CP_MBHC_20230712_1_A12
marbleheadcurrent.org
A12 Wednesday, July 12, 2023 Marblehead Current
Rockets red where? Dense fog dims fireworks display An ‘unfortunate outcome,’ says Falk BY WILLIAM J. DOWD In what was expected to be a night filled with vibrant fireworks, hundreds of spectators around Marblehead Harbor were instead greeted by an unrelenting, dense fog. The heavy fog that rolled in from the sea concealed the sky, reducing the anticipated fireworks to only bursts of color visible through the mist. This damp, foggy evening stood in stark contrast to the vibrant spectacle typically associated with the Marblehead fireworks and harbor illumination, casting a pall over the annual tradition — typically the bookend to a four-day celebration. Despite rain and thunderstorm predictions, the fog turned out to be the unexpected spoiler for the fireworks launched from a barge at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor at 9:30 p.m. Alexander Falk has chaired the Marblehead Fireworks Committee for 15 years. “We have never had to use the rain date,” he said. “We had to cancel a total of three times (one hurricane that made it impossible for the barge to come up from Boston and two years of the pandemic).” He said the decision to proceed on the Fourth of July was influenced by detailed weather forecasts and consultations with meteorologists. “We did notice that the forecast now added the potential for fog starting after 11 p.m.,
Barely visible fireworks from Fort Beach on the Fourth of July.
but that was not our main concern, as the show would end well before then,” Falk told the Marblehead Current on Wednesday afternoon. “We were concerned about thunderstorms and rain ... and it looked like we were going to be OK on that front, with storms again likely dissipating by 8 p.m.” He offered insight into the complexities of coordinating the fireworks display and the decision to ultimately launch them. “The fact that we had a thick fog bank roll into Marblehead Harbor right at about 9:10 p.m. and got more and more dense throughout the fireworks show was the most unfortunate outcome,” Falk said. “[It was] not something that was predicted, nor could we have done anything about it at that time.” He added, “Once the fireworks are loaded, there is no way to ‘unload’ them. You have to fire
them off.” Marblehead and Lynn split the bill for the fireworks barge and its tows, requiring their fireworks shows to be on two consecutive days. “There is simply no contingent or possibility for both towns having to use the rain date. It has never happened before, and it wouldn’t be possible,” said Falk. “In our fireworks permit applications with the United States Coast Guard and the Massachusetts Fire Marshal, we have to give the official date and the rain date, and there is no option to have a ‘second rain date,’ if the first one is used by the other town.’’ Alex Summers, a lifelong resident of Marblehead, reflected on the obscured fireworks display at the crowded Fort Beach. “At least we had a lovely harbor illumination,” she said, finding a silver lining in the foggy spectacle. Her boyfriend,
COURTESY PHOTO / MEGHAN AMBERIK
Ryan Long, a first-time visitor, shared a similar sentiment. “The entire harbor is illuminated by one color at a time,” Long noted. “It’s heartwarming to see everyone in the harbor focused and engaged at the same moment.” For Summers, this was the first time in her life she had experienced a Fourth of July without a full view of the fireworks display. The weather muffled the typical chorus of oohs and aahs that accompanies a Marblehead fireworks display. The disappointment was evident among the spectators, who couldn’t catch a glimpse of the fireworks from popular vantage points such as the Causeway, Crocker Park or Clark’s Landing. As people departed the harborfront, many said they wished the event had been postponed. Some people enjoyed the fog’s effect on the fireworks display,
Falk said. “We received tremendous responses from people near the mouth of the harbor,” said Falk. “People called it ephemeral, whispy, serene, beautiful, etc., and we saw many amazing photos of the fireworks shining through the fog in a magical display of beauty and amplified colors.” Before the fireworks, Maureen Dart Szymczak, a 38-year Marblehead resident, expressed her anticipation. “I love every holiday — Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas — but I have to say, the Fourth of July and the Marblehead Festival of the Arts are my favorite. The array of activities is just fabulous,” she said, standing at the public dock next to the Landing Restaurant. Earlier in the day, the Marblehead Festival of Arts engaged families with art exhibits, Street Festival, Literary Festival, concerts and model boat events. The Glover’s Marblehead Regiment added a historical touch to the day, with musket firings and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The Horribles Parade, another town tradition, was postponed to July 9 due to the weather forecast. The Marblehead Fourth of July fireworks display and harbor illumination relies on private donations from individuals, local groups, and businesses to make this event spectacular. Mail donations to Marblehead Fireworks Committee c/o Selectmen’s Office Abbot Hall 188 Washington Street Marblehead, MA 01945 or donate online at: https://bit.ly/3pBMAjz
POLICE LOG
Man admits to ‘hose incident’ Tuesday, June 20
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday July 25, 2023 at 8:00 PM on the request of Linda S. Garnitz to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot area, lot width, frontage, front, side and rear yard setbacks and parking located at 9R Spray Avenue in the Shoreline Single Residence District. The new construction will be within the front and side yard setback and exceed the 10% expansion limits for nonconforming buildings. Because this is a repeat petition within two years of an unfavorable action, the petitioner also requests a determination in accordance with MGL 40A sec 16 that specific and material changes in the conditions upon which the previous unfavorable action was based. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom. us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09 Dial in +1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary
