02.26.2025 – Volume 3, Issue 14

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A01

IN THIS ISSUE

EDUCATION

RESOLUTIONS

SPORTS

Town leaders react to anti-DEI orders

2025 fitness trends in town

MHS speedster wins state championship

Page 12

Page 2

NONPROFIT ORG PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

MARBLEHEAD, MA PERMIT NO. 25

Page 9

NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.

TM

February 26, 2025

|

VOLUME 3, ISSUE NO. 14

|

MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG

|

ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT

BOARD OF HEALTH

Town Meeting article falls through cracks; new protocol developed

BY LEIGH BLANDER Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Current that he will develop a new protocol to ensure all articles approved at Town Meeting are implemented properly after a delay of a popular decision to expand the Board of Health from three to five members.

Last May, Town Meeting voted 522-90 to add two seats to the Board of Health. But the change is likely not to be implemented this election season due to a

delay in sending the article to the state Legislature for approval.

All three current members supported the article, which required sign-off from the Legislature. The Board of Health has dealt with personality conflicts as well as a series of Transfer Station renovation setbacks.

“Oh my God,” said Board of Health member Tom Massaro when he learned about the delay at a Feb. 18 meeting.

“I’m disappointed,” said

Board of Health Chair Helaine Hazlett, adding that it is difficult to have meaningful discussions with a three-member board given the state’s open meeting law requires a posted meeting whenever two of the three members meet.

“We thought we had solved an issue,” Hazlett said. “Now, we find out that somehow or another, something fell through the cracks.”

So what went wrong?

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer will put a new protocol in place to make sure articles approved at Town Meeting are implemented.

CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE-BOYD

PROTOCOL, P. A7

EDUCATION

ON THE ROCKS

Absences spike during canceled February school vacation Public invited to weigh in on flags, $49M budget

BY LEIGH BLANDER

CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS

This adorable seal stopped for a rest near Fort Sewall on Feb. 20. With its dots, coloring and lack of external ear flaps, it appeared to be a harp sea. Harp seals are native to the Arctic.

IN MEMORIAM

Carl Siegel, Rotarian and Water Commission chair, dies at 92

BY WILL DOWD F. Carlton “Carl” Siegel, chairman of Marblehead’s Water and Sewer Commission, treasurer of the Marblehead Rotary Club for 27 years and the town’s trusted election night vote counter for more than three decades, died Feb. 20. He was 92.

As the craftsman behind Marblehead’s hand-carved school and park signs and builder of structures from lighthouse replicas to sports field equipment, friends said Siegel embodied the spirit of public service.

After arriving in Marblehead in the 1960s for what was meant to be a six-month assignment with General Electric, Siegel found his true home.

“He ended up staying for 63 years,” his daughter, Suzanne Siegel, told the Current on the occasion of his 90th birthday. “He just loves the town.”

A Korean War Navy veteran who served on a destroyer, Siegel brought military precision to everything he touched. Fellow Rotarian, Nancy Gwin, said he maintained immaculate manual

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

As vacation days were canceled Tuesday through Friday last week to make up for missed days during the teachers strike, absences spiked, interim Superintendent John Robidoux reported. Here’s the breakdown of absences by school: » Glover, 33.7%. » Brown, 37.5%. » Village, 44.2%. » Veterans, 47.7%. » MHS, 49.7%.

“I know that flu and COVID were hitting all the schools hard over the past couple of weeks, so I would surmise that has impacted each school a bit as well,” Robidoux said. Robidoux added that he granted 15 teachers (out of 293 districtwide) time off for “extraordinary circumstances.” Currently, students are scheduled to attend school on April 24 and 25, during the traditional spring break.

Flag controversy

The public will get two opportunities to offer input to the School Committee this week — on flags and next year’s budget.

First, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., the School Committee will host a community forum at the high school library on a possible flag policy.

Committee members Jenn Schaeffner and Alison Taylor have proposed allowing only U.S., Marblehead, SCHOOLS, P. A6 COURTESY PHOTO

F. Carlton “Carl” Siegel, a longtime Marblehead Rotarian and dedicated public servant, blows out a candle on his 90th birthday cake at a celebration hosted by the Marblehead Rotary Club.

records with his distinctive penmanship.

“He had the most perfect handwriting, and he was the best bookkeeper,” said Gwin, past Rotary president. “People would come along and say ‘Let’s put it online.’ I’d say no one’s ever going to do it better than Carl manually.”

Siegel’s craftsmanship literally shaped Marblehead’s landscape.

“Every sign that you see in front of a school or a park in Marblehead was handmade by Carl,” said Town SIEGEL, P. A8

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

The School Committee will host its first community forum on flags this Wednesday.

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A02

marbleheadcurrent.org

A2 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Marblehead Current

POLICE

Attorney: Fired officer eager to return following arbitration win

BY WILL DOWD Christopher Gallo wants to return to the Marblehead Police Department “as soon as possible” following his arbitration victory, his attorney told the Current, although he added procedural hurdles remain before he can resume patrol duties.

“The parties have been in touch to discuss next steps. We look forward to working with the town to get an agreement on the back pay due officer Gallo,” attorney Gary Nolan said. “Given the length of his forced leave of absence, there will be a good amount of red tape and training required, but Chris looks forward to getting back to work as soon as possible.”

The Select Board will meet in executive session the week of Feb. 24 to consider its response to the arbitrator’s Feb. 12 ruling, which dismantled the town’s case against Gallo and ordered his reinstatement with full back pay and benefits.

Select Board Chair Erin Noonan said the board needs to review its options with legal counsel before making any decisions.

“We’ll be meeting with our labor attorneys to review our options on appeal and make a determination of whether or not we want to seek appeal on the matter,” Noonan said. “The board hasn’t even had a chance to meet

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

An arbitrator ruled Feb. 12 that the town must reinstate fired police officer Christopher Gallo with full back pay and benefits.

yet.”

The financial implications could be significant. Gallo received approximately $172,000 in salary payments while on paid administrative leave from June 2021 through February 2024.

The arbitrator’s ruling requires additional compensation for lost overtime and detail work opportunities during that period.

Noonan said Gallo continued receiving his regular salary through early 2024, when the board voted to terminate his employment.

“We’re not talking about three years of back pay that we didn’t anticipate,” Noonan said. “He was receiving pay until the day after we voted to adopt the hearing officer’s recommendations.”

The town will need to determine Gallo’s compensation for lost overtime and detail work opportunities as well as a year’s salary. Noonan said they would review historical data to calculate what he might have earned during his absence.

“They’ll have to come to some mutual agreement, looking at

different data points to determine what the overtime and detail pay would have been,” she said.

The arbitrator’s ruling is legally binding and can only be appealed in court on narrow grounds, such as proof of fraud or corruption by the arbitrator. The town has 60 days to implement the ordered remedies.

The arbitrator’s ruling found the town failed to properly investigate anonymous allegations of time fraud against Gallo and criticized officials for not authenticating photographic evidence they knew could have been manipulated. The arbitrator also determined that Gallo’s off-duty personal decisions regarding an alleged alcoholic family member did not violate any department rules or regulations.

The ruling requires the town to remove all references to both disciplinary actions from Gallo’s record and restore his seniority rights. If the town retains separate disciplinary records, they must note that some documents contained erroneous information that led to unfounded charges of dishonesty against Gallo.

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer declined to comment on specific next steps, saying only that “It’s still an open legal matter. We are reviewing the arbitrator’s ruling and talking to labor counsel.”

NeWS FOr PeOPLe, NOT FOr PrOFIT. CHAIR

Bob Peck 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

Interns

Benji Boyd Grey Collins CONTRIBUTORS

Jo Ann Augeri Silva Stephen Bach Bob Baker Linda Bassett Nicole Goodhue-Boyd Laurie Fullerton James (Seamus) Hourihan Christine McCarriston Eyal Oren Pam Peterson Chris Stevens Lisa Sugarman BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Virginia Buckingham - President Gene Arnould Brian Birke Cheryl Byrne Bob Peck Donna Rice David Vigneron Richard Weed - Treasurer EDITORIAL BOARD

Brian Birke Virginia Buckingham Kris Olson Will Dowd Bob Peck Joseph P. Kahn DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Kathryn Whorf FOUNDERS

Jessica Barnett Ed Bell Leigh Blander Will Dowd David Moran Kris Olson

EDUCATION & INCLUSION

Town reacts to Trump’s DEI orders to schools

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

North of Boston Media Group Marblehead News 217 Humphrey St. Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945 617-545-5445 info@marbleheadnews.org www.marbleheadCurrent.org

BY LEIGH BLANDER Interim Superintendent John Robiboux and other leaders in town will continue to assess how to respond to the Trump administration’s latest order against diversity, equity and inclusion. Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights in the Department of Education sent a letter on Feb. 14 saying that elementary, secondary and higher education schools that receive federal funding must cancel all DEI policies or programming by Feb. 28 or risk losing that funding.

Marblehead schools received $947,992 in federal funding in fiscal 2025, according to Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin.

The DOE letter stated that the federal government now considers any policy “motivated by racial consideration” in violation of civil rights law.

It’s not clear whether the DOE order would lead to the canceling of next year’s Black History Month lessons being taught now in Marblehead schools. Or if it would shutter student clubs like Team Harmony, Gender & Sexuality Alliance, Jewish Student Council

Marblehead Current is published every Wednesday by Marblehead News Group, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is mailed to all homes and businesses in Marblehead, MA 01945.

DONATE

Help us deliver sustainable local journalism. Please consider supporting the Marblehead Current by making a tax-deductible donation at marbleheadcurrent.org/donate.

For stock transfer donations, please contact: Kathryn Whorf at kwhorf@marbleheadnews.org.

ADVERTISE

Advertising is available on our website and in our weekly printed newspaper. To learn more, visit www.marbleheadCurrent.org/ads.

COURTESY PHOTO / SARAH DIETZ

President Trump’s administration is giving public schools until Feb. 28 to nix all DEI-related programs and policies.

and the Students of Color Association at MHS. Another question is whether the new order could affect METCO, the program that brings students from Boston neighborhoods to suburban schools.

Asked by the Current how the DOE letter might impact Marblehead schools, Robidoux wrote, “Until or unless the Massachusetts DEI, P. A6

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Marblehead is preparing for its 2025 municipal election season, with nearly two dozen positions across 13 boards, committee, and commissions — including the town moderator — up for grabs on June 17. Nomination papers will be made available around March 17.

School Committee

The School Committee race is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests of the municipal election season, as recent controversies have heightened public scrutiny of the board’s leadership. The district has faced turbulence over the past several years — including

REACT

We’re standing by to listen to your ideas. Please drop us a line and let us know what you would like to see in your community newspaper. Send your thoughts to info@marbleheadnews.org.

IN MEMORIAM

Town readies for 2025 municipal election season

BY WILL DOWD

VOLUNTEER

Join us. We invite you to help support our effort to establish and maintain a free press for a strong community.

To get involved, visit www. marbleheadCurrent.org/volunteer.

a contentious teacher strike, four superintendents and a controversial flag policy proposal — the two seats up for grabs in June currently belong to incumbents Alison Taylor and Sarah Fox. They declined to tell the Current if they plan to run again, but given the heightened tensions surrounding education policy in Marblehead, they may face challenges.

Select Board

The Select Board race marks a significant shift in how the town elects its executive branch officials. Under the town’s former system, all five Select Board members were elected annually as a slate, meaning voters often chose incumbent candidates who

ran for reelection for one-year terms as a group rather than assessing them individually. Now, with staggered three-year terms implemented in 2024, candidates must run on their own records and policy positions, rather than relying on the momentum of a group campaign.

Proponents argue this system enhances accountability and fosters long-term planning, while critics worry it reduces the board’s responsiveness to voter sentiment. With Bret Murray opting not to seek reelection and Jim Zisson already in the race, this election will further define how Marblehead’s new governance structure plays out in practice.

The five-member board

oversees town administration, policy and licensing, including preparing the Town Meeting warrant and supervising the town administrator.

Board of Health

Marblehead’s Board of Health is poised for potential change this June, but likely not as much as expected. BoH Chair Helaine R. Hazlett’s three-year term (20252028) is up for grabs.

Additionally, a 2024 Town Meeting vote approved the expansion of the board from three to five members; however, the town failed to send the article to the state Legislature for required approval and now it may be too ELECTIONS, P. A6

Ed Bell, co-founder, co-chair (2022-2025)

Help keep the Current coming by scanning this QR code.

Thank you!

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A03

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, February 26, 2025 A3

POLITICS

Moulton: Dems’ power limited until ‘26, need to reform Local Republican leader push back on congressman’s remarks

BY WILL DOWD Rep. Seth Moulton, who grew up in Marblehead, laid out a stark assessment of Democrats’ limitations and the need for fundamental party reform during an hourlong telephone town hall Thursday night.

“We’ve got to accept that we lost. We’ve got to come to terms with the fact that this should have been the easiest election in our history, running against a convicted felon, and we lost across the board,” Moulton told constituents.

“The status quo is not acceptable. These people who just say, ‘Oh well, statistically, it was very close.’ It shouldn’t have been close at all.”

“A lot of people think that Democrats are just preaching — if you don’t agree with me, then not only are you wrong, but you’re a bad person,” he said. “That alienates a lot of people. That’s not a good marketing plan.”

Emily DeJoy, speaking for the Marblehead Republican Town Committee, told the Current that Democrats have lost touch with voter concerns, including “rising cost of living, crime, illegal immigration, fairness in women’s sports and government corruption.”

Instead, she said,

Democrats have focused on “DEI, pronouns and unrealistic green energy solutions.”

Addressing massive cuts by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Moulton described constituents waiting three hours for military ID renewals because of staffing shortages.

“That’s not government efficiency,” he said. “Standing in line for three and a half hours to get your ID card renewed — we need to do better.”

