IN THIS ISSUE
ROOF WORRIES
BIG CATCH
MHS HEADLIGHT
The high school’s new roof springs several leaks
Three friends take a morning off to fish and get more than they bargained for!
Student journalists are back with a look at the new school year
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Page 6
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MARBLEHEAD, MA PERMIT NO. 25
NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.
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OCTOBER 7, 2026
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VOLUME 4, ISSUE NO. 46
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SCHOOLS COMMUNITY
Owen Coyne, 17, was co-captain of the Magicians football team.
‘He loved this town so deeply’
COURTESY PHOTO
Hundreds gather to remember Owen Coyne
BY LEIGH BLANDER
To much of Marblehead, Owen was a football captain, a three-sport athlete, stellar student and sailing instructor. To 8-year-old Ella, he was the “very nice” big brother who took her on bike rides. “And Ella was his biggest fan,” said
The School Committee’s Facilities Subcommittee voted Sept. 30 to recommend turning the former Eveleth School property over to the town, concluding that declining enrollment and available space in existing schools make it unlikely the district will need the building in the foreseeable future. The full School Committee acknowledged the recommendation at its Oct. 1 meeting, and Chair Kate Schmeckpeper said the issue will be placed on an upcoming agenda. Any transfer would require additional steps, including a Town Meeting vote. Superintendent John Robidoux said the district looked last year at commissioning a feasibility study to determine possible uses for the building, but the study alone was estimated to cost about $275,000. “At the time, and I think currently, in the fiscal climate that we’re in, it didn’t really make a whole lot of sense to spend that kind of money just to find out what could be utilized,” he said. Robidoux told the subcommittee that school leaders have considered several potential uses for Eveleth, but none justifies keeping the property under School Department control. Among the possibilities considered: » Moving central administrative offices to Eveleth. » Creating an early childhood center there. » Using the building to house the district’s new program for special needs students ages 18-22. Robidoux said moving the district’s central offices to Eveleth could require roughly $500,000 before staff could move in. An early childhood center does not appear necessary given the district’s enrollment. And, the district has identified potential space at the high school for the 18-22-yearold program. The Eveleth School, built in 1958, has not been used as a regular elementary school for several years. The building is not entirely unused, however. The town uses three classrooms for document storage, while the School Department uses another room for storage. The Recreation and Parks Department also used the building for overflow space during summer programs, particularly during bad weather.
OWEN, P. 7
EVELETH, P. 8
CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
Hundreds of people came out Sunday night for a vigil honoring Owen Coyne. His #18 football jersey was placed in the middle of Piper Field and surrounded by candles and glow sticks.
BY LEIGH BLANDER Hundreds of people gathered at Piper Field Sunday night, lighting the darkness with cellphone flashlights as Marblehead came together to remember high school senior and football co-captain Owen Coyne. The 17-year-old died of a brain hemorrhage on Oct. 1. About 150 of Owen’s teammates, friends and family members formed a tight huddle at midfield. At the center was a simple memorial: Owen’s No. 18 football jersey, surrounded by battery-operated candles and glow sticks. Coyne’s friend, Max Kane, told the Current what was happening in that circle. “We began with some words from Owen’s family, then words from his closest friends. Then, many shared stories of Owen’s kindness, humor and strength. Owen’s mother spoke more on her son’s life and how she wishes us to continue with ours in his memory. We then sang the song
Hundreds of people gathered at Piper Field Sunday night to honor Owen Coyne, the 17-year-old Magicians football co-captain who died Oct. 1.
we were lucky enough to play on the guitar for him at his bedside before he passed, ‘Say You Won’t Let Go.’ More words were exchanged about Owen’s life and memory, and we concluded with the song ‘Right Back Where We Started From.’” Kane added: “Owen’s family thanked the community for their love and support, and Owen’s family, friends, classmates and community finished the night talking about the person Owen was in life and how we will carry him on forever.” For nearly an hour, a crowd
Board weighs giving Eveleth property to town
lined the field in silence, offering its presence and support. Coyne’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday. (Coyne’s obituary is on page 15.)
Big brother, captain, friend
REYNOLDS FIELD
Rec & Parks seeks public input on future of project BY LEIGH BLANDER Marblehead residents have several opportunities this week to weigh in on what could be a major change in plans for Reynolds Field, as Recreation and Parks officials reconsider whether the long-planned project should include refrigerated outdoor ice. The commission has worked for years developing plans to overhaul Reynolds Field with a covered outdoor hockey rink and improved playing fields, using roughly $3 million left to the town by the late Larz Anderson. But the landscape changed recently when Friends of Marblehead Hockey announced a $25 million fundraising campaign
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CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
The Recreation and Parks Commission wants to hear from residents about what they think should happen at Reynolds Field.
to build a full-size, year-round indoor ice rink at the Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA. Now, Rec & Parks commissioners want to hear from residents before deciding whether to pivot at Reynolds
— potentially dropping the refrigerated ice surface while moving ahead with a covered street hockey rink and improved fields. “It’s obviously the people’s money, and they should
have an input of how we are going to pivot,” Rec & Parks Commissioner Shelly Bedrossian said at a Sept. 29 meeting. The meetings are on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. at
the Community Center, 10 Humphrey St. Those will be hybrid — virtual and in-person. There will be a fourth meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m., in-person only. Commissioners stressed that no decision has been made. “This is really about listening,” Bedrossian said. “I’m not going to tell people what we’re going to do because we don’t know ’til we listen to everybody.”
A chance to rethink Reynolds For months, Rec & Parks and its consultants at CHA have been working on a Reynolds plan that includes a refrigerated outdoor REYNOLDS, P. 8
marbleheadcurrent.org
2 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Marblehead Current
ENERGY
Light Board backs Green Community effort, winter electricity rate discount
NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
CHAIR AND PRESIDENT
Marblehead’s effort to become a state-designated Green Community cleared a key hurdle Sept. 29 when the Municipal Light Board voted to join a state renewable energy fund, a step officials said is necessary for the town to complete its application. The board also approved a new, temporary tiered electricity rate for residential customers this winter designed to lower bills while encouraging residents who heat with electricity to use more power during months when the Light Department has excess capacity. Both rate changes are expected to be discussed at a public hearing tentatively scheduled for Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.
Green Community vote
The Green Community vote came after the Select Board unanimously supported pursuing the state designation in August. At the Light Board’s previous meeting, representatives from the town’s Community Development and Planning Department explained that participation in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund was the final condition Marblehead needed to satisfy before applying for Green Community status. The town hopes to submit its application by the end of the year. Becoming a Green Community would make Marblehead eligible to seek state grants for energyefficiency and clean-energy projects in municipal buildings. During Monday’s discussion, board members pointed to neighboring Swampscott, which they said has received more than $1.5 million in Green Communities grants since 2010. Marblehead’s cost of participating in the Renewable Energy Trust Fund is estimated at slightly more than $51,000 a year, funded through a surcharge on electric customers. That surcharge would be approximately $4 a year. Supporters argued that the potential benefits go beyond the grants themselves. Energyefficiency work on town buildings could reduce municipal energy costs, while better insulation and other improvements could reduce peak electric demand — an important factor in what the Light Department pays for electricity and transmission. The town is the Light Department’s largest customer, accounting for about 5% of its electric load, according to the
presentation. Officials argued that improving municipal buildings could lower peak demand while electrification of heating and vehicles could increase electricity sales during times of the year when the system has room for additional use. Joining the Renewable Energy Trust Fund would also make the Light Department itself eligible for MassCEC grants and rebates for projects such as battery storage, electric vehicle charging and vehicle-to-grid technology. Although Marblehead already indirectly contributes to cleanenergy programs through the power it purchases from the regional electric grid, MMLD has not been eligible for Renewable Energy Trust Fund grants because it is not a member, board members were told. One concern raised during the discussion was that membership is intended to be permanent. If a future Light Board withdrew from the program, MMLD could be required to repay Renewable Energy Trust Fund grants it had received. Officials stressed that other grants the department has received from different state and federal funding sources would not be affected. Light Board member Mike Hull opposed joining the state program, arguing that MMLD could instead keep the roughly $51,000 annual contribution in Marblehead and use local funds to finance energy projects without state requirements. “We could keep the money in town,” Hull argued, suggesting MMLD could dedicate money each year directly to local projects rather than relying on grants. Other board members countered that joining the program gives Marblehead an opportunity to leverage its contribution and potentially receive substantially more in grants than it pays into the fund. “For 50 grand a year, we can get double that,” one member said, pointing to Swampscott’s
experience. The board ultimately approved joining the Renewable Energy Trust Fund and directed the general manager to execute the membership agreement.
A new winter rate structure The board then turned to a separate but related question: whether to lower residential electricity rates this winter. General Manager Jon Blair presented three possibilities: keep rates unchanged; provide a flat 2-cent-per-kilowatt-hour discount to all residential customers; or introduce a tiered discount that gives a larger break to customers who use more electricity. The board chose the tiered option. For December 2026 and January and February 2027, residential customers would receive a 1-centper-kilowatt-hour discount on their first 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month. Electricity used above 500 kilowatt-hours would receive a 3.5-cent-perkilowatt-hour discount. Instead of charging customers more as they consume more electricity, MMLD would temporarily give its heaviest winter users the largest discount. Blair described it as a “declining block rate structure.” The goal is to encourage residents who have electric heat — including heat pumps and electric baseboards — to rely more heavily on electricity rather than oil or gas during the winter. “We’ve already identified winter as an off-peak season, and we’ve identified the fact that we have headroom that allows us to increase our sales,” Blair said. MMLD estimates an average residential customer uses about 660 kilowatt-hours per month throughout the year. Under the tiered system, customers using considerably more than that — such as households heating with electricity — would see the
biggest savings. The discount is expected to reduce Light Department revenue by just under $410,000 over the three months. MMLD can absorb that loss this winter because of an unexpected reduction of about $400,000 in transmission costs charged by National Grid. Blair characterized that as a one-time opportunity and said the money could be retained by the department, but noted that customers had effectively paid the higher transmission costs in previous years. “We are owned by the customers we serve,” Blair said. “So, they paid for that as a pass through. Then I think we can return it to them.” The winter discount is not permanent. Instead, Blair described it partly as an experiment to see whether lower winter electricity prices change customers’ behavior and increase off-peak electric use. Marblehead Light Commissioner Jean-Jacques Yarmoff told the Current, “I can guarantee that we will definitely look for other sources of financing, if we can, to continue giving residents the benefits of lower rates in the winter.” If it works, the experience could help MMLD design more sophisticated seasonal or timeof-use rates once the department installs advanced meters that allow customers to track their electricity consumption more closely. Blair said MMLD hopes to seek proposals for the new advanced metering system this fall, review bids around the beginning of the year and award a contract by late February. He said the department should be well positioned to have the system in place before summer 2028. The board approved the tiered winter rate for December through February. Yarmoff said any families that choose to opt out of the rate reduction may do so and the savings will be invested in MMLD’s fund for customers in need, Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Before either rate change takes effect, MMLD plans to hold the Oct. 14 public hearing. In addition to the Renewable Energy Trust Fund surcharge and winter residential discount, the hearing is expected to cover an increased charge for the small number of customers who have opted out of smart meters and require analog meters to be installed and read manually.
NEWS IN BRIEF BY LEIGH BLANDER The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews. org.
Leaf collection dates
The town has announced leaf collection dates through the end of the year: Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. The Marblehead Health Department offers these reminders: Leaves should be placed in leaf bags only. No plastic bags or barrels will be collected or emptied. Bags containing brush or other materials will not be collected. For questions, contact Public Health Director Andrew Petty at 781-631-0212 or health2@
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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Plant a pollinator
Friends of Marblehead Parks is inviting residents to help plant a pollinator garden at Glabicky Field on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9 a.m. The field is at the corner of Lafayette and Maple streets. Friends of Marblehead Parks is a new nonprofit committed to “enhancing the biodiversity and beauty” of town parks. With financial support from the Shattuck Fund, a private donor and proceeds from its inaugural spring native plant sale, the group is embarking on its second project. Participants can learn about native plants while helping with the garden. Dress for getting dirty and, if possible, BYOS — bring your own shovel. For more information, email FOMParks@gmail.com.
Miles for Mary plans fall events Miles for Mary will host its two annual events in Marblehead this
fall: a 5K run/walk on Oct. 17 and a research seminar on Nov. 2. Both events honor the memory of Mary Park and others lost to glioblastoma while raising money for brain cancer treatment research at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. Miles for Mary supports the work of neuro-oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Gerstner and her colleagues, who are investigating new treatments for brain tumors. Miles for Mary has raised more than $900,000 for brain cancer treatment research. Proceeds from this year’s events will continue to support the search for better treatments. 5K run/walk » Saturday, Oct. 17 » Devereux Beach » Registration: $35 in advance at milesformary.com; $40 on race day » Registration opens at 9 a.m.; the run/walk begins at 10 a.m. Research seminar with Dr. Elizabeth Gerstner » Monday, Nov. 2 » Eastern Yacht Club
» Registration: $70 at
milesformary.com » Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner will be served at 6 p.m.; the presentation begins at 7 p.m. Donations to support brain cancer research at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute can also be made through milesformary. com.
‘We All Come From Away’
On Sunday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m., several local performers will fill the Little Harbor Boathouse, 40 Doaks Lane, with stories, music and more honoring immigrants and raising funds for the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network and the Beyond Bond and Legal Fund. Judith Black will tell stories, Bobbie Wayne will play the Celtic harp, Dan Mozell will strum guitar while Betty Lautner and Jennifer Hurley dance. Bring your own chair. Tickets are $25 and available at bijanfundraiser.ludus. com/index.php.
Join us. We invite you to help support our effort to establish and maintain a free press for a strong community. To get involved, visit www. marbleheadCurrent.org/volunteer.
