Please See Bottom for AI Disclaimer
Click Below for Additional Meeting Resources:
Board of Health Chair Opening Remarks and Tragedy Response (Link: 00:00:00 – 00:30:00)
Tom Massaro, Chair of the Board of Health, opened the September 9th meeting at 6:37 PM at Mary Alley, noting this was the first meeting in some time not beginning with discussion of a strike. Massaro addressed a recent tragedy in the town involving the death of 13-year-old Savannah Gatchel on August 19th, describing it as fundamentally an issue of mental health and substance use that falls within the Board of Health’s portfolio.
Drawing on his experience as a pediatric ICU medical director for 20 years, where he worked with approximately 300 grieving families, Massaro emphasized the importance of allowing communities to grieve and sharing humanity during difficult times. He proposed a formal public declaration from the Board of Health expressing sympathy to Gatchel’s family and committing to strengthen mental health support and substance abuse awareness efforts in the community. The board unanimously approved this statement after a motion and second.
Massaro outlined a three-part response plan to prevent similar tragedies: first, a small data-driven study group to understand the problem deeply; second, a broader stakeholder group to explore options and examine successful programs in similar communities, including SAMHSA’s drug-free community initiatives; and third, seeking community endorsement for recommendations. He indicated the Board of Health should lead or partner significantly in this effort.
The Chair then discussed his broader vision for the Board of Health’s evolving role in today’s information-rich environment, emphasizing the importance of serving as “information curators” to combat misinformation. He announced three new information initiatives: regular columns in both local newspapers with supporting documentation on the Board of Health website, the “Creating a Healthier Marblehead” survey launching September 29th with 16,000 postcards to residents over 18, and the evolution of the Marblehead Mental Health Task Force working with the Marblehead Counseling Center.
The survey, developed with UMass Boston as a partner, will contain 42 questions covering eight wellness areas and allow for detailed multi-level analysis. Results will inform focus groups in early 2025, with a formal community report and forum planned for mid-2025. Massaro also mentioned ongoing best practice grants with Professor Arbetta from Salem State focusing on child and maternal health issues.
Massaro requested that Andrew Petty, Director of Public Health, help obtain marbleheadma.gov email addresses for board members, similar to other town committees. He then opened discussion about the town charter committee, on which he serves as the Board of Health representative. The committee of nine members has interviewed approximately 60 town departments and groups to create an organized structure defining how Marblehead operates.
Draft B of the charter is available on the town website, containing eight to nine pages about the Board of Health and similar sections for other major committees, detailing composition, powers, duties, responsibilities, and challenges. The charter must be approved by town meeting, then the legislature, then town meeting again before taking effect, with implementation expected around April 2027. Tom McMahon indicated he had read the draft and found it acceptable, while Amanda Ritvo planned to review it again. The board has until October 6th to provide feedback.
Charter Committee Discussion (Link: 00:30:00 – 00:47:00)
McMahon requested to address the tragedy before moving to other agenda items. Massaro yielded the floor to his colleague, noting McMahon’s perspective as a long-term Marblehead resident versus his own status as a newcomer to the town.
McMahon read a prepared statement addressing Marblehead’s drinking culture, referencing the town’s phrase “a drinking town with a sailing problem” that appears on t-shirts and stickers. He described his own past participation in excessive drinking and impaired driving during his youth, emphasizing that he was “lucky” to avoid becoming a victim of tragedy unlike others who engaged in similar behaviors. McMahon announced he had stopped drinking entirely after his friend’s wedding on Memorial Day weekend, motivated by wanting to set a better example for his 3-year-old daughter and 9-month-old son.
McMahon criticized the community’s response to previous youth deaths involving drinking and driving, stating that victims were celebrated for their athletic achievements without acknowledging the role of alcohol in their deaths. He argued this approach fails to help youth make better decisions and enables future tragedies. McMahon praised the school committee and Jen Schaffner for addressing youth drinking problems and supported Massaro’s involvement in finding solutions.
McMahon mentioned receiving suggestions from residents, specifically highlighting an email from Bronwyn Roberts, his childhood neighbor and accomplished Boston lawyer, who researched curfew laws in various towns. He noted that Massachusetts law already prohibits drivers under 18 from driving after 12:30 AM and suggested implementing a corresponding curfew, particularly since local establishments close by 11:45 PM.
