FinCom recommends Town Meeting send overrides to ballot box
Marblehead’s fiscal 2027 plan closes a $7.7 million gap through layoffs, school reductions and one-time tuition prepayments.
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TO THE EDITOR: Support the override to protect Marblehead jobs and services
To the editor: I write to you today on behalf of the Marblehead Municipal Employees Union with urgency and concern as we approach the Proposition 2½ override vote at the upcoming Town Meeting. The situation facing our town is no longer theoretical, it is immediate and severe. As presented by
OBITUARY: Scott Alan LaVoie, 58
Scott Alan LaVoie of Peabody, formerly of Marblehead, on April 21 at the Kaplan House in Danvers. Survived by Linda Belanger his wife of 25 years, parents, Robert and Barbara Lavoie of Marblehead, his siblings Bryan (Amy) of Stoneham, David (Audra) of Surf City, N.C. and Nicole Anderson (Eric)
SPUR, Sustainable Marblehead mark Arbor Day with tree plantings, cleanups
Residents planted new shade trees at Village School and cleared shoreline debris near the harbor during coordinated environmental projects.
GUEST COLUMN: Marblehead to gather for 377th Town Meeting on May 4
By Town Moderator Jack Attridge Marblehead’s annual Town Meeting will be called to order promptly at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Marblehead High School Field House, 2 Humphrey St. Please be prepared for lines at check-in. The meeting will assemble the 377th annual
OBSERVER REPORT: Marblehead Housing Authority — April 21, 2026
LWVM OBSERVER: Cathy Marie Michael Members in attendance: All board members, Executive Director Cathy Sheehan, ED and two maintenance men Public Comment A tenant from Roads School stated, "I have not received a ROBO call 3 months in a row for this meeting." The tenant said one person
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Plant sales, roses and more garden tasks
Garden club volunteers have moved the annual event to a veterans hall with expanded parking, aiming to ease congestion and improve access for shoppers.
EDITOR'S DESK: The Independent, now with better bones
When we launched the Independent, we made a deliberate choice to avoid clutter. We wanted a clean reading experience, a site built around readers first and a simple sponsorship model — enhancing not just their reading experience but also their support. In recent days, we’ve made a meaningful round of
Residents get multiple chances to question officials before Town Meeting
Residents can question budget assumptions through forums and informal sessions scheduled in the days leading up to the May gathering.
Town Meeting is complicated. These tools are meant to make it clearer.
Interactive tools translate policy choices into household costs, using a median home value to counter distortions from high-end properties.
TO THE EDITOR: Encourage participation in Town Meeting and support article 40
To the editor: I encourage everyone to participate in grassroots democracy right here at our upcoming Town Meeting on May 4 at 7 p.m. at the high school. Democracy works from the ground up, that is, from each one of us engaging in the decisions that form the structure
Power restored after outage affects thousands of Marblehead customers
Power has been restored to thousands of Marblehead Municipal Light Department customers who lost electricity Thursday morning, General Manager Jonathan Blair said. The cause remains under investigation. “Lost several circuits. No known cause. Still investigating,” Blair wrote in a message around 8 a.m., shortly after the outage began. Blair
Rail trail team to unveil paving plan, new West Shore Drive bike lane
Officials will outline changes affecting a corridor segment and a key roadway junction, citing safety concerns and coordination with buried utility infrastructure.
Select Board approves $24.9M bond for seven capital projects
The financing covers roadway work, school system upgrades, municipal building improvements and technology purchases previously authorized by Town Meeting votes.
OBITUARY: Donald Marvin Merrigan, 83
Donald Marvin Merrigan — “Don” to everyone who knew and loved him — passed away at home on April 15 at the age of 83 after a brave battle with cancer, leaving behind his family and many dear friends whose lives were made richer, warmer and more colorful by his presence. Born
Officials to hold Dunkin’ office hours ahead of Town Meeting override votes
Two sessions next week will include officials from multiple boards and schools, offering a chance to clarify how proposed spending changes could affect services and property taxes.