TODAY'S EDITION IN ONE SENTENCE: As a snowstorm promising up to two feet of snow moves into the region, Marblehead officials have called a snow emergency and parking ban; the town paid 1,185 municipal employees $65.2 million in FY2025, with overtime reshaping the payroll; four citizen petitions arrived ahead of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting; Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer is preparing to walk residents through the realities of Marblehead’s FY2027 budget; Gov. Maura Healey used her State of the Commonwealth address to center affordability; about 50 demonstrators lined Humphrey Street in freezing temperatures to join the nationwide “Free America Walkout,” turning immigration policy, civil rights and democratic norms into local concerns; residents are organizing a community gathering for Nikolay Kuzmina following his mother’s death; students honored Harriet Tubman and John Lewis with portrait unveilings at Veterans Middle School; Marblehead’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance blended song, history and reflection into a call for sustained civic responsibility; and the Marblehead Festival of Arts revealed its 2026 blue lobster logo ahead of its 60th anniversary.— Cheers, Will

P.S. Apologies for the delay in sending this week’s newsletter. Between a heavy end-of-week news load and the move into our new digs at 74 Atlantic Ave., it’s been a minute.

P.S.S. As of today, we’re eight members away from reaching 100 monthly or annual supporters by Jan. 31. To become a member, click here. Thank you to everyone supporting the Independent. 

Town hunkers down as storm encroaches 

Marblehead has declared a snow emergency parking ban as a major winter storm moves into the region. Officials urge residents to plan ahead, park responsibly and stay informed as snowfall, wind and extreme cold create hazardous conditions.

What Marblehead paid its workers in 2025, and what the numbers reveal

Marblehead paid 1,185 municipal employees $65.2 million in FY2025, with overtime and supplemental pay reshaping the payroll picture. The analysis shows how public safety staffing, contracts and structural demands drive compensation beyond base salaries.

Four citizen petitions arrive

before 2026 Town Meeting

Residents have submitted four citizen petitions for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting, ranging from a patriotic resolution to proposed changes in municipal governance.

As costs rise and options narrow,

Marblehead confronts its budget reality 

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer will deliver the FY2027 State of the Town as Marblehead enters a budget cycle shaped less by growth than by constraint. Rising fixed costs, limited revenue growth under Proposition 2½ and a projected structural gap now frame the debate ahead of Town Meeting.

In State of the Commonwealth address,

Healey focuses on affordability 

As Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer prepares for his address, Gov. Maura Healey presided over hers atop Beacon Hill on Thursday. Healey used her State of the Commonwealth address to frame a broad push on affordability, touching on energy costs, housing, education, workforce development and consumer protections, while arguing for a stronger state response to economic pressures facing Massachusetts residents.

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For Nikolay Kuzmina,

community plans Warwick gathering

Following the death of his mother, longtime Marblehead resident Nikolay Kuzmina is preparing for a move south, accompanied by an outpouring of local support. Friends have organized a casual gathering at the Warwick to offer gratitude, connection and farewell.

Portraits of courage

Students at Veterans Middle School unveiled portraits of Harriet Tubman and John Lewis during a ceremony led by the Marblehead Racial Justice Team. Through readings, music and student presentations, the event connected history, art and civic responsibility, emphasizing courage, nonviolence and the ongoing work of equality. 

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On MLK Day, remembrance gives way to responsibility

Marblehead’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at Old North Church blended freedom songs, historical readings and community discussion. Speakers urged residents to see King’s legacy not only as history, but as a call to sustained civic action.

We are now accepting obituaries

The Marblehead Independent — at no cost — is now publishing obituaries and welcomes submissions from families and friends who wish to honor a loved one. You can send obituary copy and a standalone photo (attached separately) to wdowd@marbleheadindependent.com

In the weeks ahead, we will also introduce an occasional In Memoriam section in this newsletter — a simple, respectful roundup of recent obituaries that have appeared on our website, honoring Marblehead residents who have recently passed. 

BLUE AND BOLD:

MFoA's 2026 logo lands at The Landing

The Marblehead Festival of Arts has unveiled its 2026 logo, a student-created blue lobster debuting ahead of the festival’s 60th anniversary. Organizers say the design will serve as a visual anchor across events and promotions, signaling both continuity and renewal for one of the town’s longest-running traditions.