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 7, 2026 3
BUILDING CONNECTIONS
Pathways to Friendship opens doors — and hearts — for adults with disabilities BY LEIGH BLANDER Once a month, a room at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Center fills with games, crafts, cooking, music, dancing and — most importantly — friends. For about a year, Pathways to Friendship has been creating a place where adults with disabilities can meet, socialize and simply have fun. The free program draws about 15 to 20 participants from Marblehead and communities across the North Shore. Now, the volunteers behind the program are hoping the community will help keep it going. Pathways to Friendship will hold an art auction Nov. 14 at the parish center, across from Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, with a goal of raising $6,000 to $7,000. The money will help pay for monthly activities and make the volunteerrun program more self-sustaining. The program was launched last fall by longtime Marblehead artist and former gallery owner Concetta “Connie” Donovan, whose adult daughter has a disability. “It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Donovan said. She raised the idea with others at the church. “They said, ‘Let’s do it,’” Donovan said. “So, we did.” A core group of volunteers now organizes a different activity each month, with others pitching in along the way. There have been pizzamaking nights, bingo, movies, dancing, trivia, crafts and games. At one gathering, participants played basketball and cornhole. At others, they painted rocks or made ice cream sundaes. The activities are part of the attraction. But the friendships are the point. Joshine Goodwin, one of the participants, compared Pathways to Friendship to the youth group to which she belonged when she was younger — a place
Pathways to Friendship hosts fun events — like this luau — every month for adults with disabilities.
They make it happen: volunteers and participants at Pathways to Friendship.
where differences matter less than kindness and respect. “It’s like walking down a path and finding a way to meet new friends and old friends,” she said. Goodwin described a place where people should not be judged because they speak, see or hear differently. “What’s important … is to open the door to anyone who walks through,” she said. “You can always meet new friends and learn to More than 40 pieces by local artists will be up for auction at trust.” the Pathways to Friendship event in November. Pathways is open to adults with a range of volunteer stood beside her, short, long or near the disabilities, from people handed her the beanbags edge. By the end, she in their 20s through their and helped orient her had put seven beanbags 60s and older. Several toward the board. through the hole. participants are blind. “Am I pointing the right “She had so much fun,” During a recent game way?” she would ask. Lana Fiala recalled. day, a blind participant The volunteer told her Unlike many organized wanted to try cornhole. A whether each toss landed programs, Pathways
Celebrating Our Community!
We have you covered
COURTESY PHOTOS
to Friendship is free, and there is no online registration system that shuts people out when an activity fills up. Organizers said accessibility has been central to its mission from the beginning. Pathways is a ministry of Our Lady Star of the Sea, but participants do not have to belong to the parish or be Catholic. People of all faiths are welcome, and organizers say there is generally no religious component to the monthly activities. So far, volunteers have largely paid for food, supplies and activities themselves. “We all pitch in money,” Donovan said. That is where the art auction comes in. Donovan, who operated a Marblehead gallery for roughly 20 years, is tapping her connections in the local arts community. Nearly 40 works had been collected as of the time of her interview with the Current, with organizers hoping to have up to 50 by auction night. The collection ranges from original
paintings to numbered prints, lithographs and silkscreens. Donovan has contributed about 20 original oil paintings. Other artists represented include Elaine Daley and Tracy Finn, along with works by the late B. Wool. Organizers also have a Thomas McKnight and two pieces by French artist Michel Delacroix. Organizers say there will be art at a wide range of prices, with some bidding potentially starting as low as $5 or $10. The Nov. 14 event is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. and will primarily be a silent auction, although organizers are considering auctioning several premier works live. They are also seeking artwork from the community. Donations do not have to come from artists themselves; organizers are interested in quality pieces people may have hanging at home and no longer want. And they would especially like to know the story behind them. “Tell us, ‘Hey, I got this when I went on vacation,’” volunteer Kevin McGuire said, explaining that even a few sentences about a piece’s history can make it more meaningful to its next owner. For participants, the program’s value is less about any particular activity than knowing there is a place to return to — and people waiting there. “I think it’s been good … meeting new people and being a place that you can go to talk to someone if you have problems,” said participant Marybeth Donovan. Goodwin put the invitation more simply. “Do not be scared or shy,” she said. “Try to open up and let us help you.”
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4 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Marblehead Current
Opinion EDITORIAL
Marblehead loved Owen Coyne. Now, we keep showing it. There are times when a newspaper’s job is to explain, to put events in context, to help a community make sense of what has happened. This is not one of those times. There is no sense to be made of the death of a 17-year-old who, until a few weeks ago, was looking forward to his senior football season. Nothing we can write will change what the Coyne family has lost. Owen Coyne died Oct. 1 after a sudden brain hemorrhage. He was a senior at Marblehead High School and a co-captain of the football team. He also played baseball and was one of the best sprinters and high jumpers in the history of the school’s track program. He had recently committed to Williams College, where he planned to play football next fall. Each summer he taught sailing for the town. As his mother put it, he spent his childhood summers at the Corinthian Yacht Club “cannonballing into the pool.” She describes him as the proud captain of the family boat and a doting older brother to Grady, Landon and Ella. Words fail at times like this, and so we will lean on those of his mother, Angela Paradise, who has shown remarkable grace in the worst days of her life. “I want people to know that he loved this town so deeply,” she told the Current on Sunday. She said Owen would have been moved by the way Marblehead has rallied around his family. “He would be really proud of this town for how much they have supported us,” she said, “during the very worst days of our lives.” Her family hasn’t had to look far to see that support. Within hours of the news, the Marblehead Sport Shop began giving away free T-shirts bearing Owen’s No. 18 to anyone who wanted one. By Friday evening,
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Owen Coyne’s family have set up a small memorial in their living room with some of Owen’s favorite things.
the shop had made and handed out somewhere between 250 and 300 of them. A video the shop posted on social media showed a steady stream of people coming through the door, and the shop said its workspace was filled with “many hugs, tears and bouts of laughter.” Customers pitched in to help print the shirts, and neighbors from Swampscott came by looking for ways to support the town. Other gestures have been smaller and more personal. On Sunday, some of Owen’s closest friends came by the family’s home to take his 8-year-old sister, Ella, apple picking. Paradise has also asked something of the rest of us, and every one of us should take it to heart. She hopes people won’t steer clear of her for fear of saying the wrong thing. She wants to hear about Owen, and most of all the stories she never got to hear, the ones from a classroom, a locker room or an ordinary weekend. “I want to hear stories big or small,” she said. That request matters, because most of us were never taught how to approach a grieving parent. We worry about saying
the wrong thing, or about reopening a wound, so we say nothing at all. We nod from across the aisle at Crosby’s or the sidelines at Piper Field and keep our distance, thinking we are being respectful. Paradise has made clear she would rather hear from us. You don’t need to find the perfect words. Say his name. Tell her about the time he taught your child to tack a sailboat, or about the catch you watched him make, or about how he held a door for you. Those stories are now part of how his family will keep him close. There is also a hard truth about grief. The outpouring of the first days, with the vigils and the meals and the cards, will eventually slow. The grief will not. The hardest moments may come months from now. They could fall on a Saturday next fall when Williams takes the field, on the night of the first indoor track meet of the winter, at graduation in June, or on any ordinary Tuesday. Paradise has said it helps her family to know they have a “village” trying to lift them up. If that village is going to keep doing so, it will have to show up in small, steady ways long after the headlines fade. That means
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Rest in peace, Owen To the editor: I am writing to express my profound condolences to the family and friends of Owen Coyne, a scholar and athlete who has passed on so suddenly in the prime of life. May he rest in peace. Joe Martin Seattle, Washington
Help your neighbors this Thanksgiving season To the editor: The Marblehead Food Pantry is preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday season. Serving our community since 1991, we are seeking sponsors to help defray costs. The pantry provides a Thanksgiving meal to approximately 70 local households. Turkey; a bag of fresh produce, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and
dinner rolls; and a pie are included. The generosity of our local businesses, places of worship, friends and neighbors help fund the pantry. Please consider a donation of $40 for a turkey, $30 for the grocery bag, $10 for a pie or $80 for a complete meal. All donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to Marblehead Food Pantry, PO Box 233, Marblehead, MA 01945. Thank you for kicking off the holiday season with us. Marcy Schwam President, Marblehead Food Pantry
Democracy depends on us all voting To the editor: On Nov. 3, I hope every eligible voter will take the time to become informed, consider the choices and cast their ballot. Our democracy depends on the participation of its people. Voting matters, not simply as a political activity,
remembering his siblings, who will walk the same hallways and play on the same fields, and remembering his teammates and friends, who are learning far too young what loss feels like. The schools were right to offer grief counseling in the days right after Owen’s death, and we hope students know that help remains available to them in the weeks and months ahead. Parents, coaches and teachers can do their part simply by checking in, and then checking in again. The people who knew Owen best have described a young man worth remembering for more than his athletic talent. Track coach Nolan Raimo called him the most coachable athlete he has worked with. Raimo said Owen met success and defeat with the same grace and humility, and that he did things right “from the smallest to biggest things.” He added that “every environment was better with Owen in it.” Baseball coach Mike Giardi called him a great player but an even better person. His mother said he had a quiet confidence and was always humble, and that he “would be the last one to boast about his awards or a touchdown.” We don’t want to wrap Owen’s
life into a neat lesson, because his family deserves better than that. But it is fair to notice what his coaches, teammates and family keep coming back to. They don’t talk first about trophies or records. They talk about kindness and humility, about Sunday dinners with his grandparents that he never skipped, and about a teenager who lifted up the people around him. A gifted athlete who never needed to boast is notable, and it’s an example any of us, at any age, could stand to follow. There is one more part of Owen’s story that we want to highlight. Months before his death, while he was getting his driver’s license, Owen asked his mother whether he could register as an organ donor, and together they signed him up. Neither could have known how soon that choice would matter. When hospital staff raised the question, Paradise said, there was little to discuss. “We know Owen would want this, and we’re on board with it.” His donated organs are expected to save five people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. Somewhere, five families are getting news they had been praying for, because a Marblehead teenager made a quiet decision with his whole life ahead of him. His family hopes his story will encourage other young people and their parents to learn about organ donation through New England Donor Services. We can think of no better way to honor that wish than to have that conversation at your own kitchen table this week. Owen Coyne loved Marblehead fiercely, and Marblehead loved him right back. That love has been plain in the days since his death. Our job now is to make sure it is still just as plain a month, a year and a decade from now. Stop and talk to his family. Say his name. Keep showing up.
LETTERS POLICY but as one of the fundamental responsibilities and privileges of being an American. Our system of government is built on the principle that the people have a voice in choosing those who represent them, and our federal and state laws and public policies affect all of us. Voting matters to me because I want to have a say in the future of my community and my country. The choices made by elected officials affect the schools our children attend, the care families can afford, the safety of our neighborhoods, the environment we leave behind, and whether every person is treated fairly. It’s easy to feel that one vote cannot make a difference, but close elections repeatedly show otherwise. A handful of votes can determine who represents us and what priorities guide government. Voting is more than choosing a candidate; it is a statement that public officials are accountable to the people they serve. Whether we agree or disagree on the issues, participating is how we ensure that our
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.
community—and our country— remains governed by its people. I encourage every eligible voter to make a plan now to: confirm your voter status and register if you are unregistered, learn about the candidates and MA ballot questions, and vote on or before Nov. 3. Voting is easy — you can vote by mail, participate in early voting, or go to the polls on election day. Check your voter registration status, register to vote, request a mail-in ballots and find information about
early voting dates/times and election day locations and hours here: marbleheadma.gov/ elections-voting/. Find information on MA ballot questions here: sec.state.ma.us/ divisions/elections/research-andstatistics/2026-ballot-questions. htm Let’s make Nov. 3 one of the biggest voter turnouts ever and show our elected officials that we are paying attention and that we care. Sue Harris Bradlee Road
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 7, 2026 5
COMMUNITY
Beloved historian, museum benefactor Goodwin dies BY LEIGH BLANDER The Marblehead Museum will host a celebration of life for Standley Goodwin at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion and Brick Kitchen on Thursday, Oct. 15, 4-6 p.m. The celebration will be open to the public. Family and museum staff and associates will speak about Goodwin’s life and service to the town. Goodwin died Sept. 28 at the age of 88. Goodwin graduated from Marblehead High, Class of 1956, and studied aeronautical engineering at MIT. He spent his entire career at MIT and worked on the Apollo space program. “We as a family were told early on what he was doing was classified,” Goodwin’s sister, Harriett Gowell, told the Current. “We did not know, and
COURTESY PHOTO
Standley Goodwin was a chief benefactor and docent at Marblehead Museum.
we didn’t ask.” Later, Goodwin became one of Marblehead Museum’s chief
benefactors and longest-serving docents. “Standley Goodwin was
a definitive, irreplaceable pillar of the Marblehead community, leaving behind an enduring legacy of historical preservation, quiet humility and a lifelong dedication to the town he lived in and loved his entire life,” Marblehead Museum President Patty Pederson told the Current. “Standley gave back to his hometown in countless capacities, anchoring himself as a cornerstone of local heritage.” Goodwin was the driving force behind the purchase of the Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen and Slave Quarters at 157 Washington St. “He recognized the immense historical value of reuniting the property,” Pederson said. “Today, the building’s climatecontrolled second floor, housing the museum’s extensive archival
collections, research facilities and over 40,000 historic documents, stands proudly in his honor as the Standley Goodwin Research Center. He was so proud of this.” Goodwin grew up near Old Burial Hill and researched and lectured about it. “He took a photograph of every single grave,” Gowell said. “He was very interested in Old Burial Hill and knew it needed help.” Goodwin also built and sailed model boats on Redd’s Pond. “He built the boats to perfect specifications,” his sister said. “He raced boats until a couple of years ago.” Asked what she hopes people will remember about her brother, Gowell said, “He was a good person and an interesting person.”
