Auditor’s ruling stirs new challenge to MBTA housing law in Marblehead
BY WILL DOWD
MBTA Communities Act
opponent John DiPiano is urging Marblehead’s Select Board to pursue a compliance exemption following the state auditor’s recent determination that the housing law constitutes an “unfunded mandate.”
In an email sent Feb. 24 to town officials, DiPiano requested the issue be placed on the Select
Board’s March 12 agenda, citing the state auditor’s recent ruling regarding Middleborough.
“Given the majority vote last May, I believe it incumbent on the Select Board to seek a compliance exemption given that the state auditor has now determined that Marblehead will have to bear the costs of implementation of this state mandate,” DiPiano wrote. DiPiano, an attorney who has
BY LEIGH BLANDER
School Committee members Jenn Schaeffner and Alison Taylor planned to meet Friday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m., to discuss a new draft flag policy for Marblehead schools. Schaeffner told the Current that she shared information from two recent flag forums, as well as a counterproposal by students, with the district’s lawyer and that he is writing a new draft plan for discussion on Friday. That meeting is virtual and open to the public.
Two earlier drafts permitted only U.S., Massachusetts, Marblehaed and POW/MIA flags, which would lead to the removal of Black Lives Matter, Juneteenth and Pride flags.
On Feb. 26, about 100 people joined an emotional community forum on flags in schools. The crowd (in person and online) overwhelmingly supported giving students a voice in deciding
spearheaded opposition to the law in Marblehead, cited the official mandate determination process on the state website as grounds for exemption.
“More information may be found at and ‘Next Steps after the [Office of the State Auditor] determines an unfunded mandate exists,’” DiPiano noted in his email to officials.
The MBTA Communities Act, signed into law in 2021,
requires 177 cities and towns served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to zone for multifamily housing by right. Marblehead voters rejected a zoning proposal to comply with the law at Town Meeting last May by a 33-vote margin, with nearly 800 votes cast. The town’s proposed compliance model includes zoning for approximately 58.4
which flags can be displayed inside their schools. Thirty-one people spoke against a plan that would remove Pride and BLM banners, while seven spoke in favor of the School Committee’s policy subcommittee’s early draft plans to restrict flags.
Veterans School eighth-grader Jack Manganis, 13, said most of his peers in the middle school didn’t know about the proposals to restrict flags, but once they found out they had strong feelings about them.
“I believe, like many of my peers at MVMS, that this flag ban policy is an unnecessary breach of freedom that takes away choice and stifles expression,” Manganis said. He had started an online poll two days earlier and had 60 students sign saying they wanted a say in developing any policy.
Schaeffner and Alison, who make up the School Committee’s policy subcommittee, have met a few times
with high school students regarding a flag policy, but not with Vets students.
“This flag ban policy is rooted in censoring expression and taking a choice away from the majority of people it will affect,” Manganis continued. “It is completely unwarranted and unwanted. Don’t just take my word for it. Give the students the forum we deserve, and you can see for yourself.”
On Feb. 20, about 20 MHS students sat down with Taylor and Schaeffne and submitted a compromise counterproposal that would restrict flags on school flagpoles to U.S., state and Marblehead flags, but would give students a voice in deciding what flags and banners are displayed inside their schools.
Resident and speech therapist Jessica
FrOM ThE KING OF ThE STaTE TO ThE KING OF NEW ENGL a ND
Assa bests regional
Szalewicz, Tredwell, Burchfield also excel with top finishes
BY JOE MCCONNELL
What can Marblehead High boys indoor track star Nate Assa do for an encore after winning the state championship in the two-mile during the annual AllState Meet of Champions at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Roxbury on Feb. 22?
Nobody had to wait too long for the answer, because one week later back at Reggie Lewis the MHS senior boys captain
is now the New England twomile champ. And he did it in style by setting a new personal best time of 9:04.60, which also bumped him up to 10th place among all scholastic two-milers nationwide.
“Entering this event, Nate was a significant favorite, according to the seeds, but there were still some impressive distance runners competing against him, who had not yet ‘peaked’ yet this season,” said coach
acres across three districts: Tioga Way with 29.8 acres allowing up to 483 units, Pleasant Street with 20.6 acres allowing up to 295 units and Broughton Road with 8 acres allowing up to 119 units. The plan includes about 300 existing housing units that would count toward the town’s zoning obligations.
TOWN MEETING
Let the debate begin Marblehead unveils 52-article warrant
BY WILL DOWD
Marblehead’s 2025 Town Meeting warrant is set to spark debate on issues ranging from multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects to controversial citizen petitions addressing governance transparency, sustainability and policy.
Marblehead’s 2025 annual Town Meeting will convene at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5, in the Veterans Middle School Auditorium, 1 Duncan Sleigh Square, and will continue on successive nights until all business is concluded.
At the Feb. 26 Select Board meeting, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer provided an overview of the 52-article warrant, emphasizing practicality over ideology as he pushed back against proposals to eliminate the town’s sustainability coordinator, impose a residency requirement on department heads and mandate an independent town audit. The warrant, released on Feb. 27, charts the agenda for the May 5 meeting and reveals a community grappling with both basic municipal needs and deeper questions about how Marblehead should govern itself following 2024’s contentious teacher strike and heated MBTA Communities zoning debate.
peers in two-mile
Nolan Raimo. “For example, the second-place finisher — Matthew Giardina of New Hampshire’s Bishop Guertin High School — was seeded 13th with a qualifying time of 9:31.81, despite not yet running a competitive race this season. This past fall, he was seventh at the Foot Locker National CrossCountry Championships, which earned him All-American honors.
“Sean Gray of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, was another elite runner running in this event, who has a personal best time of 9:11, but last Saturday he ended up eighth in 9:18.92,” added Raimo. “So, while Nate had
confidence in winning this event with the 11th best time in the nation, he still had to face some serious competition in order to do so.”
It all started off with Assa taking the lead immediately. He was able to open the race by running a casual 400-meters in 70-seconds, while the rest of the field stuck together, even with the strong pace. After the initial 400-meters, however, Giardina took the lead, before both he and Nate crossed paths again around the 800-meter mark, running at a 2:18 clip. They crossed the first
Marblehead High boys indoor track running star Nate Assa proudly holds his New England regional championship plaque in his hands after coming in first in the two-mile at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Roxbury on March 1.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Eighth-grader Jack Manganis spoke in favor of letting students have a say on which flags will be displayed in their schools.
Former School Committee member Jonathan Lederman supports a more limited flag policy that allows only the U.S., state, Marblehead and POW/MIA flags.
ZONING, P. A2 FLAG, P. A2
Select Board won’t appeal fired officer’s arbitration victory
BY WILL DOWD
The Marblehead Select Board announced Feb. 26 it will not appeal an arbitrator’s ruling ordering the reinstatement of police officer Christopher Gallo, who was terminated last year.
The decision came after board members emerged from an executive session that began around 6:30 p.m. and concluded around 7:15 p.m.
“After careful consideration, we have decided not to pursue an appeal in the matter of Officer Gallo,” said Select Board Chair Erin Noonan during the public meeting that followed.
An arbitrator ruled Feb. 12 that the town must reinstate Gallo with full back pay and benefits after determining that officials failed to properly investigate anonymous allegations of time fraud against him and did not authenticate photographic evidence they knew could have been manipulated.
The ruling requires the town to remove all references to disciplinary actions from this case from Gallo’s record and restore his
Select Board Chair Erin Noonan confirmed that the town is evaluating the state auditor’s determination, which could potentially change the compliance landscape.
“We are coordinating a meeting with legal counsel to review what [impact] the state auditor’s position has on the legal landscape, if any,” Noonan said. “The board can take the matter up at a meeting after more information is received and it is possible to have an educated discussion.”
A stretch of an opinion Attorney Gerry D’Ambrosio, who has worked with several communities implementing the MBTA Communities Act, called the auditor’s determination “a stretch of an opinion.”
“I think the person who wrote that opinion is just unfamiliar with development practices in the state,” D’Ambrosio said. “They conclude early on that just the sheer analysis that a municipality has to do should be funded. I totally disagree with that. A municipality’s zoning authority is mandated by Chapter 40A, and it’s required of every city and town.”
State Auditor Diana
Brown said students deserve to have their voices heard on the flag issue and to see themselves reflected in the flags and banners on the walls.
“These flags are not just decorations; they are affirmations,” Brown said. “The Pride flag in our schools is not a political statement, but removing a flag is a political statement. We would be sending a message that LGBTQ kids are not valued. We know they would feel this way, because they are telling us.”
Resident Reece Dahlberg quoted guidance from the state Department of Early and Secondary Education reaffirming its commitment to support marginalized students, as the federal government orders removing diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
“Research consistently demonstrates that when schools take proactive steps to foster inclusivity through strong policies, affirming practices and supportive educators, students experience improved mental health, academic success and overall well-being,” Dahlberg quoted.
Resident Rob Henry, who is president of MassEquality, agreed that identity flags are not political.
“The student body in our town is a very diverse community with gay, lesbian, trans people, people of
seniority rights.
“The Select Board would like to express its unwavering support for Police Chief Dennis King in the disciplinary action taken in this matter,” Noonan said. “We stand behind the chief’s decision to uphold the integrity of our police force and to maintain the highest standards of conduct among our officers.”
Gallo received approximately $172,000 in salary payments while on paid administrative leave from June 2021 through February 2024.
The arbitrator’s decision requires additional compensation for lost overtime and detail work opportunities during that period. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer said they don’t know the dollar amount, but that “everybody is crunching the numbers.”
“While we may not agree with the outcome, we respect the process and the arbitrator’s ruling and we are committed to moving forward in the best interest of all parties involved,” Noonan added.
The arbitrator’s ruling is legally binding and can only be appealed in court on narrow grounds, such as proof of fraud or corruption
DiZoglio defended her office’s determination while clarifying her position on the MBTA Communities Act itself.
“I actually fully support the zoning law, but our office is not able to literally ignore that the local mandate law does require contemporaneous funding be appropriated,” wrote DiZoglio on her X handle. “The law was just ruled a mandate by the SJC. That means it requires a funding mechanism as part of the law.”
But in a statement released Monday, Attorney General Andrea Campbell said that DiZoglio’s interpretation is incorrect.
“High housing costs burden our residents and stifle our economy — and responsible zoning is the solution to this crisis, as most of our communities understand,” the statement reads. “The Auditor’s claim that the MBTA Communities Law is an unfunded mandate is wrong, and, more importantly, this letter has no effect whatsoever on implementation of the Law. If those who oppose housing affordability try to make a similar claim in court, the state will vigorously defend the law, and we intend to be successful, as we have been so far.”
D’Ambrosio characterized the unfunded mandate as a weak
different races and ethnic groups,” Henry said. “It’s not political to acknowledge their existence. It’s reality. They are here. They are part of our community. It provides that mental space and safety for them to learn.”
Ian Kingsbury, who said he graduated from Marblehead High 15 years ago, saw it differently.
“I’m concerned about seeing something political — and that’s what these flags are,” he said. “For some people (the BLM flag) means racial progress; other people see Marxism, the destruction of the nuclear family and hatred of Israel.”
Former School Committee member Jonathan Lederman supported limiting flags and said the BLM banner represents antisemitism to some Jewish people.
“People are entitled to feel offended when they see that flag on the wall,” he said. “I guess I’m curious from this group: Would you support a policy that any flag could go up? Could a MAGA flag go up? Would that be OK?”
Lederman added that the School Committee should choose to either allow only U.S. and state flags, or all flags.
“Anything in between is really problematic,” he said.
Resident John DiPiano agreed.
“This building does not belong to students; this building belongs to people in this community,” he said. “When you put a symbol on a wall, you speak for everyone, even
by the arbitrator.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Albert Jordan expressed concerns about the financial impact of the case.
“We can’t keep spending millions of dollars,” Jordan said. “We’ve got to control this situation.”
Jordan suggested the town should consider removing the police department from Massachusetts Civil Service, similar to what happened in nearby Swampscott.
