2026 TOWN ELECTION VOTER GUIDE: SELECT BOARD
Candidate profiles, Page 6
FIRST WAVE
LETTERS
What your neighbors have to say about 3A, June 9 election
Page 4
AG is eyeing ‘recourse’ for town’s 3A plan
Will housing be developed at Tedesco Golf Club?
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Attorney General Andrea Campbell said May 12 that she planned to “review” the multifamily zoning bylaw passed by Marblehead Town Meeting to comply with the MBTA Communities Act to determine “if there’s any recourse we can take.”
CALLING ALL CARS
Campbell’s remarks came during a question-and-answer session during an appearance on Boston Public Radio with hosts James Braude and Margery Eagan.
A caller from Somerville asked about a viral clip of resident David Modica criticizing the plan at Town Meeting and asking whether Marbleheaders
were “kinda being pricks” by approving a housing plan that could result in little or no new housing development.
» If 3A is resolved, what’s next for housing in Marblehead? Page 12.
The caller expressed the opinion that it is unfair that Somerville, which had already been more densely populated than Marblehead, is bearing a disproportionate share of addressing the state’s housing crisis because it took its obligations under the MBTA Communities Law seriously. Campbell expressed sympathy for that point of view.
Marblehead’s new bylaw designates Tedesco Country Club and Broughton Road for multifamily housing. The state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities sent the town a letter in February stating that Marblehead would be in a
Cruise-in brings out classics — and crowds
BY MARIELLE SABBAG
The Marblehead Cruise-in revved its engines for the start of its fourth year at Devereux Beach on Tuesday, May 12.
Hundreds of people came to check out classic cars and share stories.
The Marblehead Cruise-in started in 2022. Organizers Tucker Beatty and Nick Parente originally started it as a small birthday hangout, but Beatty said it grew into a larger event.
“My favorite part is the energy, especially on those perfect summer evenings in Marblehead,” Beatty said.
“More than anything, people love the community that’s formed around this event.” Beatty also added that Marblehead’s scenic coastal setting makes a huge impact on why the Cruise-in has been a success.
That and the variety of cars, Beattie added. He said that well over 150 cars, local and all over the region came to the Cruise-in on May 12.
“It’s been amazing to see people travel from all over to be part of the event,” Beattie said.
Vehicles of various models drove in that night, from a Slingshot, a Chevelle, a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari Purosangue.
Rick Gilberg, from Swampscott, and his goldendoodle, Beasely, were part of the show. Beasley got a lot of attention from several dog lovers who
“good position for compliance” if Town Meeting approved the plan. But the town must still submit a complete application package for EOHLC’s review to achieve “interim compliance.” Marblehead has been out of compliance with the MBTA Communities Law since last July, when voters rejected an earlier proposal that included parts of Tioga Way and Pleasant Street.
DECISIONS 2026
Registars to discuss early, in-person voting Thursday
BY LEIGH BLANDER
A discussion about making early, in-person voting available for the June 9 election is set to happen Thursday at 9 a.m. during a meeting of the Board of Registrars at Abbot Hall.
The election will decide a three-year, threetiered override (up to $15 million) increasing property taxes permanently. A second $2.3 million trash override is also on the ballot, as well as local races for Select Board, School Committee and other positions.
The status of in-person early voting has been unclear since a staffer at the Town Clerk’s Office told the Current that there would be no early voting, and then Clerk Robin Michaud posted to social media that a final decision had not been made. Michaud did not respond directly to requests from the Current for comment.
» Guide to candidates in the June 9 election. Page 6
Margie Herrick, who serves on the town’s Board of Registrars, supports in-person early voting.
“This is such an important vote for the future of our town that we should strive to make voting available to as many Marbleheaders as possible,” Herrick said.
The Current asked Michaud how many people voted early and in-person in last June’s town election and the July referendum on the MBTA Communities Law. Her office did not supply those numbers.
After the 2024 presidential election, Michaud told the Current that 7,672 votes
CURRENT PHOTO / MARIELLE SABBAG
The season’s first Marblehead Cruise-in attracted big crowds — of people and pups — to Devereux Beach May 12.
Town to mark Memorial Day with ceremonies, parade
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead will mark Memorial Day this coming weekend with a series of events honoring the nation’s fallen service members.
The observances begin Friday, May 22, with a Veterans Breakfast hosted by the Council on Aging at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Masons. The breakfast will be followed by grave flagging at Star of the Sea Cemetery.
On Saturday, May 23, grave
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Current welcomes 150–200word submissions to News in Brief. Send yours to info@ marbleheadnews.org.
Info session on Senior Tax Assistance programs
Come Thursday, May 21, 1-3 p.m., to learn about Marblehead’s senior tax assistance programs.
Representatives from the Assessor’s Office and Council on Aging will share resources about tax assistance options and discuss Marblehead’s newly enacted Means-Tested Senior Tax Property Exemption and the state’s Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit programs. Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St. RSVP by calling 781-631-6225.
Town dodges larger hike in sewer rates
While some local communities will see up to 400% increase in sewer rates next year, Department of Public Works Director Amy McHugh explained to the Select Board last week that Marblehead will not.
“Marblehead really is a different story than the other towns,” McHugh said.
Marblehead is part of the South Essex Sewerage District. In 2013, Marblehead had to double its rates to replace two broken sewerage pipelines under Salem Harbor (only Marblehead
came and took pictures of the pooch in the car.
Gilberg said this was his third year attending the Cruise-in with his Slingshot, a three-wheel vehicle he described as half-car, half-motorcycle. He said he has taken his Slingshot to other car shows, like one in North Carolina.
“I like the variety of cars, from old to new,” Beasley said about the Marblehead Cruise-in. “It’s great to interact with other car enthusiasts and share what they used to have in the past.” During the evening, friends and family met up, took a look at the cars, and shared facts. Most conversations surrounded mileage and engines.
Marblehead resident Rhonda Steele called the evening “fabulous.”
“You don’t find any of the ‘50s and ‘60s classics anymore. Every car looks the same nowadays,” Steele said.
A group of kids ran around looking at every car.
“It’s really fun,” said 7-yearold Harrison Murphy, from Marblehead. “I like watching the cars go by and rev their engines.”
Scott Lohan, a Marblehead resident, brought his 88 Volkswagen VW Cabrio and had it on display. His 1-year-old golden retriever, Moose, was sitting at the helm the entire time, enjoying people coming over to pat his head. Lohan said his favorite part of the Cruise-in is people sharing stories about their cars.
flagging at Waterside Cemetery will begin at 9 a.m. Participants should meet at the bell tower. All are welcome.
On Sunday, May 24, the VFW Post will host a ceremony at 1 p.m. at Star of the Sea Cemetery. All are welcome.
Memorial Day events on Monday, May 25 begin at 8 a.m. with a service at Clark’s Landing on State Street, followed by a muster at the Old Town House. The Memorial Day parade begins
uses those pipelines). The town finished paying off that project in 2026.
Next year, Marblehead will see a 4-6% increase in sewer rates, McHugh explained.
Coffin School re-use renderings to be shown
The town is expected to share conceptual ideas for the Coffin School re-use at the third community meeting on the project on Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. at Abbot Hall and online. The town will also present results of a community survey regarding the site.
“The presentation will include possible future re-use options and visual renderings showing how the site could potentially be developed,” according to a town flier.
For more information, contact Brendan Callahan, director of community development and planning, at 781-631-1529 or callahanb@marbleheadma.gov.
Food Pantry needs you
The Marblehead Food Pantry is putting out a call for urgently needed donations. The cupboards are nearly bare!
Here’s a list of what’s needed most, according to Food Pantry
President Marcy Schwam:
2 lb. bags of white rice
2 lb. flour
2 lb. sugar » pasta
at 9 a.m. and will proceed up Pleasant Street to Memorial Park. After a brief ceremony there, the parade will continue to Waterside Cemetery. A trolley will be available for riders.
» pasta sauce » 24 oz. cooking oil
» 15 oz. mayo
» 8 oz. mustard 20 oz. ketchup ground coffee
shelf-stable milk
» Ritz and Saltine crackers
» individual applesauce cups
» Ensure To donate to the pantry, leave non-perishable food items, paper goods and toiletries at the Masonic Lodge, 62 Pleasant St. Turn down into the driveway to the right of the building and look for a sign near the entrance to the walkway into the building. Donations can be dropped off Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m.
Stay informed with new town alerts
MarbleheadAlerts is the town’s new mass notification system for “alerts about severe weather, boil-water orders and other public safety issues,” according to a press release. Residents can choose to receive notifications by text, email or phone call.
MarbleheadAlerts is powered by Regroup, which replaces CodeRed, and supports translations of text and email messages into most languages. You can also sign up to receive non-emergency notifications, including about elections and major town events.
Sign up at https://loom.ly/
Following the cemetery, participants will return to the Old Town House for a flag-raising ceremony. The VFW, 321 West Shore Drive, will host a barbecue afterward.
OEYzSok.
Anyone with questions regarding AlertMarblehead can contact MarbleheadAlerts@ MarbleheadMA.gov.
Focused on Recovery
The Marblehead and Swampscott Public Health Departments are offering a six-week virtual series called, “Focused on Recovery.” The series runs June 4 through July 30 and meets every other Thursday, 7-8 p.m. The series will explore:
» What does it take to begin recovery?
How is recovery defined?
What does recovery mean to you?
» Support and resources
Marblehead Innovators
Check out a new networking group supporting local companies that deliver environmental and financial benefits to the town and its residents. The group’s inaugural meeting is Tuesday, May 26, 7-9 p.m, at 50 Doaks Lane. There will be a program, followed by networking.
The purpose of the group is to exchange new business concepts and investment opportunities and to gauge interest in the creation of a Marblehead Angel Network for such companies, according to organizer Toby Reiley. For more info and to sign up, contact jtreiley@comcast.net.
“Usually, you don’t have time to talk about cars. I enjoy hearing the history of how they got it. There’s always a backstory,”
Lohan said. The Marblehead Cruise-in continues for the rest of the summer, ending Tuesday, October 13.
The event takes place on every second Tuesday of the month, 6-8 p.m. Learn more at mhdcruisein. com.
CURRENT PHOTO
Veterans and active service members march in last year’s Marblehead Memorial Day Parade.
CURRENT PHOTOS / MARIELLE SABBAG
Hundreds of people came out for this season’s first Marblehead Cruise-in at Devereux Beach May 12.
Annual spring art exhibition shows students’ ‘boundless creativity’
BY ALEKA KROITZSH
The historic walls of Abbot Hall came alive last Thursday as hundreds of guests gathered for the opening reception of Marblehead High and Veterans School Spring Art Exhibition.
The exhibition featured nearly 400 pieces of art made by students from grades 7 to 12. Students explored diverse artistic mediums through their work, including oil and water color paintings, sculpture, collage, photography, architectural design and video production. Seniors had the option to showcase pieces from all four years of high school in celebration of their artistic growth.
“Be inspired by the boundless creativity of our students,” Computer Aided Design and Architecture teacher Hunter Proulx said in an address to the crowd.
At the opening, students and family members chatted while admiring the art and enjoying snacks and refreshments provided by Shubies, Crosby’s and Marblehead House of Pizza.
Senior project students Maeve Maccallum, Lilah Greten, Noa Brochstein, Birdie Cohen and Serena Nyberg spent weeks curating the show. Working side-by-side, the five seniors meticulously organized the art pieces and carefully considered where to place each one to create a cohesive visual
you really appreciate what everyone can do,” Maccallum said.
Cohen said that curating the show helped her appreciate how much thought goes into deciding what goes where in an exhibit. She said the process took a lot of organization and communication, adding that it helped that they were all close friends.
Having seen her art presented at the exhibition throughout high school, Nylan said she felt it was “important” that she give back and help curate the event as a senior.
flow. Leading up to the event, they spent hours chatting and hanging up art in Abbot Hall.
“Seeing all the art work,
Nyberg’s art is featured prominently on the back wall of the exhibit. One of her oil paintings features
a portrait of a girl on a laptop screen. Half of her face is obscured by shadow and branches from a flowering tree in the background pierce through the laptop screen.
Another features a girl curled into a fetal position with branches and leaves ensnaring her body, as if to cradle, or maybe consume her.
“Humans come from nature, but with technology, we have created this disconnect with nature,” Nyberg said. Her work was inspired by the idea of “humans versus nature,” and how technology is destroying nature in many ways, she said. Nyberg received an award of excellence from
the art department for her exemplary work.
As did senior Luna
Velandry, whose oil on canvas painting stands alone on an easel. The painting features a longhaired woman wearing a white gown. She sits on a beach in a pensive stance framed by an arch of clouds and golden doves.
Velandry’s work is heavily inspired by Renaissance art and Greco Roman scripture, as evidenced by the contrast between light and darkness in the painting and the detailed drapery of the woman’s dress.
“I love having our work here. It’s a moment to show and appreciate the culmination of all the hard
Serena Nyberg showcases her collection of oil paintings.
CURRENT PHOTOS / ALEKA KROITZSH
MHS seniors Serena Nyberg (left to right), Lilah Greten, Maeve Maccallum, Birdie Cohen and Noa Brochstein curated the event for their senior project.
Luna Velandry showcases her oil painting.
Grey Collins shows three photographs taken his junior and senior year.
Hanson
Opinion
EDITORIAL
Someone had to say it
Last week, a staff member at the Town Clerk’s Office told the Current there would be no in-person early voting for the June 9 election — the vote that will ask Marblehead homeowners to decide on a three-tiered Proposition 2 1/2 tax override that could reach $15 million. The apparent decision came without consulting the Board of Registrars.
It’s worth noting that last year’s referendum, solely on the MBTA Communities Law question, included early voting. Yet this year, with a major override and a full election on the line, there has been no comparable push for that same access.