The MRTC offered its

own vision for government reform, particularly in education. DeJoy said the committee would advocate for Marblehead to receive its fair share of funding if federal education dollars shift to state block grants, while emphasizing “fundamental learning initiatives” and “academic excellence” over DEI programs.

Fresh from the Munich Security Conference, Moulton expressed alarm about the administration’s Ukraine policy.

“Trump is literally siding with Russia here,” he said, comparing Trump’s messaging about Ukraine to “if President Franklin Roosevelt had gotten on

the radio and used Hitler’s talking points for his invasion of Poland.”

The congressman

majority party means that you’re not going to agree with every other Democrat on every single issue,” he said. “That’s OK. That’s what democracy is about.

Be willing to have these debates.”

The congressman concluded by acknowledging current frustrations while emphasizing long-term engagement.

“We’ve got to win in 2026 to restore some balance,” he said. “That work is incredibly important to ensuring we can win back the House at the very least and actually have a real check, a real lever of power.”

Now Open Decorative Arts Specializing in 20th Century Art from Picasso - Pizarro

Visit our new gallery located at 100 Pleasant Street, Marblehead (Door across from the Blue Canoe)

Open Tuesday through Sunday 11am to 8pm 857.292.1984 www.DecorativeartsofBoston.com

& GI F T S H OP Explore unique and stunning contemporary stained-glass sculptures for your garden!

Discover the healing powers of our Energy/Wellness Pyramids.

HURRY IN TO GET YOUR PERFECT SCULPTURE Gift Certificates Available Open 10:30 - 1:00 on Saturdays Call or text to come other days/times 781-521-4870

Every Stained Glass Sculpture is Divinely Designed and Handcrafted by Marblehead Artist

Ellen Epstein.

Please Park Across the Street

122 B GREEN STREET, MARBLEHEAD WWW.MARBLEHEADSCULPTURES.COM E-MAIL: INFO@MARBLEHEADSCULPTURES.COM

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

COURTESY PHOTO

Marblehead native and Congressman Seth Moulton believes that Democrats must rebuild after 2024 losses before regaining congressional influence.

highlighted threats to research funding, noting Massachusetts received nearly 6,000 National Institute of Health grants totaling $3.5 billion in 2024.

“We get an outsized share of this money because we’re doing an outsized share of the pathbreaking research that allows innovations in medical care,” he said.

Looking toward future elections, Moulton emphasized Democrats must expand their appeal while maintaining core values.

“The definition of a

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A04

marbleheadcurrent.org

A4 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Marblehead Current

Opinion EDITORIAL

Delay undermines authority of Town Meeting

When Marblehead voters approved expanding the Board of Health from three to five members by an overwhelming 522-90 margin last May, they expected timely implementation of their clearly expressed will. Instead, bureaucratic inertia and a lack of clear procedures have effectively nullified that vote for at least another year.

This failure has real consequences. The threemember Board of Health remains hamstrung by open meeting law requirements that prevent any two members from even discussing board business without posting a public meeting 48 hours in advance. The expansion was intended to enhance the board’s effectiveness in addressing pressing public health challenges and diffuse serious interpersonal tensions that have hampered its work.

Meanwhile, the early fingerpointing between town officials is illuminating. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer suggested article sponsors should shepherd their own articles, while Board of Health Chair Helaine Hazlett correctly notes the article’s language explicitly directed the Select Board to seek the necessary special legislation. And he is right — home-rule petitions have historically been shepherded along by sponsors, but this basic disagreement over responsibility exemplifies the systemic failure.

Most concerning is that no official appears to have been tracking this vital legislation’s progress for nearly nine months.

The article only reached the Select Board for certification this February. This suggests a broader breakdown in administrative oversight and accountability.

While Kezer’s proposed new protocol for tracking Town Meeting articles is welcome, it comes far too late for the voters who expected their decisive mandate to be implemented this year. The town needs more than vague promises of future improvement.

We propose several specific reforms: — Establish clear written procedures designating which officials are responsible for implementing each type of Town Meeting decision.

— Create a public tracking system for all Town Meeting articles requiring further action.

— Institute specific timelines for each step of the process, from town clerk certification to Select Board action.

The residents of Marblehead deserve a local government that efficiently implements their democratic decisions.

The current system’s failure demands immediate reform and accountability from all officials involved. Without such changes, Town Meeting risks becoming merely advisory rather than the authoritative voice of local governance it has been for nearly four centuries.

EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY

Things to be happy about

BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM

Digging deep for this one, dear readers.

We all count on robins as a harbinger of warmer, brighter days ahead. It seems the flock in my neighborhood is not enjoying the ice any more than the rest of us, so they’ve been hanging in the sunshine on our front porch. And doing their business like the steps are their own personal port-a-potty. Don’t love that, but the other morning one sat on the banister and sang its heart out, as if just to me, and that made me happy.

The recent Sunday when it rained on top of the snow and led to our icy prison?

We had plenty of food and lit a fire, popped some popcorn and watched our own private matinee of the new Bridget Jones movie. Why don’t we watch movies in the afternoon more often? It felt so luxurious, like we were getting away with something. That made me happy.

Due to the ice, there was one morning where I actually couldn’t get off my front walk into the street, it was that treacherous. I texted good-hearted Marbleheader Dave Hartley and he was there right away to spread salt to free me (and the pup). That made me happy.

I recently hosted a gathering of women for what I call “Everything will be okay conversations.” I’ve hosted three or four now, and my hope with them is

to provide a place to talk about issues beyond the day to day, what Maria Shriver calls “living above the noise.”

Not easy these days which makes it even more important. The guest of honor this latest evening was North Shore awardwinning artist Cheryl Dyment. She brought four original paintings which were displayed around the room, while we showed others in a slideshow on the smart TV. We talked about Dyment’s journey from the corporate world, through serious health challenges, to building the creative life she wanted. How she moved from plein air painting to abstract.

How a near drowning incident in her teens inspired a later-in-life series of paintings called “Floating” in which, instead of reflecting trauma, reflected the beauty she saw around her as she was carried, on her back, by the riptide.

She was so inspiring, sharing the phrase which motivated her – “What are you waiting for?” I think she helped us to take account of the paths we were on, the lives we have built or are building. My home was filled with love and beauty and reflection. That made me happy.

I tried for weeks to get a reservation for Valentine’s Day, to no avail. We were both in Boston and were going to try to just walk in somewhere, I sensed an evening of frustration ahead. Instead, David was able to get us a table in the North End, at a restaurant on Fleet

Street his family once frequented because the owners were dental patients of his father’s. We hadn’t known Barbara Summa Sullivan, the owner, patient and family friend, had passed away a couple of years ago. But our sadness was lifted when we discovered our server, Destiny, was her niece. Destiny was one of those people whose energy radiated straight from her soul and we felt embraced by her welcome and warmth. That made me happy.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, my “conversation” gathering was held on so-called Galentine’s Day, Feb. 13. Each guest left with a gift bag containing candy, of course, but also a handful of paper-shaped hearts enclosing seeds of wildflowers. Sealing the bags was a tag I labeled “3 wishes.” On the back, each guest could write their three wishes for nurturing the life they wanted, and when they planted those wildflower hearts, they could also choose to plant the tag carrying their wishes alongside. Perhaps these would bloom – flowers and granted wishes – together in the spring. Oh, yes, dear readers, that thought made me very happy indeed.

President of the Marblehead Current’s board of directors, Virginia Buckingham is the former chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, chief of staff to two Massachusetts governors, deputy editorial page editor for the Boston Herald and author of “On My Watch: A Memoir.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

COLUMN

School Committee February newsletter Mission

Our mission is to foster in our students a passion for learning and to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which they can develop the values, knowledge and skills needed to achieve full potential in their personal, social and work lives, and become contributing members of society.

February monthly newsletter

Welcome to the February Marblehead School Committee newsletter. The committee is currently focused on developing the fiscal year 2026 budget, which will be presented at Town Meeting on May 5. Our budget season began with Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer’s State of the Town presentation. The School Committee then hosted a budget workshop with the administration team on Feb. 13. A public budget hearing for community input will take place on Feb. 27, where a level-services budget will be presented. We encourage everyone to attend and share their feedback. The School Committee will then vote on the final budget request at a future meeting this spring.

Subcommittees are also meeting throughout the month, with summaries of their activities provided below. The next scheduled School Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27.

News and Highlights: School Committee focus for month of February The SC is working on the following: » Focusing on the 2026 budget. » Continuing to improve SC communications. » High School roof issues

FY 2025-2026 budget

The School Committee had its first budget workshop on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m. The schedule for for the FY 2026 budget for February: » Budget & Finance subcommittee met with Finance Committee liaisons

» District administration met with

town officials » Superintendent’s proposed fy 26 budget was presented to School Committee » Superintendent’s proposed budget workbook is available to the public.

The School Committee, working with the Finance Committee and the town Finance Director and Town Administrator, is working on a levelservices budget for FY 26.

Level services provides all of the services/staffing/supplies as the previous year and is generally higher than the previous year due to salary commitments and contracted service increases. » FY 26 Level Services Budget Request: $49,120,285 » FY 25 Adopted Budget: $46,759,111 » This represents an increase of $2,361,174 (5.05%) At this time, the School Committee will not be seeking a general Prop 2 1/2 override this year.

Per the Town Finance Director, there is a larger than expected balance in free cash which the Finance Committee has recommended be used for the FY26 town and school budgets. Therefore, FY 26 revenues are projected to meet the needs of the school district’s level-service budget.

The collective bargaining agreement (“contract”) with the Marblehead Education Association is due to expire in June 2028. The projected additional revenue needed for the remaining two years of this contract (2026-27 and 2027-28 school years) will be close to $4 million. At current staffing levels, a future override will likely be needed

Subcommittee updates

Subcommittees and SC members assigned Budget: Sarah Fox and Alison Taylor: See above Facilities: Chaired by Sarah Fox and Al Williams Update on MHS Roof Replacement

The town has already passed a debt exclusion on spending funds to replace the Marblehead High School roof. At the Town Meeting this May, it is likely that the School Committee will ask for an additional amount of $8.6M to also replace the HVAC units on the High School roof.

This will further delay the project, but is necessary. Doing the HVAC units after replacing the roof will result in additional costs and the possibility of violating the roof’s warranty.

The School Committee is not asking for a Prop 2 ½ override (permanent tax increase) to accomplish this. We are asking for a debt exclusion that will result in a temporary tax increase to pay for the HVAC component of this project. This is similar to what was done regarding the roof replacement costs.

This project has taken some time to get to this point. There were delays in procuring a project manager as well as the HVAC units were not inspected early enough in the project. In terms of a tentative start date, the work is planned to start during the spring/summer months in 2026. The HVAC units will not be able to be procured until the end of this calendar year.

If you have any questions, please email: schoolcommittee@marbleheadschools. org.

Policy: Alison Taylor and Jenn Schaeffner On Feb. 13, the Policy Subcommittee members met at the Marblehead High School Library to host a student forum on a proposed plag policy for Marblehead Public Schools.

Approximately 20 students attended the session. During the forum, students presented a written statement for the subcommittee’s consideration and encouraged broader student participation by collecting additional written statements. A total of 109 responses were submitted through NEWSLETTER, P. A6

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A05

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, February 26, 2025 A5

COLUMN

RFK’s embrace of junk science is bad for families like mine dealing with autism

BY T.J. WINICK

The Current is publishing this column by former Marblehead resident T.J. Winick with perm`ission from the CommonWealth Beacon.

AS THE PARENTS of a 13-yearold son with profound autism, my wife and I have spent years navigating a world of challenges, uncertainties, and misguided assumptions. One of the most dangerous and persistent myths is the false assertion that vaccines cause autism, a claim that has been debunked by scientists, doctors, and public health experts worldwide.

Research into its origins, conducted by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Autism Speaks, as well as numerous foundations and universities, has focused on genetics, neurology, environmental factors, and the gut-brain connection.

This isn’t intended to minimize in any way the individual cases of children who have vaccine sensitivities or suffered severe reactions. Yet, with last week’s confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health and human services secretary, we are confronted with the reality of the nation’s highest authority on health care believing in junk theories about our wellbeing.

When policymakers cling to misinformation, it distracts from the urgent needs of families like

mine. Autism isn’t a condition to be feared or “blamed” on vaccines—it’s a developmental disability that requires understanding, resources, and support. If Kennedy doesn’t recognize that, he remains unfit to lead, regardless of the more widely accepted and popular beliefs he holds about issues such as ultra-processed foods.

In addition to the daily struggles that come with caring for a child with special needs, my family, and others like ours, are faced with incessant challenges such as filling out endless amounts of paperwork; waiting years for space in after-school programs to become available; and spending countless hours on the phone with insurers to secure therapies and navigate a health care system that often overlooks the needs of autistic individuals or doesn’t understand how certain therapies can be vital to our children’s wellbeing.

Our son was diagnosed with autism at age two after observations made during early intervention, and he’s received applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy ever since. ABA uses positive reinforcement to encourage helpful behaviors while reducing behaviors that are harmful and interfere with daily life. His school, Nashoba Learning Group in Bedford, applies the scientifically validated principles of ABA with compassion. Because of this, our son has better attention and focus, is able to follow two-step directions, and can communicate his needs with limited speech more effectively.

In Massachusetts, the waiting list for ABA services can be painfully long, with some families and children waiting up to 12 months just for an evaluation—and then another 12 months for services due to high demand and lack of providers.

With approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States now diagnosed with autism, the next four years are critical to expanding services, building up the human services workforce, and identifying more effective and evidence-based therapies.

Just last week, we were dealt another challenge when our son was diagnosed with a seizure disorder. Studying the link between autism and epilepsy is a prime example of the legitimate research HHS should be funding when it comes to improving the health of our loved ones. This is in addition to ensuring better insurance coverage for therapies and supporting programs that help autistic individuals lead fulfilling lives, instead of promoting ideas lacking scientific backing.

