05.15.2024 - Volume 2, Issue 25

Special Town Meeting ‘almost certain’

BY WILL DOWD

Marblehead has rejected a controversial zoning proposal aimed at complying with a state mandate to promote multifamily housing. However, town officials say the issue is far from settled, making it almost certain a special Town Meeting will be scheduled later this year to

revisit the matter.

With a 377-410 tally May 7, Marblehead joined several other municipalities in Massachusetts pushing back against the Dec. 31 deadline imposed by the MBTA Communities Act. The law requires 177 cities and towns to create new zoning districts permitting higher-density residential development.

“It’s almost certain we need to schedule a special Town Meeting later in the year,” Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Marblehead Green Implementation Committee. “We have no other option but to get into compliance before the end of the year.”

Kezer expressed confidence that that proposal will ultimately

garner enough support from residents, because of the need for more diverse housing options in the community.

“We have lots of seniors who want to stay in Marblehead but not necessarily in big homes,” Kezer said. “And there are many young people priced out of the market. This plan aims to create those options.”

BY WILL DOWD

The Broughton Road public housing community may soon undergo a major transformation, as the Housing Authority explores a $67 million redevelopment proposal in partnership with WinnDevelopments. The project aims to renovate the current 62-unit development, built in the 1950s, and add 35 new affordable housing units, creating what officials describe as a modern, mixed-income community with enhanced amenities and green spaces. At an April 30 meeting, the proposed redevelopment sparked both excitement and concern among residents and Housing Authority commissioners. While the project promises improved living conditions and community enhancements, questions have been

raised about the complex funding process, the financial impact on the Housing Authority and taxpayers, and the potential of displacing current residents.

WinnDevelopments ranked ‘highly advantageous’

MHA Executive Director Cathy Hoog and housing consultant Emily Achtenberg recently conducted a proposal evaluation, ranking Winn as “highly advantageous” based on its experience and capacity. Winn was the sole bidder to the request for proposals. With a portfolio of 100,000 units nationwide, including 50,000 affordable units, Hoog and Achtenberg said the company has a strong track record in public housing redevelopment.

“Winn is an experienced developer, owner and manager of multifamily

rental housing,” Hoog and Achtenberg noted in their evaluation. “The company has substantial experience with similar public housing redevelopment in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland and elsewhere.”

Proposed site plan, housing mix

The plans designed by Copley Wolff Design Group, the architecture firm hired by Winn, include a new mixed-use community development featuring a range of housing options and amenities. The proposed site plan, as shown in Winn’s proposal, incorporates green spaces, pedestrian-friendly elements and a community pavilion.

The Broughton Road development proposal outlines plans for a 97-unit affordable and low-income housing

The Planning Board’s proposal sought to zone 58.4 acres to allow approximately 897 multifamily units across three districts, surpassing the state mandate. These districts included parts of Tioga Way, Pleasant Street and Broughton Road.

Search for interim super narrows to two

Teachers union files grievance against district, board BY LEIGH BLANDER

The School Committee has voted to move forward with two interim superintendent candidates: Swansea Superintendent John Robidoux and Hingham interim Student Services Director Barbara Cataldo.

At a virtual meeting on May 10, Chair Sarah Fox said she would schedule site visits to Robidoux and Cataldo’s districts and then invite the candidates to interview with students, staff and community members here in Marblehead. Meanwhile, on Friday Glover’s interim Principal Dan Richards wrote to families that the finalist for the permanent Glover principal, Chris Norkun, declined the offer. That search will begin again.

The School Committee meets next Thursday, May 16.

Grievances and complaints

Contract negotiations between the Marblehead Education Association and School Committee continue to be strained.

The MEA submitted a grievance to interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness and filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the district and the School Committee regarding the “removal of union signs,” according to a message to union members.

“We were informed on March 15, 2024 to remove all union signs,” the MEA wrote to the Current. “We replied with a cease and desist letter due to a violation of our union rights. The district continued to remove our signs. On March 20, 2024 we sent another demand to cease

Marblehead on Friday night.

BY WILL DOWD

Marblehead recently borrowed

$2.31 million at a favorable 4% interest rate, saving taxpayers over $23,000 by benefiting from its AAA bond rating despite a high-interest environment.

The money will be used for various municipal projects, including:

$1 million for the Abbot Public Library, which is expected to be completed by June 2024.

» $1 million for the road and sidewalk repair program.

$312,000 for town departments IT equipment and software upgrades.

“The financial advisors said the town would likely get a 5% rate,” Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin said. “We answered some preliminary financial questions given the negative town news available (regarding Marblehead fiscal woes). The town was awarded a 4% rate.”

Select Board members said it is excellent news for Marblehead taxpayers, as the town’s AAA bond rating, which is similar to an individual’s credit score, has

allowed it to secure a low-interest rate. The rate indicates that the town is a low-risk borrower and has a strong ability to repay its debts.

Over the life of the oneyear loans, taxpayers will pay $92,223.11 in total interest versus $115,278.89 at 5%.

Marblehead has also been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Government Finance Officers Association for its fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023.

According to the GFOA, this award recognizes the highest principles of governmental

budgeting and a dedication to clear and transparent financial reporting.

“The GFOA demonstrates that the foundation has been laid for the integrated fiscal planning across town and the capacity to build strong multiyear projections efficiently and reliably,” said Select Board member Moses Grader. “I cannot emphasize enough how far Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, Aleesha and their team have advanced the resource management function of the town.”

Free facilities stickers for vets among other votes on night two

BY LEIGH BLANDER AND WILL DOWD

While the proposed zoning changes were the most hotly debated topic of the second night of Town Meeting, voters made several other important decisions that evening. Here’s a recap:

Free Transfer Station, beach stickers for vets

Marblehead veterans will be able to get free Transfer Station and beach stickers, thanks to a citizens petition that passed 343 to 192. It was sponsored by local vet Charles Nordstrom.

“There are 750 veterans in town; 360 of them from the Vietnam era,” Nordstrom said. “After doing our service, we’re asked to pay again. I don’t think anyone here wants us to pay twice. I think it’s just fair to the veterans to take that into consideration.”

Resident Jay Michaud stood and spoke in support.

“I didn’t serve, but I have three sons and a grandson who have. They paid for their stickers a long time ago with their blood and sweat,” he said. “They were protecting us so we could live the way we are. If you don’t vote on this, I can’t understand why.”

The measure could cost the town $56,000 a year, according to Finance Committee Vice Chair Molly Teets.

New development/planning department

Town Meeting approved a new Community Development and Planning Department, 373-360.

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer said the new department will be led by a director responsible for a wide range of issues, including economic development, housing policy, transportation, historic preservation, sustainability, open space conservation and neighborhood improvement.

The department will also focus on supporting Marblehead’s business community, aiming to increase tourism and help generate new growth opportunities.

Several residents spoke against the change, including resident Bill Kuker.

“We already have an Old and Historic Commission, the Historic Commission and the Marblehead Museum. We have a Traffic Advisory Committee. We have a Conservation Commission,” Kuker said. “This is putting too much authority in the hands of one department. I recommend that we shoot this thing down.” Kezer said the goal of this department is to support the work of all those committees that Kuker mentioned and bring a level of expertise to the table.

“It’s more of a relationship

with the boards and committees,” he said. “It gives them more resources to actually implement their vision and be more effective in these matters for the town. We really feel this is important for Marblehead to protect what it has.”

Funding for the new positions, including the director, town planner, grant writer, will come from the municipal budget, COVID relief funds and salaries of positions vacated by retirements, such as the town engineer. The reorganization is expected to be achieved without increasing expenses, as the Department of Public Works will absorb the engineering responsibilities.

Shake-up for Assessing Department

Residents approved moving the Assessing Department and assistant assessor under the supervision of the finance director. Meanwhile, an article to change the Board of Assessors from an elected to an appointed board was indefinitely postponed.

The votes come amid ongoing concerns from residents about the fairness and consistency of recent property revaluations and a surge in abatement applications. The board reported receiving around 340 abatement requests, a sharp increase from the typical 90-100 filed annually, and returning $541,000 to about 80% of those who sought them.

Kezer, who proposed the articles, said during the meeting that placing the Assessing Department under Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin will “improve the services in the assessor’s office” and align with state Department of Revenue best practices. He noted the assessor’s department is responsible for 85% of the town’s property tax revenue and should help Marblehead better catch new growth.

Resident Albert Jordan voiced support for Article 35, saying, “This needs to be changed for

some accountability.”

Fee hikes

Voters approved more than 30 fee increases, which are part of a broader strategy to modernize the town’s fee structure and generate additional revenue.

The increases include the following:

» Building Department: Minimum permit fee rising from $30 to $50, re-inspection fee from $50 to $70, and various other fees increasing by $20.

» Plumbing and gas: Fees for services like remodeling and boiler installation will increase by over 60%, with basic fees jumping from $30 to $50.

Electrical: Cost for electrical services will see a 67% increase, with specific fees for motor installations soaring by 133%.

Town Clerk: Dog licensing fees will rise, with the cost for a spayed or neutered dog increasing from $15 to $20, and from $20 to $25 for an intact dog.

Public restrooms

Voters approved a citizens petition to refurbish the State Street Landing public restrooms and keep them open year-round.

“A new efficient gas furnace would be installed and connected to existing ductwork, the water and gas would be turned back on, and the facilities would be restored,” said Philip Blaisdell, who sponsored the article. “We’d have real public restrooms again.”

Leaf blowers

Several people spoke against three citizens petitions to expand the town’s summer gaspowered leaf blower ban. The changes would have made the ban year-round and apply to town employees, not just residents and landscapers. One article would have fined landscapers, in addition to homeowners, who

violate the ban.

“Some people can’t take no for an answer,” said resident Ben Cleary about supporters of the new articles. “Our time is valuable away from our families, our friends and other commitments, and here we are talking about leaf blowers — again. I for one am fed up with this topic.”

Several landscapers complained about the expense of electric leaf blowers, adding that they don’t work very well.

A few people spoke in support of expanding the ban, but to no avail.

“This is a public health issue. It’s not good for any of us,” one resident said, referring to the environmental and health effects from the blowers’ noise and fumes. “We have not been successful enforcing the partial ban.”

Voters approved indefinite postponements for all three leaf blower articles.

Select Board terms

Former Select Board member Buck Grader spoke in support of his citizen petition to rescind last year’s Town Meeting vote to move to staggered, three-year terms for the Select Board.

Grader’s article was rejected after current Select Board members Alexa Singer, Erin Noonan and Bret Murray spoke against it.

Recalls

A recall petition that would set up a process for voters to recall elected officials came up for discussion after 11 p.m. Sponsor Daniel Donato made a motion to indefinitely postpone it, and voters agreed.

Three petitions authored by traffic safety advocate Dan Albert failed or were pulled by their sponsor.

Other petitions, including appropriating funds for a new town website and a change in the shed size bylaw, were indefinitely postponed.

CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer addresses Town Meeting.

John DiPiano, an outspoken opponent of the zoning article, urged Marblehead state Rep. Jenny Armini to take action to give municipalities more flexibility.

“What I think should now happen is that our representative, Jenny Armini, should be proposing an emergency amendment to c. 40A so that towns can opt in or opt out without the threat of reprisal,” DiPiano wrote in an email to the Current.

Armini blamed the spread of misinformation for stoking opposition to the plan, which she believes residents will ultimately support once the facts are clear.

“Many were using their vote to protest the law itself,” Armini said, “but the law wasn’t up for a vote at Town Meeting. We woke up Wednesday morning with the same law. Nothing has changed. Our job was to vote on the plan to implement it.”

‘Waiting costs us very little’

The closeness of the 33-vote margin underscored the divisions within the community on the issue, said Select Board Chair Erin Noonan.

“The misinformation circulated leading up to it points to the need for more discussion before the town bumps up against the year-end deadline,” Noonan said. “The law is the law. Last night’s vote doesn’t change that.”

Noonan stressed that the quality of the Planning Board’s proposal was never criticized, aligning with the town’s existing housing plans. She emphasized that while municipalities may

disagree with state interventions on land use and housing policies, they are ultimately obligated to follow the laws enacted by the Legislature and governor.

“State intervention in municipal land use policy is as common as state intervention in building and public health codes, school operations and curricula and environmental regulations,” Noonan said. “To pretend

and desist, but the district continued to removing our signs. On March 26, we sent a letter stating that we would comply and remove our signs pending

our grievance and ULP charge. We also requested that any union signs removed by the district be returned to the MEA.”

The MEA planned to present its grievance on May 13 at the MPS administrative offices on

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At Town Meeting, resident William Ayer argued the MBTA Communities Act is “actively being challenged” through litigation and that Marblehead should delay its decision until December to potentially benefit from the outcome of a significant court case involving another town’s noncompliance.

