To the editor:
As Marblehead’s Town Moderator, I want to take this opportunity to update residents on an important milestone in our annual civic calendar.
Last week, the Select Board officially opened the warrant for our 2026 Annual Town Meeting. The warrant is now open for resident submissions until noon on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, and for municipal submissions until noon on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Town Meeting itself is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 7 p.m.
While the Select Board has not yet formally announced the location, I expect that we will reconvene at the Marblehead High School Field House, where we received overwhelming positive feedback after relocating the meeting there this past May. Stay tuned for the official announcement.
For those who may be newer to the process, the Select Board is responsible for setting the date, time, and location of Town Meeting, as well as opening the warrant. The articles submitted during this period ultimately form the agenda for the meeting. Once Town Meeting convenes, my responsibility as moderator is to preside over and regulate the proceedings, ensure fairness, maintain decorum, and help guide the legislative work of our great town.
One of the most important aspects of preparing for Town Meeting happens long before we gather as Legislators. Residents who wish to submit an article play a direct role in shaping the business before the Town. That said, submitting an article comes with certain procedural requirements. In past years, some well-intentioned submissions did not meet the standards required for proper action at Town Meeting due to structure, missing elements, or unclear language.
To help prevent this, I strongly encourage anyone considering a submission to reach out to me well before the warrant closes. It is a high honor to assist citizens in refining language, ensuring proper structure, and helping to navigate the nuances of article preparation. An ultimate responsibility of mine is to support you so that your intended goal has every opportunity to be properly deliberated and acted upon on Town Meeting floor.
I welcome anyone with questions about Town Meeting or article submission to reach out to me at 781-883-3200 or Jack@allmarblehead.com. Most importantly, I hope and encourage you to attend and participate in the purest form of democracy on May 4th, 2026.
Jack Attridge
Town Moderator, Marblehead
