09.02.2026 – Volume 4, Issue 41

BACK TO SCHOOL

SAVORING SUMMER

Students head back to class after summer vacation

IN THIS ISSUE

GRIDIRON

MHS football captains talk to the Current about the new season

Don’t miss our two-page photo gallery Pages 12-13

Page 13

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MARBLEHEAD, MA PERMIT NO. 25

Page 9

NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.

TM

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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VOLUME 4, ISSUE NO. 41

FIRST WAVE 1

Check out this week’s guest columns about e-bikes and the Rail Trail. Pages 4-5.

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2

MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG

Police put kids on the case in a CSI camp last week. Page 8.

local mom 3 Atakes the ‘ick’

out of treating head lice. Page 14.

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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT

confess 4 Teens to a car prank

— eventually. Police log on page 14.

you heard 5 Have about the Sit for Peace event at Devereux? Details on page 11.

Five facts from this week’s Marblehead Current.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Say ‘treat!’ Golden retrievers gather for annual portrait

DECISIONS ’26

Marblehead voters had their say in the state’s primary election on Tuesday in races from the U.S. Senate showdown between Seth Moulton and Ed Markey to the crowded contest to succeed Moulton in the 6th Congressional District.

Find results, reaction and complete local election coverage at MarbleheadCurrent.org.

MAKING AMENDS

For bike park vandals saga, a fitting end

BY LEIGH BLANDER

five or six of us in town that got English golden retrievers from that breeder, and we decided it would be fun if we all got together.”

That small group of seven English golden retrievers and their humans met for the first time under the lighthouse for a family portrait, and the rest was history.

Since then, the annual gathering has grown to include golden retrievers of all shades and has become a treasured

The shed at the Green Street Bike Park is gone, but the story of what happened to it may have ended about as well as anyone could have hoped.

Weeks after a group of local teenage boys vandalized the shed at the 5.7-acre park in Green Street Woods, they came forward, admitted what they had done and returned to help demolish what remained of the damaged structure.

For the adults who helped create and maintain the park, it was a fitting resolution at a place built around the idea that kids should have a hand in shaping — and caring for — a space of their own.

“The theme of the park has always been ‘it’s by the kids, for the kids,’ right?” said Rick Smyers, a member of Friends of Green Street Woods, the nonprofit that oversees the bike park.

The vandalism happened in late July or early August, damaging a shed that stored tools used to maintain the bike park.

RETRIEVERS, P. 8

PARK, P. 10

CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS

About two dozen golden retrievers and their humans gathered for an annual “family portrait” at Chandler Hovey Park on Aug. 27.

BY GREY COLLINS Chandler Hovey Park once again became a sea of golden fur, barking and wagging tails as more than two dozen golden retrievers and their families gathered for the annual Golden Retriever Family Portrait.

The dogs and their humans met under the lighthouse before lining up and settling into the grass by the water for the photo.

The tradition, which began 15 years ago with just seven English golden

retrievers, has grown into a beloved summer gathering for dog owners throughout town.

Stephanie Brocoum said the tradition began after she and several friends found themselves connected through their dogs. She got an English golden retriever named Beaulieu about 20 years ago, and the dog became so popular that other Marbleheaders eventually bought dogs from the same breeder.

“He was a really, really, good dog,” she said. “And eventually there were

LINGERING QUESTIONS

Confusion remains over new ADU rules

BY AKANKSHA GOYAL Massachusetts has spent the past two years making it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units, but in Marblehead, figuring out how those rules apply to individual projects has proven more complicated.

The town has received 12 ADU applications since 2024, according to Community Development and Planning Director Brendan Callahan.

Three applications were

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submitted and approved in 2024, another three were approved in 2025, and four were approved through June 2026. Two remained pending as of June.

The confusion comes as municipalities across the state are trying to reconcile a new state law allowing more ADUs by right with local zoning rules — while also adapting to a separate set of state changes that make it easier for property owners to obtain zoning variances.

The two changes intersect when an ADU is allowed by right,

but the structure proposed to contain it does not comply with the rest of the town’s zoning rules.

That has left Marblehead and other communities working through questions about which local boards have authority when an ADU requires a variance, and how the new rules apply to applications already in the permitting process when the changes took effect.

“Everyone has these questions,” said Nina PickeringCook, a Marblehead resident

and Boston attorney. “Local planning offices are just reeling from the number of changes that they are having to navigate at the same time when people are coming in with applications … so it’s just a lot for local planning departments and town halls to try to digest.”

What changed for ADUs? The Affordable Homes Act, signed into law in 2024, established a statewide framework allowing qualifying ADUs of up to 900 square feet

— or half the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is smaller — to be built by right in single-family residential zoning districts.

Before that law, Marblehead regulated ADUs through a 2023 local bylaw that imposed tighter restrictions and required a special permit.

The state law superseded local provisions that conflicted with the new requirements.

To bring its local regulations ADUS, P. 7

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2 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Marblehead Current

GREEN GOALS

Green Communities designation closer; hiring options for police expanded

NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.

BY LEIGH BLANDER

CHAIR AND PRESIDENT

Marblehead is moving closer to becoming a state-designated Green Community, a step that could unlock hundreds of thousands of dollars for energyefficiency projects, while the Select Board also approved a new option aimed at expanding the Police Department’s shrinking pool of job candidates.

Green Communities push revived Community Development and Planning Director Brendan Callahan and Town Planner Jacinta Williams told the board the town hopes to submit an application for Green Communities designation by December.

Marblehead has been pursuing the designation since 2018 but recently put the effort on hold while officials focused on complying with the state’s MBTA Communities zoning law. With the new zoning approved at Town Meeting in May, Callahan said his department has revived the Green Communities effort.

Williams said Marblehead has already done much of the work required to qualify, including adopting the stretch energy code, developing an energy reduction plan and adopting a zero-emission vehicle policy.

“In other words, Marblehead has been a green community without the benefits of the designation for quite some time,” Williams said. “And while that might not seem like a big deal, it actually is because we’re actually leaving money on the table.”

Williams pointed to neighboring communities including Swampscott, Peabody, Salem and Beverly, which have received between roughly $500,000 and $2 million in Green Communities grants over the years.

Marblehead still has a few steps to complete. The town must identify at least 50,000 square feet of vacant land or building space that meets

difficult, particularly for smaller communities.

The problem was apparent in Marblehead’s latest recruitment effort. King said only about 12 Marblehead residents took the civil service exam. When the department sought two officers, 41 letters were sent to potential candidates, but only two completed applications were ultimately submitted.

“Forty-one names go out, two applications” came in, King said.

One of those candidates is nearing the end of the hiring process and could be presented to the board soon, King said, but the department would still be one officer short. The hiring and training process can take roughly a year before a new officer is ready to patrol independently.

Under the alternative pathway, Marblehead could establish a local register and consider qualified applicants who have not taken the civil service exam, including officers from other communities or candidates with equivalent outof-state certification.

The agreement would allow no more than half of the department’s hires over five years to come through the alternative pathway. Once hired, those officers would enter the civil service system and receive the same civil service protections.

The change would give the department another recruiting tool without requiring Marblehead to abandon civil service, King emphasized.

“If it becomes too burdensome, if it does not create the candidates that we’re looking for, which I do think it will, then you just choose to go and hire off the regular list,” he said.

The board unanimously authorized the Police Department to work with the Massachusetts Human Resources Division to pursue an agreement allowing participation in the hybrid hiring program and creation of a Marblehead local public safety register.

program requirements and obtain confirmation from town counsel.

The biggest remaining piece, however, rests with the Marblehead Municipal Light Department. The Light Commission must adopt a renewable energy surcharge and sign a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center membership agreement before the town can complete its application.

Dylan Patel, a regional grant coordinator for the state Department of Energy Resources, told the Select Board that Marblehead’s initial designation grant would be approximately $140,000 to $160,000. After completing that grant, the town could compete for grants of up to $250,000, potentially as often as once a year, although most communities apply every other year because an existing grant must be closed before another application can be submitted.

The money could be used for projects such as weatherization, lighting improvements, building control systems and other upgrades designed to reduce energy use and operating costs.

Board members stressed that the financial benefits of individual projects would be important when deciding which ones to pursue.

The renewable energy charge needed from the Light Department is estimated to cost the average ratepayer about $4 a year. Board members noted that the charge could generate about $50,000 annually while opening the door to substantially larger

state grants and long-term energy savings.

The Select Board voted unanimously to formally support the Light Commission “in taking the remaining steps to apply” for the designation.

On Aug. 14, Marblehead Light General Manager Jon Blair told the Current he supports the designation — in theory.

“We should not subscribe unless we are serious about using it consistently,” Blair said. “If our membership sits idle waiting for intent to convert to action, or if we belong only to satisfy a desire to feel more virtuous, it is a waste.”

He continued, “To avoid such a pitfall, we should have a specific plan of who will apply for grants, where the remaining funds will be sourced, what projects will be prioritized, when will they be sequenced, and how Marblehead will ensure that the enthusiasm for leveraging the program does not fade with time or disruptions.”

p.m. You can register at the same link as above.

The Marblehead Cultural Council can also be reached at: marbleheadculturalcouncil@ gmail.com.

everyone to attend its annual picnic Monday, Sept. 14 from 5:00-8:00 5-8 p.m. at the VFA Gerry #5, 210 Beacon St. A buffet Italian dinner opens at 6 p.m.

The picnic is the only fundraiser of the Marblehead Democrats, with proceeds supporting the MDTC Edwin L. Goldberg and Selma L. Goldberg scholarships for Marblehead students, as well as the MDTC campaign activities and candidates.

The Marblehead High chorus will perform. State and local officials, including Rep. Jenny Armini, Sen. Brendan Crighton, and our new 2026 candidates, will be on hand to meet attendees and answer questions and energize Democrats ahead of the midterms.

Visit marbleheaddems.org to learn more and to purchase $35 tickets and sponsorships online. Students are $20. They can also be purchased by check payable to MDTC, at PO Box 232, Marblehead, MA 01945.

For questions or additional information, please contact the MDTC Chair, Anne GuginoCarrigan at annegugino@ jamescarriganlaw.com.

reviews the budgets of all town departments and holds a public hearing on all Town Meeting warrant articles calling for the expenditure of town funds.

Applications are due Sept. 4.

Send letters with a resume to: Select Board, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or email wileyk@ marbleheadma.gov.

Boat storage notice The winter boat storage season will begin Sept. 15 at Parker’s and Cliff Street boatyards. Boats stored at either boatyard last season will receive preference to store their boats this season. New applicants will be accepted beginning Aug. 15 on a first come first serve basis with Marblehead residents receiving preference.

Marblehead Trading Company will be collecting the storage fee for the town. That fee is based on a rate of $6 per square foot as determined by multiplying the overall length of the boat by its beam width. This fee is for storage only. If you have any questions, call Rachael at 781-631-4650 or trucking@ marbleheadtrading.com.

Speed sign

Registration is open for the fourth annual Win-4-All Pickleball Tournament to benefit Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn. The event is sponsored

by TQM Wealth Partners and offered in conjunction with Marblehead Pickleball. The tournament is Sept. 19 at the Veterans School courts. Register at marbleheadpickleball.org/ leagues-events.

Police seek larger hiring pool Police Chief Dennis King received the board’s approval to pursue a new “hybrid” hiring process that would allow Marblehead to recruit some officers outside the traditional civil service list without withdrawing from the state civil service system.

King said fewer people are taking civil service exams and pursuing careers in policing, making hiring increasingly

NEWS IN BRIEF

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Sept. 11 25th anniversary

The community is invited to Marblehead’s annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremony, which marks the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks.The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park.

Cultural Council accepting grant applications The Marblehead Cultural Council is accepting grant applications through Oct. 15 for the 2027 calendar year.

Each year, MCC awards individuals and organizations grants which support the arts, humanities and interpretive science programs and activities.