“Waiting to see the outcome

Widger Road. The union encouraged members to come and hold signs “in a demonstration of solidarity.”

Earlier, the School Committee filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the MEA over

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costs us very little,” Ayer said.

The case Ayer referenced involves a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Andrea Campbell against Milton for failing to comply with the zoning requirements.

The SJC case

Milton had initially adopted bylaws permitting over 2,500 new multifamily housing units near transit, following the state mandate. However, residents later gathered enough signatures to force a ballot measure repealing those bylaws, prompting the attorney general’s legal action.

The high-stakes case is set to be heard by the state’s Supreme Judicial Court in October. If the court upholds the attorney general’s enforcement powers, that could set a precedent statewide.

At Town Meeting, Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin warned that rejecting the zoning changes jeopardized Marblehead’s eligibility for millions in state funding programs related to housing, climate resiliency, public works infrastructure and other municipal needs.

“We’re waiting for the state to advise us what options we have,” said Planning Board member Edward Nilsson, expressing hope the town avoids punitive measures like those faced by Milton. “Hopefully they won’t sue the town or take away grants that are in the pipeline.”

Planning Board member Barton Hyte said it would be “extremely unlikely” that a single additional housing development would have been built had Town Meeting OK’d Article 36.

the union’s practice of bringing 50 or more silent representatives to bargaining sessions. The School Committee has asked that the union keep the number of silent reps to seven. Meanwhile, the MEA met with School

“The way we crafted the overlay district was to have at best a minimal effect on the town,” Hyte told the Current on Friday.

Nilsson deemed the proposal a “very well organized and well laid out plan” requiring what he believes to be little to no revisions. Instead, he suggested efforts should focus on more effectively communicating the financial and long-term benefits to residents.

“The correction is ... getting the word out to the townspeople that — for financial and longterm reasons — they should support this 100%,” Nilsson said. ‘Sham, sham, sham’

During the debate, tensions boiled over when resident Angus McQuilken made a motion to reconsider the zoning article after many opponents had left. As Town Moderator Jack Attridge entertained the motion, some of those remaining yelled, “Sham! Sham! Sham!”

Even after the motion to reconsider failed, anger with the proceedings lingered. Apparently misinterpreting Attridge’s invitation to run for moderator in a subsequent election, resident Tom Peach approached the stage with an audience microphone, seemingly intent on taking over the meeting immediately. When Attridge resisted, Peach threw the mic and his voting clicker on the stage before storming out in protest.

Police Chief Dennis King said that while the incident involving Peach was concerning, he doesn’t anticipate criminal charges.

Leigh Blander and Kris Olson contributed reporting to this article.

Committee reps for the latest round of contracts talks on May 9.

“Once again, the School Committee refused to discuss our many common proposals, which include

language to ensure safe and supportive schools, paid parental leave and equitable benefits across all our bargaining units,” the MEA wrote to its members after the meeting.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Resident Tom Peach throws an audience microphone on the stage at Town Meeting on May 7.

Opinion

EDITORI a L

Lots to chew on

Now that the dust — and thrown microphones — have settled, a few reflections on Marblehead Town Meeting 2024:

First, the good: The clickers were a hit, and the technology functioned just fine for the most part. We tip our caps to the League of Women Voters, whose tellers served the town well for many years when hands needed to be counted. But knowing a precise vote total in a matter of seconds was satisfying and promoted transparency — never a bad thing in government.

There is a small matter of parliamentary procedure that needs to get ironed out before voters next pick up their clickers. Marblehead Town Meeting has long operated with the rule that for someone to present a motion for reconsideration proposing to retake a prior vote, they must have voted on the prevailing side in the original vote — in other words, that they are trying to reverse a vote they originally supported, perhaps because of a misunderstanding or new information came to light or perhaps — and more cynically — because they want to undo the majority vote once the prevailing side has left the building.

How do we now establish that someone voted on the prevailing side initially? Are we removing this requirement? This issue does not rise to the level of abandoning the use of clickers. But it will come up again and should be resolved, one way or the other.

The success of the clickers also got us to thinking of other ways technology could enhance the Town Meeting experience.

As Major League Baseball fans know, the sport now uses a “pitch clock” to speed up games. Massachusetts’ appellate courts have visible timers to keep advocates mindful of how much time they have left to state their case.

The appeals court example is particularly instructive, as the justices always have the option of allowing lawyers to go over their allotted time, if they have unanswered questions or are otherwise finding the presentation helpful. The presence of the clock puts a positive type of pressure on speakers to focus their remarks.

The town moderator should similarly retain the discretion to extend a speaker’s time. But the equivalent of a “pitch clock” could help rein in those sprawling Town Meeting debates.

We also think it would be helpful if the people in the main auditorium could see and hear the people in the gymnasium and vice versa. It would be better if we could foster the sense that everyone is attending the same meeting, rather than treating those in the gym as faceless second-class citizens.

If it is a capacity issue, perhaps there could be broader collaboration between the School’s technology department and MHTV. Just a thought.

Now, the not-so-good: We share the dismay of those like letter writer William Hewig (see Page 5) about the breaches of decorum during the proceedings. The microphone-and-clicker-throwing incident was the most conspicuous, but there were others, as Hewig notes.

We agree with those who believe that there should be some sort of repercussions for the microphone throwing, lest the message be conveyed that such behavior is at all acceptable. Our public safety officials may also want to review how they responded at the moment. Chances of actual violence may have been remote, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

The subject that stirred the most passion, of course, was the MBTA Communities Act, and the one thing that we can say for sure is that the issue is not going away.

As the debate over the town’s compliance with the act rages on, it may be helpful to stop asking, “What would John Glover do?”

For one thing, as a couple of our letter writers note, discerning how our forefathers might view the MBTA Communities Act is debatable, at best.

Perhaps more importantly, a decision of this significance should be made on facts, not feelings. Town pride and a reverence for the “spirit of Marblehead” is a good thing — to a point. But when it is invoked to gin up a crowd and override reason, that’s where you lose us.

As the proverb goes, “pride comes before a fall,” and in this case, the “fall” could include the loss of significant amounts of state funding and the incurring of significant legal costs. If that’s a path the town wants to go down, so be it. But those advocating that route should stop hiding behind John Glover and stick to the facts. Finally, while Town Meeting is always going to involve a significant time commitment and never going to be convenient for everyone, this year we’ve heard particularly loudly concerns that the timing of the meeting may have disenfranchised some of the very people who might have been most helped by the new housing options the MBTA Communities Act may have created in town — parents who would need to find babysitters to attend or young people whose work hours may not be 9-to-5.

Scanning the auditorium, it seemed few in the crowd were under the age of 40. Some may ascribe the lack of younger faces to sheer apathy, but our sense is it seems that people are simply busy and have other commitments. Town Meeting has been called the “purest form of democracy,” but there is little “pure” to a process when it erects barriers to participation for one demographic group. What might a more inclusive Town Meeting look like? Some towns hold Town Meeting on a Saturday and knock out all of the town’s business in a day, which might be easier for young families to fit into their schedules. With other democratic processes — most notably early voting and voting by mail — there has been a broad recognition that participation should be paramount. Perhaps Town Meeting should change with the times, too.

GUEST COMMENTa Ry

Community thrives in Marblehead

BY DOUG SHUBE

Marblehead is a special place, for so many reasons. It’s where I grew up. It’s where I went to school. I met my best friend of 30 years in Mrs. Spillane’s kindergarten class at Glover. I remember Sunday morning bike rides down the tracks with my family to The Muffin Shop and then games of hide-and-go-seek at Old Burial Hill. Summer days at Grace Oliver Beach. And it is, of course, where I first found my love of wine and cheese in the family business.

Having lived in Boston for the past 14 years I have a unique perspective. I love the energy of the city, and yet I see daily a fusion of that kind of energy together with the serene allure of Marblehead. What I appreciate most though is the intrinsic sense of community that defines our coastal town, a sentiment that I witness firsthand at Shubie’s.

We celebrated our 75th anniversary as a local business in 2023. If you have not read the Current story about it, let me give you the Cliff Notes version. In 1948, my grandfather, Bill Shube, bought a liquor license and opened the original liquor store (known as D.J. Colbert) and he rented the space from his parents in the building next to Shube’s Supermarket. Today’s version of Shubie’s is the descendant of that liquor store.

My dad, George, came home from college in 1977 and took it over. In 1986, my dad moved the store across the street to 32 Atlantic and renamed the store Shubie’s (his nickname). In 2005, Shubie’s moved to its current location at 16 Atlantic, a building we designed and built to reflect our neighborhood with the help of local architect Erling Falk. My parents really wanted the new store to become a community gathering place of sorts and it’s so special for us to see that it has. We really like to think that it’s a happy store, and I hope that you agree with me. There is a lot of hugging in our store! Whether it’s friends reuniting over lunch in the café or simple chance encounters at the prepared food counter or in line at the register, these moments display that special bond shared by Marblehead residents. You come here to shop: for your home — to

decorate your indoor and outdoor spaces; for special occasions — Mother’s Day, weddings, baby showers and birthdays. That makes it special for us, too.

And then there is the bond formed between our staff and our guests: Kevin remembering your favorite wine, George recommending a new find, Carol handing out samples just because she wants to make your day a little better, Tammy or one of our team members at checkout entering your frequent buyer account before you even step up to the counter, or Alex knowing your salad order. They are all part of that. But I think it goes beyond that. There have been real friendships formed over the counter from countless visits.

On a personal level, my family feels this community connection daily and we try to support so much of what we think is integral to this town — arts, sports, an informed citizenry — and to the values we share with so many of you. There are too many to list, but here are some of our favorites: Dollars for Scholars, Epstein Hillel School, Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools, Marblehead Festival of Arts, Marblehead Museum, Merry Mixers, My Brother’s Table, NAGLY, Plummer Youth Promise, Rotary Club of Marblehead and SPUR.

That is also why we are fans of the Current and and are offering our Shubie’s Community Challenge.

While many of you often express your gratitude with sentiments like, “I just don’t know what we would do without Shubie’s,” trust me when I say that the feeling is mutual and that we do not know what we would do without you. You welcome us into your homes and share your lives with us. You share those precious moments with us. It is the greatest privilege we could ask for. It is something that we consider with every decision we make within the store. For us, it is always about this community.

To me, Marblehead symbolizes this sense of calm, consistency and this overall warmth.

I think it’s why so many people always end up coming back to Marblehead. Community thrives here and relationships are fostered. And while I may live in Boston, Marblehead will always be home..

Doug Shube is the general manager at Shubie’s Marketplace.

Our intern’s guide to surviving Town Meeting

BY MAX ARBO

As a young person in today’s society, it can be frustrating witnessing people make decisions based on the past and present when you are the future.

Turning 18 is a big time of transition in every teenager’s life. It gives us our first tastes of adulthood with new freedoms and responsibilities, including what I consider possibly the most important: Becoming a voting member of your community which, as a resident of Marblehead, means attending Town Meeting.

Proudly called the oldest and purest form of democracy, Town Meeting is a revered part of our town’s history and culture, but with all its hype and the excitement happening in country-wide politics, it’s easy to forget that decisionmaking in democracy is often boring ... and our town meetings are no exception.

Despite its monotony, I urge Marblehead’s younger generations to attend Town Meeting, if not to represent the future, then to at least practice surviving boredom at times — that alone is an invaluable skill to have.

I turned 18 last October, and my first Town Meeting had almost everything I imagined, complete with tech issues, topics flying over my head and plenty of audience dissent. It was a great new experience.

While I advocate for young people to stand up and voice their opinions at the microphones in the aisles, I’m also intimately familiar with our generation’s common fear of public speaking. If the pressure of speaking will only discourage you from attending Town Meeting, don’t force yourself; your vote is still your voice. Just remember that many people would love to hear from us and value what we have to say.

So, how do you survive your first, fifth, or 20th Town Meeting? Here’s my advice:

Do your homework. While reviewing the entire Town Meeting agenda might help, most of it will fly over the average resident’s head. I recommend focusing on the articles currently causing a stir in town and the news and having some understanding of the options before going into the meeting. If you’re going to speak on a topic, pay attention to what others have to say. We often get tunnel vision when we have something to say and only focus on our thoughts. Many people might have the same point as you. Additionally, as William Shakespeare wrote, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” You have two minutes (not that anyone is

CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD

Residents of Marblehead line up outside the Performing Arts Center at Veterans Middle School to attend the first night Town Meeting on May 6.

LETTERS

‘The Spirit of ’76 marches forwards, not backwards’

To the editor:

At Town Meeting on Tuesday night, someone mentioned the founders would be turning in their graves if they heard of Marbleheaders acquiescing to the will of the state; I dispute this notion entirely.