As of this writing, a final decision had not been made — which is itself a problem. Voters deserve certainty, not ambiguity, about how they can participate in one of the most consequential local elections in years.
The online pushback that followed was revealing. Some of the opposition to early voting tracked a familiar national script — the idea that expanding access to the ballot somehow threatens the integrity of the result. The only people voting are your neighbors. Marblehead is not at risk of being overrun by outside interests. The question on June 9 is what this community wants for itself. Making it harder to vote isn’t a principled position — it’s a preference for a smaller electorate.
It has been a revealing few weeks for civic life in Marblehead.
The week before, Marblehead resident David Modica stood up at Town Meeting and asked — in language that was anything but accidental — whether the town’s new housing plan was designed to go nowhere. Millions of people have now watched the clip. His cheeky question has traveled from Marblehead to Australia.
What resonated wasn’t naivety. It was the rare sight of someone in a public meeting saying exactly what so many others in the room were carefully not saying. The “confusion” in the room wasn’t shared — Modica wasn’t confused at all. He was asking the folks in the room — officials and residents alike — to admit what they knew. His question landed because it named something real. The situation had been built over years of Town Meeting votes, referendums and legal pressure, accumulated through a long, bruising fight that had divided neighbors, dominated town politics and consumed enormous energy — arriving at what felt like a limp conclusion. The town had voted to overturn a prior housing plan. The years of procedural complexity had produced exactly the outcome Modica was making sure no one could ignore.
What made the moment viral wasn’t the plural noun he chose, or even his willingness to say it. It was the recognition — shared by people in the room and across the country — that someone said the quiet part out loud. The fight was ending, and only cynicism and sarcasm could claim victory.
Marblehead has more big decisions coming, and coming quickly — competitive races for multiple offices and a generational vote on tax rates that will shape town services for years to come. The debates, the history, the outcomes, the aftermath all need to be documented, preserved and scrutinized. That’s what a paper of record is for. And that’s what we are. We’re here to make sure these decisions — big and small — don’t go unnoticed.
We covered Town Meeting from the morning’s last-minute developments through the final gavel — video interviews from outside the high school and from inside the gym, live updates, realtime photos and a vote tracker residents could follow minute by minute.
We built a Town Meeting Guide that translated every warrant article into plain English, and this year we included an online tax impact calculator so homeowners could see exactly what was at stake before casting their vote.
When we learned early voting for the next election might not happen, we asked why and reported back when the story changed. Our letters and opinion pages have been the venue where virtually every major civic debate in Marblehead since 2022 has played out in print. And between issues, our free weekly newsletter and active social media community keep thousands of residents connected to the stories that matter.
Across the country, local newsrooms have disappeared — bought up, gutted or shuttered. Marblehead is fortunate to have one that answers only to its residents. The Current was founded to fill a void left when a national media chain gutted the Marblehead Reporter. It was built by journalists and community leaders who believed this town deserved a paper of record — and who built one from scratch. More than 150 print editions and 5,500 stories later, it’s still here. That foundation has since attracted partnerships with institutions like Endicott College and Boston University’s Local Journalism Initiative, whose students have produced investigative work published in the Current.
The Current delivers 10,000 copies weekly to every home and business in town, free of charge. We publish voter guides and The Headlight, the Marblehead High School student newspaper. We run an internship program that places MHS seniors in our newsroom — covering public meetings, interviewing officials, learning what local journalism looks like from the inside. More than one of those students has left for college to pursue journalism. We don’t just cover Marblehead — we invest in its future.
Marblehead residents take pride in their institutions — the library, the school system, the Festival of Arts. The Marblehead Current is one of those institutions — an independent, nonprofit paper built by this community, for this community. We’re proud of what we’ve built. We hope you are too.
Our annual spring campaign is underway. If you believe Marblehead is better when its residents are informed, we hope you’ll support the Current.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Marblehead’s shared commitment
To the editor: As retired teachers who have spent decades teaching and tutoring Marblehead students, we have always believed that the true heart of Marblehead is not only our historic architecture and our beautiful coastline but it is also our shared commitment to each other.
Whether we are attending a Marblehead Little Theatre performance, going to a plant sale or shopping locally, we are reminded of the vibrant community spirit that makes Marblehead so special; we have built a community that many towns only dream of. Now our town is facing a significant revenue shortfall that threatens the very services and programs that define our quality of life.
On Tuesday, June 9, we will vote on a prop 2 1/2 general override. While we understand that no one welcomes a tax increase, we believe this is a necessary investment to protect Marblehead’s future.
The proposed override isn’t just about balancing a budget; it is about maintaining the excellence of our schools, ensuring our library remains a fully staffed resource and maintaining our town’s important services. These are the foundations of the community we love and are so lucky to be a part of. Without this override, we face deep cuts that will be felt in every corner of our town — from the Council on Aging to our DPW and to public safety.
Please join us on Tuesday, June 9, in voting ‘yes’ on questions 1,2 and 3 for the override. We want to ensure that the next generation of students and neighbors can enjoy the same rich, supportive environment that has meant so much to us. Let’s invest in the town we love so that its spirit will continue to thrive for years to come.
Iris and Gerald Orlen West Shore Drive
3A: A different perspective
To the editor:
I would like to share a different perspective to the recent criticism of Marblehead’s 3A proposal. The original idea of 3A is to increase housing while minimizing car travel by building near mass transportation. If we take a long-term view, I believe the current Marblehead 3A proposal has a lot of merit.
From a location point of view, the Tedesco golf course is the best location within Marblehead to develop housing while minimizing travel by car. It is right next to Vinnin Square and the YMCA, so it is walking distance to almost everything: restaurants, banks, gym (YMCA), grocery stores, hardware, general shopping, liquor stores, pet store… It is also the closest location to the commuter rail. It is 1.7 miles to the Swampscott commuter rail station, which is an 11 minute bicycle ride (35 minute walk). Although the focus of recent discussion has been on Tedesco, Broughton Road is part of the proposal and that is being developed.
Will the golf course always be there? I honestly don’t know. I suspect it will be there for a while, but a golf course in Lynnfield recently sold part of its land to be used for housing. All I am pointing out is from a location point of view, this is the ideal location for housing. Thank you.
Steve Silva Kenneth
Road
‘I finally feel hopeful’; Keep Melissa Clucas on the School Committee
To the editor:
As a parent of two young children in the Marblehead public schools who tries to remain regularly active and engaged with current events and school initiatives, I want to emphasize my enthusiasm and support for Melissa Clucas as a School Committee candidate. Just three years ago when my children were first starting out in our public schools, I found myself enthralled in a chaotic and challenging school environment. Every School Committee meeting I attended left me with confusion and an underlying sense of dread. Teachers looked defeated, we had our school principal leave her job mid-year at Glover, and an inevitable teacher strike was looming ahead. Parents were frustrated. I found the School Committee leadership at the time to be unorganized, disengaged with the root cause of the problems at stake, and in complete misalignment with the School Committee
ELECTION LETTERS
In accordance with the Current’s policy, the last edition to include election-related letters will be May 27, which means the deadline is May 22. We will be accepting letters for online publication through Friday, June 5.
mission that was boldly stated on their website and handbook. There was a strong disconnect to our educators and parents. I deeply believed that there was no path forward unless leadership changed and we took a different approach.
When the town voted in Kate Schmeckpepper and Henry Gwaza, and appointed Melissa Clucas, I noticed an immediate change. Parents could ask questions and stay informed. School Committee meetings were engaging and purposeful. The budget was presented in a way that made sense including the future problems that may arise if we don’t address specific issues now.
There were new School Committee initiatives to reach out to the community to engage and interact. Melissa’s term brought on a level of financial expertise that was critical in the puzzle pieces finally coming together. As a CFO with years of expertise, she could break down the budget in a way that we could actually grasp and understand. Not only does she dig into every number to acquire a fundamental understanding, but she took on the additional commitment of serving on the Budget Subcommittee. It is clear that Melissa wants real structural fixes — she does not believe in a band-aid approach that provides short term solutions only. She regularly reiterates her belief in a foundation that relies on community transparency and trust.
Her desire to continue serving on the School Committee and ensure fiscal responsibility comes from being a parent of young children herself. She knows what the stakes are and why strong leadership is important. She also knows how to engage with parents that need answers and she does it well. Melissa’s vision for our schools is a positive and strong one. Her ability to present the state of affairs that we are in and pave a path forward to a bright academic future for our kids is evident in her work and commitment to her role. Her willingness to be an ally to our educators and create a strong work environment for them to succeed is crucial. As a parent, I finally feel hopeful that choosing Marblehead as the town to raise my children in was the right decision. Renee Saranteas Stout Ralph Road
I worked for Melissa Clucas. Here’s why we should keep her on the School Committee
To the editor:
Dear readers: My name is Jenn Decker, and I’m writing in support of Melissa Clucas for School Committee. We moved here from another district, after realizing the town we were in lacked a group of forward thinkers and people who were proactive and progressive when it came to the needs of our town, specifically in regards to the public schools. Not to mention not feeling super welcome as a queer couple raising children there. Among other issues — having a higher needs kiddo in the schools.
We moved to Marblehead at the recommendation of many friends, and after working in the town for 10+ years, we felt we would be surrounded by likeminded, kind individuals and that our eldest, who had struggled in school, would be safe, challenged and well cared for in the public school system. One of those friends was Melissa Clucas. Melissa, her husband and three girls live here in town, and as I’m sure you’ve heard or seen, she was appointed to an open School Committee seat a few months ago. I started as an employee of Melissa and her husband, Nick. Their nanny to be exact. She was an incredible employer, and led with kindness, clear boundaries and great communication. I saw first hand how she beautifully balanced parenthood, a professional life, advocacy work and more. Post employment, Melissa helped foster a friendship between us and our children, which has been nothing short of priceless. Despite our somewhat opposite lives, Melissa was and has remained relatable, kind and caring. Her eldest, in school with mine now since we have moved, welcomed “the new kid” to public school with open arms, kindness and an eagerness that made
my daughter feel welcome, a true testament in my opinion to the type of family the Clucas family is.
Knowing someone like this could continue to sit in a position of power in our town reminds me of why we moved here in the first place. Another person that truly cares about Marblehead and its schools. Not only is she more than qualified professionally, but having seen her management style up close and personal, I know she has the true potential to do amazing things in that seat. We have seen it first hand already, and I know many of us have been consistently impressed with her transparency, explanations and openness.
Melissa has the knowledge to make a true difference on the school committee. She’s educated. She’s invested in this system. She’s relatable. She’s kind. She has fresh ideas and perspectives. She possesses all the attributes you would want for a non-problematic, helpful and useful School Committee member. I encourage you all to sit down with her. Learn about her. Ask the hard questions! Look at what she’s already done and provided for the school committee. If you do that, I’m sure you’ll be impressed!
Jenn Decker Pond Street
‘We’re nuts’ if we don’t vote to keep Clucas on the School Committee
To the editor:
On Tuesday, June 9, I’m voting for Melissa Clucas for School Committee. Why? Because she’s a CFO who understands the mechanics of multi-milliondollar budgets and complex contract negotiations. She looks beyond the bottom line to understand the “how” and “why” of cost drivers. In an era where taxpayers demand transparency, Melissa’s commitment to a data-driven approach equals the accountability Marblehead needs and deserves.
On the School Committee, Melissa Clucas prioritizes clarity over clutter and results over rhetoric, without personal agendas. This spring she proved she’s a team player by working collaboratively with the Finance Committee and the Select Board to advocate for our schools. People want to work with her. I served on the Marblehead School Committee for six years and I know the real deal when I see it. We’re nuts if we don’t vote to keep Melissa’s talents on the School Committee for another three years. On Tuesday, June 9, vote Melissa Clucas for School Committee.
Amy Drinker Gregory Street
Why I support Sarah Fox for School Committee
To the editor:
I am writing in support of Sarah Fox for election to the Marblehead School Committee. As a Marblehead resident, the father of two children and the husband of an educator in town, I care deeply about the future of our schools and the people who work tirelessly within them every day. That is why I will be voting for Sarah Fox. I know Sarah personally, not only as a dedicated public servant, but as a mother, neighbor and genuinely good person.
In a time when public discourse can often become divisive and performative, Sarah
has consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity and a commitment to doing what is best for students — even when the decisions are difficult. Sarah’s record speaks for itself. She has served Marblehead with intelligence, transparency and an extraordinary work ethic. Her experience on the Budget Subcommittee and her commitment to making public business truly public have helped create a more transparent process for residents and taxpayers alike.
She understands the financial challenges facing our town, but she also understands that strong schools are one of the foundations of a strong community. What stands out most to me is her ability to remain student-focused through every challenge. Sarah has repeatedly shown that she is willing to listen to everyone, engage respectfully with differing viewpoints and make decisions based not on pressure or politics, but on what is genuinely best for children and families.
As the mother of six children and someone who stepped back from a successful professional career to focus on her family and community service, Sarah understands Marblehead from multiple perspectives — as a parent, volunteer, taxpayer and leader. She has helped recruit and support strong school leadership and remains committed to the long-term success of the district as it develops a new strategic plan for the future. Most importantly, I trust her completely. She is thoughtful, compassionate, hardworking and deeply committed to this town and its students. In my opinion, Sarah Fox is exactly the kind of experienced, steady and community-minded leadership Marblehead needs right now. I hope the residents of Marblehead will join me in supporting Sarah Fox for School Committee. Sincerely, Hank Wright Vine Street
Vote for my colleague Dr. Julie Selbst
To the editor:
I am writing to express my strong support for Julie Selbst for Marblehead Board of Health on June 9. Julie Selbst has practiced medicine as an anesthesiologist in our town for over 10 years and in Massachusetts for over 25 years. She also has a law degree and practiced law before becoming a physician. She is the best choice for our community because she has the right combination of knowledge and experience for the Board of Health.
