Massachusetts First

At Marblehead’s Abbott Hall, the residents channeled the ’60s rallying cry, Power to the People. My story of hope begins May 6, 2024, at the town meeting. First, indulge me in a rant on the fact that there were 50 articles up for discussion. Who on earth would think that an agenda of this heft could be concluded in a couple or three hours? Unsurprisingly, the meeting was halted around 9:00 at Article 24. Why not schedule the meeting for two evenings and allow folks to plan ahead?

Could Article 36, the contentious MBTA High-Density Zoning Bylaw 3A, be pushed to the next night, inconveniencing or making it impossible for many residents to attend? To make a long preamble less long, suffice it to say that Article 36 was voted down. TWICE! Yup, twice. After a drove of No-on-Article 36-or-Bust attendees left, it was decided that another vote might deliver the desired affirmative vote. The nerve of some people’s children! Luckily, we prevailed again!

Immediately, the Marblehead Coalition on Housing and at least one Select Board member pulled out the whiteboard and started to plan an end run. Talk about tenacity. The Select Board decided to hold a meeting to determine if another town meeting should be scheduled to take – wait for it – ANOTHER VOTE! I am not making this up. This second town meeting would be scheduled for late November. Happy Thanksgiving, folks!

Not having it. A social media campaign was launched, spearheaded by resident and attorney John DiPiano, who has been all over 3A from the get-go. Our knight in shining armor hosted an open meeting to illuminate residents on 3A’s legal footing and the dogged maneuverings of 3A proponents and embolden us to slap on Respect the Vote bumper stickers and show up at the Select Board meeting on September 11. And show up, we did! It was standing room only at Abbott Hall. Folks waved Respect the Vote signs and, at times, unceremoniously shouted the same. I watched on my phone with dozens of others outside the meeting room. I saw the retreat of the Board with my own eyes! Sweet. We lived to fight another day!

The moral of the story is that showing up works. Our voices resonated. I am heartened. Power to the People!

Laura Tamagno, September 15, 2024