If the founders were indeed restless in anger, it would be a result of the cowardice of many in this town amidst the winds of change. If the Marbleheaders of old were so concerned with keeping everything “as is,” then we would have opted to remain colonial subjects of a king across a sea. Instead, we saw what change was coming in the winds of history and bravely set our sails towards the storm.

Any fear as a result of the MBTA Communities Act is unfounded. We cannot go backwards, the state says we cannot stay the same, so like the heroes of old we must go forwards, asking ourselves how we can make Marblehead better. We should not settle for the bare minimum, for that is true acquiescence to power.

Marblehead is a town built on Revolutionary spirit with a track record that few could ever dispute. This Revolutionary drive was founded in an age full of those looking towards the future of their nation, their commonwealth, and their proud home in Marblehead. The founders were concerned with the great questions of their age and fought a war to craft a nation that would last centuries. This town has been on the forefront of that history, looking towards the questions of the next decade or the next century, ever since its conception almost 400 years ago. The great character and charm of this town comes not from the old houses and halls from those eras past, but from our fervent spirit and a will to rise to any occasion. So, when the Commonwealth’s courts decide the MBTA Communities Act is constitutional, we should vote “yes” on a robust zoning plan that expands our renowned historic downtown and give property owners the right to build the density that Marblehead both deserves and needs. When the next Town Meeting is called, join me in voting “yes” on a zoning plan that marches proudly towards the future — alongside the Spirit of ’76.

Peirce Law Devereux Street

‘It’s morning time in Marblehead’

To the editor:

On May 6, attendees at Marblehead’s Town Meeting voted against a rezoning proposal submitted by the Planning Board.

I spoke in favor of the proposal, arguing that it would bring more housing choice to Marblehead’s retirees, working families and young residents. And I had advocated for the proposal in these pages. So when I was asked after the vote how I felt, I think my questioner expected disappointment or frustration. But that isn’t how I feel at all. Since 1970, our town has lost about 1,000 residents. That is, in part, a consequence of choices

the town has made in relation to housing. But those choices have come with costs. Our public finances are strained and the core issue driving our budget challenges is trying to maintain town services and school funding on a shrinking tax base.

For 50 years, the town has been willing to make that tradeoff. But on May 7, 377 residents voted for a new course at Town Meeting. We were defeated by 33 votes. To put that in perspective, that’s a margin of 4% of total votes cast and represents just 0.2 percent of registered voters in town.

And we were defeated on the second night of Town Meeting when it is more difficult for many residents to attend, while facing off against a wellfunded “no” side able to spend thousands of dollars on mailers and yard signs, and which deployed every procedural tactic available to them on the night.

If you were one of the 377 “yes” voters on May 7, don’t be disappointed or frustrated. Be energized by the number of people in town who want more freedom and choice over housing.

The day is long folks, and dawn is breaking. It’s morning time in Marblehead.

Nick Ward Rolleston Road

Lessons from contentious town meeting

To the editor:

Here are a few lessons to be learned from Town Meeting’s May 7 convening.

(1) The moderator has the right, power and duty to regulate or control the meeting so that the public’s business can be conducted in an orderly and respectful manner. Persons who are disorderly should be given one warning and if their disruptive behavior persists, the moderator has the legal right and power to order a constable to remove and confine the offender until town meeting is over. For “confine,” read the word “jail.” As Tuesday night’s meeting devolved into chaos, the moderator could and should have taken forceful action to control it. His failure to do so only threw fuel on the fire.

(2) Disorderly behavior includes continuing to speak or shout after the moderator has asked the speaker to conclude remarks; shouting from the audience when another speaker or the moderator is speaking; disobeying the moderator’s instructions to be silent or to conclude remarks at the microphone so that the meeting may continue and so that others may speak; and, most especially, assaulting the people on the stage and damaging and destroying public property.

(3) One person, in particular, could and should have been arrested. That person interrupted the procedure, grabbed and removed a microphone from its stand (so that other speakers could not use it), paraded to the front of the room, harangued the moderator, and then when retreating turned and, facing the people on the stage and threw the microphone at them. That offense consists of, among other things, assault and destruction of public property. Question for the moderator and the town’s Select Board: What are you going to do about this? Will you, or have you filed a complaint against this offender? If not,

why not? If you permit this to go unpunished, you will be writing a blank check for more in the future.

(4) Our democratic bodies operate under rules we call parliamentary procedure. Town Meeting members are charged with knowing the rules that govern their meeting. There is a rule that permits a member to move for reconsideration after an article has been voted. Anyone who leaves Town Meeting before it is adjourned does so at his or her own peril. There is no excuse for resorting to near-mob violence because a particular faction of the meeting might be unaware of the rule. Here again, the moderator had the right, the power and the duty to intervene and restore order to his meeting.

And finally, last night, Gen. John Glover’s name was repeatedly invoked for all the wrong reasons. The main complaint of Glover and the other founders whose names were similarly invoked (including Thomas Jefferson) against British rule was that laws were being imposed upon colonists by a king and his ministers without the vote of a popularly elected legislature where the colonists were allowed to elect their own representatives. Regardless of whether Chapter 40A is good or bad, right or wrong, it came from a popularly elected legislature where we have a right to elect our representatives. That is what Glover and Jefferson were FOR, not against. The suggestion that Thomas Jefferson, John Glover and other sundry founders were “rolling over in their graves” in response to the proposal for a local zoning bylaw in Marblehead was, in addition to being slightly ridiculous, a monumental miscarriage of history.

Our town can do better than last night. Our moderator can do better than last night. We can all do better than last night. It is upon all of us and our leaders to ensure that we do so, and that the conduct that despoiled last night’s meeting and disgraced our town’s proud history will never again be tolerated.

William Hewig Rockaway Avenue

‘It’s time for Rep. Armini to represent us all’

To the editor:

Eighth District Representative Jenny Armini was recently featured in a local newspaper guest column gushing about the collective good allegedly to be served by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts force feeding G.L. c. 40A (MBTA Community Zoning Act) to the town of Marblehead. Like a porcupine swallowed by another animal, however, that act was not ingested at Town Meeting on May 7. A majority of Representative Armini’s constituents in Marblehead rejected her advice to just take the medicine as it comes or else.

Not only did Representative Armini feature all the good intentions and vibes that come along with allowing developers to come into town and construct high-density multifamily dwellings “as of right” to use the terms of Section 3A of the statute, she — and others in favor of this overreach — provided a detailed rendition of the evil that would befall Marblehead should it decide to determine its own land use fate.

isle awkwardly shuffle around to let you out of your seat to use the bathroom might be the most exciting thing to happen

» Charge your phone beforehand. Whether you’re

One may form the notion that not only was the in terrorem aspect of the Healey-Driscoll administration’s approach to this “mandate” something about which Representative Armini and the G.L. c. 40A acolytes quick to outline — it was something they took pleasure in threatening opponents with.

There is a clue about the duties and obligations of the job in its title: “representative.”

The title should clearly indicate to Ms. Armini that her job isn’t to espouse and shove doctrine she personally believes down the throats of her constituents — which include everyone in her district whether or not they voted for her. Her job is to represent those constituents in the Massachusetts legislature –as a whole. It sometimes seems that she (and other legislators) lose sight of that fact far too often.

A majority of Representative Armini’s constituents in Marblehead spoke last night –and they were loud and clear. Not only was Article 36 of the town warrant defeated, a particularly underhanded attempt to disenfranchise the majority by motion to reconsider, filed after 300 or so people left town meeting, was resoundingly also rejected by those who hung in there.

So, it is time for Representative Armini to sharpen her pencil and get to the representation part of being a representative. There is a split in the constituents of the 8th District. Some towns have or will vote to comply with G.L. c. 40A. Marblehead has voted not to do so. Representative Armini should get to work filing emergency legislation for towns and cities to safely opt in or out of compliance. That very issue is now pending before the Supreme Judicial Court as I understand it. But we need not wait for a decision; the legislature can act.

So, I call upon Representative Armini to propose an amendment to G.L. c. 40A to make it clear that the choice is up to the cities and towns as to whether they do or do not wish to adopt the MBTA overlay scheme without fear of reprisal. Because that would be what it would take for her to do her job and represent us all. Representative Armini may be reached by email at Jennifer. Armini@mahouse.gov or via telephone at 617-722-2140. Please make your voices heard and call and write your 8th District representative and ask her to get to work representing the whole of her constituency.

John G. DiPiano Trager Road

‘A fine example’ of how to handle Town Meeting

To the editor:

As the dust settles from Town Meeting, a few thoughts on the debate on Article 49. Although it was late at night on the second day of an otherwise contentious meeting, Buck Grader and the debaters on both sides of the Select Board terms issue presented their points in a thoughtful, respectful and civil manner. Town Moderator Jack Attridge tallied the votes, announced the result and efficiently moved on to the next article. A few days after Town Meeting, although we differed on this issue, Buck and I had a nice discussion about the various issues facing Marblehead and the

checking the local coverage for an easier-to-digest version of what’s happening in front of you or doing today’s Wordle, there’s no judgment for being on your phone. If entertainment from your

nation. It is my humble opinion this is a fine example of the way the town’s business should be conducted.

Jim

Zisson Mound Road

Structural deficit in school budget needs to be addressed

To the editor:

While I appreciate the efforts the School Committee has made to offer a budget that is more realistic in terms of need, I am mystified as to why there is a crisis in the district’s budget that continues year after year, unsolved.

There appears to be a structural deficit impacting adequate funding of the schools that the town leaders and community are not talking about. What is the plan longterm? We need to address that instead of putting our head in the sand and wishing it away. I read in the Current that the recent budget still needed to close a gap and chose to cut positions and increase fees on families and students. Frankly, those are always the “go to” categories and I’m sick of it. Typically teaching positions or support positions are the ones that are cut. What about administrators or the superintendent’s office? Or some other area? It seems purposeful as these are the two categories that most get everyone impacted riled up and fearful.

I am looking for visionary, creative, thoughtful leaders to address the issues that may be hard to raise but that we need to face.

It’s time for a change.

Sandra Broughton Nicholson Street P.S. I don’t currently have children in the school system, although I have family employed by the district. However, I care deeply about the quality of our schools and supporting our educators and students now and for the future.

Supporting our veterans

To the editor:

I was more than a little disappointed hearing that our state legislature rejected amendment 698 to a House bill which would prioritize housing and other expenses for our veterans and their families before illegal “migrants.” Close to $75 million per month of our state taxes are funding emergency shelters for these non-citizen alien families while some of our veterans are homeless. Adding all the other living expenses — food, clothing, healthcare etc. — these sanctuary costs will be approaching $2 billion over two years. Shame on those 129 legislators who voted down this amendment that would at least put our veterans first for these benefits. So where is our state Rep. Jenny Armini and our loyal minority opposition party leader Massachusetts Republican Chairwoman Amy Carnavale on this issue … crickets?? And please don’t use the excuse Massachusetts is a “right-toshelter” state. Change the damn law and put some priority criteria in it like American citizen veterans are first in line. Otherwise, not happy ladies. R.A. Erbetta Chestnut Street

phone isn’t for you, other popular Town Meeting pastimes are dozing off or knitting.

Max Arbo is working as the Current’s intern for his MHS senior project.

Stone & Compass cancels student trips worth thousands

BY LEIGH BLANDER

It’s graduation season and Marblehead High School is celebrating its senior class with festivities throughout the month. It all culminates with graduation on Friday, May 31, at 6 p.m. at Piper Field.

Valedictorian Katherine Twomey and Salutatorian and class president Clara

Donovan will speak at the ceremony. MHS concert choir and a capella groups Luminescence and Jewel Tones will perform. Twomey said she will head to Dartmouth College this fall with “a lot of good memories” from MHS sports. She played soccer all four years and was captain for indoor and outdoor track.

Founder

BY LEIGH BLANDER

The student-focused travel group Stone & Compass, based in Marblehead, says it was the victim of a financial crime that has forced it to cancel at least six student trips. One of those cancellations prompted two complaints filed against the nonprofit with the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

A spokesperson for the Florida AG’s Office said that such complaints are typically referred to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the state agency that regulates charities and non-profits.

Stone & Compass was scheduled to lead a trip for

Marblehead High is a great community with great teams,” she said. Her favorite classes over the last four years were AP Bio and AP Physics. She hopes to major in biology. Her advice for younger students? “Remember to have fun and appreciate the moment. It’s easy to get caught up in school stuff, sports and extracurriculars … and all of that is important for college … but also spend time with friends.”

more than 100 students, family members and chaperones from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida, next month. The trip, to Greece and Italy, cost $3,550 per person. The Current has obtained an email sent May 9 by Stone & Compass to Seabreeze teacher Chris Weinrich.

“As of today, Stone and Compass is in the unfortunate position of having to cancel all of its programs and we have begun the process of filing for bankruptcy,” the email read.

“We are all in shock that after 15 years, our company has come to an end.”

