At a Select Board meeting last week, board members made a number of appointments across multiple committees, including the selection of Theresa Tauro to fill a vacancy in the Marblehead Housing Authority Board of Commissioners left by Joan Cutler who resigned from her position in September, 2022.
Tauro, who ran for Eighth Essex Representative last Fall, was selected through a joint meeting between the Select Board and the Marblehead Housing Authority. Cutler’s resignation went into effect on Sept. 15. and took place in the second year of a five-year term, which expires in June of 2025.
Because of the resignation, Tauro is only an interim selection until the election in June of this year, which she would have to run in to maintain her position.
Tauro was asked questions by each of the attending members of the housing authority. The opening question involved what Tauro would like to accomplish in her role. In her answer, she delved into her connection with public housing in Marblehead.
“I grew up in public housing here in Marblehead. I think that my role on the Housing Authority, I’m hoping to be sort of a bridge. I’m somebody who doesnt live in public housing now, but I did grow up there, so I think I have a lot of empathy for the tenants as well as the fact that me and all my siblings were able to get out and use that as a leg up.”
Tauro also talked about her time spent going door to door to talk with senior citizens during her campaign, and said that one of her main goals is to make sure that they can retire comfortably.
“I want to make sure that the residents of Marblehead, and residents from other parts of the state, are allowed to retire with dignity, they are in a safe place, a healthy place.”
After the Housing Authority had their questions answered, members of the Select Board were given the opportunity to ask questions as well.
Board member Jackie Belf-Becker asked Tauro “How would you encourage tennant engagement with management and the board, and what would be your experience doing so?”
Tauro replied by stating that she would attempt to hold educational forums and socials to build “a sense of community.”
The Select Board also appointed Marblehead High School senior Helina Tadesse as the Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination Student Representative. Tadesse was given an opportunity to explain why she wanted to be a part of the task force, stating that she wants to help make the town more inclusive.
“Marblehead is not a diverse town, but we are a tight-knit community and I think given the right opportunity and the right person could definitely make a difference to make it more inclusive,” she said. “I’m hoping being on this task force can give me the opportunity to do that.”
Two vacancies on the Old Burial Hill Committee were also filled at the meeting, with Judy Gates and Andrew Galluci being appointed.