MARBLEHEAD – Voters approved Question 3, a $15 million operating override and the largest of three competing options on the ballot, with 54.3% of the vote. The measure gives Marblehead its first operating override since 2005 and, at more than five times the size of the $2.73 million override approved that year, the largest operating override the town has passed.

Voters also approved Question 4, a $2.3 million override for curbside trash, recycling, yard waste, and disposal services, with 67.4% support. The result keeps trash collection funded through the tax levy rather than through a fee, which town officials had described as the alternative.

Town officials tied the questions to a budget gap they said would widen without new revenue.

In the Select Board race, incumbent Erin Noonan won reelection and Rossana Ferrante captured the second available seat. Jennifer Schaeffner was not elected.

The School Committee race also featured three candidates competing for two seats. Melissa Clucas led the field, followed by Ann Marie Jordan. Sarah Fox was not elected.

Fox said, “I want to wish a sincere congratulations to all the candidates who won this evening, and I have tremendous respect for anyone who throws their hat into the ring and puts themselves out there.”

She added, “To paraphrase the valedictorian of the class of 2026, I regret the chances I have not taken, much more than any regret for having tried something and not succeeded. I wish all the candidates who prevailed success, for their success is the success of our citizens and students.”

On the $15 million override, Noonan said, “Marblehead chose the ‘best way’’ forward.”

In a joint statement, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer and Chief Financial Officer Aleesha Benjamin thanked residents who “took the time to review, research and carefully consider” the ballot questions and said the vote reflected “a commitment to investing in the community.”

They returned to the issue of trust, which was a recurring theme during the campaign.

“We are humbled by the trust that voters have placed in the Town’s leadership,” they said. “With that trust comes a responsibility to continue operating with transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline.”

They said they would keep residents informed about how the money is spent.

Director of Public Health Andrew Perry said, “This vote reflects the community’s commitment to maintaining essential municipal services while addressing the rising costs associated with collection and disposal.”

He added, “Moving forward, we remain committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and delivering the high-quality services that residents expect and deserve.”

Throughout the campaign, Benjamin projected a structural shortfall of roughly $7.7 million in fiscal 2027, growing to $11 million in fiscal 2028 and $15 million in fiscal 2029. The current $128 million budget relies on $7 million in one-time free cash to cover recurring costs. Kezer has said health insurance costs rise 15% to 17% a year, compared with the 2.5% annual levy growth allowed under Proposition 2½.

Matt Hooks, co-chair of For Marblehead, called the result a historic investment in the community’s future.

“We’re blown away,” Hooks said. “For the first time in 21 years, Marblehead said yes to a general override and did so at a level that truly addresses our long-term financial challenges.”

John DiPiano said Better Way Marblehead remains disappointed by the override’s passage and will no longer pursue a special Town Meeting.

“Both sides of the override debate ran strong campaigns,” DiPiano said. “Better Way Marblehead remains very concerned that the ramifications of this override will not be fully recognized by taxpayers for a few years and will negatively impact Marblehead residents who may already struggle with affordability.”

DiPiano said committee members are also concerned the outcome will further incentivize what they view as reckless spending. With the override approved, he said, there is no reason to seek a special Town Meeting.

Turnout was unusually strong throughout the day. A total of 8,092 ballots were cast, representing 47.5% of the town’s 17,040 registered voters. That exceeded the 39.7% turnout in 2025 and was higher than any annual town election in the Marblehead Independent’s records dating to 2006.

One of the night’s closest contests came in the Housing Authority race, where Jeffrey Weeden narrowly defeated incumbent Jean Eldridge by 67 votes.

Five candidates secured seats on the Recreation and Park Commission. Elected were Christopher Kennedy, Shelly Bedrossian, Larry Simpson, Michael McCarthy and Karin Ernst. Kenneth Klaiman finished sixth and was not elected.

Several candidates running unopposed also won seats on town boards and commissions. Bryan Adams was elected assessor. David Meyer won reelection to the Cemetery Commission.

In the race for a two-year unexpired term on the Cemetery Commission, Sally Sands defeated Rose McCarthy, 3,605 votes to 2,416.

Thomas McMahon, Julie B. Selbst and Kristin Elizabeth Dubay Horton were elected to the Board of Health. McMahon earned the three-year term.

Katherine Barker and Gary Amberik were elected trustees of Abbot Public Library. Matthew Harrington won reelection as municipal light commissioner. Marc J. Liebman and Robert John Schaeffner Jr. were elected to the Planning Board, while Gregory W. Burt and Barton Hyte won reelection to the Water and Sewer Commission.

Voters chose incumbent Jack Attridge for another term as town moderator, defeating challenger Peter Jaffe, 5,038 votes to 2,082.

“It is an honor and privilege to be entrusted once again with stewardship of our community’s most sacred democratic tradition,” Attridge said.

The results remain unofficial until certified by the town clerk.

A steady stream of voters flowed through the field house at Marblehead High around noon during the election on Tuesday.

Marblehead Select Board candidate Jennifer Schaeffner campaigns outside of the high school polling location on Tuesday.

Marblehead School Committee candidate Sarah Fox campaigns outside of the high school polling location on Tuesday.

Marblehead Select Board incumbent Erin Noonan campaigns outside of the high school polling location on Tuesday.

Marblehead Select Board candidate Jennifer Schaeffner stands with Abigail Axelrod, sister-in-law of Recreation & Parks Commission candidate Larry Simpson, as they campaign on Tuesday.

Sue MacInnis, left, and Meredith Morris campaign for a “no” vote on questions one, two, and three during Marblehead’s election on Tuesday.

Henry Gwazda campaigns for “yes” votes on questions one, two, and three during Marblehead’s election on Tuesday.

A steady stream of voters flowed through the field house at Marblehead High around noon during the election on Tuesday.

Scott Plausse and Sharon Stacy, right, support Recreation & Parks Commission candidate Karin Ernst during Tuesday’s election in Marblehead.

Marblehead voters had the option to show their ID’s to speed up the check-in process during Tuesday’s election.