TODAY'S EDITION IN ONE SENTENCE: Marblehead's first Finance Committee Super Saturday ended with 35.75 full-time-equivalent positions cut across town and schools and another $1.5 million in school reductions still to come; John Kelley said he will not seek reelection after 43 years on the Board of Assessors; Make-A-Wish transformed Marblehead into a superhero universe for 4-year-old JJ Weiss; about 700 demonstrators joined Marblehead's latest "No Kings" rally; the Light Board adopted two-tier EV charging rates and dropped overnight overstay fees after public pushback; a Marblehead resident launched moon.boston, a free tool tracking tides, moon phases and the best time to walk the beach; Marblehead Little Theatre's "Harvey" opens April 10 with whimsy, heart and an invisible rabbit; and Colleen Connor returns with an April garden checklist full of what to plant, prune and plan right now. — Cheers, Will 

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FinCom's first Super Saturday ends with 35 positions cut and more to come

Marblehead's first Finance Committee "Super Saturday" ended with the town's largest and most consequential budget item: the schools. By the close of discussion, the running tally had climbed to 35.75 full-time-equivalent positions cut across town and school departments, with school leaders still needing to identify another $1.5 million in reductions at an April 9 meeting. The Finance Committee voted to recommend a fiscal 2027 school budget of $47.6 million, leaving the schools about $2.6 million below level service.

Four decades of Marblehead life, all on tape — Goloboy retires from MHTV 

Joan Goloboy has retired as executive director of Marblehead Community Access and Media, closing a chapter for the nonprofit that has documented Marblehead's civic life through every major shift in the media landscape. She started as a volunteer, rose to producer and then executive director, covering everything from Select Board budget debates to high school sports and historical walks through old-cow-path streets. 

After 43 years,  Marblehead's longest-serving assessor steps aside

John Kelley, who has served on Marblehead's Board of Assessors since 1983, announced he will not seek reelection, opening one of the town's longest-held elected seats. Kelley said the role looked very different when he started — "paper and pencil and it was a working board." His departure creates an open race ahead of the June 9 election, with Bryan G. Adams currently the only listed candidate. 

Hundreds turn out as Make-A-Wish transforms Marblehead for 4-year-old Super JJ

A 4-year-old who has spent 15 months fighting a brain tumor traded his hospital visits for a superhero cape as Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island transformed Marblehead into his personal superhero universe.

An estimated 700 join

Marblehead's latest 'No Kings' rally

Car horns echoed through the intersection of Maple and Lafayette streets as an estimated 700 demonstrators gathered to protest what they described as threats to American democracy, waving hand-lettered signs and chanting as part of a national "No Kings Day of Peaceful Protest." The rally, co-organized by the League of Women Voters of Marblehead, was one of more than 3,000 held across the country, with organizers estimating participation in the millions.

Light Board adopts two-tier EV rates, drops overnight overstay fees

The Marblehead Municipal Light Department board voted to replace the town's flat 20-cent-per-kilowatt-hour EV charging rate with a two-tier system: 25 cents off-peak and 50 cents during the 4-to-9 p.m. window. Overstay fees now kick in after five hours instead of six, but overnight users between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. are exempt — a concession added after public feedback at the March 3 meeting.   

A free new tool tracks tides, moon phases

and the best time to walk the beach   

A Marblehead resident has built moon.boston, a free, no-login web app that displays real-time moon phases, tide charts and a calculated window for optimal beach walking tied to the user's nearest NOAA tide station. 

MLT opens 'Harvey' with whimsy,

heart and an invisible rabbit

Marblehead Little Theatre's upcoming production of Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Harvey" opens April 10 with a multigenerational cast that leans into the play's gentle humor and deeper emotional undercurrents.

Colleen's April checklist:

what to plant, prune and plan for right now

Spring is a busy time in the garden, and Colleen Connor's April column delivers a comprehensive to-do list for the month — from scheduling irrigation and hardening off seedlings to planting shallots, onions, garlic, chard, beets, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes and spinach. It's a practical rundown for gardeners ready to get their hands in the dirt. 

Browse the Independent's newsletter archive

We’ve created a Marblehead Independent newsletter archive — a new feature that will be updated weekly. The archive lets readers browse past editions, revisit favorite stories and follow Marblehead’s civic debates, cultural life and everyday news, week by week.

AROUND TOWN

This week's community bulletin highlights key town deadlines, meetings, programs, events and civic reminders. Click any blue item to go directly to source material, registration pages or full details.

