he only missed one day of work throughout his 40-year career. In 1975, when Howard was chief of anesthesia at Salem Hospital, he serendipitously met and shared a conversation about cats with a nurse named Jan. They would eventually elope to Naples, Italy, and go on to share 45 wonderful years together. Howard treasured his home “the Block House” on Marblehead Neck. There, he enjoyed collecting antiques and Marblehead memorabilia, and investing. His faithful early morning jogs on the Neck became walks in his later years and he always finished with a jaunt through the bird sanctuary. An avid reader, he particularly enjoyed historical
and military nonfiction, and up until the time of his death, he had an impressive ability to recall names, facts and dates of important historical events. He was a creature of habit and when he found something great it became a routine, such as his yearly vacations in St. Barth with his family, Maddie’s on Wednesday evenings and vanilla ice cream with hot fudge sauce. A member of the Eastern Yacht Club since 1973, he was happiest surrounded by his children and their families on the porch, while sipping a toasted almond. In addition to his wife, Jan, Howard proudly leaves behind four children: Blake Taggart, his wife Mona, and their three children, Allison, Lindsay and James of Midlothian, Virginia;
Adam Taggart, his wife Ashley and their two daughters, Merritt and Charlotte of Sebastopol, California; Ian Taggart, his wife Maryann and their three sons, Clark, Scott and Blake of Janesville, Wisconsin; and Jessica Gerard, her husband Marc and their two children, Maelle and Lucca of Bogota, Colombia. He is also survived by his sister Susan Pringle and her husband Jon of Essex, Vermont; nephew Greg Pringle; and nieces Wendee Pringle-Corcoran, Amy Buinicky and Ali Leleszi. The family is planning a proper send-off in the summer. Donations in Howard’s name can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. For more information, or online guestbook, please visit MurphyFuneralHome. com or call 978-744-0497.
Nurturing young citizens means letting them decide
they inhabit five days a week is essential. These choices belong to our emerging citizens, not us. Judith Black Prospect Street
Give students a voice and a vote
An appreciation to Meagan Taylor To the editor: I would like to extend my deep appreciation to Meagan Taylor for her deep commitment to the town of Marblehead and the students she advocated for over the years. Unfortunately, I did not know you other than watching you at the Committee meetings and activities around town. When I asked the School Committee to do the moral thing and step down, I did not mean you. I have watched you over the last couple of years, and you always acted with the utmost integrity, respect and patience toward others. After seeing the way the others, Sarah Fox, Brian Ota, Alison Taylor and Jen Schaeffner treated you at the “workshop” that was to teach the school Committee how to get along with each other and community members, you stood your ground with conviction and strength. You showed what a class act you are! Good luck in the future, and I do hope you will continue to advocate for the children in Marblehead. Mary McCarriston Pinecliff Drive
OBITUARIES
Stephen J. Krom, 75 Stephen James Krom of Swampscott died peacefully at his home on January 4 following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Christine (Kaiser), his daughter Nora Rose, and siblings Jane (Peter) Maule of Kirkland, Washington, and Paul (Grace) of Northford, Connecticut. Stephen is also survived by his fraternal nephew Stephen Joseph, his niece Sarah Ambio and his nephew Philip Kaiser.
F. Howard Taggart, 89 F. Howard Taggart, husband of Jan (Pickard) Taggart, of Ocean Avenue, died Saturday, Dec. 16, at Salem Hospital. Born in Lawrence on July 6, 1934, he was the son of the late F. Howard Taggart Sr. and Ida Foss Taggart. He was raised in Concord, New Hampshire, where he attended Concord public schools, followed by Bowdoin College where he majored in history and was a member of Chi Psi Fraternity. Howard received his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and did a residency in anesthesia at Mass General Hospital.
SUBMISSION POLICY The Marblehead Current publishes obituaries online for free and in its print edition for a flat fee of $200. Submissions or inquiries should be sent to notices@marbleheadnews.org. Submissions should include the name of the funeral home serving the deceased’s family, along with a daytime phone number for a person to contact, in case we have any questions about the obituary. Photos, preferably in JPEG format, are welcome. Photos should be of high enough quality to reproduce well in print. Generally, an image file created by a digital camera or smartphone will be fine; images copied from websites will not.