“We still can get good candidates. There’s a lot of people that want to apply for these jobs — well-paid jobs,” he said.
While it’s unclear if Gallo will return to the force, attorney Gary Nolan, who represents Gallo, told the Marblehead Current that his client was eager to return to work.
“The parties have been in touch to discuss next steps. We look forward to working with the town to get an agreement on the back pay due to officer Gallo,” Nolan said. “Chris looks forward to getting back to work as soon as possible.”
argument, analogizing it to police departments adapting to new criminal statutes.
“Just because the Legislature changes or adds a criminal offense, does that mean they have to fund every local police department? Of course not,” he said.
He also disputed the auditor’s concern about infrastructure costs.
“It’s often a mitigation fee that’s placed upon the developer, and you often have the developer not only remediating above ground, they’re remediating underground as well,” D’Ambrosio explained. “To suggest that cities have to do that work ... it’s absurd, because that’s just not how it’s done in the state of Massachusetts.”
Housing advocates dismissed the latest challenge as another delay tactic. Angus McQuilken, founding member of the Marblehead Housing Coalition, pointed to opponents’ previous failed legal arguments.
“Last year, opponents delayed our community’s progress on 3A zoning reform, assuring us that the law was unconstitutional and that Milton would win their case,” McQuilken said. “They were wrong, and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court made it clear that 3A zoning requirements are constitutional and enforceable.”
those who disagree with you. It strikes me that this conversation would be quite reversed if we were talking about … a Christian flag … or if we had a group of Christian conservative children who would like to put a flag up that is pro-life. Or if you had a group of students who wanted a flag that says there are only two genders.”
Parent Chris Bruell read a statement from resident Jordan Caress-Wheelwright, who planned to attend but could not due to a family emergency.
“This is deeply personal to me,” Caress-Wheelwright wrote. “I am part of an LGBTQ+ family. I spend my days at work as part of a team at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders that is challenging laws and policies targeting our community. Right now, the LGBTQ+ community is under attack from our own federal government… The fact that I have to stand here today in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and try to convince you of the benefit of my son seeing flags and symbols that make him feel welcome and included as part of an LGBTQ+ family is outrageous.”
A student, fighting back tears, spoke with his mother about the importance of making marginalized students feel safe and welcome.
Two Marblehead teachers spoke in favor of giving students a say in deciding what flags can be displayed.
The legal landscape shifted significantly on Jan. 8, when the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the MBTA Communities Act is constitutional and can be enforced by the Attorney General’s Office.
Following this ruling, the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities filed emergency regulations extending the compliance deadline for towns like Marblehead to July 14.
Marblehead’s history with the law has been contentious. When initially presented with compliance options, the town engaged in heated public debates throughout 2023 and 2024.
A special Town Meeting last November was contemplated but not held, with officials opting to wait for the SJC’s ruling.
McQuilken characterized the proposed zoning changes as “incredibly modest” with substantial community benefits.
“All we would be doing is changing the zoning rules to allow for multi-family housing by right in parts of Marblehead that already have multi-family housing,” he said. “There is no funding mandate involved, nor any building mandate, and there are no empty lots affected by these changes.”
MHS English teacher Ashley Skeffington said students read Arthur Miller’s classic “The Crucible” and learn its connection to McCarthyism of the 1950s. But her students don’t have to look to the past to see other examples, she added.
“At this moment, in their time, this School Committee — a body meant to ensure the safety and well-being of our students — stands in front of their community to consider a policy that would ban symbols of safety and tolerance for our kids,” she said. “They will remember the decision you make.”
Skeffington continued, “I want my students to know that if the Pride flag hanging at the back of my room must come down, I will absolutely not be the one to remove it.”
The final speaker of the evening, Carolyn Mcmenemy, has two kids in Marblehead elementary schools.
“I didn’t see an official applauseo-meter here tonight, but based on the sheer amount of support vocalized by members of this community, you have your answer as to what this community wants,” she said. “I’m proud of the students who submitted a proposal for the School Committee to consider. I join everyone’s voices here tonight who shared their vocal support for those students.”
A flag policy would require three “hearings” with the School Committee before a vote can be taken.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Marblehead Board of Health and Marblehead High School notified families last week that an MHS student is suspected of having the serious, infectious illness bacterial meningitis.
Meningitis can spread between people with an exchange of saliva. This can happen during kissing, sharing lipstick, vapes, food or utensils, including cups and water bottles.
“Out of an abundance of
caution and because of the high degree of suspicion for meningococcal disease, the Marblehead Board of Health has identified close contacts of the ill student and recommended they reach out to their child’s health care provider regarding preventative antibiotics,” according to a message put out by the Board of Health. “There are safe and effective antibiotics that can reduce the risk of infection in people who have had close contact with the ill person.”
The board encouraged parents
to take the following steps: Monitor your child’s health carefully during the next three weeks for signs of illness, including fever, headaches, stiff neck, mental confusion, lethargy, vomiting or skin rash.
If these symptoms occur, call your child’s health care provider and let them know that your child may have been in close contact with an ill person at school.
For more information, contact the Board of Health at 781-6310212 or your child’s physician.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
At a public budget hearing on Feb. 27, interim Superintendent John Robidoux said the district will begin working on the fiscal year 2027 budget, including “staff reductions and/or an override” as soon as Town Meeting wraps up this May.
Educator salary increases (3% in 2027 and 3.5% in 2028) will lead to some tough decisions, according to Robidoux.
“When we get to those discussions, we’re going to have to look long and hard at staffing … and determine early on whether there will be a Proposition 2 1/2 override” request in 2026, he said.
MHS roof project
This May, the School Committee will ask voters to approve an $8.6 million debt exclusion (on top of the $5.3 million approved in 2023) to repair the high school roof, which leaks regularly. The 15-year tax hike would add
approximately $86 to the tax bill for the median-priced home the first year.
In addition to that debt exclusion, the district will ask Town Meeting to fund several other capital improvement projects, totaling $607,548.
The requests, which would not require an override, include: Glover School HVAC in the cafeteria: $70,000
» Glover playground: $120,000
» Reupholster seating in the Veterans School Performing Arts Center: $140,000
Paint the PAC: $200,000
Special education van: $77,458
Antisemitism investigation
Robidoux also announced that the results of a $10,000 investigation into antisemitism at the high school is nearly complete, and he will release the executive summary at the School Committee’s next meeting on March 6.
Committee Chair Jenn
Aug. 27, which members Alison Taylor and Sarah Fox did not support.
The committee is scheduling a special workshop with its representative from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to determine a process for considering Robidoux’s request to be named permanent superintendent in July. Robidoux has a signed interim contract through June of 2027.
“We want to solicit feedback… from educators, students and the community,” said member Sarah Fox.
Kulevich honor Members of the Kulevich family in Marblehead proposed that the high school’s athletic center be named in honor of Alex Kulevich, who served as athletic director for more than 30 years. The committee encouraged residents to contact members at schoolcommittee@ marbleheadschools.org with feedback.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
After a string of airplane crashes and near-misses, many people are feeling wary of flying these days.
But a retired Delta pilot who lives here in Marblehead hopes to reassure people that air travel is still safe. George Hooper flew with Delta for more than 30 years, usually from New York to Europe. He retired two years ago and has been keeping track of the recent incidents.
In late January, a military helicopter collided with a Delta passenger plane in mid-air near Washington, D.C., killing all 67 people on board.
“The accident in D.C. was very serious,” Hooper said. “I used to fly in and out of there all the time. We’d always see all the helicopters below us.”
A few days later, a medical plane crashed into buildings in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, killing everyone on board.
On Feb. 2, a United
Airlines plane caught fire during takeoff in Houston.
A Japan Airlines plane clipped a parked Delta plane in Seattle on Feb. 5.
On Feb. 17, a Delta flight from Minneapolis flipped onto its roof during a landing in Toronto. Then, on Feb. 25, a
Southwest Airlines flight nearly collided with a private plane on the runway at Chicago’s Midway Airport.
“That was less than two or seconds away from being a huge disaster,” Hooper said.
He added, “Yes, it’s disturbing. It seems like there’s a lot of stuff happening right now.”
But Hooper, who retired two years ago, believes the skies are as safe today as they were 15 or 20 years ago.
What about reports that air traffic control centers are understaffed?
“I don’t think they’re understaffed to the point that it’s dangerous in any particular place,” Hooper said.
Hooper isn’t too concerned about the impact that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, may have on the Federal Aviation Administration.
“I don’t think they can privatize it,” Hooper said. “You can’t privatize everything.”
Bottom line: Hooper would feel comfortable putting his family members on a plane today.
“I wouldn’t be worried,” he said.
COURTESY PHOTO
Retired pilot George Hooper lives in Marblehead. He believes
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EDITOrI a L Auditor’s
Opinion
ruling may change little
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s claim that the MBTA Communities Act is an “unfunded mandate” has reinvigorated opposition to multifamily zoning in Marblehead, giving critics a fresh argument to resist the act by seeking compliance exemptions.
DiZoglio’s assessment, requested by Wrentham, Methuen and Middleborough, is that the act imposes significant financial and administrative burdens on municipalities without providing state funding for implementation.
Yet, the Select Board should consult with town counsel to decide whether chasing an exemption would be a prudent use of resources.
Massachusetts faces a severe housing shortage that fuels unaffordability. In towns like Marblehead, restrictive zoning constrains housing supply, driving up costs and creating economic barriers.
The 2021 MBTA Communities Act compels municipalities served by mass transit to zone for multifamily housing by right. Marblehead’s proposed response is surgical and modest, focusing on approximately 58 acres across three districts: Tioga Way, Pleasant Street and Broughton Road.
The auditor’s unfunded-mandate ruling may fuel political pushback but does not override state law that our state’s highest court already ruled constitutional. It does not change municipal obligations or provide a long-term escape hatch. The auditor’s findings hold no authority to halt or exempt cities and towns from the law’s requirements forever. Cities’ and towns’ obligations would return full force once the state addresses the unfunded mandate, if in fact one exists.
However, the “unfunded mandate” argument may collapse under scrutiny. Since 2022, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership’s 3A-TA Program has provided nearly $1 million in technical assistance to over 50 MBTA communities. The state also offers compliance models, guidance and various grants. Most significantly, in October, it launched the $15 million MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, providing up to $1 million per town—funding Marblehead forfeits by resisting compliance.
Claims about financial burden misunderstand development practices, according to attorney Gerry D’Ambrosio. He explained, “It’s often a mitigation fee that’s placed upon the developer, and you often have the developer not only remediating above ground, they’re remediating underground as well.”
Attorney General Andrea Campbell swiftly rejected the auditor’s claim, calling it “wrong” and legally meaningless. She emphasized that “high housing costs burden our residents and stifle our economy” and pledged to “vigorously defend the law” against challenges.
Some Marblehead residents, led by attorney John DiPiano, advocate pursuing a compliance exemption in Superior Court based on the auditor’s determination. This approach could represent a costly diversion rather than a realistic strategy.
Pursuing this argument in Marblehead is risky and of questionable long-term utility, based in part on the SJC’s earlier ruling and the prevailing political will. The Lawrence Superior Court has already dismissed an unfunded mandate challenge from Rockport residents last year, though that decision is being appealed.
The bottom line is that the auditor’s ruling changes little about the choice the town will ultimately face: Do we want to adopt an MBTA Communities Act plan crafted carefully over months by officials with a full appreciation of the local lay of the land? Or do we want the Attorney General’s Office to impose what might be a different plan on us?
If anything, the auditor’s ruling reinforces the idea that the path forward requires pragmatism. An approach that meets state requirements while preserving Marblehead’s unique character recognizes not just legal reality but also fiscal responsibility.
cOLUMN
The folly in Marblehead’s war on hate
BY NYLA DUBOIS
Utopian ideas such as “No Place for Hate” are dangerously naive. In executing such an assault on ideas, subjectivity becomes a casualty of the righteous and freedom ceases to exist altogether.
