Observation reports are submitted by Marblehead League of Women Voters members who have attended meetings of various town boards and commissions. Observers are solely responsible for accuracy of the information. Complete reports can be found on the LWV of Marblehead Website www.lwvmarblehead.org.
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION June 27, 6:30 pm
LWVM Observer – Kay Rieper
New Business
- Linda met with the dog park people about replacing the surface material which is stone dust to playground fiber (wood chips). One problem is the difficulty of finding dog’s leavings in the wood chips, and the other is the challenge of getting it to the park with no direct truck access. More research and discussion is needed.
- The timbers at Gatchell’s have been removed, and the land has been regraded for safety.
- A spotlight was installed at Gatchell’s, but it isn’t facing the right way. It will be adjusted.
- The department has nothing big enough to move the CSA shed from Stramski’s to Coffin School. They will have to hire a private company.
- Shelly Bedrossian has offered to donate two cameras to Stramski’s and Seaside (or four at one park) which would be directly linked to the police station. The cost would be $7 per month per camera. The Commission will walk the sites to see the best locations and consult with the police.
Parks
- One tree at Crocker Park has been trimmed, one dead one has been cut down, and a hanging branch has been removed.
- Fort Sewall was prepared for the Champagne Reception last Sunday.
- The Seaside tennis courts that are “bubbling” are under warranty and should be repaired soon.
- The new mower has been recalled by the company for overheating. This is causing a maintenance problem as it won’t be back for a couple of weeks.
Recreation
- Jaime gave a big shout-out to her staff who took over the past couple days when she had a health problem at a very busy time with the start of the summer programs.
- The first two days of playground have been impacted by the unsettled weather. There is access to Glover School until 4:30, but some programs continue till 5:30.
- Dino Dig is coming up soon with 50 kids signed up.
- There will be an ice cream social Sunday night, either July 11 or 18.
- She is very open to new programs suggested by someone who has the skills to lead it (such as the intro to Chinese for young kids).
Cheryl Patten spoke for the pickleball group asking for more evening hours at the Vets courts. The new hours have only been in effect for a few days to accommodate the neighbors. The Commission will have a meeting on July 11 at 7 p.m. to present pickleball policy to players and neighbors. This will be an informational meeting only.
Correspondence
- A representative for the Miles for Mary 5K run on October 14 asked for use of the bathrooms at Devereux. This will be too hard on the plumbing system so they will have to use porta potties as they have done in the past. Rather than use plastic water bottles, they can use a “water monster” for water if they pay for a staff member for two hours work to fill it.
- Girls, Inc. from Lynn asked to host a fundraiser pickleball tournament on September 10 from 8 to 5. They predict 125 attendees and would donate $5 from each entry fee to the department.
- The Boys and Girls Clubs of Salem requested to use Devereux Beach on July 6 from 11 to 2 for a swim and picnic. They will provide three lifeguards. They will be charged $75 a bus for two busloads.
- All three were approved.
The next regular meeting will be on July 18.
HOUSING PRODUCTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE AND FAIR HOUSING COMMITTEE JOINT MEETING – June 27, 2023
Hybrid Meeting, not Recorded
LWVM Observer – Bonnie Grenier
State Rep. Jenny Armini and Eva DeCharleroy, representing sate Sen. Brendan Crighton, were invited to attend the meetings for a discussion of housing development at the state level and in Marblehead.
Erin Noonan began the meeting with a slide presentation on Marblehead Affordable Housing Initiatives highlighting the following:
Accomplishments
- Adoption of the Housing Production Plan which assessed housing needs, and developed goals and priority strategies.
- Created the Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund which currently has $118,900, with an additional $10,000 expected from the Gerry School project.
- Approval of the Accessory Dwelling Unit by law at the 2023 Town Meeting
Committee Priorities
- Leveraging public assets for mixed use housing and partnering with the Marblehead Housing Authority to leverage public assets.
- Expand Smart Growth Overlay Districts (SGOD) and Create New SGODs (Ex. Village Plaza, Miller’s Plaza, Broughton Road).
- Engage community groups and stakeholders to support regulatory changes.
- Allow conversion of existing housing to result in more dwelling units.