FACILITIES UPDATE
Several leaks appear in new high school, Veterans School roofs after storm BY LEIGH BLANDER Marblehead High School’s newly installed roof sprang five or six small leaks during the recent nor’easter, while the new roof at the Veterans School also allowed a small amount of water into that building, Assistant Superintendent Mike Pfifferling reported. Pfifferling told the School Committee’s Facilities Subcommittee Sept. 30 that crews are addressing the problems, which he characterized as “minor.” At MHS, Pfiffering said some of the leaks were traced to roof drains, including one contractors already knew would need additional work. Another problem involved a section of roofing that had not been properly fused during installation, according to Pfifferling. Repairs are underway. One of the leaks appeared over the gymnasium, near the center of the basketball court. “We’re keeping a close eye
a rooftop unit. “I’m talking like less than a Dixie Cup-full of water,” Pfifferling said. “It’s very small.” The area had experienced another small leak several weeks earlier and had been reflashed, he said. Crews are investigating the latest problem and believe it may involve a penetration through the roof.
Next steps
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Five or six leaks appeared in the new roof at Marblehead High during the recent nor’easter.
on the condition of the roof,” said School Committee member Henry Gwazda. “Most of the leaks were at penetration points for HVAC equipment, and the issues have been fixed.” Gwazda added, “Obviously, with a new roof we want zero leaks, but, having been up on the roof, it is enormous, complicated and has a lot of equipment. I’m still confident in the work the administration, maintenance
staff and our contractor are doing to be sure we have a solid roof and following up on any issues.” Voters approved $14 million in temporary overrides to fund the MHS roof project.
Veterans School
At Vets, where the roof project is complete, Pfifferling reported what he described as a “very little penetration of water” near
The high school project, meanwhile, remains on track for substantial completion around the end of October, with crews now fine-tuning HVAC and heating systems. One unresolved issue involves the high school’s computer technology room, which houses servers, hubs and switches that generate significant heat. Pfifferling said the cooling system originally designed for the room was undersized because it was based on the size of the room rather than the amount of heat generated by the equipment.
Temporary portable cooling equipment is being used while officials work on adding a second air-conditioning unit. The new unit is also expected to be connected to the building’s emergency generator to provide redundancy. Despite the leaks and remaining work, Pfifferling said he has been pleased with the pace of the project and the contractors’ responsiveness. The roofing manufacturer was expected this week to inspect the high school roof and sign off on the installation, according to Pfifferling. The roof carries a long-term warranty, which he said is either 25 or 30 years. The final price tag for the high school project is not yet known, although the contractor’s bid came in about $2 million less than $14 million approved. “It’s worth pointing out that that’s not money that we are returning,” said School Committee member Henry Gwazda. “It’s money that we didn’t borrow.”
EDUCATION
Schools launch discrimination reporting form, update METCO program
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead Public Schools has launched a new discrimination reporting system designed to give students, staff and community members an easier way to report incidents — and help administrators identify patterns that could require a broader response. “That’s a form we created to capture any form of discrimination that a student, staff or community member has been exposed to,” Superintendent John Robidoux announced at an Oct. 1 School Committee meeting. Robidoux said the new online form grew out of the district’s anti-discrimination committee and will be available through school websites and newsletters. The district also plans to post QR codes in schools so students can access it easily. Reports will be directed to the appropriate school and collected in a central database, allowing administrators to track the type and frequency of incidents. The goal, Robidoux said, is not simply to respond to individual cases but to identify trends and find ways to prevent discrimination.
The district is also exploring additional staff training on recognizing discrimination, including antisemitism, although Robidoux said administrators still need to determine how such training would fit into the professional development calendar and how it would be funded. Robidoux also told the committee the district has updated its protocols governing interactions with federal immigration and other law enforcement officers at schools following passage of the state’s PROTECT Act. Under the protocol, staff members are instructed to have officers remain outside the school while administrators contact Robidoux or his designee. School officials would request officers’ identification and determine whether they have a judicial warrant rather than an administrative warrant. Schools, child care centers and healthcare facilities are among the locations designated as protected or sensitive spaces under the law, Robidoux said.
METCO enrollment at 46 students METCO Director Keisha
Johnson also gave the committee an overview of Marblehead’s program, which currently enrolls 46 Boston students. METCO is a voluntary school desegregation program that transports students from Boston to participating suburban districts. Marblehead has increasingly focused its enrollment on students entering seventh and ninth grades, Johnson said, allowing students to arrive at natural transition points when their Marblehead classmates are also beginning new schools. The change also helps address one of the program’s biggest challenges: transportation. Johnson said the trip from Boston can take more than an hour and sometimes as long as 90 minutes. Older students also have access to late buses, making it easier for them to participate in sports, clubs and other afterschool activities. Johnson highlighted several academic measures, including a 100% graduation rate among Marblehead METCO students. She said 60% of the program’s juniors and seniors are taking at least one Advanced Placement course, the highest level she has seen during her six years in the district.
The average GPA among METCO seniors is 3.41. Johnson stressed that the program depends on support throughout the school system and community, from teachers and counselors to host families who help Boston students participate in after-school activities. “I think that’s an important part of the program that we want to emphasize,” Johnson said. “Without every single department and all of our leadership team, this program is impossible.”
Superintendent outlines goals Robidoux also updated the committee on progress toward his professional goals, including improving instruction, strengthening hiring and retention practices, implementing the district improvement plan and developing better ways to measure student achievement and social-emotional growth. One new initiative will expand classroom “learning walks” beyond administrators to teachers throughout the district. Under the plan, every educator will visit at least one other
classroom this school year to observe how colleagues engage students. The visits will be nonevaluative and are intended to give teachers an opportunity to learn from one another. Robidoux said the district also wants to improve the way it presents student achievement data, looking beyond MCAS scores to other measures and assessments. Committee members encouraged administrators to use the data to tell a broader story about student performance and to identify appropriate comparison districts depending on what is being measured. “What is it the schools are doing?” Robidoux said, describing questions the district needs to be able to answer. “Superintendent, you’ve been here for two years now. What have you changed? What are you doing? I think those are valid questions, and those are the questions that I have to be able to answer.” The committee plans to hold a separate workshop to continue developing its own goals, including a proposed governance dashboard that would establish key measures for tracking district performance.
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6 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Marblehead Current
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
From left, Kris Meola, Graham Foster and Michael Karademos with their big catch on Thursday.
The giant bluefin tuna was lifted onto a truck at State Street Landing.
COURTESY PHOTOS
CATCH OF THE DAY
Friends take a personal day — and land a 600-plus-pound tuna BY LEIGH BLANDER Some people take a personal day to run errands, tackle projects around the house or simply relax. Three Marblehead friends took Thursday morning off and went fishing. They came home with a 600-700-pound bluefin tuna. Kris Meola, Michael Karadamas and Graham Foster headed to the northeast corner of Stellwagen Bank aboard Meola’s 33-foot Boston whaler, Fallline, hoping to take advantage of the reopened giant bluefin tuna fishery. What followed was a roughly 45-minute battle with a fish measuring 103 inches — 8 feet, 7 inches
— long. “This one’s probably, I would say, between 600 and 700 pounds,” Meola said after the trio returned to Marblehead Harbor with the massive fish filling much of the back of the boat. The men aren’t full-time fishermen. Meola has a commercial fishing license, however, which allows the catch to be sold. The men knew they had hooked a giant right away. “You don’t even touch it in the beginning,” Karadamas said. “You just let the fish run.” Eventually, the men began working it toward the boat, taking turns on the rod during the physically demanding fight. Once the tuna was close enough, they used a harpoon and then secured
it with a tail rope. But landing the fish presented another problem: It was simply too big for the three men to haul aboard. They needed another boat to help and used a block and tackle to lift the giant bluefin onto Fallline. Once aboard, the fish was packed with ice to preserve the meat. Bluefin tuna caught commercially must measure at least 73 inches. Thursday’s fish was 30 inches longer than that minimum. Meola said tuna weighing more than 500 pounds are much less common than smaller legal-sized fish, although this wasn’t his first encounter with one. He caught a roughly 700pound tuna last year, also at Stellwagen Bank. Thursday’s catch was
sold to North Atlantic Traders, which came to State Street Landing and used a crane to get the tuna off the Fallline. It’ll be officially weighed at North Atlantic. Meola estimates it will earn $5 to $6 per pound. It may also bring them something else: bragging rights. Karademos entered the fish into the Maddie’s Anglers fishing tournament, just before the month-long contest’s deadline. For the three friends, however, Thursday’s adventure had one final deadline that even a 600pound bluefin couldn’t change. They had to get back to Marblehead. “We have to be back in time to pick up our kids at school,” Meola laughed.
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Marblehead Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 27, 2026 at 8:15 PM on the application of David T. O’Shea and Jessica D. O’Shea, for a Special Permit for a change in use from a single-family residence to a two-family residence on a Lot with less than required Lot Area located at 19 BARNARD STREET in a GENERAL RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The proposed change in use will have less than required parking. 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 will be 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. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by phone at 617 693 1559 or by email: lyonsl@marbleheadma. gov Project materials are available at the Town of Marblehead’s Community Development and Planning Office located at 7 Widger Road Marblehead, MA 01945. Details on how to access the meeting remotely will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda and zoom link can be found on the Town’s home page at www.marbleheadma. gov W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary
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Kris Meola struggles to reel in the massive tuna.
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Marblehead Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM on the application of Todd Lempicki and Jennifer Blank, for a Special Permit for the construction of a new porch addition, a new roof addition for the porch and the installation of an ensuite bathroom to an existing pre-existing non-conforming single-family residence with less than required Front, Rear and Side Yard Setbacks on a Lot with less than required Lot Area located at 2 KNOLLWOOD ROAD in a SINGLE RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The proposed additions will be partially located in the Front and Side Yard Setback and will reduce the Open Area ratio below the required 1:1. 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 will be 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. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by phone at 617 693 1559 or by email: lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov Project materials are available at the Town of Marblehead’s Community Development and Planning Office located at 7 Widger Road Marblehead, MA 01945. Details on how to access the meeting remotely will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda and zoom link can be found on the Town’s home page at www.marbleheadma.gov W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 7, 2026 7
PUBLIC HEALTH
Expert: Health board wields unusual power BY LEIGH BLANDER Marblehead’s Board of Health has powers unlike virtually any other local board or commission in Massachusetts, a public health attorney told members Monday night — including the authority to adopt regulations that carry the force of state law. Michael Hugo of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards spent more than two hours walking the board through its legal authority, the Open Meeting Law, public records requirements and other rules governing local health boards. Hugo emphasized that he was providing legal education, not legal advice, and told members to consult town counsel on specific legal questions. But his central message was clear: Boards of health occupy a unique position in Massachusetts municipal government. When a board of health adopts a regulation, Hugo said, “that regulation has all of the power and force of a state statute.” Later, discussing the importance of other municipal officials understanding the role, Hugo put it more succinctly: “No one else has that power.” However, Hugo told the Current on Monday that “just because you can, doesn’t mean
you should,” referring to the Board of Health exercising the full extend of its power. “There is a role for the Board of Health, but I don’t think it shuld be in enforcement,” Hugo said. “The Board of Health can take a more constructive role from a human services standpoint. Maybe the Board of Health should be looking into available grant programs,” to combat underage drinking.” Hugo added: Rhe role of the Board of Health is better spent on really trying to find services that are available and maybe host workshops, get statistics, run surveys.”
A warning about Facebook With that authority, Hugo said, comes a need for caution — particularly when board members communicate outside public meetings. He offered a pointed warning about Facebook after the discussion turned to Board of Health member Tom McMahon posting about board business on social media. Asked whether members should use Facebook to educate residents about matters discussed by the board while leaving their personal opinions out, Hugo said the best practice is to limit comments to matters the board has already acted on
and that are no longer under consideration. Members can explain a vote and the board’s reasoning, he said, but they need to be “very, very careful” because online exchanges can potentially create an Open Meeting Law problem. Then he offered simpler advice. “You guys should just not post on Facebook. It’s just better off not,” Hugo said.
Centuries of authority
Hugo traced the unusual authority of local boards of health back centuries. Massachusetts’ first board of health was established in Boston in 1799, with Paul Revere as its first president. That history, Hugo said, eventually led to broad powers being placed in the hands of local health boards. Much of that authority comes from Chapter 111 of Massachusetts General Laws. Hugo pointed specifically to Section 122, which requires boards of health to investigate nuisances that, in the board’s opinion, may be harmful to public health. If a board determines something constitutes a public health nuisance, Hugo said, it has an obligation to act. Such action should be health-based, evidence-based and carefully
tailored, particularly after a public hearing.
Open Meeting Law
Hugo also cautioned members about the Open Meeting Law, particularly when multiple members attend another board’s meeting or communicate outside a posted meeting. He recalled attending a Select Board meeting while serving on the Framingham Board of Health. Because the health board had not posted its own meeting, members could not respond when they believed Select Board members were incorrectly describing the Board of Health’s authority. Hugo said he hopes Marblehead Select Board members watch the portion of Monday’s meeting dealing with health board authority “because it’s unique.” “No one else has that power,” he said. Hugo said public health officials are often called upon to make unpopular decisions, from closing restaurants to imposing health restrictions, and that independence is one reason boards of health have been given unusual authority. “The Board of Health is there to make the unpopular hard decisions at times,” he said, adding that “no one else is there to protect the public health.”
Owen From P. 1
their mother, Angela Paradise. Earlier Sunday, as the Coyne family faced the unimaginable first days without Owen, some of his closest friends arrived at their home to pick up Ella and take her apple picking. It was a small gesture that spoke to something much bigger: the friendships Owen built during his 17 years and the community now wrapping itself around the family he left behind. “I want people to know that he loved this town so deeply,” Paradise told the Current on Sunday. “He loved being a Magician. He had such pride in being captain of his team and being a mentor. He loved the businesses in his town. He loved driving around this town. He loved the beaches. He loved cruising the water on his boat.” She said Owen would have been deeply moved by the way Marblehead has rallied around his family. “He would be really proud of this town for how much they have supported us,” Paradise said, “during the very worst days of our lives.”