As Jonathan Rauch reminds us in “Kindly Inquisitors,” his most prescient book on free thought, “For not only is wiping out bias and hate impossible in principle, in practice eliminating prejudice through central authority means eliminating all but one Prejudice — that of whoever is most politically powerful.” He implores us to consider what is at stake if we continue careening down the path of illiberalism. He bluntly points out: A very dangerous principle is now being established as a social right: Thou shalt not hurt others with words. This principle is a menace — and not just to civil liberties. At bottom it threatens liberal inquiry – that is, science itself.
If that statement sounds too alarmist... remember this: in English we have a word for the empanelment of tribunals — public or private, but in any case prestigious and powerful — to identify and penalize false and socially dangerous opinions. The word applies reasonably well to a system in which a university student is informed against and then summoned to a hearing and punished for making incorrect and hurtful remarks during a conversation late at night. The word has been out of general circulation for many years.
It is “inquisition.” I would suggest this word applies reasonably well to a system in which high school students can report on each other for “wrong think” and silence each other by choosing, without consent, which symbols are representative of which students.
In our community, subjective experience of marginalization is now wielded as a weapon of censorship. Ideals of safety and inclusion have turned into the worship of fear management.
Fear of unkindness, fear of oppression, fear of marginalization and feeling unseen. Yet, I see no evidence of these fears having been actualized. In fact, given that bias incidents in Marblehead are vanishingly rare, and shocking when they occur (a testament to their rarity), it seems like our community and our schools are doing an excellent job keeping our students safe, all the while preparing them to navigate the wider world where they will inevitably face conflict and perhaps discrimination. To not prepare them would be naive but to consistently suggest to our children that they should fear their community and peers solely based on stereotypes and perceptions of subjective experience is, in my opinion, developmentally and emotionally negligent.
At last week’s flag policy forum there was little attempt to seek understanding or nuance, deliberate salient points or find common ground. Instead, a dishearteningly large group of people assumed the very worst in their neighbors, seeking to codify fear
LETTErS TO ThE EDITOr
Inclusivity means listening, not assuming
EDITOR’S NOTE: The writer is referring to an incident during last week’s flag policy meeting when a resident misidentified a woman speaking as the woman who removed the Black Lives Matter banner at the high school without permission. Both women are Black. The Current discourages name-calling in its letters to the editor. In this case, we decided to run the letter as is.
To the editor:
I’d like to submit this letter to the editor for print in response to last night’s school flag policy meeting (the portion that you failed to report on):
Hey racist! Yeah you, with the BLM and pride flag shirt on. You, the white, woke woman who thinks that you can speak for women of color because they can’t speak for themselves.
Maybe you should shut up for five minutes and listen to those who make you feel so good about yourself and that you pretend to support.
Why are two of the very few who represent the Black lives here in our town the ones against your BLM flag?
You don’t know. Because you are smarter than them, right?
If you cared, you would know. You would listen. You would also know how much harm that you caused to them, their children, families and many people of our town whom you embarrassed last night.
Please leave us all alone. Fly whatever flag you want at your home. Let the inclusive Old Glory fly in our
In our community, subjective experience of marginalization is now wielded as a weapon of censorship.
in our schools based on assumptions of others beliefs. In “Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything About Race Gender and Identity and Why This Harms Everybody,” Helen Pluckrose aptly characterizes people behaving in this manner as possessing “a priest-like certainty of [their] own rightness and the concomitant need to re-educate and shut down anyone who disagrees”. This is what I experienced with my 9-year-old child by my side as I was heckled and jeered at, misidentified based on racist and sexist tropes, and told that we are “unwelcome” in this community for holding two factually accurate views: 1. A man cannot become a woman and 2. Black Lives Matter does not represent me (as an African American woman of color).
Let me be clear, insisting that “Black lives matter,” the phrase, the movement or the organization speaks for or represents all self-identified Black Americans is racist. Insisting that the Pride flag stands for or represents all self identified gay, bisexual or gender fluid individuals is intolerant and coercive; however, throughout the now three-year old flag debate I have consistently heard many students, teachers and parents insist that any person or organization who does not adopt and value these particular symbols as “symbols of inclusion” are hateful.
To give just one example, in 2023 the Marblehead Current wrote a rather smug and factually inaccurate editorial, “Not a banner year for Black History Month.” Among other things, they wrongly declared that “BLM banners and yard signs continue to speak on behalf of all Black Americans, victims of racially motivated violence or not.” Further along they mischaracterize Morgan Freeman’s now famous interview on “60 Minutes” where he decries the practice of distinguishing Black history from American history as unnecessary and divisive. The Current would have us believe that Freeman felt, “Ignoring, or worse, dishonoring or repressing [Black History] is not a sign of a healthy society,” when in fact his sentiment was clearly the opposite.
This type of insensitive, moralizing and sloppy rhetoric is infantilizing, hurtful and ironically entirely antithetical to the project of mitigating hate. The Current has been gracious and reflective enough to allow me an opportunity to express these thoughts here; however, they are not the only ones conducting
public schools.
Don’t you see that it’s only you that you care about? You think that you are inclusive? You define racism. You are the hater. You are the problem.
Jeremy Pollender Reed Street
Sustainability Coordinator position vital for Marblehead
To the editor:
We are writing to express our enthusiastic support that Marblehead maintain the position of the Town Sustainability Coordinator. This position was established in 2023 to both oversee the complex challenges of implementing our Town’s 2040 Net Zero plan, as well as to obtain outside aid to accomplish these efforts. Marblehead should be pleased to be a community that has had the foresight to vote to hire a Sustainability Coordinator, as our investment in this position has already produced substantive sustainability results for our community while helping to reduce taxpayers tax burden.
The creation of the Sustainability Coordinator was supported by Becky Curran Cutting, our former Town Planner, because of the following issues: higher future costs to the Town for municipal gas, oil, and fuel, more stringent state standards for energy efficiency for homes/buildings, crumbling seawalls, aging municipal buildings.
DUBOIS, P. A7
Students identify community needs, create action plans
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Current was proud to spend Friday morning at the Marblehead Charter Community Public School serving as a judge at students’ Community Service Learning
In just one year, our current Coordinator, Logan Casey, has helped secure $458,000 in grants for the State Street Landing/ Harbormasters Office Resiliency Project, Smith Street to Pleasant St Rail Trail improvements, Marblehead Comprehensive Master Plan, Devereaux Beach ADA Improvement Project, Technical Assistance planning for EV chargers and Five Corners Intersection and School Street Parking Lot Redesign. Logan has also helped implement the following projects:
Moses Pickett House (Town owned building with two apartments): Logan obtained a Mass Save audit and is working with the Building Department to secure rebates to insulate the building further and upgrade the heating and cooling system.
State Landing restrooms: Town meeting voted to keep this open year-round, which necessitated a heating system. Logan obtained a local contractor who is installing a heat pump system.
Mary Alley Building heating and cooling issues: Logan is assisting the project manager, LeftField Project Management, with ensuring the new HVAC system is in line with Marblehead’s larger goals (Net Zero), and providing the project managers with the building’s energy data. This improvement effort for Mary Alley Building is being jointly advanced by the Community Development & Planning Dept., Finance Dept., Building Dept. and LeftField Project Management. The plan for Mary Alley Building will be presented at Town Meeting. We look forward to seeing the success of Logan’s future projects that will include: working on obtaining Green Communities
themselves in this way, and I am not the only person affected. This entire community must do better! Coming together as a community does not mean bringing everyone over to the “right think” side. It means doing the hard work of behaving in a way that allows individuals to flourish and prosper regardless of differences in experience, ideas, belief or opinion. You don’t have to like what I think or feel, or approve of the values with which I raise my family. In a
presentations. Charter eighth graders identified needs in the community, researched solutions and then developed action plans. They’ll carry out those action plans through the spring.
Here’s a list of projects:
Improving senior citizens’ mental health, identifying volunteer opportunities in town, increasing accessibility to sailing by publicizing scholarships, helping sixth- and seventh-graders prepare for high school, sound-proofing the MCCPS
music room, fighting period stigma, supporting legislation to help kids who age out of foster care, making sports equipment accessible for kids who can’t afford it, painting a school mural and supporting the Little Free Pantry.
Status for Marblehead, which would provide $140,000 in grants the first year and could provide $175,000 each subsequent years; developing a townwide public EV charging plan emphasizing charging locations near rental properties, condos, and without driveways; and incorporating energy efficiency and decarbonization into the Town Master plan for Capital expenditures.
Our Sustainability Coordinator plays an important role in interdepartmental coordination, works with different departments to bridge the gaps in planning, looks for the most energy efficient and lower carbon emitting solutions to Town problems. He creates partnerships and liaisons among Town departments.
We support the continuation of this position and are impressed by what Logan Casey has accomplished in just one year of employment in our town.
free pluralistic society our most important job is to simply set the stage for people to live alongside one another with dignity and respect. The only philosophical framework that has ever worked (and very well) to set this stage is that which holds freedom of thought, inquiry, speech and reasoned debate at its core.
The caveat of course is that centering classical liberal values is hard work, often derailed by the temptation to take the easy way out.
Pride and BLM flags as currently displayed in our schools signal the values which a self- appointed “in group”
Eileen Haley Mathieu, Longview Drive
Michele Bell, Ocean Avenue
The letter writers co-chair Sustainable Marblehead’s Clean Energy and Public Policy Working Group.
‘Swamp them with letters. Barrage them with phone calls’
To the editor, I am not a fanatic but rather just a normal citizen. I do think that when someone like me becomes so outraged by the political state of affairs that I am driven to mail letters to every U.S. senator and every governor, then I think that there must be tens of thousands of like-minded Americans doing the same. Swamp them with letters! Barrage them with phone calls! But don’t just sit and do nothing! Here’s a
deems appropriate for students to espouse. Yet the question remains, what do we do with the out group? Shame them? Dismiss them? Persecute them?Jail them? Backing away from a commitment to liberal values is an understandable temptation because censorship and intimidation are effective, for a time. But America has been here many times before, from slavery and Jim Crow through the suffragette movement and struggle for gay rights. What has won our freedom every single time is the adherence and steadfast commitment to philosophical liberalism and a
sample of one of my letters:
Dear —,
Even though it has been the Republicans that have been marching in lockstep with “King” Trump, we need all Democratic senators to be more vocal in their opposition. Don’t be silent. Speak out!
Object to mass government firings and deportation of non-criminals.
Stand up against the usurping of congressional powers.
Protest the cabinet appointments that endanger the public health and national security.
Insist on the rule of law.
Fight back against Trump’s embrace of fascism.
Protest any move to break from NATO.
Support Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Protect our free press!
Phil Blaisdell Front Street
free marketplace of ideas.
Marblehead, if you strive to be a diverse inclusive and tolerant community, take down the flags! But do so with purpose. Come together and take a principled stand. Give our youth the tools to communicate and debate ideas constructively and with grace. Help them understand that they are not made of glass. Their feelings will get hurt because by definition resilience is born of adversity. Learning to question and explore ideas you disagree with is the only way to ensure our democracy stands for generations to come.
If we are going to form any
Restrictive flag policy contradicts Marblehead’s inclusive legacy
To the editor:
As a former Marblehead resident for over 40 years, I write to express my concerns about the School Committee’s proposed flag policy for Marblehead Schools. Though now living in southern California, my heart remains in my hometown. It was in Marblehead where I grew up in a family of 8, attended K-12 and owned a small business. The town of Marblehead has a history of supporting those who need advocacy, and the proposal to ban certain flags on school property contradicts this legacy. This issue is about humanity, acceptance and belonging.
Providing safe spaces to learn as one’s true self, unencumbered by judgement can be life-changing. My own experience in Marblehead schools as I was coming out, showed me that support from teachers and the community can also be life-saving. We must accept people as they are, respecting their identities and be non-judgmental.
Marginalized youth face severe risks, including suicide. The world isn’t perfect, and safe spaces are essential for effective education. Banning symbols due to discomfort with diversity does more harm than good.
