Longtime Rec and Parks Commissioner Norcross Not Seeking Re-election
After serving eighteen years as a Recreation and Parks Commissioner, current Commission chair Derek Norcross has decided not to seek the nomination for re-election this year.
Retired Principal Brian Ota Seeking Nomination to Marblehead School Committee
Former Glover School Principal Brian Ota has taken out papers seeking nomination
Rep. Armini's Legislation Seeks to Add “Her” and “Their” Pronouns to State Constitution
Yesterday afternoon, State Representative Jenny Armini testified before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary on behalf of legislation she filed to amend the Massachusetts Constitution to add “Her” and “Their” as options when referring to the Governor’s Excellency and Lieutenant Governor’s Honor titles.
Armini Emphasizes Green Initiatives at State House
Marblehead Beacon spent a morning with Armini to learn about her goals, ideas, and musings after her first month on Beacon Hill.
Marblehead Woman Wins Statewide GOP Leadership Role Against Incumbent
Local Marbleheader Amy Carnevale emerged victorious in a race against incumbent Jim Lyons
Select Board Breaks School Committee Tie in Second Round of Voting For Newest Member
After two rounds of voting on Monday evening, January 23, 2023, a joint session of the Marblehead Select Board and School Committee selected Thomas Mathers to fill the open seat on the School Committee.
Marblehead's Nan Murphy Selected as Superintendent of Dedham
The Dedham School Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday night, January 18, 2023, to offer the position of Superintendent of Schools to Nan Murphy, current Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Marblehead.
Murphy Remains Finalist for Superintendent in Dedham
Assistant School Superintendent Nan Murphy not chosen for Superintendent role in Milton
Marblehead Assistant Superintendent Nan Murphy Named Finalist for Superintendent in Dedham and Milton
Nan Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for the Marblehead Public Schools, is a finalist for the position of Superintendent in both Dedham and Milton, Massachusetts.
Select Board Members Battle Over Mental Health Funding
Select Board member Erin Noonan questions approval of $200,000 previously approved for mental health services in Marblehead.
Vote Potentially Delayed; One School Committee Candidate Disqualified
School Committee concerned about date change requested by Select Board and one of eleven candidates for open seat disqualified
Marblehead MCAS Shows Learning Loss
Declines seen across the district in English Language Arts, Math, and Science
Will Select Board Alone Determine School Committee Vacancy?
The Marblehead School Committee hosted a public forum on Thursday November 10 to solicit priorities and feedback for the fiscal year 2024 budget that will be developed in the coming months and presented to Town Meeting in June 2023.
Eveleth School Opens as Temporary Library
On Monday evening, November 7, 2022, Marblehead’s Abbot Public Library staff welcomed the community to the library’s temporary location at Eveleth School.
School Committee Members Decry Culture of Intimidation
At their meeting on Tuesday evening, November 1, 2022, the Marblehead School Committee addressed several issues surrounding the recent exit of member Emily Barron, who sent her letter of resignation to the Marblehead Town Clerk on October 27.
State Ethics Complaint Forces School Committee Resignation
School Committee member Emily Barron has resigned from her position, effective today, October 27, 2022.
Ethics Complaint Filed Against School Committee Member Emily Barron
State Ethics Complain filed against Emily Barron, the vice-chair of the Marblehead School Committee.
"Marblehead First!" Demands Local Business Owner
Michael Rockett came forward during public comments to express his strong concerns regarding the disruption caused by the many simultaneous infrastructure projects currently taking place around town.
Light Department Board Battles Fire Chief
The Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD) met on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Light Department headquarters, with the meeting being broadcast online for those participating from home.
Planning Board Discusses ADU Approvals
The Marblehead Planning Board met on Wednesday afternoon, September 21, 2022, to
School Override Looms Again, According to Budget Sub-Committee
Marblehead School Committee’s Budget Subcommittee met Tuesday September 20, 2022 at 10 AM on Zoom with both the current (FY23) and future (FY24) fiscal year budgets on the agenda.
New High School Roof and Brown School Maintenance Issues Discussed by Facilities Subcommittee
The Marblehead School Committee Facilities Subcommittee met via Zoom on Tuesday morning, September 20, 2022.
Technological Difficulties Interfere with Harbor Plan Working Group Presentation
The overall purpose of the meeting was for Innes to present a high-level overview of the Harbor Master Plan currently under development and for the public to have an opportunity to give input and suggestions on various harbor front projects outlined in the plan.
Google Sales Exec Adam Smith Appointed to Fill Vacant Light Department Seat
The Select Board and the Marblehead Municipal Light Department held a joint meeting on Wednesday night September 14, 2022, to interview and appoint a new member of the Light Department to fill the unexpired term of Karl Johnson, who resigned earlier this summer.