Based on his history, RFK is far from the advocate the autism community needs at this pivotal time; his history of promoting unscientific research and basic lack of knowledge of how Medicaid works are evidence of how his “leadership” will likely shift attention away from what actually helps children like ours.

Researchers believe rising autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses may be due to a combination of factors: broader definition of the spectrum, increasing parental age, greater awareness, and improved access

RFKs history of promoting unscientific research and basic lack of knowledge of how Medicaid works are evidence of how his “leadership” will likely shift attention away from what actually helps children like ours. to diagnostic testing. With more children needing supports than ever before, holding the ground on autism research and how to care for individuals with this condition is not sufficient. We must make progress. Going backwards will mean months and years of missed therapy and, ultimately, unmet potential and a greater burden on our healthcare system.

Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, a physician turned lawmaker, was one of 14 votes on the Senate Finance Committee to advance Kennedy’s nomination to the full chamber.

Cassidy claims he will keep close tabs on RFK and that he will “carefully watch for any effort to wrongfully sow public fear about vaccines between confusing references of coincidence and anecdote.”

That might sound reassuring to some, but the damage Kennedy could do in just a brief period of time is significant.

Witness the breakneck speed with which the current administration has tried to freeze critical funding for scientific research and social services. Any future pushback against Secretary Kennedy from the president’s allies in Congress is highly unlikely and, more importantly, too little too late.

Kennedy’s confirmation alone will further erode public trust in essential immunization

programs. This puts all children at risk, including those with autism, who may have complex medical needs and who often rely on robust public health policies to ensure access to medical care and community support.

For the 250,000 individuals and their family members in Massachusetts impacted by autism and intellectual disabilities, Kennedy’s ascension to the top health post is a clear call to action. We must remind lawmakers that the supports and services our loved ones depend on are a vital lifeline. So many other issues will take priority if we don’t keep our stories at the forefront.

Instead of peddling myths, our health leaders should focus on real, evidence-backed ways to support children with autism: expanding early intervention programs, improving special education services, and ensuring access to therapies like ABA. A secretary of HHS should be committed to science, not discredited conspiracy theories.

Our son — along with all the country’s sons and daughters — deserves leadership based on facts, not fear.

T.J. Winick grew up in Marblehead and is a board member at the Northeast Arc, published author and principal at Essex Strategies.

ASK LIZZIE

Navigating the phone debate with your preteen

BY LIZZIE ASSA

From a mom whose 11-year-old really wishes she had one.

“Why can’t I have a phone?

Ella has one and Nat has one too ...”

I’ve had this conversation countless times with my 11-year-old for the past two years. While I want to roll my eyes and jump in with “Phones are the demise of childhood” or “You aren’t old enough yet” or “They only have one because...” I try not to approach the conversation that way. I know saying things like that will only leave her thinking I don’t understand her desire, so she will just keep begging.

Would we roll our eyes if our child asked for a bite of our cookie? Would we dismiss their

desire as trivial? Probably not.

We understand that wanting is natural.

So when they ask for their own phone, why do we roll our eyes, yell or become irritated? While a phone isn’t the same as a cookie, the idea of wanting one is the same.

It is a delicate balance to hold limits while not making our children feel bad for their completely normal desire to want something they see all around them.

When my daughter starts in on “When am I getting a phone?” I try to show her it’s OK to ask for what she wants, even when the answer is going to be no.

Here’s how (this is going to take patience): “Yeah, more and more kids in your grade have phones than they used to. What are they

LETTERS

MBTA Communities Act should be rejected To the editor: Recently, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court determined that G.L. c.

40A, Sec. 3A was both constitutional and enforceable. But, as we all know now the original statute itself — in contrast to the regulations promulgated by the Executive Office of Housing and Liveable Communities — is limited in scope and in penalties for non-compliance.

The problem has always been with the so-called guidelines illegally promulgated by the Executive Office of Housing and

using them for? Tell me more about that. What do you like about phones? Why do you wish you could have one? How would you use it?”

And I am clear about my limit by saying: “It’s not time for you to get a phone yet. Dad and I aren’t yet comfortable with that and we are in charge, but it sounds like it’s really important to you. We can keep talking about it.”

This shows her that we value her thoughts and opinions, even when they differ from ours.

Livable Communities — the same agency recently taking heat for suppressing information about the level of violence in shelters for undocumented migrants.

That is the agency tasked with ramming high-density housing without occupancy limits and without regard to traffic, congestion, infrastructure and all the things that come with high-density housing without occupancy limits down the throats of 177 Massachusetts communities — whether they like it or not.

The SJC struck EOHLC’s guidelines down and told the Healey-Driscoll administration to follow statutory requirements on promulgating regulations. So, Healey-Driscoll did what

Sometimes, she won’t let it go, and it’s really hard to stay patient (or kind).

My role isn’t to squash my daughter’s desires for things like phones. Instead, it’s to help her navigate the reality of boundaries while letting her know it’s OK to want things.

Here’s what I do when the requests become persistent: “This conversation isn’t getting anywhere. Let’s make a date to talk about it again on Tuesday when Dad is tucking in your sister. I will put it on

Healey-Driscoll likes to do, they declared an emergency after the fact and intend to take the same draconian regulations and expedite ramming them down the aforementioned throats. For that reason alone I oppose 3A. This administration is authoritarian in character and should be challenged. Litigation over the so-called emergency has been filed in the Superior Court in Suffolk County. It may be that litigation is also filed in Essex County in due course. But there is more reason to oppose 3A. The State Auditor Division of Local Mandates has determined in a response to the Middleboro Select Board — pursuant to their inquiry — that the MBTA Communities Act is an

my calendar. If you think of anything else, write it down and we can talk then. Until then, I’m not going to talk about it.”

Remember: You can say no and show your child you care about their wants and experiences.

Our “when will I get a phone” conversations have grown less tense over time. Yes, her desire for one has intensified, and yes, my resolve to wait remains firm. But what matters most is that she feels safe expressing her wants, and I feel secure in my boundaries. Because ultimately, this isn’t about phones — it’s about nurturing a relationship where we can be honest with each other, even in disagreement.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Workspace for Children, a parenting strategist, play expert and mother of three who lives in Marblehead.

unenforceable unfunded state mandate.

The letter making this determination to the Middleboro Select Board is dated Feb. 21 and I have a copy of it for anyone who would like one. I mentioned this to our Select Board in the past but they appear not to have asked the State Auditor to look into it, instead publicly stating that they wholeheartedly intend to call for and recommend a positive vote for 3A next May. Thankfully the select boards of other towns are cognizant of the will of the majority of their voters and take action to challenge the state on this issue.

Unfortunately, ours does not, so it will be up to the voters to reject 3A — again.

John G. DiPiano Trager Road

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A06

marbleheadcurrent.org

A6 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Marblehead Current

Schools

From P. A1 Massachusetts and POW/MIA flags on school property. This would lead to the removal of Black Lives Matter, Juneteenth and Pride flags in schools.

On Feb. 13, about 20 students sat down with Schaeffner and Taylor, telling them that removing flags would alienate many students and make them feel less welcome. The students offered a counterproposal that would give them a voice in the process. The students’ plan would permit only U.S., state, town and POW/MIA flags on school flagpoles, but would allow a joint committee of students and administrators to consider other flags and banners inside schools.

The community flag forum will also be available virtually at https://loom.ly/ e11BtKs.

Money talk

Next, on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6 p..m. the School Committee will lead a public hearing on its proposed $49.1 million, level-services budget for next fiscal year.

The proposed budget is 5% higher than this year’s. The hearing will also be held at the Marblehead High School library and online.

Robidoux presented the budget

COURTESY IMAGE

This graphic breaks down the proposed MPS fiscal year 2026 budget by department.

earlier this month, announcing that the district will not need a general override to cover salaries and programming.

The budget documents are available at marbleheadschools.org.

Robidoux emphasized that the levelservices plan includes all the services, staffing and supplies from the current year, as well as contractual salary increases.

“We are confident that the level-services budget will allow us to move forward with this budget and provide all the services necessary to educate our students and make sure our students and staff have all the resources they need,” he said.

An override or layoffs may be necessary in upcoming years to fund new four-year teacher contracts approved in November.

The largest wage increases happen in the later years of the agreement.

Tax hike ask for new MHS roof Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Mike Pfifferling announced that the schools would ask for a $8.6 million debt exclusion override that would raise taxes for 15 years. If passed at Town Meeting and the June election, the roof override would add $86 to the tax bill of the median-priced home the first year.

Pfifferling said the project is on hold, awaiting Town Meeting approval.

“We will likely have some additional discussions and communication to the community around the proposal between now and Town Meeting,” he wrote in an email to the Current. “However, based on the current plans presented, no project actions will continue until after the Town Meeting decision — this means the project manager firm and schematic design firm are waiting for direction based on the outcome of Town Meeting.”

If passed, the roof replacement would happen in the summer of 2026.

Budget breakdown

According to Pfifferling, the largest

piece of the budget (82%) covers salaries at $39,083,209. The next largest portions of the budget include: » Out-of-district tuitions: $3,562,163 » Contracted services: $2,579,043 » Utilities $1,922,408 » Supplies: $1,675,794 » Other expenses: $179,461 Out-of-district tuition and transportation costs (for students whose academic needs cannot be met in Marblehead schools) are a large part of the budget. Assistant Superintendent for Student Services LisaMarie Ippolito said she expects 47 out-of-district students next school year, compared to 50 this year.

Capital requests

In addition to the roof debt exclusion override request, the district is also asking for funding for several other capital improvement projects, totaling $607,548. The requests, which would not require an override, include: » Glover School HVAC in the cafeteria: $70,000 » Glover playground: $120,000 » Reupholster seating in the Veterans School Performing Arts Center: $140,000 » Paint the PAC: $200,000 » Special education van: $77,458

DEI

recognized and that all are provided with equitable teaching and learning opportunities.”

Robidoux said he would be reaching out to the state’s Department of Early and Secondary Education for guidance.

School Committee member Al Williams said, “We’re concerned about this, obviously, and we’re looking to work with DESE and MASC (Massachusetts Association of School Committees) as we go forward.”

METCO President Milly Arbaje-Thomas hopes school districts will resist the order to drop DEI. “I am completely opposed to the words DEI being removed from any vocabulary as they symbolize something positive and inclusive of all diverse perspectives and people,” she said. “Also, it’s important to understand that these words were created because of the historical context of racism and

exclusion for certain people from necessary opportunities.

There are more important things to fight against in this country.

Removing the words DEI is not what we need to focus on as a nation. It deeply saddens me.”

In addition to public schools, the Trump administration has threatened local governments, businesses and universities to end all DEI-related programs or risk losing federal money.

In Marblehead, the town

Newsletter

limitations on the display of flags and banners on public property. As all school buildings are considered public property, any proposed policy must align with these legal standards.

Currently, no formal flag policy is under active consideration. Although previous drafts have been discussed, there is currently no draft policy. In the coming weeks, the subcommittee will review the extensive student feedback, consult the relevant legal standards and determine

the next steps for developing a transparent and inclusive policy that both respects free speech and responsibly governs the use of public property.

Communication: Brian Ota and Al Williams The subcommittee will present the final draft of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to the School Committee for approval.

Discussion was held on creating more communication vehicles for the School Committee to provide the public with more inputs. Two forms

were discussed: Informal meetings with two School Committee members (not on same subcommittee) and a town meeting type in which the entire School Committee participates. Both meetings are public and will be hybrid (live and Zoom) in which dialog would occur with the public to provide information on ongoing concerns and issues.

Summary of actions taken by the School Committee during the month January » Began to focus on the 2026

From P. A2 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and/ or legal counsel indicates otherwise, we will continue to operate with the understanding that our current funding remains in place and will continue to ensure that all students, staff and community partners feel a sense of belonging are included, that their diverse needs are

From P. A4

a Google form — which the students summarized for the subcommittee — with the majority expressing that students want an active role in determining which flags or banners should be approved for display on school property.

The subcommittee is reviewing governing legal precedents, including the U.S. Supreme Court case Shurtleff v. Boston, which establishes

Elections

Town moderator

Incumbent John G. Attridge’s one-year position (2025-2026) is up for election. The moderator presides over annual and special town meetings, maintaining order and ensuring debate stays on track.

Cemetery Commission

The commission has two seats up for election to three-year terms (2025-2028). Greg Burt joined the commission as an

budget planning » Improved SC communications » See above for a summary of work done » Policy subcommittee is processing the feedback from public comments and will continue to investigate legal precedence as process continues.

The next SC meeting is Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. at MHS library and online.

Incumbent William J. Willis’ seat is up for a three-year term (2025-2028). The board handles property valuations and tax matters.

late for this year. The Board of Health plays a crucial role in overseeing public health policies, including managing health regulations, sanitation and disease prevention efforts within the community.

Water and Sewer Commission

budget » See above for update on

Board of Assessors

From P. A2

In Aug. 2024, two members of Marblehead’s Cemetery Commission, Janet Merrill and Pam Peterson, resigned due to concerns about the department’s structure and administration. Their departures left the commission without a quorum, prompting the Select Board to appoint interim members. In Sept. 2024, Dave Rodgers, the town’s recently retired veterans agent, and Jerry Tucker, a former Recreation and Parks commissioner, were appointed to serve until June 2025. The open seats in this election cycle include one three-year term (2025-2028), one two-year term (2025-2027) and one one-year term (20252026). Rodgers, Tucker and current Commissioner Richard Coletti are eligible to run for these positions in the upcoming election.

collected $1,121,743 in federal funds, with most going to the schools.

Select Board Chair Erin Noonan said the town would not abandon its DEI programs and events, like the Pride flag rising.