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Linda (Kaplan) Margolis, 81 Linda (Kaplan) Margolis, age 81, of Marblehead, entered eternal rest on Jan. 12. She was the devoted wife of the late Burton H. Margolis; beloved mother of Todd Margolis and Craig Margolis and his wife Carrie Flaxman; adored grandmother of Alex Margolis and Seth Margolis; and dear sister of the late Irwin Kaplan. She was a dedicated teacher of Marblehead’s children. Services were held at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon on Jan. 14. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Friends of the
Arava Institute 1320 Centre Street Suite 206, Newton Centre, MA 02459, arava.org. For online condolences go to goldmanfc. com. Arrangements by Goldman Funeral Chapel, Malden.
FINAL-17 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A15 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:31 PM
marbleheadcurrent.org
Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 17, 2024 A15
Headlight
Shining a light on the news you care about!
Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community 2023 - 2024 Issue
www.mhsheadlight.com
Senior Spotlight Ila Bumagin, Senior, Editor-in-Chief
It's almost halfway through the school year, although for seniors it feels like we're already done. With midterms approaching and some serious "senioritis" settling in, I wanted to check in on my seniors and see how the year is going and what we're looking forward to. Firstly, I asked what seniors were looking forward to most this year. The general consensus was everything after quarter two, which ends at the end of January, after midterms. Rachael Albert says, "I am looking forward to quarter three and senior project because most of the stress of senior year will be over so I can actually enjoy taking classes and learning. I can be in class and do the work but not worry about how good my grade is. I feel like I will be much more intrinsically motivated." The freedom of senior spring is certainly something to look forward to. Many seniors are excited about going to college, even if they aren't committed yet. As expected, most are scared and excited to leave Marblehead. Mona Gelfgatt explains, "I am very excited for college! As much as I’ve enjoyed my years at the high school, I can’t wait to go into a different atmosphere of students, teachers, and surroundings." Those who want a broader environment, like Jasmina Kurtovic, say "Town also feels pretty small so it will be nice to be somewhere new."
Turning back to Marblehead High, I asked how students feel about their homework and classes this year. Of course, it all depends on what courses you take. Kate Twomey says, "The homework load is manageable most of the time, but it depends on sports and other things which take up my time; it also varies depending on the week and the class." A couple of my peers say the homework load for STEM classes like AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, and AP Biology is pretty high, but they don't regret it quite yet. Song Waitekus says, "You must be completely sure and mentally prepared for taking any science AP." Senior Project is always a highlight towards the end of the year. For their final quarter, seniors can choose to gain work or career experience through internships, projects, volunteering, or their own initiatives. Although students who take lots of AP classes don't have time to do Senior Project, many are looking forward to it. Rachael says, "I'm going to finish the mural in Mr. Moloney and Mr. Ryan's room that was started a couple years ago by another student. I think it’s a good project for me because I am in 4 AP classes, so it will be less work than starting from scratch." It will be great to see everyone's project! So, there's lots to look forward to and to appreciate as seniors. It's a big time in our lives and I can't wait to see what's in store for us!
make it to the point. It is painfully obvious what ‘Saltburn’ is chasing, and incredibly painful to watch it fall short. The world portrayed in ‘Saltburn’ is one of partying, drinking, smoking, and debauchery so extreme and constant it almost becomes a joke, as though the movie were satirizing the very aesthetic it strives to achieve. Although ‘Saltburn’ is intended as satire, it is unclear which elements are intended to be overblown and which are just the style of the movie. The dichotomy of a hedonistic and wild party-life at Oxford, of all places, and a luxurious but laughably old-fashioned existence at the Saltburn estate reveals the movie’s desire to deliver a message about elitism, privilege, and the dangers of extreme wealth. However, while the ploys used to get this across may have fit in if the story was set in the 1930s, they seem so out of place to render them unbelievable in 2006, when the movie is actually set. One could argue that this is all part of the satire, but there is so little finesse that it feels like the movie is hitting you in the face with it. Everything about the film, from the ‘shocking’ sexual content to the over-stylized atmosphere to the pretentious and unlikeable characters, gives the impression of taking itself far too seriously. However, for everything that I don’t like about the movie,
there are arguments to counterbalance. For example, many people enjoyed the movie for the pure vibes. Undoubtedly, if you look past the other conventions of storytelling, ‘Saltburn’ is visually pleasing to watch. Long lingering shots over the grounds of the estate, beautiful contrasts between colors, and a couple of interesting tricks with mirrors earn the movie its reputation for being artistic and atmospheric. Yet, for me personally, the plot and characters are what make or break a movie, and not having anyone to root for ruined the experience. Once it became clear what the film was doing, the plot twists became predictable and the characters insufferable. While my opinion may be popular, there are just as many who disagree. Just google ‘Saltburn’ reviews and you’ll see that the votes are nearly split between one star, where I firmly fall, and five stars, suggesting that there is something about the movie that does it for many people. any people. My opinion is that ‘Saltburn’ was not worth my time, but like anyone else, I was originally drawn in by the promises of jawdropping shocks and the controversy surrounding them. If you’re curious in which camp you’ll fall, it's available on Amazon Prime. Who knows? Maybe you’ll love it. Or maybe, you’ll think it's just okay, and be the one to give ‘Saltburn’ its first three-star rating.
