Police are investigating three pornographic Zomb bombs in as many days during town meetings last week. The Select Board will be moving to a platform with more protections before its next meeting.
“We have to pay for the more expensive subscription. and we
have to personally let people into the meeting,” Select Board Chair Erin Noonan told the Current. “There’s something about the way they enter the meeting that’s more secure.”
Town Administrator Thatcher
Kezer said other boards and committees that use the Select Board’s Zoom account will also utilize the upgraded system.
“We want all boards to
conduct their meetings using webinar mode, but they will need to have someone trained to support that mode,” Kezer said.
The Select Board meeting was hit on Wednesday, July 24. The disruption happened about halfway through Finance Committee Chair Alec Goolsby’s presentation on financial projections for 2025.
“I don’t believe this has ever
happened at one of our meetings before,” Noonan said.
The Zoom bomb lasted more than a minute before administrators removed the offender. People attending the Select Board meeting in person could not see the explicit video, but viewers tuning in virtually could.
“Unfortunately, we did not know the screen was visible
Windless days foil junior regatta
BY GREY COLLINS
On Monday morning, July 22, young sailors from around the Northeast eagerly unfurled their sails for the annual Marblehead Junior Race Week. But unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Due to a lack of wind, only one race out of 21 took place.
BY GREY COLLINS
Ever since Marbleheader and avid swimmer Jane Bianchi
saw a recent video of a shark at Halfway Rock about 4 miles east of Marblehead, she wears a shark deterrent band on her ankle. She’s also more cautious about where and when she swims.
“I live on my Sharktivity App to see where they’re located,” said Bianchi. “I’m also hoping that my magnetic bracelet helps, and obviously I won’t go at dusk or dawn.”
In the last few weeks, several videos have surfaced on social media of sharks in Marblehead waters, including one inside
After months of preparation, both the first and the third days of racing were canceled due to lack of wind, and on the second day, only one of the races took place. Out of 210 sailors, only 29 were able to race in the regatta.
“I was pretty disappointed not being able to sail at all,” said Jack Morgan, a 16-yearold sailor for the Pleon Yacht Club. “The
the harbor, that have worried residents.
“We have had approximately four sightings,” Harbormaster Mark Souza told the Current.
“Based on video and descriptions, all have been confirmed to be basking sharks.”
But that doesn’t mean the great whites aren’t there.
Last week, local lobsterman
Matt Finn recorded a close-up of a large shark just past Halfway Rock.
“Everyone said that it’s a
Pleon team and I felt we could do really well in this regatta so it was frustrating not getting some good races in.”
The winner of the Opti Green race was Brendan Boulter from the Pleon Yacht Club team.
“Marblehead is known to have little wind
basking shark, but this thing moved completely differently, and it was massive. It had to be 17 foot long,” said Finn. “If you saw the nose of the shark, it didn’t look like a basking shark. It didn’t have its mouth open. It didn’t have the exposed gills that a basking shark has.”
Finn said friends had seen two great whites 6 or 7 miles from that spot a few days before.
“We’re all seeing them. We know they’re out there,” he added.
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy estimated that from 2015-2018 there were 800 great white sharks in Massachusetts waters. The
to those online because in our meeting room … it was not,” Noonan said. “Otherwise, I would have immediately shut it down and continued the meeting in person.”
Then on Friday, July 26, during the virtual meeting of the School Committee’s policy subgroup, several screens popped up with
BY LAURIE FULLERTON
The 135th sailing of Marblehead Race Week wrapped up after light air gave competitors only six races over the entire four-day regatta. By Sunday, as the remaining eight fleets waited outside the harbor under a postponement flag, the race committee, in their hunt for wind, deemed to be strong enough for one short race for the Lasers and Town Class off Crocker Park. The results after six races did bode well for Charlie Pendleton and Jim Rasidies of Marblehead in the J/70 fleet on their boat Bad Hombre, which took home second place overall and first place in the Corinthian, or amateur, division with 21 points overall. The J/70s were hosting their national championships as well.
“With conditions like these our strategy has been to sail our best race possible. We felt like we were sailing well, and made very few mistakes,” said Charlie Pendleton, skipper of the Bad Hombres. “Our philosophy has been to race every race like it is our last one. This bodes well, too, as next year we have the J/70 amateur worlds coming to Marblehead. It looks like we will have about 80 boats.” In the International One Design fleet, veteran sailor Bill Widnall on board Javelin benefited from
population is still increasing as seal populations continue to recover since the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
Just this week, there were 16 great white sightings confirmed off the coast of New England, including two in Maine, one on the South Shore and one on the
North Shore. Marblehead resident Arthur Beauchesne, who has been surfing in Marblehead since 1984, has seen many over the years, sometimes too close for comfort.
COURTESY PHOTO / RICK CUZNER
Local nature and wildlife photographer Rick Cuzner captured photos of a basking shark near Halfway Rock.
CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Black Lives Matter and Juneteenth banners, along with Pride flags, would be taken down before school starts in September if the School Committee approves a new draft policy that allows only the U.S., state, Marblehead and military flags on school grounds.
The School Committee’s policy subgroup met July 26 to review the new draft. It requires two more discussions before it can be voted on by the full School Committee.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” Schaeffner said. “I’d like to get this done before school starts.”
Schaeffer said interim
Superintendent John Robidoux agrees with the new draft. Robidoux did not immediately return questions about the policy.
An earlier draft included language allowing students and others to petition the School Committee for permission to display other flags or banners for 30 days. The new version does not include that language.
Schaeffner explained that the draft policy would not prohibit signage for school events, sports, clubs and the like.
Resident Angus McQuilken spoke at the virtual meeting against the policy.
“As a homeowner, a taxpayer and a parent of a student in the schools, I’d like to say we don’t need a School Committeeestablished flag policy in Marblehead. I would encourage the School Committee to
simply take this off the agenda,” McQuilken said. He added, “The School Committee has bigger fish to try, as you know better than anybody. We have big challenges ahead.” McQuilken also said that
students and teachers should be involved in decisions about flags in their schools. And he warned that this policy might lead to legal challenges.
The flag controversy prompted students to lead a protest outside
MHS in January. Many worried that removing the BLM banner, as well as Pride flags, in school would make LGBTQ+ students and students of color feel less welcome. Students demanded that they have a say in developing any flag-related policy, since they are the ones who see the flags every day.
School Committee members held listening sessions with MHS students. Reporters were not permitted to attend.
At a March public meeting, dubbed a “Conversation with the School Committee,” a MHS senior spoke about the flag issue.
“We are the people here everyday,” the student said.
“You’re not in the schools. You don’t understand the support that people of color get from seeing these flags. You don’t understand the trials and tribulations of going through the school being microaggressed and being harassed in the hallways. This is a piece of our identity, and it shows people that they don’t need to shrink themselves when they come here.”
Also at the July 26 meeting, School Committee member Alison Taylor advocated for a policy change to reinstate a second recess every school day, especially for kids in grades K-6. She will meet with Robidoux and Assistant Superintendent of Learning Julia Ferreira to come up with a proposal. The second recess was dropped during COVID to create more time for learning during the school day.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Interim Superintendent
John Robidoux has chosen the employment and education law firm Kurker Paget in Waltham to investigate antisemitism accusations — and counterclaims — in the Marblehead schools.
“We have conducted over 250 internal investigations, including investigations to help schools ensure that they are meeting constituents’ expectations, as well as their ethical and legal obligations to respond to allegations,” the Kurker Paget website reads.
The firm has specific experience investigating antisemitism. Last year, it determined that a Harvard Kennedy School professor
violated free speech principles when he told students they could not base a project on the idea that Israel was a Jewish democracy.
The Marblehead School Committee approved $25,000 to investigate antisemitism allegations, including those made by Veterans School teacher Brigitte Karns against Marblehead High School Spanish teacher Candice Sliney.
Karns said Sliney took down the Israeli flag in the high school cafeteria, crumpled it and threw it in the corner. Sliney categorically denies the charge. She says she removed the BLM and Israeli flags in the cafeteria at the end of the school year and delivered the Israeli flag, folded, to Principal Michele Carlson.
In a June webinar with the Israeli-American Civic Action Network, Karns said, “Marblehead has been knowingly supporting a hostile work environment of some of the Jewish teachers and students. The Marblehead Education Association is using intimidation tactics to silence Jews and then the administration is perpetuating antisemitic and anti-Israel ideology by remaining silent.” School Committee member
Sarah Fox said at a recent meeting that she hoped the investigation could be completed before the school year begins in September. Robidoux has said that deadline may be unrealistic, as many teachers who might need to be interviewed are on vacation.
BY WILL DOWD
The Abbot Public Library
Renovation Committee is making strides to address accessibility issues at the library’s main entrance following a $10 million renovation project that faced unexpected hurdles.
Committee Chair Gary Amberik reported that plans for a new accessible ramp along Maverick Street have been completed. The new ramp will connect to the main sloped walkway leading to the front door.
“It’ll have railings and handrails as required,” Amberik said during the July 26 committee meeting.
“We’ll also be regrading the existing walkway from the corner
of Maverick and Pleasant up to the main walkway, making it more flat with two sets of two-step risers and simple handrails.”
The project is expected to go out to bid this week, with pricing anticipated by midAugust. Construction is slated to
begin after Labor Day, aiming for completion by the
CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
A new draft policy on flags and banners in the schools would lead to the removal of the BLM and Pride flags at MHS.
Students and residents rallied outside the high school last winter to protest removing the BLM and Pride flags.
The Kuker and Paget website highlights its experience with discrimination investigations.
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
The Abbot Public Library will have a new, ADA-compliant ramp coming up from Maverick Street to the entrance.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Much of the nation is experiencing Election stress disorder, and Marbleheaders are no different. Even before the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s decision to end his candidacy, an American Psychiatric Association poll showed that nearly 75% of respondents feel anxious about the November election.
Local mental health clinicians say they are seeing more clients with ESD.
“Absolutely,” said Marie Ouellette, a social worker and chief clinical officer at the Marblehead Counseling Center.
“In 2022, while I was surfing at Devereux, I had a small juvenile great white swim directly under me during a summer swell in August,” said Beauchesne. “I’ve been surfing since 1984 and it seems that sightings have become way more frequent with an ever-increasing number each year. The local seal population
“It’s more than in past election cycles. People feel like they have no control, they don’t know what to do.”
Ouellette told the Current that ESD is impacting relationships, too
“Friendships, marriages …
People are arguing, especially when one person is on one side, and one is on the other,” she said.
ESD, which is not a clinical disorder, can lead to physical symptoms.
“Headaches, GI issues, a lot of tension in your body, trouble sleeping,” said Ouellette.
“People tell me they’re having dreams about the election … excessive, uncontrollable worries … restlessness.”
has drastically increased, so with a food source here, the sharks have increased too.”
Photographer and recreational fisherman Rick Cuzner has seen six sharks in the Marblehead area in July alone. He said that four were probably basking sharks, one was a blue shark and the other one was possibly a great white shark. He filmed the video of a shark out at Halfway Rock that worried Jane Bianchi
Psychologist Melissa Kaplowitch, Ph.D, of Marblehead is an assistant professor at Salem State University.