“I have no concerns about any of the town boards being hindered by Trump’s absurd war on “inclusion,” Noonan said. “I have far more anxiety about the existential threat he represents to our country’s democracy.”

Town clerk

Incumbent Robin A. Michaud’s three-year term (2025-2028) appears on the ballot. The clerk’s office manages elections, vital records and town documentation.

CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS

A voter enters Marblehead’s Old Town House, one of the town’s historic polling locations. Twenty-three seats across 13 boards, committees and commissions will be on the ballot in Marblehead’s 2025 municipal election on June 17.

appointee following the death of Thomas Carroll in 2024, while incumbent Carlton Siegel would need to seek reelection. The commission oversees budgets and sets water/sewer rates.

Housing Authority

Incumbent Theresa M. Tauro’s seat is up for a five-year term (2025-2030). The five-member authority sets policy and supervises the executive director who manages public housing across eight developments in town.

Abbot Public Library Trustees

Incumbents Jennifer L. Jewell and Deborah P. Payson’s seats are up for three-year terms (2025-2028). The five-member trustees oversee library policy, budgets and the executive director.

Municipal Light Commission Incumbents Michael A. Hull and Jean-Jacques Yarmoff’s seats are up for three-year terms (2025-2028). The five commissioners here set electricity rates and supervise the department head.

Planning Board

Incumbent Edward Nilsson’s seat is up for a five-year term (2025-2030). The board reviews development proposals and handles land-use planning.

Recreation & Parks Commission All five seats are up for three-year terms (2025-2028).

Incumbents Shelly Curran Bedrossian, Linda A. Rice Collins, Karin L. Ernst, Rossana Ferrante, and Matthew Martin currently hold these positions.

Nomination process

Prospective candidates must submit a formal request in writing to pull nomination papers at the Town Clerk’s Office starting in March. After receiving papers, candidates must obtain at least 50 valid signatures from registered Marblehead voters.

Candidates submitting papers on the deadline day are advised to include extra signatures, as no additional papers can be submitted after the cutoff, according to the Town Clerk’s Office.

For more information about running for office or the election process, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 781-631-0528.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A07

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, February 26, 2025 A7

ENVIRONMENT

Harbor committee weighs complex funding strategy for $13.5M coastal project

BY WILL DOWD Town officials said Feb. 18 they believe it will take a diversity of funding sources to protect vulnerable harbor infrastructure, as they face a $13.5 million price tag for critical seawall repairs and coastal resiliency improvements.

During a Harbor Plan Implementation Committee meeting, members reviewed funding strategies for the Municipal Shipyard Resiliency Improvements Project, which aims to protect multiple vulnerable sites along the waterfront from increasing climate impacts.

“The storms are really starting to undermine the ground and displace the seawall from underneath,” said Harbormaster Mark Souza, describing deterioration at Parker’s Boatyard on Redstone Lane.

“It’s pulling all the fine material underground from washing away.”

A recent condition assessment valued Parker’s Boatyard seawall repairs at $1.2 million, while the Causeway needs $726,880 in improvements and State Street Landing requires $114,820 in updates, all in 2022 dollars. The Causeway, which closed seven times last year due to flooding, represents a particular concern as the only land evacuation route to Marblehead Neck.

Town Administrator Thatcher

COURTESY PHOTO

Boats moored in Marblehead Harbor, with Abbot Hall’s clock tower visible in the background.

Kezer outlined current efforts to secure funding through multiple channels, including the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, state grants and local resources.

“These are bite-sized — that’s more the reality of what you can get,” Kezer said regarding two, $2 million congressional funding requests. “Part of the work is to break your project down into different phases and while you’re working on [other grants].”

The town recently secured a $210,502 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to analyze flood risks around State Street Landing. Officials are also pursuing funds through the state’s Dam and Seawall Repair Program, Seaport Economic

Council and MassWorks Infrastructure Program.

Access to many state grants hinges on Town Meeting’s passage of the MBTA Communities Act compliance measure in May, which mandates at least one zoning district where multifamily housing (buildings with three or more units) is allowed by right, meaning without special permits. A previous attempt to approve compliance failed at the 2024 Town Meeting.

The project costs break down to $4.8 million for Parker’s Boatyard improvements, $4.1 million for Hammond Park and Light Department facility upgrade at the end of Commercial Street, $4.6 million for Cliff Street enhancements.

Construction could begin in summer 2025, pending funding availability.

Select Board member Moses Grader, who chairs the implementation committee, noted that while grants are crucial, the town needs backup funding plans for critical infrastructure.

“Looking at the infrastructure, access to water and kind of land site uses, it’s pretty evident we needed a kind of broader funding sources and discrete efforts around moving forward,” Grader said. “The Harbor Plan called for a really strong consensus across stakeholders, and we need that same unity to fund these improvements.”

A 2020 Woods Hole Group study projected sea level rises of 1.1 to 2.7 feet by 2050, with a worst-case scenario of 9.7 feet by 2100. The study found most harbor seawalls in “poor” to “fair” condition, raising urgency for repairs.

Town Planner Alex Eitler emphasized balancing immediate repairs with longerterm planning that incorporates public access and economic development. The plan includes installing wave-attenuating docks and improving limited waterfront access points.

“We need to base all of our designs first off with the state of infrastructure and go from there,” Eitler said. “It’s unfortunate in some scenarios

because that can take years to do, but we want to make sure that we do it correctly.”

Steve Wolf, who helped develop the original harbor plan, urged looking beyond individual grant opportunities toward comprehensive funding solutions.

“The resiliency work is the flagship that’s going to be the most expensive, the most complicated, but it’s a component of this overall plan,” Wolf said. “We need to be moving on a lot of different fronts.”

Since 2018, Marblehead has engaged residents in planning and education about harbor vulnerabilities, securing over $768,470 in state-match grants with $188,401 coming from Town Meeting appropriations. Officials are exploring additional funding mechanisms, including possible debt exclusion, while developing a capital improvement plan to prioritize projects.

The implementation committee will continue meeting quarterly to monitor progress and refine funding strategies.

Members expect updates on survey work and pre-conceptual designs at their March meeting.

“Public space is a rarity in seacoast regions,” Souza said.

“We want to make sure we’re developing these areas in the best interest of the public while ensuring they’re protected for the long term.”

ROAD TO NET ZERO

Town charts course for EV transition

BY WILL DOWD Marblehead Sustainability Coordinator Logan Casey presented a comprehensive plan Feb. 13 to accelerate the town’s transition to electric vehicles, outlining strategies to meet the community’s 2040 net-zero emissions goal through both public adoption and municipal fleet conversion.

Transportation accounts for 36% of Marblehead’s greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second-largest source of carbon pollution in the community.

The town currently has 463 registered electric vehicles but needs to reach approximately 6,000 by 2030 to align with state climate targets.

“As a town, we have to plan together so we can support people in the transition,” said Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer. “Our capital planning needs to address both immediate infrastructure needs and longterm conversion goals.”

Central to the plan is expanding public charging infrastructure. The town will conduct a utilization study of its four existing Level 2 public chargers to guide future installations. Existing public

Protocol From P. A1

Kezer said typically article sponsors (whether residents or boards) shepherd their own articles through the process to make sure they get to the Select Board for certification and then the Legislature if required. In this case, the sponsor was the Board of Health.

“We have so many projects going on, so many things happening, we’re not going to be able to bird dog every moving part,” Kezer said. “If somebody doesn’t flag it, it’ll get missed.

“We might not be in the situation where every single medium or heavy-duty vehicle can be replaced with an electric right away,” he said, “but we should still be trying to incentivize getting more of these types of vehicles out into the different departments.”

At sea

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

The electric vehicle charging station at the Marblehead Municipal Light Department on Commercial Street stands ready for use on a snowy February morning. The charging station is part of Marblehead’s efforts to expand its EV infrastructure.

chargers include the following: » Marblehead Municipal Light Department, 80 Commercial St. » Mary A. Alley Municipal Building, 7 Widger Road Marblehead Municipal Light Department is investing $8 million in a new substation to boost grid capacity for increased EV charging demand.

The plan addresses charging equity, particularly for residents without access to home charging. Lisa Wolf, a committee member, emphasized the

importance of strategic charger placement.

“Commercial locations may not be as practical because people aren’t stopping and shopping for a long time,” she said. “We should focus on locations like schools where teachers and staff are parked for the whole day.”

Casey proposed a “zeroemission vehicle first” policy that would require town departments to prioritize electric options when replacing vehicles under 8,500 pounds.

Last year after Town Meeting, we were trying to deal with the impact of the MBTA zoning vote.”

Kezer continued, “It’s helpful to take a team approach. In the Air Force, we would say it’s the wingman approach.”

But Hazlett said the language in the article made it clear — it was the Select Board’s responsibility to take the next step.

The article read: “To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to seek special legislation to amend or supplant Chapter 43, Acts of 1801, An Act to empower

the Town of Marblehead to choose a Board of Health, such that, post-amendment, the Marblehead Board of Health shall consist of five (5) members, each elected for a term of three (3) years. “ “We’re public health people; we’re not lawyers,” Hazlett said.

“We were going by the language in the article. The article speaks for itself.”

New protocol

Kezer laid out his new plan.

“After Town Meeting is done and everything is certified in the [town] clerk’s office, we will sit down and go through all the

The plan also explores innovative solutions for Marblehead’s maritime community. “Part of that will be looking at the charging opportunities and fuel types,” Casey explained. “The state is looking at renewable fuels like biodiesel for marine transportation which we should also consider given the energy demands of maritime vessels.”

For public vehicles, Kezer noted the immediate challenges.

“The vast majority of municipal vehicles are specialized vehicles and heavy equipment,” he said.

“The marketplace isn’t quite there yet for a lot of the types of vehicles that municipalities use.”

Marblehead Municipal Light Department Executive Director Joe Kowalik described how they are preparing its infrastructure: “We have a situation here on the ground where we can

approved articles and decide who is going to take the lead on shuffling things through,” he said.

Select Board Chair Erin Noonan said moving forward, everyone will work together to make sure nothing gets lost after Town Meeting.

“For sure, we can all learn to work collaboratively to make sure that it gets sent to the board for a certification,” she said.

Where things stand

The Select Board certified the article on Feb. 12 and sent it to state Rep. Jenny Armini,

begin setting up different rate structures for public charging, municipal fleet charging and light department vehicles,” he said.

“We’re learning by doing and developing actual experiences with how this works today.”

The plan includes several funding opportunities including state MOR-EV rebates up to $2,500 for battery electric vehicles and federal tax credits up to $7,500 for eligible vehicles.

Casey outlined three immediate actions: engaging with the Mass Fleet Advisor program, applying for on-street charging planning assistance and exploring electric school bus conversion funding through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant program.

“I’d like to develop some targets and come back to the committee with draft recommendations,” Casey said.

“With our municipal fleet’s average vehicle age being 15 years, it’s definitely a good time to start thinking about this transition.”

The Green Implementation Committee will review draft implementation guidelines in May, with final recommendations expected by summer.

who forwarded it to the counsel’s office in the House.

The counsel’s office made some language changes, and the article is now being sent back to the Select Board for another vote.

Armini does not believe there will be time now to approve the expansion before the June ballots are printed.

Board of Health member Tom McMahon said he had heard from a couple of people interested in joining the board.

The one seat up for election in June is filled now by Hazlett. She said she has not decided whether to run for re-election.

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A08

marbleheadcurrent.org

A8 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Marblehead Current

COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD ROTARY CLUB

Carl Siegel tallied vote counts at Abbot Hall for years.

Siegel From P. A8

Moderator Jack Attridge, a fellow Rotarian. “The lighthouse at the Village School was built by Carl.

JOE D’EON

Custom Woodworking Local References On Time & On Budget

781-956-2278 • DeonHomeImprovement@gmail.com Interior & Exterior Painting Power Washing - Roofing General Carpentry Window Replacement

John Sutherland 781-589-2665 Salem • Marblehead

Advertise your business in the Current Contact Donna at mhdcurrentads@gmail.com or call 781-775-8333

Construction Management Services Residential & Commercial Inspections

MANAGEMENT DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Robert A. Erbetta

P.O. Box 44, Marblehead, MA 01945 (617) 293-8512 raerbetta@comcast.net

Getting Closer!

Original artworks with a Arnould North Shore Flair by local & regional artists since 1978 Gallery paintings | prints | fine crafts

& Framery Custom framing and more

111 Washington St. Marblehead MA | 781-631-6366 genearnould@verizon.net | Gift Certificate Available

218 Beacon Street Marblehead, MA 01945 781-631-2218 Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

The welded and metal entry sign going into Waterside Cemetery was fabricated and welded

by Carl. There wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for the town.”

Beyond his metalwork and carpentry, Siegel took pride in maintaining the town’s appearance. He arranged the string of lights at the lighthouse for the Fourth of July and Christmas celebrations for many years and maintained the islands at Maple and Lafayette Streets, ensuring a welcoming entrance to town.

“He was one that certainly did more than you think for the town.

I mean he was always doing little projects here and there,” said former Marblehead veterans agent Dave Rodgers, a longtime friend. “He didn’t want to let it go, you know? He just wanted to keep serving the town, and he did until after he was 90 years old ... One of the good guys.”

Siegel could be seen on election nights at Abbot Hall, where he meticulously recorded results on tally chalk boards he had built himself before a crowd of people who’d gathered there to watch results come in.

His dedication to civic participation earned him special recognition when the Select Board proclaimed March 16, 2023, as “F. Carlton Siegel Day” on his 90th birthday.

Attridge remembers Siegel from his days with youth football.

“He was one of the board members and a referee. He was a pretty strict guy — you had to have your shirt tucked in, you had to have your white belt, you had to be well put together to step on the field and play.”

That strictness mellowed with age. “When I was new in Rotary and I was president, he was treasurer.

