CP_MBHC_20230405_1_A01
IN THIS ISSUE
HISTORY
SPORTS
MUSIC
The town’s deed of sale
Man behind the mic
Page 3
Page 9
Me&Thee hosts award-winning singer Friday
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PAID
MARBLEHEAD, MA PERMIT NO. 25
Page 16
NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.
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April 05, 2023
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VOLUME 1, ISSUE NO. 19
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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG
LAW ENFORCEMENT
First day of hearing for suspended officer concludes BY WILLIAM J. DOWD More than five hours of testimony was taken during the first day of a disciplinary hearing related to allegations of misconduct and violations of department policies against Officer Christopher Gallo, who has been on paid leave since June 16, 2021. The hearing is set to resume on April 26 at 10 a.m. in the Select Board Room in Abbot Hall with Marblehead
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer presiding. Attorneys Gary Nolan and Peter Perroni of the firm Nolan Perroni in North Chelmsford are representing Gallo, while Town Counsel Jane Friedman of the Newburyport firm Mead, Talerman & Costa is representing the town of Marblehead. Gallo is facing discipline up to and including termination on multiple allegations, including that he spent extended periods at home when he
was supposed to be on patrol, as documented in photographs showing his police cruiser parked in his driveway. On June 21, 2021, the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General issued a report of a preliminary review, which prompted Marblehead’s former police chief, Bob Picariello, to put Gallo on paid leave and request that the Select Board convene a disciplinary hearing. GALLO, P. A5
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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT
SCHOOLS
Familiar faces tapped for top jobs BY LEIGH BLANDER
COMMUNITY
Fire Truck Egg Drop proves popular with kids
CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD
Onlookers watch the Fire Truck Egg Drop with intensity on April 2.
BY WILLIAM J. DOWD Popcorn, cardboard boxes, marshmallows, cotton balls, Rice Krispy treats, balloons and a teddy bear—these were just a few of the inventive materials employed by young participants in the Marblehead Recreation Department’s Fire Truck
Egg Drop event. Held at the Jacobi Community Center parking lot on Sunday afternoon, the event attracted 78 eager children, who accepted the challenge of protecting a raw egg from a significant fall. “This is the first time we’ve organized this event for the
public,” said Kala Strobel, the Recreation Department’s events and communications coordinator. “We sold out, as we had limited spots available for the hour we had with the firefighters.” Marblehead Firefighter Joe Gray
Schools Superintendent John Buckey announced that Marblehead High School Assistant Principal Michele Carlson will become the new principal at MHS, replacing Dan Bauer, who is leaving this summer to become superintendent in Danvers. Buckey also recommended Julia Ferreira, the assistant principal at Veterans Middle School, to become Marblehead’s new assistant superin Julia Ferreira will tendent, replacing be Marblehead’s Nan Murphy, who is new assistant leaving to become superintendent superintendent in Dedham. Buckey said he was pleased to promote two internal candidates, “both of whom were highly recommended by the search committees and by their current Michele Carlson will principals.” succeed Dan Bauer “We are thrilled to as MHS principal. see the investment in mentoring has resulted in these two internal candidates advancing within our district,” Buckey added. “Both educators will have an opportunity to work closely with their predecessors over the next three months to learn even more about these roles before taking the positions on July 1. Their knowledge of the district
EGG, P. A8 SCHOOLS, P. A4
PUPPY LOVE
Kids deliver newest member of Swampscott fire company ‘Ryan’ will provide emotional support to area firefighters BY WILLIAM J. DOWD Marblehead siblings Joe and Camilla Cross pulled up in a Subaru Forester to the Swampscott Fire Station to make a special delivery on March 30. The pair exited the SUV as a bay door rolled up to reveal
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
a half-dozen firefighters eager to meet the fire company’s newest addition, an 8-week-old, 14-pound chocolate Labrador retriever whom they purchased for the fire station. Camilla, 10, cradled the puppy as she stepped up to the bay area before Swampscott Fire Chief Graham Archer bent down so
she could hand Ryan over to him. “He just loves attention,” said Joe, 12. The puppy is named after the late Swampscott Fire Capt. Mark Ryan, who died last September. The fire station will be his new home. From the moment Ryan’s
mother, Pearl, gave birth to him and his six brothers and sisters, Joe, 12, and Camilla, 10, cared for and raised them. Caring for another living creature — let alone seven puppies — marked a first for the young Marbleheaders. They took their puppy duties seriously, from playtime and socialization to
feeding and potty breaks. “It was a big responsibility,” Camilla offered. Taking care of a litter taught the pair the importance of sacrifices. Joe spent less time playing video games and Camilla gave up a few gymnastics RYAN, P. A11