I urge Marblehead residents to support the proposal offered by students to the School Committee and reject the Committee’s anti-diversity policy. Let’s not revert to an era where young people feel the need to hide who they are.
Bruce Finch East Mel Avenue Palm Springs, California
committee, let it be focused on viewpoint diversity to enrich the intellectual and emotional wellbeing of all students.
The vast majority of our teachers and administrators insist, against the popular trend, on holding the line of liberal values, open debate, reason and intellectual growth for all students. Let us support our teachers in this most important endeavor by removing the pressure for students to conform and instead provide avenues for them to explore ideas in a free and healthy way.
DuBois is a Marblehead resident and school parent.
Dubois
From P. A6
COURTESY PHOTO
Phil Blaisdell has written every U.S. senator and governor and he wants you to, also.
cUZNEr IN NaTU rE
Long-eared owl makes a rare appearance
BY RICK CUZNER
While long-eared owls do reside in Massachusetts, it is uncommon to see them. In the past, I have traveled to places like Lexington and Salisbury to catch a glimpse, but spotting one in a familiar patch of nearby woods in Marblehead was a special moment. Even more remarkable was its position — out in the open rather than buried deep in the pines, where they typically roost.
According to the Mass Audubon,The long-eared owl is a master of disguise, its streaked and mottled plumage allowing it to blend seamlessly with tree bark. Unlike its larger relative, the great horned owl, the long-eared owl relies more on its coloration than on aggression for survival. Its most distinctive feature — elongated feather tufts that resemble ears—serve as a visual deterrent to predators.
The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner, who has been photographing local wildlife for over 16 years.
COURTESY PHOTO / RICK CUZNER
A long-eared owl perches in a pine tree, its striking ear tufts raised as it surveys the landscape. Though these owls reside in Massachusetts, spotting one in an open setting is a rare treat.
Sports
Hockey Headers advance to Elite 8 game after doubling up Sweet 16 foe Dracut
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead High Hockey Headers (17-5-1, eighth seed) are back in the State Division 3 Elite 8, and after last year’s state championship run, they fully understand what’s at stake and what it will take to get back to where they were last March.
On paper, the Marblehead boys are only two games away from returning to the TD Garden to defend their state title, but in reality, they know they can’t look beyond the next game. All of their efforts since beating the Dracut/ Tyngsborough co-op (17-3-2, ninth seed) last Friday night at Salem State’s O’Keefe Complex, 4-2 in a Division 3 Sweet 16 game have been turned to preparing for Nauset (21-0-1), the top seed, who defeated Danvers (8-12-2, 16th seed), 9-0. That Sweet 16 matchup took place 24 hours later at the Charles Moore Arena in Orleans. The Elite 8 game between last year’s state finalists is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, at the Gallo Rink in Bourne, starting at 5 p.m.
Marblehead hockey fans remember Nauset, because they were the ones who were frustrated by goalie Leo Burdge and the Headers at the TD Garden last year on St. Patrick’s Day. Avin Rodovsky’s first period goal held up the rest of the way to help secure the program’s second state title ever. The first one occurred just 13 years earlier in 2011.
Coach Mark Marfione has
developed that blueprint for success since taking over the program in 2023. Immediately, after beating the Middies last Friday night, Marfione told the media what he was going to do next.
“We (the coaching staff) will be focusing on the Nauset / Danvers game tapes as soon as that game is over tomorrow night (March 1),” the coach said. “We’re definitely not ready to end this season anytime soon.”
Some of Marfione’s players had their own opinions on who they want to play in the Elite 8 game. “We want Nauset,” said sophomore forward Noah Feingold after the win over the Dracut co-op. Feingold had a key assist on what turned out to be the game-winning goal by junior forward E.J. Wyman in the third period.
Captain Kyle Hart, who had a goal and an assist in the Round of 16 game, thought it would be fun to play Danvers in the Elite 8.
“I don’t think the Northeastern Conference has ever had two of its teams play each other in the Elite 8,” Hart said.
But Hart knows that his team won’t back down from anybody.
“Everybody here in this locker room has stepped up to the challenge, and is prepared and ready to go for what lies ahead.”
While Hart and his fellow senior captain Crew Monaco scored goals against Dracut, two underclassmen also lit up the
BY JOE MCCONNELL
Most high school athletes usually have a signature moment — team or individual — which stands out as something that they will long remember well into the future. But Marblehead High’s boys hockey senior captain Crew Monaco is certainly not a part of that norm. His memorable achievements are listed in bullet points, not just in one declarative sentence. Start off with Crew’s two-sport status as captain of both the football and hockey teams.
You then have to accelerate that up a couple of notches, when he played and won at TD Garden and Fenway Park, all in the same calendar year.
Last March, Monaco helped secure the program’s second-ever state championship after the Hockey Headers as a team shut down Nauset, 1-0 on the Bruins home ice.
Eight months later, he suited to play in the annual Thanksgiving Day game against rival Swampscott, but not at Piper Field. It was under
Shorthanded Magicians drop Division 2 preliminary round girls basketball game to host Reading
BY JOE MCCONNELL
If Marblehead High girls basketball coach Paul Moran was told that his team would go 14-6 in the regular season when practice began the Monday after Thanksgiving, he would definitely sign up for that. But that’s what they did for three months against Northeastern Conference teams and an assortment of nonleague opponents. In the era of the power rankings, however, they started the Division 2 state tournament as the41st seed. And as a result, the Marblehead girls had to head to Reading to take on the Rockets in a preliminary round game on Feb. 24. The home team ended its regular season with a 12-8 record, and were ranked24th throughout
the state in Division 2, which included 43 teams this year.
After the playing of the national anthem, which featured the Reading Police Department Honor Guard carrying the American and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flags into the Reading Memorial High School fieldhouse, the Magicians were holding their own against the home team. At the end of the first quarter, the visitors had a 7-5 lead, but after that it was pretty much all Reading. The Rockets went on to win the game, 39-20. The Rockets were ahead at halftime, 15-7. Marblehead couldn’t buy a basket in the second quarter. But by the same
CURRENT
PHOTO / JOE MCCONNELL
Marblehead High boys hockey junior E.J. Wyman, left, and sophomore Noah Feingold, who teamed up to score what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the Division 3 Sweet 16 game against the Dracut co-op at Salem’s State O’Keefe Complex on Feb. 28, flank senior captain Kyle Hart after that game in this photo. The Headers won, 4-2, and Wyman’s third period goal ended up clinching the game with help from Feingold. Hart had a goal and an assist to do his part once again to advance his teammates to the next round.
YELLOW MAGENTA
CURRENT PHOTO / JOE MCCONNELL
Marblehead High girls basketball captains Olivia Goldwater, Maddie Forbes and Ramona Gillett, from left, helped guide their teammates to an outstanding 14-6 regular season record.
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Klipper leads Marblehead/Swampscott gymnastics team to fresh start
BY LUCY KRATMAN
Faced with a roster of 21 athletes — most of them newcomers — first-year head coach Samantha Klipper took an unconventional approach: no tryouts, no cuts. Just an emphasis on teamwork and community. The result? A Marblehead/Swampscott’s gymnastics squad that not only posted a solid winter season record of 5-4 across January and February, but also embraced a fresh identity and culture.
Klipper’s coaching philosophy is built on collaboration and making sure everyone is aligned toward a common goal.
“If the girls are part of the process, they’re more motivated to work with you,” said Klipper. “I would ask ‘What do you need for me, as a coach, to help make this season successful for you?’ That was super helpful.”
That team-first mentality proved essential when Klipper and her experienced assistant coach, Ashley Bunnell, saw the overwhelming interest in the program - 21 female athletes, ranging from middle school to high school. With only six returning gymnasts, they made the key decision: there would be no tryouts.
“If everyone wanted to contribute in some way, whatever way that was, then we were going to let them do it,” Klipper said.
aThLETE SPOTLIGhT
While Klipper grew up in gymnastics, she had no prior coaching experience. As the head varsity cheerleading coach at Marblehead High School, she was approached by a senior cheerleader – also a gymnast
Current sports profile: Jacob Szalewicz
BY JOE MCCONNELL
NAME: Jacob Szalewicz
AGE: 17
FAMILY: Mom Kelly, dad Ben; siblings: Emma, 24, Clara, 22, Evan, 12
SCHOOL YEAR: Senior
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Crosscountry, indoor and outdoor track
FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: Cross-country is my favorite sport, because the team is super close and you make some really good friends who will stick with you for life. Everyone supports each other in everything they do, and it’s great.
MOST MEMORABLE MEET
FOR YOU, AND WHY: My most memorable race was at nationals last spring in the 4x800 representing Hall High School in West Hartford, Connecticut. We (Connor Mayr, Jon York, Gabe Sisk and me) achieved All-American honors by placing sixth there. We also set a new school record for Hall
at this meet by running our best time of the season by over 10 seconds.
PLANS FOR AFTER MHS: I’m currently planning on attending UMass Lowell in the fall.
MAJOR: Digital media
DO YOU WANT TO PLAY SPORTS IN COLLEGE: I’m committed to running track there next year.
DESIRED CAREER: I want to be an audio engineer.
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token, they limited Reading to just 10 points. Junior forward Tessa Andriano led Marblehead in first half scoring with five points. Senior captain Maddie Forbes had the other two points. The Rockets broke the game wide open in the second half.
But their top scorer and 1,000point club member Molly Trahan was held to just 15 points in this game, only four in the first half. “We prevented her from doing the things she normally does naturally,” Moran said, “but overall Reading is a deep, physical team, and it’s difficult to stop all of them.” It didn’t help matters any that
– who encouraged her to take over as head coach for the gymnastics team. Although it was a last minute decision, she took it with a desire to make the season enjoyable.
“The team was very patient with me,” she said. “It was great, having them there and knowing what I needed to do. They taught me.”
As Klipper settled into the role, she leaned on Burnell, an alumna and former captain of the Marblehead/Swampscott squad, who had five years of coaching experience under her belt.
“The girls continue to respark my love and passion for the sport,” Burnell said. “This job truly teaches me how to be resilient regardless of the outcome. There are always things to work on but being present in the moment is what is important – reminding myself and the girls what a privilege it is
Marblehead High boys basketball senior captain Sam Thompson has control of the ball, while getting a helping hand from junior teammate Rylan Golden (11) with two Archbishop Williams players surrounding them. The Bishops ended up winning the game in a comeback effort, 52-42.
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Magicians lose state tourney opener in comeback effort
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead High boys basketball team (11-10) made the Division 2 state tournament as the 36th seed, and they had to travel to Braintree to take on Archbishop Williams (11-10), the 29th seed, on Feb. 24, where they lost to the Bishops, 52-42 in a preliminary round game.
“Unfortunately, our season came to an end in the preliminary round against Archbishop Williams,” said coach Mike Giardi. “We came out hot, and were winning throughout most of the game.
But Archbishop Williams was able to hit some big shots down the stretch to pull away from us. We simply ran out of gas.
“We played tough as we had all year,” added Giardi, “to end up with a winning record. I
Moran had to start the game shorthanded. “We never could get a good rhythm going, but I have no complaints, because of the injuries that we had to deal with,” said Moran. “(Junior forward) Greta Sachs and (senior captain) Liv Goldwater tried to make a go of it during warmups, but their ankle injuries prevented them from playing in the game.”
was really proud of the team, particularly the seniors — Sam Thompson, Matt Sherf, Cam Quigley, Edoardo Pezzoli, Owen Newburg, Kiernan Moss, Jordan McFarlane, Cody Bouchard and Carson Brooks. They might not have gotten all the playing time they wanted, but they showed up every day ready to grind in practice. They showed the underclassmen what is needed to get to the next level.”
The Magicians were enjoying a slim 29-27 lead at halftime. Both teams then matched points in the third quarter, with each scoring seven. But in the fourth, the Bishops outscored the local quintet, 18-6 to secure the comeback win. Sherf was the top scorer for Marblehead with 17 points. Thompson was next in line with eight. Junior Rylan Golden
Andriano finished the game with 14 points, while junior guards Nora Mahan and Samara Dosch, and Forbes scored two each.
