Table of Contents
LWVM observer: Tom Krueger
Members in attendance: Public Health Director Andrew Petty, Tom McMahon, Dr. Tom Massaro, Dr. Amanda Ritvo
⸻
CAHM health and wellness survey
Massaro gave an update on the survey. The postcards announcing the survey were mailed on Oct. 1, 2025. The first week brought 1,342 replies after which the response rate fell off. With numerous efforts to “advertise” the survey, including 2,000 cards, restaurant signs, videos, Code Red announcements, extending the deadline, etc., the valid responses rose to 2,523, about 15.3% of the cards sent, a number that was larger than expected.
The next step will be a preliminary review by the University of Massachusetts Boston to “get a handle on” the questions. A meeting will be held on Dec. 3 by the leadership council at 3 p.m. to review these early findings. More detailed analysis will be ready in January 2026. From that point, focus groups, perhaps four to five, will be formed to offer other observations to be used in conjunction with the survey results.
A question was asked about who will be in these focus groups. Massaro replied that Coyne, the leader of the University of Massachusetts Boston group, will work to find people interested in certain topics. They are seeking open-minded individuals and good listeners. They would especially like to engage people from the 18-29 and 30-39 age groups, those deciles with the fewest responses to the survey. Massaro thanked all the sponsors, townspeople, businesses, etc. for their help and support. The survey was paid for without any town dollars.
On a separate topic, Massaro reported that his vision for a “micro MPH” course — a micro master of public health — that would be funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health would not happen this year. He said that he had enough time to write the grant proposal but needed more lead time to engage collaboration partners. He will be ready for next year.
⸻
Associate chair of waste management report
McMahon read the bills and costs for the Health Department since the last meeting.
⸻
Youth substance abuse
McMahon read a personal statement about the rise of youth substance abuse in Marblehead and what is being done or not done in response by local leadership. This upsurge appears to be accelerated by the practice of “social hosting.” He noted that when he was growing up in Marblehead this never occurred. He has heard from numerous residents who are supporting his outrage. One tragedy occurred this year tied to underage drinking.
The same houses are often identified as ones that do such hosting. Police are called and the parties are “broken up,” but there are no other consequences, such as citations. McMahon went to see the town clerk to review the town’s enforcement history. The last fines for such activity were issued in 2017. He stated that this lack of enforcement is not from the patrol officers but appears to come “from the top.”
McMahon went further and reviewed Marblehead bylaws as well as the pertinent state statutes. The Marblehead bylaws, Article II Offenses Involving Minors, adopted May 1, 1995 at town meeting by Art. 43, have several parts concerning those who have care, custody or control of minors. These include alcohol transporting, being in a vehicle where alcohol is transported, failing to keep a minor from alcohol on the premises, etc. The fines from 1995 ranged from $25-$150. Enforcement of the bylaw is by the police department. The town clerk will keep a record of those who violate the bylaw; this record is open to public inspection. In addition to these local bylaws, Massachusetts has Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138, Section 34 which allows fines up to $2,000 and potential jail time for one year.
Despite overwhelming support from many in the Marblehead community, McMahon felt that at this time he was not getting the same level of support from the Select Board. He felt that without their willingness for change, no meaningful progress will happen. He noted that this is his last year of his Board of Health term and plans to run next year. He added that if there was no change, he would “not hesitate” to run for Select Board.
Other board members agreed that underage drinking and social hosting are serious problems, that enforcement of the laws above has declined and why is unclear, and that town boards, schools, etc. must work together. Massaro and Ritvo wanted to hear the perspective from the police chief, perhaps the Select Board. Massaro noted that difficult decisions and/or constraints may help explain the lack of enforcement. The Board of Health has the responsibility for not only addressing youth safety but educating parents and the community about the risks.
The board reached a consensus that the board or its chair would reach out to the police chief for a meeting, either in public or private discussion, to understand the Police Department approach to underage drinking enforcement.
⸻
Associate chair of community health report
Ritvo read the latest change in wording from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding vaccines. Previously the wording was: “Studies have shown that there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism spectrum disorder.” The new wording is: “The claim vaccines do not cause autism is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.”
This change is not based on any new data and represents the viewpoint of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Ritvo went on to say the gold-standard type of study, randomized, cannot be ethically done. This leaves observational studies, and numerous studies from all over the world, involving large databases, have never shown an increased risk.
A question was raised from the audience — would you trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about other information? Ritvo replied it is a difficult issue to answer. She suggested that professional organizations — the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians — each have a reliable and trusted immunization schedule.
Ritvo gave an update on influenza types beginning to circulate in the United States. (Last year A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) were the types most responsible.) This year there is concern about a mutated variant of A(H3N2), “subclade K.” This is not likely to cause a pandemic, but it is a mismatch for the current flu vaccine. So far, this variant does not seem more virulent, and the levels are low.
The mismatch stems from predicting which types will circulate and the six to eight months it takes to make the vaccine using the traditional egg-based technique. If ribonucleic acid technology were used, production would be much quicker. Government support for such development has been withdrawn. Ritvo still recommended getting the flu vaccine.
⸻
Director’s report
Petty gave an update on the curbside trash, recycling and disposal contracts. He has reached out to a number of vendors, including the big five. There will be an open meeting about the contract on Dec. 18, 2025; the bids are due back by Jan. 14, 2026.
Regarding the transfer station construction, the site for the scale pit and house were excavated and “urban” fill was found. Generally, one wants to reuse this fill, but it will have to be analyzed to see what is fit to save. Some may need to be shipped out.
Other findings included the need for pressed steel plate, 4 by 18 feet, 1 inch thick, to bolt to the bottom of the pit (cost $3,300), and to install granite curbing by the scale house as salt can erode concrete (cost $5,016). Construction is proceeding on schedule, and it is hoped the scale will be “back” by Dec. 19. For now trash is being taken by Republic to Refuse Energy Systems Company.