- Strengthen the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
- Propose inclusionary zoning with MBTA Communities Plan
The meeting covered other topics including the possible development of other town properties:
Cathy Hoog referenced Broughton Road as a possible Housing Authority property for re-development. The MHA has applied to the Massachusetts Housing Partnership for a feasibility study on a technical level. Representatives from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) will come out to review the site. HLC may be a future funding source for development.
Any plan for the development of the Coffin School would first require a vote of the School Committee to turn over the property to the town by a vote of town meeting. In the meantime, a plan would need to be created outlining the possible options for the development of the property. This would also require a vote of town meeting. Given that warrant articles for town meeting have an early 2024 deadline, there is a six-month timeframe to lay the groundwork for all this.
Armini had several updates on proposed state legislation:
- Gov. Maura Healey’s Capital Investment Plan (CIP) includes $1.5 billion in housing investment, $97 million of which is for a new program called Housing Works to develop, preserve and rehabilitate housing and is capable of producing 200-300 units of affordable housing per year.
- The CIP provides $43 million in new additional funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $120 million for public housing rehab, climate resiliency and redevelopment, and $14.9 million for a Housing Innovations Fund that supports innovative forms of rental housing.
- The House budget includes $102 million for Housing Authority subsidies.
- The Tax Package would increase the rental deduction cap from $3000 to $4000.
- Funding for the RAFT Program (Rental Assistance for Families in Transition) could increase to $181,000 million from $41 million.
- Proposed legislation would increase the Senior Circuit Breaker to $2400, up from $1200.
HARBORS AND WATERS BOARD
June 6, 2023, in person, at the Harbormaster’s Office
LWVM Observer: Kathy Breslin
Public request for Brown’s Island name change
Mr. Eugene E. Record made a proposal to change the official name of Brown’s Island to Crowninshield Island. The Crowninshield family donated the island to the Trustees of Reservations in 1955. The name Crowninshield Island is present on zoning maps already but not on NOAA nautical charts. Mr. Record has support from the Trustees of Reservations, the PEM and the Marblehead Museum, and has filled out the paperwork necessary and requested support from the Board. The Board voted unanimously in favor of supporting the name change.
Public request regarding State Street bathrooms
Mr. Phillip Blaisdell asked about the status of the bathrooms being open year-round. He states that the town could possibly lease the bathroom to an outside agency, such as Sustainable Marblehead, a nonprofit group, to install a heat pump. Mr. Blaisdell has received individual financial offers to help with replacing the heating system and has volunteers ready to help with regular cleaning and supplying toilet tissue.
Mr. Mark Souza, harbormaster, reported that the bathroom is not open due to vandalism. Someone recently breached the lock on the female bathroom entrance door; two pipes burst, the flushometer is broken, and the main breaker is corroded. He is waiting for the locksmith who installed the lock to come from Maine. Puleo plumbing has been helping with the plumbing. The door locks are on a timer, but the squid fishermen have put blocks in the door to prevent them from locking. Mr. Souza is waiting for a meeting to be scheduled with the town administrator, the Select Board and Rec and Parks. They will need to know the cost of heating and maintenance, and who will take responsibility for the management of the bathroom. It was suggested to install a video camera to discourage vandalism, but Mr. Souza mentioned that a video camera on public property is required to be monitored continuously.
Harbormaster report
- All docks were in place early. Village Street docks were slower in getting them lined up properly.
- The Harbormaster finished the application for a $380,000 grant, which will cover 75% of the cost of the new security boat.
- The recent heavy weather alert sent by the new software system worked well and Mr. Souza received 1,100 emails from people thanking him.
- Mr. Michaud mentioned that on May 15, lobstermen were allowed to put traps in the water; several 1,000 traps went in smoothly thanks to Mr. Souza.
- The Select Board approved outdoor dining adjacent to the Landing Restaurant. It was mentioned that the Select Board should have come before the Harbors and Waters Board first, as the fishing pier is under the jurisdiction of the Harbors and Waters Board. Mr. Souza mentioned that the fishermen are concerned about safety and the people who paid for the memorial benches have also complained.
Reappointments by the Select Board: Mr. Gregory asked who did not want to be reappointed. No one present responded. It was mentioned that one member and one alternate don’t often attend Board meetings.