TODAY'S EDITION IN ONE SENTENCE: Marblehead had itself one of those long, only-in-town-government nights where the floor mics ran hot and the civic stakes ran high, with David Modica's blunt, almost reluctant question about whether the town was "kind of being pricks" cutting cleanly through years of careful hedging and forcing a packed room to sit, however uncomfortably, with what the 3A fight has really been about underneath the procedural language; Town Meeting, after more failed attempts than most of us care to count and a referendum repeal that left officials genuinely out of options, at last approved the multifamily zoning overlay built largely around Tedesco Country Club's fairways — a plan its own architects concede was designed first to be passable and only second to be transformative — and in the same long evening teed up a three-tier Proposition 2½ override that now passes, fairly and squarely, into voters' hands on June 9, with photographers, live-bloggers and tired neighbors catching every raised hand, every careful explanation from the moderator, and every quiet exit toward the parking lot; by Friday morning, the town had also, almost without ceremony, lost its grant coordinator just as the money questions remain unsettled and a meaningful share of state dollars hangs on the very zoning vote the meeting had just taken; Colleen Connor, in a gentler register, coaxes us back outside with the season's first honest hours in the garden, the kind of column that reminds you a town is more than its warrant articles; and at the editor's desk, I try to be honest about a lesson Ted Turner gave me a long time ago: That the story you almost talk yourself out of chasing, the one that feels too small or too local or too awkward to bother with, is very often the one most worth the legwork, and after this week, in this town, that lesson felt especially close to home —  Cheers, Will 

This edition of The Independent's newsletter is made possible by the support of Glover Property Management Inc.:

Man at the center of 3A debate, in his own words

A surreal note before the summary itself: The Wall Street Journal cited our interview with David Modica this week as the Town Meeting exchange became part of a national conversation about housing, zoning and local resistance. The profile moves past the 90-second clip and finds a resident uneasy with sudden attention, shaped by politics, personal discipline and an impatience with public arguments that pretend to be something other than they are.

How one blunt question put

Marblehead's 3A vote on the map

Before the interview came the moment: Modica's plainspoken question at Town Meeting captured the tension between legal compliance and actual housing production as Marblehead approved a multifamily zoning overlay built largely around Tedesco Country Club, a private golf course where housing may never be built. The story explains how years of failed votes, a referendum repeal, state pressure and lost grants led officials to a plan designed to be passable, even as critics questioned whether it meets the spirit of the MBTA Communities law.

The override cleared Town Meeting.

Now voters decide.

Marblehead moved two major issues in one night, sending a three-tier Proposition 2 1/2 override to the June 9 ballot and adopting a 3A multifamily overlay after years of failed attempts. The story lays out what each override tier would restore, why the zoning vote matters for state grant eligibility and why the ballot will now decide how much of the town's reduced FY27 budget gets rebuilt.

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One long civic night, caught frame by frame

Katie Ring's photo essay captures the texture of Marblehead's 2026 Town Meeting, from warrant booklets and floor microphones to raised hands, voter reactions and the post-override rush for the exits. The images document the night's civic arc, including updates from Rep. Jenny Armini, debate over school roof surplus money, the charter review, the override vote and the 3A overlay decision.

Marblehead loses its grant writer

with dollars still undecided

Marblehead resident Donna Cotterell has left her role as the town's grant coordinator for a state social equity position, ending an 18-month stretch in which she helped build the town's grant systems and manage projects across departments.

Town Meeting, article by article:

Revisit the live blog

For readers who want the full night rather than the highlights, the live blog tracked Town Meeting article by article, from the opening warrant business through the override and the 3A overlay. It is still online and searchable for anyone who wants a deep dive into the proceedings.

Before the garden fills in, get out there

Colleen Connor's latest garden column turns early May into a practical checklist: photograph beds, deadhead spring bulbs, harden off seedlings, start squash and cucumbers, clean borders, mulch carefully and protect fruit trees. It is a seasonal nudge to get reacquainted with the garden before everything leafs out and the work gets harder to see.