A quiet confidence
Owen’s parents say he had a quiet confidence. “He had a great way about him,” Paradise said. “He was very humble. He would be the last one to boast about his awards or a touchdown.” Owen loved football, but his mom said the sport was also a path to a strong college education. As he went through the recruiting process, college coaches called regularly, asking about academics, his future and what he could contribute to a campus beyond football. Paradise was always impressed with Owen’s responses. After visiting several schools, Williams College stood out. Owen received an offer in July and planned to play football there next year. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to study, his mother said, but was excited about the possibilities ahead. Owen also played baseball and excelled in track and field. Coach Nolan Raimo said he narrowly missed winning a state indoor
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Angela Paradise, Ella Coyne and Brian Coyne look through some of Owen’s favorite things at their home.
track championship last year and ranked among Marblehead High’s best sprinters and high jumpers ever.
‘Every environment was better with Owen in it’ “Owen was one jump away from winning the state championship last year in indoor track, and was a top-10 sprinter and high jumper in Marblehead High track history,” Raimo wrote to the Current. “He was one of the most gifted studentathletes that I have coached, and his tenacity, passion and care he exhibited in his athletic career was only outdone by his dedication, care and empathy he demonstrated to the people around him.” Owen would have served as a track captain this coming indoor season. Raimo called him “the most coachable student-athlete I have worked with.” “To those who don’t know Owen, he was a person you would cheer for with enthusiasm, and somebody who you wanted to see succeed, because of how kind, caring and passionate he was,” Raimo said. “He did all the things right from the smallest to biggest things. We are products of our environment, and every environment was better with
Owen in it.”
The moments that mattered Owen had a tight-knit circle of friends that grew into a group of about a dozen teenagers. They spent their time on boats, tubing in Marblehead Harbor, making food runs and gathering around fire pits for s’mores. “I think for him, socially, those are his most joyful moments,” Paradise said. Family mattered just as much. Sunday night dinner was a fixture at the Coyne house, with Owen’s grandparents and other relatives gathering each week. Even as his life grew busier, his mother said, he made time for it. This summer, the six members of the immediate family traveled to France, visiting Paris, Provence and the French Riviera over 10 days. Phones and iPads were put away so they could concentrate on being together. Paradise is especially grateful now that they made the trip. Their final family photograph together was taken there. Owen was an older brother to Grady, a sophomore; Landon, 12; and Ella, a third-grader at Glover School. Paradise hopes people will not shy away from talking to her about Owen because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing.
She wants to hear the stories she never knew. “I want to hear stories big or small,” she said. “You know, you think you feel like you know your kid, but then you you aren’t with them every hour of the day, and you don’t get every little story that comes out of a classroom or comes out of a locker room or happens on a weekend and might seem inconsequential to them at the time. But those are the stories, the best ones I’ll live for.”
A final gift to five strangers Even after his death, Owen is helping others. His parents learned that organs donated by their son are expected to save five people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. The decision was made months earlier when Owen was getting his driver’s license. Paradise was with him when he was asked whether he wanted to register as an organ donor. “Oh, can we check this box off? Organ donation?” she recalled him asking. They checked it, never imagining the decision would matter so soon. When hospital staff approached the family about organ donation, Paradise said there was little to discuss. “We know Owen would want
Hearing from the public
Hugo also addressed public participation at meetings. When boards are considering health regulations under Chapter 111, Section 31, he said, members should hear from residents — not simply because it can protect the board from criticism but because the public may provide information members have not considered. During his years chairing the Framingham Board of Health, Hugo said, he learned from residents who spoke at meetings. “I listened, and I learned things from the public,” he said. “They knew things that I had never even thought about on topics that I thought I knew everything about.” Hugo also confirmed that a Board of Health may censure one of its own members, though a censure cannot strip that member of voting rights or otherwise formally discipline them. The question was particularly relevant in Marblehead after the board voted earlier this month to censure member Tom McMahon over his conduct toward a resident at an Aug. 24 meeting. “Your instincts were absolutely right,” Hugo told the board. “You can do that.”
this, and we’re on board with it,” she said. The family hopes his story might encourage other young people and their families to learn about organ donation through New England Donor Services. According to his family, Owen began feeling ill about a week after his last football game on Sept.10. He developed a headache and later began vomiting. His parents took him to Salem Hospital, where he was evaluated but not given a CT scan. When his symptoms persisted, he returned to the hospital and was eventually transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital. Imaging revealed bleeding in his brain. He was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain. Paradise said the hemorrhage was not related to an impact. His parents said they were initially optimistic. Owen was coherent and answering questions correctly while being closely monitored in the pediatric intensive care unit. Doctors believed his condition could be treated after the swelling subsided, according to the family. He was later considered stable and moved to a regular pediatric floor. His condition then deteriorated rapidly.
Thankful for the village
Now, the family is focused on the outpouring of support from the communities that knew him. “For us as a family, it’s just it’s helpful to know that we have this village trying to lift us up and help us during this horrific time,” Paradise said. Sunday night at Piper Field, that village surrounded Owen’s family once again. Friends have set up a GoFundMe to “support the Owen P. Coyne Scholarship Fund and other meaningful efforts that will honor Owen, keep his memory alive, and carry his legacy forward. Funds will also help ease the many unexpected burdens and medical expenses that may arise for the family in the wake of such a heartbreaking loss.” That GoFundMe link can be found at https://loom.ly/ aG77ZdQ.
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8 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Marblehead Current
Reynolds From P. 1 TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Marblehead Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 27, 2026 at 8:00 PM on the application of 4J Homes LLC, for a Special Permit for the construction of additions to an existing single-family residence with less than required Rear and Side Yard Setbacks on a Lot with less than required Lot Area and Frontage located at 9 KENNETH ROAD in a SHORELINE SINGLE RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The proposed additions will be partially located in the Side Yard Setback and exceed the 10% expansion limit for a pre-existing non-conforming building. 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 will be 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. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by phone at 617 693 1559 or by email: lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov Project materials are available at the Town of Marblehead’s Community Development and Planning Office located at 7 Widger Road Marblehead, MA 01945. Details on how to access the meeting remotely will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda and zoom link can be found on the Town’s home page at www.marbleheadma.gov W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Marblehead Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 27, 2026, at 8:00 PM at the request of BRIAN ROONEY to the Zoning Board of Appeals under §200-2-H (Appeals to Board of Appeals) of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw and Section 7 of the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Zoning Appeals (Appeals of Building Commissioner’s Actions or Inactions), following an action taken or not taken, or determination made, by the Building Commissioner. This action is the failure to enforce the following requested actions for the following complaints – investigate the violation of a 2018 Special Permit and enforce the replacement of improper signage with new signage enabling public access to and from the Rail Trail – for property located at 57 PICKWICK ROAD in a 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 will be 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. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by phone at 617 693 1559 or by email: lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov Project materials are available at the Town of Marblehead’s Community Development and Planning Office located at 7 Widger Road Marblehead, MA 01945. Details on how to access the meeting remotely will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda and zoom link can be found on the Town’s home page at www.marbleheadma.gov W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Marblehead Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM on the application of Deborah and David Donovan, for a Special Permit application under Article 8, §200-30 C (Change of Nonconforming Building) & Article 9, §200-37 A(2)(q) (Change of Nonconforming Building), to modify a pre-existing non-conforming house which includes the construction of a dormer addition on a pre-existing non-conforming lot with less than required Lot Area, Lot Width, Frontage, Rear Yard Setback, Side Yard Setback, Height and Open Area. The new non-conformities are Lot Area, Lot Width, Frontage, Rear Yard Setback, Side Yard Setback, Height, and Open Area at 40A CLOUTMAN’S LANE in a SHORELINE 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 will be 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. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by phone at 617 693 1559 or by email: lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov Project materials are available at the Town of Marblehead’s Community Development and Planning Office located at 7 Widger Road Marblehead, MA 01945. Details on how to access the meeting remotely will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda and zoom link can be found on the Town’s home page at www.marbleheadma.gov W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Marblehead Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 27, 2026 at 7:45 PM on the application of IAN BOLT AND ALISON FREY, for a Special Permit application under Article 8, §200-30 C (Change of Nonconforming Building), §200-30 D (Expansion of Nonconforming Building) & Article 9, §200-37 A(2)(q) (Change of Nonconforming Building), to modify a pre-existing non-conforming house which includes the construction of a mudroom and deck addition on a pre-existing non-conforming lot with less than required Lot Area, Lot Width, Frontage, Front Yard Setback and Side Yard Setback. The new non-conformities are Lot Area, Lot Width, Frontage, Front Yard Setback, Rear Yard Setback, and Side Yard Setback for property located at 32 CURTIS STREET in a 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 will be 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. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by phone at 617 693 1559 or by email: lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov Project materials are available at the Town of Marblehead’s Community Development and Planning Office located at 7 Widger Road Marblehead, MA 01945. Details on how to access the meeting remotely will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda and zoom link can be found on the Town’s home page at www.marbleheadma.gov W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Marblehead Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 27, 2026 at 7:45 PM at the request of KENNETH BANE to the Zoning Board of Appeals under §200-2-H (Appeals to Board of Appeals) of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw and Section 7 of the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Zoning Appeals (Appeals of Building Commissioner’s Actions or Inactions), following an action taken or not taken, or determination made, by the Building Commissioner. This action is the failure to enforce requested actions for the following complaints - the installation of a pickleball court and the noise generated from the use of the pickleball court - at 29 SCHOONER RIDGE in a 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 will be 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. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by phone at 617 693 1559 or by email: lyonsl@marbleheadma.gov Project materials are available at the Town of Marblehead’s Community Development and Planning Office located at 7 Widger Road Marblehead, MA 01945. Details on how to access the meeting remotely will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda and zoom link can be found on the Town’s home page at www.marbleheadma.gov W. Lewis Barlow, IV Secretary
rink, pavilion-style roof, new playing field and other improvements. The YMCA proposal has prompted officials to reconsider whether Marblehead needs two ice facilities — and whether the Anderson money could instead produce other recreational amenities at Reynolds. Bedrossian said eliminating refrigeration could allow the rink to
remain closer to its existing footprint, avoiding the need to relocate parking and creating more room for the playing field. It would also eliminate the need for refrigeration equipment, a Zamboni and other costly infrastructure. One possibility is a covered street hockey rink with an engineered concrete surface that could accommodate street hockey and rollerblading. The pavilion could also provide space for other recreational programming during bad
weather. The change could also allow the field and rink to be constructed simultaneously rather than in phases, potentially saving money and speeding up construction. Officials said that under that scenario, they hope to seek Conservation Commission approval in December, go out to bid in January and potentially break ground in May. Construction could take about four months.
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What Anderson’s gift allows A key question is how much flexibility the town has in spending Anderson’s bequest. According to an opinion from town counsel Lisa Mead discussed at the meeting, the money must be spent by Recreation and Parks on a project in Marblehead that benefits town residents. While Anderson hoped the money would be used for an ice rink, officials said the legal opinion concluded that an ice rink is not required if it proves impractical. The funds must be used for recreational purposes, with an emphasis on winter sports. Officials said the town previously explored whether the Anderson money could be directed toward an ice rink at the YMCA, but town counsel concluded it could not, because the land is technically in Salem. The YMCA rink campaign has nevertheless created an opportunity, commissioners said: Marblehead could potentially wind up with a full-size indoor ice rink at the YMCA as well as upgraded fields and a covered, year-round street hockey and recreation facility at Reynolds. There is also a risk. If Rec & Parks abandons refrigerated ice at Reynolds and the YMCA fundraising effort ultimately falls short, Marblehead would be left without the new ice surface envisioned in the Anderson project. “That’s what you’re balancing here,” Bedrossian said. Commissioners said residents attending the October meetings should consider the needs of the entire community — including hockey, soccer and other sports — rather than approaching the decision solely from the perspective of one group. “These community meetings are to hear from the community, to give them information, to receive information,” said Commissioner Karin Ernst. “Ultimately, the decision is our decision with the Select Board.” The public feedback will help shape what happens next, according to commissioners. “We’re going to post these all as public meetings and just get ideas of how people want to spend this money,” Bedrossian said. “And then that’ll allow us to make our decisions moving forward.”
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218 Beacon Street Marblehead, MA 01945 781-631-2218 Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
Subcommittee members Henry Gwazda and Al Williams agreed that enrollment projections and available capacity at existing schools make a strong case for relinquishing the property. The subcommittee also discussed whether conditions could be attached to the transfer to preserve the property for municipal purposes or potentially allow the schools to use it again if enrollment surges in the future. The School Committee gave the town the old Coffin School property in 2025. The town plans to use the space for housing and is currently accepting proposals.
marbleheadcurrent.org
Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 7, 2026 9
Sports ON THE PITCH
MHS boys soccer begins new winning streak in style with two straight shutouts Marblehead High boys soccer captain Mitchell Goldwater (4) surveys the field during a recent game. These Magicians began a new week with a 5-2 winning record.
