Marblehead Town Reports Overview 2013-2022

The annual town reports are filled with an enormous amount of information and the Marblehead, Massachusetts Town Reports are no different. The challenge is the annual town report does not tell you the “whole” story. It only provides a “snap shot” . It would be helpful if the reports could provide historical data. We got access to the Annual Marblehead Town Reports from 2013-2022 in order to display the historical data below.

At Generating Media, we feel it is far more valuable to review the data from historical point of view and provide a “movie” and not just a “snap shot”. When you can see trends and deviations, it provides a far more powerful story. Let’s take a look at a number of examples.

Number of Reported Births from 2013-2022

The average number of births was 139 with a peak in 2020 of 170 and in 2021 of 154. Our guess is the increase might have very well been because of Covid 19. With this increase, it very well could reflect an increase in the pre-school enrollment down the stretch to increase from the an average of 45 to 55.

Number of Reported Deaths from 2013-2022

The average number of deaths was 195 with a peak of 220 in 2020. Once again, this very well could have been because of Covid, but the reports do not identify cause of deaths. The average percentage of deaths is 40% greater than births.

Number of Marriages Reported from 2013-2022

The average number of marriages was 65 with a peak of 76 in 2017. Not sure what drives this data.

Number of Autos/Trucks Reported from 2013-2022

The average number of cars/trucks in Marblehead was 20,868 with a peak of 21,825 in 2018. This number is startling as it relates to about 1 car per person, which is absurd when you think about it. Certainly explains why there is so much traffic, hard to find parking, and why the high school parking lot is generally full of cars during the day. Public transportation, bicycles, or walking do not reflect transportation of choice. It also explains why the roads are in such tough shape as the amount of traffic just excellerates the wear and tear. This is especially true seeing how there are so many heavy large SUV’s and trucks around town. What the data does not tell us is what are the make and models, number of hybrid, or electric. Is the town going to start thinking about providing re-charging stations? The weight of the vehicles plays a critical role in the condition of the roads.

It is also interesting to see the drop in 2021 to 18,783, which represents about a 10% decrease. Is this another result of people selling their cars because of the shortage and not replacing them because of they were working from home? Then it rebounded back in 2022 to 20,878.

Excise Tax Collected from 2013-2022

Excise tax is what the town collects each year from the cars registered. The rate that is charged is $25.00/$1,000 valuation. As you drive around town you can not help but notice the number of expensive cars and trucks that include BMW’s. Audi’s, Mercedes, Land Rovers, etc.. The average collected per year was $3,534,223 ($169/car) with the peak of $3,919,076 in 2019 ($180/car). Good questions is where does the excise tax revenue go?

Number of Auto Accidents from 2013-2022

The average number of auto accidents was 296, with the peak in 2022 of 364. This represents an increase of 23% over the average. Honestly, we’re suprised there are not far more. People are driving in large numbers way beyond the posted speed limits. The police are nowhere to be found. There is no fear that you will be stopped and given a ticket. Certain well defined towns have developed the culture and “brand” that speeding will not be tolerated. Marblehead does not have that culture. The data indicates the number of accidents has increased. Putting up electronic signs advising you that your speeding will not do the trick. Recommendations include:

1. Chief of Police must make a series of public statements on a regular basis that speeding will not be tolerated. Traffic violations will be issued… not just warnings. These statements should be displayed in all platforms and media publications.

2. Weekly police log should post the number of speeding violations, speed of vehicle versus posted speed, street, male, female, and age.

3. Weekly revenue generated from speeding violations also published.

4. Warning banner across Tedesco and Lafayette Street should warn drivers Marblehead has zero tolerance for speeding.

5. Chief of Police should have conversations with Mail Carriers regarding which streets have the most violators. Refer back to them on a quarterly basis for up-to-date status of possible improvements.

6. Set up Police Cars at targeted problem streets at random so people within the town can see the Police are visible. Even position a police car with no patrol person just as a preventative measure.

7. Get the police out of their cars and walk the streets to get a true flavor of the problem first hand.

8. Make obeying the speed limit in town a TOP Priority.

9. Police should provide monthly report on the revenue generated from traffic violations.

Police Stop Motor Vehicles 2013-2022

The average number times the police stopped a motor vehicle was 955. The peak was in 2017 with 1,500, which is 57% more than average. What is even more troublesome was in 2022 the number was reduced to 556 or only 58% of the average. The message is clear the police are making fewer stops when there are more accidents at an alarming rate. The Police need to define a strategic plan as to what they’re going to put in place to reduce the number of accidents and the reckless denial to care less about the speed limits in town by many drivers. They must also report on a quarterly basis the results of their efforts.

This is where it gets a little gray and could use some clarity. The annual reports are not consistent with the information. As you can see below, there is no data for 2021. Also there is not separation from # of citations and warnings. When you read the weekly police log it appears to be a high percentage (almost always) to just be a verbal warnings. The flag has gone up here because the average was 607 with the peak of 1,043 in 2017, with an all time low of 239 in 2022. This needs some serious looking into and sends a strong message that the police are not serious about reforming the culture of Marblehead to be a town that does not tolerate speeding.

Number of Parking Tickets 2013-2022

Another red flag goes up here. The average was 2,342 parking tickets with the high of 3,616 in 2017 and a low of 1,300 in 2022. Without question, the police are generating only about 50% of the average amount of tickets in 2022. This goes right along with the consistent lack of traffic violations, tickets, and increased accidents. There is a strong correlation that the police have directed their time, energy, and focus on other issues.

Total School Enrollment 2013-2022

The average total school enrollment was 2,997 with the high of 3,298 in 2013 and low of 2,601 in 2021. This represents a consistent decrease each year with the results being reduced by over 21%. This creates a number of challenges as it relates to staffing and operating costs. It would also be beneficial to see how the enrollment in the grades are fluctuating. It is a juggling act to try and adjust the staff where they are needed plus qualified to teach. Additional pieces of data that would provide insight would be the teacher to student ratio, average size per class, and the administration to student ratio. It would make sense with the school enrollment decreasing at such a high percentage that the staff requirements should be reduced along with the operating costs.

The question also should be asked is why is the enrollment dropping at such a high percentage? Are there fewer children in town? Are more parents pulling their kids out of the school system to attend private schools? If so, why do the parents not believe the Marblehead Schools can not provide a quality education? Because the schools demand such a large percentage of the town’s annual budget there needs to be a serious look at they cost from all perspectives.

This information is simply the tip of the iceberg, but to be well informed about the financial condition of the Town of Marblehead moving forward, it would certainly help if there could be improved annual reports as well as presentations at the Town Meetings.

There are a number of issues that are still hard to digest such as the lack of clarity regarding the Transfer Station Funds, the lack of clarity regarding Marblehead’s funds being in the National Grand Banks at the low interest rate versus what other banking institutions are offering, the town’s position on the Sober Home located on 187 Humphrey Street, citizens of Marblehead running businesses out of their homes that involve excessive trucks and cars being parked on their property, cars/trucks continue to park on the sidewalks, which force walkers out into the street, and the on-going closing of businesses each and every year.