“What I’m seeing is the uncertainty, and that’s causing a lot of sadness. People are feeling despair or hopelessness,” Kaplowitch said.
ESD is impacting younger people, too.
“As kids see adults display stress and anxiety, or talk about the election, they become uncertain too,” Kaplowitch said.
Pastor James Bixby of Clifton Lutheran Church says his parishioners are also experiencing ESD, particularly around Project 2025, which is a plan for the next four years compiled by the
and is still unsure if what he filmed was a great white, or a basking shark.
“I approached the fin and when I got to it, it went underwater,” said Cuzner. “You can kind of see it in the shadows. That one we don’t know if it’s a basking shark or a great white.”
Despite the growing population and publicity of the North Shore sharks, Cuzner doesn’t think there’s much cause to worry.
Heritage Foundation, which includes contributions from allies of Donald Trump, including members of his previous administration.
“There’s almost a sense of dread and defeatism among progressives,” Bixby said.
How to combat ESD
Ouellette and Kaplowitch urge people suffering from ESD to limit their exposure to politics on TV, radio and social media.
“It’s hard to get away from it, but try to limit it, especially when it feels out of control,” Ouellette said. “Take digital breaks. Spend more time with family and friends and things that bring you joy. Go for a walk on the beach.”
However, there are some places he’d rather not swim.
“There is a huge seal colony right off Devereux Beach so I’m not sure I’d go swimming in the open water out there,” said Cuzner. “But it’s not like we’re finding attacked seals or anything like that. But that’s going to come up at some point.”
While most agree that we shouldn’t be constantly afraid of the sharks, we should still
Kaplowitch agrees. “We have to know and recognize what we can control and what we can’t control. We can turn off the TV, we can also control how we engage in political conversations. Know what your limits are. Know when you need to walk about from a conversation. It’s OK to walk away or say, ‘Let’s change the topic.’” Another way to combat ESD is to do something that makes you feel a little more in control, the experts agree.
“If you can transform the anxiety into action, that’s a holy thing,” Bixby said.
Ouellette added, “Voting gives you a sense of control and empowerment that your view and your voice matter.”
be aware that we are visitors in their home.
“You need to be aware that when you enter the water you are in their environment,” said Beauchesne. “My dad used to say if there’s salt in the water, then there’s sharks in the water. We are just visiting their domain.” Grey Collins, a rising Marblehead High School junior, contributes photography and writing to the Current.
EDITORIA l
Opinion
The times, they are a-changin’
When the gavel comes down at the end of the final night of Town Meeting each May, it has been the custom for our Finance Committee members to step back, take a deep breath and recharge their batteries for the resumption of the budget planning and review for the next year’s annual budget, typically beginning in the late fall or early winter. But not this year.
On June 17, FinCom gathered for what will become monthly meetings this summer to begin its task of developing a recommended budget to present at next May’s Town Meeting. This change has been initiated by its chairperson, Alec Goolsby, who recently told the Current, “We all know that there’s a lot of work ahead of us in this fiscal year” and that starting the preparation early will enable FinCom “to check in on how things are going and provide advice effectively.”
It appears that this year’s summer sessions will focus on personnel costs, which represent approximately 80% of the town’s annual budget.
Our town leaders have been challenged in recent years to present balanced budgets within the tax increase limitations of Proposition 2 1/2, notwithstanding the increase of costs over which the town has little or no control, such as rising health insurance premiums for our employees and the annual, required contribution to our retirement account.
Each year, the town is left uncertain until the 11th hour whether there will be a request for a general override vote. Voters have been clear that they are not yet prepared to accept a general override, and this has clearly been a factor causing FinCom to get a much earlier start on its budgetary analysis.
Goolsby has said, “The early start is largely driven by the need for a more comprehensive, longterm strategy for municipal finances,” echoing the emphasis on such planning that has been the stated goal of Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer and the Select Board.
It is incumbent upon our town leaders to find creative ways to bring forth proposed, balanced budgets, and we applaud the decision of the FinCom to start this process so soon after the conclusion of this year’s town meeting.
But is this enough? Almost 40 years ago, the town commissioned an independent review of all facets of the town’s operations, which resulted in a comprehensive report with recommendations for streamlining the efficiency of numerous departments, many of which were adopted in whole or in part. The creation of a town administrator position is but one example of a major change to past practice that flowed from the consultant’s report.
Perhaps the town could be well served to again make the investment for a similar analysis. We ask FinCom and other town leaders to give this serious consideration.
And now, a few final words about our FinCom: It is composed of dedicated volunteer citizens who bring diverse backgrounds and a willingness to devote countless (and increasing) hours to the hard work of trying to present balanced budgets each year. For that oftentimes thankless work, we say thank you. For without them, we would be faced with even greater difficulty in developing budgets that meet the needs of all ’Headers while staying within the confines of Proposition 2 1/2.
The Current welcomes letters to the editor and strives to represent a range of viewpoints on our opinion pages. Generally, letters should not exceed 500 words. Letters over the word limit may be returned to the writer for editing. Writers may be given more leeway to criticize national political candidates and other public figures. However, in all cases, letter writers should refrain from name calling and personal attacks and instead focus on the substance of matters of public concern. Letter writers may be asked to substantiate claims that do not relate to information previously published in the Current. While we will make every effort to let writers have their say, we reserve the right not to publish letters.
Letters must include:
The author’s name. Unsigned letters and form letters will not be published. The name of the street on which the author lives in
MARBlEHEAD CHRONIClES
The town’s antique fire pumper dates back to 1861 and still has fans
BY PAM PETERSON
Okonmamakamesit is the full name of the hand tub that is housed at the Okos clubhouse at the corner of Washington and Summer streets. The history of the pumper and the group that cares for it is fascinating.
Hand tubs, or pumpers, were used in the 18th and 19th century to put out fires. The tubs were filled with water and taken to the fire, drawn by horses. Men pumped the hand tubs furiously to raise enough pressure to bring the water through the hoses to spray the flames and put fires out. It took a lot of strength and stamina to pump the water. By the end of the 19th century, steam-powered pumpers replaced hand tubs. However, by this time pumping hand tubs had become a sport, and throughout New England hand tub teams competed to see who could spray water the furthest. Musters are still an event and draw large crowds to watch the competition.
The Okommakamesit fire tub was built in 1861. It changed hands a few times and finally ended up in Marblehead in 1895. It was purchased by the Okos group specifically for sport. Hand pumping is one of the oldest recreational sports in the country.
The name has Native American origins, and the Okos team has kept it. They admit it’s superstition, and fear of bad luck that has caused
them to never change the name. It must have worked, because the Okos still have the best record of any of the Marblehead handpumping teams.
Originally connected with the Marblehead Fire Department, hand tub pumping events became well established, with the whole town coming out to the annual fall fire department parade and musters. The Okos even had a band, and they regularly played “Marblehead Forever” when they marched. The Okos, Gerrys, Mugfords, General Glovers, M.A. Picketts and Liberty Hose and Hook and Ladder companies all competed to pump the longest stream of water. These musters, or “pump offs,” still occur and are an amazing sight.
The public water system in Marblehead was originally established for fighting fires,
and not for drinking water. The Town Meeting of 1877 voted to construct a reservoir at Redd’s Pond to provide water to fight fires. The threat of fire has always been a major concern. In a town of largely wooden structures, many precautions were necessary to protect buildings and people. From the early 1600s until plumbing was introduced in the late 1800s, accessing water to fill hoses and buckets was a challenge. Hand tubs were a good solution for a long time and are an important part of the history of firefighting. There hasn’t been a hand tub muster in Marblehead for many years, but it would be wonderful to see one happen again here in town someday. Pam Peterson chairs the Marblehead Historical Commission. She is the former Marblehead Museum executive director.
CuZNER IN NAT u RE
Gentle giant: Basking shark spotted in Marblehead waters
BY RICK CUZNER
The basking shark, seen just recently off Halfway Rock, presents a striking and serene image in these photos. Known as the secondlargest fish in the ocean, the basking shark can grow up to 40 feet in length. Despite its imposing size and formidable dorsal fin, this gentle giant is a filter feeder, primarily consuming plankton. In the first photo (above), the dorsal fin of the basking shark breaks the surface of the water, reminiscent of classic “Jaws” imagery. The second image provides a more comprehensive view of the basking shark from above, revealing its massive body and distinctive gill slits.
Marblehead Current is
The
proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner. Over the past 16 years, he has taken thousands of nature photographs.
Okommakamesit hand tub is housed at the Okos clubhouse at the corner of Washington and Summer streets.
COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER
surface of the water.
Film screening revived antisemitic tropes
To the editor: In her letter “Keep this in mind the next time you hear of someone charged with antisemitism,” Linda Weltner revisits the controversy aroused some years ago with our local Unitarian Universalist Church’s screening of the film, “The Occupation of the American Mind.” I was reminded of one of the most painful and difficult moments in my three decades of interfaith work and cooperation here in Marblehead.
What Weltner fails to recall is that the antisemitic aspects of that film were not simply critical readings of Israeli policy, nor even of the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States. Rather, the film produced and narrated by the virulent antisemite, Roger Waters, was based upon a contemporary re-branding of the medieval tropes that led to the murder of untold numbers of Jews, culminating (well, so we hope) in the Holocaust. The claims that Jews control the media, the Government, and international financing created a structure of myths upon which the antiJewish pogroms and incitements were founded. The film was a sad and hurtful regurgitation of those same canards.
Our local communities of faith are bound by our “Interfaith Covenant”, a pledge signed by our Marblehead clergy and congregations to oppose bigotry, racism and prejudice in all of their forms. The screening of Waters’s film seemed to many in the Jewish community and beyond as a transgression of our shared Covenant. Then as now, we need to distinguish between respectful disagreement and the fomenting of hatred.
Rabbi David Meyer West Shore Drive
Resident criticizes flag policy debate
To the editor:
Well, I am back! At the last full School Committee meeting after a very lengthy time trying to get the Zoom to work properly at the administration building, some School Committee members were in the room and others were at home, and it sounded like another calling in, possibly from her car, the meeting finally got underway. Chair Jenn Schaeffner asked if there were any public comments. She looked at me and asked if I had a comment. I said, “I think I will pass and give you an extended break from me this summer.”
Well, we are back debating the flag policy. As I stated at one of the meetings, I had called 21 communities around Marblehead and not one community had a flag policy at that time. Schaeffner found one in Hadley, 113.6 miles (2.15 hours) away.
The School Committee conducted listening sessions at the high school that excluded parents, stakeholders and the media. Obviously, the School Committee is not listening at all to the students and stakeholders. Our town is 91.49% white. We also have children who are Asian, Latino, Black. Our children in town live in a little cocoon. Not much diversity. We have had children in town charged with antisemitic, racist and homophobic rhetoric and graffiti. My 50th class reunion is this year, and I was thinking back all those years ago we had all countries’ flags in the world displayed in our schools and
St. Michael’s: Thanks for supporting the Lobster Lunch
To the editor:
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church sends sincere thanks to the community for their continued support, and willingness to stand in the long line of the annual Heavenly Lobster Lunch over the July Fourth weekend. With your help and continued generosity, we raised $31,720.27. This outreach program helps us support our partner parish school in Haiti and this year’s charitable recipients: Marblehead Counseling, Marblehead Food Pantry, Marblehead Friends of Abandoned Animals, Anchor to Windward, The Haven Project and Plummer House.