The Recess Wars, 2022 Edition
Last week Marblehead parents of students in grades one through three discovered that their children will have one scheduled recess this year instead of two.
Keving Coppinger Has “Seen It All”
Marblehead Beacon met recently with Kevin Coppinger, currently running for re-election for a second term as Sheriff of Essex County.
A New Sheriff In Town?
Virginia Leigh in race against incumbent for Essex County Sheriff
Hybrid Public Meetings Debated by Open Meeting Committee
Cost and location possible obstacles to the future of hybrid meetings in town
Armini Part II: We Must "Clean the Grid"
Key issues for Jenny Armini include clean energy, education, and housing
Long Awaited Vinnin Square Project before Planning Board
Leggat McCall presents proposed housing project in Vinnin Square
Tristan Smith Part II: “Labor Built This Country and Can Do it Again!”
Key issues for Smith include climate change, public transportation, education, and affordable housing
Slavit Baylis Part II: “We Cannot Continue With Fossil Fuels”
Slavit Baylis sees the environment and climate change as major priorities if elected. An avid surfer, she longs to surf at King’s Beach in Lynn, but it is polluted and frequently unsafe for swimming.
Results of Poll 3: Roe v. Wade
Results of Marblehead Beacon poll on issue of Roe v. Wade
Tristan Smith: “Meeting People Where They Are” As He Runs for State Rep
Marblehead Beacon sat down with Tristan Smith, 26, candidate for State Representative for the 8th Essex District, at his campaign headquarters on Humphrey Street in Swampscott.
Diann Slavit Baylis: Civility Begins With Listening
“I am living in a place I’ve always wanted to live, and this is the job I always wanted to do,” says Diann Slavit Baylis
Jenny Armini: This District is “a Microcosm of All That is Great About Massachusetts”
Armini decided to run for office to give back to her district. “This community raised my kids,” she offers, noting that “everyone had a hand in raising them,” including teachers, coaches, camp counselors, doctors, and first responders.
Brush Fires Happen On Occasion, But Dump Fire Involved Three at Once, Says Fire Chief
Following Monday’s fire at the Transfer Station, Marblehead Beacon caught up with Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland to discuss potential causes
Select Board Starts Budget Season with Plan: "Polish the Message"
Select Board introduces budget process for FY24
Select Board Confusion on MBTA Proposal
Vote postponed on tree removal proposal involved in MBTA Bus Stop Accessibility and Safety Improvement Project
Town Finance Department Faces Scrutiny by Outside Auditor
Review of Town Finance Department Shows Many Deficiencies
Light Department Approves Rate Increase Beginning 8/1
The Marblehead Municipal Light Department (“MMLD”) Board of Commissioners met yesterday afternoon. Newly elected Commissioner Jean-Jacques Yarmoff joined the other members of the Board, and Commissioner Michael Hull was voted in unanimously as Chair.
Planning Board Tackles Housing Affordability and Diversity
Next forum November 8, 2022
Town Prepares for Major Road Project UPDATED
Project known as Pleasant/Vine/Village Project
Profanity Interrupts Final School Committee Meeting of the Year
Chair reacts to interruption of vote with profane message
School Committee Hosts Two More Discussions on Question Two
The Marblehead School Committee scheduled three public events to provide the community with information in support of Question 2.
PowerUp! Candidate Forum Take Two
The second night of the PowerUp! candidate forum on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, featured candidates for Town Moderator, Board of Health, and School Committee.
Power Up! Sponsors Candidate Forum
First night of virtual candidate forum was held on June 6, 2022.
Human Composting, Renewable Energy, and the School Budget
League of Women Voters Annual Event Held in Person After Two Years Online Only
$24 Million in Borrowing Sent to Voters
Override question will go before voters on June 21st
Marblehead Schools Host Forum on Override Question 2
Schools request additional $3 million in funding
How Does the School Budget Work?
How is the Marblehead School Committee spending your money?
Town Heads into Competitive Election Season
Local elections coming up on June 21, 2022
Jenn Schaeffner
Founder, Editor, Reporter
Member for
2 years 7 monthsTemporarily On Leave of Absence
jenn@marbleheadbeacon.com
Jenn is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. She spent over twenty years as a senior manager in the investment and banking industry for Fidelity Investments and Bank of America. She currently owns a small business specializing in developing, investing and management of residential real estate on the North Shore. Jenn is an active volunteer in local government having served two terms as an elected member of the Marblehead School Committee. She is currently a member of the Board of Commissioners of Marblehead Housing Authority, which owns and manages affordable housing to eligible low-income elderly, families and disabled persons. She led several successful campaigns to fund capital projects for three new school buildings and a town hall restoration project.
Jenn lives with her husband in Marblehead.
