Marblehead Annual Town Election Guide: Override, Trash Question, Where To Vote

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead voters will go to the polls on Tuesday to decide on one of three tiers of Proposition 2 1/2 overrides phased in over three years will be implemented — or whether to shoot down all property tax override proposals and accept ensuing budget cuts — during what is shaping up to be a historic day in the town.

Voters will also determine how to pay for new trash and recycling bins in the town, as well as decide on races for the Select Board and School Committee.

• Marblehead Residents Face Trash Fee Vote, Along With Prop 2 1/2 Override Tiers

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Marblehead voters are facing questions on whether to accept overrides of $9 million, $12 million or $15 million over three years. The overrides have already been subject to months of debate and nearly a year of planning with drastic cuts coming if the town does not override the state law that allows property taxes to rise 2.5 percent year over year without a townwide approval.

Town meeting voters supported the override going to the ballot box where it faces a much less certain fate. Marblehead has not passed a general operating budget override in more than two decades, with multiple failed attempts in recent years.

• Override Vote, Trash Fee, Contested Select Board, School Committee Races On Marblehead Ballot
• Marblehead Town Meeting Sends Proposition 2 1/2 Tax Override Vote To Ballot Box
• Marblehead Pushes Tiered, Phased Prop 2 1/2 Tax Override To Save Staff, Services
• 'Survival Mode': Marblehead Library Director Makes Plea For Tax Override Tiers

The highest level of override to reach at least 50 percent of the vote will be implemented. If no tier of override reaches 50 percent of the vote, the override fails.

Voters in the annual election will also decide between three candidates for two open Select Board seats. Select Board member Erin Noonan is running for re-election, with challengers being current School Committee member Jennifer Schaeffner and Rossana Ferrante.

Former School Committee Chair Sarah Fox is also running to regain her seat on the committee, along with fellow challengers Ann Marie Jordan and Melissa Clucas, with the top two vote-getters gaining the two open seats.

There is a contested race for moderator between incumbent John Attridge and Peter Jaffe.

Rose McCarthy and Sally Sands are running for one open seat on the Cemetery Commission.

There are six candidates for five seats on the Parks & Recreation board — incumbents Christopher Kennedy, Shelly Bedrossian, Larry Simpson, Karin Ernst, as well as challengers Michael McCarthy and Kenneth Kalman.

In-person voting takes place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday with polling places here:

• Precinct 1 Abbot Hall, 188 Washington Street
• Precinct 2 Abbot Hall, 188 Washington Street
• Precinct 3 Marblehead High School Field House, 2 Humphrey Street
• Precinct 4 Marblehead High School Field House, 2 Humphrey Street
• Precinct 5 Marblehead High School Field House, 2 Humphrey Street
• Precinct 6 Marblehead High School Field House, 2 Humphrey Street