Stone & Compass founder Rob Goodwin told the Current on May 13 that the company

Highlights for the approximately 220 MHS seniors this month: Friday, May 24: Last day of classes for seniors Tuesday, May 28: Scholarship night, where local scholarships will be handed out to seniors

started — and then canceled — bankruptcy proceedings and is now in the process of “restructuring.”

Goodwin said Stone & Compass was recently the victim of an $895,000 fraud and was working with authorities in New York and Florida on the investigation.

“We have started to right the ship,” Goodwin said. “We have since talked to some donors, and we’re trying to go in a completely different direction.”

On May 10, Goodwin said Stone & Compass was moving away from college trips to focus on high schools.

“We made a decision to get out of a bunch of our programs and downsize, to get back to the things we love to do,” he said.

He said the organization was also moving to Bulgaria, where it

Wednesday, May 29: Senior prom at the House of Blues in Boston Friday, May 31: Graduation

MHS Principal Michele Carlson reflected on her first year as principal. “I cannot believe how fast it’s gone,” she said.

Celebrate spring with these MHS concerts

BY LEIGH BLANDER

The community is invited to hear performances of the MHS acappella groups including Luminescence, The Grizzlies and The Jewel Tones at Marblehead High School this Friday, May 17, at 7 p.m. There will be a special guest performance by the Salem High School Witchpitch group. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for seniors. Tickets at the door. Cash, check and Venmp accepted/ MHS is also presenting back-to-back spring concerts next week.

Admission is free and the community is welcome.

Spring Instrumental Concert

Monday, May 20, 7 p.m.

The MHS jazz band, chamber orchestra, concert band and orchestra will perform at the Veterans School Performing Arts Center.

Spring Choral Concert Tuesday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. The MHS treble

CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD

wait to collect their diplomas at the MHS 2023 graduation. This year’s ceremony will be May 31.

COURTESY PHOTO

MHS Class of 2024 valedictorian Katherine Twomey

Navigating anxiety in today’s teens

THOMAS A. MASSARO

M.D., PH.D

The mental health of adolescents is emerging as one of the most significant public health concerns in the post-pandemic world. Prominent health organizations like the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have declared a crisis in children’s and adolescents’ mental health. This situation is generating considerable debate at many levels about the root causes and, most importantly, regarding the potential solutions.

The role of phones in adolescent anxiety

Jonathan Haidt, a New York University social psychologist, is one of those who have been actively addressing this issue. His latest book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” has rapidly gained attention for its insights into the impact of digital culture on our youth. Haidt summarizes its message in two sentences: “We have overprotected children in the real world, and we have underprotected them in the virtual world.” He is concerned that the phone-based

“We have overprotected children in the real world, and we have underprotected them in the virtual world.”

childhood is replacing the traditional, play-based learning experience with significant consequences for healthy development and maturation.

Understanding the impact of phone use on our teens

Haidt identifies four key areas of concern regarding excessive screen time and phone use:

Social deprivation: Teens are missing out on face-to-face interactions, crucial for emotional and social development.

Sleep deprivation: Good sleep habits are vital for everyone’s health and well-being. Excessive screen time is affecting sleep patterns of many teens. Attention fragmentation: Constant digital notifications disrupt sustained attention, affecting learning and increasing stress levels.

Addiction: The compelling design of social media platforms

can lead to addictive behaviors.

Females and males show different patterns of response to phone use

Because females and males are not identical physiologically, they can, and often do, respond differently to the potential harms of excessive screen time.

Females: Girls spend more time on social media platforms which can encourage negative selfimages and lead to harmful social comparisons. As a result, they are much more likely to demonstrate isolation, anxiety and depression. They also are much more subject to sexual harassment and attacks by internet predators.

Males: Boys use video games to substitute for play-based risk taking. As a result, they can be less well-prepared for the normal risks and challenges of becoming young adults in the real world. Boys also show much greater use of internet pornography, which may retard their

social, sexual and romantic development.

Practical steps for parents

Haidt recommends several practices to mitigate the potential harms from excessive phone use:

Promote real-world interactions: Encourage teens to engage in local community activities, sports and clubs that foster real-life connections and face-to-face contact.

Establish tech-free zones and times: Implement rules that restrict the use of smartphones during family meals, before bedtime and while studying.

Monitor and set boundaries: Use content filters and monitor phone usage to protect against inappropriate content and excessive use, especially for younger teens.

Encourage physical activity and outdoor play: Support and facilitate outdoor play, which has been displaced by digital entertainment but is crucial for physical and mental health.

Educate about the risks: Discuss the potential negative impacts of excessive phone use with your children to make them mindful about their own screen time.

Community and school involvement

Beyond individual

parental actions, schools and community-wide initiatives can reinforce these practices:

Phone-free schools: To enhance focus and reduce distractions, Haidt advocates making schools phone-free for the entire school day and not just in individual classes.

Enhanced recreational facilities: Schools and communities can work with local government to improve or create public spaces that encourage physical activity and social interaction among teens.

» Vocational and educational programs: Programs that offer practical skills and alternative learning environments should be encouraged. These can be particularly beneficial for teens less inclined toward traditional academic paths.

Important government actions

At the highest level, government should support major preventive strategies and public health policies:

» Accountability: Tech companies should be held responsible for the harm their devices cause when the harm is documented. (The U.K. is moving in this

direction and other nations are considering this as well.)

» Limit access to the youngest teens: The age when children can have their own phones and obtain apps should be raised from 13 to 16, and age verification practices should be strengthened.

Child-friendly spaces: More and better realworld learning can be incentivized by encouraging more play in schools, designing more public spaces with children in mind and developing more vocational education programs.

Conclusion

The current generation of teens faces unique challenges to their mental health which must be addressed with the highest levels of urgency. There are several meaningful proactive practices available to families, schools and communities, and government agencies that can help foster a healthier, more balanced upbringing for children in this increasingly digital world.

This column is part of a Marblehead Current and Marblehead Mental Health Task Force partnership. Dr. Thomas Massaro is a Marblehead resident and retired physician.

complex, featuring a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. The project will offer units at different affordability tiers. Out of the total 97 units:

» Thirty-five will be designated as Low Income Housing Tax Credit units.

People earning 60% of the Area Median Income will be eligible to live there. The AMI in Marblehead is $114,250 for a single household and $163,000 for a four-person household.

Eighteen units will be allocated for LIHTC at 30% AMI.

» Six housing units will be eligible for subsidies under the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. These subsidies cover the rent up to the amount designated as the Fair Market Rent for the area, which the U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports is $1,960 per month for a onebedroom apartment.

Thirty-eight units will be eligible for subsidies under MRVP. These subsidies will cover the rent up to the amount designated as the FMR for the area at 110% — which the HUD reports is $2,156 per month for a onebedroom apartment.

The average unit sizes are approximately 700 square feet for one-bedroom apartments, 900 square feet for two bedrooms and 1,100 square feet for three-bedroom apartments.

Financing concerns and funding options

“It’s a $67-million proposal, which is a lot of money,” Commissioner Pam Foye said at the April 30 meeting. “I didn’t understand the breakdown of that.”

Hoog said the redevelopment project will not rely on financial

contributions from local resident taxpayers. Instead, the project will seek funding through various state grants, state-allocated tax credits and other sources

“The public process for permitting and feedback will be sought and local residents’ feedback will help drive the process of design,” said Hoog. “Renovation projects of our existing sites rely on state funding and grants to complete those projects. We get approximately $500,000 per year to manage capital improvement needs” across the Housing Authority’s 307 units.

Hogg is exploring various funding options to support the project’s development in collaboration with Winn.

The funding process for such projects is complex and requires multiple applications to different sources, she said.

“We have to be chosen for awards, so the design and process has to be very well done, very well thought out and include strong community backing,” she noted. “That’s a process that takes a significant amount of time.”

Moreover, the Housing Authority is considering applying for low-income housing tax credits as a major

source of funding and plans to apply for the Public Housing Innovations grant through the Executive Office of Housing and Community Development. Winn would carry debt through a mortgage or loan, while the housing authority would apply for project-based vouchers to fund operation costs and ensure affordable rent payments for residents.

Hoog mentions that they will also “apply for various numerous grant opportunities/initiatives to help us fund the construction of environmentally astute designs,” including grants for green heating and cooling systems, removal of contaminated components, and high-efficiency equipment.

Hoog believes that the end result is worth the effort.

“It is a long complex process with complicated applications and legal requirements,” Hoog said, “but it is all worth it for the end product.”

As they continue to investigate the feasibility and design of the project, Hoog said they will apply for additional grants to support their consultants, including legal fees and development consultant fees. Relocation concerns, project timeline

A significant concern is the

comprehensive relocation strategy for existing residents.

Broughton Road primarily accommodates families, and the latest occupancy data reveals that the Housing Authority serves 257 individuals in family housing developments, of which 120 are children under the age of 18. The redevelopment plan necessitates the temporary displacement of residents during construction, sparking apprehensions about the risk of permanent displacement and the disruption of established community connections. It’s not known where the residents will go during the project.

Select Board Chair Erin Noonan chairs the Housing Production Plan Committee and serves on the Fair Housing Committee.

“They just got the RFP,” Noonan told the Current. “I hope they have to have a plan to minimize disruptions and keep people.”

While she hasn’t had time to digest all the proposal’s details, Noonan said she trusts Hoog to properly execute displacement logistics.

“If this project moves forward, we will begin hosting community meetings to seek feedback from our residents and community stakeholders,” Hoog said. “It

will be very important for MHA to ensure the community has information about our project that is accurate and informative so we will regularly host opportunities to share updates and answer questions.”

The projected timeline for the project has also drawn scrutiny. Once the project starts, construction is expected to take 18 months.

“The schedule, which sounds very long, but it actually makes sense for the type of development they’re doing, would use the remainder of this year for further development of the design and redevelopment concept and due diligence,” Achtenberg said. “[We would] spend the next year doing permitting and submitting\ funding applications in 2025 and early 2026, get approvals later that year and close on the project at the end of 2026, followed by an 18-month construction period.”

The MHA commissioners OK’d Hoog and Achtenberg to proceed with negotiations with Winn to refine the proposal and establish terms for a potential Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU would be executed concurrently with the official designation of Winn as the project’s developer.

MHA

From P. A1

A conceptual site plan for the proposed WinnDevelopments housing project along Broughton Road shows a pedestrian-friendly layout with green spaces, community amenities and a mix of housing options.

BY RICK CUZNER

A couple weeks back, a friend of mine alerted me to a yellow-crowned night heron in his yard near Naugus Head. I found this interesting as I do not often see them in Marblehead. I see the black-crowned night herons often, but not so much the yellow-crowned night herons. Now it appears a pair have taken up residency in the bird sanctuary on Marblehead Neck. I was able to get

MANAGEMENT DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Robert A. Erbetta

P.O. Box 44, Marblehead, MA 01945 (617) 293-8512

raerbetta@comcast.net

a few photos, but they continue to be fairly well hidden.

The yellow-crowned night-heron is a coastal wading bird that visits Massachusetts, but it’s not seen very often. It passes through the state mainly in the spring and fall while migrating.

This stocky heron gets its nickname “crab-eater” from its strong bill that is perfect for cracking open crab shells. The yellowcrowned night heron has

a distinct look with black, white and gray feathers, a thick black bill and long pale legs that stick out far behind its short tail when flying. Its loud call may be your first clue that this secretive bird is hiding in the coastal marshes.

The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner. For the past 16 years, he has taken thousands of nature photographs.

LOWER SCHOOL

COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER

Two yellow-crowned night herons sit in the Marblehead Neck bird sanctuary. These elusive birds, typically seen during migration, have recently taken up residence in Marblehead.

Sports

Magicians bounce back from non-league loss to beat NEC rivals Gloucester, Peabody

BY JOE MCCONNELL

After dropping their first two out of three games this spring, the Marblehead High boys lacrosse team (9-3) has won its next eight out of nine, the only loss was against non-league Bedford, N.H., 18-4 on May 3. The Granite State team is one of the favorites to win the state title this spring. The Bulldogs, coached by former Magicians assistant Drew Bourdeau, are

ON THE DI a MOND

ranked second in the New Hampshire High School Sports coaches poll, as of May 6. Bishop Guertin occupies the top spot, and Portsmouth is third.

In the Bay State, the Magicians are ranked 23rd in Division 2, as of May 10.

Since that loss in New Hampshire, coach John Wilken’s squad got back on the winning track with wins over Gloucester (13-7) and Peabody (13-2).

Cam Waldman paced the

Baseball Magicians collect ninth win

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The baseball Magicians (9-5 overall, 7-4 in the NEC) secured recent wins over Gloucester (7-1, May 6) and Swampscott (2-1, May 9). Their only loss that week was a 6-1 setback against Masco on May 7.