BY JOE MCCONNELL After dropping two straight games, the Marblehead High School boys soccer team (5-2) bounced back nicely last week with two shutout wins over Salem (5-0, Sept. 28) and Danvers (7-0, Sept. 30). “Neither the Witches’ spells nor the Nor’easter were strong enough to stop the Magicians at Piper Field,” said coach Elmer Magana afterwards. Outside back Judah Spell opened up the scoring with a 30-yard rocket that found the
COURTESY PHOTO / MHS BOYS SOCCER PROGRAM
top right corner of the net. Quinn Cohane added two more to the winning cause, while
Julien Poitevin and David Magen scored one each. Goalie Andrew Halvorson recorded bis third shutout of the year, and added another one against the Falcons. “Our defense was solid, while our midfielders dominated the flow of the (Salem) game,” said Magana. “Center back Noah
Smerka played a masterful game, and overall, I was extremely proud of how our boys performed throughout it, regardless of the sideway rain that hit us every second (on the pitch).” Two days later, it was off to Danvers to take on the host Falcons. Center midfielder Charlie Phenix got the offense going on a header via a corner kick by Cohane. Magen accounted for one assisted by Poitevin. Center midfielder Jackson Nutt scored two. Mark Vinokur, another
center midfielder and center back Mitchell Goldwater each netted one. Goldwater’s marker was on a 30-yard rocket shot. Lastly, freshman Philip Druker was credited with his first varsity goal. “It was a masterful performance by our defense and strikers,” said Magana, “and specifically center back Jay Diggins played a solid game.” Assistant coach Tom Roundy added his thoughts on this game. “We did what we needed to do, score the first goal and not allow any goals against.”
ROUNDUP
Magicians notebook: Golfers keep on winning BY JOE MCCONNELL
squad was all over the Tanners to the tune of 6-0. Lucy Rogers scored the team’s first goal in the first quarter and last one in the fourth quarter to add some symmetry to this allaround effort. Zoe Dwyer, Shea Bickell, Carolyn Black and Lily Desgrosseilliers each netted one goal to complete the offensive onslaught. Carey also praised the efforts of Peabody afterwards. “Their goalie Mia Covey was outstanding, and as a team we appreciated Peabody’s sportsmanship.”
Perfect 10 for golf
It doesn’t get much better than this for Coach Bob Green’s golf team. They recorded two more wins last week against Masco (36.5-35.5, Sept. 29) and Danvers (46-26, Sept. 30) to extend their record to 10-0. Against Masco at Ferncroft, these Magicians needed every point to win this close encounter. Will Macrina (6-3, 40), Max King (6.5-2.5, 40) and John Rand (5.5-3.5, 44) won their matches, while Colby Moore tied his match after shooting a 38. Co-captains Tyler Forbes and Greyson Leventhal both played well, shooting identical even par 36’s, albeit in losing efforts. In the Danvers match at the Wenham Golf Club, six Marblehead golfers came away with wins. Forbes won going away, 7-2 after shooting a 31 to account for the lowest score of the day. Leventhal shot a 34 to double up his opponent, 6-3, Moore also turned in a spectacular effort, shooting a 32, to win his match, 6.5-2.5. Pete Ryan was victorious, 6-3. King and Rand did the same, and Teddy Dulac (36) ended up in a tie.
Harriers dominate host Salem to record two wins The Marblehead boys crosscountry team evened its record at two after a dominating win over host Salem at Winter Island, 18-43 on Sept. 30. The Magicians were led once again by Filip Grubor, who came in first. He was followed close behind by T.J. Waters, Isaac Durand, Ivan Monin and Victor Pechhold, before a Salem runner crossed the finish line in sixth place. The girls team (4-0) remained undefeated after taking care of Salem to the tune of 17-46. While setting a fast pace, Sarah Munroe, Eleanor Morgan and Norah Walsh were the first three runners in this meet to cross the finish line in that order.
Field hockey shuts down Peabody The Marblehead High field hockey team (4-3-1) was off for a week, but the rest did them a lot of good, because they were ready to go against visiting Peabody on Oct. 2. Coach Alison Carey’s
A rested girls soccer team dominates Danvers The girls soccer team (3-2-3)
was fantastic as usual in the midfield, according to Wales, and added that junior Laurel Kearney continues to improve on the varsity level, while elaborating, “Laurel is competitive and works hard, and has a positive attitude and a mental toughness that will make her an even better player.” Senior Avery Gould made a triumphant return from an ACL injury, and as always “gave 110 percent,” when she was on the pitch in this game, said Wales.
COURTESY PHOTO / AUTUMN MORAN
Marblehead High girls soccer junior midfielder Stella Smith (8) steps in front of her Salem counterpart to take control of the ball during a game on Sept. 23.
certainly wasn’t affected from being off for five days after rather neatly dispatching visiting Danvers, 3-0 on Sept. 30. “We tied Danvers the first time around on Sept. 8, 2-2, and so we are (definitely) happy with this result,” said coach Lisa Wales. Senior captain Ainsley McDonald got it all started by putting a free kick into the box, where sophomore Nina Badzak was able to pounce on it to account for her first career varsity goal. The Magicians then scored the second and third goals on corner kicks. Badzak’s classmate Izzie Gonzalez was credited with the second goal on a header from McDonald. The third goal was a result of a beautiful corner kick by junior Phoebe Fontela-Tuttle that McDonald knocked home. “Ainsley is the leader of our
VARSITY SCOREBOARD
VARSITY SCHEDULE
Monday, Sept. 28 Boys soccer: Marblehead 5, Salem 0 Girls volleyball: Lynnfield 3, Marblehead 2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-23, 5-15) Tuesday, Sept. 29 Boys golf: Marblehead 36, Masconomet 35 Wednesday, Sept. 30 Boys golf: Marblehead 46, Danvers 26 Coed unified basketball: Peabody 46, Marblehead 33 Boys cross country: Marblehead 18, Salem 43 Girls cross country: Marblehead 17, Salem 46 Girls soccer: Marblehead 3, Danvers 0 Girls volleyball: Marblehead
Wednesday, Oct. 7 4 p.m., boys and girls cross country vs. Danvers at Lead Mills Conservation Area, Marblehead 4 p.m., boys soccer vs. Masconomet at Masconomet High, Boxford 4 p.m., girls soccer vs. Masconomet at MHS Piper Field 5:30 p.m., girls volleyball vs. Saugus at Saugus High gym Thursday, Oct. 8 4 p.m., unified basketball vs. North Andover at North Andover High gym 4:30 p.m., boys golf vs. Beverly at Beverly Golf & Tennis Club 5:45 p.m., girls volleyball vs. Reading at Hawkes Field House, Reading High Friday, Oct. 9 4:15 p.m., girls soccer vs. Melrose at Fred Green Field, Melrose 4:30 p.m., girls field hockey vs. Beverly at MHS Piper Field
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
3, Peabody 0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-16) Boys soccer: Marblehead 7, Danvers 0 Friday, Oct. 2 Girls field hockey: Marblehead 6, Peabody 0 Boys soccer: Marblehead vs. Reading, postponed Saturday, Oct. 3 Boys football: Marblehead vs. Danvers, postponed TEAM RECORDS (THROUGH OCT. 4) Boys football: 1-2 Boys golf: 10-0 Girls volleyball: 5-2 Boys cross country: 2-2 Girls cross country: 4-0 Girls field hockey: 4-3-1 Boys soccer: 5-2 Girls soccer: 3-2-3
defense, and so to see her be a part of all three goals is incredibly impressive,” said Wales. But Wales also did not want to neglect the efforts of the defense as a whole. “They bent, but did not break as a result of the smart play of senior captain Camryn O’Brien, sophomore Anna Cannuscio and senior Carys Moran. Junior Sophia Patterson then came off the bench for Moran to take advantage of her speed,” the coach said. Wales also mentioned the contributions of junior midfielder Stella Smith, who fought hard up and down the pitch all game long, and senior goalie Hailey Gilmore, who continued to be steady and calm in net after making eight saves to help record the shutout. Senior captain Callie Gilmore
5 p.m., boys football vs. St. Mary’s (Lynn) at Manning Field, Lynn 7:30 p.m., boys soccer vs. Everett at MHS Piper Field Sunday, Oct. 11 TBA, boys and girls cross country at Twilight Invitational, Cape Cod Fairgrounds, East Falmouth Monday, Oct. 12 10 a.m., girls field hockey vs. Saugus at Saugus Middle High School Tuesday, Oct. 13 4 p.m., boys soccer vs. Peabody at MHS Piper Field 4 p.m., girls soccer vs. Peabody at Peabody Veterans Memorial High Wednesday, Oct. 14 3:30 p.m., boys golf vs. Swampscott at Tedesco Country Club 4 p.m., boys and girls cross country vs. Saugus at Breakheart Reservation, Saugus 4 p.m., girls field hockey vs. Gloucester at MHS Piper Field
Volleyball splits the week After dropping a non-league home match to Lynnfield, 3-2 on Sept. 28, the girls volleyball team (5-2) rebounded nicely to shutout host Peabody two days later, 3-0. Lila Moniz led the team on offense against the Pioneers with 27 kills. In so doing, Moniz reached an impressive milestone of 500 kills. Eliza Bland led the team on defense with seven blocks. Sydney Faris accounted for 20 digs. Sydney Da Silva also played a huge part in this matchup, coming up with 37 assists and six aces. But it didn’t take them long to get over the heartbreaking loss, and the Tanners ended up as their victims. Taylor Walker (10) and Moniz (13) led the team in kills, while Da Silva collected four aces and 32 assists. On defense, Faris recorded 23 digs, and Sammy Walker was credited with three blocks.
5:15 p.m., girls volleyball vs. Danvers at Danvers High Thursday, Oct. 15 3:30 p.m., boys golf vs. Winthrop at Tedesco Country Club 4 p.m., co-ed unified basketball vs. Lynnfield at Marblehead High 4 p.m., boys soccer vs. Masconomet at MHS Piper Field 5:45 p.m., girls volleyball vs. Winthrop at Winthrop High gym Friday, Oct. 16 4 p.m., girls field hockey vs. Danvers at MHS Piper Field 4 p.m., girls soccer vs. ManchesterEssex at Manchester-Essex Regional High, Manchester 7 p.m., boys football vs. Beverly at MHS Piper Field Saturday, Oct. 17 4 p.m., boys soccer vs. West Springfield at Clark Field, West Springfield
marbleheadcurrent.org
10 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Marblehead Current
Headlight
Shining a light on the news you care about!
Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community 2026 - 2027 Issue
www.mhsheadlight.com
MHS Open House Georgia Marshall Editor-in-Chief Senior
October 7, 2026
Catching up with MHD Volleyball Mary Prindiville Assistant Editor Sophomore
Marblehead High School stu- acapel-pella group, agrees. “It dents’ families came out to the annu- was a fun night! It was super nice al Open House. Parents and guard- to perform for the first time in a ians took a walk in their students’ low stakes setting,” she shares. shoes by meeting their teachers and After singing came the following their schedules. The event main portion of the evening. Volhighlighted our school’s academic unteers from the high school’s rigor and commitment to education. National Honors Society assisted On Wednesday, Septem- family members in navigating their ber 23, this spirit was carried on to students’ schedules and finding the family members at the annual Open right classrooms. “All the students House. At 6:00 pm, parents and were friendly and willing to help to guardians took a walk in their stu- direct us,” said a parent. “The halldents’ shoes by meeting their teach- ways can be complicated to navers and following their schedules. igate, so having ushers along the The event highlighted our school’s way was a big help.” This sentiment academic rigor and commitment to was shared by all who attended the Open House and needed assistance. education. Once in their desired classrooms, Before the tours of the they got to meet the teachers whom school started, though, families the students work with everyday. were greeted by music. Members This one-on-one interaction alof the MHS Chorus and musical lowed families to get an inside look groups delivered an acapella ren- into their students’ education and dition of “Shut Up and Dance” by daily classroom life. Walk the Moon and “Cecelia” by While an Open House might Simon & Garfunkel. The upbeat not seem like breaking news comperformance was a highlight and an pared to all the activities at MHS, it exciting way to kick off the night. is one of the most vital chances for “It was exciting to be able to wel- community members to look into come all of our families into our the average MHS student’s school space and show them what we’ve day. The same hallways that we been working on,” says Daphne Se- walk through, that we might take for liger, a member of the Jewel Tones, granted, are bridges to better fuour school’s co-ed acapella group. tures, and parents and guardians can Niko King-Mahan, music direc- rest assured that their students’ are tor of Luminescence, our treble receiving quality education at MHS.
The 2026 season is shaping Ari Nass. At the game on Friday, up to be a great one for Marble- both JV and JV2 had similar game head Volleyball. As of September results to varsity, leading to a full 27th, the girls have a record of program sweep of Beverly. All three four wins and one loss. Each win teams also swept Danvers about one by our team was a commanding 3 week earlier. As October approaches, the to 0. The girls are hoping to make it far in the state tournament like volleyball schedule becomes more they did the year previously. This intense. For the week of September season especially, the team is filled 28th, two games. The first game is with many talented seniors, in- Monday, the 28th, against Lynnfield cluding captains Sydney Faris and at home at 6PM. The second is on Erin Wilder. Also, the girls have a Wednesday, the 30th, at Peabody new coach, Shelly Burns, who used High School. At practice, the team to coach the Marblehead High JV has been working on serve receive team. Every match this team plays, and decreasing their offensive erthey show discipline and a drive to rors to prepare to play Lynnfield, win.This was best highlighted in the who has a similar record to the Magame on Friday, September 25th: gicians. the girls came out strong and won All in all, the program has by an average margin of 8 ½ points been cohesive in their determinaagainst Beverly. tion for excellence, with practice Along with the varsity team, every school day and varsity having the JV and JV2 teams have also had weekend practices. Hopefully, the a successful start to their season. results this season will be high, with The JV team is coached by Annie all of the work that these girls have Kay and the JV2 team is coached by been putting into this game.
NHS volunteers pose for the camera before ushering parents!
Pictured above (left to right): Karen Manning, Anna Baughman, Natalie Navarrette, Niko King-Mahan, Lucy Key, and Georgia Marshall.
Headlight Staff 26-27 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Georgia Marshall ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anna Cruikshank, Mary Prindiville REPORTERS: Anna Baughman, Daphne Seliger, Arabella Pelakoudas, and more to come! FACULTY ADVISOR: Mr. Higgins
The Headlight is planning a special edition honoring Owen Coyne later this month.
marbleheadcurrent.org
Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 7, 2026 11
CURRENT EVENTS
Marblehead’s best bets Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. —By Leigh Blander
Blessing of the Animals Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.