Marblehead joins 'Free America' Walkout

About 50 demonstrators lined Humphrey Street in Marblehead on Tuesday afternoon as part of the nationwide “Free America Walkout,” marking the first anniversary of the president’s second inauguration. 

Your life, floating somewhere:

What the cloud actually does with your data

In this week’s Computers 101, Theresa Myung Hee Milewski demystifies cloud storage, explaining what happens when photos, files and backups quietly migrate online. From iCloud to Google Drive, the column explores what gets saved automatically, what does not, and why “the cloud” is less magical — and more practical — than it sounds.

Town launches understanding addiction, recovery series 

A new community education series aims to reduce stigma around addiction by explaining how substance use disorders affect individuals, families and communities. The free, six-week program will explore recovery, resources and practical ways to respond with care.

Browse the Independent's newsletter archive

We’ve created a Marblehead Independent newsletter archive — a new feature that will be updated weekly. The archive lets readers browse past editions, revisit favorite stories and follow Marblehead’s civic debates, cultural life and everyday news, week by week.

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.

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Marblehead's annual observance will take place Friday, Jan. 30, at noon in Abbot Hall's Select Board room, followed by an evening service at 6 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 1 Community Road.

Warrant deadlines: The Select Board has opened the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for Monday, May 4, at 7 p.m.  Municipal boards, committees and departments have until noon Friday, Jan. 30, to file articles, shaping the final warrant voters will consider this spring.

MHS Film Club shows "A Real Pain" Jan. 28: The Marblehead High School Film Club will screen "A Real Pain" at the Mariners Movie Theatre on Jan. 28 at 3 p.m., followed by an intergenerational discussion led by students. RSVPs are requested through the Council on Aging; residents can contact the COA at 781-631-6225 or visit the office at 10 Humphrey St.

Bells to ring across Marblehead for Washington's Birthday: The Select Board approved a ceremonial bell ringing at Abbot Hall and participating churches on Washington's Birthday, Feb. 22. Bells will ring during traditional holiday intervals in keeping with longstanding town custom.

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.

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.

Senior & Veteran Tax Work-Off Program applications open: The Council on Aging is accepting applications for Marblehead's Senior & Veteran Tax Work-Off Program through Jan. 30. The program allows up to 30 residents ages 60 and older who own a Marblehead home and meet income limits ($78,250 for one person or $105,750 for two) to earn up to a $2,000 property-tax credit by volunteering 133 hours for the town. Participants must complete conflict-of-interest training and a CORI check. For information or to apply, contact Council on Aging Director Lisa Hooper at 781-631-6225.

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 Nancy at the Council on Aging at 781-631-6225 for help completing paperwork.

Momma cats seek forever homes: The Marblehead Animal Shelter is asking residents to make a New Year's resolution that helps four adult "momma cats" — Stella Blue, Hen, Snow White and Flower — find permanent homes. The shelter at 44 Village St. listed adoption hours and encouraged residents to stop by, meet the cats and learn more about adopting.

Writers and readers open mic: The library's Writers & Readers Open Mic returns Monday, Jan. 26, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Abbot Public Library with Beverly Pierce as the featured reader.

Workshop on AI and search: Small business owners can attend a free workshop titled "AI & Navigating the Next Era of Search & Discovery" on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Enterprise Center at Salem State University.

Author talk with Tonya Walker: Local author Tonya Walker will discuss her historical fiction novel "Slim and the Notorious Mrs. Churchill" at Abbot Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Health and wellness seminar: Pam VanKampen will lead "NOURISH – Small Steps for Big Health" at Abbot Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 29, from noon to 1 p.m.

Networking skills workshop: The Beyond Networking series begins Thursday, Jan. 29, with a free workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Enterprise Center with facilitator Mikki Wilson.

Nineties karaoke night at charter school: Marblehead Community Charter Public School invites the community to a '90s Karaoke Night on Friday, Jan. 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to celebrate the school's 30th anniversary.

Lantern-lit march, dinner fundraiser mark General Glover remembrance: A lantern-lit procession will march from Old Town House to Burial Hill at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, to honor General John Glover, followed by a dinner fundraiser from 6-8 p.m. at The Landing to raise money to preserve his farmhouse.

Digital Disconnect film: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, 28 Mugford St., will host a free screening of the documentary on Sunday, Feb. 1, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a Q&A session.

Cybersecurity fundamentals: Entrepreneurs are invited to "Start Up Tuesday Essential Cybersecurity Fundamentals" on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Enterprise Center.