I practiced medicine side-byside with Julie Selbst on a daily basis for many years at Salem Hospital and know firsthand the care she brings to each and every patient and family interaction. I know she will bring the same care and attention to the Board of Health for Marblehead. Her knowledge and dedication to health care are exactly what we need right now for the Board of Health. I urge my fellow residents to vote forJulie Selbst on June 9.
Svetlana Dobkin M.D. Sandie Lane
Why I support Dr. Julie Selbst for Board of Health
To the editor: To the Marblehead Community, I am writing to express my strong support for Julie Selbst for Marblehead Board of Health in the upcoming election on June 9.
Julie and I have gotten to know each other through our work on
the Temple Emanu-El Board of Trustees and I couldn’t be more excited about the prospects of having her as a member on the BOH. Through our work together, I have seen her solicit feedback from congregants and other board members and then thoughtfully work to actively implement responses to their needs and concerns. She is kind, trustworthy, and assertive in a respectful manner, especially when it comes to pushing for change for those she represents.
Perhaps more importantly, though, Julie is, simply put, brilliant, and would bring an extraordinary wealth of relevant knowledge and experience to the position and to the Board more generally. Not only does she have a legal background, having worked as counsel in high-impact, high-stress environments related to securities regulation and finance, but more importantly, she is a physician in Massachusetts where she has navigated similarly highpressure situations with care and compassion for over 25 years.
Julie Selbst has the perfect combination of personality, specific knowledge, and relevant experience to be a leader and active advocate for true public health in Marblehead. She’ll be getting my vote on June 9.
Chris Bruell West Shore Drive
Why support Question 3?
To the editor: People have asked, “Why should we support Question 3 to invest $15 million over the next three years?” Rather than just making emergency repairs, we need to invest in our 28 municipal buildings to make the buildings energy efficient, costing the taxpayer less for heating, cooling and lighting. Logan Casey, the former town sustainability coordinator, spent several months compiling data on the energy consumption of Marblehead’s municipal buildings and produced an Energy Reduction Plan, which the Select Board adopted, but needs additional funding to accomplish.
Once Marblehead gets Green Communities Designation (MHD was prevented from applying while we were not 3A compliant), it will unlock $145,000 the first year and $250,000 each subsequent year, in grants for energy efficiency improvements in municipal buildings. That’s over $1 million dollars in just five years which does not require additional tax funding. Applying for those grants and administering them is required before receiving additional grants, and we need the grant writer/administrator as proposed in Question 3.
Becky Curran Cutting, who retired as town planner after 30 years, envisioned a team of people including a sustainability coordinator, a community development director, a procurement officer, a grant writer, in addition to a town planner. Seeing how complex town planning had become, Becky often had to pay consultants to outsource her grant writing and grant management obligations, so the Community Development and Planning Department was created to expand town revenue — income from sources other than our property taxes. We need teachers, administrators, planners, custodians, police, fire and public works employees. But we also need to fund a capital plan, as provided in Question 3, to replace equipment, noting for example that several DPW trucks typically used for plowing were unavailable during the recent snowstorms. We need the funding provided by Question
3 to have a functioning town that looks ahead, is prepared for emergencies, and invests in the quality of our streets, schools, buildings, and staff. Please join me in voting ‘yes’ on Question 3 (and Questions 1 & 2 as well) to preserve the town we love.
Eileen Haley Mathieu Longview Drive Schaeffner — knowledge, experience,
common sense
To the editor: We have an opportunity to bring two new Select Board members to the board this year. Let’s make one of them Jenn Schaeffner.
Having served on the School Committee for several years, she has proven herself unafraid to make hard decisions, keeping expenses in check while putting students’ education first, basing her actions on common sense rather than buzzwords and jargon.
While serving with her on the Marblehead Housing Authority I have come to find her financial acumen both deep and wide and her ability to get to the core of the problem without equal. While decisive, she is open to other ideas and is a true team player. Jenn Schaeffner is the change we need to make to the Select board to better serve the people of our town. Let’s not let this opportunity slip away.
Bill Kuker Rowland Street
Support the schools by moving forward; support Clucas and Jordan
To the editor: As a Marblehead resident, parent and voter, I believe we must continue to move forward rather than backward in this upcoming election. I applaud the new members of the School Committee for their steady work for Marblehead Public Schools. I am voting for Melissa Clucas and Ann-Marie Jordan for School Committee so that this great work can continue. I will also be voting for Erin Noonan for Select Board. The positions stated in this letter are strictly my own based on facts.
Sarah Fox, a two-term School Committee member who lost last year, is running again. She has already begun campaigning with Jennifer Schaeffner, who is now running for Select Board. Although both promised transparency, they did not deliver. They failed to approve and post minutes for their subcommittees for years and stopped posting recordings of some subcommittee meetings on YouTube. Thankfully, these practices ended when new members of the School Committee were elected. Students and parents protested a few of their actions, most recently regarding the new flag policy. Furthermore, they appointed themselves to School Advisory Councils — overriding the superintendent — even though Massachusetts General Law advises against it. The new School Committee does not sit on these councils. When Ms. Fox lost the election last June, it appears that Ms. Schaeffner appointed her to the facilities subcommittee as a “member of the public” without the full committee’s approval. The new School Committee had to vote to remove her. Ms. Fox has made accusations that the new committee breached the law and wasted money, but public records thus far don’t support these claims. For fiscal years 2024 and 2025, Ms. Fox and Ms. Schaeffner each had a turn as School Committee chair. In that
period, their legal fees totaled over $700,000, well exceeding annual budgets. In comparison, our new School Committee has spent approximately $95,000 on lawyers as of April 30. Despite the state repealing the MCAS as the competency determination, Ms. Schaeffner asked about putting the 10th-grade test back as a local requirement at Marblehead High School.
In addition, their committee let the high school roof project remain incomplete without any type of accountability statement. Back in 2023, Ms. Schaeffner ran on a platform to bring zerobased budgeting to the School Committee, but that did not happen. In 2026, Ms. Fox is proposing the same idea. It is time to move forward.
On June 9, I am voting for Melissa Clucas and Ann-Marie Jordan without reservation. Please join me! Ms. Clucas has proven herself as a competent School Committee member who comes to meetings prepared. She has demonstrated a willingness to do the work and has years of budget experience. Ms. Jordan will bring a fresh perspective to the table with her background as a special education teacher and administrator. The current School Committee majority has been effective. Let’s continue this trajectory!
Samantha Rosato Martin Terrace
Weeden: Vision and collaboration
To the editor:
We have a competitive race this year for the Marblehead Housing Authority, which oversees all public housing and related projects in Marblehead. Recently the MHA has been engaged in a major undertaking with updates and new construction for the Broughton Road area. Before you mark your ballot for the incumbent, I urge you to take a look at Jeff Weeden, who is a new and exceptional candidate. It is really exciting that Marblehead and particularly the hundreds of families, elderly and handicapped residents, living in public housing could benefit from his professional expertise, at this time.
Jeff has nearly two decades of experience in government and public housing. He is currently the director for Planning and development for the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development. Marblehead could not have asked for a more qualified candidate for this position, from the next generation of Marblehead leaders — and soccer coaches, to step forward. Jeff oversees federal and state grant programs in Lynn that represent over $25 million. He directed the drafting and passage of Lynn’s first Housing Production Plan, which if you recall from the Marblehead plan required working with residents, officials and related state agencies. Jeff is also the administrator for NDA, Neighborhood Development Associates, a nonprofit development corporation dedicated to creating affordable housing in Lynn. They are currently working to convert the Lynn armory into mixed income veteran’s housing. Having members with vision, who are able to work collaboratively and contribute to a constructive problem solving process are essential dynamics to a well functioning, effective board. Jeff would bring those assets to the Marblehead Housing Authority. I really hope that Marblehead does not miss this opportunity to pass the torch, because it could not be in better hands.
Renee Ramirez Keaney Beverly Ave.
CANDIDATES GUIDE, Part one
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Each year, the Current provides a Candidates Guide to help Marblehead voters make informed decisions at the ballot box. This year, the Candidates Guide will be spread over two editions. Here is the first installment.
FOR SELECT BOARD
THREE CANDIDATES FOR TWO SEATS
Rossana Ferrante » Recreation & Parks Commission chair » Town Charter Committee member former Planning Board member » attorney
1. Do you support the override this June? If yes, which tier will you vote for?
I support stabilizing the town’s financial situation and services while holding ourselves accountable. We must take a measured approach to raising taxes. I attended the Super Saturday session that the Finance Committee held with all the departments — the town needs an override.
With that said, this budget season seemed hurried and did not allow enough time for the community to truly understand how the town derived the override options. Although it is not on the ballot, I am in favor of a one-year override that stabilizes current services and challenges the town to find other ways to cut costs/increase revenue.
Assuming a multi-year override passes, I recommend that a proposed underride stay on the radar in the event other non-tax-based solutions present themselves. As a result, I am leaning towards supporting Tier 1 and/or Tier 2.
In terms of trash collection, I will vote yes on the override; I recommend that we apply lessons learned from the last trash collection override. We need to start now to have the right processes and oversight in place to make sure that we are not in this situation again in five years.
2. Aside from passing an override, do you have any ideas for reducing pressure on the town budget, either by raising revenue or reducing costs? If so, what are they?
Based on the details I know today, I see opportunities in the following areas: town services/operations, how we communicate across departments and boards/ commissions, and potential new processes that could set up the proper framework to reduce pressure on the town budget. Finding ways to elevate the quality of our responsiveness, timeliness and proactive communication will save us time and money. We need to revisit and conduct a deep dive into all aspects of how we do business, i.e. insurance, contracts, townowned property currently not in use, etc. Challenge ourselves on the status quo and find creative solutions to not raise taxes.
3. What role should the Select Board play in economic development, including support for local businesses?
4. Describe a decision by town leaders that you agreed or disagreed with in the past year. What would you have done differently?
I strongly supported and agreed with town leaders keeping the Public Works Committee in place. This committee is one of the most important public forums driving efficiency and collaboration across departments and the community. It is a proactive approach to setting projects up as efficiently as possible. For example, the Reynolds Project (funded by the Larz Anderson Trust bequest), under Recreation and Parks (led by Commissioner Shelly Bedrossian and Superintendent Jaime Bloch), has saved over $800,000 by working through this committee. This committee supports the form of government Marblehead wants in place — decentralized and bringing decisions closer to the people.
5. What’s your assessment of the degree of distrust of public officials in the town of Marblehead? If you agree that this is a problem, how would you combat it, if elected?
As in any community, there are people who distrust public officials to some degree. The goal is to work as one community; I believe being divisive drives distrust.
What I feel builds trust: a collaborative mindset, timely and clear communication, reasonableness, responsiveness, strategic planning, process and structure to facilitate better decision-making, and a proactive approach to drive common ground and results.
Also, I recommend that we have more structure in how we work with the School Committee — I am confident that working closer together will positively impact the overall budget.
6. Assuming the state gives its final approval to the town’s plan to comply with the MBTA Communities Act, how will you look back on this chapter in the town’s history? What lessons, if any, do you take from it?
The Commonwealth’s lack of collaboration from the start set the stage for the challenges it has faced by several communities. The MBTA Communities Act seemed to only consider factors like transit access, town size and existing infrastructure when selecting towns and cities. The law was passed without consulting with any communities.
The Select Board leads the strategic vision and process road map, with the combined input of the departments and community, to capitalize economic development opportunities. The first step is to make it a priority and focus — assign a subcommittee to identify opportunities, what is holding us back, potential incentives and/or strategic partnerships to close gaps, direct and indirect ways to support existing local businesses and attract new businesses to the community. Once this focus is established, the role of the Select Board drives measurable progress and results to come from it.
In early 2022, the Commonwealth held a public comment period where towns
could provide feedback, which seemed to not make any difference. Further, in early 2025, the state’s Supreme Judicial Court confirmed that the law was constitutional. Odds were not in our favor.
In terms of lessons learned, we need to come together as one community as soon as possible — being divisive costs the community time and money. We ultimately structured ourselves to find a solution when we had all viewpoints at the table.
Noonan Incumbent with five years on Select Board » attorney
Do you support the June 9 override and, if yes, which tier?
I will be voting “yes” on Questions 1, 2 and 3 because I support Question 3 — the $15M request spread over three years. I want to be clear that Question 3 is not a wishlist for a “Cadillac” version of town services. Rather, a “yes” on Question 3 simply restores the town to 2020 service levels, funding everything in Questions 1 and 2 plus additional investments in public safety, capital needs, schools and other town departments.
On public safety, Question 3 funds a total of three police officer positions and four firefighter positions. The four firefighter positions return the Marblehead Fire Department to its 2020 staffing levels and should have an impact on reducing overtime costs.
On the police side, the department currently has 31 officers — down from 32 prior to FY25, which was already the leanest department on the North Shore. Question 3 would bring the total to 33 officers, allowing us to strengthen patrol coverage and place greater focus on traffic safety, community engagement and quality-of-life issues.
Question 3 also restores a number of positions and programs that were cut in recent years. It brings back the DPW foreman and specialized heavy equipment operator position that was eliminated a few years ago. It restores the special education program for 18-22-year-olds that was cut during COVID. Returning this program keeps Marblehead students in Marblehead while creating the potential to generate tuition revenue from other communities. It also restores mental health funding for the Marblehead Counseling Center and returns curriculum and professional development funding to the school budget, both of which had been reduced in prior budget cycles.
Question 3 also dedicates $1.5 million to town and school capital needs covering building repairs, vehicle purchases or leases, and ongoing maintenance of town equipment. There are currently between $8 and $11
million in identified projects waiting on this funding, including the Jacobi Center sunroom and library renovation, an elevator for the Old Town House, improvements to the Chandler Hovey Park pavilion, replacement of aging school buses and rehabilitation of Castle Rock Park. These annual capital expenses were historically covered using free cash, but the town no longer has sufficient free cash reserves to continue doing that.
