Marblehead to fill positions on three town boards

MARBLEHEAD – Selectmen will be interviewing applicants for three town boards this summer, including a new committee that will oversee improvements at an historic town cemetery.The town is taking steps to study needs and make repairs to the gravesites at Old Burial Hill, the 1638 cemetery where weather and vandalism have taken a toll over the years.The state Historical Commission’s Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund has presented Marblehead with a $10,000 grant for the development of an historic burying ground study at Old Burial Hill. The funding is in the form of a matching grant and selectmen have established a donation account to come up with those matching funds.Selectmen have also established a five-member Old Burial Hill Oversight Committee, which will include one member of the Cemetery Commission and four at-large members.The board has received at-large member applications from Bette Hunt, Christopher Dowley, Emmy Hahn, E. Russell (Zeke) Peach Jr., Judy Anderson, Susan Hogan and Pam Peterson.Selectmen read the list of applicants at last week’s meeting and plan to interview all applicants on July 22, if all five members are present.Town Planner Rebecca Curran is the local project coordinator.Selectmen have also received letters of intent from Spencer A. Moore, seeking an alternate position on the Harbors and Waters Board, and Selectman Harry C. Christensen, seeking a seat on the Historical Commission.Selectmen will accept letters of intent for all those who wish to serve in both positions at Board of Selectmen, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945, until noon on Friday, July 31.