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The Marblehead Board of Health confronted the town’s approach to underage drinking enforcement during a Nov. 24 meeting, with one member calling for police to begin issuing citations after an eight-year gap in prosecutions under local social-hosting laws.
The board also addressed recent changes to federal vaccine guidance and heard updates on a townwide health survey and transfer station construction. The meeting drew online participation from residents concerned about recycling schedules and substance abuse prevention.
Social hosting debate dominates discussion
Board member Tom McMahon delivered a prepared statement criticizing what he described as insufficient enforcement of laws prohibiting adults from allowing minors to drink alcohol on their property. The Independent has reached out to local law enforcement for comment.
“No fines have been issued related to these laws since 2017,” McMahon said, citing records from the town clerk. “We have the tools to address this issue, and we aren’t using them.”
McMahon said some parents repeatedly host drinking parties at their homes despite neighbors’ complaints and officers responding to calls. He pointed to a Marblehead bylaw adopted in 1985 that imposes a $150 fine on anyone “having control of any residential premises” who fails to prevent alcohol use by minors. State law allows penalties up to $2,000 or one year imprisonment.
“There is zero fear of consequence for these parents that are breaking the law and endangering the youth,” McMahon said.
McMahon said he posted criticism of Police Chief Dennis King on social media and received overwhelming support, with his post generating 21,000 views and numerous messages backing his position. He said enforcement decisions come from department leadership, not patrol officers.
“The orders come from the top to deal with these situations with communication, rather than actually applying the laws we’ve adopted as a town or state,” McMahon said. “The problem has escalated.”
Board Chair Dr. Thomas Massaro responded by emphasizing the need for dialogue before confrontation.
“I think we owe it to—we have to assume, I feel obliged to assume, that we all have the same positive goals for the town,” Massaro said. “I think our first premise should be to assume that our colleagues are well intentioned.”
The board unanimously agreed that Massaro will contact King to discuss the enforcement data and seek clarification on department policy. No vote was taken on enforcement recommendations.
Board member Dr. Amanda Ritvo supported direct communication. “I think it always makes sense to kind of go to the person directly and hear both sides,” she said.
McMahon said one house hosted a party where a girl required hospitalization for alcohol poisoning, then hosted another party the following weekend.
CDC vaccine language sparks trust concerns
Ritvo addressed a recent change to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website language regarding vaccines and autism. The updated wording states that the claim “vaccines do not cause autism” is “not evidence based.”
“It’s really important to note that there’s been no new data or research that went into this change,” Ritvo said. “The sole change was the viewpoint of one individual, the health secretary, RFK Jr.”
Ritvo said millions of children have been studied in observational research across multiple countries, consistently showing no increased autism risk in vaccinated children. She said ethical standards prevent conducting randomized trials that would withhold vaccines from some children.
“Every reputable scientific and medical organization refutes this claim,” Ritvo said. “Sowing this doubt in the minds of parents is very dangerous.”
A resident asked whether the CDC remains trustworthy given the change.
“It definitely—so is mistrust in the agency as a whole,” Ritvo responded. She recommended consulting statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and individual physicians who review research data.
The board plans to post a statement from Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein on its website.
Flu season mismatch reported
Ritvo reported that Canadian researchers identified an emerging dominant influenza strain not included in this season’s vaccine: H3N2 subclade K.
“The mismatch is a concern because that can lead to more hospitalizations and severe illness,” Ritvo said. “But it’s still very crucial that everyone receive the flu vaccine this season.”
She said past mismatch seasons showed vaccines still significantly reduce hospitalizations, severe disease and death. Current flu rates remain below average but are rising weekly.
Ritvo also reported a fatal human case of H5N5 avian flu in Washington State, though she said the risk to the public “still remains low because there hasn’t been human to human transmission of this virus.”
CAHM survey nears completion
Massaro reported the Community Assessment of Health and Needs survey topped 2,600 responses and is approaching completion after volunteers spent six hours reviewing 42 questions. The work cost taxpayers nothing, he said.
“The restaurants, the businesses, all of the ones I talked to, were really, really, really, very supportive,” Massaro said.
The Leadership Council plans a public meeting in December to present preliminary results. Massaro said response rates were surprisingly low among residents aged 30 to 40, which could inform future focus group composition.
The board will conduct four or five focus groups to explore survey topics in greater depth.
Transfer station construction advances
Director Andrew Petty reported excavation is underway for a new scale house, though the project faces a tight 90-day timeline. Crews discovered “urban fill” that may require testing and off-site disposal if contaminated.
The board unanimously approved a $5,016 change order to replace planned concrete curbing with granite, which Petty said is more durable in salted areas and matches town standards elsewhere.
“When we put this project out on the street, we want to come up with a project that we could actually build,” Petty said.
A request for proposals for curbside trash and recycling collection is due Jan. 14, with a public meeting for potential contractors Dec. 18.
Elaine Leahy of Sustainable Marblehead urged the board to maintain weekly recycling pickup when awarding the new contract.
The board’s next meetings are scheduled for Dec. 9 and Dec. 22.
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