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Meeting Opening and Public Comments (Link: 00:00:00 – 00:08:00)
The Marblehead Select Board meeting commenced with Chair Erin Noonan announcing that the meeting was being recorded. Following this, the board opened the floor for public comments. Albert Jordan, a resident from Roosevelt Avenue, expressed his concerns regarding the proposed tax override. He questioned the necessity of the override, especially in light of recent negotiations with the school committee that would result in raises for staff. Jordan highlighted the financial strain on older residents living alone or in small households, suggesting that an override could force them to sell their homes. He urged the board to consider forming a committee to explore cost-saving measures, criticizing the current finance committee for not engaging with the public effectively. Nick Ward from Rollison Road also addressed the board, discussing the recent Supreme Court ruling on the MBTA Communities Act. He emphasized the importance of not rushing into compliance with the new regulations and suggested that the town should take time to ensure that any plans developed are genuinely buildable and beneficial for the community. Ward argued that the concept of affordability in housing should be broadened to include middle-class families, advocating for a more flexible approach to housing development.
Town Administrator Update (Link: 00:08:00 – 00:16:00)
Following the public comments, Town Administrator Thatcher Keezer provided an update on various matters. He discussed the implications of the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision regarding the MBTA Communities Act, confirming that the Attorney General has the authority to enforce compliance. Keezer noted that the guidelines for compliance would need to be properly promulgated, which could take approximately three months. He emphasized the need for Marblehead to move forward with zoning changes to maintain compliance, referencing the planning board’s ongoing efforts. Keezer also congratulated Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin and her team for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) budget award, highlighting the challenges involved in meeting the award’s criteria. He then detailed two Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) projects: the Village Street Bridge project and a bicycle parking grant. The bridge project, initially estimated at $9-11 million, is now projected to cost around $2.98 million, with the TIP program covering 80% of the costs. The bicycle parking grant, totaling $6,250, aims to promote cycling in the community. Lastly, Keezer announced the State of the Town presentation scheduled for February 5th at 6 PM at Abbott Hall.
Charter Committee Update (Link: 00:16:00 – 00:24:00)
Amy Drinker, co-chair of the Town Charter Committee, provided an update on the committee’s progress. She informed the board that the committee would continue reviewing charter language into the spring, with a target to present a draft charter in the spring of 2026. Drinker emphasized the importance of public participation in the process and announced plans for public forums to gather input. She requested that the board formally ask the town moderator for time at the May 2025 town meeting to provide a brief update on the committee’s work. Drinker also mentioned the committee’s ongoing meetings with various department heads to gather insights on town operations. She expressed gratitude to Amy Danforth, who recently resigned from the committee, for her contributions.
Capital Planning Committee Interviews (Link: 00:25:00 – 00:35:00)
The board moved on to the next agenda item, which involved interviewing candidates for the reorganized Capital Planning Committee. The first candidate, David Harris, was invited to the table. Harris shared his experience in town governance, having served on the Finance Committee and the School Committee for a combined total of 20 years. He expressed his commitment to reconvening the Capital Planning Committee and emphasized collaboration among various town boards to achieve outcomes. Harris noted that while capital planning often focuses on buildings, it also encompasses infrastructure, parks, and equipment, all of which require financial planning and support. The board members engaged with Harris, asking questions about his approach to capital projects and how he would leverage his experience to benefit the committee. Harris’s responses reflected his understanding of the need for adaptability and cooperation in the planning process. The meeting continued with further interviews scheduled for other candidates.
Capital Planning Committee Interviews Continued (Link: 00:35:00 – 00:46:00)
David Harris continued by reiterating the importance of collaboration among departments when approaching capital projects. He emphasized the need for a strategic plan that identifies essential projects and allocates funding effectively to avoid future borrowing. Harris highlighted the significance of prioritizing projects that would benefit the town in the long term, particularly in light of the financial challenges facing the community. He expressed his willingness to contribute his expertise to ensure that the committee effectively communicates the town’s needs at town meetings. Following Harris, the board welcomed Michael Rezman, who has lived in Marblehead for six years. Rezman expressed his desire to contribute to the town’s financial stability, citing his experience in budgeting through his mortgage company and real estate management. He discussed the importance of prioritizing urgent capital projects, such as the school roof, while suggesting that less critical projects could be deferred. Rezman indicated that he would familiarize himself with the town’s processes to better serve on the committee. The final candidate interviewed was Bert Pechhold, a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience in capital projects. Pechhold expressed his eagerness to leverage his technical background to assist the committee. He acknowledged that this would be his first experience serving on a public board but emphasized his commitment to contributing positively to the community. Pechhold discussed the importance of risk-based decision-making in prioritizing projects and expressed his intent to understand the committee’s objectives thoroughly.