In the past, the MCC has funded a wide range of programs, from live performances and art installations, to exhibits and field trips. All applicants must demonstrate how their projects contribute to the quality of life of those who live and work in Marblehead.

“Our 10-member council is excited about the upcoming application cycle” said MCC Chair Jeanie Stahl. “We look forward to reviewing and funding projects that are creative, meaningful and inspirational.”

To learn more about the MCC and the online submission process visit massculturalcouncil. org/communities/localcultural-council-program/ application-process/.

There will be a webinar to walk potential applicants through the application process on Sept. 10, 6

Bob Peck NEWSROOM Editor - Leigh Blander

lblander@marbleheadnews.org

Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@marbleheadnews.org

Sports Reporter Joe McConnell

jmcconnell@marbleheadnews.org

CONTRIBUTORS

Lizzie Assa Stephen Bach Margaret Bacon Linda Bassett Virginia Buckingham Cheryl Byrne Julie Flynn Laurie Fullerton James (Seamus) Hourihan Dr. Tom Massaro Maggie Mulvihill Eyal Oren Pam Peterson Emily Promise Chris Stevens FREELANCE REPORTERS

Grey Collins Aleka Kroitzsh Marielle Sabbag Luca Tedesco Akanksha Goyal

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gene Arnould Brian Birke Jaki Fishkin Bob Peck Donna Rice Mark Schwartz Richard Weed - Treasurer EDITORIAL BOARD

Peter Fallon Joseph P. Kahn Kris Olson Bob Peck Mark Schwartz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Kathryn Whorf FOUNDERS

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

North of Boston Media Group Marblehead Current P.O. Box 102 Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945 617-545-5445 info@marbleheadnews.org www.marbleheadCurrent.org Marblehead Current is published every Wednesday by Marblehead News Group, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is mailed to all homes and businesses in Marblehead, MA 01945.

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400th anniversary planning begins Town Historian Don Doliber urged the Select Board at their Aug. 26 meeting to begin planning for Marblehead’s 400th anniversary coming up in 2029, drawing on his experience organizing previous town celebrations.

Doliber recalled helping organize the 1979 celebration and co-chairing the town’s 350th incorporation anniversary celebration in 1999. That effort required about a year and a half of planning and ultimately involved roughly 100 volunteers working on 33 events.

“More importantly, that 400th anniversary is something that should be started now,” Doliber told the board.

He also said $1,649 was set aside after the previous celebration as seed money for the 400th anniversary.

The board unanimously voted to establish a seven-member 400th anniversary committee, including a chair and co-chair.

Officials discussed seeking applications over the next several weeks, with interviews potentially beginning in October.

MDTC annual summer picnic The Marblehead Democratic Town Committee invites

The Select Board accepted a $4,764 donation from the Marblehead Neck Association to purchase a speed feedback sign that will be installed on the Neck at a location determined by traffic data.

Finance Committee vacancies The Select Board is seeking letters of interest and resumes to fill two vacancies on the Finance Committee. The committee

Pickleball for a purpose

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, September 2, 2026 3

BACK TO SCHOOL

First-day jitters — and plenty of smiles — as Marblehead students head back First-day jitters mixed with big smiles Monday morning as about 3,000 students headed back to Marblehead Public Schools, including Charter School, on Monday. Some were clutching parents’ hands while others raced ahead, eager to see their friends, meet their teachers and begin a new year.

Some students arrived on foot, while others rolled up on bikes and scooters. Parents offered last-minute hugs and goodbyes as children gathered outside, waiting for school doors to open.

At Glover School, Superintendent John Robidoux and new Principal Mary LeBlanc greeted children and families as they streamed toward the building for the start of a new school year.

Glover second-grader Mila Curtin knew exactly what she was looking forward to.

She said she was most excited to meet her teacher, Ms. Daggett — and, of course, to play at recess. She was also excited about reading more this year. Her favorite books?

The “Piggy and Gerald” series Mo Willems.

Students walk into the Marblehead Community Charter Public School for the first day of school Monday.

COURTESY PHOTO

Margaret Speed, 6, is starting first grade while her brother, Elliott, is heading into second.

D’Eon Custom Woodworking CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER

Bringing beauty, function, and craftsmanship to every project.

ABOVE: Friends (left to right) Maya, Olivia, Celia Jayne and Ellie reunite at Glover School for the first day.

BELOW: Mary LeBlanc, the new principal at Glover School, greets students and families Monday morning.

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4 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Marblehead Current

Opinion GUEST COLUMN

Why I won’t sell e-bikes to kids

BY DAN SHUMAN

Parents, please do not buy e-bikes for kids. Recently NBC Nightly News did a feature on the increasing numbers of fatalities and serious injuries kids are experiencing with electric scooters and e-bikes.

We sell e-bikes in the bike shop and service many more bought online and there are simply no e-bikes available that are safe for kids.

The human skull has developed over time to protect us from moving at the speed our legs can propel us. Typical bicycle helmets are designed to protect us from speeds that a human powered bicycle can travel which is around 10 to 12 miles per hour comfortably.

Almost all e-bikes purchased online are class 2 or class 3 meaning they can be used with a throttle only (no pedaling required) and can go up to 28 miles per hour. In our experience at the bike shop most e-bikes bought online are lower end products with inferior stopping

ability adding to the risk of death or injuries.

We will not sell e-bikes to minors nor will we sell an e-bike to an adult if we know it’s being

purchased for a minor. We do service e-bikes — even those we know are used by minors — as refusing to service them would only ensure that they continue

automobile driver, 28 MPH may seem pretty slow but if you’re considering buying your kid a machine that will move them through our streets at 28 MPH first sit on the hood of your car and let someone drive you down Hardy Street at 28 MPH. Even a helmet would not cause you to feel safe on the hood of a car at 28MPH. I’m hoping for the day when a company develops an e-bike that can only travel at the speed that a kid would typically ride a regular bicycle (about 5-7 miles per hour). Even then I’d still preach that kids need to be experiencing the joy and satisfaction of moving around under their own power.

Again, please don’t buy e-bikes for kids (17 and under).

If you choose to ignore this COURTESY PHOTO advice at least ensure that they to be ridden with major safety know the rules of the road and issues unaddressed. wear an appropriate helmet at Most e-bikes and e-scooters all times. can quickly reach top speeds Dan Shuman owns Marblehead of 28 miles per hour. As an Cycle

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Observer Corps signing off To the editor: When we started the League of Women Voters of Marblehead’s Observer Corps in 2019, we were living in different times.

The existing “news desert” and then COVID motivated League members to fill in for the lack of information about town boards and committees. Our observer reports were often the only local “news” being reported, and many readers expressed how grateful they were for our efforts.

Volunteering as an observer was a substantial commitment requiring many hours between trying to figure out when a meeting was happening, observing at the meeting, writing up the report and then sending it off for publication.

Sometimes there was follow-up with the board chairperson to make sure the reporting was accurate. And that was always critically important… getting the information right.

Now we have three papers that have been covering several of the same boards we did. With this enhanced coverage by local media, observers reluctantly decided that the time was right to bring the Observer Corps to an official end.

Over the years, 15 League members have volunteered as observers including: Tom Krueger, Nancy Powell, Kay Rieper, Katharine Redmond, Brigitte Lagoutte, Kathy Breslin, Shari Pressman, Maggie Smist, Cathy Marie Michael, Mimi Hollister, Jody Howard, Judith Black, Julie Matuschak, Steven Levy and myself.

All these volunteers are to be commended for their dedication and commitment to the Observer Corps. It has been a labor of love. For us, this is not a sad occasion but instead a time to celebrate all we have accomplished and the commitment we made to bring sunlight to town government.

We extend our gratitude and appreciation to all those who have volunteered to be part of this extraordinary effort by the League of Women Voters of Marblehead, including the Marblehead Current, the Marblehead Weekly News, and the Marblehead Independent for their on-going support over the years.

Bonnie Grenier, Coordinator LWVM Observer Corps Sagamore Road

Thanks to community for successful museum sale To the editor: On behalf of the Marblehead Museum, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the community for making our recent tag sale a resounding success. It is truly an event that is loved and supported by the community and beyond.

The success of this sale is due to the incredible leadership of Barbara Wright and Christine Nuccio, who ran the event flawlessly. They were ably assisted by the tireless, hands-on efforts of Elizabeth Freeto, Jarrett Zeman, Rick Dodge, dedicated members of the board and our wonderful volunteers who worked behind the scenes to keep operations running smoothly.

Reflecting on the event, Wright stated that she was overwhelmed by the sincerity of the people who showed up to contribute. Whether donating one or two special items or boxes filled with 50 objects, everyone shared a genuine happiness at being able to participate by gifting the museum a treasure. In fact, the volume of donations was so immense this year that we had to stop accepting items a few days earlier than planned.

We also want to thank our diverse crowd of supporters.

Our early dealers and collectors

LETTERS POLICY

We want to hear from you The Current welcomes letters to the editor and strives to represent a range of viewpoints on our opinion pages.

Generally, letters should not exceed 500 words. Letters over the word limit may be returned to the writer for editing.

Writers may be given more leeway to criticize national political candidates and other public figures. However, in all cases, letter writers should refrain from name calling and personal attacks and instead focus on the substance of matters of public concern.

Letter writers may be asked to substantiate claims that do not relate to information previously published in the Current.

While we will make every effort to let writers have their say, we reserve the right not to publish letters.

Letters must include: » The author’s name. Unsigned letters and form letters will not be published. » The name of the street on which the author lives in Marblehead. Only the street name will be published next to the author’s name – not their full address. » The author’s daytime/cell phone number for verification purposes (not publication).

Letters must be received by our newsroom directly from their writers (for special circumstances, contact the newsroom).

Email submissions to info@marbleheadnews.org or use the submission form found at marbleheadcurrent.org/letters.

Some letters may be shared to social media. We will share a wide array of viewpoints.

Letters must be received by noon on Friday in order to be printed in the following week’s print edition.

started the day with great enthusiasm, and the local, casual traffic beautifully balanced out in the afternoon.

The funds raised are vital to our mission. They will directly support our educational programs, the preservation of our historic properties, and the care of our archives.

Thank you for helping us keep Marblehead’s rich history alive.

Sincerely, Patty Pederson Marblehead Museum board president

Residents deserve ‘improved communication, more respect and better roads’ To the editor: Leigh Blander’s article in the Aug. 26 edition, “Looking for answers to road and sidewalk projects” prompted me to write.

I have a simple question that demands a simple answer about

three streets and when they will be paved.

The three streets are Atlantic Avenue from Seaview Avenue to Ocean Avenue, Washington Street from Five Corners to the Muffin Shop, and Gerry Street.

These three streets carry a huge volume of traffic and are central to getting around town.

In addition, Atlantic and Washington are major tourist thoroughfares and are a terrible representation of the quality of life in Marblehead. It is hard to understand how Bubier Road took precedence over so many other much busier streets.

It is disappointing that our elected officials, who travel these same roads, are not demanding a schedule and action in 2026 to prioritize these areas. I am also taken aback that Thatcher Kezer would consider hiring a “communications specialist” for town projects. Department heads should be willing and capable of communicating with the public; we are their customers.

There is not a communications problem, there is a problem of arrogance and disregard for the 8,000 households that rely on public works to provide services. The residents of Marblehead deserve improved communication, more respect and better roads.

Amy Danforth Mansion Road

It’s time to take noise pollution seriously To the editor: It’s time for Marblehead to confront the issue of noise pollution. It doesn’t matter how pretty a town is if there is no meaningful guarantee of peace and quiet.

This evening, after spending a fair part of the day listening to backup beepers in my neighborhood, I thought I’d settled in to enjoy a good LETTERS, P. 5

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, September 2, 2026 5

GUEST COLUMN

The Rail Trail is being overdeveloped

BY DON MORGAN AND THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

The Marblehead Conservancy believes that the railroad bed is both an historic and natural treasure. However, we also believe current design plans, recently presented for community input, are overdeveloping it.