All animals are invited to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for a lighthearted, non-denominational blessing of the animals. The service will take place outside on the plaza. In case of rain, the event will be in the parish hall. Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and other friendly animals are welcome — and so are their humans. For those whose animal friends prefer to stay home, stuffed animals are invited, too. The brief outdoor gathering will celebrate the companionship, joy and unconditional love that animals bring to our lives. All are welcome, regardless of religious affiliation. Location: 135 Lafayette St.
Old Burial Hill walking tour Fridays, Oct. 9 and 16, 4 p.m.
The Marblehead Museum will debut a new walking tour of Old Burial Hill led by director Dan Marshall. Established around Marblehead’s first meetinghouse in 1638, Old Burial Hill is one of the oldest European graveyards in Massachusetts. Visitors will learn about
the people laid to rest over the past 350 years, the funeral practices of the past, the carvers who worked the stone and the symbolism of the artwork. This program will involve walking, standing and stairs. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $15 for the public. They are available at marbleheadmuseum and by calling 781-631-1768.
Marblehead 250: Revolutionary War Heroes in Marblehead Cemeteries
Rock out
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
Rock out to 5X Fast at The Rip Tide, 116 Pleasant St. The band plays a mix of indie, alternative and new wave covers.
Learn about the Marblehead men who fought in the American Revolution, most as part of Glover’s Regiment. Others were captains and sailors in Washington’s crucial privateer fleet. Many never returned home, dying on battlefields or at sea. But those buried in Marblehead’s graveyards help us remember our town’s role in the nation’s fight for independence. Find out more about who lies where — and about what’s wrong about the 1930 tercentenary sign at Old Burial Hill — in this Abbot Library talk with historian Pam Peterson. Learn more and register at abbotlibrary.org. The event is in-person and virtual.
Jazz at the Arts Thursday, Oct. 15, 7-9 p.m.
Enjoy the sounds of Henley Douglas Jr. with the Jorgan Trio at the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and there will be a cash bar. Tickets are $35. marbleheadarts.org.
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Pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 164, Section 58, the Marblehead Municipal Light Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:00p.m. The hearing will be held in person at Abbot Hall. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public comment on proposed revisions to the Department’s electric rate schedules. The proposed changes may include adoption of the renewable energy trust surcharge for all metered rate classes ($0.0005/kWh), increasing the surcharge for customers requesting analog meters, and/or reducing the residential base rate. By Order of the Municipal Light Board Jean-Jacques Yarmoff, Chair
marbleheadcurrent.org
12 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Marblehead Current
ELECTION 2026
Nine questions, one ballot: What voters will decide Nov. 3 BY LEIGH BLANDER Marblehead voters heading to the polls this fall will have more to consider than candidates for governor, Congress and the Legislature. They will also be asked to decide nine statewide ballot questions covering everything from public records and elections to taxes, housing, marijuana and guns. The Current is examining the questions — and what they could mean for Marblehead — in a continuing series. In this installment, we look at Questions 1-5.
Question 1
Question 1 asks voters whether the governor’s office and state Legislature should be brought under Massachusetts’ public records law. For Marblehead residents, public records requests are already a familiar part of local government. Town and school departments are subject to the state public records law and regularly respond to requests for emails, documents and other government records. So far in 2026, Marblehead town departments have received more than 80 public records requests, according to Kyle Wylie, assistant to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer. The volume is also significant in the school district. Superintendent John Robidoux said Marblehead Public Schools received approximately 55 public records requests during the 2024-25 school year and 74 in 2025-26. Robidoux said the district generally provides the first two hours of work at no charge, then assesses a fee of $25 per hour for work including searching, segregating, redacting and copying records. Fees assessed for individual requests have ranged from $150 to more than $20,000, he said. The governor’s office and Legislature, however, are largely exempt from the public records requirements that apply to local governments and many state agencies. A “yes” vote on Question 1 would bring the governor and Legislature under the existing public records law, with certain exemptions. A “no” vote would leave the current system in place. State Rep. Jenny Armini, D-Marblehead, said she supports the goal of Question 1 but has “constitutional concerns about its implementation.” “Government transparency itself is not a constitutional problem,” she said. “The question is whether the Legislature’s unique constitutional status requires a different approach to making it happen.” Because Question 1 would place the Legislature under the existing Chapter 66 public records law, Armini said enforcement would fall to the secretary of the commonwealth, who is part of the executive branch, potentially raising separation-of-powers concerns. The Senate asked the Supreme Judicial Court earlier this year for an advisory opinion on constitutional questions surrounding the ballot measure. Armini said the court responded that issues involving separation of powers and legislative privilege should be resolved through actual litigation if the measure becomes law rather than through an “abstract” advisory opinion. “So, that leaves us with a ballot
EARLY VOTING HOURS ANNOUNCED The Town Clerk’s Office has announced early voting days and times for the Nov. 3 election. In-person early voting will happen in the Town Clerk’s Office at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., on the following dates:
Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 8:30 a.m.-noon. question that will very likely be tied up in litigation should it pass,” Armini said. She also raised concerns about protecting communications from constituents who contact legislators about sensitive personal matters. Question 1 includes an exemption for certain constituent communications involving requests for assistance with government benefits or services or interactions with government agencies. Armini said she does not believe that exemption goes far enough because constituents often contact lawmakers for advice or help that falls outside those categories. The proposal also exempts certain materials related to policy development, a provision Armini supports. “The legislative process is just that — a process — and policymakers require the ability to discuss ideas, share information, develop proposals and weigh the pros and cons in confidence,” she said. Sen. Brendan Crighton, who represents Marblehead, declined to comment on any of the nine ballot questions. “While it is my duty as a legislator to draft, debate and vote on legislation in the state Senate with full transparency and public accountability, ballot measures belong entirely to the voters,” he wrote in an email to the Current. Emily DeJoy of the Marblehead
Republican Town Committee said the group supports Question 1. “We believe Massachusetts residents deserve meaningful transparency and accountability from their elected officials,” she said. “The Legislature and Governor’s Office should be subject to the same fundamental public-records standards as other government institutions.” While the town’s Democratic Committee has not yet issued any formal positions on ballot measures, Chair Anne Gugino Carrigan said she also supports Question 1.
Question 2
Question 2 allows the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the state agency that provides attorneys to people who cannot afford them, to unionize and collectively bargain with their employer. It would have no significant town-specific impact in Marblehead.
Question 3: A major change to Massachusetts primaries Question 3 could fundamentally change the way Massachusetts chooses candidates for state offices. Currently, Democrats and Republicans hold separate party primaries, with the winners generally advancing to the November election. A “yes” vote would eliminate separate party primaries for state elections and replace them with a single primary ballot listing candidates regardless of political party. Voters could choose any candidate, and the two candidates receiving the most votes would advance to the general election — even if both belonged to the same party. The proposal would also require candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run together in the primary. The changes would take effect Jan. 1, 2028. A “no” vote would preserve the existing primary system. Supporters argue that the change would give voters more choices and encourage candidates to appeal to a broader electorate. Critics contend it could weaken political parties and leave voters with two general-election candidates from the same party. The Current reached out repeatedly to the Town Clerk’s Office for comment on Questions 3 and 4, both of which could affect how local elections are administered but did not hear back.
Marblehead Board of Registrars member Margie Herrick opposes Question 3. “All candidates would appear on the same primary ballot, and the two candidates receiving the most votes would advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation,” Herrick said. “This could result in a general election in which both candidates are from the same political party. As a result, many voters could find themselves without a general-election candidate whose political philosophy aligns with theirs. In my view, this could increase, rather than diminish, the role of political parties.” The local Republican Town Committee also opposes Question 3. “We believe this change could weaken the role of political parties and potentially result in a general election between two candidates from the same party, leaving voters without a candidate representing the other major political viewpoint,” DeJoy wrote. “We believe political parties play an important role in our democratic process by allowing voters with shared principles and policy goals to organize, recruit candidates and hold elected officials accountable to those platforms.”
Question 4: Registering to vote on Election Day Question 4 asks whether Massachusetts residents should be allowed to register to vote — or update their registration address — on Election Day. Massachusetts currently requires voters to register before an election. A “yes” vote would establish Election Day registration. Eligible residents could register at their polling place by providing proof of residency and signing an oath affirming their eligibility. Those unable to provide proof of residency could cast a provisional ballot and later provide the required information within deadlines set by the proposed law. The change would take effect Jan. 1, 2028. A “no” vote would retain the existing voter-registration system. Supporters say same-day registration would remove a barrier to voting and allow more eligible residents to participate. Opponents have raised questions about election administration, including whether local election officials would have sufficient time to verify eligibility and prevent duplicate voting. Herrick supports Question 4. “Same-day registration provides an opportunity for eligible voters who miss the existing registration deadline to participate in an election,” she said. “A number of states, including all of the other New England states, have adopted some form of same-day or Election Day registration.” Herrick added, “Concerns about voter fraud should be evaluated against the safeguards included in the proposed law. Question 4 would require eligible voters registering on Election Day to provide proof of residency and sign an oath affirming their eligibility. Several studies have concluded that there is little proof of fraud from same-day registration and that the benefits of extending access for eligible voters far exceed any risk of fraud.” The local Republican Town Committee disagrees. “We believe every eligible Massachusetts resident should
have a meaningful opportunity to vote, but we also believe our elections must be administered with strong safeguards to ensure voter eligibility and the integrity of the process,” DeJoy wrote. “Moving registration and voting to the same day would place additional responsibilities on local election officials at the time they are already administering an election.” Board of Registrars member Tim Swigor declined to take a position on either electionrelated question. “While Marblehead has a Board of Registrars of Voters, the Town Clerk is also the town’s chief election official and a voting member of the board,” Swigor wrote in an email response. “In that capacity, the Town Clerk handles many of the operational functions related to elections. I have no opinion on Questions 3 & 4.”
Question 5: Changing the state’s tax-revenue cap Question 5 involves one of the more complicated issues on the ballot: the state law commonly known as Chapter 62F. The law limits how much tax revenue Massachusetts can collect and requires excess revenue to be returned to taxpayers when collections exceed the limit. Under Question 5, the state’s annual revenue limit would instead be based on the previous year’s actual net tax revenue, increased by a rate equal to the average growth in Massachusetts wages and salaries over the previous three years. Revenue collected above that limit would be refunded to taxpayers the following year. The proposal would also include revenue from the surtax on incomes over $1 million when calculating the limit and determining whether collections exceeded it. A “yes” vote would adopt the new formula, effective July 1, 2027. A “no” vote would leave the existing law unchanged. The distinction may sound technical, but it could have consequences for state finances by changing the calculation used to determine when excess tax revenue must be returned to taxpayers. For municipalities such as Marblehead, the debate also has a local dimension. State funding supports local schools, roads and other municipal services, so changes in state revenue could have implications for cities and towns. The local Republican Town Committee supports Question 5. “We believe taxpayers should benefit when state revenue grows beyond what is reasonably necessary to fund government,” DeJoy wrote. “Massachusetts already has a mechanism intended to return excess tax revenue to taxpayers, and Question 5 would make that mechanism more closely tied to actual state collections.” DeJoy continued, “From our perspective, the issue is fundamentally about fiscal discipline and accountability. Government should not automatically retain every additional dollar simply because it is collected. Establishing clearer limits on revenue growth can provide taxpayers with greater protection while encouraging the state to prioritize spending and live within reasonable fiscal constraints.” The Current contacted several town leaders, including Finance Director Sean Stroebels, for comment but did not hear back.
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 7, 2026 13
ELECTION 2026
Koh talks affordability, Trump, AI and Marblehead BY LEIGH BLANDER Democratic congressional candidate Dan Koh says lowering household costs, bringing federal infrastructure dollars back to communities like Marblehead and making himself accessible to constituents would be among his priorities if voters send him to Washington. Koh, the Democratic nominee for Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District, faces Republican Micah Jones in the Nov. 3 election for the seat held for 12 years by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. In an interview with the Current at his campaign office in Peabody Square, Koh discussed Marblehead’s affordability and infrastructure challenges, his plans to confront the Trump administration, artificial intelligence, military assistance to Israel and constituent service. Koh, an Andover native, served as chief of staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh before working in the Biden administration, first at the U.S. Department of Labor and later in the White House. Most recently, he served on the Andover Select Board.
Affordability and infrastructure Asked what Congress can do about Marblehead’s rising housing, utility and propertytax costs, Koh said the federal government needs to generate more revenue from corporations and the wealthiest Americans and use it to reduce household expenses. Koh supports raising the corporate income tax rate from 21% to 28%. He said the additional revenue could help cap utility costs for qualifying households, limit rents based on income and subsidize child care.
every day. But we also need to say, what is the alternative that’s compelling?” That alternative, he said, should focus heavily on affordability. Koh said there are also areas where he would work with Republicans, including protecting Medicaid and SNAP benefits and strengthening Social Security.
AI and Israel
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Democrat Dan Koh with his political assistant Nora Jasaitis, who lives in Marblehead.
Koh supports Medicare for All and tax-code changes that would increase taxes on the wealthiest Americans.
“No one, no one’s looking for a handout,” Koh said. “They’re just looking to be able to live with a little bit of dignity.” Koh also supports Medicare for All and tax-code changes that would increase taxes on the wealthiest Americans. On Marblehead’s infrastructure needs — including roads, water and sewer systems, flooding and coastal resilience — Koh said he would take his cues from local officials rather than dictate priorities from Washington. “What’s most important for a place like Marblehead is that I actually talk to the local elected officials about what their biggest priorities are,” he said. Koh said his experience working with the Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers would help him identify federal funding
opportunities.