But in their next game in the Round of 32, the Rockets were eliminated by ninth-seeded host Northampton (17-4), 51-47 on Feb. 28.
The Top 10 Division 2 girls basketball teams for the 2024-25
was close behind with seven. Sophomore Finn Baron chipped in with four. Junior Adam Loughlin, Quigley and Bouchard scored two apiece.
Archbishop Williams’ Bobby Louis was the game’s leading scorer with 19 points. Jack Olinto (11) and Collin Waldron (10) rounded out the doubledigit scorers for the Bishops. The Top 10 Division 2 teams, according to the final 2024-25 power rankings, are as follows: 1. Malden Catholic (18-1), 2. Mansfield (18-4), 3. Pope Francis (18-2), 4. Oliver Ames (18-4), 5. Whitman-Hanson (18-3), 6. Somerset-Berkley (19-1), 7. Masconomet (18-1), 8. Tewksbury Memorial (17-3), 9. Doherty Memorial (16-4) and 10. North Quincy (19-3).
season, according to final power rankings, are as follows: Medfield (18-2); 2. Dartmouth (18-2); 3. Norwood (15-5); 4. Notre Dame (Hingham) (19-1); 5. North Quincy
(173); 6. South High Community (15-4); 7. Whitman-Hanson (14-7); 8. Westwood (14-6); 9. Northampton (16-4) and 10. Duxbury (14-6).
The Current athlete profile is brought to you by National Grand bank
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Members of the MHS gymnastics team included: front row (left to right) Camilla Cross, senior captain Sonia Miller, senior captain Mia Flavin, Arianna Leahy; second row: Alyssa Sapozhnik, Neva DeMont, Ellia Gibson, Tabi Geary, Gabby Berman, Ava Hartley, Stella Charney, Izzie Gonzalez; back row: Bridget Maloney, Susanna Cuzner. Jamie Andrews, Mackenzie Weed, Lucy Molinari, Olivia Healy, Grace Morrison and Maya Gelb. Missing from the photo is Ellyana Barrows.
Gymnastics
to be a part of this team.”
One of the biggest changes this season? The team was officially renamed as Marblehead/Swampscott, rather than just Marblehead Gymnastics. Team sweatshirts, official paperwork, and a new logo – meant to encourage team pride and inclusivity. At the end-of-year banquet, the girls received matching sweatpants with the new logo, perfect for next season’s
scoreboard. Wyman, of course, was one of those non-seniors, who said afterwards that it was definitely the biggest goal he has ever scored in a hockey game. “To score a goal in this setting and in this arena with my boys in that locker room makes this moment really special to me,” he said.
Monaco, who scored the game-winning goal against Blackstone Valley with seconds left in regulation to begin the postseason, got his teammates going again with a first period goal against the Dracut co-op assisted by junior forward
mile mark at 4:36, as everybody else started to fall back. Giardina continued to lead the race with Assa and Connecticut’s Owen Martin of Xavier High School right on his heels, prompting Raimo to remark, “I think Giardina believed that his best chance of beating Assa was through exhaustion, and while Nate has an incredible kick, Giardina is stronger in the longer distances.”
With 800-meters to go, the clock was at 6:53, and at that point Assa passed Giardina to take the lead. The race then turned into a duel between Assa and Giardina, as they separated themselves from the pack. With 200-meters to go — the final lap — Assa went full throttle to run away from the AllAmerican Giardina with ease. The Marblehead product then closed it out with a 2:11 in the last 800-meters.
warmups.
Getting the team captains on board with the change was easy.
“When I told them, they really liked the idea of creating something where everyone felt included,” Klipper said. “With all of the new girls, they were excited about creating that new culture for the new team.”
That sense of unity helped the team navigate a season filled with challenges, including illnesses that sidelined half the team and multiple injuries.
“The girls are really, really connected and they’re really
London McDonald and Hart.
“Scoring again felt good, and this time we got that spark that we needed early on in the game,” said Monaco.
The senior captain doesn’t care who they play in the Elite 8 game.
“We’re just excited to play, no matter who wins that game between Nauset and Danvers, so we’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.
The Middies tied it up at 8:01 of the middle stanza on a goal by Drew DuRoss from Charlie Wilkie. But almost three minutes later, Hart regained the lead with a goal setup by his linemates Hayden Gallo and Monaco. However, Dracut got the equalizer again, when Matt Lesniak shot
“The scariest thing is that there’s evidently more in the tank for Nate,” Raimo said.
“He has been working for this opportunity for over three years. It has been an arduous journey for him, but he has had incredible coaching and care from his running coaches Will Herlihy in track and Brian Heenan in cross-country. He has run thousands of miles along the Marblehead streets in the morning, as well as throughout the day and night. He has also put together a running portfolio step-by-step that has put him on track for meets like this.
“The success that Nate is experiencing now was unimaginable three years ago when he first started running for the Marblehead track team, and yet without hesitation or worry he invested thousands of hours into the sport with no idea where it will take him, and now he stands on the mountain top of running greatness after toppling an All-American to boot
treasure.
the bright lights of America’s Most Beloved Ballpark on Thanksgiving Eve, where his Magicians blew out the Big Blue to the tune of 42-6. Monaco factored into the offense with two catches for 51 yards on the Fenway turf, including a 42-yard scoring strike from junior quarterback Finn Gallup. He also intercepted one pass, and as he admitted afterwards, while pointing to the exact spots where those plays took place, he’s been to Fenway many times over the years, but only as a spectator to Sox games and concerts. But he knows the next time he goes there he can say he too played on the field that’s been deemed a national
That’s enough for any scholastic athlete’s memoirs, but Crew added to his last Wednesday night at Salem State’s O’Keefe Complex to begin the Division 3 state tournament against Blackstone Valley Regional Tech, the 25th seed, in the Round of 32. The Headers, the eighth seed, won the game, 3-2, but it was the way they had won it that will be recalled for years to come. With exactly 6.9-seconds left in regulation and overtime looming over the ice, Crew wasn’t accepting the inevitable. After taking a clean pass from his classmate and fellow captain Kyle Hart off the faceoff, he rifled a shot past Blackstone junior goalie Finn Lozeau that sent his teammates to the Sweet 16.
good friends. They don’t act like they’re from two different towns.” Klipper said. “It feels like a fresh start and everybody was on board.”
One of the toughest hurdles was the restricted practice space at the YMCA, which often meant the team couldn’t rehearse for certain events. For girls new to competition, it was an added layer of stress.
“We couldn’t use the floor at all on one of our practice days,” said Klipper. “That’s hard because it meant we couldn’t practice before our meet.”
one past Burdge. Beau Blakley and Brenden Modeski set it up. With 46 seconds left in the period, Dracut thought it took the lead, but it was called back, because the puck was kicked into the net. Seconds later, DuRoss incurred a five-minute major boarding penalty for his hit on sophomore defenseman Jimmy Ryan. Ryan was able to skate to the bench, but sat out the rest of the game, while applying an ice pack to his injured shoulder. Marfione said afterwards that he thinks Ryan will be OK to play in the Elite 8 game. The Middies were able to kill off that penalty in the third period, but with 9:11 left on
(in the All-New England Meet),” added Raimo.
Not to be outdone in this regional meet, Jacob Szalewicz, a transfer student from the Hall School in West Hartford, Conn., finished third in the 1,000, while also setting a new personal best time of 2:30.38, which is the 35th best in the nation this season.
“This race opened up fast, with Jacob crossing the 400meter mark in 59-seconds amid a lot of bumping and pushing,” said Raimo. “Cole Francis of Narragansett High School in Rhode Island opened up a huge lead to start the 1,000-meter stretch after beginning the race in the barrel – upper section of the track where the group is divided into two. He was able to get a five-meter lead when the barrel group joined the pack, and then opened it up in his first 400-meters in just 57-seconds.
“(Szalewicz) and Alex Rogers of Lowell, meanwhile, were able to put in a Herculean effort to get closer to Francis, but Rogers
Notwithstanding the TD Garden and Fenway Park triumphs, Monaco mentioned after the game that he puts this goal way ahead of his other achievements. “I don’t think I’ve had a bigger goal in my career,” he said.
The senior captain did remember the championship game-winning goal that he scored way back when he was a Squirt in the Marblehead Youth Hockey Association (MYHA). But then, he added in a matterof-fact manner, “this one against Blackstone is definitely special. I knew before the shot that Kyle (Hart) would win the draw back to me, and I just shot it on net, where it found some space.”
All three Marblehead goals against the Beavers were scored by Monaco’s line. Junior forward
But the team adapted by finding other spots in the gym to practice. “It’s a lesson in life – staying positive through challenges,” Klipper said.
As the 2024-25 season wraps, Klipper feels confident heading into next winter. She plans to maintain her collaborative approach while adding more structure to keep practices focused on team feedback. Another thing she won’t change?
The Marblehead/Swampscott name.
For Burnell, the highlight of the season was watching
the clock Wyman and Feingold teamed up to produce what turned out to be the gamewinning marker. Six minutes later, Gallo, the other non-senior who scored in this game, netted the all-important insurance tally from Hart.
It was your typical back and forth tournament game.
Marblehead enjoyed a slight edge in shots, 32-28, while Burdge did his part once again to limit the opposition’s scoring opportunities. He came up with 26 stops.
“This time of year, you don’t get any style points for the win,” said Marfione. “We were able to (grind) out another win to move on to the next round.
did not have the legs, and as a result Jacob was boxed-in at the 500-meter mark with 500-meters to go. At the 800meter mark, Francis was running at a 1:58 clip, while Jacob, in third place at the time, crossed it in 2:00.5, where he then sprinted the final 200-meters in 30-seconds flat with his legs now locked-in with lactic acid. It was unreal to witness,” added Raimo. “You can see the pain and suffering on Jacob’s face, but somehow, he wills his legs to keep moving. If you talk with Jacob about track, it’s evident within the first few sentences just how passionate he is about the sport and competing in it. No matter if you are a coach, spectator or teammate, it’s inspiring to see someone time after time put every ounce of effort they have into running.”
On the girls side, Paige Tredwell (5-1) was 17th in the high jump, just ahead of Elise Burchfield (5-1, 21st).
“Tredwell and Burchfield
Hayden Gallo notched the first goal in the opening stanza from sophomore Kellen Laramie.
Hart then gave his teammates a short-lived 2-1 lead in the middle frame, setting the stage for Monaco’s clutch blast. All three also picked up assists, along with sophomore Noah Feingold.
“That line played a great game,” said coach Mark Marfione after the thrilling win over Blackstone Valley.
“Kyle always shows up for the big games, Crew is reliable to put the puck in the back of the net and Hayden has stepped up this year after seeing limited varsity action last season to balance out that line very well.
“This team proved once again (its) resiliency,” added Marfione.
“That was a good team over there, but we were able to take
the girls grow as athletes and individuals.
“Their dedication, enthusiasm, and love for the sport is undeniable,” said Burnell “Every practice and meet is something I will always cherish and look forward to every year.”
Reflecting on her first season, Klipper was struck by the team’s talent and camaraderie. “They are awesome, and that’s so important to me,” she said. Lucy Kratman is a student at Endicott College studying journalism.
“Dracut’s a good team. They won their league, but we know how to win the close games,” added the Marblehead coach.
“Leo once again controlled the rebounds in front of his net to keep us in another game.”
Following the Blackstone Valley game, Hart pretty much echoed the sentiments of the entire team that has carried them to so much success the last two years. “We’re just focused on playing our game,” he said. That attitude should serve the team well going forward, as they hope the season continues for three more games all the way to the TD Garden and another state conquest.
have seemingly endured the longest week in track, with the All-State Meet taking place the previous weekend, followed by the Pentathlon (five events in a single meet that includes the 55-meter hurdles, long jump, shot put, high jump and 800) just three days later, and now here they are in the All-New England Meet,” said Raimo. “That’s three meets in seven days against the best of the best, and Paige and Elise cemented themselves as two of the best athletes in Marblehead High girls track history. For the record, they competed on the state and regional levels in the hurdles, long jump and high jump.
