Politics & Government
Voters To Decide 10 Issues Tuesday
Landfill, Pleasant Street traffic and schools top the list of issues.
Voters go to the polls Tuesday in a special election to decide 10 issues, from capping a troubled landfill to redesigning a traffic-accident plagued street to rebuilding and equipping schools.
The issues, which were approved by a Town Meeting last month, must be voted on in an election because they would exceed the state imposed limits of 2.5 percent increase over the previous year's tax levy.
A low turnout is expected among voters, but it may surpass last year's special election, in which only five percent of the registered voters cast ballots.
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This year, there are five times as many issues on the ballot, including several items with large price tags. Although most issues have strong support in the special election, some opposition has emerged, mostly focused on the costs required.
If all 10 ballot items are approved, the town would authorize the expenditure of $45,348,544 -- and the property tax bill for an owner of a house valued at $512,000 would go up $423.32 in the first year. The median home value in Marblehead is $512,000.
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There may be confusion for some residents about where to vote. The Board of Selectmen reluctantly moved the voting place for Precinct 1 to the Community Center because the traditional voting place, the was ruled not accessible for the elderly and wheel chair-bound voters.
As a result, Precincts 1, 2, 6 and 7 will vote at the Community Center. Residents in Precincts 2, 3 and 4 will continue to vote at the Star of the Sea Community Center.
Here is the background on the issues in this election:
Question No. 1: Cap the Landfill and Build a New Transfer Station
Voters are being asked to approve spending $22.23 million to build a new landfill transfer station and install a cap on the old landfill trash at the Woodfin Terrace site at the northern end of town.
The alternative is for the town to face substantial environmental fines and reduced trash disposal services, according to Wayne Attridge, public health director.
Opposition has focused on the cost of the new building, questioning if the town needs it.
The landfill site, created 75 years ago when it was on the outskirts of town, is now highly regulated by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
"We can't put a shovel in the ground without a permit from DEP," Attridge said.
The site poses no health issues although it is contaminated, he said.
In the past, the site had open pit burning and incinerated its own trash, spewing ash over the property until the federal Clean Air Act of 1975 put an end to that practice, Attridge said.
Today, the trash is sorted at the 17.5-acre landfill site, most of which is owned by the town. The trash that cannot be recycled is hauled away by truck to a Saugus facility for incineration. The recyclable trash is sold.
If the landfill funding is approved, the owner of a median single family home would be taxed an additional $159.65 each year for the 20-year life of the bonds sold to fund the project.
Question No. 2: Monitor Landfill
The state Department of Environmental Protection requires on-going monitoring of the landfill site. That includes checking the water that flows through the site plus the soil under it.
This question, if approved, would cost $706,961 and would raise property taxes for only one year. Estimates are the owners of a median valued home would see a one-time increase of $68.95.
Question No. 3: Purchase Contaminated Stony Brook Property
A property neighboring the landfill at 57 Stony Brook Road was found to be contaminated by the landfill operations. The town negotiated a settlement with the Dinsmore family, who had bought the property. The one-time cost to the town is $899,955. The cost to the taxpayer with a median-valued home was estimated at $6.46 for one year.
Question No. 4: Repair Sidewalks
At a cost of $100,000 a year, the town would raise money to repair sidewalks as needed. Selectman Bill Woodfin proposed the funding, telling Town Meeting that the condition of many sidewalks are "disgraceful." But other selectmen opposed the funding, saying there needs to be a better plan for spending the money. The issue, if approved, would cost the average property owner $9.75 for one year only.
Question No. 5: Purchase Pleasant Street Gas Station
As part of the overall improvements to the well-traveled Pleasant Street Corridor, the town proposes to raise $305,000 to buy an old gas station on Pleasant Street at Village. The purchase of the station property would allow for streets to be realigned for better traffic flow, according to the study of the corridor.
The purchase of the property would cost the average property owner $2.19 a year.
Question No. 6: Redesign Pleasant Street Corridor
The Board of Selectmen proposed this ballot initiative to improve the safety for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles along the Pleasant Street corridor. Since 15-year-old Allie Castner was struck and killed last summer, pedestrian safety has been a hot topic. The redesign plan, which stretches from the intersection of Village Street to Smith Street, provides for realigning streets, rebuilding sidewalks, changing traffic signal and providing curb cuts for wheelchair access.
The cost is $1.64 million. Of that, $400,000 will be reimbursed by the state. The average property owner would see an increase of $15.09.
Question No. 7: Make Library More Accessible
This initiative would provide improved access for the handicapped to the library. It would move a staircase and add a ramp for handicapped patrons. Board Chairman Phil Sweeney told the Town Meeting that the proposed improvements would allow the bottom floor of the library to stay open after hours, which could open it to weekend events. The cost would be $292,394. The average property owner would have a one-year increase of $6.47.
Question No. 8: Add Artificial Turf to Piper Field
This initiative would raise $1.5 million to replace the grass at Marblehead High School's Piper Field with artificial turf. Proponents say it would reduce overall labor costs in maintaining the field and allow the field to be used more. Estimates are that the field is not used 300 days a year. The average property owner would pay an additional $18.25 per year.
Question No. 9: Replace Glover School
This initiative would raise $28.8 million in local and state funds to tear down the almost 100-year-old Glover School and build a new school to house 425 students from the Glover and Eveleth schools. The Massachusetts School Building Authority would reimburse Marblehead $11.18 million. The school is in poor condition with an outdated heating system and windows that need replacing. It does not comply with Americans with Disabilities Act provisions. The average property owner would see an increase of $126.55 if this measure is approved.
Question No. 10: Improve Village School
This initiative will fund the purchase of technology, including interactive white boards, projectors and a computer server, for the students in grades four through six. It will also pay for buying appropriately sized furniture in all of the classrooms at the school. The total cost is $450,000 to be borrowed over 20 years. The average property owner would see an increase of $9.96 a year.