A resident named Cynthia, who identified herself as new to Marblehead but married to a local native and mother of three, addressed the board. She described being unable to sleep the night of the tragedy and researching relevant laws. She discovered two 2018 Massachusetts laws: the Samaritan law allowing those under 21 to call 911 for drug emergencies without facing charges, and the medical amnesty law providing similar protection for alcohol-related emergencies. She also learned from police that residents can report unsafe situations or underage drinking parties anonymously.
Cynthia created informational flyers about these laws and worked with other mothers to distribute them, with some using Instagram for outreach. She requested the Board of Health’s help in getting the flyers to every household, believing many people are unaware of these protective laws. She also suggested consolidating the various groups forming in town to address the issue under one umbrella organization reporting directly to the Board of Health.
The discussion turned to distribution methods for the flyers. Board members suggested contacting the school committee for email distribution and adding information to the Board of Health website. For physical posting at beaches and bathrooms, they determined permission would be needed from the Parks and Recreation Board and Select Board rather than the Board of Health. Cynthia mentioned the superintendent was reviewing a social media version for display at Marblehead High School but had not yet responded.
Regarding household distribution, Cynthia researched direct mailing costs at approximately $1,500. Board members and attendees suggested alternatives including newspaper inserts, which would be more cost-effective. A newspaper representative present offered to include the flyer in the next day’s paper and requested Cynthia’s contact information. Another attendee mentioned that Marblehead High School has its own newspaper, the Marblehead Headlight, which also runs in a local paper.
Massaro concluded by emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum for change, drawing on his experience working in Botswana during the early HIV pandemic where community commitment was essential for addressing a public health crisis. He committed to using the board’s newspaper articles to inform the community about relevant issues and praised the ongoing efforts.
Strike and Transfer Station Operations Report (Link: 00:47:00 – 00:52:00)
McMahon noted that the strike situation remains unchanged with little movement in negotiations. Petty confirmed there has been no progress in resolving the strike but reported that operations at the transfer station are proceeding relatively well despite ongoing challenges.
Petty explained that Republic Services is using temporary employees to fulfill the duties normally performed by striking Teamsters workers. He described how service quality fluctuates as different temporary crews rotate through, with some crews performing well before being reassigned to other locations. When new drivers unfamiliar with Marblehead’s layout take over, they often struggle to navigate the town’s small streets, sometimes mistaking roads for driveways and missing entire sections of town.
The addition of recycling pickup has created additional complications, as trash can be disposed of quickly at the nearby transfer station while recycling requires trips to Danvers, significantly extending route times. When crews are unable to complete their routes, the delays cascade through the week. The situation was further complicated by holiday scheduling, which moved the second trash collection to Saturday, eliminating the buffer day typically used to catch up on missed pickups.
Petty reported that Republic Services worked with the town to address most missed collections, and while service is generally functioning well, residents should expect continued occasional disruptions. A committee member asked about the large waste management containers that were previously used when recycling pickup was suspended, but Petty explained that Republic cannot use waste management containers and must return to their own facilities for disposal.
Regarding the impact of bi-weekly recycling collection, Petty noted that transfer station traffic has decreased on weeks when recycling is collected curbside, as residents are aware of the schedule. However, on off weeks, the transfer station sees increased traffic from residents dropping off recycling themselves. The town continues to use waste management services to handle the additional recycling volume, requiring constant truck operations.
Massaro then called on Ritvo to provide her report as associate chair for community health. Ritvo reported on vaccine policy matters, explaining that after the last meeting she connected with Megan Kalpin, the lead nurse for Marblehead Public Schools and school nurse at Marblehead Veterans Middle School. Kalpin clarified that Glover Elementary typically reports vaccination rates annually, and recent missing data was due to a website usability error rather than data collection problems.
Ritvo shared the 2024 school year MMR vaccination rates provided by Kalpin: Glover Elementary reported 100% vaccination rate, Brown Elementary was at 90%, Village Elementary achieved 100%, Veterans Middle School was at 90%, and the high school reached 100%. These rates ensure herd immunity across all public schools. Kalpin also explained that the nursing team reviews every student’s vaccination record and maintains ongoing communication with families regarding any inconsistencies, which are typically due to incorrect dates rather than missing vaccinations. Kalpin has not encountered any cases requiring escalation to administration for student exclusion since beginning her role.
Vaccine Policy and Riverhead Beach Resolution (Link: 00:52:00 – 00:58:00)
Massaro praised Ritvo’s vaccination report and emphasized the value of establishing contact with the school health group. Ritvo suggested the board should report on vaccination percentages annually at the start of each school season to maintain oversight.