The only new position added in Question 3 that was not contained in prior budget years is the grant writer position. This position will help us secure outside funding and reduce reliance on property taxes. Taken together, Question 3 represents a responsible, measured path back to the service levels Marblehead residents deserve: nothing more, nothing less. Aside from passing an override, do you have any ideas for reducing pressure on the town budget, either by raising revenue or reducing costs? If so, what are they?
I served on the Select Board in 2024 when we proposed, and Town Meeting adopted, a 0.75% local meals tax and a 6% local room occupancy tax to capture additional revenue. We looked at a comparative analysis of surrounding towns and found that Marblehead was one of the last communities to implement these taxes, and they have the potential to generate an additional $480,000 per year here. Additionally, please see my response below to the question on economic development.
The town could also realize meaningful new revenue by promoting responsible development in appropriate business areas. I support creating a smart-growth overlay zoning district under Chapter 40R, which requires that 20% of new housing be affordable and provides financial incentives from the state for participating municipalities. Done thoughtfully, this approach could diversify Marblehead’s revenue base, reduce pressure on property taxpayers over time and lead to greater economic vitality for our downtown businesses. We should also restore unused public property such as the Coffin School to the tax base.
This past year, I began speaking with elected officials from other boards to explore ways we might create efficiencies in our operating costs. Although still in the early stages, these conversations have revealed a strong willingness among elected leaders to collaborate on streamlining aspects of town operations and reducing expenses.
For example, several departments currently perform landscaping work across town, including Recreation and Parks, Cemetery, Highway and the Health Department at the Transfer Station. I am committed to continuing to work with colleagues and town department heads to explore how this responsibility might be better coordinated in terms of staffing and equipment.
What role should the Select Board play in economic development?
I served on the Select Board in 2024 when we proposed, and Town Meeting approved, the creation of the Community Development and Planning Department. The department was created to manage capital projects, secure and manage grants, establish long-range planning and policy initiatives, implement sustainability and climate resiliency programs, and support economic development and tourism.
In the past two years, this department has secured $1.9M in grants and is currently managing 35 active projects. In 2024, the CDPD secured a $130,000 grant from EOHLC’s Community Planning Grant Program to help update the town’s longdormant master plan. Towns use master plans to provide the framework for future physical and economic development based on the community’s vision and goals. This will be an open and public process where we as a community get to decide the priorities for growth and development in the future.
What would you do differently, if anything, in your next term? Is there a decision you made that you would change? Noonan did not answer this question.
What’s your assessment of the degree of distrust of public officials in the town of Marblehead? If you agree that this is a problem, how would you combat it, if re-elected? Despite the undue attention sometimes paid in news coverage to a small but vocal minority on social media, my experience is that the overwhelming majority of residents have confidence in their elected officials and the process. I point to the recent Town Meeting, where a unified group of town leaders presented a comprehensive general override proposal that received approximately 90% voter support as evidence of that trust. Assuming the state gives its final approval to the town’s plan to comply with the MBTA Communities Act, how will you look back on this chapter in the town’s history? What lessons, if any, do you take from it?
I think David Modica’s nowviral statement at Town Meeting is the appropriate conclusion to this entire saga.
Jenn Schaeffner
» School Committee member, sat on the budget, facilities subcommittees
Chair, Marblehead Housing Authority
» Worked in finance, banking, property management
Do you support the override this June? Which tier will you vote for?
Marblehead is facing a genuine fiscal crisis, and it demands
Erin
League of Women Voters to host Candidates Night
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The League of Women Voters of Marblehead will host its Candidates Night on Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. in the high school library. Residents may arrive at 6:30 p.m. to meet and speak with candidates.
Elizabeth Foster-Nolan, president of the Massachusetts League of Women Voters, will
Candidates
experienced, decisive leadership. The override questions are already on the ballot, and residents will be asked to decide on June 9. I recognize that after years of spending down our reserves, raising the tax levy to increase revenue may be an unfortunate but necessary step. I am wrestling with this decision, as the process has not been as transparent or well-structured as it should have been. In 2025, voters overwhelmingly expressed that they wanted a menu of items so they could specifically decide where their money should go. That message deserved to be heard and respected, and I regret that the current override is not being conducted in that fashion. I also regret that many of the most meaningful town services have been put at risk, while we have not yet taken the opportunity to address critical structural issues that could save money and ensure Marblehead’s fiscal security going forward.
What I can commit to is this: if Marblehead votes to raise the levy, and I am elected to the Board, I will fight to ensure that the additional revenue is used to provide meaningful relief, including funding the areas of greatest need, while allowing the time necessary to do the hard work properly.
A full, rigorous review of every department, every expense line, and every available revenue source is essential, as is full transparency regarding how and why taxpayers’ money is being spent and long-term planning to ensure we don’t find ourselves in a similar situation again a few years from now.
Aside from passing an override, do you have any ideas for reducing pressure on the town budget, either by raising revenue or reducing costs? If so, what are they?
moderate. The forum will feature candidates in the following races:
Select Board: Incumbent Erin Noonan and challengers Rossana Ferrante and Jenn Schaeffner are vying for two seats.
School Committee: Incumbent
Melissa Clucas and challengers Sarah Fox and Ann-Marie Jordan are vying for two seats.
Beyond the override, the Select Board must take a more active role in expanding revenue. That means creating a welcoming environment for new businesses, cutting through red tape, and actively promoting Marblehead as a destination for visitors to experience our restaurants, shops, and lodging. This town is beautiful and historic and has so much to offer, and tourism and visitor spending are revenue sources that benefit everyone without adding to the tax burden on our residents. We must also support managed growth of sustainable new construction and work closely with the Building Department and Assessors’ Office to ensure every new development is properly assessed and all new growth taxes are fully captured.
On the cost side, I would implement zero-based budgeting across every town department, requiring every expense to be justified from the ground up rather than rolled forward automatically. I would also look closely at opportunities to share services and resources between town departments where possible, eliminating duplication and improving efficiency without reducing the quality of services residents receive.
What role should the Select Board play in economic development, including support for local businesses?
The Select Board should be an active and enthusiastic partner in economic development, not a passive bystander. A thriving local economy is one of the most powerful tools we have for expanding our tax base and reducing the burden on residential taxpayers, and the Select Board has both the platform and the responsibility to champion it.
The Select Board sets the tone for how this town relates to its business community, and that tone matters enormously. Business owners notice when their local government is
Recreation and Parks Commission: Incumbents
Larry Simpson, Chris Kennedy, Karin Ernst and Shelly Curran Bedrossian are each seeking another term. Ken Klaiman and Michael McCarthy are also running. All five seats are up for grabs.
Housing Authority: Incumbent Jean Eldridge and Jeffrey Weeden are running for
engaged, responsive, and genuinely invested in their success. They also notice when it is not. The Select Board should be visible and accessible to the business community, understanding the challenges they face and removing obstacles where it can.
That means working closely with town departments to ensure that permitting and regulatory processes are as efficient and transparent as possible. It means being a vocal advocate for Marblehead’s business districts and the people who invest their livelihoods in them. And it means recognizing that when our local businesses thrive, the whole town benefits. A vibrant commercial district strengthens our community identity, keeps dollars local, and reduces the pressure on residential taxpayers. That is an outcome worth fighting for, and the Select Board should be leading that effort.
Beyond supporting existing businesses, the Select Board should be actively promoting Marblehead as a destination. This town is beautiful, historic and unlike anywhere else on the North Shore. Our restaurants, shops and lodging deserve more visitors, and visitor spending is revenue that benefits everyone without adding to the tax burden of our residents. A coordinated effort to promote tourism and attract visitors should be a priority, not an afterthought.
Finally, the Select Board must support managed, appropriate new construction, and work closely with the Building Department and Assessors Office to ensure that every new development is properly assessed, and all new growth taxes are fully captured. There is real money being left on the table when that coordination breaks down, and I will not accept that. Smart, thoughtful economic development is not at odds with preserving the
Cemetery Commission: Incumbent Sally Sands and challenger Rose McCarthy are
character of our town. Done right, it protects it.
Describe a decision by town leaders that you agreed or disagreed with in the past year. What would you have done differently?
I want to acknowledge that all three candidates running for Select Board are currently serving Marblehead in public office. I have deep respect and genuine gratitude for anyone who has the courage to step forward and serve this community. That takes real commitment, and it should never be taken for granted. I may not agree with my fellow candidates on every issue, and that is precisely why I have stepped forward to run. But I appreciate their service and am fully prepared to engage in respectful debate, collaborate across differences, and compromise when it serves the best interest of Marblehead. That is what good government looks like. What sets me apart is the combination of professional financial expertise, direct municipal budget experience and deep roots in this community that I bring to this moment, exactly the skills Marblehead needs most right now. Thank you for your consideration and I ask for your vote for the position of Select Board member on June 9.
What’s your assessment of the degree of distrust of public officials in the town of Marblehead? If you agree that this is a problem, how would you combat it, if elected? There is real and understandable frustration in this community about how decisions have been made and whether residents are being given the full picture. I have seen it firsthand. The answer is not better spin. It is radical transparency. Financial data must be presented in plain language every resident can follow. Decision-making
processes must be open and well-documented. And elected officials must be willing to have honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations rather than managing the message. What I will always insist on is that decisions of consequence are made with full transparency, verifiable data, and meaningful resident input, not handed down, and explained after the fact. That is the standard I will hold myself to on the Select Board, and it is the standard I will ask of everyone serving alongside me.
Assume the state gives its final approval to the town’s plan to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. How will you look back on this chapter in the town’s history? What lessons, if any, do you take from it?
I have deep respect for both sides of this debate. There is a legitimate and pressing need for controlled, appropriate growth in our town, both to create housing opportunities for working families and seniors and to expand our tax base in a sustainable way. At the same time, the concerns raised by many residents about increased density and whether our infrastructure, both within Marblehead and across the greater North Shore for commuters, can support that growth are real and deserve to be taken seriously, not dismissed.
The lesson I take from this chapter is the same one I take from the override debate. When residents feel that decisions are being handed down rather than made with them, trust erodes and division follows. The path forward, on this issue and every other, must begin with genuine transparency, early and meaningful resident engagement, and a willingness to listen to and honor the voices of the people who live here. That is the standard I will hold myself to on the Select Board.
were cast during the early voting period and through mail-in ballots, representing 45.45% of the town’s 17,099 registered voters. That pre-Election Day total included 2,976 in-person early voters and 4,696 returned mail-in ballots.
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer said he believes any hurdles to in-person early voting “are not insurmountable.”
“I think you would want residents to have as much opportunity to vote as possible,” he added.
Select Board Chair Dan Fox stressed the importance of offering in-person early voting. “It was available for both the general election and the 3A referendum last year,” Fox wrote to the Current. “Early voting increases access and participation for residents who may not be able to vote on a
single designated election day.
Many people balance demanding work schedules or other obligations that can make it difficult to get to the polls during limited voting hours.”
Fox added, “Early voting provides flexibility and helps ensure that more voices in the community are heard. By spreading turnout across multiple days, it can create a smoother and less stressful experience while maintaining the integrity of the voting process. Most importantly, voting should be as accessible and convenient as possible for every eligible resident.
Expanding opportunities to vote strengthens civic participation and helps build greater confidence and engagement in our local democratic process.”
Resident Christine Nuccio is hoping Marblehead voters will have the option to vote in person early.
“Marblehead has an
established precedent for early voting,” Nuccio said. “We should encourage as many voters to participate in the June 9 election as possible; early voting will allow voters who can’t vote on June 9 to cast their ballots early in this important election. The point is to increase voting, not limit it.”
Citizens group For Marblehead, which is advocating for the general override on June 9, also called for in-person early voting.
“At Town Meeting, voters overwhelmingly chose to move the override question — one that will shape our schools, services, taxes and future for years to come — to a full townwide vote… In a moment when residents clearly want to be heard, we should be making participation easier, not harder,” reads a statement from For Marblehead co-chairs Kate Thomson and Matt Hooks.
one seat.
vying for one seat.
Town Moderator: Incumbent Jack Attridge faces challenger Peter Jaffee.
The Attorney General’s Office previously filed suit against Marblehead over its noncompliance but paused the case until May 18, after Town Meeting.
“We’re following this, and we will determine postEOHLC review if there’s any legal recourse we can take,” Campbell said.
Eagan interjected, “There’s a sense that some
(communities) are pulling fast ones to get out of compliance.” Campbell responded, “We’re following that. There are a lot of people like David … and I just applaud the civic engagement at the local level when it comes to housing policies.”
Select Board Chair Dan Fox told the Current May 16 that he has no concerns that the EOHLC or Attorney General will
reject the plan.
Meanwhile, at a May 12 Planning Board meeting, member Ed Nilsson said it’s not true that housing is unlikely to be built at Tedesco.
In an email the next day, he wrote about a Save the Glover meeting with representatives from Tedesco who mentioned a potential future need for Tedesco staff housing.
“With a 30-acre campus, Tedesco could consider underutilized areas,
for example, that could contain a several acres development at 15 units per acre yielding 30 to 45 units,” he wrote.
Nilsson added, “Not a huge number, but an example of how the 3A overlay district could realistically enhance needed housing in a vibrant commercial setting.”
Asked why he didn’t share that news at Town Meeting, Nilsson told the Current, “Tedesco’s
comment about staff housing was in an entirely different context about relocating the adjacent Glover House onto an underutilized Tedesco parcel in Marblehead.
It was not fleshed out enough to mention, but only one of several
potential scenarios without much detail but conceivably doable.”
Meanwhile, Marblehead resident David Modica — whose Town Meeting question, “Are we kinda being pricks?” by passing a housing plan that likely won’t produce any housing went viral — will be the guest speaker at a lobby day at the State House with Abundant Housing Massachusetts. Other speakers include Lt.