I was actually a bit afraid of him,” Gwin admitted. “And then I got to know him so well, and we just became good friends. I’d call him up, and he always called me ‘Nance.’ We would just have the best talks.”

Before his long tenure on the Water and Sewer Commission, Siegel served on the Recreation and Parks Commission, where he helped shape the town’s recreational facilities.

He built scoreboards, bleachers and goalposts for every park and field in town.

A recipient of the Frank Reagan Community Service Award and recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow

by Rotary International, Siegel eschewed accolades, preferring to work quietly in service of others.

“He was as honest as the day is long,” Gwin reflected, “just a special kind of person who always wanted to give and always wanted to sort of be in the background. Didn’t want accolades.”

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A09

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, February 26, 2025 A9

Sports IN THE POOL

MHS girls swim with elite at state meet Senior captain Finn Bergquist earns medal after finishing seventh in the 100-yard butterfly

BY JOE MCCONNELL Out of 40 teams in the Division 2 State meet at Boston University on Feb. 15, the Marblehead High girls swim team ended up 15th overall with 56 points.

Weston (230), Mystic Valley Charter School (194), Longmeadow (180), DoverSherborn (152 5), Triton Regional (146 6), Amherst (138 6), Wayland (138 8), Seekonk (121), Norton High School (110), Hamilton-Wenham (101), Duxbury (77 12), Scituate (64), Monument Mountain co-op (59) and Nantucket (57) were the teams that finished ahead of the Magicians.

“This meet was very fast,” said coach Sue Guertin. “Weston always has a lot of girls, and western Mass. teams have many on their squads, as well. Many of these swimmers also belong to club teams.

“We were down one relay, and that hurt us scoring,” added Guertin. “I thought our four girls

COURTESY PHOTOS

After finishing 10th in the 200-yard medley relay during the Division 2 state meet at Boston University on Feb. 15, Grace Ladouceur, Shaelyn Callahan, Finn Bergquist and Brinleigh Callahan, from left, happily pose for a photo. They also competed in the 400-yard freestyle relay, where they ended up 12th.

did an amazing job scoring the points that they did. This meet was also Finn’s (Bergquist) and Brinleigh’s (Callahan) last high school meet. Both of these seniors played a significant role on our 2023 state championship team.”

Those getting the points in this year’s state divisional meet are as follows: In the 200-yard medley relay, Grace Ladouceur,

Shaelyn Callahan, Finn Bergquist and Brinleigh Callahan (1:59.19) came in 10th. Ladouceur (2:09.80) then ended up 20th in 200yard freestyle, and 12th in the 200 IM (2:22.71).

Bergquist (1:01.94) was credited with a seventh-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly.

Shaelyn Callahan (5:38.50, personal best) was 14th in the

500-yard freestyle, and Brinleigh Callahan (5:45.56) was close behind in 19th place.

Bergquist (1:03.69) also had a 10th place finish in the 100-yard backstroke. Shaelyn Callahan (1:12.22, personal best) came in ninth in the 100-yard breaststroke.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, the quartet of Bergquist, Brinleigh Callahan, Shaelyn

Marblehead High senior swim captain Finn Bergquist shows off her medal after finishing seventh in the 100-yard butterfly during the Division 2 state meet at Boston University on Feb. 15.

Callahan and Ladouceur (3:57.88, personal best) finished 12th.

The veteran Marblehead coach had nothing, but praise for all four girls who participated in the state divisional meet.

“They all had a respectful meet.

Grace, in particular, battled through being sick to help her teammates in two events,” Guertin said.

IN THE POOL

Marblehead boys seventh in the Division 2 swim meet

BY JOE MCCONNELL Marblehead High veteran swim coach Sue Guertin summed up last Saturday’s Division 2 state meet at Boston University rather succinctly. “The 202425 men’s state results were amazing this year,” she said.

Guertin has a good reason to be so enthusiastic. It’s because her boys placed seventh out of 51 teams. “This is our best finish in many, many years,” she added.

“We had four competing in individual events, with three others adding points in the relays.”

In the 200-yard freestyle, Brady Leveroni (1:49.89, 11th personal best) and Nate Rosen (1:50.99, 13th, personal best) were able to finish among the top finishers.

COURTESY PHOTO Logan Doody (21.97, personal best) Marblehead High assistant swim coach Jen Brehob, Ian Chemel, Yuri Volkov, Lucas Rosen, earned a medal after coming in third head coach Sue Guertin and diving coach Brendon Graffum join their Division 2 state

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

SWIMMING, P. A11

medal winners Logan Doody, Omar Elnabarawy, Nate Rosen and Brady Leveroni after the postseason meet at Boston University on Feb. 22. They are, from left, Brehob, Chemel, Doody, Elnabarawy, Rosen, Leveroni, Volkov, Rosen, Guertin and Graffum.

ON TRACK

Marblehead indoor track senior Current sports profile: Brinleigh running whiz Nate Assa takes home state championship Callahan

BY JOE MCCONNELL

BY JOE MCCONNELL NAME: Brinleigh Callahan AGE: 17 FAMILY: Dad: Brian, mom: Sondra; siblings: Breydan, 16, Shaelyn, 14 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Swimming FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: Swimming, because it has brought me my closest friends, and provides a healthy way for me to cope with stress.

MOST MEMORABLE MEET FOR YOU, AND WHY: The 2023 Division 2 girls state championship meet, because we won. I also had a massive personal best there in the 500-yard freestyle race to place 12th overall.

PLANS FOR AFTER MHS: I will be attending Bentley University to further my

academic and athletic career.

MAJOR: Business DO YOU WANT TO PLAY SPORTS IN COLLEGE: Yes, swimming DESIRED CAREER: I hope to find a job in finance or business management.

The Current athlete profile is brought to you

by National Grand bank

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

It was a day that Marblehead High senior boys indoor track star Nate Assa will never forget during the All-State Meet of Champions at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Roxbury on Feb. 22.

“It was an incredible race,” said coach Nolan Raimo afterwards.

“Nate (9:05.30) was seemingly falling behind with 600-meters to go as he battled two runners from BC High. But he then was able to separate himself from the pack with about 300-meters to go to run away from the two BC High teammates (Greg McGrath, 9:06.54, and John Wilson, 9:08.22).

“Nate is putting on one of the most dominant high school distance years in a long time, starting with the cross-country season in the fall. He’s definitely in the conversation for AllAmerican honors at the New Balance National Meet in a few weeks (in Allston),” added Raimo.

“This was a school record by over 20 seconds from the previous mark set by Isaac Gross just last year. It was also an 18-second personal best for him.”

Assa was not alone in serving

COURTESY PHOTO / MARRI O’CONNELL

As he crosses the finish line, Marblehead High senior indoor track boys captain Nate Assa begins celebrating his state championship in the twomile during the All-State Meet of Champions.

up outstanding performances for Marblehead last Saturday.

Jacob Szalewics finished second in the 1,000. His time of 2:31.12 was also a school record by over two seconds, and it also qualified him for the aforementioned New Balance Nationals.

“Jacob won the seeded section of the 1,000, but a runner in the slower heat was able to run a faster time,” said Raimo. “Jacob had to deal with being boxed-in and bumped throughout the entire race, and as a result he lost

by only 0.19 seconds.”

Paige Tredwell (8.95) finished 15th in the 55-meter hurdles.

She also ended up 12th in the high jump with a leap of 5-2, and will also be competing in the New Balance Nationals as a high jumper.

Elise Burchfield (5-2) came in 15th in the high jump, and finished ninth in the long jump (17-6.75) to complete a memorable day in the history of the Marblehead High School track program.

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A10

marbleheadcurrent.org

A10 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Marblehead Current

ON TRACK

MHS indoor track teams finish among the top teams in Division 3

Magician boys end up tied for 11th; girls secure the 13th spot against their state peers Boys 55-meter dash

BY JOE MCCONNELL It’s the postseason, and the Marblehead High boys and girls indoor track teams are in the middle of the fun. After completing the Northeastern Conference regular season with winning records (the boys were 7-2, while the girls went undefeated at 8-0-1), both teams first took part in the annual NEC meet, before going up against their state peers in the divisional meet, followed by the All-States on Feb. 22.

Of the 31 girls indoor track teams who participated in the State Division 3 Meet at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Roxbury on Feb. 14, the Marblehead High girls finished 13th with 16 points. The 12 teams ahead of them were as follows: Billerica Memorial (75.5), Milton (46), Westwood (35), AmherstPelham Regional (31), Melrose (28), Walpole (24), Duxbury (23), Oliver Ames (20), Westfield (20), Tantasqua Regional (18), Holyoke (17) and Canton (17).

The Division 3 boys meet had 33 teams participating, and the Marblehead entry ended up in the top third tied for 11th with Plymouth South after collecting 17 points. The squads that finished ahead of them were as follows: Milton (71), Billerica Memorial (54), Walpole (36.5), Melrose (33), Burlington (33), Middleboro (25), Westfield (25), Amherst-Pelham Regional (25), Mansfield (18) and Southeastern Regional Vocational (18).

Girls high jump

Paige Tredwell (5-2) finished sixth to begin the state divisional meet. “Paige has had remarkable consistency in the high jump this season,” said coach Nolan Raimo.

Elise Burchfield (4-10) finished 12th, also snagging two points for the team.

Boys high jump

Clark Roszell (14th) and Owen Coyne (12th) both cleared 5-8.

They were the only freshman and sophomore in this high jump, respectively. It came down to fewer attempts to determine the order of finish.

Jacob Bobowski (6.83), who’s looking forward to competing at Springfield College next year, capped an impressive dash season by coming in 20th overall. Corrigan (6.90) was 28th, placing him second among sophomores in this meet.

Girls 300

Flynn (44.66) was the lone Marblehead competitor, and ended up finishing 23rd.

Girls 600

COURTESY PHOTO / ALEXANDER HUMPHREYS

Marblehead High boys indoor track junior captain Nate Jendrysik takes the lead in a preliminary round heat, while running the 55-meter hurdles during the MSTCA Invitational at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Roxbury on Jan. 25.

Girls long jump

Elise Burchfield, who ended up being the state long jump runner-up, entered the finals in fifth place with a jump of 17-4.5, but in her sixth and final jump she leaped 17-10.5 to seize second, just missing the state championship by five inches. She also led the Marblehead girls in scoring with 10 points in just two events, with eight coming in the long jump and the final two in the high jump.

Tredwell (15-8) finished 17th in the long jump.

Boys long jump

Ryan Corrigan (18-9.5) finished 26th, which turned out to be the fourth best for a sophomore in this division.

shattering the nine-second barrier.

Boys 55-meter hurdles

Lillian Reddy (28-1.5) was 26th among the state’s best throwers.

Noah Jackson, the only sophomore in this event, came in 19th. It’s typically dominated by more experienced juniors and seniors. Elian Colon (8.70) finished 21st.

Girls 55-meter hurdles

Girls 55-meter dash

Girls shot put

Tredwell (8.93, sixth) and Elise Burchfield (8.95, seventh) captured five points for the team in the 55-meter hurdles.

For Elise, this was her first time

Lucy Flynn (7.63) ended up 13th. She was only one of four sophomores participating in this event.

“One of the hardest parts of competing in track is that we train the whole season with the plan of having our best races in the biggest meets at the end of the season,” said coach Will Herlihy. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way.”

Maggie Miller (1:49.94) had been recovering from an illness that sidelined her for almost a week. It caused her to miss the NEC Meet, but despite that she still ran the best race of her season, not to mention her indoor career in general. She finished 27th, but what stood out for Herlihy was her perfect opening lap, and as a result was in great position to secure a huge personal best, but just didn’t have the legs in the final 120-meters to pull it off.

Juliet Burchfield (1:52.14), who was also dealing with the fallout from an illness, still battled her way to a 31st place finish.

Girls 1,000

Sarah Munroe was also struggling with an illness the week leading up to this race, as observers could tell from watching her cough in the middle of the event. But she still powered through to run a personal best 3:19.75 to get under the 3:20 mark for the first time. She came in 15th overall.

Boys 1,000

Senior Jacob Szalewicz (2:34.53, third, two-second personal best) ran in the slower heat, and as a result no one was near him.

TRACK, P. A11

ON THE ICE

It’s playoff time for the defending Division 3 state boys hockey champs Headers will first take on Blackstone Valley tonight in a Round of 32 game at Salem State

BY JOE MCCONNELL The playoffs are finally here.

You know, the time of year that the Marblehead High boys hockey team (15-5-1) and its state peers have been working to get to since the first day of practice the Monday after Thanksgiving. That’s a long three months ago of many more practices to get ready for the regular season games to hopefully be in a position to qualify for the postseason.

Last year, the Hockey Headers made it as the sixth seed in Division 3 with a record of 12-9-1. They went on to win five more games, the last one coming against Nauset at the TD Garden, a 1-0 thriller to secure the program’s first state title in 13 years.

These Marblehead boys are back in the middle of the fun, looking to defend that state

championship. They have a better regular season record, but a worse seed. Instead of six, they are seeded eighth in the final Division 3 power rankings. But they are still scheduled to get two guaranteed home games at Salem State University to begin the March Madness journey.

It all begins tonight (Feb. 26) against Blackstone Valley Regional Tech (11-7-2), the 25th seed, in a Round of 32 game at Salem State’s O’Keefe Complex, beginning at 7 p.m. Barring an upset, the Headers will then take on the winner of the Dracut (16-2, ninth seed) / North Quincy (8-12, 24th seed) game in the Round of 16. Ironically, if everything goes according to plan, they will face Nauset (19-0, top seed) much earlier for the rematch in an Elite 8 game. But that’s jumping ahead. Coach Mark Marfione is just focusing on Blackstone Valley right now.

“We’re not thinking about anything else, but Blackstone right now,” said Marfione.

“We’re just taking it game by game. We can use last year’s experiences to learn from.