The game against the Fishermen concluded the home and home series between the two Northeastern Conference (NEC) rivals separated by three days. In the first meeting at Gloucester on May 3, the Marblehead boys came out on top, 5-3. It took almost four hours and 12-innings to decide the outcome.

The rematch was a more conventional game at Seaside Park. Senior pitcher Matt Mahan (4 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 strikeouts) got the win, before junior Carter Sahagian (0 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts) relieved him to earn the three-inning save.

The Magicians grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. The visiting Fishermen got one back in the second. The home team scored twice more in the fourth, and then closed out the offense with three two innings later.

“Timely hitting and solid pitching were the keys to this game,” said coach Mike Giardi.

The Magicians were credited with 10 hits. Charlie Sachs led the way with three singles, driving home one run. He also scored once. Stef Shepard was credited with a single and a

double. He knocked in a run, and scored three times. Brooks Keefe also chipped in with a single and a double, and was responsible for two RBI. Bodie Bartram (1 RBI), Riley Schmitt (1 run) and Chris Cannuscio (1 RBI, 1 run) each singled once.

Marblehead then welcomed the Big Blue to the high school JV field three days later, because Seaside was unplayable due to the wet conditions.

“It was an absolute pitcher’s duel, with Chris Cannuscio (7 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts) hanging on for the 2-1 win. He struck out the final batter of the game with the tying run on second,” said Giardi.

Swampscott’s Justin Spear did a great job in limiting the home team to just three hits and zero earned runs, while fanning six.

A couple of walks and an error led to two runs by the Magicians in the first, and as it turned out that’s all they’d need to get the win.

Keefe accounted for two singles and one RBI to pace the offensive attack for the locals against Swampscott. Freshman Greyson Leventhal singled once.

The Big Blue tried to rally in the seventh, but could only get one back.

The Magicians will head to Swampscott May 16 for the rematch, beginning at 6:30 p.m. They took on Bishop Fenwick May 13 and Beverly May 14 prior to that contest after press deadline.

offensive attack against the visiting Fishermen with four goals and two assists.

Freshman Will Sullivan accounted for two goals and one assist. Charlie Grenier chipped in with one goal, while assisting on three others. Gio Garibotto and Greg Motorny were credited with two goals apiece.

Reece Moore contributed one and one to the winning cause.

James Bickell tallied once. Drew Nelson setup one score. Goalie

Finn Gallup did his part in net with five saves.

Against host Peabody, Moore was the scoring leader with two goals and three assists, Waldman had the hat trick. Jack Whipple and Grenier helped out with two goals and one assist apiece. Garibotto came up with two goals. Motorny and Bickell ended the game with one goal apiece.

Sullivan was the assists leader with three, along with Moore.

Cam Harvey picked up his first

varsity career assist. Gallup once again frustrated the opposition, this time coming up with nine saves.

The Magicians have since taken on Masco on May 13 after press deadline. They will then be on the road in Winthrop to face the Vikings May 15, starting at 4 p.m. Non-league Lexington comes to town on Saturday, May 18, to go up against the Marblehead boys at Piper Field, beginning at 3 p.m.

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High boys and girls spring track teams began a brand-new month with a tri-meet against Swampscott and Masco on May 1. The boys (2-3) recorded a split decision, beating the Big Blue, 85-51, while losing to the Chieftains, 89-48. The girls (3-2) experienced similar results, also defeating Swampscott, 105-31, but ended up losing to Masco, 79-57.

Girls discus Rachael Albert took second with a throw of 104-4, falling to Masco’s Sophia Doumas after beating her in the state relays on April 26. Hannah O’Brien (89-4) ended up third, and Lillian Reddy (59-8) came in seventh.

“It was a bit of a comedown

since their big win in the state relays,” said coach Danny Plunkett. “They are all throwing well.”

Boys discus Tucker Crane (97-10, personal best throw by 6.5feet) accounted for fourth place. Angelo Knight (93-9,

personal best by 18-inches) came in fifth. Freshman Logan McRae-Hughes (73-5) landed only one marked throw.

“It was a completely normal level of volatility for a freshman, but understandably frustrating nonetheless after

COURTESY PHOTOS / ANGIE FISCHER

Marblehead High girls spring track junior Campbell Crane and her sophomore teammate Addison Rotigliano participates in the 100-meter hurdles during the tri-meet.

Marblehead High girls spring track junior Sierra Leinberry throws the javelin. TRACK,

COURTESY PHOTOS / CHARLOTTE MOORE

Marblehead High boys lacrosse player Bodie Smith guards his Peabody counterpart closely during the May 9 game.

Marblehead High boys lacrosse goalie Finn Gallup is the last line of defense, while a couple of his defenders, J.J. Pollender and Wilson Bullard, hold their positions to prevent this Peabody forward from getting off a clean shot.

BOy S L a X

his performance at the state relays,” said Plunkett.

Boys javelin

Phineas Jakious had a great throw of 126-8, just a foot short of his best, but still finished fourth behind the incredible Masco lineup, according to Plunkett. Knight (106-1) took a step in the right direction by turning in a solid season best throw, but not a personal best, said Marblehead’s throwing coach. Alex Humphreys (86-10) and Thomas Asci (46-9) also competed in this tri-meet.

Girls javelin

Albert (87-8) was credited with another second-place finish, missing the top spot by just a little more than a foot. Sierra Leinberry (76-3) came in second. Julia Betz was back over the 50-foot mark with a throw of 50-2.

Boys shot put

The Masco boys took the top four spots, but their Marblehead counterparts of Crane (32-0, season best), Colin Hart (318), Jakious (30-4) and McRaeHughes (28-9.5) also had solid throws.

Girls shot put Reddy (28-9) came in second. O’Brien threw 22-2, though she had a longer throw that was perhaps erroneously called a sector foul, according to Plunkett. Naomi Goodwin (217.5) was credited with a modest one-inch personal best throw. Loren Liu (19-8.5) rounded out the shotput squad.

Boys two-mile Nate Assa (10:24.9) came out on top. Jonah Potach (10:46.2, personal best) finished fourth overall. Ryan Blestowe (11:11.7), a staple in the mile, stepped up to finish fifth overall at the longer distance.

Girls two-mile Cat Piper (13:00.7) accounted

COURT NEWS

for a second-place finish. Maren Potter (13:56.4) finished fifth overall, third against Masco, while running a remarkable sub seven-minute mile. Shannon Hitscherich (14:32.1) has found success in both the mile and two-mile this spring. In the two-mile, she finished seventh overall, and was fourth against Masco.

Boys mile

Isaac Gross (4:36.3) and Will Cerrutti (4:36.9) topped the ticket. Will Cronin (4:58.9) cracked the five-minute barrier, as he continues to run well in his senior year.

Girls mile

Jesslyn Roemer (6:10, personal best) led the way for Marblehead to finish third overall, second against Masco. Evelina Beletsky (6:50.1) was ninth, and Thea Shaw (6:56) 10th .

Boys 800

Will Cruikshank (2:09.4) finished fifth overall. Zach Pyke (2:18.5), who has had great success in the mile this spring, stepped down to the 800 to finish ninth. Gavin Birke (2:44.7) was 12th .

Girls 800

Kate Twomey (2:32.8) finished second, just one-second behind Masco’s Ellie Green.

“It will be exciting to see the two match-ups in a few weeks at the conference and state championship meets,” said coach Will Herlihy.

Juliet Burchfield (2:53.1) ended up 11th after also participating in the 400-meter hurdles.

Girls 100

Sadie Halpern (12.9) bested the entire field. Ava Machado (13.0) was right behind her in second place. Cora Gerson (13.7) came in sixth.

Boys 100

Thomas Carlson (10.9) remains the fastest sprinter in the NEC after running a sub 11 to win the dash. Jacob Bobowski (11.5) ran one of his best races of

the season to finish third. Ryan Corrigan (11.8) was fourth.

Girls 200

Two of the best sprinters in the NEC (Northeastern Conference) — Marblehead’s Sadie Halpern and Piper Testa of Masco — faced off in this event, where Halpern (26.2) ended up second in a photo finish behind Testa’s 26.4. Manuela Puente (26.7, personal best) was third. Lucy Flynn (27.7) settled for sixth in a competitive race.

Boys 200

Owen Newburg (24.7, personal best) led the way for Marblehead to finish fourth. Isaias Aguasvivas Pena (25.2), back after a month-long illness, was close behind in fifth place. Jack Burke (25.5) was seventh.

Girls 400

In one of the fastest 400 heats of the NEC season, Ava Machado (63.5) finished third. Charlie Roszell (64.0) was fourth, and Sydney Ball (67.0) sixth.

Boys 400

Henrik Adams (54.7) was the Marblehead leader. Carlson (56.8) stepped up from his traditional 100/200 to run the 400 for training purposes, according to head coach Nolan Raimo, and finished fifth overall.

After battling through a tough 4x100 relay, Slater Johnson (63.4) was able to finish sixth.

“Henrik stepped down from the 800 to run the 400 as a part of his training plan, and while a 54.7 is a great time, Masco, like on the girls side, is incredibly strong in the long sprints,” said Raimo.

Girls 400-meter hurdles

Grace Mortenson (76.7) battled through to remain undefeated on the season. Juliet Burchfield opened up with a nearly perfect first 150 meters to lead by a significant margin, but then she caught a hurdle awkwardly, which unfortunately ended her race, according to Raimo.

Boys 400-meter hurdles

Alex Hersey (61.2), in only

his second career 400-meter hurdles, finished on top. Nate Jendrysik (66.7,personal best) came in fourth. Hart (68.7) was fifth.

Girls 100-meter hurdles

Paige Tredwell (16.6, personal best) went to the head of the class. Elise Burchfield (17.1) was a close second. Mortenson (19.1) came in fifth.

Boys 100-meter hurdles

Hersey (15.2) continues to dominate to remain undefeated. Without blocks, freshman Noah Jackson (17.7, personal best) still came in third. Elian Colon (18.4) finished fourth.

Girls long jump

Tredwell jumped 16-7 to finish second, while shattering her personal best by over a foot. Halpern (15-9.75) was fourth. Campbell Crane (13-8) stepped up to come in sixth.

“Campbell has answered the call in so many events this season — long jump, high jump, 200, 400-meter hurdles, 100meter hurdles to name a few — that we are fortunate to have her as a jack of all trades, who is able to help us in so many different ways,” said Raimo.

Boys long jump

Hersey (21-2) won the long jump, which, after competing in the 400-meter hurdles, is a fantastic leap, according to Raimo. Carlson (20-5.75) finished second. Ryan Corrigan (18-3) was fifth. Newburg (18-0), making his varsity debut, came in sixth.

Girls high jump

Philine Heuermann and Tredwell (4-10) tied for second.

“The track was wet and slippery, and all the high jumpers were hesitant to plant their heels and take off,” said Raimo. “Philine returned to the high jump after a couple of meets working on the horizontal jumps (long and triple).”

Greta Sachs cleared 4-8 to finish fourth. Elise Burchfield (4-8) ended up seventh.

Boys high jump

Ralph Pierre, Alexander Humphreys and Jackson all cleared 4-10 to tie for fourth. “Alex and Noah are relatively new high jumpers starting this spring, and so far, they’ve put together solid fundamentals that will translate into higher clearances as the season progresses,” said Raimo. “Once the weather warms up and we escape rainy, wet surfaces, Ralph, Alex, and Noah should be clearing 5-2 and beyond.”

Girls triple jump

Heuermann (32-5.5) was the lone Marblehead triple jumper and ended up finishing third.

Boys triple jump

Hersey (42-2.5) made school history in the triple jump, breaking the previous record of 41-7 set in 2012.

“Alex launched a massive jump at the end of last season in the decathlon that was unfortunately a foul, and so it was great to see him land a monster jump like this,” said Raimo. “Also, on this same day, Claudio Gusmao Gonzalez (360) racked up three personal bests in three jumps. Claudio has been jumping consistently well all season long, but it was incredible to see him improve in every single jump at this tri-meet.”

Girls 4x100

Lilah Greten, Puente, Lidia Jasmine Tiedra and Flynn (53.1) finished second overall.

Boys 4x100

Bobowski, Burke, Pena and Johnson (47.7) battled to a fourth-place finish.

Girls 4x400

Olivia Vanden Heuvel, Gabby Hendy, Maggie Miller and Cora Gerson (4:42.2) ran a quality race to end up third.

Boys 4x400

Xavier Grazado, Adams, Eben Weed and Ethan Horgan (3:52.5) ran a great relay to finish second overall.

Magicians persevere, top Beverly, Latin Academy

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High girls tennis team (7-4) played three straight close matches to begin a new month, coming away with two 3-2 victories over Beverly and non-league Latin Academy, only to lose a heartbreaker to Danvers by a similar score.

Against Latin Academy on May 9, the Magicians prevailed with straight set victories in third singles, and first and second doubles.