Rotary Easter egg hunt postponed to April 12

The Marblehead Rotary Club's annual Easter egg hunt has been postponed one week because of the weather forecast and is now set for Sunday, April 12, at 1:30 p.m. sharp at Seaside Park. Organizers warn that thousands of chocolate eggs are usually claimed within five to 10 minutes, so families should arrive on time. The event is open to Marblehead children age 10 and under, with a separate area for kids under 5. (Marblehead Independent)

Town boards and commissions seek volunteers

The Select Board has posted vacancies on several appointed town boards and commissions, including the Conservation Commission, Design Review Board, Disabilities Commission, Marblehead Cultural Council, Marblehead Community Access and Media, the Old & Historic Districts Commission (alternate) and the Task Force Against Discrimination. Residents interested in serving must submit a letter of interest and resume to the Select Board at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or by email to wileyk@marbleheadma.gov. Positions remain open until filled. Full vacancy list.

Fuel assistance applications still open

North Shore Community Action Programs is accepting applications for fuel assistance, which helps low-income households pay heating bills. A household of one with annual income below $45,392 or two people below $59,359 is eligible, with higher thresholds for larger families. New applicants and returning customers should contact Sharon Doliber at the Council on Aging at 781-631-6225 for help completing paperwork.

Pop-up shops planned for April 9 and 10

The Marblehead Mom's Co-op will host a two-night pop-up shopping event Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Boston Yacht Club, 1 Front St. More than 20 local vendors and artists will take part, offering goods ranging from jewelry to clothing to original artwork. Ticket proceeds benefit the Friends of Marblehead Public Schools. Details and tickets at mhdpopupshops.com.

Household hazardous waste collection day set for June 13

The Marblehead and Swampscott health departments will sponsor a household hazardous waste collection day on Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Marblehead Transfer Station, accessible via the Green Street entrance. Residents can drop off items including oil-based paints, stains, solvents, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, propane tanks, pool chemicals and fluorescent bulbs. The program does not accept ammunition, explosives, asbestos, prescription medicines or commercial waste. Materials should be left in original containers with caps tightened, sorted by category and packed upright in sturdy boxes. Proof of residency is required. Costs range from $40 for up to three gallons to $90 for up to 25 gallons, with payment by credit card or check only. For more information, contact the Board of Health at 781-631-0212. Full flier.

Museum fundraiser dinner set for April 7

Marblehead Museum will hold its annual Charity Night fundraiser Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. at The Landing. Proceeds will support restoration of damaged wallpaper in the Lee Mansion. Reservations are strongly recommended by calling 781-639-1266. Details at marbleheadmuseum.org.

Kindergarten registration open for 2026-2027

Marblehead Public Schools is encouraging parents and guardians of all children who will be 5 years old before Sept. 1 to register for kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. Registration opened Feb. 23. The district offers half-day and full-day options, with full-day tuition set at $4,120 for the coming year. Need-based tuition reduction is available for qualifying families. Details at marbleheadschools.org.

Arts association supper club returns April 6

The Marblehead Arts Association will host its monthly supper club Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in the MAA basement tavern at 8 Hooper St. The April theme is "A Taste of Home" and space is limited to 30 participants, so advance sign-up is encouraged. Details at marbleheadarts.org.

Free tax prep appointments continue through April 14

Abbot Public Library is continuing its free AARP Tax Counseling Program on Tuesday afternoons through April 14 at the Event Center, 235 Pleasant St. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Reference Desk at 781-631-1481 during library hours. Details at abbotlibrary.org.

Through the Looking Glass gala set for April 11

The Marblehead Arts Association will hold its "Through the Looking Glass" Spring Gala Saturday, April 11 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hooper Mansion. Tickets start at $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers and include champagne, food, music and themed installations. Details at marbleheadarts.org

Citizen police academy starts April 23

The Marblehead Police Department, in partnership with the Marblehead Council on Aging, will offer a citizen police academy this spring for residents interested in learning more about local law enforcement. The program will run Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. from April 23 through June 11 at the Judy & Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St. Class size is limited and open to Marblehead residents age 18 and older. Participants are expected to attend all sessions and complete a Criminal Offender Record Information check as part of the application process. Forms may also be picked up at the Council on Aging. For questions or more information, contact Lt. David Ostrovitz at ostrovitzd@marbleheadma.gov or Janice Salisbury-Beal at salisburybealj@marbleheadma.gov.

Spring exhibits run through April 11 at MAA

Current spring exhibits at the Marblehead Arts Association continue through Saturday, April 11 at 8 Hooper St. The shows include "Through the Looking Glass" and "Through the Student's Lens," and galleries are open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Details at marbleheadarts.org.