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IN THIS ISSUE
MUSIC
FOOD & FUN
SPORTS
Local teacher nominated for a Grammy
What’s new at this summer’s Farmers’ Market
MHS teams head to postseason
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MARBLEHEAD, MA PERMIT NO. 25
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NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.
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May 29, 2024
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VOLUME 2, ISSUE NO. 27
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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG
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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT
ELECTION
Candidates make their cases at League forum BY WILL DOWD Dan Albert, the town’s MBTA advisor and Select Board candidate, set himself apart from his opponents during the candidates’ forum hosted by the Marblehead League of Women Voters on May 21. Albert stood alone in his opposition to the MBTA zoning law, which failed to pass at the recent Town Meeting. He argued that it would do little to address the housing crisis and could lead to environmental damage. “The reality is, we’re being lied to,” Albert said. “We’re told this is a solution to the housing crisis, one. Two, we’re told (by) Sustainable Marblehead people who got up and said, ‘Hey, this is
» Check out the Current’s 2024 Election Guide on Pages 6,7. good for the environment.’ The reality is it’s not … it’s more cars in town.” Most of the other candidates, including incumbents Erin Noonan, Bret Murray and Moses Grader, along with challenger Dan Fox, supported holding a special town meeting to reconsider the zoning issue, citing the potential loss of state funding for critical projects. “I have to support a special town meeting,” Murray said. “This is money that we’ve given to the state. So, if we don’t pass this, this is money that’s not
coming back to us.” Fox agreed, noting the low turnout at the previous Town Meeting. “If you look in Marblehead, we have approximately 16,000 registered voters, there were 800 people at Town Meeting. That’s what, 5%?” he said. Fox expressed support for the Planning Board’s work on the issue. “The problem was that it wasn’t explained well,” he said. “I spent a lot of time looking at this, and I’m in real estate. It was confusing at Town Meeting on exactly what we we’re voting for between amendments, people objecting and yelling at each other. We need to treat each other well and get to the facts, to
the data.” The forum, which featured five of the six candidates vying for five seats on the Select Board, saw the candidates outline their visions for the town’s future and clash over key issues, including the budget, infrastructure and zoning. Noonan, seeking a third term on the board, emphasized the progress made over the past year, from hiring a sustainability coordinator and establishing a department of planning and community development to starting the charter review process and adopting financial policies. “We have a very strong team in place right now,” she said. “I just want to ensure that we keep the
momentum moving on some of our priorities.” Noonan also highlighted the board’s efforts to improve the town’s long-term financial health, citing ongoing meetings with the finance director and the development of a multi-year financial plan. “Right now, in terms of advocacy, our number one priority is the long-term financial health of the town,” she said, adding that Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin is organizing “around starting this process next month.” Murray, who like Noonan is a lawyer, touted his deep roots in the community and his FORUM, P. A3
EDUCATION
NEVER FORGET
Town pauses to honor fallen heroes
Parents demand addition at contract talks Also, next steps on interim super search BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead’s Memorial Day parade ends with a ceremony at Waterside Cemetery.
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
BY WILL DOWD Marblehead paid solemn tribute to its fallen service members with a series of events and ceremonies over the Memorial Day weekend. On Monday morning, the day began with an 8 a.m. service at Clark Landing. This was followed by a parade that commenced at 9 a.m. from the Old Town House, winding its way up Pleasant Street to Memorial Park, where further ceremonies unfolded under an overcast sky. Groups of residents lined the streets along the route, some waving American flags as the Marblehead High School marching band played patriotic tunes. Retired four-star Army Gen. David McKiernan delivered the principal address, emphasizing the importance of remembering service members’ sacrifices. “Remember those who are not here. Remember sons and
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Families gather to watch the Marblehead Memorial Day parade.
daughters who grew up without a father or mother. Families are never the same after the loss of their loved one,” McKiernan said.
Congressman Seth Moulton provided reflections on the true MEMORIAL DAY, P. A15
As School Committee Chair Sarah Fox and Vice Chair Jenn Schaeffner bargain with teachers about a new contract, a group called Marbleheaders For Change is demanding that Fox and Schaeffner invite Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer to the negotiating table. Marbleheaders For Change — which includes parents, former School Committee and Finance Committee members, retired educators and other residents — sent out two emails last week encouraging people asking the School Committee to take a public vote adding Kezer to the negotiating team. “So far the schools/town negotiating subcommittee team has consisted of School Committee members Sarah Fox and Jenn Schaeffner, plus the SC’s attorney, Liz Valerio,” read one email. “But best practices would include the superintendent of schools (if we knew who that was going to be) and the town administrator: in other words, professionals with knowledge and experience in negotiations.” Kezer confirmed to the Current that he has been invited to the executive sessions of the School Committee for discussions about strategy but not to the bargaining. “I have not been invited to participate in the actual negotiations with the union members present,” Kezer wrote in an email. “That has been Sarah Fox, Jenn Schaeffner and attorney Liz Valerio. I was asked to be available via phone for any calls if they needed a caucus session during a negotiation meeting along with the other members of the School Committee.” Kezer continued: “Under MGL Chapter 150E, I do serve as a voting member of the School Committee for the purposes of collective bargaining. It is up to the School Committee chair to appoint members to the negotiating team. The town administrator is eligible for appointment but is not required.” SCHOOLS, P. A2
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