Maddie Conlon lost in first singles, 6-3, 6-4. Aviva Bornstien was on the short end of the scoresheet in second singles, 6-3,

6-2. But third singles player Sami Dosch provided some winning momentum with a 6-0, 6-1 triumph.

The first doubles team of Lucia Levin and Lani Gilmore remained undefeated in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2.

Reese Friedman and Nina Johnson doubled up their second doubles foes, 6-3, 6-3.

Prior to that win, Danvers pinned a 3-2 loss on its Marblehead counterparts on May 6. The Falcons secured the victory on the strength of their singles players.

Madison Savage defeated Conlon in a competitive first singles match, 7-6 (10-8), 6-2.

Sophie Sanida topped Bornstein in second singles, 6-2, 6-2. Josie Vogel survived a tiebreaker in third singles against Dosch, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).

Aoife Bresnahan and Levin secured the team’s first points of the match in first doubles, 6-1, 6-3. Gilmore and Freedman also enjoyed success in second doubles, 6-2, 6-3.

“Danvers has shown significant improvement the last few years, and it’s great to see, because it brings the quality of tennis up for everyone in the Northeastern Conference,” said coach Tracy Ackerman.

“Sami Dosch had to battle for every point in third singles,

before falling just short. Our doubles teams have been keeping us in matches all season long, and (against Danvers) was no exception.”

On Friday, May 3, the Marblehead girls edged Beverly, 3-2.

Conlon lost to Addie Kontos in a hard-fought first singles match, 6-2, 2-6, 3-6. Bornstein lost to Olivia Devereux in another three-set encounter in second singles, 4-6, 6-2 (8-10). But Dosch got her teammates back on the winning track in third singles against Grace Adams, 6-4, 6-2.

Bresnahan and Levin defeated Clea Shumria and Ella McAleer

in first doubles, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. Gilmore and Freedman took care of Sophia Gallo and Elina Savoia in second doubles, 6-4, 6-4. “Beverly beat us earlier in the season by the same score, so it was important for us to come back and turn the tables on them on our home court,” said Ackerman. “Both teams have mutual respect for each other, showing great sportsmanship. It was the end of a long week for us. It was our fifth match in a row. I was proud of the girls for finishing the week really strong and digging deep to come up with our three winning points.”

Boys tennis dominates Latin Academy for ninth win

BY JOE MCCONNELL

On May 9 in Dorchester, the Marblehead High boys tennis team (7-0 in the NEC, 9-3 overall) prevailed past nonleague Latin Academy, 5-0.

“Our first singles player (senior captain Mika Garber) was injured during warm-ups, but the rest of the team was able to step up to play a very competitive match,” said coach Elisabeth Foukal. “I couldn’t be prouder of how our team adjusted to the lineup change at the last minute to come through

with a convincing win.”

Junior captain Etan Farfel, filling in for Garber, beat Hewitt Ngo in first singles, 6-2, 6-3. Junior captain Jayden Janock defeated Matteas Washington in second singles, 6-1, 6-2. Sophomore T.J.

Kelly completed the singles sweep after surviving a competitive third singles match against Ezequiel Pichardo Diaz, 6-3, 4-6, 10-5. “This was a great tiebreaker for T.J. against the more experienced player,” said Foukal.

Juniors Leo Winocour and Austin Bacon also came out on top in a three-setter against

Duban Salazar and Kapil Parvateneni, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. Junior Anthony Vizy and freshman Ty Cooper maintained the winning trend in second doubles versus Gio Waterman and Jackson Scott, 6-2, 6-0. In sub-varsity play, junior Quinn Fletcher won a singles match, 6-0. Freshmen Alex Boehning and Filip Wabno teamed up in doubles to win, 6-3. On May 7, the Marblehead boys traveled to Danvers to play St. John’s Prep, another non-league opponent. The Eagles, however, shut them out, 5-0, but not before

first singles player Mika Garber returned from his injury to play an impressive match.

Garber took John DeAngelis to a tiebreaker, before falling, 7-6 (7-1), 7-5. “Mika, our senior captain, left his heart on the court,” said Foukal. “He was up 5-2 in the first set and 3-0 in the second, and even though (DeAngelis) evened up the score with some impressive forehands, Mika never gave up, and almost turned the match around.

“I’m proud of how our team competed, and this match will serve us well going forward,” said Foukal.

Farfel lost to Jack Prokopis in second singles, 6-2, 6-0, and Kelly dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision to Luke Free in third singles. Janock and Winocour were shut down by Mark McDuffee and Luke Prokopis in first doubles, 6-0, 6-0. Quinn Fletcher and Bacon were on the short end of the second doubles scoreboard against Alex Melville and Wade Evitts, 6-2, 6-2. In sub-varsity play, freshman Filip Wabno turned in a close singles set, before losing to Charlie Weld, 7-6.

Town navigates preservation, green energy

MAPC awards Marblehead $25K technical assistance grant

BY WILL DOWD

In Marblehead, where centuries-old homes line narrow streets, the tension between historic preservation and environmental sustainability is getting more attention.

The conflict was exemplified last November when Sally Thompson, a Front Street homeowner, lost her appeal to keep exterior electric heating and air conditioning equipment on her historic home. The Select Board sided with the Old and Historic Districts Commission’s order to relocate exterior heat and air conditioning units. Thompson countered the removal would cost upwards of $20,000 and that the energyefficient electric heat pumps advanced Marblehead’s climate goals. But the OHDC and Select Board ultimately determined the visible equipment violated the district’s bylaws.

Now, Marblehead has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to develop guidelines for integrating clean energy solutions into its historic buildings. The town, known for its meticulously preserved 17thand 18th-century architecture, is attempting to address the delicate balance between maintaining its heritage and meeting ambitious climate change goals.

“We want to make sure that we (have) consensus,” said Charles Hibbard, chair of the OHDC. “For something significant, such as if sustainable measures are going to be adopted by the town, we want to make sure that we have a voice.”

Marblehead’s Historic District, established in 1968, is home to around 200 pre-Revolutionary War houses. Bylaws enforced by the OHDC govern visible changes to these buildings, but as the town commits to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, the need for renewable technologies has become apparent.

Some modernization efforts can conflict with preservation. Large-scale renovations, incompatible materials, solar panel installations, modern additions and energy-efficient windows all have the potential to alter the character and appearance of historic buildings.

NEWS IN BRIEF

BY WILL DOWD

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

Ostrovitz receives award for commitment to mental health May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Marblehead Police Lt. Dave Ostrovitz was recognized last week for his exemplary commitment to mental health and crisis intervention training by the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Team Training and Technical Assistance Center.

This year’s award theme, “Integrity, Virtue & Nobility: Creating a Positive Culture,” highlights the crucial role of crisis intervention team officers in fostering a positive police culture and implementing crisis

“You can do things which are energy efficient, the right way and the wrong way,” said commission member Mariana Vaida. “When we tell them we don’t want to see the lighting or a big hunk of plastic on the side, it can perfectly well be done without them being exposed.”

The grant project, titled “Navigating the Nexus of Historic Preservation and Green Energy,” aims to address these challenges. Here are a few areas that could be discussed:

Installing solar panels on historic rooftops can be challenging, such as mounting solar panels on historic slate or clay tile roofs or installing solar panels on rooftops with

historic cupolas or finials. Replacing historic windows with energy-efficient ones can alter the character of a building, such as swapping out historic wooden doublehung windows for modern vinyl or aluminum ones or installing modern windows with a different profile or muntin pattern.

» Adding exterior insulation and finishing systems (EIFS) can impact the integrity of historic buildings, such as installing EIFS over historic brick or wood facades or using EIFS to fill in historic architectural details or ornamentation.

» Installing air source heat

intervention principles both within their departments and in the communities they serve. The event also spotlighted Gina Rabbitt, MPD’s mental health clinician, for her significant contributions to the community and her efforts to promote mental wellness within the police department.

Candidates’ Night on May 21

The Marblehead League of Women Voters will hold its annual Candidates’

Night on May 21 7 p.m. in the Marblehead High library. This forum allows voters to meet and learn about the candidates running for office. The town election is June 11.

Charter School hosts electronics recycling drive

The Marblehead Community Charter Public School, located at 17 Lime St. is hosting an electronics recycling drive on May 18 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and May 19 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The event

pumps (mini-splits) on historic buildings can be challenging, such as mounting outdoor units on historic walls or facades or installing refrigerant lines or electrical connections that alter historic building exteriors.

MAPC will provide research and technical analysis to develop policy goals, set objectives and recommend actions for both energy efficiency measures and decarbonization efforts aligned with Marblehead’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, Logan Casey, the town’s sustainability coordinator, told the Current.

“This is also a great chance for MAPC to bring in a lot of

allows residents to recycle various electronic items, with proceeds benefiting the school’s enrichment program and sports teams. Costs for recycling items include:

» $10 for laptops, desktops, servers, modems, towers, routers and batteryoperated tools

» $15 for a shoebox full of phones, cell phones, chargers, Ipods, Mp3 players, computers/ stereo speakers, printers, copiers and radios

» $20 for flat screen monitors, CRT monitors, A/C units, car seats, microwaves and outdoor grills

$25 for dehumidifiers and humidifiers

» $40 for televisions, lawn mowers without fuel, stoves, washers and dryers

$2/lb for batteries

$15 for vacuums

Visit marbleheadcharter. org or call 781-631-0777 for more information.

regional expertise that they have the knowledge of what other municipalities are doing with their historic conditions,” Casey noted. “The focus is to develop some practical and contextsensitive guidelines.”

Lindsay Randall, a regional humanities specialist at MAPC who will help lead the project, said historic preservation is a dynamic and ongoing process that evolves over time, allowing for change.

Randall said the project will help the town complete one of the actions included in the Marblehead NetZero Roadmap: Creating a “roadmap for the community to embrace clean energy solutions while respecting the town’s conservation goals and architectural heritage.”

Hibbard and his fellow commissioners look forward to a collaborative effort, working with Casey and the Green Marblehead Committee.

As Hibbard put it: “You can either be part of the conversation and part of shaping what will be the standard or the criteria, or you can wait and then be told.”

Casey anticipates the first draft guidelines to emerge in the fall or winter. To follow the project’s progress, visit: bit. ly/3UEIpzY.

Friends of COA to hold annual meeting

The Friends of the Marblehead Council on Aging will hold their annual meeting on May 29 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the VFW Post located at 321 West Shore Drive. The meeting is open to all donors and supporters, who will vote for the upcoming year’s board. Light appetizers and wine will be served for a fee of $10 per person. For more information, contact the Friends of the Marblehead Council on Aging.

‘Header awarded journalism fellowship

Jillian Lederman of Marblheead, who will graduate from Brown University later this month, has been named one of two recipients of the Joseph Rago Memorial Fellowship for Excellence in Journalism. The fellowship, awarded by The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) and The Wall Street Journal, honors the late Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial writer Joseph Rago. Lederman is graduating with a degree in political science and economics, and has been featured in media outlets including The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC and SiriusXM. She is also the executive chair of the Hillel International Israel Leadership Network and president of Brown Students for Israel. As a Rago Fellow, Lederman will work with the opinion section of The Wall Street Journal through a nine-month fellowship beginning this fall.

COURTESY PHOTO

Police Lt. Dave Ostrovitz, far right, with Chief Dennis King and mental health clinician Gina Rabbit.

Jillian Lederman

COURTESY PHOTO / SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVE

The view overlooking the Old and Historic District from the Abbot Hall clock tower’s belfry.

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Sally Thompson, center standing, makes her case before the Select Board to allow exterior air conditioning units to remain on her home in the town’s historic district during an appeal hearing in November.

What boaters can do to help save whales

BY ROBERT HOWIE

This year has seen an uptick in the deaths of endangered North Atlantic right whales. In January, a weeks-old newborn calf was killed off South Carolina and a dead right whale washed up on Martha’s Vineyard soon afterward.

In February, a deceased right whale washed ashore on Virginia Breach and a dead juvenile female was found floating off the coast of Georgia. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, all were killed from blunt force trauma.

One of the top threats to right whales, which traverse the East Coast of the U.S. and north to Canada, is being struck by a boat, which can cause death or injury from blunt-force trauma or propeller cuts. What we know is that speeding boats and whales don’t mix. Slow swimmers, these whales stay close to the water’s surface to breathe and give birth to their calves every year in the warm waters off the southeast U.S. coast. Every day they swim in danger of a boat strike.

Right whales, once numerous off the East Coast, were decimated during the commercial whaling era and have been slow to recover. They migrate annually from calving grounds off Florida, South Carolina and Georgia to feeding grounds off New England and Canada. The journey has become perilous in recent years because

Studies have found that

their food sources appear to be moving north as waters warm. That change causes whales to stray from protected areas of ocean and become vulnerable to collisions and commercial fishing gear entanglements.

