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Marblehead residents submitted four distinct citizen petitions by the Jan. 23 deadline for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting, according to forms received by the town clerk. The petitions range from a symbolic resolution reaffirming the town's commitment to founding documents to proposals that would restructure municipal employment contracts, eliminate a town department and shorten elected terms for the Select Board.
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Resolution on Declaration of Independence and Constitution
The petition with the most signature sheets proposes a resolution celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States by affirming Marblehead's commitment to constitutional principles.
The resolution states: "in celebration of the 250th anniversary of our country, the Town of Marblehead recognizes the enduring importance of this nation's founding and the principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States which have sustained American democracy for nearly two and a half centuries."
It cites constitutional principles including "separation of powers, enumerated checks and balances, the independence of the judiciary, and the protections of free speech, free assembly, and other fundamental rights" as "steadfast commitments essential to the well-being of our nation and the integrity of its governance."
The resolution references Marblehead's historical resistance to authoritarian rule, citing the town's Committee of Grievances established in 1772 by Messrs. Gerry, Orne, Dolliber and others, and notes that Marblehead "proudly exhibits The Spirit of '76 painting by Archibald Willard in Abbot Hall, which conveys not only the determination to achieve independence from tyrannical power, but also the successful conclusion of the Civil War which secured freedom and union for all."
The resolution concludes: "the Town of Marblehead hereby affirms its unwavering commitment to founding principles and documents, civic responsibility, and the rule of law protecting the rights and welfare of all its people as we honor and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America."
Multiple signature sheets for this petition were certified by the Marblehead Board of Registrars on Jan. 15, 2026, with individual sheets carrying between three and five certified signatures per page. The petition sponsors are Kate Borten, 1 Martin Terrace, and Lynn Nadeau, 10 Surf Street.
Municipal employment contracts
Marblehead resident and Housing Authority Commissioner Bill Kuker, 26 Rowland St., sponsored three separate petitions, each certified on Jan. 21, 2026.
One petition proposes: "To limit employment contracts for municipal employees, excepting union contracts, to the term of one calendar year. Existing multi-year contracts would become one year contracts upon the expiration of said contract."
The petition was certified with 14 signatures. It does not specify which municipal positions currently have multi-year contracts, how many employees would be affected or what fiscal or operational impacts the change might produce.
Repeal of Planning and Community Development Department
A second Kuker petition seeks: "To repeal Article 34 as passed by 2024 Town Meeting establishing the 'Department of Planning and Community Development' thereby eliminating, disbanding and de-funding said Department and all offices, positions and association related to said Department."
This petition was certified with 15 signatures. The petition does not state the rationale for the repeal, the number of positions that would be eliminated or how the department's current functions would be reassigned if the article passes.
Select Board term change
Kuker's third petition proposes: "To restore the elected term of the Select Board to the duration of one calendar year, to take effect for the 2027 elections."
This petition was certified with 14 signatures. The petition does not explain what the current Select Board term length is, when it was changed or the reasoning for reverting to one-year terms. It also arrives after the town’s 2023 vote to adopt staggered three-year terms, state approval of that home rule change in March 2024 and a 2024 Town Meeting vote rejecting a move back to one-year terms.
Under the current system described in town materials, the transition to staggering began in 2024 with a mix of initial term lengths based on election results, then shifted to three-year terms going forward.