Sports
Marblehead laxmen wrap up the NEC championship after beating rival Masco
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead High boys lacrosse team (12-3) has rattled off four straight wins, and in so doing has clinched the Northeastern Conference championship. In fact, these Magicians have been practically flawless throughout the past several weeks, winning 11 out of their last 12 games. It’s a formula that they want to maintain with the postseason right around the corner.
According to the latest Division 2 power rankings, the Marblehead boys are seeded 22nd with still three regular season games left on the schedule against Melrose (May 18), host Winthrop (May 20, 4:30 p.m.) and non-league Wakefield at home (May 21, 7 p.m.).
The Magicians have recently conquered Gloucester (15-3, May 7), Lexington (9-6, May 9), Peabody (13-3, May 11) and Masco (16-7, May 13).
“We are a young group with only nine seniors on the varsity roster,” said coach John Wilkens. In the game against the Minutemen at home, they were actually trailing, 5-3 at halftime. “We had a strong defensive
effort in the second half to get back in this game,” said Wilkens. Tyler Forbes was the leader on offense with four goals and one assist. Kyle Thibodeau had the hat trick. Owen Dulac went one and two. Bailey Finkle accounted
for one score. Will Kinahan, Landon Dosch and Reid Wysor each chipped in with one assist. Goalie Colin Maniaci came up with five critical saves to help his teammates maintain the lead in a low scoring game.
Against Gloucester also at Piper, Kinahan (1 assist), Forbes (4 assists) and Dosch paced the offensive attack with four goals apiece. Thibodeau was credited with one goal and two assists. Sophomores John Rand
and Noah Pignato each chipped in with one score. Dulac setup two markers. Henry Wolcott assisted on one tally, along with freshman Zach Thibodeau. Maniaci only had to make three stops.
Francis records 700th career strikeout to propel teammates to the postseason
BY JOE MCCONNELL
Softball gets 10th win
The girls softball team (10-7) started last week at home with a satisfying 9-2 win over nonleague Ipswich that also clinched a state tournament berth.
The May 11 game also featured the 700th career strikeout for all-star pitcher Tessa Francis, who scattered three hits, while fanning 18 in another dominating performance. Francis reached the milestone on her eighth whiff, and had 10 more after that to give her 710 with five more regular season games still to go, plus the postseason, to add to that total. Francis also played a role in the offense by going 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI. Third baseman Tessa Andriano powered the attack with three hits and three RBI.
Coach Johnny Gold’s team then lost a close contest to host Beverly two days later, 3-2. There are only four games left in the regular season, including a makeup game at Danvers on May 20, starting at 4 p.m. The game against the Falcons was originally scheduled for May 14, but rain forced the postponement.
Baseball Magicians split the week
The Marblehead High baseball team (9-8) had mixed results last week. They were shutout by Swampscott on May 11, 6-0, before narrowly beating Beverly two days later, 2-1. Both games were home encounters at Seaside Park.
“We couldn’t get anything going at the plate against Swampscott,” said coach Mike Giardi.
The baseball Magicians managed just two hits – one single apiece by catcher E.J.
Wyman and Owen Coyne – while striking out 14 times. Sophomore pitcher Madden Lyons (5 hits, 3 walks, 2 runs, 1 earned, 7 strikeouts) definitely deserved a better fate on the mound after going six strong
innings, giving up only one earned run. Coyne (3 hits, 1 walk, 4 runs) pitched the final frame.
The Magicians, however, bounced back nicely against the Panthers. “This was a muchneeded win,” said Giardi.
Senior captain Ryan Angilly delivered a clutch two-out single that scored his fellow captain Dylan Glass with the game-winning run in the seventh inning. Glass entered the game as a pinch runner for junior Andrew Dellacamera, who patiently waited out a walk. Sophomore catcher Will DePhillips was then hit by a pitch. Lyons, his classmate, moved both he and Dephillips into scoring position on a fielder’s choice, setting the stage for Angilly’s heroics.
Yanzel Fuentes (7 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, 1 run, 4 strikeouts), another sophomore, earned his second complete game win of the year after throwing 79 pitches.
The Magicians were credited with five hits. Greyson Leventhal had a double to account for the team’s lone extra base hit in the game. Tim Wales drove home the tying run with a single in the fourth inning. Dellacamera chipped in with two singles.
Girls lacrosse remains in postseason hunt
The girls lacrosse team (6-6 in the Northeastern Conference, 8-9 overall) won two out of three games last week to keep its postseason aspirations alive going into the regular season finale against Winthrop at home on May 19 after press deadline.
These Magicians defeated visiting Peabody on May 11, 17-9. But then, host Masco turned the tables on them two days later, 16-9, before they traveled to Tewksbury to beat the Lady Redmen, 14-6 last Saturday, May 16.
Coach Annie Madden’s team celebrated Senior Day prior to the game against the Tanners.
“All season long, we have been working to put together a full 48 minutes of lacrosse, and today we did just that,” said the veteran Marblehead coach.
“Everyone did what they needed to do in order to win it for our seniors – Chloe Rowland, Avery Wysor, Avery Barbeau, Anna Rausch and Sofi Kannengeisser – who have led us (since practice began in March), and today was for them.”
Zoe Dwyer paced the attack with nine goals, while Sammy Walker led the team in draws.
Goalie Molly Bullard once again came up with some clutch saves to help preserve the winning margin of difference. She made nine saves altogether.
Addie Co-Peeps (2 goals, 2 assists, 1 caused turnover), Emma Ryan (2 goals, 1 groundball), Maggie Svencer (1 goal, 1 assist, 5 draw controls), Gwen Potter (1 assist, 2 draw controls, 4 groundballs), Avery Wysor (1 assist, 1 groundball) and Chloe Rowland (2 groundballs) also contributed to the win. Besides her nine goals, Dwyer was also credited with one draw control. Walker chipped in with three goals, one
COURTESY PHOTO / MHS ALL SPORTS BOOSTERS
Marblehead High boys lacrosse 2026 senior captains are, from left, John Schieffer, Grady Becker, Owen Dulac and Colin Maniaci.
Town native wins awards for sports filmmaking
BY JORDAN HOROWITZ
For Marblehead native Will Fitzpatrick, sports and filmmaking were always a natural pair. Growing up in Marblehead youth sports — baseball, lacrosse and, his selfdescribed “big thing,” hockey — he rarely left home without a camera, ready to capture whatever action caught his eye. That first camera, which he received as a gift at age 3 and still owns today, was occasionally supplemented by his parents’ camcorder.
At 10, Fitzpatrick traded that first camera and camcorder for a more versatile — and importantly, water-resistant — GoPro, which launched his first foray into sports filmmaking. He and his friends would take a Boston whaler out on Salem Harbor and pull each other behind the boat on surfboards while he filmed the action and later edited the footage at home using Final Cut.
“That’s how I taught myself how to make videos,” he said. Alongside his passion for film and sports, Fitzpatrick developed an early fascination with international politics. The interest began during his daily commute to Shore Country Day School in Beverly, when he became intrigued by the flags of different countries flying outside the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. He also loved documentaries exploring the intersection of politics and athletics, including “Fire in Babylon,” about the
Roundup
From P. 9
assist and two groundballs to go along with her winning draws.
In the game against Masco, Dwyer was once again the scoring leader with five goals and one assist. Co-Peeps collected two goals and one assist.
Sydney Moniz and Ryan each accounted for one goal. Svencer was responsible for one assist. Bullard stopped seven shots.
The Marblehead girls then stayed ahead of Tewksbury throughout the Saturday matinee, including at halftime, 9-2. Dwyer, only a sophomore, was once again the star of the show with seven goals, one of which was her 100th career marker.
Co-Peeps (4 goals, 1 assist), Barbeau (1 goal), Svencer (1 goal) and Moniz (1 goal) also played significant offensive roles. Bullard did her part to maintain the safe lead with eight saves.
“This was a good team win,” Madden said afterwards. “Everyone stepped up, and was focused
underestimated West Indies cricket team that rose to dominate the sport.
Fitzpatrick went on to major in economics at Hamilton College, but during his senior year, he began seriously considering a career in filmmaking instead of economics or politics.
“What if I just tried to do it?” he recalled asking himself.
Now 28, Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in documentary filmmaking from New York University and has already built an impressive résumé.
Straight out of college, he worked in postproduction
on taking care of the ball.”
Boys tennis keeps on winning
The boys tennis team (13-2) extended its winning streak to eight after wins against Gloucester (4-1, May 11), Beverly (4-1, May 12) and finally Danvers (5-0, May 16).
It’s been a successful first year for coach Karl Tenenholtz, whose club swept the host Falcons off their courts last Saturday afternoon, which just might move them up in the Division 2 power rankings. Going into the Danvers match, they were fourth overall, only trailing Longmeadow (141), Westborough (9-3) and Walpole (11-4).
Ty Cooper shutdown Jack Scarpaci of Danvers in first singles, 6-0, 6-0. T.J. Kelly had pretty much the same results against Connor DiTomaso in second singles, 6-1, 6-0. Alex Boehning maintained the trend in third singles, beating Jack Chronis, 6-0, 6-0.
The first doubles team of Cordt Menzler and Finn Bowen dominated Kyle Sillars and Graham Corbin, 6-0, 6-1. Jeff Kucharsky and Griffin Waller took care of
INVITATION TO BID
In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 30, §39M, the Town of Marblehead requests sealed bids for: Contract 26-57: Renovation of the Seaside Park Baseball
Sealed bids will be received at on-line at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/marblehead: Bidding requirements and contract documents will be available on the Town website at https://procurement. opengov.com/portal/marblehead
Bids must be uploaded by June 4, 2026 at 10:00 am. • Each bid must include a 5% bid bond or certified
The successful bidder will be required to furnish:
◦A Payment Bond in the amount of 50% of the contract value
All work is subject to prevailing wage rates as determined by M.G.L. Chapter 149, §§26–27H
Another recent milestone came when Fitzpatrick won Best NYU Documentary at the NYU Sports Film Festival for “Hold On,” a documentary about a group of rock climbers who share a remarkable bond: They have all been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
on “The First Wave,” a documentary following hospital workers during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was shortlisted for an Academy Award and won three Emmy Awards.
More recently, Fitzpatrick directed “Puelmapu,” a documentary about Indigenous people in Patagonia being forced from their ancestral lands under Argentine President Javier Milei’s administration. The film was accepted into the Latino and Native American Film Festival and is available to stream online through May 24.
Jacob Downey and Evan Sewyck in second doubles, 6-2, 6-3.
Girls tennis takes down Gloucester
The girls tennis team (8-4) played only one match last week, and that was a shutout 5-0 win over host Gloucester on May 11. They are well on their way to another postseason berth, and are currently seeded 15th in the latest Division 2 power rankings. As of press deadline, they still have six regular season matches left on the schedule, starting with a Sunday encounter (May 17) against the Falcons in Danvers.
The Magicians easily dispatched aforementioned Gloucester in straight sets throughout all five individual matches to secure their eighth win of the season.
Samara Dosch (6-2, 6-2), Callie Gilmore (6-0, 6-0) and Sophie Li (6-2, 6-0) won their singles matches. The first doubles team of Joy Meshulam and Caroline Bruett took care of business, 6-2, 6-4, while Lilly O’Keefe and Harper Mooney finished off the Lady Fishermen in second doubles, 6-1, 6-2.
VARSITY SCHEDULE
Wednesday, May 20
4 p.m., boys tennis vs. ManchesterEssex at Manchester Memorial School
4 p.m., boys baseball vs. ManchesterEssex at Essex Center Memorial Park Small Diamond
4 p.m., girls tennis vs. Winchester at Marblehead High
4:30 p.m., boys lacrosse vs. Winthrop at Winthrop High
Thursday, May 21
1 p.m., co-ed sailing, Massachusetts state championships, MIT, Cambridge
4:30 p.m., girls softball vs. Newburyport at Marblehead
The climbers, based in Alexandria, Virginia, are part of Up ENDing Parkinson’s, a nonprofit organization with chapters across the country that helps people with Parkinson’s slow the progression of the disease.
“Hold On” centers on climber Ruth Grover, who uses climbing to combat not only the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s, but also the anxiety and depression that can accompany the disease. When Fitzpatrick and Grover met, they quickly bonded over two shared connections: Grover has a sister in Marblehead, and Grover and Fitzpatrick are graduates of Hamilton College.
According to Fitzpatrick, that
VARSITY SCOREBOARD
Monday, May 11
Boys lacrosse: Marblehead 13, Peabody 3
Girls tennis: Marblehead 5, Gloucester 0
Boys tennis: Marblehead 4, Gloucester 1
Girls lacrosse: Marblehead 17, Peabody 9
Boys baseball: Swampscott 6, Marblehead 0
Girls softball: Marblehead 9, Ipswich 2
Tuesday, May 12
Boys tennis: Marblehead 4, Beverly 1
Wednesday, May 13
Boys baseball: Marblehead 2, Beverly 1
Girls softball: Beverly 3, Marblehead 2
Girls lacrosse: Masconomet 16, Marblehead 9
Boys lacrosse: Marblehead 16, Masconomet 7
Thursday, May 14
Girls tennis vs. Danvers (ppd, rain)
Boys baseball vs. Danvers (ppd, rain)
Girls softball vs. Danvers (ppd, rain)
Saturday, May 16
Girls lacrosse: Marblehead 14, Tewksbury 6
Boys tennis: Marblehead 5, Danvers 0
Sunday, May 17
Boys baseball: Marblehead 4, Danvers 3
Girls tennis: Marblehead 5, Danvers 0
Boys tennis: Marblehead 5, Beverly 0
TEAM RECORDS, MIAA POWER RANKINGS (THROUGH MAY 17)
Boys baseball, 10-8 (No. 31 in Div. 2)
Girls softball, 10-7 (No. 14 in Div. 2)
Boys lacrosse, 12-3 (No. 22 in Div. 2)
Girls lacrosse, 8-9 (No. 32 in Div. 2)
Boys tennis, 14-2 (No. 4 in Div. 2)
Girls tennis, 9-4 (No. 15 in Div. 2)
Top 32 power-rated teams qualify for the MIAA tournament, regardless of record.
