My name is Marshall Hook, and I am running for a third term on the Select Board. In my six years on the Board – three as chair – we have been able to accomplish a lot together as a community.
I say “together” intentionally. Nothing that happens in town government is the result of one person. It is the work of a committed Select Board, a strong Town Administrator, dedicated Town Hall staff, colleagues across boards and committees, and the many volunteers who make Topsfield what it is.
Core to the job is stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Each year, the budget and town warrant are built through months of careful review. If you have ever sat through one of our budget meetings, you know how seriously we take this. While there are claims that spending is excessive, I would invite anyone to take a closer look and try to identify any real waste. It simply is not there.
Additionally, our departments continue to bring in substantial grant funding, easing the burden on local taxpayers.
We have also made meaningful progress across town. In our downtown, a once neglected space has been transformed into a vibrant pocket park. That space, once a problem everyone talked about, is now something everyone uses. We are preparing to close on the School Street property to support a full-service restaurant, something residents identified as a top priority in surveys and the Master Plan.
We have invested in infrastructure, including converting streetlights to LED and replacing an outdated water tank. Our Department of Public Works continues to maintain and improve our roads to a high standard.
Quality of life is always a major focus. Volunteers led the creation of a pump track, and we have completed major improvements at Pye Brook and Klock Parks, along with upgrades to the downtown tot lot. We have also brought back the Recreation Department, expanding opportunities with programs like summer camp and Homegrown Markets on the Town Common.
We have improved communication through an updated website and social media.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on delivering high quality services while managing growth thoughtfully. We will continue to strengthen our downtown, invest in infrastructure, and expand recreational opportunities while listening to residents and planning for the long term.
I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and am excited about all that is still to come.