Confronting Trump
Koh has made opposition to President Donald Trump a central part of his campaign. Asked what he would want a Democratic-controlled House to do, Koh called for aggressive congressional investigations of the administration and an anti-corruption agenda that would include banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks. He said congressional oversight should also focus on changes within federal agencies that may receive less public attention, pointing to the Department of Labor as an example. Koh said Democrats, however, cannot simply run against Trump. “We all know he sucks, and I’m going to be fighting him
The Current asked Koh about outside spending supporting his candidacy from groups associated with the artificial intelligence industry and whether that support could influence his approach to regulating AI. “I had no control over that spending,” Koh said, noting that outside groups cannot coordinate with campaigns. He nevertheless called regulating AI an urgent responsibility for Congress. “Regardless, nobody should be serving in Congress right now who does not believe regulation of AI should be the top priority.” Koh supports independent safety reviews of AI companies and regulations that can evolve as the technology changes, while acknowledging AI’s potential benefits, including in medicine. On Israel, Koh said the issue is personal because of his Lebanese heritage. He supports Israel’s existence and a twostate solution but expressed serious concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its use of U.S. military assistance. “I believe that you can be antiNetanyahu and believe in the state of Israel in the same way that you can be anti-Trump and believe in America,” Koh said. “I think that all aid from the
United States should come with conditions,” he added. Koh said those conditions should include adherence to U.S. law and human rights standards. He also spoke about the suffering of children in Gaza, Israelis killed in the Oct. 7 attack and antisemitism in the district. ‘People are hanging out at Shubie’s’ Koh said his local government experience shaped his view of constituent service. He has published his cellphone number during the campaign and said that, if elected, he wants residents to encounter their congressman in the places they already go — including Marblehead businesses. That led him to one of his favorite Marblehead spots. “People are hanging out at Shubie’s, they’re not hanging out at my campaign office, right?” Asked what he would want Marblehead residents to say about him two years into a congressional term, Koh said success would not necessarily be measured by a single project. “Success for me will be that I and my team have the most amazing constituent services people have ever seen,” he said. Koh acknowledged Moulton’s office has developed a strong reputation for constituent service and said his campaign has already been in contact with Moulton’s staff. “Seth has been incredible,” Koh said. Koh also acknowledged that, if elected, he will inevitably take positions some Marblehead residents oppose. “But I will always be accountable to them,” he said, “and I will always pledge to have those conversations to someone’s face.”
ELECTION 2026
Jones pitches Baker-style Republicanism BY LEIGH BLANDER Republican Micah Jones is making the case that Massachusetts needs a different kind of voice in Washington — one that can work with President Donald Trump when he believes the administration is right and push back when he believes it is wrong. Jones, an Army veteran and attorney running against Democrat Dan Koh for the 6th Congressional District seat, describes himself as a moderate, Baker-style Republican. Former Gov. Charlie Baker has endorsed him. “I really do see myself in that common-sense Republican lane that I think Governor Baker exemplified,” Jones told the Current. Jones said he was a registered Democrat for eight years and voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 before leaving the party. He later voted for Trump in 2020 and 2024. He said his break with Democrats was driven partly by opposition to the “defund” or “abolish” the police movement, identity politics and what he saw as weakening support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. But Jones said he would not automatically support Trump or congressional Republicans. He cited the administration’s tariff policy as a significant disagreement, saying broad tariffs on U.S. allies can increase costs and hurt New England. “I really disagree with everything going on with Canada right now,” Jones said, noting the region’s extensive trade with its northern neighbor. Jones also criticized the
COURTESY PHOTO
Micah Jones sees himself as a Republican in the style of former Gov. Charlie Baker, who has endorsed him.
Jones said he would not automatically support Trump or congressional Republicans. Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, saying it has gone beyond its initial emphasis on violent and repeat offenders. He said Massachusetts should not be required to use state and local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws and argued that a Republican in the state’s congressional delegation could serve as a bridge to the administration. “I believe in the 10th Amendment,” Jones said. “I believe that state law enforcement officials should not be required to enforce federal law.” Jones handled pro bono immigration cases as an attorney, including helping a former Afghan colleague and his family obtain green cards. He supports comprehensive immigration reform and said he
would push for more resources for immigration judges. On affordability, Jones said one priority would be lowering New England’s energy costs. He supports expanding natural gas pipeline infrastructure and developing new nuclear technology, including small modular reactors. He would also seek to expand the federal deduction for state and local taxes, or SALT, with deductions adjusted to reflect regional cost-of-living differences. He argued that a uniform federal limit does not have the same impact in an expensive community like Marblehead as in lower-cost parts of the country. Jones also supports additional tax relief for seniors struggling with rising property taxes and federal infrastructure investment to support housing
construction. On abortion, Jones said he supports legal access in Massachusetts and would oppose a federal abortion ban. He said, however, that he believes Massachusetts’ current abortion law goes too far and preferred the state’s previous gestational limits. “I would not vote for a federal abortion ban,” he said. Jones supports the Second Amendment but said he would not try to overturn Massachusetts’ gun laws from Washington. He does not support a federal assault weapons ban, saying gun restrictions should generally be decided by individual states. On health care, Jones opposes Medicare for All but also opposes cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. He said his experience receiving care through the Department of Veterans Affairs has made him skeptical of putting the entire health care system under federal control. He supports greater competition, price transparency and more choices among insurance plans. Jones strongly backs U.S. military assistance to Israel and said he does not believe Congress should impose new conditions on that aid. He rejected accusations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and said Hamas bears responsibility for the conflict and danger facing Palestinian civilians. His views on foreign policy, he said, are heavily influenced by his year serving in Afghanistan. “I really believe in using as much soft power as possible, as much economic leverage as possible before there’s any use
of American hard power,” Jones said. “But American hard power always needs to be an option on the table.” Jones has also made congressional ethics and term limits part of his campaign. He supports prohibiting members of Congress and their spouses from trading individual stocks, saying similar restrictions applied to him and his wife when he worked in securities litigation. He has signed a pledge to serve no more than three terms, or six years, in the House. Closer to home, Jones said he would prioritize federal funding to address longstanding pollution problems at King’s Beach in Lynn and Swampscott. Federal dollars, he said, could help address aging sewer infrastructure and other potential sources of contamination. Jones acknowledged that, unlike Koh, he has never held elected office. But he argues his military and private-sector experience better prepares him for Congress. Jones served as an Army infantry officer and deployed to Afghanistan before becoming an attorney working on business litigation and matters involving state and federal regulators. “I think that military experience is a foundation of leadership that cannot be copied anywhere,” Jones said. He argues that background would give 6th District voters something different in Washington — and Massachusetts something it currently does not have: a Republican in its congressional delegation.
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14 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Marblehead Current
OBITUARY
Neil Anthony Burke, 87 Neil Anthony Burke, 87, of Swampscott passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Born on May 7, 1939, in Lynn, Neil was the son of Florence and Harold “Babe” Burke. He grew up in Swampscott and graduated from St. John’s Prep in Danvers in 1957. Neil treasured his years at the College of the Holy Cross, where he formed many lifelong friendships, and later completed his bachelor’s
degree at Suffolk University. He proudly served his country in the Air National Guard. Over
the course of a distinguished career, Neil worked at IBM, the Massachusetts State House and NYNEX. In retirement, he devoted much of his time to helping others. His warmth, generosity and genuine interest in people earned him a reputation as a “friend to all.” Neil and his former wife of 22 years, Catherine McDowell, raised their family in Marblehead, where they created countless happy memories, from summers at The Beach Club to their much-loved annual Christmas Eve parties. eil was a competitive sailor
and an avid golfer at Salem Country Club. A devoted father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, Neil cherished the time he spent with those he loved. His family will especially remember his early-morning bagel deliveries — one of the many small but memorable ways he showed his love. Neil is survived by his former wife, Catherine McDowell; his three children, Patricia (Burke) Pederson and her husband, Neal Kalechofsky; Catherine (Burke) Carangelo and her husband, Robert; and Neil A. Burke Jr. and his wife, Tracey; his seven grandchildren, Benjamin
Pederson; Tatum (Pederson) Garner and her husband, Brendan; Margaret, Robert and William Carangelo; and Connor and Tyler Burke; and his greatgranddaughter, Hadley Garner. He is also survived by his sister, Elaine (Burke) Burke, and her husband, John; and his nephews, John Burke and his wife, Lori, and Matthew Burke and his wife, Julie. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 11:15 a.m. Neil will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lynn, in a private ceremony.
POLICE LOG
A less-than-special delivery; Creesy kids’ mischief continues Monday, Sept. 14
» Alarms: 1 » Building/property checks: 6 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 1 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2 7:18 a.m. Officers rendered services after a disturbance was reported on Atlantic Avenue. 9:26 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Madison Road to speak with a resident about a past scam. Upon his arrival, the resident explained that she had been trying to sell a lamp on Facebook Marketplace and had been randomly contacted by a caller about the lamp despite the fact that she had not given her number out. The caller proposed sending her $500 for the $50, allegedly because that was the least she could send on her business account and then asked the resident to send back $450 once she received the $500. When the individual sent the payment, the payment was declined, and the resident then received a call from someone claiming to be from Venmo customer service. The resident initially gave the individual access to her computer, but she soon realized it was a scam and terminated the interaction and shut off her computer. The resident had notified her bank about the incident, and the officer advised her to contact the credit bureaus, bring her computer to Apple to check for malware and let the police know if anything else occurred. 9:56 a.m. An officer spoke in the police station lobby with a woman whose front license plate had been stolen off her Jeep Renegade. She had checked the areas where the vehicle had been recently but had not found it anywhere on the ground. The officer advised her to contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles to request new plates. He also told her the plate would be entered into a law enforcement database as stolen. 1:32 p.m. Services were rendered after a report of found or lost property on State Street. 4:07 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Ocean Avenue. 7:19 p.m. An officer spoke in the police station lobby with another woman who was missing the front license plate from her Subaru Forester for nearly a month. Law enforcement databases did not show any activity related to the plate since it had gone missing. The woman
did not believe the license plate had been stolen and just wanted to report it before contacting the Registry of Motor Vehicles for a replacement plate. 7:57 p.m. Officers rendered services after a general complaint on Creesy Street.
Tuesday, Sept. 15
» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 7 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 8:46 a.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on Kenneth Road. 10:41 a.m. Services were rendered after a report of found or lost property on Washington Street. 10:55 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Ticehurst Lane. 11:24 a.m. Services were rendered after an issue related to utilities was reported on Prospect Street. 1:57 p.m. Services were rendered after a general complaint on Tedesco and Maple streets. 3:39 p.m. Officers investigated the report of a disturbance on Pleasant Street. The issue could not be located. 3:55 p.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on Pleasant Street. 4:05 p.m. Services were rendered after general information was provided on Washington Street. 4:33 p.m. Officers investigated after general information was provided on Broughton Road. 4:42 p.m. An officer conducted a follow-up investigation on Ridge Road. 5:55 p.m. An officer rendered services after a vehicle crash on Leggs Hill Road. 6:33 p.m. Officers rendered services after a complaint about a moving vehicle on Ocean Avenue. 9:24 p.m. No action was required after general information was provided on Widger Road.
Wednesday, Sept. 16
» Alarms: 1 » Building/property checks: 13 » Abandoned 911 calls: 5 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2 9:47 a.m. An officer rendered services at the scene of a vehicle crash on Humphrey Street. 10:16 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Cloutmans Lane.
12:08 p.m. An officer investigated the report of a vehicle crash on Central and Cottage streets. 12:16 p.m. Services were rendered related to found or lost property on Front Street. 12:36 p.m. Officers investigated the report of a disturbance on Broughton Road. 1:54 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle that proved to be unfounded on Elm and Creesy streets. 2:06 p.m. Hydrants running all night were reported on Franklin Street. 3:13 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Creesy Street. 4:16 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Washington Street. 4:48 p.m. Services were rendered after general information was provided on Ocean Avenue. 6:28 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Treat Road. 6:30 p.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on Rockaway Street. 11:07 p.m. Services were rendered after an issue related to utilities was reported on Clifton Avenue.
Thursday, Sept. 17
» Alarms: 3 » Building/property checks: 5 » Abandoned 911 calls: 1 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 8:40 a.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on West Shore Drive. 9:24 a.m. Services were rendered after a report related to found or lost property on Fort Sewall Lane. 10:13 a.m. Officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew responded to the scene of a rollover crash on Green Street. At least one person was transported to the hospital. 11:13 a.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on Pond Street. 11:46 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Rowland Street to investigate the report of a
suspicious package. Upon the officer’s arrival, the resident showed the officer a package addressed to him but at his sister’s address, which he had opened. Inside, he found a clear zip-lock baggy that appeared to contain feces. The outside label of the package indicated that it had come from an “A.S. Enterprises.” Using Google, the officer determined that it had come from an online prank site that allows users to send feces as a “gag gift.” The package had “COW1QRT” written on the bottom, possibly referring to a quart of cow manure. The man said that he was unaware of any enemies he might have and had no idea who would send him a package of poop. 1:44 p.m. A general complaint was investigated on Devereux Street. 2:45 p.m. An officer assisted with a disabled vehicle on Humphrey Street. 2:47 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Pleasant Street. 4:04 p.m. An officer took a report after a general complaint was made on Pleasant Street. 9:13 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Meadow Lane to investigate the report of someone punching a front door. Upon his arrival, the officer talked with the resident, who explained that he and his family had been in the house and heard a loud banging sound on the front door. Realizing what was going on, the man ran out of the side door in time to see a child around 12 years old known to him running up Meadow Lane and into the Landfall apartments on Creesy Street. The resident explained that the entire neighborhood has been having problems with a handful of kids who live in the apartment complex. He said the kids have been known to bully other kids in the neighborhood and to throw water balloons and rocks at people. He explained it has been an ongoing issue for months and that he has tried to identify the kids, to no avail. The officer patrolled the neighborhood, including the apartment complex, but did not see anyone fitting the description of the kid he had been given.