Barbara Miller Byors Road
To so many wonderful ’Headers
To the editor:
The Cottage Gardeners of Marblehead and Swampscott took on a beautification project in front of the Oko’s building, on the corner of Washington and Middle streets. It’s a small area, but we felt a very important one because it’s the entrance that welcomes people to historic Marblehead. It was in desperate need of restoration. It was a heartwarming project because people passing by showed their appreciation, and so many Marbleheaders volunteered their help. We cannot thank you enough, but we’re going to try:
1. Thank you Phil Somerby for getting us started. Phil donated his time and equipment removing the top layer of sod, roots, and weeds. Thank you Phil, we would probably still be there trying to get a shovel through all that without you.
there was always an assignment relating to different countries.
When my granddaughter was In second grade at Glover School, there was a project where kids chose a country to write about and display the flag in the project. We were remote then, so no flags were hung at the school.
America is a melting pot of different nationalities, traditions, histories and languages.
We have students that want their fellow students of color, members of the LGBTQ+ and autistic communities to feel welcome and safe.
Listen to the children and leave up the BLM and Israeli flags.
Chair Schaeffner wants the flags removed from the public housing in town.
We have parents that want to end the METCO program.
We have School Committee members in the now infamous FOIA text/email that referred to the Mothers of Liberty, and called stakeholders lunatics. By the way, I am very proud to be a member of The Lunatic Squad. In the last 14 months this School Committee has caused so much chaos and pain in our town.
Also, bringing the flag debate up during the summer when many students and stakeholders are away is a bit underhanded. What happened to transparency?
Did you skip the workshop on how to get along with each other and with community members?
Mary McCarriston Pinecliff Drive
Hourihan for president
To the editor:
I wish to vote for James Seamus Hourihan for president of the United States after reading his Municipal Musings column.
Elise Brink Glover Square
We will fight any attempt to undermine fair elections
To the editor: The League of Women Voters of Marblehead would like to share with the residents of Marblehead the following message that was issued on July 12 by the League of Women
Voters of the United States, our national organization.
WASHINGTON – The League of Women Voters of the US president, Dianna Wynn, issued the following statement about the state of American democracy ahead of the 2024 general election:
“For more than a century, the League of Women Voters has stood as a trusted, nonpartisan source of election information for voters across this nation. Since our founding, our organization has been dedicated to preparing voters to cast their ballot in each election and to exercise their right to participate in democracy.
“We stand firmly against policies and actions that threaten the integrity and inclusiveness of the democratic process. White nationalism and efforts to move our government toward authoritarianism threatens the very foundation of our democracy. The League will use our power and resources to combat any attempt to undercut the values of free and fair elections, and our democracy of, by, and for the people. Through protests and advocacy we will challenge any policies, laws, and regulations that propose restrictive measures that undermine our nation’s progress toward ensuring every citizen’s right to vote.
“Our country is at an existential crossroads, and voters must make a critical decision about the direction of our nation. The League remains committed to providing nonpartisan election information for voters at VOTE411.org and empowering voters to send a clear message about the future we want. We urge American voters to turn up and turn out in November to ensure our democracy reflects the will of the people.”
The primary election in Massachusetts is September 3 and the national election is November 5. Our democracy depends on all of us being informed on the issues and casting our ballots on election day. We encourage everyone to engage others with respect and civility, the hallmark of a mature democracy.
The League of Women Voters is non-partisan with respect to candidates and political parties. It was formed in 1920 and is dedicated to the principles of self-government established by the Constitution of the United States. The League works to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. Membership is
2. Thank you Brad Smith, plumber extraordinaire, for giving us water. There was no outside water fixture — both our plants and we thank you.
3. Thank you Ryan, of Marblehead Garden Center, for searching out the biggest and best shrubs we could afford. They look beautiful.
4. Thank you to Cottage Gardener member, and landscape designer Holly Willsey-Walker, for the many, many, MANY things you did to make this project happen. Your low maintenance design, planting all the ground cover, and installing the irrigation system (with your wonderful and talented husband, David), saved us so much money and made the whole project happen.
5. Thank you to the many Cottage Gardeners for throwing their backs, along with broken nails, and one dislocated knee(.) into digging the holes for our shrubs. AND to our two strong guys swinging the pickaxe to break up the rocks buried in the holes — thank you Scott Snyder and Tom McMahon.
6. Thank you to Lindsey Walker, of Compass Real Estate, for the wonderful donation of the solar-powered lights throughout the garden. Your generosity is so appreciated.
7. Finally, thank you so much to Ben Lebowitz, the building inspector and project manager of the OKO building itself — his enthusiasm and help with this project was absolutely incredible. He took our designs to the various town boards for approval, he found the right people and surplus supplies that would help us, and then he donated his own time to help with the project. Ben and his wife, Freja, spent several hours one weekend digging out the trench for the irrigation system and the brick path that the OKO engine can be displayed on. After all that digging we had a pile of dirt — a BIG pile of dirt. Ben found people who could use it, and also took it away himself, one barrel at a time. Ben is an amazing town employee, who goes above and beyond his job. Marblehead is so lucky to have him, and so were The Cottage Gardeners.
We haven’t quite finished the project yet — the bricks will be arriving in the next week or so, and the fence rails soon after. Our club was very proud to do this for the town and we hope Marblehead is proud of it too. We realized in doing this, that Marblehead is really a town of volunteers. It was so rewarding to see how much people wanted to join in and help us make this work.
Many, many thanks to all, Karen McMahon, for the Cottage Gardeners
open to all.
On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Marblehead, Bonnie Grenier, Sagamore Road Shari Pressman, McKinley Road
Why I support Moulton’s new GI Bill
To the editor:
In the 1940s, 16.4 million Americans served their country and fought in World War II, preserving American ideals and protecting global peace. Their dedication to their nation benefits Americans to this day, but only a select few of those who fought received benefits upon returning from war.
The GI Bill, an act that
established numerous benefits to enshrine generational wealth and success among veterans, did not apply to Black soldiers. More than 16 million soldiers returned home to their families and should have received the benefits of the GI Bill, including housing benefits, access to education and financial prosperity overall, but not all 16,400,000 did. I grew up in Massachusetts. My grandfather was a Navy pilot. I can reap the benefits of his time served, so why are my Black counterparts, with grandfathers who fought, unable to access them?
Congressman Seth Moulton’s GI Bill Restoration Act is an attempt to right a historical wrong and extend GI Bill benefits to the descendants of Black soldiers who were denied justice by their country which they fought to protect.
The GI Bill Restoration Act is an example of Congressman Moulton’s dedication to serving members of the armed services and ensuring that the military can be equitable and uphold
Frustration aired at assessors meeting
BY WILL DOWD
The fallout from last year’s property assessment errors continues to reverberate as residents voiced their frustrations at Thursday’s Board of Assessors meeting.
The meeting came months after the discovery of significant issues with the 2023 property valuations, which led to a surge in abatement requests and approximately $541,000 in refund checks.
Meanwhile, Town Assessor Karen Bertolino remains on paid administrative leave, costing taxpayers approximately $37,554.60 since early March, according to salaries provided by the town.
Marion Ferris, a longtime Marblehead resident, didn’t mince words when addressing the board on July 25.
“This assessor has cost taxpayers an awful lot of money,” Ferris said.
Ferris expressed disbelief at what she called a lack of oversight in the assessment process.
“I cannot believe that you allow one person to handle this,” she said. “Even our federal government has three branches. A president can’t just willy-nilly do something.”
Board of Assessors Chair John Kelley countered that there is oversight, explaining that the
BY WILL DOWD
The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews.org.
Four new hires
Marblehead has filled four positions, including roles in urban planning, veterans’ services and finance, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer noted at the July 24 Select Board meeting.
Alexander Eitler will start as the new town planner on Aug. 25. Eitler currently works as an associate urban planner for Washington Gas in Virginia.
“Alexander brings a very interesting background, with experience overseas in London and Switzerland,” Kezer said. “We’re looking forward to his start.”
Roseann Trionfi-Mazzuchelli has been hired as the new veterans’ service officer, beginning Sept. 2. She brings over 10 years of experience, most recently serving as veterans’ service director for Melrose, Wakefield and Saugus.
“Roseann was very impressive. She blew us away with her experience and knowledge,” Kezer said. “As an Army veteran herself, she brings valuable firsthand experience to the role.”
Trionfi-Mazzachelli replaces Dave Rodgers, who served 25 years as veterans agent.
Josh Bogle started last week as the new assistant treasurer/ collector, filling a critical position in the town’s finance department.
“Josh comes to us from the banking and securities world, which makes him very knowledgeable for this role,” Kezer explained. “With this hire, we’ve finally fully staffed the treasurer/collector’s office, which has been woefully understaffed for far too long.”
Ian Parlee has filled the open geographic information systems position at the Department of Public Works. Parlee graduated from Salem State University with a master’s degree in geoinformation science.
Kezer highlighted the importance of the GIS role:
Massachusetts Department of Revenue reviews the assessors’ methodology for setting valuations. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue reviews how they analyze and assess home sales to make sure everything is done accurately and fairly
However, Kelley acknowledged that when applied to the entire town, “it didn’t work, many areas didn’t work.”
The controversy stems from adjustments made to the most recent land value tables, which are tools assessors use to set property values across different neighborhoods or areas of a town. These tables
help ensure that similar plots of land in the same area are valued consistently, taking into account factors like location, size, and local amenities.
“The initial focus on adjusting land values significantly not only created potential inequity amongst various neighborhoods but required nonsensical adjustments to building cost,” wrote independent consultant Jim Doherty in a report to the Board of Assessors.
Elizabeth Ayer, also of Marblehead, shared her personal struggle with understanding the assessment process and its impact on her two properties in the historic district.
“This position manages our geographical information system, which is utilized by several departments throughout the town. It’s critical for planning and infrastructure management.”
The town administrator emphasized that these hires will help address longstanding staffing challenges and improve services across multiple departments.
Auschwitz exhibit trip
The JCCNS and Council on Aging are inviting the community to visit the Auschwitz Exhibit at The Castle at Park Plaza in Boston. The trip is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 22, with departure from the JCCNS parking lot at 8:45 a.m. Tickets are priced at $28, with school bus transportation provided by Marblehead Public Schools at no additional cost for seniors.
For tickets, participants should submit their checks to the JCCNS by Aug. 1. Sara Ewing can be contacted at 857-285-7913
or Sharon Doliber at 781-6316225 for more information. Limited ticket availability may be possible after the Aug. 1 deadline.
Chamber accepting nominations
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 2024 Community Awards and Board of Directors. Community Award nominations, including “Business of the Year,” are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 12. Board of Directors nominations from Chamber members are due on the same date. Winners will be announced in late August and celebrated at the Chamber’s 72nd Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration on Sept. 26 at the Corinthian Yacht Club. Nomination forms and additional information are available at marbleheadchamber. org.
Chamber awards scholarships
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce has awarded its
financial strain on their household.
