Cape Ann Current Podcast

Manchester's Finance Committee voted 3 to 4 against the senior center article, Gloucester's council committee backed the same tax split for homes and businesses ahead of Tuesday's hearing, and Essex set its Nov. 16 town meeting and Dec. 10 school vote. Plus the week's scores, the crash records, and what gets decided this week.

The Weekly Current is the Cape Ann Current's Sunday recap. Kerry Jane, Ana Lucia and Mateo Daniel go through the week: what we covered, why we covered it, what it means for you, and what gets decided this week.

Kerry Jane, Ana Lucia and Mateo Daniel are the Current's voices. Their stories about life on Cape Ann are part of the show. Every fact about Cape Ann comes from public records and government data. How we work: https://capeanncurrent.com/standards/#how-stories-are-made

The Three
Manchester Finance Committee votes 3 to 4 against the senior center article: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/23/manchester-finance-committee-oct-22/
Manchester sets its Nov. 16 warrant but holds back on the $95 million school article: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/manchester-select-board-oct-19/
Gloucester committee backs keeping the same tax split for homes and businesses: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/gloucester-budget-finance-oct-22/
Essex signs fall warrant: Nov. 16 town meeting, Dec. 10 school vote: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/essex-selectmen-oct-19/
Essex Planning Board backs all six zoning articles for Nov. 16: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/essex-planning-board-zoning-hearing-oct-21/

The heat
Heating oil on Cape Ann, $6.18 a gallon and where to get help (Oct. 14): https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/14/heating-oil-prices-cape-ann/
Heating oil calculator: https://capeanncurrent.com/business/economy/heating-oil-calculator/
Fuel assistance check: https://capeanncurrent.com/heating-help/heap-check/

The Desk
Cape Ann businesses received about 5 cents of every $100 the state spent: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/23/cape-ann-state-spending/
State Spending Explorer: https://capeanncurrent.com/business/state-spending/
Rockport Public Library: longer hours, a food pantry and the busiest shelves on Cape Ann: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/rockport-public-library-profile/
Gloucester arts grants drop by about half: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/20/gloucester-cultural-council-grants/
Gloucester landlords who skip rental registry face court: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/19/gloucester-board-of-health-rental-registry/
Cape Ann's four towns start the Comcast cable renewal with a survey of 202 residents: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/cape-ann-cable-advisory-oct-21/
Cape Ann's most dangerous roads: 2,500 crashes in four towns: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/cape-ann-crash-records/
UMass marine station pitches a shellfish research network; Little River open: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/gloucester-shellfish-commission-oct-20/
Eighty years on Flat Ground: remembering the Liberty ship Charles S. Haight: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/charles-s-haight/

Scores, Oct. 19 to 23 (from the MIAA; winner first)
GFH Final: GHS 6, SWHS 1: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/scoreboard/
GFH Final: GHS 4, SAHS 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/23/scoreboard/
FB Final: GHS wins by forfeit over SAHS: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/19/saugus-forfeits-gloucester-football/
BSOC Final: GHS 3, PVMHS 2: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/20/scoreboard/
BSOC Final: SHS 2, GHS 1: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/scoreboard/
GSOC Final: PVMHS 6, GHS 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/20/scoreboard/
GSOC Final: SHS 4, GHS 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/scoreboard/
GSOC Final: GHS 4, WRVT 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/23/scoreboard/
GVB Final: GHS 3, GEHS 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/20/scoreboard/
GVB Final: GHS 3, WRVT 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/scoreboard/
BSOC Final: RHS 2, AMHS 1: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/scoreboard/
BSOC Final: RHS 2, LHS 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/rockport-lynnfield-boys-soccer-result/
GSOC Final: RHS 3, AMHS 1: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/23/scoreboard/
GSOC Final: LHS 8, RHS 1: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/scoreboard/
GFH Final: AMHS 3, RHS 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/20/scoreboard/
GFH Final: LHS 2, RHS 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/scoreboard/
BSOC Final: MERHS 2, MVRCS 1: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/20/scoreboard/
BSOC Final: MERHS 4, GEHS 1: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/scoreboard/
BSOC Final: ET 1, MERHS 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/scoreboard/
GSOC Final: MERHS 2, GEHS 2 (tie): https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/scoreboard/
GSOC Final: MERHS 1, ET 1 (tie): https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/scoreboard/
GFH Final: MERHS 2, ET 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/scoreboard/
FB Final: TRHS 48, MERHS 8 (Oct. 16, posted Oct. 20): https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/scoreboard/
Saturday's schedule and what is still waiting on a score: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/scoreboard/
Report a game: https://capeanncurrent.com/sports/report/

