Marblehead Annual Town Election Official Results

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A School Committee shakeup, the election of a new Select Board member, a three-way race for town clerk and two tax override ballot questions made for a highly competitive Marblehead annual town election as nearly 40 percent of voters cast a ballot this week.

The high turnover by local election standards was 39.7 percent townwide, according to official results released by the town clerk's office, with a high of 43.7 percent in Precinct 1.

Among the factors driving the turnout was a five-way race for two seats on the School Committee in a year that included an 11-day teachers' strike and a "no confidence" petition signed by more than 1,000 residents.

Tuesday's election saw challengers Kate Schmeckpeper and Henry Gwazda earn decisive victories over incumbents Sarah Fox and Alison Taylor.

The election also included James Zisson besting Yael Magen for the open seat on the Select Board and ballot questions authorizing the bonding of nearly $20 million for roof, HVAC and other repairs to the high school and Mary Alley Building pass decisively.

Here are the official results from contested races in this year's town election.

SELECT BOARD

• 4,055 - James Zisson
• 2,010 - Yael Magen

TOWN CLERK

• 3,386 - Robin Michaud
• 1,981 - Terri Tauro
• 853 - Melissa Flanagan

CEMETERY COMMISION (3-Year)

• 3,181 - Gerald Tucker
• 1874 - Rose McCarthy

BOARD OF HEALTH

• 3,997 — Amanda Ritvo
• 2,007 — Kimberly Crowley

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

• 4,833 - Kate Schmeckpeper
• 4,359 - Henry Gwazda
• 1,597 - Emily Dejoy
• 793 - Alison Taylor
• 656 - Sarah Fox

BALLOT QUESTION 1 (Mary Alley Building)

• 4,088 - Yes
• 1857 - No

BALLOT QUESTION 2 (High School Roof, HVAC)

• 4,436 - Yes
• 1,579 - No

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)