Φ Bella Takata, Senior, Guest Writer
I’m salty about ‘Saltburn’ Benji Boyd, Junior, Assistant Editor
2023 was a big year for cinema. The online ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon brought millions flocking to theaters back in July for the simultaneous release of Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ and Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer,’ allowing both movies to rake in massive profits in the box office. Ridley Scott delivered the second major biopic of the year, ‘Napoleon,’ back in November, and Alexander Payne’s lighthearted ‘The Holdovers’ adds a little comedy into the mix. However, one 2023 release has carried its buzz into the new year, but does it deserve the hype? According to the reviews, that’s a complicated question. Emerald Fennell’s ‘Saltburn,’ starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, is considered by some to be the most decisive film of the year. The hype surrounding it seems to be a product of strong opinions all around – some love it, some hate it, everyone is talking about it. In this article, I'll
January 17, 2024
avoid spoilers and attempt to explain both sides of the argument, and why I, personally, fall strongly into the camp that I do. ‘Saltburn’ tells the story of Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a seemingly shy and awkward first-year Oxford student, who becomes attached to the charismatic and gloriously wealthy Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). When Oliver is invited to Felix’s family estate, Saltburn, he enters into a world of old money and old customs, and encounters a family that embodies every stereotype of the clenched, prim and proper, British elite. If you’re thinking that you’ve heard this before, you most certainly have. However, ‘Saltburn’ does contain an interesting twist that portrays the typical ‘disadvantaged youth entering a world of ridiculous wealth and backstabbing intrigue’ trope in a new light. If you are up for two hours of ridiculously overdone stabs at creating the desired aesthetic and cheap tricks designed to shock, you might just
Statisticians have told us that a sample should be representative of its entire population and while I have no reason to believe that this room of glass flowers is an accurate reflection of every flower that ever was, when petals turn up like fallopian tubes and bisections slope like sesame seeds ripe with life swollen and shining just enough to avert our eyes to the ground, this trend is too profound to ignore. The principle understanding of anatomy is that form follows function; approximately 1.618 function for every one form. No give and no take. This for yours and that for mine and everything for us someday. But for double-bonded oxygen and CO2 running in circles ask as we spiral: Why not be an infinite set of Venetian mirrors? By this logic we are a helix around some common theme,
won and wrought over time and toil, one mean for our deviation, too divine to our ever-extending multitudes, three flowers which look exactly the same. Five fingers on your hand and eight petals on the flower. Thirteen for the luck, and twenty-one for all the signs that say nothing at all happens solely on it. This is not God and this is not purpose. Child and grandchild and mother and flower. Take them to the stars and they’ll look like them, they’ll look the same. Drown them in the sea and they’ll sink the same, shells and bones the same. And if you dare, take me to a bed of glass flowers and dance me a golden tarantella. I promise, we’ll all spin the same.