Ritvo then addressed the resolution of the Riverhead Beach issue, stating the board will always take time to discuss public concerns brought to their attention. Following the previous meeting’s discussion about possible contamination of waters at Riverhead Beach, Petty met with Parks and Recreation, who agreed to implement additional signage at the beach along with a parental waiver requirement.
Since the last meeting, the board received numerous emails from community members expressing strong support for the stand-up paddleboard program and opposing the designation of Riverhead as a swimming beach. Ritvo noted the feedback was consistent with the board’s previous decision to move forward with enhanced signage and parental waivers, which strikes a balance between supporting the valued community program and addressing public health concerns.
Petty presented the proposed signage language developed by Parks and Recreation: “Welcome to Riverhead Beach. Please note, swimming is not designated at this location. The water is not tested under Massachusetts Department of Public Health bathing beach regulations. Riverhead beach is a great spot for low immersion activities like paddle boarding and kayaking. The calm protected waters make it an enjoyable place for recreation and community programs.”
The board discussed the wording, with Ritvo suggesting they only needed the first two sentences about swimming not being designated and water not being tested under state regulations. Massaro questioned whether “designated” was the clearest term, expressing concern that readers might not understand its meaning. The board considered alternatives including “this is not a traditional designated swimming area” or simply stating that the water is not tested under state regulations.
Ritvo asked whether areas of town exist where swimming is not permitted, and Petty confirmed there are no posted “no swimming” signs, though there may be signs prohibiting jumping off piers. When asked if a lawyer had reviewed the language, Petty indicated no legal review had occurred but suggested they could consult with the state for recommended language under bathing beach regulations.
Petty noted that since the recreation season ends at the end of the week, there is time to refine the language. He offered to reach out to the state’s bathing beach program to obtain their suggested language for such signage.
Mental Health 5K Announcement (Link: 00:58:00 – 01:01:00)
Massaro introduced McMahon as the board’s “Health and Fitness runner,” though McMahon clarified he is “far from a runner.” McMahon announced the Mental Health 5K scheduled for Sunday, November 2nd at 11 AM, organized by the Marblehead Rotary Club. The event supports the Inner Explorer program in schools, which focuses on mental health and well-being for youth.
This will be the fourth year of the event, and McMahon noted he learned about it in its second year. He expressed appreciation that organizers announced it earlier this year, as previous years had only given a couple weeks’ notice. The race typically attracts around 100 participants, though McMahon believes participation could be much higher. The course starts and ends at the Boston Yacht Club, running through the historic district past the police station before turning around.
McMahon issued a competitive challenge to encourage participation, offering to donate an additional $25 up to $1,000 for anyone who can beat his time. He specifically called out the Marblehead cross country and track teams, challenging them to beat “a 43-year-old over the hill guy.” McMahon mentioned he has run only three 5Ks in his life and came in fourth place when he participated in the second year of the event, noting he is “fast but unbeatable” despite not knowing proper 5K running strategy.
McMahon acknowledged he is currently working through an injury but promised to make no excuses on race day and would “empty the tank.” He also offered $500 to Seth Moulton if the congressman could beat his time. An attendee mentioned that someone named Brian had previously beaten McMahon, which McMahon confirmed, explaining that Brian is on his softball team and won the first 5K McMahon ever ran while McMahon came in third.
For those not interested in running competitively, McMahon explained that the event offers “spirit runners” who can participate through donation and enjoy amenities like clam chowder at the Boston Yacht Club afterward. He noted the timing works well since the Patriots play at 1 PM, giving participants time to finish and get home to watch the game.
Bills Review (Link: 01:01:00 – 01:03:00)
Massaro called for the bills review, and McMahon noted that a new system was causing issues with his spreadsheets, with Petty confirming it was affecting everyone. McMahon reviewed the bills, stating the list was relatively short. The bills included Agro Source for $31,200 covering grinding and compost removal, AT&T for internet access at $160, and the Counseling Center for psychological counseling services at $6,774.47.
Additional bills included the Light Department for electricity at $846.24, M.E. Tellerman for legal services at $1,827.50, and Shea Concrete Products for Jersey barriers at $3,060, which McMahon confirmed were for the transfer station. The remaining bills were Verizon for internet access at $337.98 and Williams Scotsman for a rented trailer at $671.80.