“Paige is now beginning her final prep as a high jumper for the New Balance Nationals at its Allston complex in two weeks, while Elise begins to prepare for the spring season, where she’s positioned to be one of the best long jumpers in the state, not to mention New England.”
advantage of the rebounds and bounces to keep the puck away from them in order to beat them.”
Senior captain and goalie Leo Burdge once again came up with the necessary saves — 19, according to Marfione — that made Monaco’s late gamewinner possible. The Magicians unofficially outshot Blackstone, 35-21.
“We knew obviously that this was a do or die game, and understood we needed just one goal to get us going again,” said Monaco. “This (goal) will definitely keep the boys motivated and focused, for sure. But we still have to work on everything, because you have to get better in all aspects of the game (against that next opponent).”
Proposed cycling improvements draw mixed reactions from residents
BY WILL DOWD
A proposed network of bike lanes and routes for Marblehead drew both praise and criticism from residents at the Feb. 24 Traffic Safety Advisory Committee meeting, where committee members reviewed the town’s draft bicycle plan after nearly a year of development.
“West Shore Drive is definitely broken and it needs to be fixed. I’ve nearly been hit by cars three times in one week while trying to cross the street,” said Laurie Dunham, a West Shore Drive resident. “I am afraid of the stretch of West Shore Drive to get into the rail trail. Once I get on the rail trail, it’s great.”
Resident William Anderson countered that changes were unnecessary. “The overwhelming opinion is that what we have now works fine ... it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” he said. “We have very few bikers in town, actually, but they seem to get along just fine, including myself.”
Resident Albert Jordan worried about safety implications. “I don’t want to create these bike paths because we’re going to create more people getting hurt,” Jordan said. “By putting in these bike paths, I hope we’re not going to bring people from other towns in to use them.”
Taylor Dennerlein, a senior engineer with Toole Design Group, presented findings from the comprehensive bicycle facilities master plan that began last April with $79,000 in COVID recovery funds.
Warrant
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Critical infrastructure needs
“There’s huge concern in the building,” Kezer told the Select Board, referring to the Mary Alley Municipal Building’s deteriorating 1950s-era climate control system. “There’s plug-in heaters in so many office spaces. During the summer, we’re using window air conditioners to keep the building cool because, again, systems have failed.”
The warrant features several critical infrastructure proposals sponsored by town officials.
Article 33 addresses the Mary Alley Municipal Building HVAC replacement, which would require a to-be-determined debt exclusion — a temporary tax increase to fund the project.
Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin said she hopes the exact price tag will arrive in April. She did have these figures on hand:
Article 9 requests $50,000 for walls and fences.
Article 10 seeks $400,000 for stormwater construction and drain department purposes.
Article 17 requests $627,323 for the town’s assessment to the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District for fiscal year 2026.
Benjamin is working on getting the Current a remaining list of dollar amounts associated with financial articles.
“We are waiting on the State to certify free cash and retained earnings,” she said. “Once the funds are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, we can provide you with additional amounts.”
Article 34 proposes additional funding for the high school roof and HVAC units through an $8.6
COURTESY IMAGE / TOOLE DESIGN GROUP
The proposed bicycle network for Marblehead shows “neighborhood greenways” (light shade) where cyclists would share roads with vehicles and “separated facilities” (dark shade) that would provide dedicated lanes.
“We’ve been helping the town draft the Marblehead Bike Facilities Master Plan,” Dennerlein told the committee. “The overall objectives are to provide facilities that are convenient, attractive, safe and accessible to residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.”
The plan divides potential bike routes into two categories: “neighborhood greenways” where cyclists would share roads with vehicles, and “separated facilities” that would provide dedicated lanes or paths for bicyclists. Dunham emphasized that traffic calming measures are needed on West Shore Drive.
“I am hoping, pleading for anything that produces traffic calming. Narrowing that road would in and of itself create
million debt exclusion.
Article 35 would amend a previous Town Meeting vote to allow flexibility in about $260,000 in repairs at the Marblehead Fire Department headquarters and the Franklin Street station.
Mandated compliance measures
Article 36 proposes the creation of a Stormwater Enterprise Fund to help Marblehead meet federal Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System regulations, which require towns to manage and reduce pollutants in street runoff.
“We are under a federal mandate requiring all municipalities to manage stormwater flow,” Kezer explained. “The first step is to establish the fund, and in the coming years, we will determine the rate structure and how best to implement the program.”
Several articles address necessary compliance with state and federal regulations.
Article 23 reintroduces the MBTA Communities multifamily overlay district that sparked heated debate last year, designating a total 58.4 acres across three districts for potential multi-family development:
Tioga Way (29.8 acres) – Up to 483 housing units
» Pleasant Street (20.6 acres)
– Up to 295 housing units
» Broughton Road (8 acres) –Up to 119 housing units
Article 24 updates the town’s Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw to align with the state’s new Affordable Homes Act, effective since Feb. 2, 2025. Key changes include removing owneroccupancy requirements and prohibitions on ADU sales or transfers.
“This is mostly making adjustments to not be in conflict with the state law,” Kezer noted.
safety concerns are a major barrier to cycling in town.
“Cyclists felt unsafe on roads and at particular intersections,” Dennerlein explained. “Most people use the rail trail, but a lot of people don’t necessarily feel comfortable biking on the road. They drive to the rail trail and utilize that instead of biking from their house.”
Committee member Rick Smyers questioned whether specific recommendations had been made for different types of separated bike facilities.
“Within the separated bike facility, what kind of separation? That seems like the toughest decision to make in some cases,” Smyers said.
traffic calming,” she said. “It has become more dangerous over the years. I’ve certainly lived here long enough to have seen the evolution of it, and it has not been a positive pattern.”
Public engagement during the planning process included pop-up events at the Festival of Arts and Farmers’ Market, stakeholder interviews, steering committee meetings and an online survey that garnered over 800 responses.
“Safe routes to schools popped up throughout almost every single event that we held,” Dennerlein said. “People in Marblehead were typically biking more for recreation and enjoyment, as opposed to commuting to work.”
The survey revealed that
Article 25 updates floodplain district mapping to ensure residents remain eligible for flood insurance. Town Planner Alex Eitler previously emphasized the non-negotiable nature of these changes, stating, “We have to comply or lose access to flood insurance for our citizens.”
Citizen petitions
Eight citizen petitions reflect ongoing concerns about transparency, fiscal oversight and municipal priorities. Article 52, sponsored by Luisa Boverini, proposes a recall provision for elected officials that would require signatures from 15% of registered voters.
“It definitely stems and emerges from the ongoing struggles that educators have had with the elected and appointed officials in the town,” Boverini said, referencing last year’s teacher contract negotiations and strike.
Article 51, filed by attorney John DiPiano, would reform Town Meeting reconsideration procedures, requiring such motions to be made within 30 minutes by someone who initially voted in favor. This directly responds to last year’s chaotic scene when an attempt to revive the failed MBTA Communities article caused an uproar.
“It appears that the motion for reconsideration filed last year was calculated to coincide with people leaving Town Meeting after the vote was taken, in a partisan attempt to reverse that vote and disenfranchise the majority,” DiPiano explained.
Article 49 proposes creating an independent parliamentarian position for Town Meeting, addressing what petitioner Jack Buba sees as a conflict when the town attorney advises on procedural matters.
“The town attorney is hired by the Selectmen,” Buba said.
and budget estimates for the proposed improvements.
Dennerlein explained that while specific costs for each street weren’t calculated, general permile estimates could be provided for different facility types.
Smyers emphasized the importance of measuring outcomes. “The data in other towns has shown that when you put in a bike lane, it typically slows down the speeders on that route and reduces the number of crashes and the severity of crashes,” he said. “I think it would be important to measure that and show that that is, in fact, happening here.”
Dennerlein acknowledged that these specific design decisions would come later. “With the information that we had, we couldn’t necessarily pick which type for all roadways, but in the toolkit, we do provide guidance on when you would use each type,” she said.
Police Chief Dennis King asked how Marblehead compared to other communities in bicycle-friendliness.
“Marblehead is really unique geographically. You don’t have any through traffic. You’re on a peninsula,” Dennerlein replied. “That keeps the vehicle volumes and speeds relatively low compared to a lot of other communities, which is excellent. We biked on a lot of different streets, and a lot of them already feel very comfortable to bike on.”
Committee Chair Gary Herbert inquired about shortterm bicycle enhancements
BUDGET REVIEW TIMELINE
The Finance Committee has scheduled a series of budget hearings to review the town’s financial articles before Town Meeting: March 17: Water and Sewer, Cemetery, Retirement, Assessor March 24: Health and Waste, Recreation and Parks, Library March 31: Select Board, Schools, Town Clerk/Elections April 7: Town Meeting warrant hearing for financial articles. The April 7 warrant hearing will take place in the Select Board Room of Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., at 7 p.m. All others will take place in the lower level of the Mary Alley Municipal Building, 7 Widger Road, also at 7 p.m.
“When a question at Town Meeting comes up, oftentimes the town moderator will seek the advice of town counsel who then decides whether the motion is in or out of order.”
Independent audit, eliminating sustainability coordinator
Multiple articles address fiscal policies and personnel matters.
Article 46 would appropriate up to $100,000 for an independent town audit, despite Marblehead recently hiring a new external auditor.
Article 47, filed by Emily DeJoy, proposes eliminating the sustainability coordinator position created in 2023 to help Marblehead achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
“The town has been asked to approve Proposition 2½ tax overrides to maintain essential services, and we are facing pressing issues such as the transfer station, high school roof, deteriorating roads and aging infrastructure,” DeJoy wrote, emphasizing her petition
The plan’s prioritization factors include routes to schools, safety considerations, connectivity to the Rail Trail and key routes to destinations like downtown and nearby MBTA commuter rail stations.
Dennerlein noted that historic streets in Marblehead would likely be designated as neighborhood greenways rather than having separated bike lanes, due to their constrained width.
“I believe all of the streets within the historic district are just designated as the neighborhood greenways. So they wouldn’t necessarily have bike lanes, they would just be more of the traffic calming features,” she said.
The bicycle plan is expected to be finalized by early April after additional town review. It will serve as the final piece of the town’s Complete Streets planning, building upon the Rail Trail improvements already in place.
“is not a reflection on the individual in the role but rather a broader conversation about fiscal responsibility.”
Town officials strongly oppose eliminating the position. Meanwhile, Sustainable Marblehead Executive Director Elaine Leahy stressed its importance for a coastal community facing climate threats.
“We already feel the effects of flooding in our coastal zones,” she said. “The harbor is the heart and soul of our community, and to put that at risk because that is our biggest risk — flooding and sea level rise — makes no sense.”
Article 48 would require department heads to live in Marblehead, a proposal that Benjamin has criticized, noting the town’s $1.2 million median home price makes recruitment challenging.
“It would be penny wise and pound foolish,” Kezer said of the residency requirement.
“We’ve got strong background requirements. These are unique skill sets that are in high demand, and there’s just not enough pool for the demand right now.”
Local industry and tax relief
Article 45, sponsored by Ray Bates, a lobsterman with 40 years of experience, would allow fishermen to store lobster traps on their residential property during the off-season months of November through May.
“Marblehead’s town seal is the fisherman,” Bates noted. “We just want the town to give us some slack and please let us store our traps in our yards.”
Several articles also aim to address property tax burdens, including Article 28, which would establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption, and Articles 29 and 30, which adjust veteran exemptions.
