CP_MBHC_20231213_1_A01
IN THIS ISSUE
FORUM
MAGICAL NIGHT
Letters to the editor
Harlem Wizards give hoops programs a lift
Page 13
EARLY TRADITION
TOPS OF ’23
’Headers favorite books, movies
Colonial holiday customs Page 6
Page 9
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December 13, 2023
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VOLUME 2, ISSUE NO. 4`
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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT
CRIMINAL CASE
Former local priest indicted for allegedly assaulting boy in 1970s BY LEIGH BLANDER
Richard Losch was an Episcopal priest, Tower School teacher and Boy Scout leader in Marblehead.
A former Marblehead Episcopal priest, Boy Scout leader and assistant headmaster at Tower School is set to go on trial this summer for allegedly raping a 12-year-old Marblehead boy whom he took across state lines to a Boy Scout camp in New Hampshire in 1976. On Aug. 18, a New Hampshire grand jury indicted Richard Losch, now 89, on a charge of aggravated
felonious assault. His alleged victim, who asked to be identified as Jack to protect his and his family’s privacy, spoke to the Current recently. “I am coming forward in order to give Losch’s other victims the opportunity to seek justice and healing,” Jack said. Losch now lives in Livingston, Alabama, where he has worked at two churches for years. Contacted by the Current, Losch said, “On the advice of my attorney, I have no comment to make other
than that the charge is totally false, and I deny all allegations of wrongdoing.” St. Michael’s Losch was a priest at St. Michael’s Church in Marblehead from 1969 to 1986, where Jack often attended service with a friend in the ‘70s. Losch is the second known priest at St. Michael’s accused of sexually assaulting a young boy. In 2014, Franklin Huntress pleaded guilty to assaulting a 14-year-old boy in New Hampshire
HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Town holds inaugural community menorah lighting on first night of Hanukkah
in the 1980s. Huntress was also arrested in London in 1994 and charged with sexual abuse of a child. Huntress, who lives in Marblehead, retired in 1995, but worked until 2001 at St. Michael’s, according to a report in Marblehead Patch. Asked about the allegations against Losch, St. Michael’s Rev. Tom Ortung, who started working in Marblehead last month, said, “My LOSCH, P. A2
INDEPENDENT REVIEW
Four at Glover placed on leave
Teachers union threatens litigation after student restraint incidents BY LEIGH BLANDER CURRENT PHOTOS / WILLIAM J. DOWD
On Dec. 7, more than 100 people watched as Rabbi Michael Ragozin of Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott, right, joined Select Board member Jim Nye in lighting a menorah’s first candle to widespread cheers and applause.
values like freedom, compassion and self-governance. “Our country and our town have led the uneven struggle toward the universal
In what was a tumultuous week for Marblehead schools, interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness placed four staff members at the Glover School on paid leave after what she called “recent incidents involving the restraint of a general education student.” The district is bringing in an outside attorney to review its student restraint policy. The staff will remain on leave during that process. In a Dec. 6 press release, McGuinness wrote, “The safety and security of all of our students and staff is our top priority. The district will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that all of our schools are safe and welcoming learning environments for all.” The Marblehead Education Association, the union representing the town’s teachers, encouraged its members to wear black at Glover School last week in solidarity with the staff on leave.
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GLOVER, P. A7
BY WILLIAM J. DOWD Over 100 community members gathered outside the National Grand Bank to celebrate Marblehead’s inaugural community menorah lighting ceremony, ushering in the first night of Hanukkah. Interim Select Board Chair Moses Grader expressed his delight in welcoming residents and visitors to this new tradition, emphasizing its significance against the backdrop of rising global antisemitism and the importance of publicly celebrating Jewish heritage and faith. “I am delighted today to say to you all happy, happy Hanukkah,” Grader began, acknowledging Cantor Sarah Freudenberger for initiating the celebration alongside the National Grand Bank’s president, Jim Nye, also
Interim Select Board Chair Moses Grader addressed the crowd at Marblehead’s first-ever community menorah lighting. Grader’s speech highlighted the importance of unity and the celebration of Jewish heritage, particularly in light of rising global antisemitism.
a Select Board member. In his speech, Grader talked about the spiritual connection shared by Christianity, Judaism and Islam through Abraham. He tied this common ancestry to American
ABBOT HALL
Property tax rate is dropping, but bills are going up BY WILLIAM J. DOWD Owners of the median singlefamily home in Marblehead can expect to pay $244 more on their fiscal 2024 tax bill compared to the fiscal 2023 bill. Property taxes on the median single-family home, valued at $928,400, will be about $8,318 in fiscal 2024 based on the tax rate of $8.96 per $1,000 of assessed value set by the Select Board on Dec. 4. That actually represents a $1.04 decrease over fiscal year 2023’s tax rate of $10 per $1,000
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
valuation. However, there has been a robust 16% growth in the town’s total assessed value, which rose from $7.9 billion to $9.17 billion. Town Assessor Karen Bertolino said demand in Marblehead’s red-hot housing market accounted for most of the $1.26 billion bump. The Select Board also voted to maintain a single tax rate for all property classes after considering options to shift more of the tax burden onto commercial property owners. Interim Select Board Chair Moses Grader, who is filling in
during Select Board Chair Erin Noonan’s extended leave, said Marblehead has historically declined to adopt a split tax rate in order to avoid overtaxing local businesses. Bertolino’s analysis found residential property comprises about 95% of Marblehead’s tax base, while commercial, industrial and personal property make up the remaining 5%. “It’s not going to move the needle,” said Board Assessors Chair John Kelley regarding how little a split rate would lower bills for homeowners.
BY THE NUMBERS Property values increased subimproved properties — for fiscal stantially across all classes in 2024: Marblehead: » Residential led the way with $31 » Residential: Up from $7.5 billion million. to $8.7 billion » Commercial followed with $9 » Commercial: Up from $273 milmillion. lion to $308 million » Personal Property added $5.8 » Industrial: Up from $18 million million more. to $19 million » Industrial saw no growth. » Personal property (utility com- That new growth translates into panies’ infrastructure like wires the tax base growing by the followand underground pipes) Up from ing amounts: $90 million to $93 million » Residential: $316,198 When it comes to new growth » Commercial: $93,993 — the increase in a municipality’s » Personal Property: $58,517 tax base due to newly added or » Industrial: $0