“We had a coaches meeting (Saturday morning) to map out our practice schedule (that included four hours of practices between Sunday and Tuesday), and we met with the team (Sunday morning),” added the veteran Marblehead coach. “We just need to keep the focus on the details, and put the team first and be coachable (to hopefully get where we want to go later next month).”

The Headers finished the regular season last week in the annual Newburyport Bank Classic at Newburyport’s Graf Rink. However, it didn’t play out that well for the defending state champs.

The Headers dropped both

games to complete the regular season on a sour note. They first lost to Triton Regional, 5-2.

Junior E.J. Wyman and senior captain Kyle Hart were credited with the Marblehead goals.

Junior London McDonald was the assist leader with two, while senior captain Crew Monaco and junior Avin Rodovsky each setup one marker. North Andover then shut them out in the consolation game, 1-0.

“Triton was a good team,” said Marfione. “We played OK, but I think this game will serve as a good lesson for us. It was more like last year’s Shawsheen game late in the regular season.”

That was a 4-1 loss, but the Headers regrouped fast to win their final eight games to bring home that aforementioned state championship. One of those wins was against Shawsheen in a state semifinal game at Stoneham Arena, where they

came out on top in the rematch, 2-1.

Marfione also added that they played much better defensively against North Andover, prompting him to remark, “We’re in a good spot right now,” especially after also learning that they are scheduled for two home games to begin the playoffs.

On the statistical front, Hart completed the regular season last week as the third best scorer in the Northeastern Conference with 13 goals and 19 assists.

McDonald also made the top 10 in the NEC, finishing sixth overall with 15 goals and 15 assists.

With senior captain Leo Burdge in net most of the time, the Hockey Headers are only second to St. John’s Prep (.938) in save percentage throughout the North Shore at .934.

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A11

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, February 26, 2025 A11

Track

winning the state title in this event. “Nate let the second-place runner hang around for the first mile, but then put on a huge surge during lap nine to pull away,” said Herlihy. “Nate now looks to contend against the best of the best in the entire state on Feb. 22, where he is currently the third seed, only two seconds off the top entry. Spoiler alert: he did not disappoint. Jonah Potach (10:46) finished 22nd.

From P. A10

“If he was in the fast heat with reasonable competition, he would’ve been competing for the win,” said Herlihy. “With great credit to Jacob, he did not complain about the process or the unfairness of running in a slower heat. Instead, he buckled down and fought with every fiber of his body to run one of the fastest times in the state all by himself.”

Henrik Adams came off a personal best at the NEC Meet, and then returned with a respectable 15th place finish in a time of 2:45.74. Will Cruikshank (2:50.23), who also ran a personal best in the last meet, continued the momentum with a 20th place finish.

Boys 4x200

Swimming From P. A9

throughout Division 2 in the 50-yard freestyle. Leveroni (55.63) came in 16th in the 100yard butterfly.

Doody (50.11) returned to once again end up with another medal

Boys 4x400

was awesome to see Ruby stay engaged throughout the race, and keep pushing when she ran up against those mental walls,” said Herlihy. “She’ll only get better and better as she gets

more experience.”

Nate Assa (9:33.05) picked up another big medal in his already stellar senior year after

Boys 4x800

Will Cerrutti (2:18, jostled at

Eben Weed, Jack Franklin, Marc Grazado and Slater Johnson ran a stunning relay to finish 15th in a time of 3:42.43.

“This team’s previous best time was around 3:48, but here they all showed up to run stride-for-stride with some of the fastest teams in Division 3,” said Raimo. “Eben opened up the relay with an impressive 53.9 400 split, and Jack followed with a low 55 split, while Marc and Slater closed out the relay well, nearly cracking the 3:40 barrier, which is quite the mark for this team. This relay was a reminder that competition brings out the best in us, and this squad easily outperformed itself by a significant margin to be able to run this time.”

for finishing seventh in the 100yard freestyle.

Rosen (5:01.10, personal best) also got a medal for coming in fifth in the 500-yard freestyle.

Omar Elnabarawy, Rosen, Leveroni and Doody (1:33.24, new school record) teamed up to finish sixth in the 200-yard freestyle relay, before receiving

medals for their efforts.

Rosen, Elnabarawy, Leveroni and Doody (3:25.17, personal best) was also credited with another sixth-place finish, this time in the 400-yard freestyle relay, which earned them more medals.

Ian Chemel, Lucas Rosen and captain Yuri Volkov participated

in relays for the Marblehead boys team during the divisional state meet. Chemel also swam in both the 500-yard freestyle (5:18.16, personal best) and 100yard backstroke (59.20).

With five top 10 finishes, there was plenty to celebrate for Guertin’s crew, who together showed that they are one of the

best clubs throughout the state in Division 2.

“This ends a very successful season for both the girls (15th in Division 2 out of 40 teams) and boys (seventh best overall again out of 51 teams) squads, (as they factored into elite status throughout the state),” said Guertin.

Girls two-mile

“Distance training is not just the physiological return we get from the workouts, but also learning how to mentally push yourself during the races,” said Herlihy. “It’s an incredibly difficult task to learn to push through all the warnings from your brain to slow down during the middle- and long-distance races, but there’s no question that freshman Ruby Assa has started to figure it out.”

In this race, Assa (12:47.44) finished 20th with an eightsecond improvement from her time at the NEC Meet. “It

Corrigan, Jackson, Owen Coyne and Slater Johnson finished 22nd in a time of 1:39.50. “At first, we planned to scratch this relay due to tired legs, but Noah, Owen and Slater all stepped up to run it,” said Raimo. “Owen was dealing with calf tightness, and Slater had the 4x400 relay just an hour away, but they pulled together to crack 1:40, which they broke every time this season. It was a testament to their consistency and ability to fit different runners on the team and still perform at an exceptional level.”

the start and lost the baton and had to go back – officials should have recalled the race, said Herlihy), Assa (2:06), Adams (2:14) and Szalewicz (2:18) was on pace for an extraordinary 800, but Szalewicz hit the wall with less than a lap to go, and had to go for it to give the team a chance,” added Herlihy. “The 4x800 team has faced its challenges throughout the indoor season, and I’m confident that they will rebound in the spring with newfound momentum in all the distance relays (4xmile, distance medley relay, 4x800 to name a few).”

COURTESY PHOTO / MARRI O’CONNELL

As he crosses the finish line, Marblehead High senior indoor track boys captain Nate Assa begins celebrating his state championship in the two-mile during the All-State Meet of Champions at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Roxbury on Feb. 22.

Boys two-mile

Girls 4x800

Sophomore Sarah Munroe (2:37), freshmen Ruby Assa (2:52) and Norah Walsh (2:41), and senior Gabby Hendy (2:47) stepped up to turn in a solid 10:57.19 time, while coming in ninth.

ON THE MAT

Black & Blue wrestlers compete among the leaders in annual State Division 2 Sectional meet Marblehead co-op sends four, plus one alternate, to the State Division 2 Tournament

BY JOE MCCONNELL It was an emotional day for the Marblehead High School Black & Blue co-op wrestling team at Woburn Memorial High School on Feb. 15, where the annual State Division 2 North Sectional Tournament took place. Some have since moved on to the state divisional round, while others saw their seasons, or in some cases high school careers, come to an end.

Overall, the Black & Blue finished eighth out of 13 teams after suiting up 11 active wrestlers out of a possible 14.

They were narrowly edged out

by Billerica and Reading for a top 6 finish, but still ended up ahead of Greater Lawrence Regional Tech, Tyngsboro/ Dracut co-op, Northeast Metro Vocational/Bishop Fenwick co-op, Burlington and Malden Catholic.

At 106 pounds, while battling a serious injury, sophomore Jaymes Carey showed just how tough he is, according to coach Mike Stamison. Carey went 2-2 to secure fifth place, which earned him a spot on the team in the State Division 2 Tournament as an alternate. His wins came against Billerica and Reading.

“This is an important win because by finishing fifth in the sectionals allows me to speak up for Jaymes at next year’s seeding meetings ahead of individual tournaments,” said Stamison.

“If Jaymes doesn’t get into the (state divisional) tournament, he ends his season at a great 29-9, which included first career tournament wins that took place at the Pelham (invitational) and

CAL/NEC meet. He definitely has a bright future.”

At 126, 138, 144, and 175, freshman Ilan Hod, sophomore Andrew Delisle, eighthgrader Nolan Glass and junior Phineas Jakious, respectively, all displayed grit and wrestled well, according to Stamison, but unfortunately, they have all been eliminated from the postseason.

They will all be back next year better than ever.

At 132, junior captain Liam O’Brien won his first sectional title, which continues his great season, said Stamison. “Three wins via pinfall over opponents from Malden Catholic, Billerica and Woburn propelled Liam to the finals against an old friend from the Salem/HamiltonWenham co-op team,” added the veteran coach. “Liam had a last second reversal — and I really mean last second — to win the title in a tight 3-2 decision.

He will likely be slotted as the second seed at the state divisional meet.”

At 157, senior captain Mason Hinshaw made it to the semifinals, where he turned in an inspirational performance.

After a masterful technical fall 18-2 win in the first round against Greater Lawrence and a pin in the quarterfinals against Reading, he squared off against the third seed from Woburn in the semis. During the match, he came down awkwardly, causing injury. He took time to compose himself during an injury timeout, before deciding to continue. He was able to rally back to pin his Woburn counterpart.

“With a trip to the (state divisional meet) secured, we had

the option of injury-defaulting Mason to settle for second place, but Mason wanted to continue, where he faced the top seed from Melrose,” said Stamison.

“A flurry of action saw both wrestlers take each other to their backs, but ultimately his Melrose opponent was able to pin Mason.

“But considering that Mason was able to complete the match against Woburn, and then wrestle well against a great Melrose competitor, that’s a testament to just how tough and talented he is,” added Stamison.

“After this setback, the goal remains the same, it’s state title or bust for Mason Hinshaw.”

At 190, junior captain Colin Hart joined the 30-plus win club on the team this season to finish third in the sectionals. O’Brien and Hinshaw are also in the exclusive club.

Starting with a pin over a Northeast Vocational/Bishop Fenwick co-op opponent in the first round, Hart unfortunately ran into the second seed from Whittier Tech, where he lost a competitive match. But he still punched his ticket to the divisional meet, when he pinned his Tyngsborough/Dracut co-op foe, before also pinning the Northeast/Bishop Fenwick wrestler again to earn a bronze medal.

At 285, senior captain Justin Gonzalez was simply dominant.

Coming in as the second seed, Gonzalez had quick wins by pinfall over opponents from Whittier Tech and Reading.

In the semifinals, Gonzalez prevailed against Greater Lawrence, 10-5, and in the

finals, he then faced off against a Nashoba Regional opponent, who defeated him twice in last year’s sectional tournament, but Gonzalez was not going to be denied this time. He rattled off several takedowns to win in a major decision, 13-5 to earn a third seed in the divisional round.

And finally, the team said goodbye to senior captain Clive Connolly and senior Alejandro Haven, who did not advance to the divisional meet. “Sectionals is always a tough day with high stakes matches that run the risk of not everyone moving on to the states,” said Stamison, “and as a result these two great teammates unfortunately saw their high school careers come to an end.”

At 150, Connolly had a tough draw, falling to the second seed from Whittier Tech. But then, he registered a pin over his Billerica opponent, before losing to Melrose.

“Clive was a four-year starter, placing in numerous tournaments for us over the years,” said Stamison. “He won about 50 matches, and was a two-year captain, and was a captain in every sense of that word.

“Leading by example, he grinded through injuries, including most of this season with bruised ribs,” added Stamison. “He’s one of those kids on our team, who are known around the state as tough, respectful, hard-working wrestlers. Clive is heading to Trinity in the fall, and I’m confident he can do whatever he sets his mind to do, and do it

well.”

At 165, Haven came in as the sixth seed in a competitive weight class. He had a tough loss against a third seed from Reading, which dropped him to the consolation round, where he was masterful in a technical fall win over Northeast Vocational/ Bishop Fenwick. He then faced off against a state finalist from Greater Lawrence in the consolation round, which turned out to be his final match of his scholastic career.

“Earlier this season, Alejandro had his best career win against that same Greater Lawrence opponent. He doubled his win total from last year to this year, and proved that he can hang with the state’s best wrestlers,” said Stamison. “He was also instrumental in our high tournament finishes like at Pelham, and in dual meets he did what we asked him to do, occasionally bumping up to 175, while rarely ever weighing in above 163. He was always a tough out for opponents, and was always well conditioned. He won about 40 matches for us in spot duty as a sophomore, and over two years as a starter. Alejandro is heading to Syracuse in the fall, and, like Clive, if he applies himself like the way he applied himself (on the mat), he can do anything, and do it well and with passion.”

O’Brien, Gonzalez, Hinshaw and Hart headed to the Division 2 meet after press deadline on Feb. 21 and 22, with Carey joining them as an alternate. Eva Goodman and Maya Alix were also there wrestling in the girls division.

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A12

marbleheadcurrent.org

A12 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Marblehead Current

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

What are town’s hottest fitness trends?

BY LEIGH BLANDER While many New Year’s resolutions have been abandoned by the end of February, Marblehead gyms and fitness centers are bustling with people committed to working out. The American College of Sports Medicine released its top trends for 2025 and local fitness leaders tell the Current, they’re seeing them here in town.

The ACSM list includes the following: » Wearable technology » Mobile fitness apps » Exercise programs for older adults » Exercise for mental health » Wearable technology “Wearable technology is a game-changer, allowing members to track their progress more accurately and personalize their workouts,” said Laurie-Sue Rodrigues, fitness director at the Lynch/van Otterlook YMCA. “We see a lot of members coming in with smart watches, fitness trackers and heart rate monitors.”

