New Members Appointed To Town Boards

The Board of Selectmen appointed three people to town boards at Wednesday night's meeting. 

Loren Weston and Ben Katzman were appointed to the town's Task Force Against Discrimination. 

Deacon John Whipple presented the candidates. 

"With their records of service and letters, they are both excellent candidates," Whipple said. "They will both contribute significantly to the community and to the task force."

Marblehead High School Sophomore Ben Katzman said he wanted to be on the board to help put an end to anti-semitism he has seen and felt in town.

"This is a great opportunity to stop discrimination," Katzman said. 

Weston, a member of the MHS faculty, has worked with the task force for two years, furthering its mission  at the high school.

"I've worked to add a youth perspective to the task force," she said, noting her work with Team Harmony, a student-run group that fosters leadership and acceptance. "I feel I can do more as a member to address issues and be proactive."

Board members echoed Whipple's confidence in the candidates.

"As a retired teacher, I know so many wonderful projects start with young people," Judy Jacobi said. "There is nothing like working toward something when you know how it feels."

The Board of Selectman also appointed Bruce Krasker as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Krasker is a lawyer with a lengthy resume working on Department of Defense contracts.

"This is an opportunity to give back," Krasker told the board. Krasker went through the Marblehead school system before moving away and then recently moving back to town. 

Selectmen Mike Rockett and Woodfin warned Krasker of the tough job the ZBA has.

"There is no question you're supremely qualified," Woodfin said. "It's not a board where you become popular, but it's a very important board. You have to make decisions based on the town bylaws. Marblehead is one of the few communities that has crafted their own zoning bylaws."

In Other News

• A lawyer for 165 Pleasant St. updated the board on the property's liquor license. The license has been tied up in bankruptcy court. A new restaurant is slated to open at the property by January 1. Selectmen asked the lawyer to update them on the status of construction during their October meeting.
• Glover School Building Committee Patricia Glover asked Chair Jim Nye to sign a document authorizing the transfer of approximately $71,000 from one school account to another so a feasibility study can be conducted on the Glover School. The committee is working on a feasibility and design modification study at the same time they research the possibility of Marblehead becoming a model school district. 
• On December 19, 2010, Marblehead School of Music will perform at Abbot Hall.
• The roof of the police station has been contracted to Weathersfield Inc. 
• On Saturday, September 11, Police and Fire will hold a memorial service in Memorial Park at 10 a.m.
• 118 Pleasant St. is having water and flooding issues in storms. They requested the selectmen do something about the problem. The issue was referred to the Water and Sewer Committee with a directive for the board to update the selectmen as to why this area has been flooded in summer storms.
• The Fair Housing Committee is seeking members to help with online media and social networking. They would also like someone to help film a video for local television. Contact the Town Administrator's office for details.
• The Clerk's Office is no longer accepting passport applications. This comes after a new regulation says clerks cannot take applications from people who also have a birth certificate on file at the same office. Passport applications are still received at the Post Office.