Marblehead Finance Committee Details Town Funding Priorities

Marblehead’s Finance Committee released a report today containing its recommendations for the town’s funding allocations for the fiscal year of 2017. It also included recommendations for spending in the current year that will be voted on at the 2016 Annual Town Meeting.

The report casts a relatively rosy picture of the town's finances, pointing out that Marblehead is in the top 7 percent of Massachusetts towns with the highest AAA rating from the financial rating agency Standard & Poor's.

It also notes that this is the eleventh consecutive year in which the committee is able to recommend a balanced budget.

Among the major projects the committee recommends allocating spending for, over $430,000 will be spent on vehicles for several town departments. These include several plows and a new police patrol car.

There are also plans to replace the security cameras at the police department and to conduct repairs at schools and other town buildings.

The Ocean Avenue rip rap, seawall, and sidewalk are also recommended for repairs.

Town employees are also recommended for cost-of-living raises.

Storm drainage construction, water department construction, and sewer department construction will receive substantial funding if the committee's recommendations are followed.

The 2016 Annual Town Meeting will be held on May 2, 2016 at Marblehead Veterans Middle School.

For the complete Finance Committee report, click here.

Photo Credit: Rick Harris via Flickr