In our minds there is an important difference between a trail and a street. A walk or bike ride on a trail allows one to briefly escape our busy world to enjoy an experience that reminds us of the stillness, beauty and wonder that is nature. A street (or sidewalk) presents an entirely different environment: concrete, asphalt, manicured lawns and buildings.

The Marblehead Conservancy has been maintaining Marblehead’s 150 acres of Conservation Lands including trails, removing invasives, and planting native trees, shrubs and flowers for 25 years. We were invited to participate in planning for remediation of the Rail Trail to better serve pedestrians and bicyclists resulting in the November 2020 report.

We believe the results of the November 2020 Rail Trail plan revealed that it should be more like a trail than a street. For example: From page 9 of the November 2020 plan: “The trail has a distinctive rustic, naturetrail character, which is highly valued by trail users. Passing through many of Marblehead’s conservation areas, the trail

intersections, not along the railroad bed itself, unless it is to identify plants or historical features (e.g. railroad appurtenances).

We agree with the plan to treat the trail with aggregate which makes the trail durable, appears somewhat like gravel and is somewhat permeable. However, we believe a recent suggestion to use asphalt not only changes the entire feel of the railroad bed to feel like a street but would also assure runoff to adjoining Conservation areas — a very bad idea. One suggestion for dealing with this is for the Select Board to appoint an oversight committee with at least as many stakeholders as town CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER department heads Town officials cut the ribbon on a newly refurbished section of the Rail Trail last summer.

We have also noticed that provides access to woodlands, a “trail.” the railroad bed vegetation is and “lawn” grasses which are wetlands and coast, and the We have had at least two growing in and coming close frequently mowed. We do dense vegetation along the meetings with the manager of to blocking several sections. support selectively removing corridor provides a sense of Community Development to The agreement the former invasive plants and replacing seclusion. The trail is widely express this view, and suggested, town planner made giving the them with native ones and used and well-loved by the among other things, expanding Select Board an easement to use of native “meadow” community.” the steering committee from the railroad bed states that the grasses. We think the This occurs in the report three town department heads to Select Board is responsible for vegetation should be mowed before any specific design trail include stakeholders. We have mowing it. We think this needs a few times a season, maybe features are listed — in other not heard back regarding any of as much as monthly, primarily your immediate attention. words it is “overarching.” As those suggestions, so we assume Sincerely, Robert French, to remove “overgrown the “Summary of Community they have been rejected but we president; Don Morgan, vegetation that narrows the Engagement Themes” reiterates have reason to believe that the treasurer and secretary; Nina trail’s usable width” (p. 12). » Concrete pads along the (p. 11), users value the “natural “street” design is moving on.

Robertson, membership and railroad bed with benches, character and feel” of the trail.

Some examples of overdesign accounts receivable; Maureen trash barrels, bicycle racks, We believe if you remove the (as done between Clifton and Ashley, Kathy Breslin, Jim bicycle pumps and bicycle suggestions from the November Rockaway): Caplan, Jody Howard, David repair stations.

2020 report that had low levels Krathwohl and Elaine Leahy » Removal of nearly all of support (p 10), you will find vegetation and replacement » We believe any signage the desire for the Rail Trail to be with manicured planting beds should occur at street

COLUMN

Letters

Let it spin

From P. 4

BY MARGARET BACON

In the house where I grew up, hesitation had consequences.

We were a large Irish Catholic family of six children, which in our neighborhood barely qualified as ambitious.

Love was plentiful and silence was suspicious. At the center of our kitchen table sat a wooden lazy Susan. It revolved steadily, like destiny. If you hesitated, the potatoes continued their orbit without apology.

Food was not passed. It was intercepted.

You learned timing. You learned trajectory. You learned that the gravy does not wait for personal reflection. Providence favored the alert.

My mother supervised this spinning republic with the calm of someone who had seen worse.

This eliminated most petitions.

Claims of potato inequality.

Allegations of aggressive spinning. Emotional distress caused by someone breathing audibly. None met the threshold for intervention.

But dinner was only rehearsal.

In a house that busy, there was always a thud, a commotion, or a call from upstairs.

My mother did not rush.

She did not raise her voice to compete with ours. When something sounded urgent, she would pause, listen, and narrow it to essentials. In her practical way, she might ask, “Is there blood? Is anything on fire?”

There was something reassuring in the way she distilled things. If she was not alarmed, perhaps we did not need to be either.

Too much alarm, and every bruise seeks a second opinion.

Too little, and you raise children who assume gravity is optional.

The balance would matter more than I knew.

When I became a mother, I briefly imagined that I would introduce order. Calm dinners.

Individual servings. Possibly vegetables that were consumed without litigation.

Instead, I found myself conducting triage before 8 a.m.

Did the wound in question require a kiss, a Band-Aid, or actual stitches and a co-pay?

Was the scream evidence of mortal peril or a sibling having taken the wrong color cup?

Then there were driving lessons.

Nothing in my upbringing prepared me for sitting in the passenger seat while my son merged into traffic with the confidence of someone who had never met a deductible. I braced my foot against the floorboard and offered calm phrases such as “Perhaps a bit more brake,” while quietly updating my will.

Parenthood is a long study in proportional response. Does this require panic or perspective? Too calm and you appear negligent.

Too alarmed and you raise children who require ice packs for disappointment You learn to interpret sounds.

The crash that signals structural damage.

The crash that signals only ego damage.

The sudden silence, which is the most concerning sound of all.

Somewhere along the way, you become less reactive and more discerning. Not wiser, necessarily, just seasoned. Most events are rotational. They pass through the house like that gravy

boat: dramatic but temporary.

Eventually, the decibel level shifts.

The refrigerator remains full.

No one is learning to drive.

No one requires stitches or arbitration over cups. You can drink coffee while it is hot.

Then, the grandchildren appear.

They enter at full volume. They fall. They shout. They negotiate for dessert with professional intensity. The lazy Susan spins again, and small hands reach with conviction.

I am no longer responsible for long-term outcomes. I am here for the delight.

From this vantage point, certain truths come into focus.

The perils of parenting remain oddly underreported, not because they are minor, but because they defy summary. Try explaining at a baby shower that it will exhaust you and enlarge you in equal measure. You will sound either luminous or unwell.

Both may be true.

The lazy Susan was never lazy.

It was curriculum.

Seize what comes around.

Distinguish drama from disaster.

And if there is no blood and nothing is on fire, let it spin.

Margaret Bacon is the founder and senior editor of VeryCoolFacts. com, home of a free weekly newsletter, and Safe Harbor Media Group, an educational media platform built around verified, insight-driven storytelling. Her work explores history, science, culture and the enduring patterns of human behavior that shape how we think and act today. She has lived in Marblehead for 40 years.

book. Not going to happen. A neighbor had workers on his roof replacing tiles at 6 p.m., and the sound carried for blocks. I wasn’t going to be able to read, with or without the windows open.

I went over to ask how long the work would continue.

My neighbor said he really didn’t know, but thought the workers would probably finish by 7 p.m. and return the following day. I told him I felt the neighborhood — and increasingly the town — was developing a serious noise pollution problem, and that 7 p.m. seemed quite late for loud construction work that could be heard for blocks. I suggested that 5 p.m. would be a more reasonable cutoff for this kind of work.

He responded that a 5 p.m. finish was “not convenient for working-class laborers.” I pointed out that residents also have a reasonable expectation not to be inconvenienced indefinitely by excessive noise.

The conversation did not end well. But I don’t think my neighbor is a bad guy — he simply wants his roof done.

And I don’t think I’m a bad neighbor — I simply want some peace and quiet. That is precisely why we need reasonable rules rather than leaving neighbors to negotiate these conflicts themselves.

To find out what those rules actually are, I called the police.

I was astonished to learn this type of work can legally continue until 10 p.m.

Ten o’clock at night is extraordinarily late for loud residential construction in a densely settled community.

Marblehead’s current noise ordinance needs to be reconsidered in light of today’s near-constant barrage of ambient — and not-soambient — noise. The town

should establish reasonable limits on loud residential construction that protect residents while still allowing people to maintain their homes. A 5 p.m. cutoff for loud construction would provide residents with something we increasingly lack: predictable periods of peace and quiet.

The town should also address another persistent source of unnecessary noise: conventional backup alarms on municipal vehicles. Newer broadband backup alarms concentrate their warning sound in the immediate hazard area instead of broadcasting a piercing tonal beep throughout surrounding neighborhoods.

They are OSHA-compliant and can reportedly be retrofitted to many vehicles at relatively modest cost ($200).

Marblehead should begin converting its municipal fleet to this quieter technology.

Several weeks ago, I sent a letter to the Board of Health expressing concern about noise pollution and included references to multiple studies identifying excessive environmental noise as a genuine publichealth issue. Six weeks later, I have received no substantive response beyond a one-line acknowledgment that my letter had been forwarded.

This shouldn’t be an argument between people who need to get work done and people who want quiet.

Marblehead does not have to choose between allowing residents to maintain their homes and allowing residents to enjoy them. Reasonable hours, quieter technology and predictable periods of peace can accommodate both.

It’s time for the town to take noise pollution seriously.

Regards, Alicia Hart Pond Street

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6 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Marblehead Current

YOUTH RISKS

Health board revisits social host bylaw as parent urges broader focus

BY LEIGH BLANDER Tensions flared Aug. 24 when the Board of Health continued its discussion on whether to ask Town Meeting to appeal or revise Marblehead’s social host bylaw as part of a broader effort to address underage drinking.

However, a local parent urged the board to look beyond alcohol and focus on what he says are more prevalent threats to teenagers, including suicidal thoughts and texting while driving.

Board Chair Dr. Thomas Massaro has proposed bringing a repeal of the bylaw to Town Meeting, arguing that doing so would generate a townwide conversation about underage drinking and social hosting.

“There is honest, open and frank conversation” at Town Meeting, said Massaro. “The town as a whole absolutely needs to do more, and the metric has to be the outcomes.”

Massaro pointed to the town’s Creating a Healthier Marblehead survey, which drew 2,553 responses and included concerns about risky behavior among young people. He also cited research about the effects of alcohol on adolescent brain development, saying the brain remains particularly vulnerable through adolescence and into young adulthood.

Massaro said putting the bylaw before Town Meeting would not necessarily mean simply eliminating it. He floated the possibility of giving voters several choices: retaining the existing bylaw, repealing it or improving it.

Board member Dr. Julie Selbst said she believes portions of the bylaw could provide police with an enforcement tool but questioned language that applies to minors under 18 rather than everyone under the legal drinking age of 21.

“We’re not necessarily saying that we want to remove it,” Selbst said. “We’re saying I think that it probably needs to be modified.”

Selbst said the board would need to work with town counsel before settling on the language of any warrant article.

Board member Tom McMahon reiterated that the biggest

problem is local parents who allow teens to drink in their homes.

But resident and parent Ryan Wilson, who has two children at MHS and works professionally in market research, challenged both the board’s interpretation of youth drinking data and its focus on alcohol.

Every year, the high school gives students a Survey of Substance Abuse and Risk Factors, asking them about issues like drinking, mental health, discrimination and more.

In the latest survey, done last fall, the number of students who reported ever drinking alcohol dropped to 32%, from 42% the previous year.

In June, Marblehead High social worker Gina Hart spoke about the decline. “It’s a generational response to substance use right now. Kids are not as interested in it,” she said. “That has to do with the education and awareness of substance use as a public health issue.”

At Monday’s meeting, Wilson said, “Underage drinking in this town, year over year, is going down. It went from 40% to 42% now down to 32% in the survey data. That’s a reduction of almost 25%.”

He cautioned that the 32% figure represents lifetime alcohol consumption rather than frequent or binge drinking and could include a student who had a sip of champagne at a family wedding.

“What we’re missing with the data that we’re not seeing from the (survey) is the intensity of drinking, the frequency of drinking,” Wilson said.

Wilson also corrected a statistic McMahon had cited from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. McMahon had said 92%

of students reported that an adult they lived with had used substances in front of them in a concerning way.

