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To the editor:
More than a job.
For the past 11 years, I have been the caretaker of one of Marblehead’s treasures. I will never forget the first time I climbed the winding staircase to the clock tower and looked out over our beautiful town. I remember thinking that it looked like a fairy tale that I had read to my baby girl that morning. Little did I know that my new town job would end up being the honor of my life.
I am not simply a custodian. Yes, I do clean, but my job is so much more. I am a handyman, a painter and the contact for maintenance contractors. I open and close the building, watch over meetings, special events and our elections. I clear the snow before anyone arrives and replenish supplies before anyone knows they are gone. I am the protector of the “Spirit of 76” painting and many other priceless relics of our town’s rich history. I am proud of what I do.
My job is on the chopping block along with many co-workers who also do much more than meets the eye. Everyone needs to know what is at stake, not only for me and my family but for the town. There will be no one to care for our buildings and history. Outsourcing is not a viable or cost-effective option as I am a contractual employee. If the town could somehow get around my contract, who would do all the other things that I do? I am writing this as a taxpaying resident who also happens to work for the municipality. It is time we realize that after many years of inflation, a global pandemic and the limits of proposition 2.5 we cannot keep up with the increases. This is not the fault of the schools, the unions or elected officials. Could things to mitigate the impact have been done sooner, sure, but the bottom line is we are here.
I will be voting yes on an override, although which tier I do not know. What I do know is that I am not willing to let the town I love go down on my watch.
Bruce Hamilton
Shepard Street