Veterans Middle School
7 p.m., boys lacrosse vs. Wakefield at MHS Piper Field Friday, May 22
4 p.m., boys and girls track at NEC Championship Meet, Danvers High Morse Field
Thursday, May 28
TBA, boys and girls track at Bridgewater State University Saturday, May 30
TBA, boys and girls track at Bridgewater State University Thursday, June 4
TBA, boys and girls track at Merrimack College, North Andover
immediate connection became mutually inspiring. Grover inspired him with the way she was “dealt a pretty tough hand and still finds motivation to move forward,” while the documentary gave Grover “a motivation boost to get even more into climbing than she already was.”
Fitzpatrick hopes “Hold On” will not only inspire viewers, but also educate them about the critical role exercise can play in fighting diseases such as Parkinson’s. He said emerging research has overturned the outdated belief that people with Parkinson’s should avoid physical activity.
“You need to be as active as possible,” he said.
As for what comes next, Fitzpatrick said he plans to continue making films about sports, global politics and other subjects he cares deeply about. Above all, he said, “I just want to keep producing stories.”
OUT OF BOUNDS
Youth Soccer group denounces racial slurs at recent game
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Marblehead Youth Soccer Association sent a letter to its families Friday, alerting them to several “unfortunate events” at recent games, including one where spectators and players were “directing racial slurs at an opponent.”
“The reports from our opponents of this situation are difficult to read,” the email from the MYSA Board reads. “They make us sad and embarrassed… There is no place in youth sports, or in our society, for comments that attack a human being’s race or belonging. Similarly, there is no place for foul language.”
The email continues: “As a community we need to focus on what we can control. Clearly our own behavior is within our control. Going forward, we ask that all players, coaches and spectators be cognizant of their own behavior and be sure that it is maintained to a standard that you would be proud to see on video. MYSA leadership is treating all of these incidents with the utmost seriousness. In accordance with our ZeroTolerance Policy, MYSA has implemented measures to facilitate learning from these incidents and to prevent any future recurrence.”
MYSA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It welcomes hundreds of players each season, from kindergarten through high school.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Marblehead native Will Fitzpatrick is making movies that matter.
Ruth Grover appears in Will Fitzpatrick’s new movie, “Hold On” about a group of rock climbers with Parkinson’s disease.
Beethoven concert to support Food Pantry
BY LEIGH BLANDER
For months, Matt Arnold has immersed himself in one of the most towering works in classical music: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Now, after months of study and rehearsal, Arnold will conduct a special performance of the iconic work at Star of the Sea Church on May 31, bringing together a 43-piece orchestra and a 40-member chorus.
Few compositions carry the weight and reputation of Beethoven’s Ninth, which premiered in 1824 and revolutionized symphonic music by introducing choral voices into the final movement.
“It’s one of those pieces … a pillar of classical music,” Arnold said. “It changed everything. No one had thought to put voices in the symphony before. Beethoven
was the first.”
For Arnold, the work’s enduring power lies not only in its musical ambition but in its emotional depth and humanity.
“Beethoven had a method to his madness. He knew what he was doing,” Arnold said. “When he could no longer communicate just through instruments, voices entered the conversation.”
The symphony traces an
emotional arc from darkness to triumph, he said.
“I love the whole piece. It’s a journey,” Arnold said. “The first movement is very dramatic, stormy. The symphony itself is a journey from struggle, sacrifice, and the end is joy… the whole human palate of emotions.”
The performance carries added poignancy given Beethoven’s own struggles. By the time he
Marblehead’s best bets
composed the Ninth Symphony, the composer was completely deaf.
“At the first performance, people had to turn him around to the audience. He didn’t realize people were applauding,” Arnold said.
Arnold sees the piece as deeply personal.
“He was expressing his struggles as a person, composer,
musician,” Arnold said. “He was a famously curmudgeonly person, but he longed for human connection, and I don’t know if he ever quite found it.”
Still, Arnold believes the message at the heart of the symphony remains hopeful and universal.
“He never gave up believing that we as people share one common connection to humanity,” Arnold said.
One line in particular resonates with him.
“It’s towards the end of the last movement and translates into ‘Brothers, above the starry canopy there must be a loving father,’” Arnold said.
The free performance will take place May 31 at 4 p.m. at the church. Audience members are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to the Marblehead Food Pantry.
Current Events spotlights notable happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email info@ marbleheadnews.org.
By Julia Rockler
Painting class for adults
Friday, May 22, 6-9 p.m.
Get creative Friday night by joining an open paint class at Acorn Gallery School of Art, 41 State St. Over three hours, you’ll create your own project with guidance according to your level. All supplies are included except the canvas. Attendees are welcome to bring their own material as well. $35. Call or text Debra at 781-631-6030 with questions.
DIY button making at Abbot Library
Tuesday, May 26, 3-4 p.m. Teens are welcome to design their own wearable buttons using templates, images from magazines or personal artwork. Register at abbotlibrary.org.
Cultural Feast
Friday, May 29, 5-8 p.m.
Marblehead’s METCO program is sponsoring its annual Cultural Feast at the high school. Everyone’s invited to enjoy food, live music and performances. Adults are $7, kids are $5. All money
Growing for good
Saturday, May 23
Come support the Village School Organic Garden by harvesting, growing and delivering vegetables to the Marblehead Food Pantry. Contact Ruth Duell at reduell@gmail.com if interested. There is another opportunity to help the Marblehead Conservancy by planting native species. Reach out to Don Morgan at dl.morgan@verizon.net to sign up.
Create your own shells
Friday, May 29, 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Children 3-8 years are invited to explore shells and sealife during the Super Shells workshop with Salem Sound Coastwatch at Abbot Library. Kids will build their own mollusks from clay. More info at abbotlibrary.org.
Colonial Craft Fair
Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Marblehead Museum hosts its third annual Colonial Craft Fair where you can step back into the sights and sounds of colonial New England. It’s a lively outdoor event in the gardens of the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, 161 Washington St. All ages are welcome. Members: $10 per person, nonmembers $15. marbleheadmuseum.org
raised goes to the Tyrone Bumpurs scholarship.
COURTESY PHOTO
Matthew Arnold conducts the Star of the Sea Choir and Symphony Orchestra in its Christmas Chorale last year.
What’s next for housing in Marblehead?
BY AKANKSHA GOYAL
Marblehead’s yearslong battle over MBTA Communities Law zoning may finally be winding down, but the debate it ignited over housing in town appears far from settled.
At Town Meeting earlier this month, voters approved a new 3A zoning plan intended to bring Marblehead into compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities Law after the town lost roughly $4 million in state grants following the rejection of a previous proposal in a referendum vote last year. But critics questioned whether the new plan — which includes the Tedesco Country Club property among areas eligible for multifamily housing — would meaningfully increase housing production at all.
That skepticism crystallized in a viral Town Meeting moment when resident David Modica asked the crowd, “Are we kinda being pricks?” The comment quickly spread online and drew statewide and national attention.
At a May 12 Housing Committee meeting, members themselves acknowledged similar concerns.
“We’re relieved that it’s done, but we’re certainly not happy with the result,” member Kurt James said.
Member Nisha Austin summarized it more bluntly: “Our metric isn’t compliance; it’s housing production. And… by putting zoning where everybody knows nothing will get built, I think that we should just be honest with ourselves that we’re actually like not achieving what we’re setting out to do as the Housing Committee.” Now, after years of contentious debate over 3A, residents, housing advocates and local officials are confronting a broader question that has lingered in Marblehead for years: What comes next for housing in town?
Marblehead’s Housing Production Plan, first adopted in 2008 and updated in 2020, identified many of the same issues dominating local conversation today: high housing costs, limited housing diversity, a lack of affordable units and zoning patterns heavily weighted toward single- family homes. At the time, affordable housing represented only 3.9%, or roughly 333 units, of the town’s housing stock — far below the state’s 10% affordability benchmark under Chapter 40B. State data suggests little has changed since then.
According to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ 2025 Subsidized Housing Inventory, Marblehead remains below 4% affordable housing stock, with 332 subsidized units representing roughly 3.84% of the town’s housing units.
The plan also warned that rising housing prices were making it increasingly difficult for teachers, municipal employees, young families and older residents to remain in town.
Using 2017 figures, it noted that the median sale price for a single-family home in Marblehead was $645,000, while condominiums sold for a median price of $342,500, according to data from The Warren Group. By last December, those figures had climbed to $1.01 million for single-family homes and $665,000 for condominiums, according to The Warren Group’s sales data.
A built-out town
For some local officials and committee members, Marblehead’s greatest obstacle
is geographical.
“The biggest challenge is that we have a very densely populated, almost 100% builtout town,” James told the Current. “The opportunities to create significant affordable housing… are very limited.”
The newly formed Housing Committee, created earlier this year through the merger of two existing housing bodies, has continued exploring potential housing initiatives on public land and through state housing programs.
James said the town has made progress in some areas, pointing to discussions surrounding the Coffin School property, land near the former Community Store site and the ongoing Broughton Road redevelopment project.
“We definitely continue to support and explore opportunities to use public spaces for housing,” James said.
He also described the Chapter 3A process as what had been a “high priority opportunity” to expand housing options through rezoning but acknowledged that it “obviously didn’t turn out as we had hoped it would.” “It’s probably not going to result in any housing other than at Broughton Road,” he said.
James noted that even many of the earlier proposed zoning districts were already heavily built out, making large-scale redevelopment unlikely, regardless of zoning changes.
“Developers can develop multifamily housing anywhere in town under 40B,” he said. “And there’s only been two projects that have gone forward so far.” Marblehead has also adopted other zoning tools over the years intended to encourage multifamily development, including smart-growth overlay districts and incentive zoning bylaws.
But James said uptake has remained limited, largely because developable land is scarce.
“I think the bottom line is there’s just not a lot of vacant land,” he said. “Generally speaking, most of our initiatives are somewhat stymied by the geographical challenges.”
Supply vs. resistance
Housing advocate Nick Ward sees the issue differently.
“I don’t think available land is the obstacle,” Ward said. Ward, a Marblehead resident and vocal pro-housing advocate during the 3A debate, argued that the town’s housing challenges stem less from physical limitations and more from restrictions on what types
“We have a very densely populated, almost 100% built-out town. The opportunities to create significant affordable housing… are very limited.” Kurt James, Housing Committee member`
of housing can be built.
“The primary failure, both in Marblehead as well as across the Commonwealth, is the lack of sufficient housing supply,” he said.
Drawing an analogy to cars, Ward said the state does not force everyone to buy “Chevy Suburbans” or mandate a minimum vehicle size, but instead allows a range of vehicle types and prices to meet different needs and incomes.
“That’s fundamentally one of the things that we need to do in Massachusetts and in Marblehead,” Ward said. “We need to allow different types of housing.” The Housing Production Plan similarly identified Marblehead’s housing stock as heavily dominated by single-family homes, with roughly 77% of units falling into that category — among the highest shares in the region — and recommended updating zoning policies to better support multifamily and mixed-use development.
Ward argued that loosening zoning restrictions could allow smaller-scale property owners, not just large developers, to create additional housing through duplex conversions, accessory dwelling units and multifamily additions that could gradually improve affordability by increasing overall housing supply.
He said he frequently hears from residents whose children cannot find housing in Marblehead, as well as older residents hoping to downsize but unable to find smaller options within town.
At the same time, Ward said he believes cultural resistance to housing growth remains a major factor in Marblehead’s debate.
“I do think cultural resistance is a big part of it,” he said.
Ward said many conversations around affordable housing in Marblehead focus too narrowly on subsidized units while overlooking broader housing shortages.
“The word ‘affordability’ has a very specific context in Massachusetts,” he said. “But housing is like any good… All housing is affordable to someone.” He pointed to Marblehead’s historic downtown as evidence that denser housing patterns can coexist with the town’s character.
“I think it’s a genuine
national treasure that deserves protection and celebration, but at the same time, it’s also the most dense and populated part of the town,” Ward said.
“You couldn’t build Old Town Marblehead today.” Ward acknowledged that some concerns raised during the 3A fight, particularly surrounding traffic, were legitimate and said Marblehead could eventually benefit from infrastructure investments such as improved bus service or safer bike routes.
But he also argued that several warnings raised by opponents of multifamily zoning have not materialized.
“We were told that our property taxes would go up if we allowed multifamily housing, and our taxes are going up anyway,” he said.
He also pointed to declining school enrollment as evidence that fears of overcrowded schools may have been overstated.
Revisiting old goals
The town’s current approach mirrors many of the goals laid out in earlier housing plans.
The Housing Production Plan encouraged the town to pursue partnerships with nonprofit developers, identify underutilized public land, explore zoning reforms and educate residents about affordable housing, among several other strategies intended to expand housing opportunities.
James said the town continues to work with organizations including the Marblehead Housing Authority, the North Shore HOME Consortium and other regional housing groups.
At a recent Housing Committee meeting, members discussed continuing outreach efforts through newsletters, public presentations and articles while also weighing longer-term zoning and funding strategies.
“The focus is on educating people as to the need of our community for more affordable housing,” James said during the meeting. “We’ve talked about the statistics of young families moving out in the last 10 years. That is changing the dynamic and the complex of our community, so if we want to preserve our community, we need to address those needs.”
Committee members also discussed revisiting adoption of
the Community Preservation Act as a potential funding source for affordable housing projects, while weighing whether doing so could conflict with the spirit of the town’s proposed override memorandum of understanding.
