MARBLEHEAD — It's going to go harder on you if you smoke marijuana in public. But at least you won't have to shovel the sidewalk.
Those were two of the more controversial decisions reached by a Town Meeting that moved smoothly for most of last night and reflected the relative good economic health of Marblehead. Town Administrator Tony Sasso opened the meeting by outlining the approach of town officials to the current financial downturn.
"We had to make certain assumptions," he said. Those included anticipating a 15 percent cut in state aid and a 10 percent reduction in local revenues. "With that done we are still able to fulfill our contractual obligations and maintain services."
"For the fourth straight year," said David Harris of the Finance Committee, "Marblehead starts the year in the black and we need not go for an override."
As an example of the town's cost-cutting skills Sasso noted that the causeway seawall project, budgeted at $8.7 million was completed with $2.6 million to spare. Much of the excess will be applied to renovations now ongoing at the Village School.
Residents applauded gratefully.
An article proposed by police Chief Robert Picariello called for increasing the fine for public use of marijuana to $300, added to the $100 civil fine provided in last November's initiative petition decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of the drug.
"It's very unclear what happens," he said, "... if we write you a ticket and you throw it away." The new bylaw is meant to clarify matters when people are caught using the drug in their cars or in public places.
Resident Doug Ryder decried what he saw as an effort by the police to increase their power over the public. He noted that the petition required no further punishment beyond the $100 fine and the chief's motion goes beyond that."
It was a position, judging by the reaction in the auditorium, that seemed to have a lot of support.
Resident Walter Haug, however, countered with his experience working with young people in the Lynn courts, kids who are overwhelmingly involved in crimes linked to drug use. "You could save the future of one child by not exposing him to the public use of marijuana," he suggested.
Perhaps even more telling was high school Principal John Ziergiebel, who told the voters that he supported both last year's initiative and Picariello's motion. "A $100 fine is a joke to these kids," he said.
Despite vigorous opposition, the motion passed by a margin just wide enough to allow only a show of hands.
Resident Judith Bocock sponsored an article to require people to shovel the sidewalks in front of their homes. "It's a safety issue," she said, noting the difficulties the elderly and handicapped have in walking out of doors after a snowstorm. "I have to climb over drifts."
"If this is necessary for the civic good," retorted John Whipple, "then that is what the government is here for."
Others complained that in some areas there is no place to throw the snow. Still more pointed out that on more sparsely built up streets, the sidewalks are seldom used. And one frustrated voter noted that drivers sometimes park at the end of the driveway and block the sidewalk anyway.
The motion failed overwhelmingly.
A "smart growth" plan to allow mixed use of both the old YMCA building in the downtown and the former General Glover Restaurant property in Vinnin Square won wide support. So did an article designed to declare a plot of land at Litchman Terrace, land once coveted by low income housing advocates for development, as open space.
Syrian Boy Speaks Out, Survives Family Massacre
Judge Tells John Edwards Jury: Keep Deliberating
House Rejects Sex-selection Abortion Ban
Bush, Obama on Stage Together Share Laughs
SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth
Warming Gas Levels Hit 'Troubling Milestone'
Youngest-ever Speller Disappointed by Mistake
2 American Tourists Kidnapped in Egypt
Chen Guangcheng: 'Historic Transition' in China
New York City Seeks Big Drink Ban
Los Angeles Bans Plastic Grocery Bags
Raw Video: SpaceX Dragon Leaves Space Station
Police: Gunman Kills 5, Self in Seattle
Experts: Americans Must Prepare for Storm Season
Forest Fire Becomes New Mexico's Largest Ever
Montreal Police: Mailed Body Parts From Same Man
Facebook Expands Campus As Stock Shrinks