It’s estimated that there are just 356 right whales left, including 70 breeding females. That’s down from an estimated 425 just over a decade ago. A recent report released by Oceana found that most boats are violating speed limits through slow zones designed to protect these critically endangered whales.

Oceana analyzed boat speeds from November 2020 through July 2022 in slow zones established along the U.S. East Coast and found that 84% of boats sped through mandatory slow zones, and 82% of boats sped through voluntary slow zones.

Studies have found that limiting boat speeds to 10 knots is estimated to reduce a North Atlantic right whale’s risk of death from being killed by a boat over 65 feet by between 80% and 90%.

In 2022, the federal government proposed new safeguards for these whales, which have yet to be finalized. Current speed restrictions only apply to vessels 65 feet or greater, yet three of the four

known vessel strikes of mother and calf pairs since 2020 have involved vessels between 35 and 65 feet.

Current safeguards are not enough. If approved as drafted, the new rule would update the timing and location of seasonal mandatory slow zones to reflect the current footprint of North Atlantic right whales compared to where the whales were 15 years ago; make compliance with voluntary Dynamic Management Areas mandatory; and expand the rule to include boats 35 feet or greater. The president and the commerce secretary must release the final updated Vessel Speed Rule. And once they do, boaters need to comply, and the rule properly enforced, to save these whales from extinction.

Boaters are key to improving right whale fatalities — all it would take is for boaters to slow down so that these whales have a chance to survive. Long after we’re gone, will our grandchildren even know these majestic creatures once existed? We must make sure that they do.

Marblehead resident Robert Howie is Sailors for the Sea Skipper for Marblehead, part of Oceana, the world’s largest ocean conservation organization. He is a board member of Sustainable Marblehead.

nature to help address coastal resilience

BY STEVE WOLF

Flooding, road closures, shoreline erosion and damage to homes and infrastructure – we’re all aware of the impacts of coastal storms this past winter. The increased frequency of these storm events highlights the need for coastal resilience, defined as our ability to prepare for, resist and recover from storm events. Historically, “preparation” involved attempts to overcome the forces of nature, in the form of hardened structures constructed along our shorelines and into our waterways. A good example is the fitted stone seawall on Lafayette Street along the upper end of the harbor as one approaches Marblehead from Salem. Seawalls such as this one can provide adequate protection if constructed high enough and maintained to be able to resist the forces of pounding waves. That protection comes at a cost – both in the dollars required to construct and maintain the structure as well as the unintended impacts to the surrounding area. When waves strike a hardened structure such as a seawall, much of the wave’s energy is reflected allowing secondary waves to form increasing the potential for impacts to surrounding areas not protected by seawalls. Additionally, the smooth surface of structures such as seawalls provides a less than optimal substrate for establishment of a robust biological community.

Beginning several decades ago, researchers began looking to natural systems for help in designing more effective shoreline protection.

Coastal dunes with beach grass, shoreline plants such as marshes and mangroves, and living reefs of shellfish and corals all provide significant protection to the adjacent upland areas during storm events and have the added benefits of being able to repair themselves following a damaging storm and to sequester carbon in the form of organic matter incorporated into their structure and buried in the shoreline soils and nearshore sediment.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leads the country in the design and installation of shoreline protection measures, and in 2010 they initiated the Engineering with Nature, or EWN, program focused on advancing this concept.

EWN projects, also known as nature-based solutions, have been piloted across the country, and the knowledge gained has now become a standard component of shoreline protection design.

A recent project in Polpis Harbor, Nantucket, exemplifies some of the EWN design components. The fringing marsh within the harbor had begun to recede due to a combination of causes that ultimately left the marsh face susceptible to erosion. To protect the marsh, a living barrier was constructed using a patented block system known as Oyster Castles®. The multi-sided castles are manufactured by Allied Concrete using a proprietary mixture that attracts oyster settlement. Additionally, some of the blocks were placed in hatchery tanks, allowing young oysters to attach prior to installation at the site. The blocks interlock, providing structural integrity at the time of installation. As the oysters grow and reproduce, they essentially cement the entire structure together over time. The irregular surface of the blocks, particularly with an established population of oysters, dissipates wave energy rather than reflecting it. Important additional benefits are the improvements to water quality provided by the filter-feeding oysters and the habitat diversity that attracts a wide range of fish and invertebrates.

What about applications of EWN for Marblehead?

With much of our shoreline developed, we are constrained to more traditional hardened structures in some areas, but there are possibilities. We are currently evaluating the feasibility of a pilot oyster reef/ fringing marsh project along the shoreline of the Lead Mills conservation area similar to the project on Nantucket. This area experiences chronic shoreline erosion, putting the bike path and buried electrical service line at risk. Stay tuned - we’ll post progress on this project at sustainablemarblehead.org. Steve Wolf leads the Harbor Working Group at Sustainable Marblehead.

COURTESY PHOTO / VIRGINIA AQUARIUM AND MARINE SCIENCE CENTER

Experts examine the carcass of a dead female North Atlantic right whale, known as #1950, on a beach in Virginia before using a heavy black towing line to bring it ashore for a necropsy on April 2.

Morris M. White, 98

Morris M. White, a cardiac monitoring expert who designed a sensitive fetal cardiac monitor, has died. He was 98. White died peacefully in the presence of family.

Born April 2, 1926, in Peabody, White was raised there and later attended University of Maine and New York University. He served in the Army during World War II, stationed with 3365th Signal Service Battalion in

Guam. After the war, he completed a degree in electrical engineering at Northeastern University and began working at Sanborn Company in Cambridge during the early days of analytical and electronic test equipment. When Sanborn was purchased by Hewlett-Packard, White joined the medical equipment division, specializing in cardiac monitoring. He became expert in both equipment design and cardiology

and was instrumental in outfitting cardiac care units and operating rooms worldwide with HP systems. He was known as “The Answer Man” at HP. White was a self-reliant learner who could fix or repair anything. He loved to travel, boat, ski and bicycle and was a member of the Jewish Community Center of Marblehead, where he enjoyed exercising and socializing. He was predeceased by parents Harry and Tillie White, wife

Barbara White and sisters Sadye Loten and Beatrice Spector. Survivors include his son Andrew, daughter-in-law Michelle and grandchildren

Samuel and Max. Services will be private, with a small memorial gathering announced at a later date. Donations in White’s memory can be made to the Jewish Community Center of Marblehead, 4 Community Road, Marblehead.

Extra patrols requested after caller leaves creepy message on church voicemail

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log April 23 — May 8. Consistent with state law, police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation .

April 23

1:24 p.m. – Officer Robert Picariello arrived and spoke with a Washington Street tenant, who stated that her landlord had been threatening her over unpaid utility bills. Picariello then interviewed the landlord, who said he simply wanted the bills paid so he could move back into his apartment as originally agreed. Picariello informed both parties that this was a civil matter, not a criminal one. The tenant was in the process of moving out that day and the landlord agreed to allow her to finish doing so and wait until the following day to return to the apartment.

4:55 p.m. – The Unitarian Universalist Church on Mugford Street requested police assistance regarding a suspicious voicemail. Officer Robert Picariello met with a church employee who played a voicemail. The message allegedly made references to witchcraft and Jesus in a concerning manner. The caller was not identified. Picariello documented the incident and advised the church to contact police again if any further suspicious activity occurred. Extra patrols of the area were requested.

5 p.m. – A two-vehicle crash was reported on Atlantic Avenue. Officer Tyler Bates responded and determined that a vehicle traveling on Atlantic Avenue had sideswiped a parked vehicle, then jumped the curb and

ended up on the sidewalk. The driver told Bates that she may have hit a curb earlier in the day, which could have knocked the vehicle out of alignment and contributed to the crash. No injuries were reported at the scene. Both vehicles sustained damage and were towed from the scene.

9 p.m. – The police department received another call related to an earlier landlord-tenant dispute on Washington Street. The tenant reported that the landlord had returned to the property and was yelling at her as she was in the process of moving out.

Officer Robert Picariello responded and located the landlord nearby. Picariello advised the man that he needed to leave the area and allow the tenant to finish vacating the apartment that evening, as previously agreed. The landlord complied and left. Picariello remained on scene until the tenant left for the night.

April 23

4:01 a.m. – A bicyclist was reportedly struck by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of Cressy Street and Lincoln Avenue. Officer Michael Farewell arrived on scene and spoke to witnesses who described the vehicle as a gold Toyota Camry with a distinctive metallic license plate frame. Witnesses stated the Camry was last seen fleeing the area at a high rate of speed towards Tioga Way. Sgt. Jason Conrad searched the area and located a matching vehicle parked behind a business on Tioga Way. As Conrad and Farewell investigated, the vehicle owner exited the business. He was identified as an employee and allegedly admitted to being involved in the crash, stating he panicked and fled after striking the bicyclist.

The driver was issued a criminal summons for leaving the scene of a personal injury crash. The bicyclist was treated by ambulance personnel and transported to Salem Hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.

April 27

1:19 p.m. – A May Street resident called police to report that his son’s bicycle had been stolen from their front yard sometime overnight. Officer Adam Mastrangelo responded and spoke with the owner, who stated the bicycle was last seen in the yard around midnight. No suspect information was available. Mastrangelo entered the bicycle’s information into the department’s stolen property database and advised the owner to call back if he discovered any additional details.

4:28 p.m. – A man visited the police station lobby to report that his wallet was stolen from his vehicle while it was parked on Norman Street. Officer Robert Picariello spoke with the man, who said he left his wallet inside his unlocked vehicle for about an hour while working on his boat nearby. When he returned to his

vehicle, he discovered the wallet missing. The wallet contained cash, credit cards, a driver’s license and important immigration documents. Picariello provided the man with information on identity theft prevention and contacted his financial institutions to cancel his cards.

April 29

11 a.m. – While on patrol, Officer Jason McDonald conducted a property check at Temple Emanu-El on Atlantic Avenue. He was approached by a dog walker who reported finding a small plastic capsule on the ground nearby on Spray Avenue. The capsule contained a white powder believed to be an illicit drug.

McDonald took custody of the item and transported it back to the police station, where it was entered into evidence and sent to a lab for testing.

May 1

3:57 p.m. – A hit-andrun crash was reported on Marion Road.

Officer Dennis DeFelice responded and observed moderate damage to the rear driver’s side quarter panel of the victim’s parked vehicle. The victim told DeFelice he noticed the damage when he returned to his car, but did not witness the crash. No paint transfer or debris from the suspect vehicle was located. DeFelice advised

the victim to contact his insurance company and call police again if he discovers any leads. Neighborhood canvasses for potential witnesses were unsuccessful.

May 4

9:38 a.m. – A woman came to the police station to report ongoing harassment by her former landlord. Officer Dennis DeFelice spoke with her and learned that she previously lived in an apartment on Washington Street, but recently moved out after several disputes with the landlord. She said the landlord had been driving by her new residence on Colonial Court and she believed he had left some of her furniture on the property without permission. DeFelice recommended the woman seek a harassment prevention order against the landlord. He also took a report and advised her to call police if the man returns to her new address or tries to contact her.

May 6

6:01 p.m. – Officer Jason McDonald took a report of a rental scam from a property owner on Hooper Street, The woman told McDonald that she had listed a short-term rental on the website VRBO. She was later contacted by another woman who saw a fraudulent posting on Craigslist using the same pictures and information as her VRBO listing. The scammer allegedly convinced the woman to send $22,720 via an electronic bank transfer as a “deposit” on the rental. Upon realizing it was a scam, the victim attempted to stop the transfer but was unsuccessful. McDonald recommended the victim file a report with her local police department, as they would have jurisdiction since that is where the funds were sent from. He also provided her with information on common rental scams and how to avoid them. The case was forwarded to detectives for review.

Discover the charm of Saltwater Bookstore

BY MELISSA STACEY

The following is an interview with Laura Cooper, owner of Saltwater Bookstore, conducted by Discover Marblehead. Visit the shop at 134 Washington St. or visit Saltwaterbookstore.com

Tell us about Saltwater Bookstore and why you started it. Saltwater Bookstore is a charming indie bookshop nestled in the heart of the historic district in Marblehead. Thoughtfully designed with a cozy coastal vibe, I invite you to spend time browsing our curated adult and children’s rooms, enjoying our custom reading nooks, and engaging with other book lovers. In addition to the over 4,000 new book titles, Saltwater carries a delightful line of greeting cards and complimentary gift wrap from a New England company for all your gift-giving needs.

MUSIC

Local bookstores are happy and inspiring places, and I’m thrilled to have brought one back to Marblehead.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? The best piece of business advice I’ve ever received was “If not now, when?” There is never a perfect time for anything, so if an idea takes shape or an opportunity arises, don’t let it pass you by.

