To the editor:
On May 6, attendees at Marblehead’s Town Meeting voted against a rezoning proposal submitted by the Planning Board.
I spoke in favor of the proposal, arguing that it would bring more housing choice to Marblehead’s retirees, working families, and young residents. And I had advocated for the proposal in these pages.
So when I was asked after the vote how I felt, I think my questioner expected disappointment or frustration. But that isn’t how I feel at all.
Since 1970, our town has lost about a thousand residents. That is, in part, a consequence of choices the town has made in relation to housing. But those choices have come with costs. Our public finances are strained and the core issue driving our budget challenges is trying to maintain town services and school funding on a shrinking tax base.
For 50 years, the town has been willing to make that tradeoff. But on May 6, 377 residents voted for a new course at Town Meeting. We were defeated by 33 votes. To put that in perspective, that’s a margin of 4% of total votes cast and represents just 0.2% of registered voters in town.
And we were defeated on the second night of Town Meeting, when it is more difficult for many residents to attend, while facing off against a well-funded No side able to spend thousands of dollars on mailers and yard signs, and which deployed every procedural tactic available to it on the night.
If you were one of the 377 Yes voters on May 6, don’t be disappointed or frustrated. Be energized by the number of people in town who want more freedom and choice over housing.
The day is long folks, and dawn is breaking. It’s morning time in Marblehead.
Nick Ward
Marblehead