In response to the claims made by Board of Health member Tom McMahon at Monday night’s Board of Health meeting regarding underage drinking, Select Board Chair Dan Fox delivered a statement.
During the meeting on Monday evening, McMahon stressed that he was speaking for himself, not formally for the Board, but emphasized that the issue of underage drinking in town has become “top of mind for many” residents.
He argued that underage drinking has “exploded” in recent years, fueled in part by parents hosting alcohol-fueled gatherings for minors, a practice commonly called social hosting.
According to McMahon, numerous residents and neighbors have expressed frustration over recurring parties at certain homes and growing fears for teens’ safety. He referenced at least one tragedy tied to underage drinking and noted that police are frequently called to break up these gatherings. “It’s the same damn houses,” as he put it, yet no citations are issued.
McMahon said he contacted the town clerk to review the town’s enforcement history. The response is that no social-hosting-related fines have been issued since 2017.
[Editor’s note: read more about this issue here, https://marbleheadweeklynews.com/mcmahon-tackles-underage-drinking-enforcement/]
Fox said in response, “These claims are unfounded and misrepresent both the facts and the integrity of the Marblehead Police Department.”
He added, “Let me state this plainly and unequivocally: I have full confidence in Chief Dennis King. His leadership, his professionalism, and his commitment to the safety of Marblehead are exceptional. Chief King has demonstrated integrity throughout his career, and the Marblehead Police Department’s recent full state accreditation, a rigorous, independent review of policies, procedures, and operations, is further evidence of the Department’s strong performance under his leadership.”
Fox said that the statements made at the Board of Health meeting, “including the allegation that ‘orders from the top’ prevent enforcement of social-hosting laws and the characterization of the Chief’s leadership as ‘counterproductive and ignorant,’ are inaccurate, unsupported, and deeply unfair. They also reflect a misunderstanding of how these laws are enforced. Social-hosting investigations require meeting specific legal standards of evidence and due process. Enforcement is not as simple as issuing a citation on demand.”
He added, “Just as concerning as the content of the accusation is the method used to deliver it. Making a serious allegation of misconduct against a department head, without first speaking to Chief King, Town staff, or any Select Board member, or seeking to verify the facts, is not an appropriate or responsible way to raise concerns. Publicly leveling unvetted accusations at a televised meeting does not foster cooperation; it undermines trust, damages working relationships, and does a disservice to the public.”
He agreed that he shares the community’s concern about underage drinking and social hosting. “These issues deserve focused, coordinated, and informed action,” he said. “That is why I have been actively gathering information, speaking with Town staff, and reviewing the facts. That work is ongoing and will continue in a professional and respectful manner.”
Fox added, “I also want to be clear about this: I welcome dialogue. I welcome ideas and constructive engagement from any board member, resident, or stakeholder who wants to collaborate to improve youth safety. But meaningful collaboration requires reaching out, asking questions, and working together in good faith, not making public accusations based on incomplete or inaccurate information.”
He said that Marblehead is “best served when we address difficult issues with clarity, cooperation, and respect for one another’s roles. The safety and well-being of our young people, and the integrity of our public institutions, are far too important for anything less.”
Chair of the Board of Health Tom Massaro said in a statement, “Marblehead residents are committed to minimizing the consequences of youth substance use in our town. We acknowledge the wisdom of previous town leadership in passing Article 43 adopted at town meeting on May 1, 1995, initially documenting that commitment.”
He added, “We reconfirm our continuing support of that article and other related legislation. As officials and individuals, we pledge to do whatever necessary to assist our schools, our security personnel, and our health officers in strengthening their efforts in this area.”
At Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting, members Erin Noonan and Moses Grader also commented on the response given by Fox.
Noonan said, “I appreciate your response,” adding that “collaborating with other officials, working with facts will keep Marblehead safe.”
Grader concurred, adding, “It’s our job to make sure we deliberate.”
At the meeting, Fox said, “We will continue to work on that, gather facts, and move forward.”
