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FinCom recommends Town Meeting send overrides to ballot box
Marblehead’s fiscal 2027 plan closes a $7.7 million gap through layoffs, school reductions and one-time tuition prepayments.
WHAT'S NEWS
INDEPENDENT NOTEBOOK
OBITUARY: Scott Alan LaVoie, 58
Scott Alan LaVoie of Peabody, formerly of Marblehead, on April 21 at the Kaplan House in Danvers. Survived by Linda Belanger his wife of 25 years, parents, Robert and Barbara Lavoie of Marblehead, his siblings Bryan (Amy) of Stoneham, David (Audra) of Surf City, N.C. and Nicole Anderson (Eric)
OBSERVER REPORT: Marblehead Housing Authority — April 21, 2026
LWVM OBSERVER: Cathy Marie Michael Members in attendance: All board members, Executive Director Cathy Sheehan, ED and two maintenance men Public Comment A tenant from Roads School stated, "I have not received a ROBO call 3 months in a row for this meeting." The tenant said one person
Smack Dabs to bring 1930s swing blues to Me&Thee on May 1
Boston-based band The Smack Dabs will make their first appearance at Me&Thee Music on Friday, May 1, with a program of vintage swing blues rooted in the 1930s. The group specializes in high-energy, danceable music associated with artists including Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, the Harlem Hamfats, Duke
St. Andrew’s to host spring rummage sale to support community programs
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Marblehead will host its annual Spring Rummage Sale on Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at 135 Lafayette St., continuing a longstanding community tradition that supports local outreach ministries and programs. The sale features a broad assortment of
PUBLIC SQUARE
TO THE EDITOR: Support the override to protect Marblehead jobs and services
To the editor: I write to you today on behalf of the Marblehead Municipal Employees Union with urgency and concern as we approach the Proposition 2½ override vote at the upcoming Town Meeting. The situation facing our town is no longer theoretical, it is immediate and severe. As presented by
EDITOR'S DESK: The Independent, now with better bones
When we launched the Independent, we made a deliberate choice to avoid clutter. We wanted a clean reading experience, a site built around readers first and a simple sponsorship model — enhancing not just their reading experience but also their support. In recent days, we’ve made a meaningful round of
TO THE EDITOR: Encourage participation in Town Meeting and support article 40
To the editor: I encourage everyone to participate in grassroots democracy right here at our upcoming Town Meeting on May 4 at 7 p.m. at the high school. Democracy works from the ground up, that is, from each one of us engaging in the decisions that form the structure
GUEST COLUMN: Town moderator previews Annual Town Meeting, urges orderly debate
By Town Moderator Jack Attridge Marblehead’s Annual Town Meeting begins Monday, May 4, in the Marblehead High School fieldhouse promptly at 7 p.m. Town Meeting serves as the legislative body of our town government where Marblehead registered voters come together to debate and vote on the annual budget,
EDITOR'S PICKS
Select Board moves to indefinitely postpone Public Works Committee article
Town officials had argued the panel duplicated administrative roles, but department leaders warned it provides technical review and early problem-solving on capital projects.
Eight possible outcomes, two gates: Marblehead’s override faces Town Meeting before it faces voters
A June 9 override could permanently lift the levy ceiling, with the largest package adding $1,782 by Year 3 for a typical single-family property.
Tucker urges Marblehead families to take underage drinking seriously
Parents who allow underage drinking in their homes risk criminal charges, including possible jail time and fines reaching $2,000, officials told residents at a public forum.