This has left Ayer, who now lives alone in their High Street home, particularly sensitive to any increases in property taxes. She emphasized that while they have been fortunate in the past, she’s now “on a budget” and carefully watching her expenses.
Jonathan Lederman, who joined the Board of Assessors in June, attempted to clarify some of the confusion surrounding the abatement process.
“For people whose assessments are high and want to file for abatement, the deadline for that is Feb. 1,” Lederman explained.
“I’m definitely in the senior area [of life],” said Ayer, who will turn 75 in November. “That’s one of my frustrations I have to say in this whole process is to realize how clueless I was.”
Ayer’s comments highlighted a common theme among residents: confusion about the assessment process and a desire for more accessible information.
Ayer’s concerns about the assessments are compounded by her personal circumstances. Her husband, Jim Ayer, 90, recently moved into assisted living at John Bertram House.
“His monthly bill at Bertram is averaging $15,000 a month,” Ayer said, highlighting the
2024 scholarships to Tyler Earp and Deyshalee Amadis, who graduated from Marblehead High School in June.
Each student will receive a onetime award of $1,250 to support their pursuit of higher education at a two- or four-year college. The recipients were chosen based on academic excellence and community involvement. They were honored at the high school’s Senior Awards Night on May 28.
Free postpartum visits
The North Shore Mother Visiting Partnership is providing free, one-time home visits from public health nurses to new mothers across 13 North Shore communities, including Marblehead. The service is available to all parents within the first year after birth or adoption, regardless of age, insurance or income. Funded by local grants, the program aims to support maternal health, newborn care and provide valuable resources. Visits last approximately 90 minutes and include guidance on various aspects of postpartum care. For more information or to request a visit, interested parents can contact NS MVP at 978-922-3000 ext. 2127 or visit their website at northshoremvp.
He added that the board is working to fix the entire database to prevent similar issues in the future. The board has commissioned Patriot Properties to start a complete reassessment this summer, with preliminary assessments expected to be available for public comment this fall.
The board members acknowledged the communication gap and indicated they are working on ways to improve transparency and public outreach.
“We should get you a copy of that letter,” Lederman told Ayer, referring to a recently published explanation of the assessment issues and corrective actions.
org.
Pathways and water quality enhancements
Marblehead has contracted with Pare Corporation to improve Redd’s Pond. Plans include a new accessible walkway, wetland delineation, wall survey and water quality sampling. The project, funded by COVID recovery funds and state money totaling $87,500, also involves testing and assessing water quality, with completion aimed at enhancing the pond’s accessibility and ecological health.
Got questions about new meals, rooms taxes?
Voters at the Town Meeting in May approved two new local taxes — a 6% local rooms tax and a .75% meals tax.
The Finance Department has been getting several questions about its implementation.
Residents with questions about these new taxes can contact the state Department of Revenue at 1-800-392-6089 or 1-617-887-6367 for more information.
Money for Marblehead
The state Legislature passed a $58 billion budget for fiscal year 2025, including significant investments in Marblehead, according to state Sen. Brendan Cirghton and Rep. Jenny Armini, who represent the town. These earmarks include:
» $6.62 million in Chapter 70 education funding, up $269,152 from FY24.
$1.4 million in unrestricted general government aid, a $40,839 increase.
» $20,000 for American Revolution 250th anniversary programming.
$25,000 to rehabilitate slave quarters at Jeremiah Lee Mansion.
» $50,000 for Girls on the Run Greater Boston program. Crighton praised the budget’s focus on economic opportunities and community needs. Armini highlighted the balance between preserving history and preparing for the future.
The budget now awaits the governor’s signature.
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
The Board of Assessors is facing criticism from frustrated property owners.
COURTESY PHOTO / RENE TERP Help is here for new mothers.
CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS Improvements are coming to Redd’s Pond.
CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS
The town has announced some key hires this month.
COURTESY PHOTO / PIXABAY
Do you have questions about the new meals and rooms taxes in town?
COA renovation bid comes in 300% too high
BY WILL DOWD
The Council on Aging’s renovation project for the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center has hit a snag, forcing officials to revise plans and seek new bids.
The initial proposal, estimated at $150,000, aimed to transform the center’s outdated sunroom into a modern, year-round space. However, the sole bid received significantly exceeded the budget.
“We had a few people looking at it, and then we had one that was just too much — around $400,000,” said Lisa Hooper, COA executive director.
In response, project leaders have scaled back the scope to keep costs manageable and attract more local contractors.
Architect Walter Jacob explained the strategy: “We’ve taken out kind of the nonessential things within the project. The goal is to build the main structure under this
contract, so then we can fall within a specific budget range that’s more palatable.”
The revised plan focuses on core improvements while deferring some amenities.
“We’re taking down a threeseason building, it’s not insulated, not heated, and has no foundation, and putting up a permanent structure that’s
heated, insulated and it will be four-season,” Jacob said. “What we did is we took out some other things like casework, benches and things like that can always be added later.”
Jacob noted, “The way public bidding works is if the budget’s below $150,000, then it’s a lower bar to be able to bid. It allows more local contractors.”
Despite the setback, Hooper remains optimistic about the project’s benefits for seniors.
“It will be one full room, you know, heating, air conditioning,” she said, highlighting the importance of consistent climate control for the comfort of center visitors.
The COA now anticipates project completion by spring 2025, a year delay from the original timeline. However, officials believe this revised approach will ultimately deliver a more flexible and sustainable solution for the community’s seniors.
The $150,000 project costs will be covered by a mixture of private donations, the Friends of the Council on Aging and a Shattuck Fund Grant.
Marblehead Dog Park is getting a new gate, but access challenges remain
BY LIA GORBACH
The Marblehead Dog Park is installing a new utility gate that will make it easier for service vehicles to access the area, but the park is still dealing with ongoing access challenges due to surrounding construction.
The Friends of Marblehead Dog Park is a volunteer organization that maintains the park and raises money for its support. Donations to the Friends have recently funded the purchase of a new double-wide
utility gate.
“We’re working with the town to set an installation date,”
Stephen Cooper, president of the Friends, said, adding that they’re shooting for a fall installation.
Though this will make maintaining the park easier, the access and parking issues remain. Cooper estimates there has been a 50% decline in use of the park due to accessibility problems since 2021.
The dog park, located off of Lime Street above Reynolds Playground, opened in 2009.
The property the dog park sits on is public land, but the land to its east and north is not. The other two sides surrounding the park are steep hills that lead to a conservation area and the Green Street playground.
Previously, visitors could park their cars in the lot of an office building on Tioga Way, then enter through a gate. That land is owned by Glover Property Managements.
When developer Ted Moore tore down the office building to build a new project in 2021, a cement
wall was put up, and accessing the park became difficult. Vehicles previously used this entrance to drop off surfacing material and service the park.
“It’s very difficult to maintain the park having lost the gate access via Tioga Way,” Cooper said.
The Marblehead Rec and Parks Department has been working with Moore to navigate these issues.
Moore currently allows the dog park to use a roughly 15-foot path on the park’s east facing side to access the park, even
though the path is on Moore’s property. That path can only be used by pedestrians and can be slippery in rain and snow.
“I have been working with Ted Moore on parking and working vehicle access,” Rec and Parks Department Vice Chair Linda Rice-Collins said.
For now, dog park-goers can park by Charter School to bring their pups for a jaunt around the park.
“There should be signs of progress soon,” Cooper, who owns a German shepherd named Alphie, said.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland said a fire at the Transfer Station overnight on July 23 is not suspicious.
“It wasn’t intentional. It started in the trailer and worked its way back to the compactor,” Gillilan told the Current. “As far as a cause it could have been floor sandings that were bagged up in there and could spontaneously combust or it could’ve been that somebody threw a battery in there. It could’ve been many things when you’re dealing with the compactor.”
No one was hurt in the fire and the Transfer Station opened later that morning.
graphic video and audio. Chair Jenn Schaeffner ended the meeting after about 10 seconds. About an hour later, a meeting of the Abbot Public Library Building Renovation Committee was attacked. This isn’t new in Marblehead. In April, an antisemitic and pornographic Zoom bomb interrupted a Finance Committee meeting, displaying a swastika, pornographic drawings and the phrase “Jews did 911” on a large screen in the Mary Alley Municipal Building. Board of Retirement Administrator
Linda Gifford quickly shut down Zoom access during that incident. In February, a Board of Health meeting was targeted with racist and pornographic content, including messages, drawings and video. One message read, “Kill all n—–s,” prompting a joint statement from the town, police chief and public health director condemning the incident. Zoom From P. A1
Ada the Jack Russell terrier, comes to the dog park about once a week with his owner, Mark Smith.
CURRENT PHOTOS / LIA GORBACH
Stephen Cooper, president of the nonprofit Friends of Marblehead Dog Park, points to the wall that used to be an access point to the park via Tioga Way.
COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland says the Transfer Station blaze was not set intentionally.
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
Cultivating History
Saturday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Marblehead Museum invites you to its newest summer program, Cultivating History. Explore the gardens of the Lee Mansion, maintained by the Marblehead Garden Club since 1936. Learn about the period-appropriate plants and discover what uses they had, including culinary, medicinal and even cosmetic. Test your scavenger hunt skills for a chance to win a prize. Make your very own Victorian thaumatrope (an instrument that creates optical illusions). Kids can color botanical prints, plant seeds to take home and take part in other hands-on activities. Make the most of your visit by packing a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds. $5 per person, $10 per family up to four people. Kids 2 and under are free. More info at marbleheadmuseum.org.
Full Time Infant/Toddler
Hearts & Humor
Saturday, Aug. 10, 6 p.m.
Actor and best-selling author Rob Delaney, who grew up in Marblehead and graduated from MHS in 1995, is coming back to town for a special program called Hearts & Humor with the Marblehead Counseling Center. He’ll be joined by WBZ-TV News anchor Lisa Hughes. Together, they will discuss Delaney’s memoir, “A Heart That Works,” which explores the devastating journey of losing his 2-year-old son, Henry, to a brain tumor. The book reveals Delaney’s hard-learned truths and has proven to be a piece of solace for anyone who has experienced profound loss.
Hearts & Humor will be at the Veterans School Performing Arts Center. For more information and tickets (which are $30), visit https://loom.ly/ YBORXH4.
Jazz in the Garden
Sunday, Aug. 4, 2-4 p.m.
Enjoy a summer afternoon of outdoor jazz with the Chase, Raberge, McMahon Trio. Seats in the garden are $20-$35 per person, kids are $10 or free. More info and tickets at earthsongherbals.com/ jazz-in-the-garden.
Friday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m. Cold Chocolate is back for their fifth show with Homegrown House Concerts in town. This genre-bending Americana band fuses folk, funk and bluegrass. Enjoy this backyard concert at 23 Rowland St. More info and tickets at https://loom.ly/
Secret heroines
Friday, Aug. 16, 6 p.m.
Cheryl Bartlam du Bois and Debra Ann Pawlak will discuss their two most recent books focusing on the early years of the American Revolution in New England during this author presentation and book signing while in costume. Featured will be Moll Pitcher, the great psychic of Marblehead and Lynn, as well as Marblehead’s own Gen. John Glover. The event at the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., is free. Reserve your spot at marbleheadarts.org
Harbor hosts 700 sailors for light-air Race Week
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS
Vipers sailing in a tight race upwind.
