Accessibility solution for voters sought for historic Marblehead polling place

MARBLEHEAD – Town officials are hard at work trying to find a way for Precinct 1 voters to return to voting at the historic Old Town House at 1 Market Square, where local people have voted for more than 200 years.The Old Town House was closed for voting purposes after a survey six months ago in which state Elections Office. Inspector Bridget Simmons said the building?s basement does not comply with state accessibility regulations.The basement can be entered from the street but the wheelchair ramp is steep. Precinct 1 voted at the Marblehead Community Center for the June special election, along with Precincts 5, 6 and 7, and will vote there again Nov. 2.Selectmen have filed an article for the 2011 Town Warrant seeking funds to design and install an elevator in the building, a permanent solution for its access shortcomings.However, Selectman Judy Jacobi and Town Administrator Tony Sasso have also been meeting with representatives from the Secretary of State?s office, working on temporary solutions that could reopen the building for voters.Jacobi said alterations to the ramp, the threshold and the doorknob could make that happen until the elevator is installed. Donations have already been offered to cover the cost and State Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, has told the town there could be funding available from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.At Jacobi?s request, selectmen voted to authorize her and Sasso to continue with their actions.