Friday, Sept. 18
» Alarms: 2 » Building/property checks: 8 » Abandoned 911 calls: 3 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 12:35 a.m. A complaint about a moving vehicle on Churchill Road proved to be unfounded. 9:40 a.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on High Street. 10:58 a.m. An officer provided escort or transport services on Seaview and Atlantic avenues. 12:16 p.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on Commercial Street. 2 p.m. Services were rendered after a disabled vehicle was reported on Lafayette Street. 2:27 p.m. An officer assisted with a disabled vehicle on West Shore Drive and Village Street. 2:32 p.m. An officer spoke at the police station with a woman who had recently had some fraudulent charges made on her checking account using her debit card number. She had never lost the card or authorized anyone else to use it, so she was uncertain how the information got leaked. Five charges totaling nearly $1,400 had been made in a two-day span. The charges had been made at a Target in Saugus, a Market Basket in Reading, a Walgreens in East Boston, a Panera Bread in Lynnfield and a Best Buy in Saugus. The bank had already canceled the card and issued the woman a new one. 3:21 p.m. Assistance was requested on Pleasant Street. 3:51 p.m. An officer could not locate a vehicle about which a complaint had been made on Beacon Street. 3:55 p.m. A school ID was found on Smith Street. 4:23 p.m. Services were rendered after a lost jacket and bunny were reported on Baldwin Road. 4:28 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Pond Street. 4:39 p.m. No action was required after general information was provided on Hibbard Road. 4:55 p.m. A 33-year-old Swampscott woman was taken into protective custody after officers and an ambulance crew investigated a general complaint on Pleasant Street. 6:04 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Neptune Road. 6:43 p.m. An officer rendered services after general information was provided on Gerry Street. 9:03 p.m. An officer could not locate the issue after a general complaint was made on Hawkes Street.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Buyer(s)
Seller(s)
Address
Date
Price
11 Taft Street LLC
11 Taft St.
Sept. 18
$1,175,000
Sean A. McGovern and Erin K. Nee
Dubuque Helen M Est and Tracey Dubuque
20 Eureka Ave.
Sept. 17
$660,000
Daniela A. and Jonathan A. Siek
Andrew Brown
7 Edgehill Road
Sept. 15
$515,000
Marblehead Emily Jane Nielsen Swampscott
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 7, 2026 15
OBITUARIES
Owen Paradise Coyne, 17 Owen Paradise Coyne, of Marblehead, passed away tragically and unexpectedly on Oct. 1 due to complications following a brain hemorrhage. Owen, known as “Owie” to his family and “OC” to friends, teammates and coaches, was a true gift to everyone who ever had the privilege of meeting him. He entered the world on April 23, 2009 to parents Angela Paradise and Brian Coyne, a blessing as their first child. The family later expanded, with Owen becoming a proud and doting big brother to siblings Grady (15), Landon (12) and Ella (8). Beyond his immediate family, Owen leaves behind grandparents Anne and Anthony Paradise of Swampscott, grandparents Jean and Patrick Coyne of Woburn, his Aunt Jenna Paradise-Durkin and Uncle Brian Durkin (and cousins Evie and Lilah) of Marblehead, and his Uncle Scott Coyne and Aunt Kristin Coyne (and cousins Olivia and Aiden) of Billerica. Owen was predeceased by his Uncle T.J. Paradise of Los
Angeles. A senior at Marblehead High School, Owen was smart, inspiring and kind, respected both in the classroom and on the field. Owen was an exceptional student, challenging himself with nearly all AP and honors classes, and earning a 4.0 GPA. A three-sport athlete, he was currently a proud co-captain of the Marblehead Magicians varsity football team. He also competed in varsity baseball and varsity track & field, where his dedication, determination and talent made him a standout
athlete. Among the many awards and accolades bestowed upon Owen over the years, he was most proud to be named the recipient of the Charles Lovely Student-Athlete Award at the end of last year’s football season. Owen had recently announced his commitment to continue his academic and football career at Williams College, a future that he had worked incredibly hard to achieve. Those closest to Owen knew that his greatest joys extended well beyond his own academic and athletic pursuits. The
Garland Richard ‘Chick’ Perry, 95 Garland Richard “Chick” Perry died peacefully on April 4, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 95. He was the husband of Patricia (Smethurst) Perry with whom he celebrated 66 years of marriage. A longtime resident of Marblehead, he was born on May 19, 1931, to the late Matilda and Raymond Perry. He attended Marblehead schools and graduated from Marblehead High School class of 1951. Shortly after graduation, he enrolled in the US Navy and served during the US-Korean conflict. Upon returning to Marblehead, he became a US postal letter carrier and retired after 32 years of service in 1998. He was a former member of the Philanthropic Masonic Lodge of Marblehead, the Gerry 5 Association of Marblehead and the Marblehead Lodge of Elks. In addition to his wife Patricia, he is survived by his four children and their
Owen also gave generously of himself to his community. He spent the past three summers as a talented and much-loved sailing instructor for the town of Marblehead. He represented his sports teams as a volunteer coach for various sports camps and clinics over the years. He was an avid boater, serving as the true captain of our family’s boat, Coyne Collection. Owen was also a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, where he spent his childhood summers learning how to sail and cannonballing into the pool. Quite simply, Owen was a proud Magician who fiercely loved Marblehead, and Marblehead loved him back. A church service will take place on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Church in Marblehead at 11:30 a.m., immediately followed by a gathering at Tedesco Country Club. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Owen’s memory may make a donation to The Owen P. Coyne Scholarship Fund, c/o National Grand Bank, 91 Pleasant St., Marblehead, MA 01945. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Owen’s family.
Patricia (Smethurst) Perry, 89
spouses, Stephen and his wife Pamela of Sarasota, Florida; David and his wife Marybeth of Danvers; Michael and his wife Beth of Beaufort, South Carolina; and Michelle Peterson and her husband Keith of Columbia, South Carolina. Chick is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Chick will be laid to rest in a private graveside service at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead.
Jane Austin (Ramsay) Key, 82 Jane Austin (Ramsay) Key passed away Sept. 25, 2026, at her home in Marblehead. She was 82. She was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, in 1944, the daughter of Anne Austin (Belyea) Ramsay, a descendant of New York Loyalists who settled in New Brunswick after the American Revolution, and Earnest Dougal Ramsay, a Royal Canadian Navy officer who later became an executive with the Steel Company of Canada. After moves to Hamilton, Ontario, and Montreal, the family settled in Westmont, Quebec, where Jane graduated from Westmont High School. She earned a bachelor of arts in English from McGill University
oldest of four, Owen was the best big brother, cheering his siblings on from the sidelines. He enjoyed Sunday night family dinners where the goal was to eat anything that Mimi and Grampy put on his plate. Some of Owen’s best times happened during family vacations; just this past summer, Owen climbed the Eiffel Tower, explored the countryside of Provence and floated in the French Riviera. His eyes would have been destined to see so much more of this beautiful earth. As his family, we are grateful for all that he was able to experience during his short time with us. Beyond his family, Owen surrounded himself with an amazing tight-knit group of friends who enjoyed cruising the water with Owen at the helm, boat days which involved tubing adventures and trips to Captain Dusty’s for ice cream. Owen loved driving the Neck while listening to Noah Kahan, eating Jersey Mike’s subs, Ultimate Frisbee, basement hangouts, s’mores nights at the barn and simply being in the presence of his dear friends. From the biggest moments to the smallest gestures, Owen always found a way to leave a lasting impact on his friends through his love, leadership and perseverance.
and a Canadian Teaching Certificate from McGill’s Macdonald campus. In 1966, she moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she loved the progressive culture and beautiful folk music of the ‘60s. There she met her future husband, U.S. Navy Lt. William (Bill) H. Key, who was studying naval architecture at MIT. They later moved to Winthrop to live full-time on a sailboat through the Boston winters.
Standley Goodwin, 88 Standley Henry Goodwin, age 88 passed away on Sept. 28 after a short illness. He was the son of Emerson S. Goodwin and Gretta Caswell
Patricia (Smethurst) Perry died peacefully on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 89. Patricia was the wife of Garland Perry with whom she celebrated 66 years of marriage. A longtime resident of Marblehead, Patricia was born on Jan. 9, 1937, to the late Thelma (Day) Smethurst and Fred (Gordon) Smethurst. She attended Marblehead schools and graduated Marblehead High School class of 1955. She briefly attended Green Mountain Junior College in Vermont before enrolling in the Mass General School of Nursing in 1957 where she graduated with her nursing degree/license in 1959. She worked as a registered nurse at Mass General Hospital for 29 years, primarily as a medical/surgical nurse and later as a nurse at Salem Hospital’s Birthplace for 17 years where she retired in 2006. She is survived by four children:
Stephen and his wife Pamela of Sarasota, Florida; David and his wife Marybeth of Danvers; Michael and his wife Beth of Beaufort, South Carolina; and Michelle Peterson and her husband Keith of Columbia, South Carolina. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Pat will be laid to rest alongside her husband Garland in a private graveside service at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead.
Jane and Bill married in Westmont in 1969 and remained married until her passing (57 years). In 1970, the Navy sent them to Guam, where the heat, humidity and ocean life on the “other side of the world” were a new experience for the lifelong Canadian. While there, Jane earned a master’s in history from the University of Guam, researching her thesis at the U.S. Library of Congress. After a brief stint in San Diego, they settled in Marblehead in 1974 to raise their family. Jane joined the Peabody Essex Museum, where for 38 years she was part of the original staff that grew the museum into what it is today. She found her life passion in DancEnergy aerobic dance, often dancing seven days a week, a level of fitness that helped her recover from a 2012 stroke and return to class soon after three months in the hospital. An avid skier, she taught her husband and sons to ski on day, weekend
and weeklong trips across New England. Jane and Bill later made Sugarloaf their home away from home. Jane had an innate curiosity about other cultures, places and ideas. She was a world traveler who visited the United Kingdom, Western Europe and the Far East. Family trips regularly took them to Montreal, Prince Edward Island and Canadian ski mountains. Summers typically included a weeklong cruise “down east” to Maine. In 2005, she became a naturalized American citizen. Jane was a great mother and a superb guiding figure for her two boys. She embodied many of the “true” Canadian personality traits: politeness, modesty, intellectualism and awareness of the world as a community. Nothing in life daunted her... including Guam. She had a stiff-upper-lip. Jane will be remembered fondly by everyone she interacted with, especially
her family and close friends. We all miss you, Jane. She is survived by husband Bill Key, her two sons, J. Ramsay Key (wife Kiri) and Charles R. Key of Marblehead, three grandchildren Ella, Lucy and Hadley Key, her sister Norah Ramsay of Calgary Alberta, Canada, and her cousins in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, Canada. A celebration of life will be held at the Eastern Yacht Club on Oct. 21, 5-7 p.m. Family, friends and all who knew her are welcome to stop by. She will be laid to rest in a private burial ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marblehead Food Pantry - checks payable to “Marblehead Food Pantry” PO Box 233, Marblehead, MA 01945. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Jane’s family.
Goodwin. Standley graduated from Marblehead High School, Class of 1956, and from MIT, Class of 1962 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He spent his entire career working at Draper Labs in Cambridge. During his retirement, he was an active member and volunteer
at the Marblehead Museum, both as a docent and researcher of Marblehead history. He was also active in the Old Burial Hill restoration. He is survived by his sister Harriett Gowell and her husband David Gowell of Marblehead, and niece Linda Nelson of New York City.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Marblehead Museum or the Old Burial Hill Restoration Fund. Services will be private. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Standley’s loved ones.
marbleheadcurrent.org
16 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Marblehead Current
Hiclter Interest Rates Cffange the Equation
IN MARBLEHEAD'$ HOUSING MARKET
Higher Rates, Smarter Moves The Marblehead housing market has a new variable to contend with: the cost of money. The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate in September, and mortgage rates have also been moving higher. The two do not move in lockstep. Mortgage rates respond to a broader mix of forces, including inflation expectations and the bond market, and can rise or fall before the Fed acts. For buyers and sellers, the result is straightforward: financing a home costs more, and the details of a deal matter more than they did when mortgage rates were hovering near historic lows. Marblehead remains a market with limited housing supply. Many homeowners who bought or refinanced when mortgage rates were in the 3% to 4% range are reluctant to give up those loans, contributing to relatively low turnover. At the same time, desirable, well-priced homes can still attract significant interest. For buyers, the first step is understanding the monthly cost of a home, not simply its purchase price. Comparing lenders, evaluating different loan structures and determining how much cash to use for a down payment can materially affect that cost. The offer itself also matters. A buyer who cannot or does not want to win solely on price may be able to strengthen an offer through a flexible closing date, a larger deposit, strong financing or inspection terms that protect the buyer while addressing the seller's concerns. Sellers face a different calculation. Higher borrowing costs can affect what buyers can comfortably afford, making accurate pricing particularly important. An ambitious asking price may ultimately cost valuable time, while a home positioned correctly from the outset can generate stronger interest and competition. Timing can matter, too. A seller who needs additional time before moving may value a flexible closing or use-and-occupancy arrangement. A buyer may find that accommodating that need is worth more to a seller than another concession on price. Higher interest rates change the arithmetic of buying and selling a home. They do not eliminate the opportunities. In a market like Marblehead, the advantage increasingly belongs to buyers and sellers who understand both the numbers and the terms they can negotiate.
Mary Stewart & Heather Stewart Kaznoski
REALTORS Mary 781.820.5676 I Heather 781.576.9288
stewartkaznoski@compass.com www.MarbleheadRealEstateSales.com
C 0 M PASS
A Sponsored Real Estate Column by Mary Stewart and Heather Stewart Kaznoski, Compass
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