The Y’s Matrix cardio equipment integrates easily with several types of wearable tech, Rodrigues added.

At Form Fitness, owner Kelly Lorenz said, “We are seeing a lot of our members use wearables, but we talk to the women and discuss the fact that the majority of algorithms are primarily built using data from men… We also know that female hormones can affect our heart rate and respiratory variability, so the wearable might say you haven’t fully recovered when in fact you have.”

Lorenz continued, “We encourage wearables as a tool to keep track of recovery metrics like heart rate variability and

workout.”

One example? “Our Aqua Fitness classes are great for mental wellness, as the calming nature of being in water combined with exercise can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and improve overall mood.”

Hot & Bothered COURTESY PHOTO

Senior fitness classes, like this one at the LVO YMCA, are popular across Marblehead and the country.

sleep quality over time.”

Mobile fitness apps

At the Y, Rodrigues regularly sees members using mobile fitness apps to try new fitness routines.

“The Y’s own mobile fitness platform, YMCA 360, has expanded in response to this demand by including more online classes in almost every modality — from meditation to HIIT (high intensity interval training) and nutrition, mental wellness and even programming for kids,” she said. “That flexibility allows members to stay active, no matter their circumstances.”

Lorenz said Form’s members don’t use as many fitness apps because they prefer the accountability of a small group or PT (private training) session.

“Knowing you’re expected to show up and work hard is a big motivation,” she said.

Exercise programs for older adults Senior fitness is a big draw at the JCC, according to Health & Wellness Director Mary Pat Hawkins. The J offers 13 seniorfocused classes.

“They’re very popular,

particularly Aqua Splash and Fit Forever Strength,” Hawkins said Kim Crowley owns Lighthouse Fitness on Front Street and also teaches at the Council on Aging.

The COA has “a great range of options so people can ease into an exercise routine with seated options, gentle movement and more advanced classes,” Crowley told the Current.

“Classes like Balance & Mobility, Osteo Prevention, Chair Yoga and Parkinson’s Fitness cater to specific balance and age-related challenges,” Crowley said. “Step It Up, Senior Muscle, Zumba Gold, line dancing and yoga offer some more challenging but also modifiable group exercises. Then there’s also vibrant groups that play chair volleyball, curling and bocce.”

Science shows exercise has many benefits as people age.

“We can reduce our risk and manage chronic diseases,” Crowley said. “Regular aerobic activity may reduce cognitive impairment and risk of dementia.”

Shelley Sackett is in her 70s and works out with Crowley.

“My relationship with exercise has shifted over the last decade,” Sackett said. “My new mantra

is: Adapt, moderate, modify.

I’ve always felt a spiritual mindbody connection from exercise.

That hasn’t changed. What has been added, along with the usual ailments that accompanied my Medicare card, is the sense of community I get from group classes and the physical therapylike benefits from certain activities — water aerobics for osteoarthritis, for example.”

Betsy Goldberg, 73, also trains with Crowley “Exercise extends my longevity,” Goldberg said. “My bone density has remained excellent for my age, too. I exercise every day with my trainer Kim or on my own on my stationary bike or jumping around my house. I feel invigorated by exercise. It revives me!”

Exercise for mental health All the fitness experts we spoke with agreed that exercise can be the best medicine to improve one’s mental health.

The Y offers a list of classes that “blend physical fitness with mental health benefits,” according to Rodrigues. “Many of them focus on mindfulness, stress relief and emotional well-being along the physical

Lorenz pointed out two new focuses at Forme: women going through perimenopause and menopause and recovery services.

First, Form launched a 12-week class for women called Hot & Bothered that “addresses challenges facing women and their bodies” during perimenopause and menopause.

“We know that during this time, women need to start lifting heavy weights to build lean muscle mass and strengthen their bones,” she said. “Excessive cardio no longer works in our favor, and eating less is a thing of the past.”

Form has also hired a certified kinesiologist and recovery expert focused on helping members recover properly.

“He has a background in assisted stretching, functional movement training and body recovery. Sessions are tailored to the needs of the client,” Lorenz said.

Inclusion

Rodrigues says the Y is committed to making fitness and wellness available to all and now offers more family-oriented fitness programs, including Toddler & Me Yoga and Toddler Fitness.

“We will also be starting a new session of LiveStrong at the end of the month for those who are living with, through or beyond cancer,” she added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

BY WILL DOWD The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews. org.

Town administrator seeks contract renewal Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer III has expressed interest in remaining in his position beyond his current contract’s June 5 expiration date, Select Board Chair Erin Noonan told the Current.

Under the 2022 agreement, Kezer earns $195,000 annually with scheduled increases matching other town employees’ raises. His benefits include 25 days

of vacation, 15 sick days annually and a $5,000 yearly automobile allowance paid in two installments.

In his recent State of the Town address, Kezer highlighted fiscal achievements including $2.3 million in investment income for fiscal year 2024 and implementing new financial management systems. However, projections show potential deficits reaching $14 million by 2030 without intervention.

The current contract lacks formal performance review requirements, though Noonan has expressed openness to including them in future agreements. Kezer can teach and participate in seminars provided these activities don’t interfere

Marblehead Planning Board Public Hearing The Marblehead Planning Board will hold a public hearing on ALL ZONING AMENDMENTS PROPOSED FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING in accordance with MGL chapter 40A Sec. 5. This hearing will be held on Tuesday March 11, 2025, at 7:00 pm both in person at Abbot Hall 188 Washington Street in the Select Board meeting room and remotely on zoom Join Zoom Meeting through link: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86259272407 Meeting ID: 862 5927 2407 Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (Boston) Meeting ID: 862 5927 2407 Interested persons shall be given an opportunity to be heard on proposed amendment to amend the zoning bylaw including: • Amending the town’s accessory dwelling units zoning bylaw Article IX Section 42 to bring the bylaw section into conformance with new state laws and associated amendments to § 200 Article VI, § 200-17 related to the provision.

• Amending the towns flood plan zoning bylaw Article XII to update and bring into conformance with new flood maps and amend related sections 200-8.

• Introducing a new provision and map changes to adopt 3A MBTA Communities zoning overlay districts that would allow construction of multifamily housing as a matter of right in three areas; Tioga Way District, Pleasant Street District and Broughton Road District.

• A citizen sponsored zoning article to amend the zoning bylaw to add a new provision to allow fishing gear and lobster trap storage seasonally allowed as an accessory use with conditions.

Text may be inspected at www.marblehead.org or the Select Board office in Abbot Hall 188 Washington Street or the Planning and Community Development Office (formally Engineering Department) at the Mary Alley Building 7 Widger Road. All interested persons are invited to attend.

Robert Schaeffner, Chairman

with his administrative duties.

Before joining Marblehead, Kezer served as Amesbury mayor and Framingham chief operating officer.

Planning Board sets MBTA zoning sessions The Marblehead Planning Board will host three more public meetings on proposed MBTA zoning changes, with the next session being a hybrid public hearing on March 11 at Abbot Hall.

“The format is basically going to be that individuals can come in and just ask questions about the plan,” Town Planner Alex Eitler said.

The sessions, all at Abbot Hall, lead up to the town’s MBTA Communities Act compliance plan presentation at May Town Meeting to meet a July compliance deadline.

The remaining schedule includes: » March 11, 7 p.m.

Hybrid public hearing. » March 31, 7 p.m.: Overview presentation.

April 7, 2-4 p.m.: Public workshop Last May, voters rejected a proposal creating three multifamily housing districts to comply with state law requiring MBTAserved communities to allow multifamily housing. »

Counseling center launches community awards The Marblehead Counseling Center is launching its inaugural Amy Saltz Community Champions Award and Community Impact Scholarship program to recognize community service and support future healthcare professionals.

The Champions Award, named for the late Amy R. Saltz of Marblehead, honors individuals 21 and older who have demonstrated outstanding community service in Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant, Peabody or Salem. Nominees must have at least three years of volunteer or professional service experience in community engagement, volunteer efforts, public service or mentorship.

INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE Docket No. ES25P0398EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Estate of Beverly Seger Clark Also Known As: Beverly S. Clark aka Beverly Clark Date of Death: August 8, 2024 Essex Division To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Erika C. Griffin of Salem, MA A Will has been admitted to informal probate.

Erika C. Griffin of Salem, MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond.

The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.

“We realize that it really does take a village. There is a mental health crisis in our country that would be impossible to solve alone,” said Ruth Ferguson, president of the MCC Board of Directors.

Additionally, the center will award a $1,000 Community Impact Scholarship to a high school senior planning to study healthcare, medicine, mental health, nursing, social work, psychology or counseling.

Nominations and applications are open through April 10. Winners will be announced at the Community Champions Celebration in April. For more information, contact Pam Shorr at pwshorr@ gmail.com or visit marbleheadcounseling.org/ awards

Festival of Arts looking for volunteer leaders With several longtime volunteers stepping down, the Marblehead Festival of Arts is looking for people to lead key committees.

The Festival is hosting a volunteer event on Sunday, March 2, 3-4:40 p.m. at the Boston Yacht Club.

Open positions include the chairs for the following: Children’s Festival, Street Festival, Arts on the Avenue and the Literary Festival.

The Festival, set for July 3-6 this summer, is run by hundreds of volunteers every year.

If taking a leadership role isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other opportunities.

“You can also volunteer to help out at any of the events going on July 3-6 — from sitting at exhibits, helping out at the Logo Store, helping out at the Children’s Festival, Model Boat Building, Street Festival or Arts on the Avenue. There are many fun ways to get involved, even for a limited time,” according to a Festival press release. “Make new friends while giving back to your community over Independence Day weekend.”

For more information, contact Cynda Rohmer at crohemer@7@gmail.com.

Officials report avian flu outbreak State environmental officials report that highly pathogenic avian influenza is suspected in the deaths of more than 60 Canada geese, swans and other birds at Billington Sea in Plymouth, with smaller outbreaks affecting fewer than 15 geese reported elsewhere in Massachusetts.

There have been no confirmed cases of avian flu in birds in Marblehead.

Officials urge residents to avoid handling sick or dead birds and to report findings of five or more dead birds at a single location at mass.gov/ reportbirds. Cat owners in affected areas should keep pets indoors as cats are highly susceptible to infection. To report sick domestic birds, contact the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources at 617-626-1795.

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A13

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, February 26, 2025 A13

CURRENT EVENTS`

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

Rock out to Funbucket Thursday, Feb. 27, 7-9 p.m.

The Landing Restaurant has live music with the fourman band Funbucket in the old pub. 81 Front St.

Subsequent rehearsals will take place every Wednesday Old North Festival evening until the performance on Sunday, April 13.

The concert’s centerpiece will feature Dan Forrest’s Chorus kicks off “Requiem For the Living,” which was originally in 2020, but abruptly halted due to the rehearsals for annual programmed COVID pandemic.

Lenten Choral concert Singers are expected to purchase a score or bring Wed., Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.

All singers ( high school age and older) are invited to attend the first rehearsal (and registration) for Old North Church’s annual Lenten Choral concert.

their own to rehearsals; for those wishing to purchase a score, they will be available at registration. For more information, contact Old North Festival Director Maria Van Kalken at vankalken@gmail.com

‘You say you want a revolution’

Sarah Blacker & the Light

Thursday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.

The Marblehead Museum will also host historian J.L. Bell for a talk on Leslie’s Retreat, the first armed resistance to the British crown.

Bell, author of “The Road to Concord: How Four Stolen Cannon Ignited the Revolutionary War,” will share how 250 British soldiers marched through Marblehead in February 1775, sent by the royal governor to search for weapons.

The talk will highlight eyewitness accounts of a day the Revolutionary War nearly began in Marblehead.

The event will take place in the J.O.J. Frost Gallery at 170 Washington St. and be simulcast over Zoom. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $15 for the public, available at marbleheadmuseum.org or by calling 781-631-1768.

Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m.

The Me&Thee, 28 Mugford St., presents the 2024 New England Music Awards Performer of the Year Sarah Blacker and the Light. Blacker has toured internationally, playing to sold-out shows throughout the U.S and Germany. Tickets at meandthee.org.

ART

Teen photographers’ work among six new MAA exhibits

BY LEIGH BLANDER The Marblehead Arts Association will unveil six new exhibits on Saturday, March 1 and host an artists’ reception on Sunday, March 2, 2-4 p.m. The MAA is located at 8 Hooper St. in the King Hooper Mansion.

The six exhibits include “Through the Students’ Lens,” a collection of photographs by students from Marblehead, Salem and Gloucester high schools, along with Bishop Fenwick and Phillips Academy.

“This is the third year we’ve done the exhibit,” MAA photographer Larry Dunne told the Current. “The idea is to give local high school students the opportunity to have their photographs displayed in a gallery. There are some absolutely beautiful works.”

Teachers submit their students’ photographs to the MAA. “There’s black-and-white, color, portraiture work… each year is different,” Sands added.

The Marblehead student photographers featured in the exhibit are Owen Dulac, Sydney Berman, Evan Carroll, Colin Hart, Charlie Roszell, Caroline Crosby and Campbell Crane.

In the Hooper Mansion’s ballroom, works by new MAA members will be displayed.

“There will be a wonderful variety of painting, photography and 3D work,” said MAA Art Chair Lisa Richardson Bach.

Some of her own bead and glass work will be featured.

Other exhibits include: “The More We See” by Abby Record: “She paints based on her expansive travel; you’ll see sites like museums and people enjoying themselves,” Richardson Bach said.

“Encore Provence” by Linda Lea Bertrand: These

“Impressions on Canvas” is a retrospective by artist Birthe Peterson Winer, who died last year.

The “Encore Provence” by Linda Lea Bertrand.

This piece is featured in the MAA’s new members exhibit.

Teens’ photographs are featured in the MAA’s new exhibits opening March 1.

plein air paintings of New England landscapes have an “impressionist color sense,” according to Richardson Bach.