A fleet of IODs is under a spinnaker heading downwind.
COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE
A fleet of Etchells heading downwind under spinnakers.
MHS athletes locked in for fall season
BY GREY COLLINS
While many Marbleheaders are spending their summer tanning in the sun or swimming at the beach, Marblehead High School athletes are focused on preparing for their fall sports. Whether it’s taking morning runs six days a week or waking up at the crack of dawn to head to the weight room, these athletes are putting in the work to have a successful fall season.
Football
“We have been working all summer,” said Breydan Callahan, MHS junior and football player. “We’ve been attending these summer workouts at six in the morning. It gets us in shape, gets us strong and makes us better athletes.”
All summer, the football team has been waking up before most adults have had their first cup of coffee to go lift weights and run at the high school. They also play an adaptation of football called 7v7 in the offseason, which allows the players to get more practice on the field. With all the grueling pre-season work, hopes for the fall are very high.
“Obviously the expectation going into the season is to play at Gillete and win a ring,” said Colt Wales, MHS quarterback and team captain. “But we are trying to focus on one thing at a time. Whether it’s a single 7v7 game or a tournament game, we are putting our focus into the things that are straight ahead of us.”
Cross country
Down the street at Gatchells every morning, the MHS cross country team is also putting in the hours in hopes of a successful season.
“We are training here at Gatchells six days a week,” said captain Will Cerrutti. “We’re running like five to six miles almost every day. We’re also doing our strength and conditioning as well so nobody gets injured and we’re all feeling our best.”
The MHS cross country program has been very successful in the past few years and have captured several state titles. They hope that they can carry this momentum into next season and come out on top again.
“We’re super excited for the season.” said Nate Assa, another cross country captain. “We are looking to go super far this season, because we are going to have a lot of really fast runners.”
While practicing to succeed is important, so are the lessons that athletes are learning from their difficult summer practices.
“You can always push harder,”
BY JOE MCCONNELL
It’s a perfect way to end the regular season, and head into the legion playoffs.
The Marblehead/Swampscott
American Legion Post 57 Junior Mariners U-17 team (14-2) won their last two regular season games to extend their winning streak to an even dozen games with plenty of momentum going into the postseason. Both wins occurred against Andover in a home and home series. They won the first encounter on Monday, July 22, 12-4, at home, before going to Andover two nights later to dispatch them again to the tune of 10-2. These latest two victories
said Marri O’Connel, captain of the girls cross country team. “I’ve learned to push myself past my limits, even though it’s hard, because the pain is only temporary.”
Soccer
The boys and girls soccer teams are also having weekly captain’s practices to hone their skills for the fall season.
“Captains practices are a great opportunity for the incoming freshmen to bond with their classmates and become more comfortable in their new environment,” said junior soccer player Sydnety Ball.
“My expectations for the season are really high,” added Colin Burke, a junior soccer player. “I feel like everyone has been putting in so much work
wrapped up the regular season title in District 8. During the July 24 game, Post 57 got it going quickly with two runs in the top of the first.
Michael Collins picked up a double, followed by a single from Cooper Correnti, and they both ended up scoring the runs.
They didn’t score again until the third on a sacrifice fly by Nate Lee. Zach Alex, who singled, also scored a run in that frame.
Pitcher David Palmer allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) over six innings to seal the deal.
Palmer also walked two, but he fanned five to get out of jams. The offense pounded out 10
hits, led by Nick Berube and Beau Olivieri with two apiece. Correnti and Collins each drove in two. Timmy Hamilton and Olivieri stole multiple bases to keep Andover off balance on defense. Overall, the lineup demonstrated considerable patience to account for six walks. They also stole seven bases. At the start of that week,
for the upcoming season.”
While training in the summer heat can be tough, it definitely helps athletes develop more team chemistry and mental toughness.
Staying motivated
“Staying motivated during the summer has been difficult at times,” said Wales. “However the closer we get to the start of
the season, the more motivated we have become. We don’t struggle to have a good attitude out there. Each and every day stepping on the field, the boys have been working hard to not only improve themselves, but the team as a whole.”
Grey Collins is a rising junior at Marblehead High School who writes and takes photographs for the Current.
tournament in
the Junior Mariners earned a first-round bye in the District 8 playoffs, when they defeated visiting Andover, 12-4. They won’t play again after the aforementioned July 24 Andover game until July 30. A win on that night propels them to the state regional tournament in Middleboro from Aug. 3-7. Adam Sparacio was a perfect three-for-three at the plate in the July 22 game. He singled in both the first and six innings, sandwiched between a double in the third. Andover took a quick early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. But the Mariners came right back in the home half with two. Caden Ross doubled and Chase
Groothuis singled to begin the rally, and both ended up scoring the runs. Ross also knocked in a run in the third with a sacrifice fly.
Zach Alex pitched five innings in relief for the Mariners to secure the bye-clinching triumph. He allowed two hits and three runs (one earned), while striking out 10 and walking only three.
Groothuis gave up zero hits and one run (none earned) over the first two innings, while fanning three and walking two. The Mariners amassed 13 hits in this game. Ross and Olivieri each drove in two runs for the Mariners. Olivieri also stole two bases.
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS
MHS athletes are gearing up for the fall season at practices this summer.
Marblehead Race Week: Chasing the wind
Race Week
From P. A1
his back-to-back race wins on Saturday before closing it out with a third, shuffling the top three teams and putting home at the top of the standings by one point over Carolyn Corbet’s Elektra, winner of the third race.
The performance netted Bill Widnall the overall win for race week winning him the coveted and inaugural William Widnall trophy.
“I am honored to get this award, and I think that the best thing about the trophy and the win is that at my age I am still competing,” said Widnall, an octogenarian who still sails with his wife, Sheila, who is also in her 80s. Widnall has spent many years recruiting young sailors to the IODs from MIT where he worked at the MIT instrumentation Lab. Further, the IOD fleet is associated with Northeastern University and that also brings more young sailors to the fleet.
The popular J/105 fleet had a change in leadership after Saturday with Mathew Herbster’s squad on No Quarter putting up a trio of secondplace finishes. Charlie Garrard’s Merlin started the day with a race win and followed that with a shocker (seventh) before making up for it with another race win. In the end, Herbster took first place with 12 points and Garrard second with 14 points.
The Rhodes 19 finished the regatta with Adam Roberts and Alden Reid on Ripcord scoring eight points, an epic 16 points ahead of the second place finish. Sundance and Callie finished second and third with 24 points. The fleet could only get one race in on Saturday, and none on Sunday.
While Lightning and Viper racers drifted on the tide and patiently waited, they were taunted by the scenery of full spinnakers further offshore where the other circles enjoyed just enough breeze to continue apace with their respective races. Both Lightning and Viper sailors traveled a long
Juniors
From P. A1
in the summer,” said Marine Regnault, co-chair of the Marblehead Junior Race Week. “But no one really remembers a regatta like this. It’s extremely unusual.”
Although there was a disappointing lack of racing, many still found ways to enjoy themselves. Either by doing impressive acrobatics on their boats or by going swimming at the beach, they still found a way to have a good time.
“It was not all negative,” said Regnault. “The atmosphere on land was actually pretty good. Even though they didn’t sail together, they had an opportunity to connect. They always remember a good experience even though it wasn’t the experience they expected.”
Some of the racers thought that sailing experiences like this one can offer worthwhile lessons.
“It really helps you let go of the things you can’t control,” said 16-year-old sailor Jeremiah McCarthy. Grey Collins, a rising junior at Marblehead High School, contributes reporting and photography to the Current.
way to race and are a welcome addition to Marblehead Race Week. The nostalgic favorite being the Lightnings which were once a hugely popular boat in Marblehead 25 years ago.
The Lightings, who were also having there North Atlantic Championship, were a welcome site in Marblehead after the fleet literally disappeared about 25 years ago. Once one of the biggest one design fleets in the northeast, they are now only raced on lakes for the most part and can be seen racing
in Burlington, Vermont, and New Hampshire’s Bow Lake, Massabesic Lake and Squam Lake.
“I sailed Lightings in Marblehead when I was young,” said Bob Shapiro of New Hampshire. In fact, in 1967, famed Marblehead sailor Dr. Louis A. Pocharski was the Lightning world champion.
“We have a strong affinity for Marblehead and love coming here. We are so delighted to be here for our Atlantic Coast Championships.
The Etchells fleet got in three races on Saturday, with three different teams winning races.
Ron Zarella’s team on Bob, however, knocked off a pair of seconds and a fifth and kept their lead padded to five points over Don Dowd’s USA 1397. The Etchells fleet is increasing in Marblehead this year, in part because Fleet 4 is preparing for the Etchells Nationals in October. Additionally, fleets tend to grow in Marblehead when boats become more affordable.
The Etchells is very affordable,
and a great boat to sail. Its numbers on the water each week are improving.
Seventeen International Laser Class Association sailors got their two-day series underway with four short mid-day races before the breeze shutoff. Jamie Carter, from Portland, Maine, made the winning move in the first race with an immediate jibe at the weather mark, quick thinking that allowed him to jump from mid-fleet and into the lead. With three third places over the remaining races, Carter leads Nicolas Regnault by five points.
Saturday’s racing was relatively good and many of the competitors, giving the Town Class, who hosted their New England Championship a total of six races. Skipper Rex Antrim on Albatross was crowned champion with 18 points, followed by Nick Cann on Tonicn who placed second with 21 points and Bill Heffern on Sweep with 23 points.
During the awards ceremony, the race organizers always present one person with the Leonard M. Fowle trophy.
Leonard M. Fowle, a writer on yachting had been the yachting editor of The Boston Globe from 1933 to 1967. He later served as a correspondent on yachting for The New York Times. The award honors his memory and is given to someone who has shown a great commitment to sailing in Marblehead, and also during the planning of the regatta. This year, the award was given to sailor Jud Smith, who has taken on the role of being chairman of the Eastern Yacht Club race committee.
“It is a great honor to work on the race committee,” Smith said. “We are working hard to grow sailing here and make it more interesting and competitive for our existing sailors. It is great to see such a wonderful turnout this week. We are excited about continuing to work with Sailing World on this event next year.” For full results please go to yachtscoring.com/event_results_ cumulative.cfm?eID=16263. Dave Reed contributed to this report
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS
COURTESY PHOTO / BRUCE DURKEE
A fleet of Etchells sails upwind during a weekend of light air racing.
J/70s rounding the mark in a tight race during this past week’s Marblehead Race Week.
Dollars for Scholars announces scholarship recipients
At its annual awards ceremony on July 13, Marblehead Dollars for Scholars honored 14 high school seniors with scholarships totaling $52,000. Over the summer, the local nonprofit organization will award an additional $141,000 to rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors, who must reapply for their scholarships each year.
Marblehead Dollars for Scholars President Jac Bentley said the presentation of scholarships at the annual awards ceremony is the fulfillment of the organization’s mission to support deserving high school graduates in their pursuit of higher education.
“We are so proud of their achievements, and we wish them continued success in college,” Bentley said.
