Table of Contents
Since The Marblehead Independent went live in September, the stories that drew the most sustained attention have ranged from zoning disputes and municipal contracts to neighborhood traditions and local businesses. Many did not describe finished events, but moments within longer processes — decisions still unfolding, traditions still repeating and lives and places whose significance extends beyond a single publication date.
This list does not separate news from features or resolved matters from ongoing ones. It reflects where attention accumulated during the Independent’s first months of publication, often at points where the direction of a story was clearer than its outcome. What follows is a countdown of the 15 most-read Independent stories of 2025, presented in reverse order.
Rec and Park Commission votes to recommend $381K Reynolds design contract
This news article covered the Recreation and Parks Commission’s vote to recommend a $381,000 design contract for the Reynolds Playground and Green Street fields. The story outlined the selection process, competing bids, reasons cited by commissioners and the project’s long planning history. It also explained the next steps required for final approval.
Jennifer Martelli, poet of identity, activism and coastal life, dies at 63
This obituary documented the life and work of Jennifer Martelli, a Marblehead poet and activist. The reporting covered her literary career, themes, awards, teaching work, political involvement and role in the local arts community. It included biographical details, quotations from colleagues and information about her family and legacy.
Marblehead takes center stage in Ken Burns’ The American Revolution
This article reported on Marblehead’s appearance in Ken Burns’ documentary series The American Revolution. The story described which historical events and figures were highlighted, how the town’s maritime role was portrayed and where Marblehead fit into the broader narrative of the series. It also noted local reaction and historical context.
Coffee company brewing in Marblehead
This feature profiled the launch of Bond Coffee Roasters by two Marblehead neighbors. The reporting traced how the business started, described its roasting process and blends, and outlined how the founders balance production, branding and local delivery. It presented the venture as a small-scale business operating within the town’s historic district.
At last, Marblehead Board of Health strikes $1.6M transfer station deal
This piece reported on the Board of Health’s approval of a $1.6 million agreement related to the town’s transfer station operations. The story detailed the history of the issue, the terms of the deal, funding sources and operational implications. It explained how the agreement fit into broader waste management planning and prior attempts to resolve the matter.
Marblehead finalizes $295K settlement in Gallo arbitration case
This article explained the resolution of an arbitration case involving the town and former employee Gallo, resulting in a $295,000 settlement. The reporting outlined the background of the dispute, the arbitration process, the terms of the settlement and how the payment would be handled. It also noted what information remained confidential under the agreement.
Town hears divergent views on Coffin School future at listening session
This news story covered a public listening session held at Abbot Hall regarding the future of the former Coffin School property. The reporting summarized proposals from municipal departments and housing advocates, resident comments on traffic, density and neighborhood impact, and explanations from town officials about zoning, process and next steps. It documented the range of perspectives without indicating an outcome.
Gen. John Glover’s deteriorating farmhouse earns spot on state endangered list
This article reported that the farmhouse where Gen. John Glover lived was added to Preservation Massachusetts’ list of endangered historic resources. The story detailed the property’s condition, historical significance, ownership status and redevelopment pressures. It also explained what the designation provides in terms of visibility and preservation assistance, and described local and regional efforts related to the site.
Police chief responds to criticism over social host law enforcement
This piece covered public criticism of how Marblehead enforces its social host ordinance and the police chief’s response. The reporting outlined the ordinance itself, recent enforcement actions, concerns raised by residents and parents, and the department’s stated rationale and procedures. It placed the discussion within ongoing debates about youth behavior, responsibility and enforcement consistency.
In Marblehead, a roof that turns sunshine into power
This article reported on a Marblehead home outfitted with a Tesla Solar Roof and battery system, presented during a Sustainable Marblehead open house. The story described the technology, installation process, energy output, financial incentives and integration with the local electrical grid. It included observations from visitors and explanations of how the system functions during outages and seasonal variations.
Marblehead’s $142M retirement liability reveals limits of local control
This explanatory feature detailed Marblehead’s unfunded retiree health care liability, known as OPEB, and placed the figure within state law and municipal finance structures. The reporting reviewed actuarial data, funding ratios, annual budget impacts and comparisons with other communities. It explained how benefit rules are set at the state level while financial responsibility remains local, limiting the town’s ability to alter costs without legislative change.
Witnesses report officers in FBI-marked vests detaining landscaping workers in Marblehead
This news report documented a morning incident on Beach Street in which residents observed individuals wearing FBI-marked vests detaining landscaping workers. The story relied on eyewitness accounts, statements from residents who approached the scene and comments from the Marblehead police chief regarding the town’s lack of prior notice or involvement. It noted unanswered questions about the nature of the operation and efforts to obtain clarification from federal authorities.
The Marblehead block where going dark for Christmas is not an option
This feature chronicled a decades-long Christmas lighting tradition on Riverside Drive, detailing how the custom began, how it evolved and how neighbors coordinate annually. The reporting described the informal rules, financial investment, physical labor and multigenerational participation involved, as well as how the display functions as a seasonal landmark for residents and visitors.
When Sylvia Plath babysat here
This long-form feature documented Sylvia Plath’s summer in 1951 as a live-in nanny for the Mayo family in Swampscott and Marblehead. Drawing on Plath’s journals, poems and interviews with the now-elderly Mayo siblings, the story reconstructed daily routines, locations and experiences that later appeared in her writing. It traced how Marblehead and the North Shore coastline entered Plath’s literary record and examined how ordinary domestic moments became part of her creative development.
Marblehead eyes Tedesco Country Club for MBTA zoning compliance
This article examined how Marblehead officials began evaluating the Tedesco Country Club property as part of the town’s effort to comply with the MBTA Communities zoning law. The reporting outlined the legal requirements of the state mandate, the acreage and zoning characteristics of the Tedesco site, and early discussions among town boards about feasibility, constraints and potential next steps.