Wilson said the figure was the opposite: 91.8% answered “no” and 8.2% answered “yes.”

“I come here as a parent. I also come here as a professional market researcher,” Wilson said.

“We need more data, and we need the best data possible.”

McMahon challenged Wilson, and the two shouted at each other. Wilson said that McMahon had called him a “f— ing moron” in a text. (A copy of the text, which was sent before the meeting, was shared with the Current.)

Other teen risks

Wilson then pointed to other findings that he said deserve at least as much attention from health officials.

According to figures he cited from the 2025-26 survey, 11% of high school students reported suicidal thoughts, 9% reported having made a suicide plan and 1.2% reported attempting suicide.

“Eighty-eight kids at the high school have thought about it, 72 made plans, and almost 10 tried,” Wilson said. “We have to think about that as well.”

He called texting while driving an even more prevalent concern, saying 60% of students reported doing it, including nearly 10% who said they text every time they drive.

“Those are real issues that any safety expert will tell you that are just as dangerous and as deadly as drinking, as drinking and driving, and that’s happening all hours of the day,” Wilson said.

Wilson also cautioned about unintended consequences of cracking down on social hosting.

He said eliminating drinking at homes would not necessarily eliminate teenage drinking and could instead push teenagers into woods, neighboring communities, boats or islands, requiring them to drive to and from less controlled settings.

“I would rather have my kids at somebody’s house in their backyard with a parent who is there, who has an eye on what’s going on,” Wilson said. “And while they might be technically breaking the law, they’re actually doing a better job of protecting their kids than pushing them off to places where help can’t be rendered, where bad things can happen.”

Board members acknowledged that alcohol is only one of several significant health concerns facing Marblehead teenagers.

Massaro said the board has worked on suicide prevention and noted the school district’s involvement with The NAN Project, which focuses on youth mental health and suicide prevention.

“Kids are at risk in today’s world for multiple reasons,” Massaro said, adding that the board sees itself as a home for collecting and distributing reliable public health data.

Selbst agreed.

“Our goal is a healthier Marblehead, healthier kids, and in whatever way possible,” she said. “You’re absolutely right. There are other health challenges.”

She also acknowledged that proposing a bylaw change was partly intended to get residents’ attention and stimulate a broader conversation.

“I was afraid that if we said we’re going to have community meetings about this, everybody would yawn and not turn up,” Selbst said.

Proposing to change the bylaw gets everybody’s attention, she said.

“But maybe we don’t need guerrilla tactics,” Selbst said.

“Maybe we just have meetings that people come to.”

Board member Kristen Dubay Horton, who said she has worked on adolescent behavior and underage drinking for 25 years, advocated for a collaborative approach involving

STATE LAW & LOCAL BYLAW The state’s social host law, G.L.c. 138, §34, makes it a crime punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 or up to one year in prison to furnish alcohol to a minor, where “furnish” means “to knowingly or intentionally supply, give or provide to or allow a person under 21… to possess alcoholic beverages” on the owner’s property.

Meanwhile, in the 1990s, the town enacted a local bylaw meant to complement the state law. The town bylaw differs from the state law in a few respects. First, it is concerned with alcohol possession by people under the age of 18, not 21. The sanction — a $150 fine — is less steep. But unlike the state law, which requires “knowing or intentional” conduct, someone who owns or controls a property need only fail to prevent a person under the age of 18 from using or possessing alcohol to be subject to a fine. parents, students, schools, police and health officials. She also expressed concern that Marblehead’s version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey omits questions routinely asked elsewhere, limiting officials’ ability to track risky behaviors over time.

Health Director Andrew Petty agreed that the town should gather and publicly share as much survey data as possible, including historical information.

“This should be widely available to everybody,” Petty said. “This should be on the town websites. This should be everywhere where people can take a look at it and analyze the data and have good conversations around it and what we can do to just move forward.”

No vote was taken on a Town Meeting warrant article. The board indicated that further discussion, including input from town counsel and potentially Police Chief Dennis King, would be needed before deciding exactly what changes, if any, to propose.

SCHOOLS

Marblehead High roof project nears finish as students return

BY LEIGH BLANDER As Marblehead High School students returned on Monday, the building’s long-awaited roof and HVAC project was nearing completion, and the remaining work will not interfere with the start of classes, school officials said.

The project has included installation of a new roof membrane, replacement of wet insulation and new HVAC units, along with interior restoration work in areas affected by the construction.

The town authorized approximately $13.8 million in borrowing for the project, including $8.6 million approved by voters in a debt exclusion last year. The general construction contract with Homer Contracting came in at $8.97 million — about $2.1 million below the estimate. The total project cost, including design,

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

The long-awaited roof repair project at Marblehead High should be finished by the end of the month.

project management and other expenses, had been estimated at roughly $12 million.

The $8.6 million debt exclusion for the roof and HVAC work passed overwhelmingly in the June 2025 town election, with 73.8% of voters supporting

it. That funding supplemented money previously approved for the roof project.

School Committee member Henry Gwazda said most of the work is now complete, with crews focusing last week on final HVAC connections, ceiling and

finish work, fire alarm testing and roof-drain testing.

“The repairs shouldn’t extend beyond September and won’t have any impact on teaching and learning,” Gwazda said. “The work in September is installing roof walkways and calibrating HVAC equipment.”

School officials say that work can be completed without disrupting classes or other school activities.

The project represents the culmination of years of efforts to address the high school’s leaking roof. Town Meeting initially approved $5.3 million for the work in 2022, but the project did not move forward at the time. As the roof continued to deteriorate, the scope expanded to include replacement of aging rooftop HVAC units. By late 2024, officials estimated the full project could cost nearly $14 million.

Gwazda said the project is now

on track financially, although final figures are not yet available.

“I don’t have the final numbers yet on the budget, but our contract came in under budget, and we only had a few minor additional expenses, mostly related to replacing ceiling tiles, which we heard from the community was a concern,” Gwazda said. “I fully expect the project to come in under budget.”

The ceiling tiles had been among the interior issues associated with the roof work.

Their replacement was added in response to concerns raised by community members.

The construction schedule called for the bulk of the work to be completed during the nineweek summer break. Earlier this year, project officials had set an Oct. 12 deadline for completion of all contract work, including final testing, balancing, punchlist repairs and project closeout.

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, September 2, 2026 7

DISTRICT UPATE

What’s cooking at MPS this year — and when will students get a taste of it?

BY AKANKSHA GOYAL There’s a little bit of everything happening in the Marblehead High School culinary classroom: students cooking, experimenting, competing in “Chopped”-style challenges and, around the holidays, baking treats for the staff.

Soon, they’ll have some new equipment to work with, too.

With students back in class this week, Marblehead Public Schools is awaiting about $65,000 in state Fair Share supplemental funding, announced earlier this year, to help fund vital upgrades to some classrooms and buses.

The money, generated through the Fair Share surtax on annual personal income over $1 million, will help pay for new culinary equipment, music supplies and bus cameras — providing a timely boost for projects that could be difficult to tackle in a year when the district has already made significant cuts.

Julia Ferreira, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, said the funding offers the district an opportunity to address larger needs without placing them on an alreadystretched operating budget.

“We had a reduced budget this year. We had to make reductions,” she said. “To have these funds to support these larger projects that we need … just to have this money to actually upgrade our whole system is a real gift for us.”

ADUs From P. 1

into compliance, voters approved changes to the town’s zoning bylaw at the May 4 Town Meeting.

Among other changes, the amendments made qualifying ADUs a by-right use and established a site-plan review process through which the Planning Board can impose conditions but cannot deny a qualifying ADU. But the new bylaw did not eliminate Marblehead’s other zoning requirements.

An ADU can be by right and still need a variance A qualifying ADU can be built by right, but the proposed structure still has to comply with applicable dimensional requirements, including setbacks, height and other local restrictions.

For example, an ADU created entirely within an existing home, such as through a basement or attic conversion may not create the same dimensional problems as an addition.

But if accommodating the ADU requires expanding an existing structure, the applicant may need a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Pickering-Cook said the state’s ADU and variances changes can work together in favor of homeowners seeking to add housing.

“If an ADU is allowed by right, but there is no space on the property because it can’t comply with whatever the setbacks are, that person can now go forward and seek a variance for their protected use ADU,” she said.

The homeowner could argue that the property presents a “practical difficulty,” she said, such as the small lots common in the Old & Historic District.

“And it’ll be up to the ZBAs whether or not that person gets to build their ADU,”

it to arrive before entering into purchase agreements.

A safer ride to school

COURTESY PHOTO

A bigger, better kitchen

More than 220 high school students use the culinary classroom each year across the culinary arts and chemistry of cooking courses, according to Ferreira. With the programs among the district’s most popular electives, roughly $16,000 of the funding will go toward refurbishing the wellused kitchen.

“Every section of that class is pretty much full,” Ferreira said.

“So the use of the stoves, the supplies, it’s heavier than it’s ever been, and it’s time to upgrade those.” The classroom currently uses a combination of gas and electric appliances, making updated equipment particularly important as more students spend time cooking in the space.

“Anytime we have gas and electric appliances with students using them, we want to make sure that they’re up to date and they’re safe,” Ferreira said.

The district also hopes to purchase larger bowls, mixing tools and other equipment that

Pickering-Cook said. “It allows for an ADU in places that otherwise could be restricted or challenged.”

Who handles the application?

The town initially believed applicants needed to go before the Planning Board first.

After consulting with town counsel Adam Costa, officials concluded that approval of the ADU itself is a staff-level decision.

If the project also requires a variance, however, the applicant may need to appear before the ZBA separately.

“Some of the applications that we've had challenges with are … some of these projects need to go to ZBA,” Callahan said.

He said town officials have been working with Costa, the Planning Board chair and the ZBA chair to clarify the process.

Callahan described a scenario in which a homeowner wants to build an ADU on a garage.

“So because it’s a variance,” he said, “they get the ADU but then they got to still go to the ZBA and get the variance to build the garage.”

For one family, the uncertainty has come at a cost For Robert Campbell and his wife, the state’s push to make ADUs easier to build has translated into months of uncertainty.

The couple is trying to build an ADU on Campbell’s in-laws’ Lucia Road property. Both grew up in Marblehead, and Campbell said the family wants the ADU to allow his in-laws to age in place while preserving the home where his wife grew up.

“We’re deeply connected to the town and its future. We want to help my in-laws age in place and keep the house my wife grew up in,” Campbell said. “We don’t always have as much time as we want with the ones we love.

can better accommodate larger groups.

Officials hope to make the culinary upgrades during a school break, so the popular classes are not interrupted.

New gear for music department Of the remaining $25,000 in academic-program funding, approximately $8,900 will go toward new instruments, music supplies and other larger purchases for students at the Village School and Veterans Middle School.

The district estimates about 110 students will benefit from the new supplies.

Ferreira said the music order has already been prepared and will be submitted as soon as the funding arrives.

The district has not yet received the money, meaning neither the music nor culinary purchases will be in place when students return to school next week. Officials have been notified that the funding is being processed and are waiting for

We’re just trying to get as much time together as possible.” The family first met with an architect March 26 and submitted its ADU application May 22, along with the $75 application fee and stamped plans, Campbell said.

He said the family was initially told the application was ready to proceed to the July ZBA meeting.

“We were effectively told ‘this follows the rules, so you don’t need to go to the planning board’,” Campbell said in an email.

Then, on June 8, his architect was told the project did need to go before the Planning Board because of recent rule changes.

The submission deadline was the following day, he said.

The family subsequently received conflicting information about which board needed to review the application first.

“We had numerous back and forths with the town, including them calling us twice within two hours telling us conflicting information about which board had to see us first,” he said.

They eventually hired a local attorney to help navigate the process.

Outdated town information added another complication Campbell also flagged discrepancies between the town’s online zoning materials and the rules he said the family was later told applied to its project.

The Current independently reviewed the town’s online zoning code and ADU application and verified the discrepancies.

