Table of Contents
LWVM observer: Tom Krueger
Members in attendance: public health director Andrew Petty, board of health members Tom McMahon, Dr. Tom Massaro and Dr. Amanda Ritvo
Chair’s report
CAHM wellness survey
Massaro reviewed the response rate and format of the Community Assessment for Health in Marblehead wellness survey. Of 16,792 surveys sent, 2,550 responses were received — a 15 percent return rate that exceeded expectations. The survey included 43 questions with check boxes, many with multiple parts and 21 with write-in sections. Data was presented in age deciles (18-39, 40-49, etc.) across a concern scale ranging from “not a concern” to “high concern.”
Massaro displayed two charts — one on substance abuse among those under 18 and one on bullying in the same age group. Both showed responses in the moderate-to-high concern range at 80 to 90 percent. A final open-ended question asking what respondents would want the board of health to know generated 392 comments. Most addressed issues such as teen drinking and loneliness among seniors, though some respondents said the board should focus on “physical aspects” such as trash pickup, food safety and disease prevention.
The next step in the CAHM project is to form focus groups during March based on age deciles. Typical questions for such groups would include: “If Marblehead is to become a place for everyone and for all to achieve greater wellness, what would have to change?” and “What programs or resources are needed to help achieve or maintain wellness?” The plan is to complete a report by the end of March and then hold open forums for the town.
Board members discussed the focus group logistics. Residents interested in participating can contact the health department. Sessions would last 90 to 120 minutes and cover two to three key issues. Different questions would be posed to groups of different ages — for example, a group of parents with young children might be asked about bullying.
Social hosting
This topic led to a prolonged discussion lasting more than an hour. What follows is a brief summary.
Massaro reported he had met with the police chief and exchanged emails, and he remained optimistic that progress could be made. At the previous board meeting, a document from the Essex County district attorney’s office was shown. Massaro found a related video the district attorney had produced, which was played at the meeting. In the video, District Attorney Paul Tucker said there are too many cases of injury and that allowing juveniles to drink on private property is never a good idea.
Massaro said he called Tucker the previous week and had a productive conversation. He also contacted the school superintendent and the high school principal and found neither had seen the video.
“All are well-intentioned, but they haven’t all connected yet,” Massaro said.
The police department is running an addiction and recovery series, which the board of health is supporting. The first session was held Feb. 3, with five sessions total scheduled on Tuesdays. Twenty-six people attended the first session along with two sponsors and mentors who were described as trustworthy and experienced with a high regard for confidentiality and privacy. About half of the attendees were from the assistance community, with the rest having direct experience through family members. When asked how word of the series was getting out, members acknowledged it had not spread widely yet. Petty said he would send an email blast and work to get the series listed on the Marblehead town calendar.
Massaro said the board would focus on the prevention side and develop navigation tools directing residents to existing resources. Such tools had previously been available through the Marblehead Health Task Force website, but when the task force merged with the Marblehead Counseling Center, the website was hacked.
McMahon discussed his experiences speaking with town officials, noting one was not interested in working with him. Massaro said he would meet with Dan Fox of the Select Board. McMahon expressed frustration that after providing the names of streets where social hosting had occurred, the residences had not been contacted. He said that if the police chief engaged those addresses, it would make a significant difference. Petty and Massaro, however, expressed concern that such an approach might not be well received in the current climate.
“You can’t be afraid to engage with the community,” McMahon said.
McMahon raised a specific case from December that he said was not investigated. Petty agreed the police should investigate but said it is hard to make comments beforehand. Massaro reiterated that the town has to move together and acknowledged McMahon for bringing the topic forward. A suggestion was made that the district attorney and perhaps the police chief should attend a board of health meeting. McMahon said the schools are supportive, but the Select Board has not yet engaged.
Petty noted the importance of early prevention. “The longer you abstain from alcohol, the less likely you are to develop an addiction,” he said.
The board then discussed what steps it could take, including developing navigation tools for current resources, creating new presentations for high school students, finding ways to be relatable to teens, working on means for testimonials from those affected by substance abuse, and overcoming the stigma associated with addiction.
Massaro said the board is committed to making progress at each meeting, even if incremental.