EDITOR'S DESK:

The Ted Turner call I almost did not make

The most-recent Editor's Desk column uses the death of Ted Turner to reflect on a call returned years ago to a young local reporter writing about Marblehead sailing great Ted Hood. The piece follows that lesson through later interviews with Charlie Baker, Lesley Stahl and the Mayo siblings, making the case that the stories worth pursuing are often the ones that seem just out of reach until a local connection opens the door.

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.

Annual hydrant flushing runs May 10-15

The Marblehead Water Department will conduct its annual water main flushing program from May 10 through May 15. Work begins the night of May 10 at 11:30 p.m. and runs from midnight to 7 a.m. each day, starting at the Swampscott and Salem borders and moving toward downtown. Flow testing will follow the night of May 14 in various areas of town, and residents may also see water flowing from hydrants during daytime hours as part of normal procedures. Some properties may experience discolored water in the early morning during flushing week. If that happens, run cold water only in the kitchen sink for about 20 minutes until it runs clear, and avoid using hot water or doing laundry until the discoloration clears. Residents whose problems persist can call the water department at 781-631-0102.

Spring leaf and grass collection scheduled for May 11

The Marblehead Health Department's curbside leaf-and-grass collection picks up again the week of May 11, with one more spring round to follow the week of June 8. Collections are limited to paper leaf bags. No plastic bags or barrels will be emptied, and bags containing brush or other material will not be collected because such material affects the quality of the compost generated from the leaves. No collection occurs on a legal holiday. Residents with questions can reach Director of Public Health Andrew Petty at 781-631-0212 or health2@marblehead.org.

Counseling center honors Aldrich, names scholarship winners

The Marblehead Counseling Center presented its second annual Amy Saltz Community Champions Award to Dave Aldrich, founder of Grab the Bagel, on May 1 and celebrated the honor Thursday at the Beacon Restaurant during the organization's Community Champions Celebration. Aldrich, a Nahant resident, founded the national Grab the Torch foundation about two decades ago and launched Grab the Bagel in 2024 as a nonprofit social enterprise whose bagel-sale revenue benefits local families, first responders, schools and community services in Marblehead and Swampscott. Nominator Paul Todisco said Aldrich "selflessly gives of his time and energy without expecting anything in return. Full story.

Household hazardous waste collection day set for June 13

The Marblehead and Swampscott health departments will sponsor a household hazardous waste collection day on June 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Marblehead Transfer Station, accessible via the Green Street entrance. Residents can drop off items including oil-based paints, stains, solvents, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, propane tanks, pool chemicals and fluorescent bulbs. The program does not accept ammunition, explosives, asbestos, prescription medicines or commercial waste. Materials should be left in original containers with caps tightened, sorted by category and packed upright in sturdy boxes. Proof of residency is required. Costs range from $40 for up to 3 gallons to $90 for up to 25 gallons, with payment by credit card or check only. For more information, contact the Board of Health at 781-631-0212. Full flier.

Driftwood Garden Club plant sale set for May 9

The Driftwood Garden Club holds its annual plant sale May 9 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Masonic Hall in Marblehead. The sale features perennials, annuals, ground covers and herbs, many from local gardens. New this year is a curated selection of houseplants billed as ideal Mother's Day gifts. Personal shopping assistants and carry-out service are available. Proceeds support the gardens and grounds at Abbot Public Library and Marblehead Housing Old Farrell Court.

Student art show opens with May 14 reception

A spring student art exhibition runs May 14 through May 27, with an opening reception from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 14 at Abbot Hall Auditorium, 188 Washington St. Marblehead Veterans Middle School and Marblehead High School will showcase work from grades 7-12, including senior artists. Details.

Garden club plant sale supports Lee Mansion gardens

The Marblehead Garden Club holds its plant sale from 8:30 to 11 a.m. May 16 at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, 161 Washington St. Admission is free, early arrival is encouraged and shoppers can pay by cash, check, card or Venmo while browsing annuals, perennials and native plants. Details.

Poets group meetup planned for May 17

The Marblehead Poets Group meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m. May 17 at 8 Hooper St. The group is open to writers in any genre who want to discuss writing practices, share work and offer feedback. Details.