The online zoning bylaw lists a maximum ADU size of 1,000 square feet, while the state law limits a qualifying ADU to 900 square feet or half the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is smaller.

Marblehead’s updated bylaw, approved at Town Meeting, reflects the 900-square-foot limit.

As of publication, the online

The largest share of the grant — $40,000 — is earmarked for upgraded camera systems throughout the district’s transportation fleet, with the goal of strengthening student safety.

MPS currently operates four large school buses, two small buses and one electric van.

Together, the vehicles transport more than 235 students to and from school each day, in addition to hundreds more for athletic events and class field trips throughout the year.

The cameras are intended primarily as another layer of student safety. If an incident occurs on a bus, administrators will be able to review the footage, similar to the way cameras are used inside school buildings, according to Ferreira.

“Just administrators, it’s very secure, it’s just us looking at it,” Ferreira said.

The cameras have not yet been purchased and the district currently does not have a firm timeline for their installation.

Ferreira said Mike Pfifferling, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, will oversee the process and is committed to making progress before his departure from the district.

Boost from the state

The funding opportunity came through the district’s relationship

zoning code had not been updated to reflect the change.

The town’s ADU application form also contained an older definition of a short-term rental based on stays of fewer than 90 days. The bylaw approved at Town Meeting uses a 31-day threshold.

Campbell said his architect relied on the information available online when preparing the family’s plans.

The family subsequently had to reduce the size of the ADU, revise the plot plan multiple times and print multiple sets of plans for board review, Campbell said.

‘Incredibly frustrating’

The application has not yet gone before either board.

Campbell said the family was scheduled for its first Planning Board meeting Sept. 8 and would need to schedule a ZBA appearance afterward.

“I actually have given up trying to understand what’s holding us up and defer everything to our lawyer,” he said. “The amount of conflicting information given has been incredibly frustrating.”

The delays have already cost the family thousands of dollars in additional architect, surveyor and legal expenses, he said.

Campbell said the family had expected the process to be relatively straightforward because the property is not in a historic or shoreline district and the project is intended to allow family members to age in place.

“We’re still attempting to move forward but given the uncertainty and multiple continuances we see and hear about, we are not optimistic about any timeline,” he said.

A statewide transition

Marblehead’s questions are part of a broader adjustment underway across Massachusetts.

Adam Chapdelaine, CEO and executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association said he has heard concerns from municipalities

with state Rep. Jenny Armini and state Sen. Brendan Crighton, whom Ferreira credited as strong supporters of Marblehead schools.

“When the opportunity came up that we were able to submit requests … for the supplemental funding, that’s when Rep. Armini reached out and started that process for us, and was just so tremendously helpful,” she said.

At a May 1 School Committee meeting, Superintendent John Robidoux said some of the items the district sought funding for were “wants and needs,” while others involved safety concerns.

He said the additional funding could also allow the district to move forward on purchases it might otherwise have had to wait to make.

“A lot of times it’s like we have a lot of waiting to do … to buy the stuff,” Robidoux said.

“So, this is really cool that we’re able to get this funding so we don’t have to necessarily worry about that.” In a June 12 press release about the Fair Share funding package, Crighton said the funding would support “critical investments in our transportation and education systems.” For Ferreira, the relationship with Marblehead’s state delegation is something the district hopes to continue building on.

“We just feel really supported by our local reps … and we’re just really grateful.” she said.

“We’re looking forward to continuing that and putting in future requests as well.”

about how the new ADU rules apply, particularly when applications intersect with recent zoning changes.

“It’s not my sense that there is yet a common understanding,” Chapdelaine said when asked whether there is a statewide understanding of how ADU applications requiring dimensional variances should move through the local permitting process. “I think that speaks to our broader policy position … that keeping these authorities at the local level is a good way to avoid confusion.”

He said the rule changes are creating uncertainty at the local level even though the state is trying to accelerate housing production.

“Unfortunately what we’re seeing here with both the ADU as of right changes and now layered on top of that, these variance changes … have only furthered uncertainty and that seems to run counter to the intention of the original passage,” Chapdelaine said.

He said municipalities need time and guidance to adjust.

“We would always want to advocate for a slower phase in so that people have more time to respond,” Chapdelaine said. “We certainly would have appreciated there being a slower adoption period so that communities wouldn’t have been instantly, potentially in noncompliance upon passage.”

What happens next

For Marblehead, the process is still evolving with officials working with town counsel to establish a consistent process.

The Planning Board is scheduled to consider four ADU applications on Sept. 8, which could provide clarity on how the new permitting process works For now, Callahan said, Marblehead is working through the questions application by application “We’re working with legal and learning as we go really because it’s so new,” he said.

marbleheadcurrent.org

8 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Marblehead Current

Marblehead Officer Christian Henniger, Detective Theresa Gay and School Resource Officer Sean Sweeney talk to campers at last week’s MPD CSI camp.

COURTESY PHOTOS

The Essex County Sheriff Department brought K-9 Derby to the Marblehead CSI camp for kids.

CRIMES, CLUES, K-9S

Police camp puts kids on the case

BY LEIGH BLANDER The Marblehead Police Department had some new investigators on the case this summer — and these junior crime scene investigators came ready to hunt for clues.

Twenty kids spent three days learning how police solve crimes, from fingerprints and DNA to drones and K-9s, before putting their new skills to work processing a mock crime scene.

“This is our third class. They did a great job. Twenty students signed up,” Police Chief Dennis King said.

The department’s youth police camp gives kids a behindthe-scenes look at crime scene investigation and forensic science while letting them try their hand at some of the techniques officers use on the job.

The first lesson: Don’t jump to conclusions.

“A good investigator does not guess. A good investigator observes, records, preserves and tests,” the students’ forensic science packet explains.

Campers learned how investigators protect a crime scene from contamination, photograph evidence before

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anything is moved and create sketches showing where important items were found. They also learned how evidence is collected, packaged, labeled and tracked through the chain of custody.

Then came the fun part: solving a crime themselves.

Police set up a mock crime scene, giving the newly minted investigators a chance to process the scene, examine the evidence, conduct an investigation and ultimately write a report about what they believed happened.

The camp also introduced the kids to some of the department’s

Retrievers From P. 1

tradition for Marblehead’s canine community, with familiar faces — and furry faces — returning year after year. The event now

high-tech — and four-legged — crime-fighting tools.

Officer Sam Rizos of the department’s Drone Unit demonstrated how police use drones to assist in investigations, while members of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department brought their K-9s for a presentation. The campers learned how police dogs can track people and help officers locate evidence.

The camp wasn’t all fingerprints and evidence bags, however.

After three days of

investigation, the junior CSIs faced one final challenge: an obstacle course that King said is always a favorite.

The campers finished the program with T-shirts and certificates recognizing that they had completed the requirements to become junior crime scene investigators.

King said the group embraced everything the officers threw at them.

“Great class of youth that really participated all three days in the various activities,” he said.

Case closed.

even draws a small crowd of spectators who watch the photo shoot from nearby benches.

Six-year-old English golden retriever Aspen attended the gathering for her third year Thursday.

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CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS

Stephanie and Stefan Brocoum pose with their dogs, Monty and Booker, in front of the lighthouse.

Her owner, Kelly Walgreen, said the event is one her family would never miss.

“It’s amazing, we can’t miss it,” Walgreen said. “My favorite part is just seeing all of the dogs together. They get along so well, and there’s

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no fighting. This is so special.”

Chris Hunter, who attended the photo shoot with his family and golden retriever, said the event offers a welcome distraction from daily life.

“I think it’s really nice,” Hunter said, “because it gets everyone together, you’re off your screens, you’re out of the house and just hanging out.”

Brocoum attended the family photo with her husband, Stefan, and their two English golden retrievers, Monty and Booker. She owns Marblehead interior design business Moontide Studio and is already looking forward to the next golden retriever family photo next August.

“I love how, and I’m always surprised by how enthusiastic everyone is about their dogs and the photo, how eager they are to have their dogs photographed, and just how they keep showing up year after year. It is so sweet. ” she said.

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, September 2, 2026 9

Sports GRIDIRON

MHS football captains Coyne, Rhodes, Wales offer early insights

BY JOE MCCONNELL After finishing up last year with a 7-2 regular season record, Coach Jim Rudloff’s Marblehead High football team went back to work last week. The returning veterans qualified for the 2025 Division 4 Super Bowl playoffs, where they defeated Shepherd Hill Regional, 42-14 in the Round of 16, only to lose to Canton in a close battle, 27-22. But they bounced back nicely to beat rival Swampscott on Thanksgiving for the 13th straight year, 29-22.

Among this year’s returnees, captains Pete Rhodes, Owen Coyne and Tim Wales have since turned the page to give their initial impressions of the first week’s comings and goings, and by all accounts it was a positive experience.

“So far, the practices have been great,” said Coyne. “We are way (ahead of) schedule on defense, because we have so many returning starters, while the offense is coming together.”

Coyne estimated that around 55 players suited up for the first day of practice on Aug. 24, many of them on the young side in terms of varsity experience.

As a result, he admitted that practice has been a grind, “because of the constant reps,” while adding, “the hard work is already showing itself (with the progress that the team is making overall).”

Depending on the coaches’ schedules, practices usually run from 6-11 a.m., or from 5:15-9 p.m. They’d lift weighs either prior to or immediately following these workouts.

Coyne, a wide receiver, has also been going through blocking drills with the other skilled position players, along with going over his passing routes.

The team had a double session on Saturday with Sunday off to get ready for another week of practice.

But after one week, Coyne had these insightful observations.

“I’d say the sophomores as a whole have been working great, but in particular I want to give a shoutout to defensive back Charlie Czapla,” he said.

Owen’s classmate Pete Rhodes also thinks the practices after one week have been “awesome,” while elaborating, “it’s a really good time to teach the younger players the system.”

The first two days of practice started off with morning meetings, followed by practice, according to Rhodes. “It’s just a lot of technique drills at first to get our plays down, before we started hitting,” he added.

“Our starting lineups would go up against the scout teams that are helping us prepare for the upcoming scrimmages and games.”

Rhodes has also been impressed by the sophomores in the early going, while singling out Charlie Annese, Bailey Finkle and his own younger brother Ryan. “The entire sophomore group are working really hard, and hopefully they will also get time on the field this year,” he said.

Wales likes the “energy” so far in practice, while adding,

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

The 2026 MHS football captains are, from left, Owen Coyne, Pete Rhoades and Tim Wales.

COURTESY PHOTO/ EYAL OREN, WEDNESDAYS IN MARBLEHEAD

MHS football coach will be back on the sidelines this season.

“we have a lot to work on, but we’re whare we want to be. The daily grind has been intense, even during Saturday’s double sessions.”

Wales specifically mentioned the wide receiver group that has been “working very hard on blocking and (catching).”

He also likes what he sees from the underclassmen like Alex Herman, Ryan Rhodes, Finkle and Annese. “These players have all been stepping up during the first week of practice,” he said.

But these Magicians can’t wait to square off against anybody but themselves. They were scheduled to participate in a jamboree on Sept. 1 at Westwood. It will be followed by a home scrimmage against Billerica Memorial on Friday, Sept. 4, starting at 6 p.m. These exhibitions all lead up to the home opener on Thursday, Sept.

10, against non-league Lynn English, beginning at 7 p.m.

COURTESY PHOTO / MHS FOOTBALL X ACCOUNT

marbleheadcurrent.org

10 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Marblehead Current

With considerable youth on their side, MHS girls soccer looks to maintain winning edge Season begins Sept. 8 at Danvers

BY JOE MCCONNELL Marblehead High girls soccer coach Lisa Wales is beginning her third season along the varsity sidelines. Last year, these Magicians ended up with a 12-1-5 regular season record, and were second in the Northeastern Conference. They were the 10th seed in Division 2, before making it all the way to the Elite 8 after beating Walpole (3-2) and Oliver Ames (1-0), only to lose to Longmeadow, 3-1. The Lancers then fell to Duxbury by the exact same score in the state championship game.

