Town Meeting approves budget, smoking ban; will continue

MARBLEHEAD – Town Meeting approved a $70.8 million town budget without any questions Monday night, but took 30 minutes to discuss a $668,000 renovation of the Old Town House.They also approved a ban on smoking at the Devereux Beach Playground and, at deadline, were discussing a proposal to remove the police chief?s job from Civil Service.They were scheduled to pick up again at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School at 7:45 this evening with Article 32, a new solid waste facility.The Old Town House article will require a debt exclusion override vote to install an elevator and make the three-story building accessible to all.Jack Buba, who distributed leaflets opposing all debt exclusion override articles this year, led the opposition with the question, “Why now?” He said he and the Republican Town Committee wanted to organize volunteers to do the work or attract donations.Assistant Town Counsel Lisa Mead said the law requires the town to pay fair wages to construction workers on public buildings. Selectman William Woodfin asked Buba to match his $50 donation.Town historian Bette Hunt said, “It?s a shame to postpone this. Now?s the time to do it.”In a counted vote the project passed, 571-45.Starr Campbell got the support of the Board of Health for her playground smoking ban at Devereux Beach, which she said would make the area “healthier,” but voters balked at an amendment by School Committee member Jonathan Lederman to extend the ban to the entire beach.?There?s no reason for government to become that intrusive,” said former Selectman John Whipple. The expanded ban was defeated on a show of hands and the playground ban was approved.