So, if you’ve been driving through Marshfield lately, you probably saw those neon signs and the flurry of "Vote Yes" or "Vote No" placards dotting the corners of Ocean Street and Moraine. Honestly, things got pretty loud for a Saturday in January. Everyone was talking about the news in Marshfield MA regarding the Martinson Elementary School, and we finally have the answer from the polls.
Voters showed up. Like, really showed up.
In a decisive move on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Marshfield residents overwhelmingly approved a $7.4 million debt exclusion override. The goal? Replacing the aging roof at Martinson Elementary. The final tally wasn't even close: 1,036 in favor to 380 against. Basically, the town decided that keeping the kids dry was worth the temporary bump in property taxes.
Why the Martinson Roof Mattered So Much
You might wonder why a roof warrants a special election. Well, it’s not just a few shingles. The roof at the 257 Forest Street school was last touched in 1998. In "building years," that’s ancient.
The project is part of the state’s Accelerated Repair Program, which means the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is expected to foot a significant chunk of the bill. If the town had said no, they risked losing that state reimbursement. It was sort of a "now or never" situation for the Select Board.
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The Police Officer Crash on Route 139
Switching gears to something a bit more heavy, there’s been a lot of talk today, January 15, about a serious accident involving one of our own.
An off-duty Marshfield police officer, Richard Perry, is currently on administrative leave following a head-on collision on Route 139. According to the preliminary reports, Perry’s Jeep was allegedly flying westbound at a high rate of speed.
It gets messy here.
Witnesses say the Jeep crossed the double yellow lines to pass a town truck, then tried to pass a second car—a Hyundai Elantra—before slamming into an oncoming Honda Civic. The person in the Civic had to be cut out of the car. It's the kind of news in Marshfield MA that makes the whole town go quiet.
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The department isn't sweeping this under the rug. They’ve already called in an independent third party for the internal investigation, and the Massachusetts POST Commission has been notified. Perry is facing potential charges for Reckless Operation and speeding.
Development and the MBTA Mandate
If you feel like the town is changing, you aren’t imagining it. The whole "MBTA Communities Act" drama is still simmering.
The state has been breathing down Marshfield's neck to change zoning laws to allow for more multi-family housing. The town fought it—even filed a lawsuit calling it an "unfunded mandate." But after the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in favor of the state in the Milton case, the leverage shifted.
The Attorney General’s Office basically said: "Start enforcing in January 2026, or else."
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This is why you’re seeing projects like the Ocean Street Development pop up. There’s a 2.8-acre site at 239–277 Ocean Street being pitched for mixed-use. We're talking residential units right near the water in the Brant Rock Village Overlay District. It’s a prime spot, but it definitely changes the "small town" vibe some people are desperate to keep.
Quick Hits and Local Happenings
- Veterans Food Drive: The "Goon Squad" kicked off the first drive-thru of the year on Enterprise Drive. These guys are local legends for how they support the vets.
- Frozen Pilgrim: This Sunday, January 25, the annual 3-mile and 5-mile road race is happening at the High School. It benefits the Kurt Giessler Foundation. If you aren't running, expect some traffic around Forest Street.
- Senior Center Events: There’s a talk on the Iditarod on January 26. Apparently, a local from Chelmsford is racing in the 2026 Alaska run, and the center is hosting a big "cheer-on" event.
What You Should Do Next
If you live here, or you're thinking of moving here, stay on top of the Planning Board meetings. The shift in zoning isn't just "red tape"—it’s going to dictate what the skyline looks like in Green Harbor and Brant Rock for the next twenty years.
Also, if you have a student at Martinson, expect construction updates soon. The Select Board and School Committee are moving fast now that the funding is locked in. You can check the town's official website or the "Marshfield Matters" newsletter for the exact construction timeline.
Keep an eye on the Route 3 bridge replacement hearings too. Those virtual meetings are the only place you can complain about the upcoming traffic before the detours actually start.