After adding up all of their achievements, the Marblehead girls were the 20th best team statewide, encompassing all five divisions.

But it’s time to turn the page for Wales and her 2026 squad, and they all reconvened for the first day of practice on Aug. 24.

Wales welcomed over 60 players to tryouts with 24 of them freshmen to go along with 18 sophomores.

Despite the youthfulness in this year’s program, Wales still expects to see success on the pitch. “As always, we are going to have high expectations for all of our teams in the program,” she said, “and will look to compete in every game.”

There’s definitely reason for that optimism, thanks to a solid core of returning players

COURTESY PHOTO

MHS girls soccer coach Lisa Wales gets ready to begin her third year along the varsity sidelines.

on the varsity roster. “We have some key veterans, starting with senior tri-captain and fouryear starter AInsley McDonald, who will anchor our defense,

along with (fellow) captain Cam O’Brien. They are both center-backs,” said Wales. “We also have two strong keepers in Hailey Gilmore and Lily Heller, and tri-captain Callie Gilmore, who was our leading scorer throughout the past two seasons. Her versatility will once again be an asset as either a midfielder or a striker. Seniors Lucy Church and Alma Gaunt and juniors Stella Smith and Phoebe Fontela-Tuttle will be key contributors, as well.”

Wales also mentioned a solid sophomore group of Nina Badzak, Izzie Gonzalez, Maddy Terry and Anna Cannuscio that should contribute to this year’s varsity team.

Wales envisions that both Masco and Beverly will definitely be conference threats to win it

all this fall. But in her immediate future, Wales has scheduled four scrimmages to get her team ready for the regular season grind. They have already scrimmaged North Reading (Aug. 27) and Bishop Fenwick (Aug. 28). Hamilton-Wenham comes to Piper later today (Sept.

2, 5 p.m.) for the team’s third scheduled scrimmage. They will then wrap up the exhibition slate on Friday, Sept. 4, against host Lynnfield, beginning at 2:30 p.m. The regular season will commence on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Danvers, starting at 6:30 p.m.

They will be at Masco two days later at 4 p.m., before going to Swampscott for a game against the Big Blue on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.

They will finally begin the home season at Piper against Peabody on Sept. 16 at 4 p.m.

VARSITY SPORTS SCHEDULE Wednesday, Sept. 2 5 p.m., boys soccer vs. Burlington at Simonds Middle School, Burlington 5 p.m., girls soccer vs. Hamilton-Wenham at MHS Piper Field Thursday, Sept. 3 4 p.m., boys golf vs.

Masconomet at Tedesco Country Club Friday, Sept. 4 8 a.m., girls volleyball at Winchester Volleyball Play Day, Winchester High gym

2:30 p.m., girls soccer vs.

Lynnfield at Lynnfield High 6 p.m., boys football vs.

Billerica at MHS Piper Field Saturday, Sept. 5 10 a.m., boys soccer vs.

Wayland at Wayland High Monday, Sept. 7 10 a.m., girls field hockey vs.

Danvers at Danvers High Tuesday, Sept. 8 4 p.m., boys golf vs. St. Mary’s (Lynn) at Tedesco Country Club

4 p.m, girls field hockey vs. Malden Catholic at Malden Catholic 4 p.m., boys soccer vs.

Danvers at MHS Piper Field 6:30 p.m., girls soccer vs.

Danvers at Danvers High Wednesday, Sept. 9 4 p.m., boys and girls cross country vs. Peabody at Peabody High 4 p.m., boys golf vs. Beverly at Tedesco Country Club

5:30 p.m., girls volleyball vs. Masconomet at Masconomet Thursday, Sept. 10 4 p.m., boys golf vs. Peabody at Tedesco Country Club 4 p.m., girls soccer vs. Masconomet at Masconomet 6 p.m., girls field hockey vs.

Beverly at Beverly High 7 p.m., boys football vs. Lynn English at MHS Piper Field

Park From P. 1

PAWS & CLAWS

Toby is happy to relax by your side all day Breed: Golden doodle Size: Small A ge: Young Sex: Male Toby is a 3-year-old mini golden doodle. He was surrendered to the shelter with his mother when their owners moved out of state.

While his owners socialized him within their family, Toby was never around people outside of them, his pack. So Toby was unaware of all the friendly loving people he had yet to meet. His foster mom is now undertaking this part of Toby’s journey. We feel he would do better with another confident dog in the home.

This is what his foster mom has to say about him: “Toby is a sweet, sensitive soul who just wants to be with his people/pack. While he is a total homebody, he is excellent in the car and enjoys going on walks (once you convince him it will be fun). Even though he is still young, Toby is a pretty chill, quiet dog and is happy to relax by your side all day. Once he’s comfortable with you, he has a playful, goofy side that’s so wonderful to see.”

For more information, visit marblehead-animal-shelter.org.

Organizers learned who was responsible, and the teenagers came forward. Four or five returned to the park to help tear down the rest of the damaged shed, while another who was away on vacation offered to return another time to help.

Rather than dwell on what the teenagers had done, organizers saw an opportunity for them to take responsibility for it.

“I thought it was cool. They came to help us demo the old shed,” Smyers said.

And as the teenagers worked, younger kids were doing exactly what they always do at the park: riding through the woods, hitting jumps and spending an afternoon outside.

“The kids were just riding around, having a good afternoon, doing what they would always be doing,” said Chris Field, who leads bike programs in the park.

He added, “I hope that they (the teen vandals) realize that this is a park for kids.”

The Friends of Green Street Woods plan to replace the shed, possibly this fall or next spring. The new structure will be sturdier, organizers said, and cameras will be installed.

The incident was the first reported vandalism at the bike park since its grand opening in May 2023.

But the broken shed is only a small piece of the story at Green Street Woods, where the bike park has evolved into a popular gathering place for children who might otherwise be spending a summer afternoon inside or staring at a screen.

The park now has about a dozen riding features, including drops, “skinnies,” jumps, tabletop jumps, bridges and berms. The trails and obstacles continue to evolve as the young riders themselves

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Siena and William Koelle come to the bike park at least once a week, which makes their mom, Susan, happy.

develop new skills and suggest new challenges.

Twice a year, community build days bring adults and kids together to dig, cut, trim and pick up trash. Throughout the year, young riders also offer ideas for improvements and, through organized programs, can pick up tools and help make them happen.

The park typically attracts riders from about 6 to 15 years old, along with some adults.

Forty children participated in the Recreation and Parks Department’s bike program this summer, but organizers estimate hundreds use the park independently. At busy times, 30 or 40 kids can be riding there.

Ten-year-old Harrison Christensen, a fifth grader at Village School, is one of the regulars.

He started riding about two years ago and can spend hours at the park. Asked what he likes about riding, his answer was simple.

“The bike,” he said. “I just like riding it, honestly.”

And how does riding make him feel?

“Just epic.”

Christensen likes the park’s tabletop jump and the chance to get off the ground — something neighborhood

streets decidedly do not offer.

“Yeah, I mean, I can’t really get airtime on the street,” he said.

Ten-year-old Andrew Dylan Sides has his own favorite part of the park: “Hitting jumps.”

Sides described the thrill of taking on one of the park’s gap jumps — while also knowing when not to attempt it.

The park is designed to help kids progress.

There are easier features for beginners and more challenging ones that riders can work toward as their confidence and skills grow.

Along the way, kids also have to negotiate with each other, take turns and figure out how to ride together without crashing into one another.

For parents, that combination of independence, adventure and community is part of the appeal.

Susan Koelle, whose children William and Siena ride at the park and have participated in its programs, said it gives kids the kind of freedom parents often say they want for them.

“It’s really cool,” she said.

“It’s getting the kids outside the way everybody says they want them to, right? And gives them the freedom to do something that’s adventurous but still in a really safe spot.”

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, September 2, 2026 11

CURRENT EVENTS

Marblehead’s best bets 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

End-of-summer luau Saturday, Sept. 5, 4 p.m. to close

The Beacon is hosting one last summer party — and it’s a luau. Listen to a double feature of live steel drum music and the band World Premiere. 123 Pleasant St.

Live jazz Sunday, Sept. 6, 2-4 p.m.

Enjoy live jazz in the garden at 10 Central St. featuring the Rick Dimuzio Trio. Reservations encouraged. $20-$35 per person. Email info@ margiflintherbalist.com.

Sit for Peace

Writers and readers open mic

Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7-8:30 p.m.

Suzanne Pinto, author of “Rowing Home,” a memoir of sailing from Europe to the Caribbean, will open the 2026-27 Open Mic Series at the Abbot Public Library.

A trained psychologist, Pinto was invited to join a team of rowers for the 2,600-mile trans-oceanic journey at age 57. She will share portions of her memoir to start the evening and then the mic becomes open to readers and writers from the community for brief five-minute segments. Registration is required. abbotlibrary.org.

Bookworm bookmarks Wednesday, Sept. 9: 4-5:30 p.m.

Start the school year with a little creativity.

Kids can design a beaded bookmark using colorful beads and charms inspired by books, reading and favorite stories. Space is limited to 12 kids ages 8-12, and online registration is required at abbotlibrary.org.

Following the community’s well-attended Walk for Peace this past May, Volunteers for Peace are inviting residents to gather once again — this time in stillness — for a Sit for Peace at Devereux Beach.

According to group organizer Ellen Petersen, the gathering will offer a simple opportunity for people to come together and sit in silence while holding an intention for peace. No meditation experience is necessary, and people of all backgrounds and traditions are welcome.

“Peace begins within each of us.

When we gather with shared intention, that peace ripples outward to our families, friends and communities,” said Petersen.

The gathering will open with a few brief remarks, followed by approximately 45 minutes of sitting in silence and an opportunity for reflection and sharing afterward.

Participants should gather to the right off the playground area at Devereux Beach when facing the water and are encouraged to bring a blanket, towel, cushion or beach chair for comfort.

NATURE LOVERS

Conservancy celebrates 25 years

BY LEIGH BLANDER The all-volunteer Marblehead Conservancy nonprofit is celebrating 25 years of restoration and enhancements to 5 miles of trails and approximately 175 acres of open spaces in Marblehead.

The Conservancy invites residents to celebrate the anniversary by visiting all eight open spaces this year. Scan the QR code to download trail maps.

Visitors will find woodlands, wildflower meadows, wetlands, beautiful vistas and animals such as migratory birds, horseshoe crabs in Steer Swamp, snapping turtles in Hawthorn Pond or an occasional fox.

Kids love the boardwalks, ducks and turtles at many ponds.

In winter when Ware Pond is sufficiently frozen, don ice skates for a fun afternoon.

Founded in 2001, the Marblehead Conservancy has as its mission to protect, acquire and enhance Marblehead’s natural resources for the benefit

COURTESY PHOTO

Volunteers clear trails so people can enjoy all of Marblehead’s beauty.

and enjoyment of the public.

In keeping with its mission, the Conservancy’s early efforts focused on two primary areas: the restoration of access to

and through public natural open spaces and working to secure additional open space through land acquisition and conservation restrictions on

private property.

The Conservancy works in tandem with various town departments to maintain and enhance public natural areas such as the trails, ponds, wetlands and forested areas of the town.

“One of the many things that makes Marblehead special to me is the deep network of volunteer-sponsored activities that make life interesting,” said Don Morgan, Conservancy treasurer and secretary. “The Festival of the Arts, Jazz in the Garden, the Historical Society and its museums, Friends of the Council on Aging, sailboat races on both the ocean and Redd’s Pond, Sustainable Marblehead, Gerry 5 and Oko VFA fire musters, the massive Halloween creations on Pleasant Street, the Farmers’ Market. I could go on and on.”

The Marblehead Conservancy is “one thread in that fabric,” he added.

“We have been maintaining 5 miles of trails through

Scan the QR code to download trail maps.

Marblehead forests and meadows and have removed thousands of invasive plants and weeds, replacing them with native wildflowers, shrubs and trees,” he said. “The result is places to walk, hike and get inspired by the wonders of nature, right here in our own backyard.”

