TODAY'S EDITION IN ONE SENTENCE: Marblehead officials laid out two stark paths to close the town’s FY2027 deficit — one eliminating 56 positions and several departments and another pairing a household trash fee with school cuts — the former general manager of the Municipal Light Deparsued commissioners seeking more than $320,000 over his dismissal, a longtime resident is pushing Town Meeting petitions to shorten Select Board terms, cap municipal employment contracts and dismantle the Community Development and Planning Department, officials are weighing higher peak-hour prices for public EV chargers to cover rising electricity costs, the town mourned school facilities director Todd Bloodgood after his death at 58, a journalist shared the stories of Israeli hostage survivors during a talk at Temple Emanu-El and Marblehead’s assistant harbormaster visited Anchor to Windward to teach boating safety to adults with developmental disabilities. — Cheers, Will 

P.S. Town Meeting is coming. We’re busy building a forcoming inaugural Town Meeting poll to see where Marblehead voters stand on issues. Click the Google Form link HERE to join our polling panel, and if you feel so inclined, share with other Marblehead voters.

Officials outline stark

budget choices for FY2027

Town officials warned the Select Board that closing Marblehead’s structural budget gap for fiscal 2027 could require eliminating dozens of positions and cutting services, though an alternative plan built around a household trash fee and school reductions would preserve more departments while still requiring millions in savings.

Former MMLD manager files

$320K lawsuit over firing

Former Marblehead Municipal Light Department general manager Joseph Kowalik Jr. has sued four light commissioners in Essex Superior Court, alleging breach of contract and age discrimination and seeking more than $320,000 in damages related to his 2025 termination.

Citizen petitions seek limits on town administrative power

Marblehead resident William Kuker has filed three Town Meeting petitions that would restore one-year Select Board terms, cap municipal employment contracts at one year and eliminate the Community Development and Planning Department created in 2024.

Schools mourn facilities

director Todd Bloodgood

Todd Bloodgood, the longtime director of facilities and maintenance for Marblehead Public Schools, died March 1 at 58, leaving colleagues remembering a hands-on leader who oversaw building operations, transportation and capital planning while quietly keeping the district’s schools running day to day.

Assistant harbormaster brings boating safety lesson to Anchor to Windward

Marblehead Assistant Harbormaster Craig Smith visited Anchor to Windward, a nonprofit serving adults with mild developmental disabilities, to demonstrate life jackets, radios and other safety gear while sharing practical advice on weather, communication and staying safe on the water.

Town considers peak-hour rate increase for public EV chargers

The Municipal Light Department is considering a new time-of-use pricing model that would raise public electric vehicle charging rates during weekday evening peak hours while modestly increasing off-peak prices to better cover electricity and maintenance costs.

Journalist recounts Oct. 7 hostage survivors’ stories at Temple Emanu-El

A Boston-based journalist spoke at Temple Emanu-El about interviews with Israelis who survived captivity during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, describing the reporting behind a documentary project that records their experiences and the aftermath of their release.

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AROUND TOWN

This week’s community bulletin highlights key town deadlines, meetings, programs, events and civic reminders. Click any blue item to go directly to source material, registration pages or full details.

Charity night: The Marblehead Animal Shelter will host a charity night at The Landing Restaurant, 81 Front St., on Tuesday, March 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature food and drinks, a silent auction, and live music by The Melody Makers. Fifteen percent of all food, drink, and gift certificate purchases during the evening will be donated to the shelter. No tickets are required, though reservations are recommended. 

Bourbon night: The Marblehead Museum will host its third annual Bourbon Night on Friday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at the Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen. The event will feature a guided bourbon tasting led by Kate Mizzota of Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, highlighting several bourbons including Bully Boy, Castle & Key, Freeland and Kings County selections. Rick Broughton and Brian Ware, known locally as the Melody Makers, will provide live instrumental covers of classic rock on guitar and ukulele. Bourbons will be paired with heavy appetizers. Tickets are $85 for museum members and $95 for the public, with proceeds supporting museum operations and programming. Tickets are available at marbleheadmuseum.org or by calling 781-631-1768. 

Coffee at APL: On Friday March 6 and again on Friday March 13, Abbot Public Library invites patrons to enjoy coffee and conversation in the Scully Room from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Visitors can drop in, sample Atomic Coffee Roasters coffee and tea and bring their own mug; no registration is needed.

MAA hosts spring exhibit reception March 1: The Marblehead Arts Association will hold an opening reception for its spring exhibits on Sunday, March 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 8 Hooper Street. The reception marks the start of multiple shows running Feb. 28 through April 11, and the galleries will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and donations are appreciated

Free tax prep: Abbot Public Library is taking reservations beginning Jan. 26 for its AARP Tax Counseling Program, offering free tax preparation assistance on Tuesday afternoons from Feb. 3 through April 14 at the library's event center, 235 Pleasant St.

Fuel assistance applications open: The North Shore Community Action Programs is accepting applications for fuel assistance, which helps low-income households pay heating bills. A household of one with annual income below $45,392 or two people below $59,359 is eligible, with higher thresholds for larger families. New applicants and returning customers should contact Sharon Doliber at the Council on Aging at 781-631-6225 for help completing paperwork.

Drop-in Tech Help (March 10): All Computers Great and Small provides free drop-in tech help on Tuesday March 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Abbot Public Library. Patrons can bring laptops, tablets or phones for assistance; there is no registration and staff remind participants to keep passwords private.

MFoA fundraisers set: The Marblehead Festival of Arts will hold four speed puzzling fundraisers at Abbot Hall in the lead-up to the 2026 Festival. Events are scheduled for March 7, Aug. 8, Sept. 26 and Nov. 7, with competitions running from 10 a.m. to noon and additional time reserved for setup and cleanup. Organizers say a January event drew strong participation and spectator interest, prompting the expanded schedule and a planned champions round in November.

Swampscott Fish Tales event: Swampscott Tides will host Swampscott Fish Tales: An Evening of Community Storytelling on Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at Swampscott High School, featuring 10-minute stories on the theme “A Fish Out of Water” as a fundraiser for the neighboring nonprofit. 

Kindergarten registration open: Marblehead Public Schools urges parents and guardians whose children will be five years old by September 1 to register for kindergarten for the 2026‑2027 school year. Registration opens on February 23 and requires submitting proof of age, residency and other documents through the district’s online enrollment portal. Families may choose between free half‑day kindergarten or a full‑day program costing $4,120. Parents should visit the Marblehead Public Schools website for registration instructions and required forms.

Safe boating course offered: A Massachusetts boating safety course will be held March 21 at the Boston Yacht Club, 1 Front St. Starting April 1, anyone operating a motorized vessel in Massachusetts — including powerboats, sailboats and personal watercraft — must complete an approved boating safety education course under the new state law. The course will cover navigation rules, emergency procedures and environmental protection. The entry fee is $80 for nonmembers. 

Multiple vacancies: The Select Board has posted vacancies on several appointed town boards and commissions, including the Conservation Commission, Design Review Board, Disabilities Commission, Marblehead Cultural Council, Marblehead Community Access and Media, the Old & Historic Districts Commission (alternate) and the Task Force Against Discrimination. Residents interested in serving must submit a letter of interest and resume to the Select Board at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or by email to wileyk@marbleheadma.gov. Positions remain open until filled.

Resident facilities permits available: The Board of Health says facility permit sticker applications are open, with stickers valid Jan. 1-Dec. 31 and required for Transfer Station access and resident parking at Devereux Beach.