Nancy (Welch) Ryan, 88, founder of My Brother’s Table
Nancy (Welch) Ryan, 88, passed away peacefully on Feb. 27 following a brief illness. Faith, family and helping others were essential to Nancy. Born and raised in Marblehead, she spent many summers sailing Brutal Beasts in Marblehead Harbor. At the age of 12, she contracted rheumatic fever and spent five months recuperating at home until she was treated with a dose of the new drug, penicillin. During her time at home, she read voraciously. She learned about Jane Addams, a progressive social worker who founded a house to help immigrant families establish themselves in Chicago during
Frank Carlton
‘Carl’ Siegel, 91
Frank Carlton “Carl” Siegel, 91, of Evans Road, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Lafayette Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Facility surrounded by his family. Carl is predeceased by his wife Harriette Glass Siegel along with his parents, Mildred and Frank Siegel. He is survived by his son Michael Siegel of Myrtle Beach,South Carolina.; son Brian Siegel and wife Diane of Arlington and granddaughters Anastasia and Erika; and daughter Suzanne Siegel of Marblehead. He is also survived
NEWS IN BrIEF
BY WILL DOWD
The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews.org.
Chief King to receive Essex County leadership award
Marblehead Police Chief King will receive the Essex County Law Enforcement Community Leadership Award at this year’s North Shore Anti-Defamation League Education Day breakfast on May 14.
“The award recognizes the chief’s commission to work with the ADL fight against hate,” said Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.
King is being recognized for “actively working with the ADL North Shore advisory group on antisemitism in Marblehead and Swampscott,” according to Kezer.
King’s contributions include “providing training at Temple Emanu-el to about 50 of the temple’s staff on threat assessment and security.”
Citizen Police Academy has limited spots remaining
The 10th Citizen Police Academy has a few spots remaining for its program, which will be held on Friday mornings at 9 a.m. starting on March 14. Apply at bit.ly/3XhFbUo.
Town receives $130,000 grant for comprehensive plan update
Marblehead has been awarded a $130,000 grant to update its comprehensive plan, a critical
the late 19th century. This book inspired her future career path. After graduating from Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, she attended Trinity College in Washington, DC. Following college, she earned her master’s in social work at Boston College and began a long, rewarding and varied career as a social worker with Catholic Charities.
While Nancy was a trained social worker, her dedication to social services was not confined to her career but permeated every aspect of her life. She began her professional journey in adoption and community
by sister Carol Reis of Denver, Colorado, brother Robert Siegel and his wife Susan of Houston, Texas, along with nieces and nephews Martin Eiss, Christine Wyckoff, Jenny Voland and Leslie Beasse. Carl was born on March 16, 1933 in Buffalo, New York. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a machinist’s mate second
services, addressing critical issues such as homelessness, housing and poverty. Her legacy, however, extends far beyond her professional achievements. In 1981, she founded My Brother’s Table in Lynn, a testament to her unwavering commitment to serving the hungry, lonely and those in need of a warm meal. Her impact on the community is immeasurable, and her legacy will continue to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
Nancy was bestowed with many honors during her life, including the Archdiocese of Boston’s Cheverus Award, Trinity College’s Alumnae Achievement Award and being an Olympic torch bearer for the 1996 Summer Olympics. However, her most incredible honor was being a wife, mother and grandmother. She inspired and pushed her four children to reach their dreams. She loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and spent many afternoons with her grandchildren baking cookies for My Brothers Table guests,
class and ascended to the rank of lieutenant commander. After the Navy, he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina. He took his experience and knowledge to General Electric in Lynn where he worked for 27 years. Carl and his wife Harriette settled in Marblehead in 1960, where they raised their three children.
For those who knew Carl, they know that his achievements are too long to list. Some of his greatest contributions were his involvement in the Marblehead Rotary Club for 33 years, serving on the Recreation and Parks Department for five years, serving on the Marblehead Water & Sewer Board for 36 years, and also providing his knowledge and handiwork to the great sport of football. Not only did he re-design the
land-use document that town officials say has expired.
The successful grant application comes after an initial rejection last fall when state officials deemed Marblehead ineligible due to non-compliance with the MBTA Communities Act.
“This is a comprehensive planning document, a land use document. All communities are required to have an update in order to be eligible for serving grants and programs in the state,” Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer explained at a recent meeting.
The town’s compliance status remains precarious. Residents narrowly rejected required multifamily zoning changes by just 33 votes at the May 2024 Town Meeting. Town officials plan to bring the proposal back for another vote in May 2025, before the state’s extended July 14 compliance deadline.
Mary Alley building to undergo rug replacement
friends and neighbors. In retirement, she and her husband Joe spent time in Naples, Florida, where she enjoyed time with new and old friends and pursued new volunteer opportunities, including assisting in an elementary school that educated children of local farm workers, and working with Habitat for Humanity and Catholic Charities. She was active in her church in Marblehead and Naples. Nancy leaves behind a loving family, including her son William Ryan and his wife Tini of Jakarta, Indonesia; her daughter Patty Ryan Sheehan and husband Dana Sheehan of Nahant; her son Joseph Ryan and his wife Melissa of Marblehead; and her son Mark Ryan and his wife Shea of Marblehead. She was a proud and loving grandmother to George, Joseph, Maria, Hannah, Nancy, Patty, Liam, Amina, Aidan, Caitlyn, Emma, Megan Ryan and Julianne Sheehan. Her love for her grandchildren was boundless, and she cherished every moment spent with them.
model for bean bags used by the referees in the National Football League, but he was also a referee himself for 15 years as well as a long-term board member and coach to both Marblehead Midget Football & Marblehead Little League. Carl’s greatest passion was to give back to the Marblehead community by being the town’s do-it-all handyman. From planting the flowers on the traffic island at the corner of Maple and Lafayette, to hanging the lights on the lighthouse at Chandler Hovey Park over the 4th of July and Christmas holidays, to the rubber duck race and the annual Easter egg hunt that the Rotary Club of Marblehead sponsored, Carl said yes to everything with a smile on his face. If you were to drive on Evans Road, it was almost a given that you’d see
through an extensive amount of damage, and that was followed by a water break that flooded another part of the office,” Kezer said.
Marblehead Festival of Arts scholarship applications open
The Marblehead Festival of Arts is now accepting applications for its 2025 scholarship program, offering $3,000 scholarships to eligible students.
She was also a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews, with a special bond with her goddaughter Mary MacDonald. Her husband, Joseph F. Ryan, with whom she shared 50 wonderful years of marriage, preceded her death. She is also predeceased by her parents, William and Anne Welch; brothers William, Robert and Richard Welch; and sister Patricia Davern.
Visiting hours are Wednesday, March 5, 4-8 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (corner of North Street), Salem. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, on Thursday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private. Instead of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to My Brother’s Table, Lynn, and Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, Florida (habitatcollier. org).
For additional information or an online guest book, please call 978-744-0497 or visit MurphyFuneralHome.com.
Carl working on a project in his garage, as he spent his life crafting and creating. Carl was a one-of-a-kind community member, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all. He was also a cherished friend to many, including Keith Taylor, Steve Leone, Jack Attridge and the entire Rotary Club, Amy & Bill McHugh, along with the entire staff of the Water & Sewer Department — just to name a few.
A private burial and a celebration of life will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Marblehead, P.O. Box 1008, Marblehead, in memory of Carl Siegel. For more information or online guestbook, please visit murphyfuneralhome.com or call 978-744-0497.
The Champions Award, named for the late Amy R. Saltz of Marblehead, honors individuals 21 and older who have demonstrated outstanding community service in Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant, Peabody or Salem. Nominees must have at least three years of volunteer or professional service experience in community engagement, volunteer efforts, public service or mentorship.
The Mary Alley building is scheduled for rug replacement beginning the week of March 10, which will create “a new, fresh look throughout Mary Alley, pretty much like the hospital that it was many years ago,” according to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.
The public should expect service interruptions during this period. “What’s important for the public to know is that during that week, there will be interruptions,” Kezer warned.
“They’ll do the hallways first … they’ll cover the new carpets, and then they’ll do all the office space,” he explained. While “employees are going to be responsible for cleaning up all the materials around the gas cabinets,” Kezer noted that “as part of the rug contract, movers are going to come in and move the furniture out when they put the rugs down in the office space and move everything back.”
The project was partially initiated after “we had a break-in to the office. Somebody went
The scholarships are available to Marblehead High School students or Marblehead residents graduating from any high school in 2025. . Applications can be downloaded at bit.ly/4h4O3DL and submitted to scholarships@ marbleheadfestival.org by the deadline of Tuesday, April 15.
Artisans Marketplace applications open
Applications for the Marblehead Festival of Arts Artisans Marketplace will be open through March 31. The Artisans Marketplace is one of the popular features of the annual Marblehead Festival of Arts, which showcases local and regional artistic talent. Sign up at bit.ly/3Xo8ODn.
Counseling center launches community awards
The Marblehead Counseling Center is launching its inaugural Amy Saltz Community Champions Award and Community Impact Scholarship program to recognize community service and support future healthcare professionals.
“We realize that it really does take a village. There is a mental health crisis in our country that would be impossible to solve alone,” said Ruth Ferguson, president of the MCC Board of Directors.
Additionally, the center will award a $1,000 Community Impact Scholarship to a high school senior planning to study healthcare, medicine, mental health, nursing, social work, psychology or counseling.
Nominations and applications are open through April 10. Winners will be announced at the Community Champions Celebration in April. For more information, contact Pam Shorr at pwshorr@gmail.com or visit marbleheadcounseling.org/ awards.
Marblehead Museum’s March events lined up
The Marblehead Museum will host a variety of engaging events this March, offering opportunities for history enthusiasts, spirits connoisseurs and community members to support and connect with the local institution.
CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD
Police Chief Dennis King speaks during a Select Board meeting. King will receive the Essex County Law Enforcement Community Leadership Award at the North Shore Anti-Defamation League Education Day breakfast on May 14.
Marblehead’s best bets
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Leigh Blander
Little Explorers
Sunday, March 9, 10-11:30 a.m.
The Epstein Hillel School, 6 Community Road, is launching a Sunday openplay program for children ages 2-5 called Little Explorers.
It’s free and open to the community.
The theme of this Sunday’s playgroup is Robot Razzmatazz. RSVP by contacting Rebecca Karen at rkaren@epsteinhillel.org.
Democracy Rocks
Thursday, March 6, 6-8 p.m.
Feeling concerned about the state of our country? Want to express your thoughts and make a positive impact? Check out Democracy Rocks, a creative workshop where you’ll harness the power of art and words to inspire change. In this session with Creative Spirit, you’ll paint rocks with uplifting, encouraging messages and words of hope for our community. All art supplies (and rocks) will be provided. $25 per person, 40 South St., Suite 102. Tickets at creativespiritma.com.
It’s Wild in There: An Intro to Instinctive Meditation
Saturday, March 8, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
With all the responsibilities of working, raising kids, taking care of a home and business and more, it’s no great leap to feel like “It’s wild in there” — referring to our busy minds.
Come to The Yoga Loft, 27 Bessom St., and learn more about instinctive meditation and its benefits, including greater creativity, improved relationships, better productivity and reduced stress. $25, theyogaloft. com.
Porch Party Mamas
Friday, March 7, 8 p.m.
Urban folk, country and blues artists
Inspired by playing and
each
musicians and singer-songwriters combine their talents to create a brand new type of band. Tickets are $25, $10 for students. meandthee.org.
The museum’s annual fundraising dinner will be held at The Landing restaurant on Tuesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. This year’s event will raise funds for the final phase of archaeology at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, with The Landing donating 20% of each bill to the museum. Diners will also have the opportunity to view artifacts from previous excavations.
The month concludes with the Marblehead Museum’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m., featuring updates on the Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen Project and a presentation by the museum’s associate director, Jarrett Zeman, on Marblehead in the silent movie era.
For information about any of these events, visit
MAA exhibits
The Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., has unveiled six new exhibits running through April 12, including “Through the Students’ Lens,” a collection of photos by students from Marblehead, Salem and Gloucester high schools, along with Bishop Fenwick and Phillips Academy.
The Marblehead student photographers featured in the exhibit are Owen Dulac, Sydney Berman, Evan Carroll, Colin Hart, Charlie Roszell, Caroline Crosby and Campbell Crane.