The Conservancy is built from volunteers who believe that open space is essential to Marblehead’s quality of life. If you would like to volunteer, email info@ marbleheadconservancy.org.

marbleheadcurrent.org

12 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Marblehead Current

Savoring these With school back in session and Labor Day this weekend, we thought we’d share a photo gallery of people soaking up summer in Marblehead.

ABOVE: Ana and Irena share a picnic at Chandler Hovey Park.

RIGHT: Ronan Murphy flips into the water at the Crocker Park dock as his brother Harrison watches.

CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS

Julie Oliveria and Adrian Hartling play pickleball on a warm day.

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

Paul and Pam Crowell sit on a beach at Crocker View, taking in the view of the harbor.

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, September 2, 2026 13

late summer days

Ronan and Harrison Murphy run across the dock at Crocker Park, one of Marblehead’s most popular swimming spots.

Nico Bello and Gavin Band play a game at Devereux Beach.

Steph Taylor and her sons, Leo and Dom, play in the water at Fort Beach.

Current contributor Bruce Durkee shot dozens of spectacular photos from regattas in town throughout the summer.

COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Friends Teddy Ainlay, left, and Griffin Cohn, enjoyed an ice cream outside Scoops on Sunday, the day before school started. They also jumped off the Crocker Park dock that day to mark the end of summer.

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

marbleheadcurrent.org

14 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Marblehead Current

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR

Mom takes the ‘ick’ out of treating head lice

BY MARIELLE SABBAG A new school year is underway.

Kids are getting new notebooks and backpacks — and also sharing what no parent wants their child to come home with: head lice.

Joanna Shu, founder and CEO of Cartwheel, created Nit Happens, a natural, pesticidefree lice treatment designed to give families an alternative.

Shu graduated from Boston University in 2004 and earned an MBA in finance from BU’s Questrom School of Business in 2008. She later founded her own natural skin care brand, Refresh Skin Therapy. She said her products have been sold at Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart and Rite Aid. Shu has lived with her family in Marblehead for seven years.

She is the mother of three children — in high school, middle school and kindergarten — and her husband works in health data and artificial intelligence.

Shu said lice outbreaks are no stranger to her family.

“All three of them had lice at some point, and every option was a bad option: pesticide, harsh chemicals or low efficiency,” Shu said.

In March 2026, Shu launched Nit Happens, with products sold in 6,000 Walgreens stores nationwide. Based on a clinical study, Shu said the product is 95.8% effective.

For two years, Shu worked with a retired chemist who

COURTESY PHOTOS

Marblehead’s Joanna Shu created Nit Happens, a natural, pesticide-free lice treatment.

tested formulas and ran clinical studies until the product was approved as safe for skin.

No matter who you are, Shu said, lice outbreaks can happen in any family. She said families should be prepared, especially around the start of the school year and after children may have picked up lice at camp or on vacation.

“Taking stigma away matters as much as killing the bugs,” Shu said.

Cartwheel has also introduced Nit Happens School Day Spray, a

detangler made with ingredients that repel lice based on lab tests, Shu said.

The company’s connection to schools extends beyond lice treatment. Shu said she recently launched the Mayflower Award for Excellence in School Nursing, which recognizes Massachusetts school nurses for their work caring for children.

“School nurses do such an amazing job,” Shu said. “We’re so lucky in Marblehead to have the best nurses who take incredible care of our kids.”

Joanna Shu’s daughter, Saoirse, at their first Nit Happens sighting at the Walgreens in Vinnin Square.

Nit Happens has also drawn praise from Cathy Henry, vice president of sales for Cartwheel, who lives in Dallas.

Henry said she met Shu through her work as a sales and marketing mentor at Health Wildcatters, a Dallas-based incubator, in 2023. The two partnered and became close friends. Henry said Nit Happens stands out because it gives parents an alternative treatment option.

“Rather than relying on traditional chemical pesticides,

Nit Happens uses a mechanical method of action with natural ingredients.,” Henry said.

The road to getting her product onto store shelves was not easy, but once Nit Happens went on sale at Walgreens, Shu was thrilled to see it there, even telling other customers that it was her product.

Looking ahead, Shu wants to continue building Cartwheel as a first-aid brand for families.

“The goal is for Cartwheel to be the trusted, modern medicine cabinet,” she said.

POLICE LOG

Man wages war on wasp nest; teens cop to car prank — eventually Saturday, Aug. 8

» Alarms: 0 » Building/ property checks: 4 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 12:32 a.m. Officers rendered services after investigating a disturbance on Village Street.

12:40 a.m. Officers investigated a disturbance on Guernsey Street.

6:45 a.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Green Street.

8:30 a.m. Speeding cars

were reported on West Shore Drive and Santry Road.

9:40 a.m. A different officer went back to Ocean Meadow Lane to take another report from the same resident regarding noise coming from his neighbor’s pickleball court. Like the first officer, the second officer did not find the noise level unreasonable given the hour of the day. The complainant acknowledged that he had filed reports regarding the noise coming from his neighbor’s property and would be trying to take

TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, at 7:45 PM on the request of KRISTIN and DANIEL WEATHERFORD, to vary the application of the present Zoning By-laws to replace a prior special permit with a new special permit for the construction of additions, dormers, porches and new roof framing on a pre-existing non-conforming house on a pre-existing, non-conforming lot with less than required lot area, side yard and rear yard setbacks for property located at 5 MEADOW LANE in the EXPANDED CENTRAL RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The proposed additions will include less than the required lot area, side yard setback and rear yard setback, and exceed the 10% expansion limits for non-conforming buildings. The hearing will be held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning By-Law and Chapter 40A of the General Laws, as amended. The hearing will be held remotely in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, a.k.a. An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency. Interested person(s) may request an appointment to review plans and information by e-mailing lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov. For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be included on the meeting agenda posted at least 48 hours prior to the meeting (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays). The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marbleheadma.gov/events W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary

TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, at 7:30 PM on the request of LANGDON MITCHELL to vary the application of the present Zoning By-laws by allowing a Special Permit for the demolition of an existing two-car garage and mudroom connector in order to construct a three-car garage and mudroom connector with additional second floor program. The proposal is located at 17 BRADLEE ROAD in the EXPANDED SINGLE RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The proposed construction will be partially located in the Front Yard Setback and will increase the Gross Floor Area by more than the allowed ten (10%) percent expansion limits for non-conforming buildings. The hearing will be held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning By-Law and Chapter 40A of the General Laws, as amended. The hearing will be held remotely in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, a.k.a. An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency. Interested person(s) may request an appointment to review plans and information by e-mailing lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov. For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be included on the meeting agenda posted at least 48 hours prior to the meeting (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays). The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marbleheadma.gov/events W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary

the “proper steps” to get the noise resolved. The man stated that he wanted to keep documenting the disturbances because the pickleball games had become a daily occurrence lasting from roughly 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before resuming at around 12:30 p.m. and continuing on into the afternoon. The officer said that he would document the man’s statements.

10:13 a.m. A minor vehicle crash was reported on Beacon Street.

10:31 a.m. Officers assisted another agency on Humphrey Street in Swampscott.

2:25 p.m. An officer investigated a report of shoplifting on Washington Street.

2:35 p.m. An officer investigated a report of a vehicle crash on Pleasant Street.

2:44 p.m. Suspicious activity was reported on Canterbury Road.

5:52 p.m. Officers and an ambulance crew assisted another agency on Pleasant Street and Ocean Avenue.

5:55 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue and Washington Street.

6:12 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on McKinley Road.

6:36 p.m. Officers arrested a 45-year-old Lynn man and charged him with vandalizing property and disorderly conduct after they were called to investigate a disturbance on Broughton Road.

7:01 p.m. A person was transported to the hospital after police, firefighters and an ambulance crew investigated a general complaint on Tedesco Street.

8:54 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Phillips Street.

9:25 p.m. Officers

TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, at 7:45 PM on the request of KERRY-FRANCES BOURNE that the Zoning Board of Appeals issue a Special Permit for the removal of an existing rear deck and the construction of a new expanded deck within the side yard setback at 28 BUBIER ROAD. The existing lot is nonconforming in frontage and lot area and is nonconforming in side yard setbacks on both sides and is in the SINGLE RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning By-Law, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will bel held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: lyonsl@ marbleheadma.gov For any questions, please call (617) 693-1559. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://marbleheadma.gov/ W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary

investigated a disturbance involving an unwelcome customer at The RipTide.

Upon the officers’ arrival, a staff member told the officers that the person who had caused the disturbance, a woman who was there with her boyfriend, had already left.

The woman was reported getting into verbal altercations and yelling at other customers as well as staff. Staff had asked the woman to leave multiple times before her boyfriend escorted her out. The officer advised the staff member to call the police if the woman returned.

Sunday, Aug. 9

» Alarms: 1 » Building/ property checks: 8 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 3 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2 12:46 a.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Lindsey Street.

8:26 a.m. A gold band was found on West Shore Drive and Jersey Street.

8:42 a.m. An officer went to Ocean Meadow Lane to investigate another noise complaint related to a nearby pickleball court.

The same complainant explained that the group playing pickleball was an ongoing issue and is constantly disturbing his peace. He stated that he had already filed reports regarding the noise coming from Schooner Ridge and had documented 12 incidents on his phone over the past few days. He stated that it is becoming a nuisance and he would like to continue documenting the issue. He also stated that the homeowner was not there, so the players should not be there, and the officer should be able to do something about it.

The officer advised the man that he would confirm with the homeowner that the players were allowed to be there and document his statements as well. The officer went to Schooner Ridge and found the pickleball game. The noise level did not appear to be POLICE, P. 15

TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, at 8:00 PM on the request of CHRISTOPHER E. KENNEDY that the Zoning Board of Appeals issue a Special Permit for use and dimension under the Zoning By-laws pursuant to Section 200-30B(2) allowing a change of use from a combined residential and non-residential building, a pre-existing non-conforming use, to a use as a converted dwelling as defined in 200-11A(1)(d) of the Zoning By-laws, consisting of three residential dwelling units, on the property having less than the required Lot Area, Side and Rear Yard Setbacks, Open Area and Parking located at 28 HARRIS STREET in a CENTRAL RESIDENCE DISTRICT. There is no exterior construction proposed, relief is requested for less than the required Parking and further reduction in the Open Area ratio. The hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning By-Law, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will bel held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov For any questions, please call (617) 693-1559. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://marbleheadma.gov/ W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary

marbleheadcurrent.org

Police From P. 14

unreasonable, according to the officer. There were four people playing on the court and four others sitting on the side. The officer was approached by one of the people, who stated they were allowed there to play. She got the homeowner on the phone, and he confirmed they were given permission to play.

10:37 a.m. An officer investigated an issue related to a steel plate on Pleasant and Devereux streets.

11:24 a.m. An officer conducted a follow-up investigation on Powder House Court.

3:52 p.m. An officer assisted another agency on Ridge Road.

4:30 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Washington Street.

4:58 p.m. A citizen was assisted on Washington Street.

7:20 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Pleasant Street.

8:06 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the area of Treat Road to investigate a complaint about kids wearing swimsuits who had climbed a fence and jumped into a private pool. The dispatcher directed the officer to check the area of the tracks behind the calling party’s house prior to speaking with the man.

The officer checked the tracks from the post office all the way to Atlantic Avenue but was unable to locate the kids. He then spoke with the homeowner who explained that the pool jumping has been a regular occurrence nightly since Friday, where kids run into his yard from the tracks and then jump in his pool. The man had put a lock on the gate, but today a kid had scaled his fence. The man said that he had been able to chase the kid off before he could get in the pool.

The man stated that the two previous nights the kids had attempted their pool jumping at approximately 5:30 p.m., but tonight, the kid had tried to jump the fence at 8 p.m. The man said that he planned to install no-trespass signs on the other side of the fence. The officer said that, on nights he was on his police motorcycle, he would try to increase patrols in the area of the tracks to deter the kids from entering his property.