“Most of the communities around us have passed the Community Preservation Act,” James said in an earlier interview with the Current. “It would be very beneficial.” Members also discussed the possibility of pursuing additional smart-growth overlay districts under Chapters 40R and 40S, state programs designed to encourage higher-density housing development while providing financial incentives and school-cost reimbursements to municipalities.
James said Marblehead could potentially explore future 40R districts in areas such as Pleasant Street and Tioga Way, though he emphasized that such efforts would likely need to emerge as local initiatives rather than state mandates.
“The opposition will lose a fair amount of energy if it’s a local initiative,” James said.
Still, he acknowledged that Marblehead’s physical limitations continue to constrain the scale of potential housing growth.
“Other than the CPA and 40R, just given our geographic and demographic constraints, we don’t really have a lot of opportunities,” James said.
Select Board Chair Dan Fox did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding whether expanding housing production would remain a priority following the 3A vote or whether CPA discussions conflict with the proposed override agreement.
Community Development and Planning Director Brendan Callahan is expected to speak with the Select Board and Finance Committee ahead of the Housing Committee’s next meeting, currently anticipated for June 16, to address some of those questions.
A debate far from over For Ward, Marblehead’s housing debate has become larger than 3A itself.
He said his advocacy for housing stems from a broader belief that communities and states must continue building in order to remain economically strong.
“Great countries build things, including housing,” Ward wrote in a follow-up message after the interview. “If we cannot get back to building, we will stop being a great country.”
Barry Geiman
Barry Geiman, of Swampscott, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 3, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with lymphoma, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness and connection. Barry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose life was defined by his unwavering love for his family.
Born in Brooklyn, Barry was the son of the late Pearl Lippiner and Nathan Geiman. He spent four years in the Air Force and graduated from New York Institute of Technology.
Rita Stacey Havens, 87
Rita Stacey Havens, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Born and raised in Marblehead, Rita was the daughter of Donald and Mary Stacey (Haritos). She was the beloved wife of Rensselaer Havens, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage before he passed away in January 2019. She was the devoted mother of Curt Havens, Stacey Barnes, Denise Pelligrini, Michael Havens and Timothy Havens, and the dear sister
Joan Schaaff Hollister
Joan Schaaff Hollister — a spark, light, beloved matriarch and positive force. Joan passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, surrounded by her family, leaving behind a legacy of love. Born April 12, 1932, Joan lived a life rooted in love, service, music, humor and community.
Raised in Washington, D.C. by Joseph and Helen Schaaff, Joan was the youngest of three daughters and shared a lifelong bond with her sisters Peggy and Betty, who is 101 today. She attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi.
Joan’s great love story began early. She met William H. Hollister in grade school and they married on June 26, 1954. Together they moved to Burlington, Vermont, where they helped found Christ Church Presbyterian, transforming a
He worked as an accountant, retail business owner, recruiter and substitute teacher in Swampscott schools in his retirement. He was a celebrity around town, with children
of Donald Stacey, Jr., Thomas Stacey and Charles Stacey. She is survived by her children Curt Havens and wife Natalie Havens, Stacey Barnes and husband John Barnes, Denise Pelligrini, Timothy Havens and
television repair shop into a chapel that brought together a vibrant congregation committed to social action. Joan and Bill went door to door, inviting neighbors in, building not just a church but a true community of love and belonging. Their home, the church manse connected to the sanctuary, was always open. It is there that Joan and Bill raised five children in a household filled with music, conversation, laughter, compassion and always room for one more at the table.
Some of the family’s most treasured memories were made
running up to him to say hello. He was often assigned to special education, not because of any training, but because of his kindness, creativity and patience.
Barry was the beloved husband of Marlene Geiman, cherished father to Tracey and Russell Roman, adored Pop to grandchildren Jonathan and Samantha Roman, and loved uncle to Andrew, Kristine, Kate and Cole Cheren.
Barry’s happiest times were spent with his family and friends. He doted on Marlene, doing whatever he could to make her life easier and more comfortable. He was a proud and supportive father, always there with an ear, a laugh or a lending
wife Amy Renz, 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Rita grew up in Marblehead and graduated from Marblehead High School with the Class of 1957. She met and married her husband, Rens, and together they built a beautiful life and raised their family in the town she loved the most, Marblehead. Rita discovered her passion and talent in real estate, where sfhe enjoyed a highly successful career and earned numerous top agent honors throughout the years. She truly loved her work and treasured the many friendships she formed with clients and colleagues along the way — many of those
at Squam Lake, where weekends were filled with storytelling, hymn sings, boat rides, swims, late-night laughter and long dinners around crowded tables. The calls of the loons and a bright, shining moon will always bring Joan to the center of our mind. A “stop-the-world” moment.
Joan devoted much of her life to caring for others. She worked as a counselor at Waterbury State Hospital and later with the Vermont Women’s Health Center, Planned Parenthood and the Elizabeth Lund Home, supporting women, families and those in need with empathy and dignity.
Music was central to Joan’s spirit. She joined her first choir at age three and sang throughout her life, including with the University Choral Union in Burlington, Vermont, the Cala Lily’s and Festival Chorus at Old North Church in Marblehead.
One of her most meaningful legacies was founding a local chapter of Threshold Singers,
hand. Pop loved going to his grandchildren’s events, both big and small, and never missed one. Barry will be remembered for his kindness and ability to connect with people. He made anyone he interacted with feel seen and heard. He never really met a stranger. The family would like to thank Dr. Grace Ho and the oncology team at Beth Israel Hospital for the wonderful care given with compassion and kindness. In addition, we appreciate the loving care he received on the first floor at Care One in Peabody, especially from Leora, Charlene, Nicole and Cathy. We will be forever grateful for all the special people we met during this journey.
relationships lasting her lifetime. Rita cherished spending time with family and friends. She and Rens loved to travel and enjoyed many adventures around the world with their closest friends, laughing and making lifetime memories. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, and she treasured every moment spent with them. Rita was a force, was incredibly generous and cared deeply for those around her. If anyone was ever in need, she would be the first to help without judgement. She was deeply loved by all who knew her and will be missed greatly. A funeral service will be held
offering gentle bedside songs to those in their final days.
In later years, Joan earned her real estate license and became a partner at Smith Bell Real Estate, where her warmth and gift for connection flourished. It was there that she met Paul Sutherland, the second great love of her life.
Shortly after, Joan and Paul moved to Marblehead to be closer to her grown children. Together, they created a beautiful home on Glover Square and became cherished members of the community. Joan joined Old North Church and continued to share her music, friendship and generous spirit.
Joan’s car carried a simple bumper sticker: “Be Kind.” To those who knew her, it was more than a phrase; it was how she lived. She made friends everywhere, listened deeply and made people feel seen, welcomed and loved. Creating community was Joan’s superpower — in Vermont, Marblehead, and later at Brooksby Village.
A funeral service for Barry was held on April 6 at Temple Emanu-El in Marblehead. Interment followed at the Independent Workmen’s Circle Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barry’s memory to BIDMC Brain Tumor Center Research Fund (BRSPFEW33), Beth Israel Lahey Health, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main St. 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129, or online at giving. bilh.org/bethisraeldeaconess medicalcenter/memorials-andtribute. For more information or to register in the online guestbook, please visit stanetskyhymansonsalem.com.
on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:30 a m at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church at 26 Pleasant St. in Marblehead. A celebration of Rita’s life will follow the service. Burial will be held privately with family.
In honor of Rita’s lifelong love of children, memorial donations may be made to the Lynch/ van Otterloo YMCA in support of Children’s Island Camp, in lieu of flowers, or to the NorthShoreYMCA.org/donate or mailed to 40 Leggs Hill Road, Marblehead, MA 01945. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for the Havens Family.
She embraced life fully, from Symphony Hall outings and New Hampshire adventures to gatherings with the spirited “Mad Grannies,” — who were vocal voices for radical change in our world. Through it all, Lily, her cherished dog, remained one of her greatest companions and comforts.
Joan’s greatest joy was her family, including her five kids: Jodi (Robert) LaPointe, Mark (Margaret) Hollister, Kristen (James) Atwood, Kip (Warren) Hyde and Chad (Katie O’Rourke), as well as her 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
To celebrate the vivacious spirit of Joan, there will be a celebration of life service at 10 a.m. at Old North Church in Marblehead on Friday, May 22. Immediately following will be a reception at The Boston Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Threshold Singers of the North Shore, PO Box 597, Swampscott, MA 01907.
Scams involve duct cleaning, check washing; game of ‘senior assassin’ also draws call
Thursday, April 23
» Alarms: 3
» Building/property checks: 9
» Abandoned 911 calls: 2
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops,
verbal warnings: 4
6:50 a.m. Police began to receive a number of calls related to a widespread power outage.
12:28 p.m. A follow-up investigation was conducted on Farrell Court.
1:41 p.m. Solicitors were reported in the area of Washington and State streets.
Friday, April 24
» Alarms: 1
» Building/property checks: 9
» Abandoned 911 calls: 1
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1
12:49 a.m. Officers investigated a report of suspicious activity on
Fort Sewall Lane.
8:57 a.m. An officer investigated the possible violation of a harassment prevention order on Commercial Street.
9:28 a.m. An officer responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Point O Rocks Lane.
1:33 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Front Street.
7:23 p.m. An officer conducted a field interrogation on Humphrey Street and Auburndale Road.
9:06 p.m. Officers restored the peace after a disturbance on Green Street and Alexander Circle.
9:40 p.m. A disturbance was reported on Green Street.
10:49 p.m. Officers investigated the report of a disturbance on Rockaway Avenue but could not locate it.
Saturday, April 25
» Alarms: 0
» Building/property checks: 11
» Abandoned 911 calls: 0
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 3
1:21 a.m. Officers investigated a report of suspicious activity on Ocean Avenue. A building was checked and secured.
1:08 p.m. Annoying phone calls were reported on Pleasant
Street.
2:42 p.m. Annoying phone calls were reported on Gerry Street.
3:38 p.m. An officer spoke at the police station with a young woman who claimed that a local business owner had a practice of not honoring gift cards. The owner allegedly would swipe the cards, tell the customer that there was no money on the cards and throw them in the trash.
The young woman claimed she had fished her card out of the trash and asked the owner to punch in the numbers instead of swiping it, and it came back with a balance of $12.24. The young woman said the owner acted surprised, but she claimed that he had been doing this to other kids as well.
3:54 p.m. Services were rendered after a general complaint on Elm Street.
6:52 p.m. A complaint was
made about a moving vehicle on Atlantic and Clifton avenues.
9:27 p.m. Peace was restored after a general complaint on Broughton Road.
9:42 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Pleasant Street but could not locate the source of the issue.
Sunday, April 26
» Alarms: 1
» Building/property checks: 14
» Abandoned 911 calls: 1
» Vehicle stops, citations: 2
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2
12:22 p.m. A general complaint was made on Ferry Lane.
3:21 p.m. A water gate ring was found on Humphrey Street and Brookhouse Drive.
4:19 p.m. An officer assisted a
Joan Deveney Lovejoy
Joan Deveney Lovejoy moved her residency to heaven surrounded by family on Sunday, May 3, 2026, to join her beloved husband, Joe.
The daughter of Cameron Deveney and Ursula Lennox Deveney, Joan was born in Boston and raised in Swampscott. She graduated from Walnut Hill School and Garland Junior College before earning an MBA from Simmons College. Joan built a successful career in finance, working at several firms including Wellington Management, where she was the vice president of institutional sales.
In 1985, she met the man she told friends she wanted to marry, Joseph E. Lovejoy, and fortunately, he felt the same and
Mary (Moulison) Reintges
Mary (Moulison) Reintges, a longtime resident of Marblehead and beloved wife of the late Robert Reintges, died peacefully at the Kaplan Family Hospice House on April 25, 2026. Born in Salem 94 years ago, Mary attended St. Mary’s School and St. James High School. She raised her family in Marblehead and was a parishioner at Star of the Sea Church and volunteer leader and president of the Star of the Sea Mothers Club and Bazaar. She was a member of the
COURTS
they were married a little over a year later. Their marriage was a true love story with the highlight being the day their daughter, Deven Lovejoy, arrived. Joan had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. She was the consummate people-person and thrived on her deep connections with family and her many dear friends. Her warmth, humor and radiant spirit left nearly everyone smiling and often laughing.
Red Hat Club and the Harbor Women’s Club for 52 years. Mary was not afraid to chase her dreams. An avid and skilled dancer, as a young woman, Mary’s tap dancing was featured on the radio to entertain the soldiers. In her 20s, she pursued
Keeping pace with Joan was no easy task, even for those half her age. Many likened her to a hummingbird for her endless energy and curiosity. Joan loved her sports, from skiing and tennis to golf and, later, pickleball. She was rarely the best one at the sport but she was always the most fun. Swimming was where she truly excelled. She adored her beautiful pool and routinely swam a mile with effortless grace. She was also an avid bridge player who valued camaraderie and friendship far more than the score.
A passionate traveler, Joan explored the world with Joe and Deven and with many close friends. For her, travel was about discovery, learning, and creating lasting memories. It would have been difficult to name a country she had not visited, and no matter the weather, mishaps or challenges along the way, every trip was, in Joan’s words, “fabulous.” Joan left a lasting impression on all those she
her wildest dream by applying for an audition with the Radio City Rockettes. Unfortunately, she was two inches shy (5’ 4”) of eligibility. Her love of dance continued by teaching ballroom dancing to many Marblehead “townies” on Friday nights at the Hobbs Memorial. Can you still hear Mrs. Reintges call out, “Walk, walk, slide together, slide together...”?