Housing committee loses member to own crisis
BY WILL DOWD
In a twist of irony, Louis Meyi, a member of Marblehead’s Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee, has resigned after being forced to move out of town due to the very housing issues he was working to address.
Meyi, in his late 70s, submitted his resignation letter on July 15, citing the lack of suitable housing options in Marblehead that could accommodate his changing needs.
“I am a poster person for the need to have a greater variety of housing choices in Marblehead,” Meyi wrote in his resignation letter addressed to town officials.
The former committee member explained that as he and his wife aged, maintaining their four-bedroom, singlefamily home with difficult stairs became challenging. Despite an extensive search, Meyi couldn’t find a rental property in town that met their requirements for accessibility and amenities.
Marblehead’s housing stock is predominantly single-family homes, accounting for 77% of available housing. This lack of diversity in housing options has been a growing concern, especially as the town’s demographics shift towards an older population.
Meyi had hoped to remain in Marblehead until the completion
of the Glover Residences at Vinnin Square project, a development he had been
involved with since its inception. However, delays in the project forced him to look elsewhere.
“I could not hold off moving any longer,” Meyi stated. He has since relocated to a rental property similar to what was planned for the Glover Residences project, but outside of Marblehead.
This resignation underscores the urgent need for diverse housing options in Marblehead, an issue that the Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee continues to grapple with as it works to address the town’s changing demographics and housing needs.
Despite his move, Meyi plans to remain active in town affairs, continuing a leadership role at the Marblehead Racial Justice Team.
BY KRIS OLSON
The Chaplain Lyman Rollins Post 2005 VFW is going “legit” — or at least trying to.
The post, which for years was home to unauthorized poker machines, has submitted an application to the state Lottery Commission, which if approved would lead to the installation of machines and screens that will allow patrons to play the Lottery game Keno on the premises.
Bringing in the lottery game is just another piece of the VFW’s efforts to get people through the doors, said Ron Knight, the post’s commander.
“We talked to the staff and the customer base, and this was one of the things they said they would like to see,” Knight said.
Currently, there are three places in town to play Keno: the 7-Eleven on Pleasant Street, E Market Convenience & Deli on Washington Street and Marblehead Village Market on Pleasant Street, according to the Lottery’s website.
Though at any given time, you might see a handful of Keno players lingering among the canned goods at boxes of pasta in the convenience store aisles, the idea would be to allow people to enjoy trying their luck in a more comfortable environment, perhaps while enjoying some of the most reasonably priced beer in town, according to Knight.
At least in theory, Keno could be available whenever the VFW itself is open, given that the state starts new games approximately every three minutes between 5:04 a.m. and 1:01 a.m., according to the Lottery’s website.
After betting closes on a
particular game, the state’s computer draws 20 numbers between one and 80. Keno players hope those numbers match their numbers — up to 12 of them — to win prizes ranging from $1 to $1 million, based on a $1 bet. Players may wager between $1 and $20 on each game and have their winnings multiplied accordingly.
The VFW has ruminated about bringing in Keno in the past but has gotten deeper into the process this time around thanks to the help of state Rep. Jenny Armini, Knight said. He credited quartermaster Jim Full with completing the VFW’s application and said that Tom Mathers was also a “big help.”
Knight said the VFW has yet to be given a timetable for when the Keno equipment might arrive, but he said that the state indicated that once the application is approved, things will begin happening quickly, with the Lottery sending a team to do a “site survey” to assess the best locations for the ticket
selling machine and winning number screens.
Knight said the VFW is still battling to get the word out that, yes, everyone is welcome at the post. He said he stopped counting “at about 77” the number of people who asked whether the post was open to the public during a recent vintage car event. That event was so successful that the VFW plans to do it again in August, according to Knight.
The Keno machines would generate an “estimated net income” of $6,000, according to a legal advertisement placed in the July 24 edition of the Marblehead Current.
But more than creating revenue, the idea behind installing the Keno machines is to generate some “buzz” for the VFW, in a day and age when many posts are shuttering.
“VFWs need to change; they need to be more open to the public,” Knight said. “We’re not competing with anyone except ourselves.”
Members of the MHS Class of 2024 from left to right and the endowed scholarships they received in parenthesis include, front row: Jameson Vied (Harold & Elizabeth Shattuck), Sienna Velandry (Margaret & Ernest Woodfin), Jack Pelliciotti (Sandra & Arnold Shuman), Jasmina Kurtovic (Reed Cutting), Ila Bumagin (Old North Church) and Meg Maguire (Bradley Sheridan).
Back row left to right: Miles Flynn (Audrey Goldstein), Madeline Reddy (Eileen Wall), Sophia Wallen (Debra Centracchio), Christian Francour (Mary Cook Gately), Anias Disla Soto (Richard Bridgeo) and Laura Garcia Tiburcio (Joel Saxe). Missing from the photo are Wyatt Foley (Deborah & Tom McNulty Scholarship) and Alyssa Gentile (Jean Howe Scholarship).
COURTESY PHOTO
Lou Meyi, second from the right in this photo from a NAACP North Shore symposium, is moving out of Marblehead because he and his wife can’t find suitable housing here as they get older.
CURRENT PHOTO / KRIS OLSON
The VFW on West Shore Drive is hoping to create “buzz” and attract more people by hosting Keno.
Grace Mortensen and Wyatt Foley, 2024 Marblehead High graduates, are the recipients of this year’s Sterny’s Way Scholarships. These two, $1,500 scholarships are given annually in memory of David Stern, a former Marblehead youth sports coaching legend and supporter of the arts. Sterny passed away in 2009.
Mortensen, the Sterny’s Way Sports Scholarship recipient, excelled in the classroom, in athletic venues and within the community during her four years at Marblehead High. A member of the Spanish Honors Society, National Honors Society and Math Honors Society, Mortensen graduated in the top 10% of her class, which earned her the Smith College Award.
Passionate about sports, Mortensen was a four-year member of the girls varsity indoor and outdoor track teams, and also a three-year member of the varsity soccer team. As a senior, she demonstrated her leadership as a captain of all three teams.
At MHS, Mortensen devoted a great deal of time to special education organizations and other significant causes. A four-year member of the Best Buddies Club, Mortensen was selected as a board member during her senior year. She also volunteered with the North Shore Rovers, an inclusive soccer program. Through this club, Mortensen mentored and coached a young girl with autism weekly during all four of her high school years. As a member of the MHS Unified basketball team, Mortensen participated with athletes with special needs and other volunteers, while competing against other schools.
Mortensen was a member of MHS National Green School Society since her sophomore year. This club focuses on making the high school and the Marblehead community more eco-friendly through composting and recycling. She has worked as a lifeguard at The Beach Club in Swampscott and at the Lynch
Mortensen will attend the University of Florida in Gainesville this fall. She plans to major in biomedical engineering with a minor in Spanish.
Lights, action, Wyatt Wyatt Foley is the Sterny’s Way Arts Scholarship recipient. He is an accomplished filmmaker, musician and athlete. He also had an impressive Marblehead High School career, participating in several school clubs and activities, while also finding time to give back to the community.
Foley was a four-year member of the MHS Film Club and a three-year member of the National Arts Honor Society, serving as its president in his senior year. Wyatt was a leader
in the Core 4 Peer Mentoring Program at MHS, helping freshmen acclimate to the high school.
The son of a filmmaker, Wyatt aspires to pursue filmmaking himself. Wyatt wrote and directed a 30-minute movie called “Currently a Paperboy.” In December, it premiered at The Warwick Cinema to six sold-out shows and was entered into numerous film festivals.
A passionate advocate for educating others about the impacts of climate change, Foley received the Climate Change Screenwriting Award in the International High School Screenwriting Contest.
To support the community, Foley participated in the Marblehead Food Pantry
Thanksgiving Food Drive and the Feeding America Fundraiser, as well as serving as camera manager for streaming events at the Winter Concert and the Senior-Teen Movie Club at the Council on Aging.
Foley was a catcher on the varsity baseball team this spring. He also participated in the Marblehead Youth Baseball program. He is the bassist for the rock band Whambone, which has performed locally.
Foley has worked as an instructor at SUP East Coast Style and as a fuel dock attendant at the Boston Yacht Club.
Foley, who attended a summer pre-college program at Suffolk University, will attend Wesleyan University this fall. He will major in film studies with a
minor in art history, while immersing himself in music, history, psychology and literature.
Sterny’s Way, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization.
The Sterny’s Way board greatly appreciates the community’s continued support to help fund the annual scholarships of $1,500 to a MHS graduate who has shown dedication to the Arts (music, dance, fine arts, etc.), and also to a MHS graduate who participated in Marblehead Youth Softball or Marblehead Youth Baseball.
The Sterny’s Way Board would like to recognize the invaluable contributions of board member Todd Norman, who passed away suddenly this past spring. Norman put his heart and soul into Sterny’s Way.
Constitutional values. This legislation needs support from other legislators and requires a nationwide push to be signed into law. It is imperative for Americans to act decisively, pressure their lawmakers and uphold the integrity of the flag as Congressman Moulton has done tirelessly.
Molly Blander Westport Lane
The IHRA definition of antisemitism
To the editor:
In her opinion piece, “Why I’m being falsely accused of antisemitism” Candice Sliney incorrectly claimed that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism. On the contrary, both the IHRA website and the U.S. Department of State website explicitly notes, in referencing examples of that definition, that “criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.” This fact is readily verifiable, and yet was misrepresented.
Despite this, Ms. Sliney, the current leader of the high
school’s Team Harmony and former member of the Task Force Against Discrimination mischaracterized the IHRA definition, either out of ignorance, or with deliberate intent to mislead readers. This mischaracterization brings into question her credibility, and it alludes to a greater problem, and not just one that has adversely affected too many local teachers and students.
Faith Quintero Humphrey Street
Newton, Brookline residents urge a community forum in Marblehead
To the editor:
As Jewish residents of Massachusetts, we were dismayed to read the July 15 column by Marblehead teacher
Candice Sliney, “Why I’m being falsely accused of antisemitism.”
To be clear, we express no opinion on any allegations of antisemitism within the Marblehead schools.
However, in a sad and disturbing irony, Ms. Sliney’s column itself, in our opinion, contains a frightening array of classic antisemitic tropes.
Ms. Sliney writes, “The slanderous accusations being spread by a coworker from
another building who does not know me have been fabricated as part of a larger agenda to silence discourse on Israel and Palestine…”
This feels to us like a conspiracy theory, that somehow another Marblehead teacher is part of a “larger agenda” to “silence discourse on Israel and Palestine,” an assertion supported with zero evidence. Who is behind this “larger agenda”? How is Ms. Sliney’s co-worker involved in it? What is the evidence for this allegation?
If there is indeed some conspiracy to silence discourse on Israel and Palestine, the conspirators are doing a terrible job, as anti-Israel demonstrations from college campuses to the streets of cities and towns across Massachusetts and the country are widespread, loud, and receiving tremendous publicity.
If Ms. Sliney was indeed “threatened with violence,” we condemn any such actions, and assume that Ms. Sliney has reported these threats to the Marblehead police and will press criminal charges as relevant. We are interested in reviewing any related police reports, with the understanding that they would contain appropriate redactions.