with both drivers, the officer filed a report. 12:21 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the lobby of the station to speak to a woman about missing jewelry, which she had filed a claim about with her insurance company back in February. She had discovered the items were missing when she had gone to look for a Marblehead hockey championship ring to show to family visiting from Texas. Along with the hockey ring valued at $300, also missing were a gold watch valued at $1,500, three gold chains valued at $300, one pearl necklace, also valued at $300, and one tennis bracelet valued at $1,000. Her best guess as to when she had last seen the items was six years ago, as they were not items she wears but rather items that had been tucked in the back of a dresser drawer. The woman explained that
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday July 25, 2023 at 8:00 PM on the request of Philip & Amanda DiBuono to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot area, side and rear yard setbacks located at 14 Lattimer Street in the Unrestricted District. The new construction will be within the side yard setback, reduce the open area to less than required and exceeds the 10% expansion limits for nonconforming buildings. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, § 18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09 Dial in+ 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday July 25, 2023 at 7:45 PM on the request of Julie DiVirgilio c/o Washington St Condominium Trust to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit or variance to construct deck additions to an existing multi-family dwelling on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot area, lot width, frontage, side yard setback, open area and parking and exceeds the maximum allowable height located at 225 Washington Street in the Central Residence District. The new construction will be within the side yard setbacks and further reduce the required open area. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom. us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09 Dial in +1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary
7:57 a.m. Officers investigated a disturbance on Broughton Road. 8:32 a.m. A police officer met with a man who came into the police station to report that he had received an email informing him that his computer was infected with a virus. The email demanded payment in Bitcoin by threatening to release his personal
information from his computer. The man recognized this as a scam and did not respond. 11:59 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Miller Plaza for a past hit-andrun. He was met by the owner of a vehicle that had discovered a note left on it by the driver of a vehicle that had struck it. The officer wrote in his report that the damage was “very minor.” After speaking
she was just documenting the incident for insurance purposes. 3:08 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Pleasant Street to investigate a hitand-run. He was met with the owner of a vehicle that had been legally parked on Pleasant Street that had been sideswiped by another vehicle, leaving minor damage to her vehicle’s bumper and front left fender. An employee of the nearby Three Cod Tavern said he would check the business’ security video to see if the accident had been caught on camera. 5:04 p.m. An officer spoke at the station with a woman who said she was experiencing ongoing issues from her upstairs neighbors, a mother and daughter. The night before, the upstairs neighbors had let their unleashed dog loose outside, which caused the woman in the station’s dogs to start barking. The woman
believed the upstairs neighbors were doing this on purpose to harass her and her dogs. The woman added that earlier in the day she had received an email from the mother, purporting to be a ”notice of violations of bylaws.” The officer explained the process of obtaining a harassment prevention order to the woman.
Wednesday, June 21
5:56 a.m. An officer helped investigate a report of an outside odor of gas on Pleasant Street. 4:05 p.m. An officer spoke at the station with a woman who explained that around June 15 approximately 40,000 airline miles valued at $1,180 had been stolen from her American Airlines Advantage Account. She was currently working with a customer service representative to resolve the issue from whom she had received an email containing the name of a possible suspect. The officer planned to forward his report to detectives. 7:03 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Jersey Street.
Thursday, June 22
Police had a particularly busy day of traffic enforcement, issuing 15 citations and giving seven verbal warnings. 12:57 a.m. Officers investigated a report of
suspicious activity on Prince Street. 2:17 p.m. A cell phone caller on Bessom Street reported a case of larceny, forgery or fraud. 7:28 p.m. Peace was restored after a vehicle complaint on Washington Street.
Friday, June 23
12:43 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Pleasant Street to investigate a report of the latest incident in what a business owner said was part of a local man’s ongoing harassment campaign of him and his family. In previous incidents, the man had threatened the business owner’s family and vandalized their property. The officer forwarded his report to a detective for further investigation. 5:48 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Prospect Street, where the homeowner brought him to the back of her yard, which is on a hill with an attached porch. The porch, which overlooks the lower yard and is above the rear fence line, had an inflatable jacuzzi on it. The woman stated that her kids and friends’ kids — 10 children in all — had been outside on the porch in bathing suits waiting for the jacuzzi to fill up so it could be used when two of the kids saw a man on the top floor of a neighboring building holding a red