What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? My favorite spot in Marblehead is Crocker Park. I have years and years of wonderful memories there including; getting engaged, family seaside picnics and walks with our dogs. I love the swings and the floating dock.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Something people

would be surprised to learn about me is that I love a good bucket list. One favorite completed activity was being a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. Such a fun experience. Top of my list now is to start my own small rescue farm. Helping animals is a big part of my life, so although this one may take a while, I’m working towards it. The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com

Concert, civic happy hour to close Me&Thee season

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Me&Thee Music wraps up its 54th season this Friday, May 17, with a special concert and “civic happy hour” featuring singer, songwriter and environmentalist Vienna Teng.

“You’re already coming to a music concert; you’re already having a good time,” Teng told the Current cheerfully. “Let’s do a few things that will make us feel like we’re doing our part.”

Teng will run her civic happy hour before her concert starts, inviting people to join several activities, including voter registration and letter writing.

“I’ll provide a worksheet for people to think through something really powerful — how to reach out to people in your life to talk about the election in an open and curious way. You’ll think, ‘Oh yeah, maybe I could talk to my cousin who lives in a swing state,’” and engage in the issues.

Audience members can write letters through a nonprofit to eligible U.S. voters living abroad.

“You can send a friendly, half-template/half-personalized letter to get people to feel like someone cares about their voice and their vote,” Teng explained.

There will also be an opportunity to donate to nonpartisan organizations related to the election that protect democracy, Teng said.

“If you donate, I’ll match your donation up to the price of your concert ticket,” she said.

In addition to her music career, Teng worked in the climate and sustainability space, helping cities come up with climate action plans.

“I got very nerdy about EV charging networks,” she laughed. Now, she combines her

From P. A6

has a center.

There are two complaints filed against Stone & Compass with the Florida Attorney General’s Office, including one by Weinrich. Another woman claimed her family was out $15,580 for a canceled trip.

“My emotions run the gamut right now,” said Weinrich, who emphasized that the trip

two passions and often holds climate workshops at her concerts.

“This year, the best thing we can do for the climate is get involved in who is making policy decisions in our country,” she said. “So, let’s do this for democracy and the election. And it’s not just at the national level, but at the local level where pretty meaningful choices are being made.”

Teng, who lives in Washington, D.C., says “the whole vibe is to have fun with it. It’s the only way to make (political action) sustainable. Pick one very manageable thing, do it and feel good about it.”

Musically, Teng mixes traditional acoustic folk/ rock with what she calls her “robots.”

“I have a number of electronics for looping and different sounds,” she said.

was not organized by the local school district or school board.

“To say I’m disappointed would be a mild way of putting it. All that we know is that we’re not going on the trip, and people are on their own for finding compensation.”

Stone & Compass says it is working to refund travelers’ money.

“We have contacted airlines, hotels and such, refunds can take up to a couple of months to get back,” Amon Sharma with Stone

& Compass wrote in an email to the Current. “We plan on refunding this trip fully.”

Meanwhile, the Stone & Compass website was down and displayed the message, “Sorry, we’re doing some work on the site.”

Goodwin’s automatic email reply read that he is on a leave of absence.

“The contact numbers I have for him are all disconnected,” Weinrich said. “If you see him, let him know we’d like to talk to

him.”

Stone & Compass interns led a monarch butterfly event in Marblehead on May 11. Goodwin launched Stone & Compass 15 years ago.

In a Discover Marblehead interview that appeared in the Current last October, Goodwin said, “The company runs adult tours and then reinvests the profit to lower the costs for kids (high school and college students) to travel abroad. While the kids are traveling, they also

“I mix that with more singersongwriter acoustic sounds as well. I’ve always most looked up to artists who have their own style but feel adventurous within that style. Sometimes it sounds classic, choral… sometimes funk and rock… sometimes it feels like folk Americana.”

Anthony Silva, who started Me&Thee in 1970, says this has been one of its most popular years.

“We’ve seen a double-digit increase in attendance this season, as we have expanded our outreach, our musical scope and potential audience,” he said. “But the biggest concert of the season was with two beloved Marbleheaders, Mason Darling and Jeanie Stahl, who celebrated their 50th anniversary playing together on our stage to a soldout house on Dec. 8.”

Silva believes Me&Thee is the longest-running, all-volunteer acoustic music series in the country.

“There are very few quality rooms where folks can go to get up close and personal with these acoustic performers, and we create that special listening space on Friday in the sanctuary of the UU Church,” he said. “The acoustics are wonderful, our audiences are responsive, and our world-class performers love playing here.”

When asked for hints about next season’s lineup, Silva responded, “We can’t announce details until this summer. We are expecting to feature a mix of well-known performers, world music and young singer-songwriters.”

Teng’s concert begins at 8 p.m. at 28 Mugford St. For more information and tickets, visit meandthee.org.

create and build sustainable projects for local communities and people who are in need.”

He said Stone & Compass sent 100 Marblehead students to five different countries last summer.

In a 2022 interview, Goodwin told the Current he had big plans for the future for Stone & Compass.

“In the next five years, we want to change the world via youth empowerment,” he said. “It’s not a cliche; we believe it.”

COURTESY PHOTO / DISCOVER MARBLEHEAD

Laura Cooper, owner of the Saltwater Bookstore, 134 Washington St., stands at the entrance of her bookshop.

COURTESY PHOTO / KAREN SHIH Singer, songwriter and environmentalist Vienna Teng will perform at Me&Thee’s last concert of the season.

COURTESY PHOTO

The late Billy Staines playing at the Me&Thee in 1971. He played there every year until 2020.

MHS students learn about Salsa without the chips

Grey Collins, Sophomore

On what seemed like a normal day at Marblehead High School last month, some lucky students were Salsa dancing instead of taking tests and listening to lectures. Every year for the last fourteen years, Spanish students have gone down to the auditorium to learn more about Spanish culture and the traditional dances of Latin America. They learn dances such as Merengue, Bachata, and other types of Salsa for three days every school year.

“For us, the number one thing is community building,” said Senora Sliney, a Spanish teacher at Marblehead High School. “I think respect is important, too, and respecting how difficult it is. So many kids are athletes and what not, but their exposure to dance is probably a lot less.”

Many students at MHS enjoyed the dance program and thought that it gave them some new perspectives.

“I liked how social it was,” said Phineas Jakious, a sophomore Spanish student at MHS. “It showed me that dance can be a common ground for different cultures.”

“It made me appreciate the skill and effort put into the dances and the many levels of complexity that they have,” said Sophomore Thomas Svencer about the program.

For about twenty years, some Spanish students have practiced Latin dances and been encouraged to take classes outside of school, but it wasn't until 2010 that Mrs. Sliney made it an official program. Every year since, Greg Coles from Greg Coles Latin Dance and Drum has come in to instruct students about Latin dances. Coles, who is trained in Ballet, Jazz, African,

and Latin Dance, gives dance classes at various schools and organizations in the area.

Last February, several students in the Spanish Department took a trip to Spain to learn more about Spanish culture. I spoke with some of them to learn about how it impacted them and prepared them for the Latin dance course.

“My Spain trip prepared me for that cultural shift because we learned flamenco dance one night,” shared Thomas. “Then I realized how expressive Latin dances are.”

“Dance makes this abstract idea of Spanish more real,” said Sliney, who has been teaching at Marblehead High School for 19 years. Mrs. Sliney believes that dance is a central part of Spanish culture, and learning that culture is important for all students. “Between the song, the dance, the history, the influences, it just kind of brings the Spanish language more alive.”

Although the class is educationally and culturally enriching, none of the students will ever object to a break from lectures, tests, and sitting at a desk all day.

“I also think kids enjoy getting out of class whenever they can,” said Mrs. Sliney with a laugh.

Jesslyn Roemer, Freshman, Guest Writer

Today was the day I was getting my own room! After months of begging my parents relented, and on a rainy day in March 2017, my dad assembled all the Ikea furniture we bought for our former “playroom.” I moved my stuff excitedly from the room my four-year-old brother and I shared, not knowing of the horrors that night would bring.

When I was younger, I never thought I was scared of the dark until that first night alone in my empty room when I was seven years old. On my tall bunk bed poised over my room, I woke up constantly. All I would see is the pile of stuffed animals turn into a menacing monster as it pointed threateningly at a jail cell (my closet). After constantly waking up for hours I had had enough. Despite my fear, I climbed down my ladder and ran to the light switch across my room. As the lights turned on, the shadows receded, as if I had fought them off showing their true form, harmless furniture.

7:12 AM on Sunday I woke up confused by my new surroundings as the events of last night came rushing back.

“I take it back.” I ambushed my tired dad by the coffee machine as he sleepily waited, eyes half closed.

“What? Your room?”

“Yeah, I don’t want my own room.”

“This is part of growing up and you’ve been begging for this for months,” my dad responded.

“But it’s too scary,” I protested.

“Let’s try one more night, and if you really don’t like it, we can change back.”

I went back to my room sullenly when that pile of stuffed animals from last night caught my eye. I made a mad dash to the basement.

“Grab a sleeping bag, we're going to make a fort to sleep in tonight,” I told my brother who was in the living room playing with LEGO.

“Ok,” he said in a tone showing he did not understand what I was doing but was going to go along with it anyway.

That day we assembled the most epic fortress ever, which we named Blanky World. My dad, learning of our idea, blew up air mattresses as my mom delivered us snacks. We worked throughout the day running through the house bringing anything comfortable looking to the growing pile of pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals.

During the night, the shadows which had haunted me were warded off by the fortress we had made. Instead of being two young kids in a blanket fort, we became fearless knights protecting the kingdom from dark monsters. We slept in that fortress for a week until my parents made us clean it up because it was too much of a “mess.” The night after Blanky World had been destroyed, I slept soundly, protected by the fort that had stood there hours before.

As my life has become increasingly busy over the past six years, it has become harder to spend time with my brother. But every Sunday we find some way to spend time together, whether it be competitive Mario Kart Tournaments at night that have us screaming under our blanket fort we made, or basketball at the abandoned school near our house where he always destroys me. Blanky World lives on. The fortress made that day in March bonded us together, and, when asked about Blanky World, my brother smiles fondly at the memory even now when most people would say we are too “old” for that. Others might hate their siblings, but I couldn't imagine life without him.

Enjoy all of the opportunities that summer camp has to offer with financial assistance from the Marblehead Rotary Club.

For A Marblehead Rotary Campership! To apply: Go to marbleheadrotary.com Due date for applications is May 20, 2024.

Ila Bumagin and Mona Gelfgatt

Benji Boyd, Rachael Albert

Kate Twomey

Nathaniel Carper-Young, Grey Collins, Tucker Crane, Aislin Freedman, Kathleen Hanson, Samuel Jendrysik, Anya Kane, Nina Lees, Georgia Marshall, Charlie Seliger, Livia Weiss

Higgins

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

Plant sale

Saturday, May 18, 8:30-11 a.m.

The Marblehead Garden Club is hosting its annual plant sale at the Lee Mansion Gardens, 161 Washington St. Rain date is May 19.

Jazz at the Arts with Akiko Aoki

Thursday, May 16, 7 p.m.

The Marblehead Arts Association and Gene Arnould present Jazz at the Arts, a concert series at the Marblehead Arts Association featuring Akiko Aoki. The singer, voice instructor and Japanese teacher is known for her “jazzy phrasing and pitch control,” according to the MAA. For more info or to buy tickets, visit marbleheadarts.org. 8 Hooper St.

JCC Family Carnival

Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Everyone’s invited to the JCC’s Family Carnival on Community Road. There will be games, bounce houses, pony rides, food and more. The event is a fundraiser to update the J’s playgrounds. Learn more at jccns.org.

‘The General and the King’:

An illustrated talk

Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m.

Historian Judy Anderson will present “The General & the King,” an illustrated talk about Robert “King” Hooper’s summer house in then-rural Danvers. The home was built in 1754, just a few years after the front of Hooper’s famous Marblehead mansion was added. The talk is part of Marblehead’s multiyear commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, “Rev250Mhd,” which starts this year. The talk also honors National Preservation Month this May. The talk will be at 8 Hooper St. For more information, visit marbleheadarts.org. Dance to benefit

Marblehead Food Pantry

Saturday, May 18, 7-11 p.m.

Come dance to live music by “Ricky Broughton and the Melody Makers” at a benefit for the Marblehead Food Pantry at the VFW, 321 West Shore Drive. Bring two canned goods or $5 to enter. All donations go to the food pantry.

Baroque concert at St. Andrew’s

Sunday, May

p.m. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of

Andrews Episcopal Church, the group Seven Times Salt will perform 16th- and 17th-century music from across Europe, including works by Lassus, Encina, Manerio, Campion, Senfl and more. The concert will be a celebration of life and renewal, according to the church. Admission is $10 at the door. 135 Lafayette St.

Come