“Art as the Pulse of

Birthe Peterson Winer: This is a retrospective of works by a longtime MAA member who passed away in 2024.

These exhibits run through

Economics” by Elisa Zhang: This teen artist is a student at Phillips Academy who works in pottery, photography and fine art.

“Impressions on Canvas” by

COURTESY PHOTOS

April 12. Entrance to the MAA is free and open to all.

For more information, visit marbleheadarts.org.

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A14

marbleheadcurrent.org

A14 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Marblehead Current

FOOD 101

Winter citrus brings sunshine to the kitchen

BY LINDA BASSETT In cold or warm weather.

In a blizzard or a drought. At home or on vacation, I like to cook. On the weekends, on weeknights.

To me and my family, cooking is a contact sport.

We cook old favorites.

We like to create startling new recipes by adding unanticipated ingredients to the mundane.

Discovering a new ingredient or playing around with a familiar one is always a revelation.

Last week, I found piles of sumo oranges in the grocery store. Huge and lumpy with mottled skin, they’re not for the decorative fruit bowl. I bought a few. I found that the uglier the exterior, the sweeter the fruit.

What was that about books and their covers?

Right next door sat a pile of equally ugly “blood oranges.”

Not ready for a close-up like Florida beauties, their bruised skins were colored orange and rust with hints of magenta. But cut one open and, inside — a glorious ruby red. My thoughts rushed to the unopened jar of capers in my pantry. And how blood oranges might spark life into an old favorite recipe.

I also had a drawer full of golden onions. I could use them with the oranges. Double gold!

But how else to use the sweet onions? I grabbed some peppered bacon and headed for checkout. I had the inkling of an idea: my cache of precious maple syrup and good bourbon. I would make marmalade. Definitely not for breakfast toast. But put it beside a steak or a chop, and ahhh!

I tossed sliced onions into the hot bacon with its fat and slapped on the splatter guard to avoid hours of clean-up. The onions simmered in the bacon renderings until they were deeply golden and meltingly tender. I separated them into two batches, finishing one with a healthy dollop of maple syrup, the other with an equal amount of bourbon. Piled on hearty crackers and topped with a fat crumble of blue cheese, a few (well, more than that) were an indulgence that required only a leafy green salad for dinner.

Next the blood oranges.

A favorite lemon-chicken dish begged for a makeover, so I substituted switched out the citrus. After searing off the chicken pieces, I built a light sauce with onions, chicken stock, wine and chopped parsley.

(Parsley and rosemary are the only decent fresh herbs this deep

CURRENT PHOTOS / LINDA BASSETT

Chicken with blood orange sauce served over bitter greens with roasted potatoes showcases winter citrus at its finest.

saved orange slices and shower parsley over the top.

BACON ONION MARMALADE WITH MAPLE SYRUP OR BOURBON MAKES ABOUT 2 CUPS, EASILY DOUBLED

Marmalade is somewhere between a jam and a preserve, both smooth and with tantalizing bits of the ingredients.

Ingredients: » 4 strips lean bacon, chopped » 2 large sweet yellow onions,

thinly sliced » 1/3 cup water » 2 tablespoons golden raisins » Pinch cayenne pepper,

optional » 2 tablespoons maple syrup

or good bourbon, or more to taste Sumo oranges, known for their lumpy exterior and sweet flesh, bring unexpected flavor to winter cooking

into winter.) A handful of capers and the freshly squeezed red juice brought it to life. When the chicken made friends with the sauce, I piled it all on top of a heap of bitter greens. (The warm sauce advantageously dressed and enhanced the greens as well as the chicken.) Dinner on one platter.

CHICKEN WITH BLOOD ORANGE SAUCE MAKES 4 SERVINGS.

The small amount of flour here thickens the sauce slightly as it reduces.

Ingredients: » 4 boneless, skinless chicken

breasts » 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

» 3 tablespoons extra-virgin

olive oil, plus more as needed » ½ large sweet yellow onion, sliced thinly » ¾ cup chicken stock » ¼ cup white wine » 4 teaspoons drained capers » 2 blood oranges, cut in half » ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley Instructions:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and lightly flour on both sides.

Slice one orange thinly; set a few slices aside for garnish.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Do this in batches so the pan is not crowded. Set aside on a plate.

Add the onions to the skillet; cook, scraping up any browned bits on the surface of the pan, over medium heat until tender.

Add stock and wine to the skillet.

Keeping the heat steady, let the mixture bubble so that the sauce reduces. Be careful not to burn the onions.

Turn the heat down to low.

Stir in the capers, the onion slices that are not set aside and squeeze the juice of the second orange into the pan. Let the sauce bubble about 2 minutes longer. Return the chicken to the pan so that it heats through.

Use tongs to move the chicken to a serving platter; pour the sauce over the top. (Discard the cooked oranges; there are fresh slices waiting.) Garnish with the

Instructions:

Cook the bacon in a deep skillet, until done but short of crisp. Drain out most of the fat, leaving enough to coat the bottom of the skillet.

Add onions to the skillet, cooking on medium to low heat so they do not burn.

Add water, raisins and cook, covered, over low heat for about 45 minutes.

Take off the cover; add the maple syrup or bourbon. Raise the heat to medium and cook 2 to 10 minutes longer. Use warm or cold. Store in a tightly covered jar in the refrigerator.

Linda Bassett lived in Marblehead for years and has worked as a cook, trained up-andcoming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book, “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.

Keep devices germ-free in cold and flu season

BY STEPHEN BACH

As cold and flu season arrives, you may already be washing your hands, covering your cough and staying away from people who are sick. But have you thought about the germs on your devices?

Items like smartphones, tablets and computer keyboards come into contact with our hands many times a day, which means they collect plenty of germs.

Before you begin cleaning, it’s important to power down your devices. Turn them off or unplug them, so you don’t risk damaging them or hurting yourself. Once your device is

off, choose the right cleaning supplies. A microfiber cloth is soft and won’t scratch screens or surfaces. You can use disinfecting wipes approved for electronics or a cloth lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol.

Stay away from harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, as these can damage screens and other parts of your devices.

Think about the areas you touch most. Keys on a keyboard, power or volume buttons on a phone and the case around your tablet all collect germs. Wiping these spots at least once a day can help keep them clean during cold and flu season. If you use a protective case on your phone or tablet, be sure to remove it and wipe underneath as well.

It’s also crucial to keep your

Think about the areas you touch most.

hands clean. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — or using hand sanitizer when you don’t have a sink nearby — will reduce the number of germs you transfer to your devices. Even a freshly cleaned phone will not stay germ-free for long if your hands are dirty.

When cleaning with liquids,

always spray or pour the cleaner onto the cloth first rather than directly onto the device. Too much moisture can harm your phone or tablet, especially around ports and other openings. If any liquid drips or pools on your device, gently wipe it away right away.

Making cleaning a habit is key.

Try to wipe down your devices at least once a day during flu season. If you share a laptop or tablet with family members, clean it more often. Everyone in the household should remember to clean their hands before using shared devices.

You can also practice safe

sharing by wiping the device between users — especially if someone in the house isn’t feeling well. When it’s time to put your device down, keep it on a clean surface or in its case. Avoid leaving your phone or tablet on messy counters or tables, where germs can spread easily.

By following these simple steps and creating a routine, you’ll help protect yourself and others from cold and flu germs.

A little prevention goes a long way. Taking a few minutes each day to clean your devices can make a big difference in staying healthy all season long. As always: stay safe out there!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs in Marblehead.

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A15

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, February 26, 2025 A15

Headlight

Shining a light on the news you care about!

Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community 2024 - 2025 Issue

www.mhsheadlight.com

February 26, 2025

Tri-M’s Valentine's Day coffee house Nassa Warab, Freshman

On the night of Tuesday, February 11th, Tri-M hosted their annual Valentine's Day Coffee House show at Marblehead High School. The event consisted of a fun combination of musical performances, desserts, and socialization. With ticket prices at $5 per student and $10 for adults, every dollar earned went directly to the Save the Music Foundation., which is a non-profit organization dedicated to making sure that all schools and communities are able to reach their full potential in music education.

The Valentine's Day Coffee House event was a way to give students who attend Marblehead High School the opportunity to showcase their musical talent. Any kind of musical performance was welcome, ranging from singing to trumpet solos, and from acoustic guitar songs to piano and cello duets. The show was open

for any person to come view, giving music lovers the chance to get together and enjoy hearing what the gifted musicians of Marblehead had to offer. The event also provided plenty of delicious desserts and beverages, such as sugar cookies, cupcakes and lemonade.

The Tri-M Music Honors Society is a program from the National Association for Music Education, or NAfME. This program is a part of thousands of schools world-wide, but is run by the students themselves, and it is supervised by at least one teacher at every school it’s present in. This initiative was made to empower young musicians and inspire them to achieve their full musical potential.

The Tri-M Music Honors Society, working together with the Save the Music Foundation, just goes to show how performers can empower other performers and make sure every student has the chance to explore their creative identities through music.

Semester in review Evan Eisen, Junior, and William Pelliciotti, Junior

The first semester of the 2024-25 school year was certainly one to remember, for better or for worse. The strike that had been long in the making for the Teachers Association finally occurred from early to late November, leading to students having to spend three weeks without school in the middle of the year. While it was nice at the time to have almost three weeks off, it has now become miserable having to sit in almost empty classrooms during what was supposed to be our February vacation.

While the strike put a damper on the first semester, it wasn’t all that bad. The track team has made it to the All Stars season. Most of the winter teams have made the tournament cut-off. There was also the Powderpuff game back in November, when Marblehead got another win against archrival Swampscott, where many came and showed tremendous school spirit. Also in November, during the consequential presidential election, a new club called the MHS Democrats helped encourage members in the community to go vote and make their voices be heard by standing outside and holding signs. In the Music De-

partment, there were great performances like the winter concerts and performances by our MHS acapella groups.

While all this has been going on, the administration has taken new measures to try to improve the school. Students were shocked to see that the bathroom doors were removed due to a “loss of control” from students who were vaping and vandalizing the bathrooms. A petition was created which garnered support and ridicule from many. In the petition, it was argued that by removing the bathroom doors and forcing students to stay in the cafeteria during lunch the school is becoming a prison. Is it actually a similarity if prison inmates are forced to go to the bathroom in their cells without any privacy due to a “loss of control”?

Even with the disappointing first semester, there was still a lot of good that happened during this time. We showed as a school and community that we can persevere through any challenge and come out stronger. Whether it be a three week teachers' strike, or having less privacy when you're trying to use the bathroom, Marblehead High School isn’t what it is without the students who make it up. Hopefully, we will have a much better second semester.

A. P. Research Fair Dear MPS Administrators, Students design, plan, and impleSchool Committee, and Commu- ment a yearlong investigation to nity Members: address their research question.

Through this inquiry, they further You are cordially invited to the the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course (a prerequisite) first annual AP Research Fair by learning research methodolWhere: Marblehead High School ogy, employing ethical research Library practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students then reflect on their When: Feb. 26, 2025, 4 - 5 PM skill development, document their Visit with our 8 pioneering stu- processes, and curate the artifacts dent researchers and learn about of their scholarly work through a their college-level investigations process and reflection portfolio. into topics such as biology, ki- The course culminates in a 20nesiology, psychology, political page academic paper and a prescience, practical and performing sentation with an oral defense. arts, and music and learning.

Contact: feins.robin@marbleheadAbout the course: schools.org (with any questions).

AP Research Students deeply explore an academic topic, problem,

Headlight Staff 2024 -2025 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Benji Boyd

ASSISTANT EDITORS: Grey Collins, Kathleen Hanson, Georgia Marshall

FACULTY ADVISOR: Thomas Higgins

REPORTERS: Nathaniel Carper-Young, Anna Baughman, Anya Kane, Evan Eisen, Niko King, William Pelliciotti, Peter Sullivan, Nasira Warab, Grace Wolverton, Madalyn Gelb, Teagan Freedman, Samuel Jendrysik, Nicholas Jones, Arabella Pelekoudas

CP_MBHC_20250226_1_A16

marbleheadcurrent.org

A16 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Marblehead Current

For over 200 years, Marblehead Female Humane Society has remained faithful to its original mission of quietly and respectfully helping Marblehead residents in need.

This Week at The Landing Dive into a week of excitement at The Landing!

Join us for a week packed with live music, our weekly wine & dine special, Sunday brunch and more!

If you’re struggling to pay your bills or are experiencing a sudden and unexpected financial hardship, we’re here to help.

Individual requests for financial assistance must be referred through a third party for consideration.

We urge you to contact our partners listed below, or speak to your local clergy to request assistance from Marblehead Female Humane Society: Marblehead Counseling Center 781-631-8273

Funbucket Live Music Thursday, Feb. 27th in the Pub starting at 7 PM Sunday Brunch 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Host Your Next Event with at The Landing Our venue is perfect for your next celebration, from birthdays to corporate gatherings to weddings.

Marblehead Housing Authority 781-631-2580

Wine & Dine Monday-Wednesday 4 PM - 9 PM Choose: (2) First-course dishes (2) Second-course dishes (1) Bottle of wine From our exclusive Wine & Dine menu - All for just $80.00

Marblehead Council on Aging 781-631-6225 Marblehead Food Pantry 781-631-8340

81 Front Street Marblehead, MA 01945

www.marbleheadfemalehumanesociety.com

T HE L ANDING

thenewlanding@aol.com (781)-639-1266

thelandingr estaurant.com

Simplify Your Life ENRICH YOUR DAYS

Imagine the possibilities: How would you spend your day if all household tasks were taken care of for you?

To learn about our wonderful way of life at The Mariner Call: 781.731.1583

Discover Marblehead’s first and only Senior Living Community Independent Living, Assisted Living & Avita Memory Care 265 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA MarinerMarblehead.com

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW