Marblehead goes to the polls

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead voters head to the polls today with several contested races to decide, including the Board of Selectmen – where one newcomer seeks to unseat an incumbent – and the School Committee.Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.One of the more intriguing races involves the only open spot on the School Committee, where Jonathan Lederman seeks to return to the board after a two-year hiatus. He had previously served on the committee for 12 years, from 2001 to 2013. Opposing him is first-time candidate Kate B. Lipsitz, who is the daughter of Board of Selectmen chair Jackie Belf-Becker.Lederman believes the school board needs transparency.?The current board hasn?t welcomed community feedback for the community to participate and ask questions about what?s going on in the schools, and as a consequence Marblehead is suffering,” Lederman said. “It?s not all about ranking, but Marblehead?s school ranking has dropped from being in the top 20 schools to somewhere around 40. We have to look at why that?s happening.”Lederman said out of the remaining four members only one member has more than two years experience, which he said contributes to the problem.?They?re inexperienced,” Lederman said. “The board is having a hard time (retaining) good staff. They need to have some in-depth knowledge of the budget.”Lipsitz said she?s a teacher who understands education issues.?I?m also a parent who wants to advocate for all Marblehead students,” Lipsitz said. “A citizen who takes serious responsibility to spending tax dollars wisely and a Marbleheader who cares deeply about the town.”Other contested races include the Board of Selectmen, where newcomer Joanna Martin seeks to unseat one of a group of seven incumbents for the one-year post, including Belf-Becker, Harry C. Christensen Jr., Judith R. Jacobi, Bret T. Murray and James E. Nye.Belf-Becker, in her 11th term, and fifth as chair (though not consecutively), said the board works well together, is responsive and well-informed.?I want to work collaboratively with the board to run the town and be fiscally responsible,” she said. “We all bring different strengths to the board, but I would like to continue serving the town in this way.”Belf-Becker said there is no way to tell how competitive the election will be, but said, “experience does matter. Taking a thoughtful and informed approach is the way I believe in serving.”Christensen, also a veteran of more than a decade on the board, said although the board members come from different backgrounds and political persuasions, they have worked well together without overriding Proposition 2?.”?The board works very well together and works very hard to provide the same level of services for hopefully the same tax dollars people come to expect from town employees,” he said. “We?re all volunteers. I?ve lived in Marblehead my entire life other than five years that I spent in the Marine Corps.”Rose Ann Wheeler McCarthy and Matthew Wolverton, both of whom are new, will square off for a three-year term with the Cemetery Commission.Michelle B. Gottlieb is running against Carmela V. Mancini for a three-year term on the Board of Health.?I?m eager to continue putting my expertise to continue work on improving health and environment in Marblehead,” Gottlieb said. “I have not only the educational and professional experience to do the job, but I understand how things work in town.”Gottlieb said she has spent the last six years as a Board of Health member getting to know other leaders in town.Nancy P. Arata and Daniel P. Donato have both thrown their hat into the ring for the Abbot Public Library Trustees for a three-year term.Incumbent Robert T. Byrne and Joan D. Cutler, who is new, hope to serve on the Housing Authority for a five-year term. Cutler said she would like to see more interaction from the board with tenants, she said.?I lived in housing for 24 years,” Cutler said. “I have family members living in senior housing. It?s a great place to raise ch