Marblehead names new harbormaster

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead?s next harbormaster will be F. Webb Russell, who currently serves the town as assistant harbormaster.Russell, the son of a former yacht captain and a Marblehead native, was the first employee hired by Harbormaster Charles Dalferro after Dalferro became harbormaster in February 2005. Dalferro previously served as assistant harbormaster for 17 years.The Harbors and Waters Board voted to recommend Russell?s promotion in October and selectmen approved it Wednesday evening. Russell will take office after Dalferro retires next April at the age of 61.Dalferro is one of five major administrators who plan to retire in the next six months. The others are Robert Jolly, general manager of the municipal light department, Town Administrator Tony Sasso, Cemetery Superintendent William James and Director of Public Health Wayne Attridge. Attridge?s replacement was named Monday.Selectmen lost no time approving Russell. Selectman Judy Jacobi called him “a good choice” and Selectman Harry Christensen said Russell, whose full name is Fred Webb Russell III, “could be the best harbormaster we?ve had.” Selectman Bret Murray, whose father is a seasonal assistant harbormaster, abstained from the vote.Russell will oversee what is expected to be a sizeable increase in the number of moorings. In 2008, when the Stramski Pier proposal came before Town Meeting, there were an estimated 1,400 moorings and 10 piers in Marblehead Harbor. West Shore or Salem Harbor had an estimated 800 moorings and only one pier, at Village Street. There is a waiting list for moorings and the Stramski Pier, the second Marblehead pier on the Salem side of town, is expected to increase that number when it opens next spring.Selectmen also named Russell as a shellfish constable, at his request. He will be one of at least 10 constables.?Every year I get my own license and I?m down on the flats during the low tides harvesting surf clams as my father and grandfather did before me,” Russell wrote in his request. “I would be honored to help oversee and police our shellfish beds.”Those duties have already begun. Chief Shellfish Constable Wayne Attridge notified selectmen that the state Division of Marine Fisheries approved the opening of all town shellfish areas n Devereux Beach, Greystone Beach and Tucker?s Beach n as of Monday. The season runs through April 30.