Mitchell’s Dance Studio in Beverly provided Mary with years of dancing and performing. In the 1990s, she became a member of “Senior Moments Tap Dancers” which she loved being a part of. Her husband, Bob, was Mary’s lifetime dance partner. They were not only in sync during their 59 years of
encountered on her journey of life. She was irrepressible and found joy in everyday moments, challenges and new experiences and spread that joy to all those around her. She was generous of spirit and always there for her many friends about whom she cared so much. She volunteered at Joslin Diabetes, drawing on her own lifelong experience living with diabetes since the age of 12 to encourage and support newly diagnosed patients. Joan and Deven also volunteered each winter for the Salvation Army, ringing bells to support important charitable causes. She served for many years on the board of Brookwood School in Manchester where she delighted students with her fun-loving nature and enthusiasm.
Joan’s family and friends will miss her deeply, and the world will indeed be a little less fun without her. The memories she created — of adventures, love and laughter — will be everlasting.
marriage but on every dance floor they ever stepped onto. Mary had a rich, full life. She was a good-hearted woman, full of good cheer that sustained her and the many people she befriended over the years. Those lucky enough to know Mary loved and appreciated her. A quote describing Mary that has been repeated by many: “Mary is one of the most positive people I have ever met.” Mary is survived by her son Rob (Nan) Reintges of West Virginia and his children, Hilary, Spencer and Piper; and daughter Debi (Curt) and children, Caitlyn and Nicole. Mary had the “surprise of her life” last year on Christmas Eve when Caitlyn traveled from New Mexico to
Joan is survived by her daughter, Deven Lovejoy of Florida; her stepdaughter, Clare Byrne of Gloucester; her grandchildren, Michaela Soper of Beverly, Olivia Kaneb of Hamilton and Jackson Byrne of Gloucester; and one greatgranddaughter Lily Soper of Beverly. She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph Ensign Lovejoy; her brother James Deveney; and her parents, Cameron and Ursula Deveney. Her memorial service will be held at the St. John Episcopal Church, 705 Hale St., Beverly Farms on Tuesday, June 9, at 10 a.m.. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Joan’s memory may be made to Joslin Diabetes, Boston, MA, Boys and Girls Club of Boston and Proctor Academy.
Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly. Information, directions, condolences at campbellfuneral. com.
surprise and introduce her to her first great grandchild, 7-week old Tulsi. She was elated to experience four generations of females that started with her.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to a visiting hour which will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem, Wednesday, May 20, 10-11 a.m., to be followed by a celebration of Mary’s life at 11 a.m. Burial is private. Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to My Brothers Table, 98 Willow St., Lynn, MA 01901. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit odonnellfuneralservice.com.
Marblehead teen Oscar Galante appears briefly in court, next hearing set for July
BY AKANKSHA GOYAL
Marblehead teen Oscar Galante briefly appeared in Lynn Juvenile Court Friday morning for a compliance and election hearing connected to the fatal August 2025 crash that killed 13-year- old Savanah Gatchell. The hearing itself lasted less than a minute before the case was continued to July 17 for further compliance and election proceedings.
citizen on Farrell Court.
8:39 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Atlantic and Ocean avenues.
10:50 p.m. Services were rendered after a general complaint on Farrell Court.
Monday, April 27
» Alarms: 2
» Building/property checks: 6
» Abandoned 911 calls: 1
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
7:59 a.m. An officer investigated a report of vandalism at Tower School. Upon his arrival, he met with the school’s facilities director and was shown a window with a small hole in the center with a large crack going diagonally from top to bottom. The size of the hole appeared as if it was struck with a projectile like a BB from an Airsoft gun, as the damage was on the outside of the window and did not make it
Galante, who is charged as a youthful offender with motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, entered the courtroom alongside family members wearing a dark navy suit and coral tie.
A couple of supporters for Gatchell were also in attendance, including one wearing a pink hoodie bearing the phrases “Long Live Savanah Gatchell” and “Forever 13” surrounding a volleyball with angel wings on
past the inside layer. The officer searched unsuccessfully for a BB. The facilities director said that he believed the incident had occurred over the weekend. He planned to look through the recordings from the school’s video cameras to see if he could locate footage of the incident.
10:46 a.m. An officer met in the police station lobby with a man who had been the victim of an apparent scam involving a company called “PFG Air Ducts.”
The man explained that he had found the company’s website online. Back in March, he had scheduled an appointment to receive a quote for cleaning both his condominium and his next-door neighbor’s. Between March 11 and March 15, he was corresponding by text message with two different people.
On March 15, a technician identified only as “Michael” provided a quote for the services for the two condos of $1,169 and requested two separate deposits of $350 to be made out to “MRM Services.” After making the deposits, the man made multiple unsuccessful
the front and the initials “LLSG” on the back.
Prior to the hearing, Galante’s attorney, Joseph Dever, said Friday’s appearance was expected to focus primarily on procedural matters, including the prosecution’s obligation to turn over discovery, or evidence, to the defense, and whether the Commonwealth had complied with those requirements.
Dever also said the “election” portion of the hearing refers to
attempts to schedule the work, and to this date no duct cleaning or any other work had been performed. On April 7, he sent out texts to try to cancel the job. He was then sent another two phone numbers, one for the “main office” and a different number for “Michael,” but he had yet to get any response for his request for a refund of the $700. When he searched online for the address given for the business, he found it belonged to Salem Hospital. In response to a question, the man told the officer he had not given the scammers any other personal information. The officer then met with the man’s neighbor who confirmed the details of the story. She told the officer that she had been monitoring her accounts and checked with her bank and determined that no additional funds had been taken out of her accounts aside from the deposit.
11:33 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Lafayette Street. The problem could not be located.
11:49 a.m. An officer assisted a
a future decision on whether the defense will seek a jury trial or waive that right.
Following the hearing, Dever said the July proceeding will likely serve as another status date while the defense awaits additional evidence from the Commonwealth.
Galante was arraigned in January after being indicted as a youthful offender in connection with the Aug. 19 crash near 352 Atlantic Ave. Prosecutors allege
citizen on Glendale Road.
1:01 p.m. Officers investigated a report of the student-run elimination game known as “senior assassin,” in which high school seniors use water guns to “assassinate” assigned targets by stalking classmates and then capturing the “assassinations” on video. The log indicates that the game involved more than 100 targets.
1:29 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Farrell Court.
1:47 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Lafayette Street.
3:12 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Atlantic Avenue.
4:13 p.m. An officer, firefighters and an ambulance crew responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Tedesco Street.
5:12 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Washington Street.
5:57 p.m. Officers assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue and Gerry Street.
he operated a vehicle recklessly, causing Gatchell’s death.
At the arraignment, Galante pleaded “not a youthful offender,” the juvenile court equivalent of a not guilty plea in adult court.
As conditions of his release, Galante remains subject to GPS monitoring, house arrest and a no-contact order involving Gatchell’s family and witnesses in the case.
Tuesday, April 28
» Alarms: 2 » Building/property checks: 1
» Abandoned 911 calls: 3
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
2:07 p.m. An officer spoke in the police station lobby with a local business owner who, over the past several months, had three of his checks intercepted and “washed,” a scam in which chemicals like acetone or bleach are used to remove the original payees and/or payment amounts from the check so that they can be made out to different people and/or for different amounts. The business owner had been able to stop all of the checks before they were cashed. The checks had been rewritten for $9,800, $2,500 and $1,300. After taking the report, the officer placed copies of the checks in a detective’s mailbox and shared his report with detectives as well.
2:22 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Reed Street.
2:52 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash on Pleasant Street.
Police
From P. 13
Headlight
Painting the end of the year
Mary Prindiville, Freshman
As this school year is coming to a close, the Marblehead High School Art Department is hosting a Spring Art Exhibition. This event will run from May 14th to May 27th in the Abbot Hall Auditorium. There was a reception on May 14th to kickoff the show and celebrate the fabulous pieces of artwork. All artists featured in this event were encouraged to go to the reception, where light refreshments were served. Artists were welcome to bring friends and family to this as well.
Different types of media are showcased in this exhibit. From fine penwork learned in drawing one, to oil painting in Art Studio, there will be a wide variety of mediums. Similarly, this exhibit will include pottery made in sculpture and photography elements, as well as many of the other visual art electives offered at MHS. Another great aspect of this art show is that there will also be pieces from the Marblehead Veterans Middle School. This exhibition could be a great way for middle school students to look at some of the projects that they will get to create in the near future and for high school students to look back on their art pathways and projects that led them to taking art. The most important part of this exhibit is honoring the senior artists at MHS and looking at their amazing creations. For our seniors, this is their last chance to display their talents to the town of Marblehead before they start a new chapter in the fall! Some of the artists featured in this exhibit have been in very advanced art classes at the high school for over two years.
Since this event is open to the public for two weeks, it is a great opportunity for student artists to show their work to family and friends, especially if they are visiting for a concert or end of the year event. I encourage everyone to pop by Abbot Hall! The artists have worked so hard on these pieces, and it is great for them to be appreciated for their hard work. Walking through the exhibit will not take long. However, you will have the opportunity to relax and look at our original creations!
Running on empty: the high school sleeping crisis
Evan Eisen, Assistant Editor, Senior
If you’ve ever walked into school at 7:55 AM and asked yourself why everyone looks like they just walked out a cave, then congratulations, you’ve discovered the universal truth about high school: we are all exhausted. I’m not talking just being regular tired like, “I stayed up late watching TV,” but being olympic-sized tired. The kind that makes you question your life choices and existence before first period even starts.
The obvious suspect is the school schedule. Teenagers are biologically set to fall asleep and wake up later. Forcing students to be in class before 8:00 AM is a crime against nature. Based on the CDC’s teen sleep guidelines, teenagers and young adults need around 8-10 hours of sleep every night; meanwhile, it would probably be safe to say that most, if not all, of us are getting only a fraction of that.
The early start time is only just the appetizer to the main dish of chaos that begins once school ends at 2:30 PM. Between juggling many responsibilities like homework, sports, clubs, and jobs, many students don’t have any free time, let alone be able to get a full and proper night’s rest.
There is also the phone problem that many fall victim to. We all know that we should put our phones down before going to bed, but some decide to keep looking at it for five
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Grey Collins
more minutes, which progresses to an hour, and then, before you know it, it’s already after midnight and it becomes challenging to fall asleep. The teen attention problem is very much real, but so is also the temptation to endlessly be on your phone.
The exhaustion is very visible everywhere in the school with people constantly yawning, students and teachers drinking coffee like it’s holy water, and students deciding that they don’t have the energy to put all their energy into their work. So the question must be asked: What do we do to fix it?
Some schools have started to move their start times later in the morning and supposedly have seen an increase in attendance, grades, and in their students well-being. Whether our school leaders would even consider that idea is unclear as of now, but the research is clear as to what is best for students.
Meanwhile, students are using breaks in their schedule to sneak in naps, while creating a heavy dependency on caffeine to muster the energy to even function in the morning and slowly counting down the days till summer starts. The truth is, if everyone is so tired everyday, than maybe the problem isn’t us. Maybe it’s the system. Maybe teenagers shouldn’t be expected to handle heavy academic workloads before the sun has fully risen. For now at least, students will just have to keep yawning their way through the rest of the school year.
Marblehead man’s comment goes viral
Will Pelliciotti, Senior
On Tuesday, May 4, 2026, the town of Marblehead held its annual Town Meeting to discuss numerous issues surrounding the town. The meeting was held at the field house of Marblehead High School, where approximately 3,000 people came to hear and speak to the town administrators. Amongst the issues discussed at the event, one of the most controversial was the subject of 3A.
Here in Marblehead, the passage of the act has been met with much resistance, as many residents in the town have felt they should be exempt from the act. In early 2026, a lawsuit was filed by the Massachusetts attorney general against the town for non-compliance with the law. The lawsuit would eventually find its way to the State Supreme Court, where the court ruled that the law was constitutional and that Marblehead had to comply with 3A. In response, the town administrators sectioned an area of the Tedesco Country Club golf course for available housing; however, as of May, no efforts have actually been made to convert the area into housing.
The situation has been a contentious one for years now, and the meeting held on Monday was the latest chapter. At one point during the meeting, a Marblehead man named David stood up to the microphone and began to ask the town administrators about the land around the Tedesco Country Club. When asking the administrators, he questioned whether the land that had been designated around the golf course would be used to construct affordable housing, to which the administrators responded, stating that it wouldn’t. David took their words to heart, saying, “So is this a way of complying with 3A without actually doing any of it?” To which the administrators affirmed it was. Then David spoke of how the manner of “preserving the character of Marblehead” was a bad and selfish endeavor, concluding his statement with, “Are we kinda being pricks here?”His remarks were met with applause from many within the field house, as his statements ring true to what many residents of Marblehead have felt about 3A. On social media David’s comments reached many of the circles on Twitter, both within and outside Massachusetts, with the clip garnering hundreds of thousands of views over the last few days, and more attention being brought to the Zoning Act as a result.
Many have praised this as a rallying cry against the concept known as NIMBY (Not in my Backyard) and those who oppose the building of new infrastructure and projects within their communities. While the 3A situation is unlikely to be fully resolved soon, there’s no doubt that the comments made by David have put it at the center stage of Marblehead political dealings.
ASSISTANT EDITORS: Evan Eisen, Anna Cruikshank, Georgia Marshall
REPORTERS: Jack Buckley, Nathaniel Carper-Young, Maximilian Kane, Sophie Li, Will Pelliciotti, London Perlow, Mary Prindiville
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: Anna Baughman
If you ’ re st ru gg l ing to pa y your bi experiencing a sudden and unexpect hardship, we re here to help Individual requests for financial assis be referred through a third party for co
We urge you to contact our partners l or speak to your local clergy to reques from Marblehead Female Humane
Marblehead Counseling Cen 781-631-8273
Marblehead Housing Autho 781-631-2580
Marblehead Council on Agi 781-631-6225
Marblehead Food Pantry
For
potential revenue streams andadds a $1.5MM annual funding linetostart tackling$8$11MM of overdue capital needs. We must vote YES on Q3.