Other exhibits feature painting, 3D works, drawing and more.
For more information, visit marbleheadarts.org.
Blazing a trail to Congress, historic firsts for women
Monday, March 10, 1 p.m.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, join Carolyn Crouch, founder of Washington Walks, for an inspiring look at the women who achieved historic firsts in the U.S. Congress. Despite numerous obstacles, these trailblazers paved the way for future generations of female leaders. Explore the remarkable stories of women such as Jeanette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress; Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman considered for the presidency at a national convention; Patsy Takemoto Mink, co-author of Title IX legislation; and Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress. Maeve Hartney, chief program officer of Massachusetts Road Scholar programs, will lead a viewing of the online lecture at Abbot Public Library, followed by a discussion. 235 Pleasant St. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/ Congress-Women.
marbleheadmuseum.org or call 781-631-1768.
Charity night planned for Marblehead Animal Shelter
The Landing restaurant will host a charity night to benefit the Friends of Marblehead’s Abandoned Animals shelter on Tuesday, March 25, from 6-9 p.m. The fundraising event, taking place at 81 Front St., will feature food, drinks and a silent auction to support the local animal shelter’s ongoing work with abandoned pets.
No tickets are required to attend the event, though reservations are recommended as space may be limited. Fifteen percent of all food, drink and gift certificate purchases made during the three-hour event will go directly to the animal shelter to help fund its operations and animal care services.
For reservations or more
information about the charity night, call The Landing
restaurant at 781-639-1266.
Local real estate office collecting prom dresses for students in need
William Raveis Real Estate in Marblehead is participating in the Belle of the Ball prom dress donation drive, collecting gently used dresses for local students through March 7.
The initiative, supported by Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture and Enterprise Bank, provides formal dresses to students who might otherwise not be able to attend their prom. Donated dresses will be professionally cleaned by Anton’s and displayed at an invitation-only event in Boston for qualifying students.
Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at William Raveis Real Estate, 11 Atlantic Ave.
Planning Board sets MBTA zoning sessions The Marblehead Planning
Stetson Gallery new exhibit
Throughout March
Corinne Commoss-Abercrombie of Marblehead will display her paintings in the Stetson Gallery at the UU Church, 28 Mugford St., throughout the month. Abercrombie taught art in the Lynn public schools for 12 years, all the while taking classes in drawing, watercolor and oils. She won Best of Show at the Painting the Town exhibit at the 2019 Marblehead Festival of Arts.
Spirit Night
Thursday, March 13, 6-8 p.m.
Escape the winter doldrums and warm up with Marblehead Museum’s second annual Spirit Night fundraiser, hosted this year at the Masonic Lodge, 62 Pleasant St.
Guests will enjoy a guided tasting of some of the world’s best scotch and whiskey, paired with heavy appetizers. Tickets are $85 for museum members and $95 for the public and are available at marbleheadmuseum.org. All guests must be over the age of 21.
Board will host additional public meetings on proposed MBTA zoning changes, with the next session being a hybrid public hearing on March 11 at Abbot Hall.
“The format is basically going to be that individuals can come in and just ask questions about the plan,” Town Planner Alex Eitler said.
The sessions, all at Abbot Hall, lead up to the town’s MBTA Communities Act compliance plan presentation at May Town Meeting to meet a July compliance deadline.
The remaining schedule includes: March 11, 7 p.m. Hybrid public hearing.
» March 31, 7 p.m.: Overview presentation.
» April 7, 2-4 p.m.: Public workshop
Last May, voters rejected a proposal creating three multifamily housing districts to comply with state law requiring MBTA-served communities to
allow multifamily housing.
Little Harbor Studios and Gallery offers classes
Little Harbor Studios and Gallery is offering four-week art sessions with professional artist Samuel Gareginyan at their Marblehead location.
Gareginyan, who has taught at the MFA Boston and Marblehead Arts Association, will lead sessions designed to help participants “build on your skills and explore the mediums you already have using oils, acrylics, and drawing.”
The classes will be held on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little Harbor Studios and Gallery, 18 Doaks Lane, Marblehead. Each four-week session costs $200 and is limited to eight students. The next session begins March 7. For registration and questions, contact Tom Hubbard at biketom53@gmail.com. To view Gareginyan’s artwork, visit samuelg.com.
Porch Party Mamas make their debut at the Me&Thee, 28 Mugford St.
singing
other’s songs at their porch parties, these Boston-area
Shining a light on the news you care about!
Headlight
Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community
Should schools start later?
Evan Eisen, Junior
Every morning I wake up and look at my alarm clock to see that it is 6 a.m., and I think to myself that I have to get up and start getting ready for school, but another part of me says otherwise. As I wipe the sleep out of my eyes and start making myself look presentable, I ask myself why do I have to wake up so early? I know that many other students and teachers ask that same question, and, that for some, depending on where they live, they have to wake up even earlier. Even though we have been forced to become accustomed to it, there are still good reasons as to having a later start time. Studies have shown that when students have gotten more sleep they are more energised and tend to do better academically and socially. Even if school started an hour later at 9 a.m., it still would allow students and staff to not wake up as early and sleep in a little. Of course, it would be challenging for parents who have little kids when they have to be at work by a certain time and have to drive them to school.
I see many kids walking in the hallways or sitting at lunch looking out of it every-
day. Would it honestly be so bad to let these kids get an extra hour or two of sleep by starting at 9 a.m. and leaving at 3:30 p.m.?
There, of course, is the issue of sports and other extracurricular activities that have weekly and sometimes daily after-school practices and games. By getting out later, students wouldn’t get back home until very late in the evening, when they have to worry about getting their homework done for the next day.
With all that aside, if students are allowed to get more time to sleep and perform much better academically, it could mean receiving more state funding. With that state funding, we could get better sporting equipment, have more school events relating to music and art, and more classes that can actually teach us important life skills like repairing an oil burner, how to fix a sink and a toilet, or how to fix a light switch instead of being reliant and throwing money at people to fix it.
It can feel exhausting thinking about the logistics of a possible change in school arrival and departure times, but, looking at the grand scheme of things, it could help bring improvements to the student body and to our school.
The science behind fashion
Georgia Marshall, Assistant Editor, Sophomore
Ever notice how you feel more confident when you wear bold colors? Or how slipping into your favorite dress instantly makes you want to twirl? Or, on an opposite note, how wearing the same old sweatpants on repeat all week drains your motivation? It’s not just in your head - it’s science. This strange phenomenon is connected to the cognitive principle that clothes have the power to change your mood due to a combination of what they mean and how they make you feel. The concept, titled enclothed cognition, is a reflection of the influence our fashion choices have on how we interact with the world around us.
According to Fashion Journal, “In a study conducted by Hajo Adam and Adam D Galinsky, the intersection of attitude and clothing was analyzed by exploring both ‘the symbolic meaning of the clothes’ to the wearer and ‘the physical experience of wearing them.’” Participants in the study were all given lab coats. Some were informed of what
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
REPORTERS: Nathaniel
they actually were, while others were told they were artists’ smocks. They then took awareness tests, and the results showed that those knowingly wearing lab coats had much higher levels of attention and performed more strongly on the tests than those wearing “smocks.” This is all due to the perceived intensity and analytical nature of the job associated with the lab coats (doctors and scientists). Despite the fact that none of the participants had these jobs, the immediate association that came with the clothing instantly boosted their performances.
This experience isn’t limited to lab coats and art smocks, though. So many clothes have different cultural affiliations. Plaid skirts are typically linked to preppy academics and tennis, while running shoes are generally tied to sports and movement. Depending on the elements you incorporate into your outfits, you’ll go through the day on different planes. When you tailor what you wear to what you have to do, you are guaranteed to have a boost in pheromones and a heightened
experience of the situation. Headed to a country concert? Don a cowboy hat to get you in the zone. Got an important presentation in the afternoon? A power suit or blazer will give you instant confidence and gogetter energy. Whatever you choose to wear, the fact that you took the time to wear something meaningful will make you feel more motivated, no matter the situation.
Challenging yourself to incorporate some aspect of am-
bition into each day’s outfit will prove beneficial in so many ways. Your motivation and productivity will ascend in scale, you’ll feel happier and more confident, and you’ll have a reason to leave the house and show yourself off.
So next time you’ve got something big coming up, or even if you’re simply experiencing a slump in creativity, wear that jacket you’ve always been afraid to wear, rock those bold new shoes, or try out a new look entirely. You’ll feel the effects instantly.
A trip to ancient times
Grey Collins, Assistant Editor, Junior
Thirty-six students at Marblehead High School are counting down the days until they can pack their bags and leave the harsh Marblehead winter behind and travel to Greece. The trip is planned to take place during April break, and it will continue despite the fact that there will be school days during that week. MHS English teacher Rebecca Blomberg is leading the trip, which consists of thirty- six tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders at Marblehead High School. Mrs. Blomberg believes that this trip will be a great learning experience for the students.
“I think this will be an incredible experiential learning opportunity for our students,” said Blomberg. “We’re reading a Greek play called Oedipus Rex, and we’re actually visiting some of the locations that the story takes place in. I think that this is going to be a unique opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in a text and not just learn about the play itself, but also the culture and context.”
The students are visiting many locations around Greece,
including Athens, Corinth, Argoleta, Aurorus, Mycenae, Olympia, and Delphi. They will even take tours of islands off the coast of Greece.
One activity will be participating in olive oil tastings. They will also learn about Greek pottery and will practice making their own pottery. The students will spend most of their time visiting museums, historic sites, and ancient ruins around Greece.
“I’m most excited to see the ruins,” said Blomberg. “I’ve been to Rome, and the ancient ruins there are so breathtaking and interesting. It's going to be just like a time travel experience to actually be there in the middle of it in Greece.”
The trip is still two months away, but students are eagerly awaiting the day that they can pack their bags and leave the frigid northeast behind for a week.
“I’m super excited about this trip,” said MHS sophomore Felix Regnault. “I know I’ll go on trips to beautiful locations like Greece in the future, but having the opportunity to go with friends and classmates will make it a trip that I’ll remember forever.”
Headlight Staff 2024 - 2025
Benji Boyd ASSISTANT EDITORS: Grey Collins, Kathleen Hanson, Georgia Marshall FACULTY ADVISOR: Thomas Higgins
Carper-Young, Anna Baughman, Anya Kane, Evan Eisen, Niko King, William Pelliciotti, Peter Sullivan, Nasira Warab, Grace Wolverton, Madalyn Gelb, Teagan Freedman, Samuel Jendrysik, Nicholas Jones, Arabella Pelekoudas
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Two sixth-grade students at Marblehead’s Epstein Hillel School are celebrating after winning first prize in a Make the Change Challenge focused on helping people with disabilities.
Charlie Sobelman, 12, of Marblehead, and Alice Dunn, 11, of Lynn, invented The Confidence Patch, a decorative,
second-skin sticker that surrounds the feeding tube of patients with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. The goal? To help children with feeding tubes feel more confident.
The contest was sponsored by Adi, a nonprofit in southern Israel that supports people with disabilities. More than 310 students in grades four through 12 from across North
America participated.
“I jumped out of my chair screaming,” said Sobelman about the moment the girls learned on Zoom that their Confidence Patch had won first place.
“We focused on helping little kids with disabilities feel comfortable and cool with their disability,” she explained.
Her partner, Dunn, added, “We don’t want
kids having insecurities or doubting themselves, hiding away from people.”
The Confidence Patch, which is waterproof, is shaped like a circle with a hole in the center, where a feeding tube can go.
The girls created several fun designs, including dinosaurs, butterflies, sea creatures and more.
EHS teacher Miri Sharon said she would connect with Adi leaders about
producing The Confidence Patch for kids. The girls explored different inventions before landing on The Confidence Patch, including a special teddy bear with a screen on its belly so deaf children can read programmed messages from their toy. The girls collected a total of $1,000 for their first place win. They plan to save most of the money — and to spend some, too. “I’m going to spend $100 at Target,” Dunn said with a smile.