Ms. Sliney makes reference to the definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. It is unclear whether Ms.
Sliney has in fact read the definition, which, contrary to some criticisms of it, does not define criticism of Israel as antisemitic.
It does say that “Applying double standards [to Israel] by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation” is antisemitic.
We agree with that example from the IHRA definition. If a person or group applies ethical or legal standards to the only, tiny Jewish state in the world that are not applied to any other country, anywhere, no matter how egregious that country’s transgressions, by what logic could such double standards be anything but antisemitic? Double standards are, in fact, foundational to antisemitism.
We hope that Ms. Sliney will read the IHRA definition rather than just repeating criticisms of it, which are often counterfactual and conspiratorial.
We hope that the Marblehead community and schools will encourage reading books and articles on contemporary antisemitism, such as Dara Horn’s brilliant piece in The Atlantic; her book, “People Love Dead Jews;” Deborah Lipstadt’s “Antisemitism, Here and Now;” Ben Freeman’s “Jewish Pride;” Diana Fersko’s “We Need to Talk about Antisemitism;” and David
Baddiel’s “Jews Don’t Count.” We’d like to think of Marblehead as a welcoming, inclusive, progressive community in which Jewish families and children would feel safe.
Reading Ms. Sliney’s column in the Marblehead Current, we now have serious concerns about Marblehead and what is being taught and condoned in the schools and in the community. We suggest a Marblehead community forum to discuss these issues in a civil and constructive manner, outside of the highly-constrained context of formal meetings of elected bodies such as the Select Board and School Committee. Many of us would be willing to participate.
We would encourage Ms. Sliney and other members of the Marblehead community from all backgrounds to join such a meeting, so that all of us, as a broad Massachusetts community, including Marblehead, can move forward with mutual tolerance, peace, forgiveness, and understanding.
Mike Offner, Cotton
Street, Newton; Sigalit Davis, Boylston Street, Newton; Jonathan Levin, Ward Street, Newton; Juliette Landesman, Mason Terrace, Brookline; Lisa Shatz, Summit Avenue, Brookline; Deborah NoahSea View Ave in Nahant
Van Otterloo YMCA.
Wyatt Foley was awarded the Sterny Way Arts Scholarship.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Mortensen CAPTION: Grace Mortensen was awarded the Sterny’s Way Sports Scholarship.
6-year-old wins hearts with oil painting, following in dad’s brushstrokes
BY LIA GORBACH
Six-and-a-half-year-old Apollo
Sherman won the People’s Choice Award in the youth exhibit at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts for his first ever oil painting, and the artist is just getting started.
“Apollo grew up watching me make oil paint. He always said, ‘When am I going to be able to paint with oil paints?’” said Jonathan Sherman, Apollo’s father and a local artist.
Located in the front room on the second floor of the Mugford Building sits a massive studio where Jonathan creates. It has become a creative hub for the rest of the family as well.
Apollo and 3 1/2-year-old sister Elithea have grown up surrounded by canvasses, pallets, paints and sculptures. Even the children’s names are poetic: Elithea is named after the spirit of truth, and Apollo is named after the Greek god of music, prophecy, art and poetry. His character reflects his name, Apollo’s dad says. One day this past winter, Jonathan and his son were discussing dreams.
“I’ve noticed one of my dreams hasn’t yet come true,” Apollo said. He had wished on a dandelion to be able to paint on his own canvas. Jonathan decided it was time.
That same day, the pair stretched a canvas for the young artist. Apollo then went down to Crosby’s and picked out an orange and a lemon, and a bottle from the studio. This arrangement would become the award-winning “The Bottle, the Orange and the Lemon.”
“He has a real natural sense with everything,” Jonathan said. Apollo’s still life took him one day to complete. He used a
sight-size technique, standing 6 feet away from his easel and the props. The painting is surrounded by a black frame built with help from “Great Uncle Chuck,” who owns a woodworking studio in town.
Mixing the paints was Apollo’s favorite part. His favorite color? Black, because it’s “spooky like the night.”
Apollo is proud of his ribbon. He follows in his father’s
footsteps, as Jonathan won a People’s Choice Award for an entry last year. Since Jonathan’s win, Apollo kept mentioning the Festival until deciding to enter a piece of his own this year.
“I voted for myself,” Apollo laughed.
Meanwhile, other members of the family are involved with their own projects.
Elizabeth Sherman manages the studio, dealing with
marketing, photographing the artwork and “dreaming up the big dreams” with Jonathan. Elithea is already exhibiting a knack for dance. She loves putting “The Nutcracker” on the cassette player and mimicking the moves she’s observed from watching the ballet.
“Can I use a piece of charcoal?” Apollo ran over to his father mid-conversation. “I want to make a map.”
Jonathan smiled at his son’s early passion for art. Apollo was eager to keep working. He brought a wooden stretcher frame and roll of linen over to his dad, hoping to put together the canvas for his next painting.
Jonathan prefers making his own canvases because he wants to create art that can endure several centuries, and storebought canvases don’t offer that caliber of quality. Jonathan primes raw linen with a recipe from over 600 years ago. For now, Apollo uses pre-primed linen.
“I’m really excited to keep creating together,” Elizabeth said.
Apollo has already gotten his first commission,another oil still life. The commission is from a Sherman family friend decorating a new apartment in New York City.
Bones discovered during Lee Street renovation, neighbor disputes, hit-and-run
BY WILL DOWD
Excerpts from the Marblehead police log July 4-22. Consistent with state law, police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation.
July 10
11:08 a.m. — Officer Douglas Mills took a report at the police station from a resident claiming to be a victim of identity fraud. The resident reported receiving letters indicating someone had been applying for credit in their name since late May. Mills advised the resident on credit monitoring and identity theft prevention measures. The incident was documented and forwarded to detectives for follow-up.
12:08 p.m. — Officer Douglas Mills spoke with a resident at the police station regarding potential fraud by a contractor. The resident reported paying deposits for home improvement work that had not been completed. Mills documented the incident and advised the resident on potential legal options. The case was forwarded to detectives for further investigation.
3:53 p.m. — Officer Tyler Bates responded to Smith Street for a report of a hit-and-run. A
Dec. 1 deadline set by the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board.
The committee aims to obtain at least two bids, possibly three, to ensure competitive pricing. It plans to consult with the Marblehead Disability Commission before starting construction and will update the MAAB on their progress.
“We don’t want to start
witness reported seeing a vehicle strike a parked car and leave the scene. Bates documented the damage, gathered witness statements, and attempted to locate the suspect vehicle. The investigation is ongoing.
July 11
2:55 p.m. — Officers Douglas Mills and Robert Picariello responded to Pleasant Street for a neighbor dispute involving property lines. One resident alleged the other was placing rocks and wood planks on what they believed to be their property. Officers advised both parties that property line disputes are civil matters and recommended they seek legal counsel. The incident was documented for reference.
July 12
11:11 a.m. — Officer Sean Sweeney was dispatched to Overlook Road for a report of vandalism. The residents reported finding eggs on their front steps, holiday decorations, and house siding. Sweeney documented the scene and advised the residents to reach out to neighbors to see if anyone else was affected or had witnessed anything suspicious. The investigation is ongoing.
July 13
1:49 p.m. — Officer Dean
anything until they’re signed off,” Amberik emphasized, referring to the Disability Commission’s approval.
The library reopened on July 10 after receiving a variance from the state, allowing operation while the entrance is brought into full compliance. The reopening followed a postponement of the originally planned June 20 grand reopening ceremony when it was discovered that the 79-foot ramp lacked necessary landings and handrails required for ramps
Peralta responded to Cloutmans Lane for a report of property damage. The homeowner alleged a delivery truck had driven over his lawn, damaging sprinkler heads. Peralta documented the scene and advised the resident on his options for seeking compensation from the delivery company. The incident was recorded for potential future reference.
3:53 p.m. — Officer Samuel Rizos took a report at the police station from a resident claiming to be a victim of a rental scam. The resident alleged they had paid a deposit for an apartment listing that turned out to be fraudulent. Rizos gathered information about the incident and advised the resident on identity theft prevention measures. The case was forwarded to detectives for further investigation.
July 14
11:30 a.m. — Officer Samuel Rizos responded to a report at the police station regarding suspicious online listings. A resident reported seeing listings for what appeared to be counterfeit federal agency badges. Rizos documented the information and contacted relevant federal agencies. The investigation is ongoing in cooperation with federal authorities.
exceeding 30 feet.
Committee members stressed the importance of coordinating with other town departments, including the Building Department and Highway Department, to avoid conflicts with planned water line replacements on Maverick Street.
“As soon as we have our construction date, I’ll doublecheck with the highway department,” said Library Executive Director Kimberly Grad, addressing potential
July 20
3:29 p.m. — Officer Michael Farewell took a report at the police station regarding a potential scam. A resident reported providing personal information to an individual claiming to be from a social media company’s help center. Farewell advised the resident on identity theft prevention measures and how to monitor their accounts for suspicious activity. The incident was documented for potential future investigation.
6:10 p.m. — Officer Michael Farewell was dispatched to monitor traffic at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Smith Street following a report of a vehicle running a red light. During his observation, one citation was issued for failing to stop at a red signal. The area will continue to be monitored for traffic violations.
July 21
12:46 a.m. — Officer Sean Sweeney responded to Humphrey Street for a single-car crash. The driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, resulting in the vehicle striking a stone wall and tree. No injuries were reported. Sweeney conducted a field sobriety test and found no signs of impairment. The driver was cited for negligent operation, and the vehicle was
scheduling conflicts.
The renovation committee continues to work through a punch list of final items from the larger renovation project, with members scheduled to review remaining tasks with contractors next week.
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer had previously emphasized the importance of prioritizing accessibility compliance from the outset of municipal projects, following a series of oversights in town.
“It’s a lesson learned,” Kezer
towed from the scene.
5 p.m. — Officer Samuel Rizos responded to Mohawk Road for an ongoing neighbor dispute involving dogs and noise complaints. Both parties alleged harassment by the other. Rizos advised both parties on proper procedures for filing complaints and obtaining harassment prevention orders if necessary. The incident was documented, and the animal control officer was notified for potential follow-up.
July 22
1:35 p.m. — Sgt. Sean Brady responded to Lee Street where construction workers had allegedly discovered bones while working on a home’s foundation. Sergeant Brady collected the bones and submitted photographs to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which determined that they were animal bones
9:34 p.m. — Officers Andrew DiMare and Nicholas Michaud responded to Lafayette Street for a motor vehicle stop. The driver was arrested for alleged operating under the influence of alcohol. The officers conducted field sobriety tests and administered a breathalyzer test at the station. The suspect was booked and held pending bail. The case will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.
told the Marblehead Current.
“I’m going to keep emphasizing that ADA has to be part of the original, upfront plan for anything we do.”
The $10 million renovation project, which began in October 2022, includes a redesigned main floor, conference rooms, accessible courtyard, makerspace and event center. The town approved $8.5 million in taxpayer funds for the project, with an additional $1.5 million raised privately by the Abbot Public Library Foundation.
The Sherman family poses in their studio, located above Mookie’s.
LIA GORBACH / CURRENT PHOTOS
Apollo demonstrates painting from his pallet, mixing colors with care.