Final Candidate Interview and Deliberation (Link: 00:46:00 – 00:57:00)
William Anderson shared his extensive experience in real estate development and his interest in contributing to the Capital Planning Committee. He discussed his background in overseeing large projects, including condominium developments and historic preservation efforts. Anderson noted his previous involvement in nonprofit work related to historic rehabilitation and expressed a desire to help oversee Marblehead’s projects. When asked about prioritizing municipal projects, Anderson stated that he would look to the existing committee for guidance and offer input on how to execute projects efficiently. He also mentioned his experience as a project manager, which involved both overseeing development and acting as a general contractor. After the interviews concluded, the Select Board began deliberating on the candidates for the Capital Planning Committee. Chair Erin Noonan initiated the process by requesting a motion to place all candidates’ names into nomination for the committee, with terms set to expire in June 2026. The motion was moved and seconded, and the board proceeded to discuss the selection process. The board members considered various methods for voting, including whether each member should cast three votes or one vote per round to determine the top candidates. The discussion aimed to ensure a fair and efficient selection process for the three available positions on the committee. Noonan confirmed that they would take one seat at a time, allowing for a thorough evaluation of each candidate’s qualifications and fit for the committee.
Deliberation on Candidates for Capital Planning Committee (Link: 00:57:00 – 01:02:00)
The Marblehead Select Board continued their deliberation on the candidates for the Capital Planning Committee. Chair Erin Noonan initiated the voting process for the first seat, with all members expressing their support for David Harris. Each board member cast their vote, resulting in a unanimous decision to appoint Harris to the committee. For the second seat, the board members discussed their preferences. Noonan and other members expressed their support for Bert Anderson, citing his engineering background and project management experience as valuable assets for the committee. The board unanimously voted to appoint Anderson to the second seat. The discussion then shifted to the third seat, where board member Alexa Singer emphasized the importance of selecting a candidate who could effectively collaborate with the town’s professional staff. After deliberation, William Anderson was nominated for the third seat. The board members acknowledged the critical nature of the committee’s work and expressed appreciation for all candidates who volunteered. The board ultimately voted to appoint William Anderson to the third seat, completing the selection process for the Capital Planning Committee.
Licensing Request from Eastern Yacht Club (Link: 01:02:00 – 01:03:00)
The Select Board then addressed a licensing request from the Eastern Yacht Club (EYC) for a change of officers and directors. Jared Chorney, the General Manager of the EYC, presented the application, which is a routine biannual requirement. The board members had no questions regarding the request. A motion was made to approve the application, subject to the receipt of the required forms, fees, and approval from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The motion was seconded, and a roll call vote was conducted, resulting in unanimous approval.
Abbott Library Fund Establishment (Link: 01:03:00 – 01:06:00)
Next, Kimberly Grad, the Director of the Abbot Public Library, presented a request to establish a new account funded by Oliver P. Killam Foundation. Grad explained that the foundation has generously offered funds to support fine arts programming for children and teens at the library. The proposed programs would include bringing in teaching artists and creating art displays. The board expressed their appreciation for the opportunity and the generosity of the foundation. A motion was made and seconded to approve the establishment of the private account titled “OPK Mary McAllister Fund.” The motion passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda Items (Link: 01:06:00 – 01:09:00)
The board moved on to the consent agenda items, which included the approval of minutes from previous meetings, surplus equipment, and various community events. A motion was made and seconded to accept the consent agenda items, with the exception of the minutes from November 13, 2024, and December 4, 2024. The motion passed unanimously. The board then discussed a request from Tedesco Country Club to waive fees for the semiannual Marblehead outing, and a motion was made to solicit letters of interest from nonprofit organizations to host the event. This motion was also seconded and passed unanimously. Additionally, the board addressed a request from Mark Lozier, a licensed commercial lobsterman, to transfer the use of a shanty from his late father to himself. The board discussed the historical preference for keeping shanties within families and confirmed that Lozier would meet all necessary requirements. A motion was made and seconded to approve the transfer request, which passed unanimously.
One-Day Liquor License Requests (Link: 01:09:00 – 01:12:00)
The Select Board reviewed a request from Marblehead Little Theatre for two one-day liquor licenses for events scheduled on February 14 and 15, 2025. The board discussed the conditions required for the licenses, including proof of alcohol purchase from an authorized source and proper storage and disposal. A motion was made and seconded to approve the request, which passed unanimously. Lastly, the board discussed the appointment of Nisha Austin to the Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee. After confirming her interest, a motion was made and seconded to appoint Austin as an at-large member of the committee. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting continued with no announcements from the Select Board members, and a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
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