McMahon specifically noted that Republic Services did not appear on the bill list, anticipating that people might ask about it given the ongoing strike situation. Massaro then indicated they could move from the bills review to the director’s report.
Director’s Report Including Grants and New Programs (Link: 01:03:00 – 01:29:00)
Petty provided updates on meeting minutes, stating he had finished July 10th minutes but had not yet distributed them. He planned to complete July 22nd and August 8th minutes for board review and posting online. Regarding Republic Services, Petty explained ongoing discussions about payment obligations, noting that while Republic is fulfilling trash collection under their curbside contract, there is debate over recycling costs. Attorneys are reviewing the matter, with expectations that the town will pay at least half the monthly amount.
Petty reported that Republic and Teamsters representatives met the previous week without progress, with a possible meeting occurring that day. The strike has entered its twelfth week since starting July 1st. For transfer station construction projects, Petty announced they received five sub-bids covering all required trades: roofing, metal windows, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. General contractors will incorporate these numbers into their bids due September 17th. The project timeline aims for foundation installation before winter, with major construction during winter months. The temporary scale house is positioned to avoid interference with construction.
Petty noted the importance of prevailing wage rates in municipal projects, which significantly increase costs compared to homeowner projects. The department has established a long-term environmental monitoring contract with Haley Ward engineering company. A MassDEP inspection is scheduled for the following day to examine both the landfill and transfer station, with no anticipated issues. Petty emphasized that during the strike, the department continues following all regulations by placing materials in containers and moving them quickly.
An encroachment issue occurred on the landfill from a Stony Brook Road neighbor who planted perennials on town property as beautification efforts. This violates Massachusetts regulations and the town’s permit, requiring removal of plantings and reestablishment of grass cover. The neighbor removed several inches of required vegetative cover, potentially compromising the landfill’s protective liner system. Haley Ward has developed a remediation plan, and Petty is obtaining estimates for the work, which may require bidding depending on cost.
McMahon asked about the salt flow feasibility study, and Petty confirmed it has started and is progressing well, with results expected soon. Petty praised additional help received during the strike from a special clerk from the Council on Aging who has been assisting since July 1st with phones, emails, and sticker sales. He requested board approval to create a permanent temporary special clerk position at 20 hours per week, costing approximately $26,000 annually, funded through a combination of town funds, revolving funds, and general employee operations budget due to staffing gaps.
The board unanimously approved the new position after discussion about its funding sources. Petty announced they found a replacement for Jason Young – a new employee named Ken who possesses a CDL license and heavy equipment experience, starting either at the end of the week or beginning of the following week. Additionally, they secured someone to take meeting minutes for a monthly stipend of approximately $400.
Petty provided extensive grant updates, beginning with the Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant from the CDC. After receiving 75% of the award in July, they were promised the remaining 25% by the end of September, despite federal expectations that such grants may decrease in coming years. This grant covers pandemic response, hurricane preparedness, vaccine management, outbreak response, and foodborne illness investigations, providing training and planning resources for a coalition of 15 North Shore communities.
The BSAS (Bureau of Substance Abuse Services) grant funds YRVs and substance abuse programs for younger students. Recent initiatives include the “I Can Help” program training community members like coaches to recognize struggling children and offer assistance. The program operates as a coalition including Lynn, Swampscott, Marblehead, and Salem. They are also developing a recovery coach program to train community members to support individuals struggling with substance abuse through regular check-ins and group meetings.
Petty described a significant new program called Bloom, an app-based mental health service that Peabody implemented following a youth death in their community. For $15,000 annually, Bloom would provide all Marblehead residents and approximately 1,200 town employees with access to comprehensive mental health resources including personal wellbeing support, parenting guidance, elder care assistance, financial counseling, and four free therapy sessions with insurance coordination for additional sessions. The program is approved for opioid fund financing and connects users to McLean Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital resources.
The board expressed strong interest in the Bloom program, with Ritvo noting its confidential, on-demand accessibility through smartphones. Petty explained the implementation involves creating QR codes for community distribution and account setup. Massaro emphasized the importance of marketing the program effectively to ensure community awareness, particularly given its relevance to current community grieving processes. The board made a motion encouraging expeditious evaluation and implementation of the program.