D. Clark Willmott, 83
D. Clark Willmott, 83, of Marblehead died peacefully surrounded by loving family and friends on July 16. Born on Oct. 10, 1940, to Charles Sherman and Ellen Clark Willmott, Clark grew up in Glens Falls, New York, alongside his twin sister, Lesley, and big brother, Pete, who died on Nov. 11, 2023.
Clark attended Trinity-Pawling where he honorably served as a prefect, captain of the cross country team and was a threesport varsity athlete. Voted “most likely to succeed” by his classmates, Clark attended Williams College, until to everyone’s surprise (and his parents’ chagrin) he quit halfway through his senior year to “save the world.” Clark worked at the Albany Home for Children eventually returning to Williams,
Jane Camp Hunt, 86
Jane Camp Hunt was born in Norwich, CT on August 18, 1937, and she died on July 25, 2024 at 2:15 p.m.. In her nearly 87 years, she had one husband, Tim, and three children, Margaret (Chris), Lindsay and Geoff (Erin). She is survived by all of them, as well as six grandchildren (Margaret’s Edward and Lucy and Lindsay’s Parker, Colby, Gianna and TJ).
Immediately following their
Frances Mary (Fournier) Sheridan, 79
Frances Mary (Fournier)
Sheridan, 79, of Marblehead, passed away peacefully in her home on July 20, surrounded by family. She was predeceased by her husband, Bradley Sheridan, in 2005. Mother of Timothy and his wife Susan Sheridan, Christy and her husband Rick Gable, Peter Sheridan and Katie Sheridan. Loving Fifi to all her “favorite” grandchildren: Lochlan and Connor Sheridan; Brigette, Ellie Frances, Caroline and Vivienne Gable; Beckett, Avery and Charlotte Sheridan. Fran was born on January 23, 1945 (“12345”) in Fitchburg to Roland and Mae (Lavoie) Fournier. She went to St. Bernard’s High and graduated from Fitchburg State College. She later received her master’s in education from Lesley College.
Patricia Ann Cohen (Cook), 89
Patricia Ann Cohen (Cook), formerly of Marblehead and Swampscott, died on July 16,, at her home of 53 years, her beloved Derby Farm. She was 89. Her last days were filled with family, friends, her flowers and laughter, and of course, her Jack Russell, Nelson.
Patricia Ann Cook was born on May 21,1935, to Virginia Graham Cook (Baker) and Howard Christopher Cook, of Swampscott.. Patti loved the ocean and animals. She was a dog lover from an early age, which continued through her entire life. Patti often said she preferred dogs to people.
Following early years in Marblehead, Patti’s family
graduating in 1963.
On Feb. 20, 1965, Clark married the love of his life, Sheila, and in 1977 they moved their family to Marblehead, where they took full advantage of their idyllic coastal surroundings. These years were highlighted by boating on the Willpower, epic “Camp Willy” Fourth of July weekends and CYC family fun often followed by porch antics and/or dancing on tables at Maddie’s.
wedding in 1961, Jane and Tim moved to Marblehead and joined the communities of St. Andrew’s
Fran was crowned the Miss Fitchburg Bicentennial Queen in 1964, where she represented Massachusetts at the New York World’s Fair and was awarded what she referred to as the “largest trophy in the family.”
After college, she met the love of her life, Brad, when both were working at the Christopher Ryder House on Cape Cod. They were married on May 25, 1968, and spent 37 years together. Fran started her teaching career in Newton, teaching special education before moving to the North Shore and focusing on raising her children. Those years involved lots of noise, food and laughter and driving the
moved to the home her great-grandfather built in Swampscott. Patti graduated from Swampscott High School, and went on to receive her undergraduate degree from Colby Junior College, in New London , New Hampshire. Patti and her then husband, Larry Cohen, settled in Marblehead in the 60s, where they had their children, Jody, Chris and Nancy. While living there, a winning bid on the Channel 2 auction for a pony
Clark regaled in everything Marblehead, including participating in Rotary and serving on the board of the Marblehead Community Counseling Center and North Shore Elder Services. In his later years, Clark could often be found on Front Street whisking unsuspecting tourists off on a waterfront walking tour whilst telling jokes and sharing stories of historic lore that may or may not have been true. Invariably these tours usually ended at Leslie Cove, his slice of heaven, to introduce these strangersbecome-friends to Sheila.
Clark lived an outstanding life where building and maintaining meaningful relationships were paramount to his being. He was an absolute classic with an insatiable appetite to engage, help and humor people. He was a natural leader in every facet of his life, while remaining incredibly humble and always willing to be the
Episcopal Church and the Eastern Yacht Club. She was a member of both until she passed and together with family, those institutions formed the nexus of her world. She was often the last to leave a gathering, both because she wanted to make sure she spoke with everyone and to make sure she helped with the cleanup; this behavior was encouraged by some members of the family and tolerated by others.
Despite the challenges of running a home for five people, Jane also focused on serving the
woody station wagon to various sporting events and activities. Fran called kids home from the top of Gatchell’s hill and if they had misbehaved, they might be subject to a face that was named “the Jaw.” She returned to teaching at Bell, Eveleth and Glover schools in Marblehead as a kindergarten teacher until her retirement in 2010. She is remembered by her students as a caring and energetic force with a loud singing voice. She loved teaching early readers and started a reading buddies program at Glover that paired kindergarten and fourth-grade students and encouraged their shared love of books. “Fun Friday” was time spent with her grandchildren and friends that included book club, craft time, baking cookies and running various errands in the convertible.
Fran was a long-time member of the Beach Club and enjoyed over 50 years of friendships made at the pool, courts and beach. She loved to travel and especially enjoyed walking the beach and collecting shells on
began a lifelong love of horses; soon after the pony was delivered, they started the Marblehead Chapter of the 4H Club.
Following Patti’s divorce, she settled in New London and then North Sutton, where she raised her three children, along with too many animals to list or count. She began her formal career as a legal secretary for Sulloway & Hollis, in Concord, New Hampshire, where she ultimately met and worked with the founding members of Gallagher, Callahan and Gartrell for over 30 years, Patti was a creative force whose home was filled with art, from oil and watercolor paintings to many sculptures. Her love of, and creative gift with flowers, led her to open Derby Farm Flowers in Hanover, New Hampshire. It was a unique and enticing shop, with goods and gifts from her travels, that brought beauty and joy to so many people for years.
butt of the joke. Like many, he was a “family first” guy, always ready to jump into action with his positive outlook, affable nature and pure comic relief. When National Lampoon’s first “Vacation” movie came out in 1983, his kids and their friends were convinced that the writers had been spying on them. In short, Clark Willmott was Clark Griswold.
On a business level, Clark was truly a legend with the beautiful irony being there was nothing business about him. He always kept it 100% personal. After being an HR executive for many years, he founded Willmott & Associates, Inc. in 1982 and became known as the “Godfather of HR Placement.” Legend has it that in a 60-minute interview, Clark would spend only the last 10 minutes addressing the candidate’s work history and career objectives. He mentored many young careers and maintained lifelong friendships
wider world. She was president of the Marblehead Counseling Center, was a board member of, and volunteer at, My Brother’s Table soup kitchen in Lynn, and walked in the North Shore Pride Parade as a demonstration of solidarity. She was a passionate moderate who believed in standards and proper behavior.
In rare moments she took for herself, Jane played tennis, crewed on various versions of the family sailboat (all named Varoa), and enjoyed the occasional gin and tonic. Along
Siesta Key. There were also memorable trips to Maine, Colorado, Virgin Gorda, Bermuda, Hawaii, England, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France and Ireland with friends and family. Fran was an avid gardener and could often be found early morning still in her robe or pajamas covered in dirt, cultivating her favorite dahlias. She loved playing bridge, cribbage, tennis and golf, and enjoyed skiing, knitting, harbor cruising, juicy chit-chat and dancing. Fran also loved hosting dinner gatherings, parties and especially Thanksgiving, which involved lots of pie, vanilla ice cream and everything with loads of butter.
Fran was the consummate mother figure to all, including many of Brad’s basketball players over the years. An avid sports fan, she loved watching her family members play and coach, and could always be heard on the sidelines cheering loudly with her unmistakable voice. If you were lucky to be part of that, you were lucky enough.
Fran will be remembered for her signature red lipstick,
Patti had an extraordinary way of putting flowers together — her work was often breathtaking. One of her most memorable and rewarding experiences occurred in 1995 when she was chosen to do the flowers for the Dartmouth College graduation. It was during this ceremony, that President Bill Clinton delivered the commencement address, while receiving an honorary doctorate of law.
Among Patti’s many passions were her magnificent gardens, going to the movies with friends and traveling, from New York City, Washington D.C., and England to France, Ireland and Monhegan Island; all great sources of creative inspiration. Patti loved the idea of using the field in front of her house to post larger-than-life billboards featuring the Democratic presidential candidate of the moment, some more polarizing than others. She was always
over 45 years in the biz.
After a few challenging years living with dementia, Clark’s family finds comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace and reunited with his bride of 58 years, Sheila, who predeceased him on Nov. 18. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered for his compassion, integrity and values by his children, Cath and Jeff; their spouses, Dan Sullivan and Eileen Willmott; his three grandsons, Adam and Luke Willmott and Will Sullivan; many extended family members and countless close friends.
A service and celebration of Clark’s wonderful life will be hosted for family and friends on Sept. 15 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Clark and Sheila’s name to either the Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter or the Kaplan Family Hospice House.
with Tim, she worked at the Savannah Olympic sailing events in 1996, providing order amid the chaos brought on by dozens of competitive sailors in tight quarters. In later years, Jane delighted in spending time with her grandchildren and doing needlepoint.
Jane’s memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 10:30am on August 22 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to My Brother’s Table of Lynn.0731_o
her friendly smile, her sense of adventure, her mentorship and as a fiercely loyal friend. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Fran is survived by her siblings, Roland Butch Fournier (Dede), Anne Fournier (Judy) and Margaret Fournier (Cheryl) and many adored Fournier, Lavoie, Sheridan and Kelly nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and granddogs.
Our family wishes to acknowledge the remarkable care our mother received from MGH, especially the oncology and infusion teams in Danvers. They do the work of angels.
Mass will be celebrated on August 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 85 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite cancer charity, Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools or plant a garden in Fran’s memory. For more information or online guestbook, please visit MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.
delighted when it created a stir (which was likely more often than not!).
During the last few weeks of Patti’s life, she was with her children, many of her grandchildren, and even had the opportunity to visit with her twin great-grandsons in California via Zoom.
Patti leaves her three children, daughters Jody Cohen Papandrew; Nancy Cohen and her husband William Hallahan; and son Christopher Cohen; seven grandchildren, Josh, Zac and Jordan Papandrew,: Phoebe and Oliver Hallahan, Denelle & Tucker Cohen, Tucker’s wife Silvia, and their two sons, her great-grandsons, Carter & Casey.
Throughout Patti’s life, she was blessed with the love and support of her amazing group of friends, many of whom were with her in her final days.
A celebration of life will be held on the winter solstice.
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Vipers are heading downwind under colorful spinnakers. COURTESY PHOTO / BRUCE DURKEE