Headlight Staff 2023-2024 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Ila Bumagin and Mona Gelfgatt
ASSISTANT EDITORS: Benji Boyd, Rachael Albert
TECHNOLOGY EDITOR: Kate Twomey
REPORTERS: Cole Barbeau, John Bender, Grey Collins, Tucker Crane, Aislin Freedman, Samuel Jendrysik, Anya Kane, Nina Lees, Georgia Marshall, Charlie Seliger, Livia Weiss FACULTY ADVISOR: Thomas Higgins
FINAL-19 CP_MBHC_20240117_1_A16 Mon, Jan 15, 2024 1:11:32 PM
marbleheadcurrent.org
A16 Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Marblehead Current
CURRENT EVENTS
Check out Marblehead’s best bets Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. —Leigh Blander
Community BYO Art/Craft Project Night Friday, Jan. 19, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Stop by MacRae’s Sustainable Goods for creative community time. Bring whatever art project you feel like working on. Draw, paint, crossstitch, needlepoint or sew. Bring your own supplies and drinks/snacks.
Poetry Salon Thursday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
The Abbot Library Poetry Salon opens its 2024 season with the works of Carol Seitchik of Beverly. A visual artist, Seitchik turned to poetry when she developed health issues. She published “The Distance from Odessa,” her first book of poetry, in 2021. The poems touch four generations, three centuries and cross the ocean twice as they weave the story of the poet’s life. The salon is led by Claire Keyes. It will be held in person at the library, 3 Brook Rd., and online. More info at AbbotLibrary.org.
Marine Invaders on the Move Wednesday, Jan. 17, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m.
Green crabs and blue crabs and shore crabs, oh my! These crabs, along with colonial tunicates, European oysters and Dead Man’s Fingers, are just a few of the non-native species found in Salem Sound. Join Salem Sound Watch at Abbot Public Library, 3 Brook Rd., to hear about the marine trends over the past 20 years and what new species to watch out for. Available in-person and on Zoom. Learn more at abbotlibrary. org/events/.
Eat to Optimize Your Energy, Gut, Health and Life
The Landing Burns Night Thursday, Jan. 18, 6 :30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 20, 10:30 a.m.
EveryBody Dance Class Saturday, Jan. 20 , 1 p.m.
Everybody needs to move and have fun. Teens and young adults with special needs and autism are invited for a 45-minute dance party at Lighthouse Fitness, 89 Front St. Have a blast with an easy-to-follow movement class set to fun music. Register at https://loom.ly/cfNMj94.
Abbot Public Library hosts nutrition therapy practitioner Sam Lebicz for a post-holiday health reset program. Learn how to eat in a way that supports your body for better energy and improved gut health for a healthier, happier life without having to give up all the foods you love. More info at AbbotLibrary.org.
Rhod Sharp and Jeremy Bell invite you to Burns Night, celebrating 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns. Listen to Burns’ poems and songs, while dining on a haggis appetizer, dinner and dessert. Reservations required at 781-639-1266.
Have Some Fun - Join Our Team! We're looking for part-time shop help Do you like calligraphy and stationery? Would you like to meet interesting people? Do you have retail experience? Do you live in the vicinity of Marblehead? If you answered yes to these questions, you may be just the person we're looking for. Please email us at info@theabbeystudio.com and tell us a little about yourself. No calligraphy experience is necessary. 84 Washington St. Marblehead, MA 781.740.9000 theabbeystudio.com
New Lunch Hours Open at 11:30 Tuesday-Sunday New Lunch Menu! Delicious Homemade Authentic Greek Cuisine 261 Washington St, Marblehead 781-499-5006 Online ordering eliamarblehead@gmail.com or through DoorDash and UberEats
Logo reveal
Tuesday, Jan. 23, around 7 p.m.
The Marblehead Festival of Arts is unveiling its 2024 logo after voting wrapped up late last month. The logo premiere will be at The Landing Restaurant. Call 781-639-1266 to make dinner reservations.
Do you have ad sales experience?
Or do you want to have ad sales experience? If you love Marblehead, are interested in playing a role in the advancement of our local, not-for-profit, independent newspaper, and like to have fun, then let's talk! We are looking for a top notch sales executive to help us to take the Marblehead Current to the next level. Prefer at least 20 hours per week, but since the compensation will be 15% commission on all sold, feel free to work as many hours as you like. You should be a creative thinker and problem solver, with a keen attention to detail. Be able to work directly with advertising clients and prospects to correctly place advertisements allowing them to reach the Marblehead community, business owners, and leaders.
I Interested?
Send an email to us at mhdcurrentads@gmail.com and tell us a little about yourself.
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