Petty offered to provide board members with QR codes to test the system and noted that one of Bloom’s founders is located in Gloucester for direct feedback. He planned to approach the opioid task force for funding approval. Ritvo asked about safeguards for minors with suicidal ideation, and Petty confirmed appropriate protections exist, noting Peabody’s investment was specifically motivated by teen suicide concerns.
Under new business, McMahon reported he was scheduled to meet Thursday with the Marblehead Counseling Center to discuss financial needs for reducing their waiting list. Petty noted that the Finance Committee was prepared to endorse doubling the counseling center funding from $60,000 to $120,000 during the previous budget season, but cuts were necessary due to town financial issues. The Finance Committee remains ready to restore the higher funding level with assurance of sustainability.
Massaro suggested that having counseling services in schools could reduce waiting lists, particularly for after-school appointments. Petty confirmed this model exists in Peabody and offered to discuss implementation details with their director. McMahon noted that Marblehead is among the few towns lacking in-school counseling services. McMahon also asked about a legal statement from M.E. Tellerman regarding landfill closure, which Petty agreed to follow up on.
Finally, McMahon addressed an email from Jen Schaffner requesting board representatives, noting that Parks and Recreation had responded while the Select Board declined participation. McMahon volunteered to represent the Board of Health, and Massaro confirmed board support for involvement in the initiative.
New Business and Public Comment (Link: 01:29:00 – 01:37:00)
Massaro opened the floor for public comment. An attendee raised concerns about the upcoming health survey being limited to people 18 and over, questioning how the board would reach people who don’t register to vote or participate in the census. McMahon noted that voter registration is now automatic when obtaining a driver’s license, a change implemented approximately four years ago.
Petty explained the multi-faceted approach to reach all residents, including the postcard mailer, newspaper placement, and assistance at locations like the Council on Aging for people needing help completing the survey. The department plans weekly newspaper articles about the survey and encourages community members to promote participation among friends and household members. Each household member over 18 should complete their own individual survey. The town clerk’s registration database serves as the primary mailing list, supplemented by QR codes in newspapers and potentially having staff at the transfer station to inform residents.
The attendee expressed concern about response rates affecting data legitimacy, noting that some residents remain unregistered and disconnected from civic participation. Petty acknowledged the importance of maximizing participation and welcomed additional suggestions for outreach locations. The attendee suggested using the town’s rolling bulletin boards and Marblehead’s cable television station. Petty confirmed plans to use both the rolling bulletin boards and MHTV, including potential interviews with board members to promote the survey.
The attendee also suggested using rolling signboards to remind residents about bi-weekly recycling schedules, noting continued confusion about the schedule. Regarding staffing assistance, the attendee asked about the senior real estate tax program for office help. Petty explained they had tried using someone from that program but found the work too complicated for that arrangement.
Discussion turned to the charter committee, with the attendee noting difficulty finding the draft on the town website and hearing community misconceptions about the committee’s purpose. Massaro offered to email the draft directly, while the attendee emphasized the need for easier public access to encourage broader review. Petty suggested using the town website’s search function or Google search for “Marblehead Charter draft B.” The attendee stressed the importance of keeping the five-member board expansion issue active.
A participant joining by Zoom asked for clarification about the Bloom mental health app, requesting the spelling (B-L-O-O-M) and confirming it could be found as “Bloom for All.” They verified that the $15,000 annual cost from opioid funds would provide all residents and employees with four free counseling sessions. Petty confirmed these details and indicated the program could be implemented within a couple of weeks, with the main challenge being promotion and QR code distribution.
The Zoom participant also asked about the emergency preparedness grant total, which Petty specified as $134,000 for region 3D covering 15 North Shore communities. This federal grant pools resources among the communities but faces potential future reductions. After confirming no additional public comments, Petty reminded the board they needed to vote on entering executive session before adjourning.
Massaro made a motion pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, paragraph 21A2, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiation with non-union personnel, specifically regarding the health director employment contract. He moved to enter executive session, noting they would not return to open session.
Executive Session Motion (Link: 01:37:00 – 01:38:00)
McMahon seconded Massaro’s motion to enter executive session. Massaro asked if there was any discussion, and noting there was none, proceeded with a roll call vote as required. Ritvo voted yes, Massaro voted yes, and McMahon voted yes, making the vote unanimous to enter executive session.
Following the executive session vote, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.
All About Town provides all information in a good faith effort to improve community engagement and awareness. However, text is generated by artificial intelligence, and we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information provided herein. Use of the site and reliance on any information on the site is solely at each individual’s own risk.