8:36 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Green Street.

11:16 p.m. Officers assisted another agency on Broughton Road.

11:19 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Front Street.

Monday, Aug. 10

» Alarms: 1 » Building/property checks: 11 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1 2:31 a.m. Officers investigated

Marblehead Current Wednesday, September 2, 2026 15

a report of suspicious activity on Ocean Avenue.

7:20 a.m. A malfunctioning walk light was reported on Atlantic Avenue.

9:39 a.m. An officer responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue and Central Street and filed a report.

10:53 a.m. An officer was flagged down by the manager of West Marine on Atlantic Avenue who expressed concern about a man who had been living in his vehicle in the store’s parking lot since Saturday. He asked that the officer check on him. The officer went to the car and found the man, who appeared to be sleeping. The officer was able to awaken him and explain that the manager had requested that he not park in the lot, as it was posted “for customers only” and that all others would be towed.

The man was apologetic and agreed to move along, explaining that works as a Door Dash driver and was currently unhoused and usually parks behind McDonald’s in Salem. According to the officer’s report, the man was polite and cooperative and left the lot without any issues. Prior to leaving, the man was offered help or services through the police department. He said that he would contact the police if needed. The manager of West Marine was satisfied with the response.

12:28 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Robert Road.

12:50 p.m. An officer investigated the possible violation of a non-criminal town bylaw on Ralph Road.

2:40 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Stramski Way. 5:54 p.m. An attempt to serve a summons was made on Amherst Road.

6:52 p.m. A general complaint was made on Essex Street.

Tuesday, Aug. 11

» Alarms: 3 » Building/property checks: 6 » Abandoned 911 calls: 5 » Vehicle stops, citations: 1 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 6:34 a.m. An officer investigated a report of vandalism on Ocean Avenue.

9:34 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Smith Street.

1:45 p.m. A citizen was assisted on Atlantic Avenue.

2:31 p.m. An officer served a summons on Broughton Road.

2:41 p.m. An officer observed a man crouching and looking around a bush after exiting a white pickup truck parked on Gerry Street. The man then threw what appeared to be liquid on the bush before hastily returning to his vehicle while still somewhat crouching and then leaving the area quickly.

The officer checked the bush and observed white foam on its leaves. With the help of a

dispatcher, the officer was able to use the vehicle’s license plate to identify the driver. He then spoke to a Gerry Street resident who clarified that the man had been in a long-running and apparently losing battle with a wasp nest in the bush, and this was his latest attempt to eliminate it. The man was crouching to try to avoid being stung, the woman explained.

The officer included a note in his report for his colleagues that the nest is located not far from the back door of the police station and that they should be on the lookout.

3:34 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Weston Road.

4:42 p.m. An officer rendered services after general information was provided on Pilgrim Road.

9:52 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Overlook Road. The issue could not be located.

10:34 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Washington Street. The vehicle could not be located.

Wednesday, Aug. 12

» Alarms: 2 » Building/property checks: 4 » Abandoned 911 calls: 1 » Vehicle stops, citations: 1 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 12:01 a.m. An officer was dispatched to the area of Goldthwait Road to investigate a report of a suspicious car circling the area. The vehicle was described as a dark sportscar-like sedan with square brake lights. The officer found a vehicle matching the description parked and running with two teenage passengers in front of Goldthwait Beach. When the officer passed by, the vehicle immediately drove away, taking a series of fast turns through side streets until it reached Gallison Avenue and took a left towards the ocean. Knowing this was a dead-end street, the officer parked at the top of the street and waited for the vehicle to exit. After several minutes, two males exited the street on foot. The officer then located the vehicle parked and unoccupied on Stevens Road. The officer then circled back around the neighborhood where and located the two males walking at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Vassar Road. The officer exited his car and spoke with both youth males. They stated they were walking from a friend’s house and were not driving a car.

After several minutes of trying to keep up the story, they admitted they had moved their friend’s car as a prank and were now walking home. The young men then gave the officer their names, and the officer admonished them about the importance of being truthful with the police and not playing pranks on their friends.

The officer was then able to

make contact by phone with the owner of the car, who was aware that his son had the vehicle and confirmed the story about the prank, adding that his son was now on the way home. The man thanked the officer for calling.

9:33 a.m. Another agency was assisted on Atlantic Avenue.

11:24 a.m. Officers investigated a report of found or lost property on Front Street.

2:43 p.m. An officer assisted with a disabled vehicle on West Shore Drive and Santry Road.

3:41 p.m. Officers assisted a citizen on Farrell Court.

4:48 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Powder House Court.

5:39 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Highland Terrace. The vehicle could not be located.

Thursday, Aug. 13

» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 4 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1 2:12 a.m. An officer investigated a report of a dog barking for hours in the area of Rowland and Prospect streets.

The dog could not be located.

1:12 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Mechanic Square.

7:48 p.m. Officers were dispatched to Tedesco Country Club to investigate a report of trespassers. A club employee told one officer that he had just encountered two men with a dog and a child on the fourth hole who were not members or guests. When the employee told the men to leave the private property, they became verbally assaultive, according to the employee. The employee told the men he would be calling the police, which caused them to exit the course out onto West Street. The other officer located the two men in front of a home on West Street, and the other officer headed that way. The men admitted that they had gone onto the course to throw a frisbee with the dog. Both men were given verbal no-trespass orders to stay off the club property.

One of the officers then notified the employee that the officer’s report would be on file if the club needed the men’s addresses to file official no-trespass orders.

9:58 p.m. Officers investigated the report of a disturbance that proved to be unfounded on Phillips Street.

10:13 p.m. An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Nanepashement Street.

Friday, Aug. 14

» Alarms: 1 » Building/property checks: 1 » Abandoned 911 calls: 0 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 3 12:29 a.m. Suspicious activity was reported on Mechanic

Street.

1:10 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Bassett Street.

7 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Pleasant Street.

10:07 a.m. Annoying phone calls were reported on Driftwood Road.

10:33 a.m. Another agency was assisted on Creesy Street.

10:45 a.m. A citizen was assisted on Atlantic Avenue.

11:27 a.m. An officer investigated a report of vandalism on Creesy Street.

12:02 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Humphrey Street and Palmer Road. The vehicle could not be located.

1:58 p.m. An officer rendered services after general information was provided on Creesy Street.

2:03 p.m. An officer investigated the possible violation of a non-criminal town bylaw on Ralph and Saturn roads. The alleged offender could not be located.

2:05 p.m. Larceny, forgery or fraud was reported on Humphrey Street.

2:43 p.m. General information was provided on Arnold Terrace.

4:19 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Humphrey and Maple streets.

5:30 p.m. An officer investigated the report of an assault on Village Street.

6:29 p.m. An officer investigated a report of a tree or branch down on Maverick Street.

6:30 p.m. A complaint was made about a band playing on Pleasant Street.

9:09 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Girdler Road.

10:06 p.m. Officers investigated the report of a possible drunk driver on Atlantic and Clifton avenues. The vehicle could not be located.

10:09 p.m. Officers investigated a report of suspicious activity on Green Street Court.

10:35 p.m. Officers restored the peace after a disturbance was reported on Cypress Street.

Saturday, Aug. 15

» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 3 » Abandoned 911 calls: 0 » Vehicle stops, citations: 3 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 8:03 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Atlantic Avenue.

9:15 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Ocean Avenue and Brown Street.

9:19 a.m. A lost wallet was reported on Ocean Avenue.

9:25 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Ocean Meadow Lane to speak once again with a man who had made a series of previous complaints about the noise coming from a pickleball court on Schooner Ridge. The man reiterated that the court is a nuisance

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Buyer(s)

Seller(s)

Address

Date

Price

Ap T and Audrey J. Baizen

12 Jane Road

Aug. 3

$1,015,000

Kristina Lauren Hubbard and James Alexander

Arthur Mcleod and Ellen Winkler

23 Puritan Road

Aug. 6

$900,000

3 Countryside Lane LLC

Sally A. Scott and Holly A. Jaynes

3 Countryside Lane

Aug. 4

$770,000

Annette and Chijioke O. Okereke

Eric S. Levy 2001 RET and Eric S. Levy

53 Gerald Road

Aug. 4

$1,740,000

Eric Murphy and Paige F. Bloom

Danielle and Christopher Bulger

1 Upland Road

Aug. 10

$1,675,000

Jason Littman-Quinn and Andrea Mazzarelli

John F. and Michelle J. Olivieri

30 Shetland Road

Aug. 11

$1,300,000

Gareth E. Roberts

4 Eustis Road

Aug. 11

$1,043,500

Marblehead Paul and Sarah Vaivoda

Gwyneth A. Croll Russell Haver and Maria Monaco Henry C. Skinner

John Riddle and Ashley Hawkins

58 Jersey St.

Aug. 12

$855,000

Ellen Berkovitch

9 Harding Lane

Aug. 12

$432,000

William V. Guy and Gina Meuse

22 Claremont Terrace

Aug. 6

$724,700

Swampscott Opendoor Property J LLC Eric C. Dearing

Eric and Kelly Dearing

4 Crest Road

Aug. 6

$1

Matthew M. and Kimberly J. Thibault

James J. and Noelle McCathern

15 Suffolk Ave.

Aug. 14

$600,000

John Morretti and Morgan Lebaron

Smpm41 LRT and Danielle C. Breen

29 Ellis Road

Aug. 11

$692,000

David F. and Nancy C. Irving

32 Puritan Road

Aug. 11

$675,000

Nance L. Previte RET and Nance L. Previte Kaitlyn A. and Jake M. Doyle

Martina B. Berube

47 Millett Road

Aug. 10

$815,000

Topsail 2021 LRT and Cynthia Belhumeur

Cynthia Belhumeur 2016 FT and Cynthia Hatch-Belhumeur

57 Redington St.

Aug. 13

$895,000

David A. Kassabian and Lindsay J. Giesen

Deermount FT and Cory C. Deermount

67 Millett Road

Aug. 10

$1,105,000

Allison L. Conlon

Jason Littman-Quinn and Andera Jean Mazzarelli

82 Redington St.

Aug. 10

$675,000

Vyshnavi Karra

Emily Geaney and Anthony J. Suppa

84 Windsor Ave.

Aug. 14

$503,000

marbleheadcurrent.org

16 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Marblehead Current

MLT celebrates 70 years of live theater

Unexpected medica al g emergency creating ? a financial crunch?

Join Marblehead Little Theatre and celebrate its 70th anniversary at a fundraising gala. There will be live performances, light food and refreshments, a raffle and silent auction. The gala happens Saturday, Sept. 19., 7 p.m. at Abbot Hall. Tickets are $70 for reserved table seating and $40 for general admission. For more information, visit mltlive.com.

We're here to help ep p.

If you’re struggling to pay your biills or arre experiencing a sudden and unexpectted finan ncial hardship, we’re here to help p.

Individual requests for financial assistance m must be referred through a third party for co onsidera ation.

We urge you to contact our partners listed l be elow, or speak to your local clergy to requesst assisttance from Marblehead Female Humane e Societyy:

Marblehead Counseling Cen nter 781-631-8273 Marblehead Housing Autho ority 781-631-2580 Marblehead Council on Agiing 781-631-6225 Marblehead Food Pantryy

For over 200 years, Marblehead Female Hu umane So ociety has remained faithful to its original mission of quietlyy and respectfully helping Marblehead reside nts in ne eed.

www.marbleheadfemalehumanesociety..com scan to dona ate

Support for the Life you Love Quality care, engaging programs, and a welcoming community at The Mariner Marblehead.

At The Mariner residents enjoy fresh and local dining, regular exercise classes, engaging programs and quality care - all while keeping the traditions and independence you love.

Discover life at The Mariner, call: 781.731.1583 or scan the QR code >> Discover Marblehead’s first and only Senior Living Community!

Independent Living, Assisted Living & Avita Memory Care 265 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA

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