Town charter
Massaro said the revision of Part B of the town charter has not been presented yet. McMahon said he had a problem with the use of the word “reasonable” in the revision, arguing that an action needed a specific reason presented. Massaro said the word was used because it appears in the Marblehead bylaws.
McMahon said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state mandate for schools led to a public reaction that was not seen as reasonable. Petty said the mandate was intended to protect the public. Ritvo said the initial concern was based on what happened during the 1918 Spanish flu, but the data on children changed over time, and there was also concern about COVID-19 transmission to teachers and family members.
Wellness fair
McMahon reported that planning for the wellness fair was proceeding well. He said he had reached out to a number of vendors and reminded attendees about raffle prizes.
Transfer station
McMahon said he received a suggestion to allow out-of-town employees to purchase one town sticker for a primary car. Given budget constraints, it could be seen as a benefit. Petty said the purchase could be verified through a car registration and a recent payroll stub. The board voted and passed the motion.
The issue of creating separate town stickers for the transfer station and beaches is more complicated and cannot be resolved for this year. The Parks and Recreation Department may also be installing license plate readers soon. Petty said the costs would need to be analyzed, as they must be covered. While the revolving fund from commercial business generates income, it is designated for further work at the transfer station, such as the swap shed. Next year, the funds will be used to purchase trash and recycling bins for each household.
Associate chair for health
Ritvo gave an update on infectious diseases. She said respiratory infections had initially been declining but were back up. Influenza accounts for 18 percent of cases, COVID-19 for 5 percent and respiratory syncytial virus for 6 percent. There have been 52 pediatric deaths from influenza this season, with 90 percent of those cases among unvaccinated children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there have been 20 million illnesses and 11,000 deaths so far this season. Influenza A has waned and influenza B is now dominant. Ritvo said it is still not too late to get vaccinated.
The COVID-19 vaccine is currently about 50 percent effective against emergency department and urgent care visits, and a recent article found it to be 80 percent effective against death. The vaccine takes about four weeks, not two, to become fully protective.
Measles is surging nationwide, with 588 cases reported in 2026 so far. Ninety-four percent of the cases originated within the country and were not of foreign origin. Ninety-three percent of cases are in unvaccinated individuals. There is concern that the World Cup and summer tourism could cause cases to rise. The measles vaccine is highly effective after two doses. Measles is highly contagious — one case can infect 15 to 17 others — and is most dangerous for young children.
A new shingles vaccine shows promise in reducing the risk of dementia by 20 to 30 percent. When chicken pox, caused by herpes zoster, gets reactivated, it can lead to cognitive decline, though the reason is unknown. The vaccine is about 90 percent effective in preventing serious disease.
Petty said Massachusetts will have 40 Days of Celebration this summer, coinciding with the World Cup, the nation’s 250th anniversary and the Tall Ships. The health department is working with 15 other North Shore communities on public health preparedness. If a measles case were identified at a business such as a coffee shop, a nurse would be posted there the next day to offer vaccinations. Children exposed to measles would have to stay out of schools and camps.
Director’s report
Petty reported on additional work at the transfer station. A few change orders were needed: $19,349 for a steel plate at the bottom of the loading dock and $730 for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance at the scale house, including strobes for smoke detectors. Additional work was required for the sewage and drain systems, and some concrete in the scale pit will need repairs. The transfer station is now open for commercial business, with a one-week hiatus planned for trailer removal and site work.
Trash and recycling contract
Petty said he received a number of bids for the trash and recycling contract and met with three large companies. He is reviewing pricing and proposals. He and Massaro plan to meet with the town administrator and chief financial officer to discuss the budget. The current contract, in place for the past 10 years, is expiring, and the proposed cost came in under budget at $844,000 compared to $1 million. Petty said the contract should be part of the town budget.
Petty discussed the possibility of businesses opting in to the program. For residences, new 65-gallon trash bins and 65- to 96-gallon recycling bins would be purchased for each household from a third party for the best price. Repairs would be handled by the waste department. Each bin will have a QR code identifying the residence.
Discussion also touched on the town’s budget deficit, which has grown from $6.4 million to $8.5 million. Trash collection cannot be part of an override because of public safety and state requirements. Members expressed concern about the effects of potential service cuts. Petty noted that compared to average tax rates of towns statewide, Marblehead is on the lower side.