Weather and voting
Weather and tides, Oct. 24: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/weather-and-tides/
Saturday, Oct. 24, was the last day to register; early voting hours: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/23/voter-registration-deadline-oct-24/
Voting in Gloucester on Nov. 3: two ballot cards and the 150 foot rule: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/gloucester-election-day-rules/
Fifth Essex voter guide: https://capeanncurrent.com/elections/fifth-essex/
All nine ballot questions: https://capeanncurrent.com/elections/#questions
This weekend on Cape Ann (ClamFest, the symphony at Crowell Chapel): https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/23/cape-ann-weekend-oct-24-25/
Halloween by the Sea, Manchester, Oct. 31: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/manchester-wobblin-goblin-parade/
The Current Poll (closes Nov. 1): https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/current-poll-dunkin/

Know Before It's Decided, Oct. 26 to Dec. 10
Mon. Oct. 26: Gloucester Licensing Board, 6:30 p.m., last annual all alcohol license (https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/23/monday-meetings-oct-26/)
Tue. Oct. 27: Gloucester City Council, 6:30 p.m., tax classification public hearing and vote; Manchester senior center forum and open house, Masonic Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Wed. Oct. 28: Manchester Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m., four hearings (https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/22/manchester-zba-site-visits-oct-28/)
Thu. Oct. 29: Gloucester Zoning Board of Appeals, Maplewood Avenue stormwater hearing (https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/21/gloucester-zba-maplewood-stormwater/)
Mon. Nov. 2: Essex selectmen, 6 p.m., questions on the warrant
Wed. Nov. 4: Essex school community meeting, 6 p.m.; Gloucester Conservation Commission, 5:30 p.m. (https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/24/gloucester-conservation-commission-oct-21/)
Mon. Nov. 9: Manchester Planning Board hearing on the sign bylaw
Mon. Nov. 16: Manchester special town meeting, Memorial School; Essex Fall Town Meeting, 6:45 p.m., Essex Elementary
Thu. Dec. 10: special elections in Essex and Manchester
Meeting Finder: https://capeanncurrent.com/meetings/

Questions for next week: [email protected]

Sources: Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea Finance Committee and Select Board video, agendas and town calendar; City of Gloucester Budget and Finance Committee recording, agenda and the Board of Assessors' fiscal 2027 tax classification packet; Town of Essex Board of Selectmen and Planning Board recordings, agendas and the posted Fall Town Meeting warrant; Gloucester Board of Health recording; Cape Ann Regional Cable Advisory Committee recording and 1623 Studios survey; Massachusetts Department of Transportation crash records and pavement ratings; Comptroller of the Commonwealth CTHRU payment records; Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners data; Massachusetts DOER weekly heating fuel survey; U.S. Maritime Administration vessel records and the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources; Gloucester Shellfish Advisory Commission; MIAA scores; National Weather Service; Gloucester and Rockport town clerk election notices; Major League Soccer and New England Revolution match reports.

This episode is read by an AI voice. Our editor reviewed and approved it before it was published.

Transcript and sources: https://capeanncurrent.com/podcast/weekly-current-2026-10-25/

Kerry Jane, Ana Lucia and Mateo Daniel go through the week on Cape Ann: the Essex school building committee's 10 to 0 vote on a $95.4 million design, Manchester's Finance Committee on the fire engine, the school share and the senior center, early voting in the Fifth Essex race, and who turned the heat on first.

The Weekly Current is the Cape Ann Current's Sunday recap. Kerry Jane, Ana Lucia and Mateo Daniel go through the week: what we covered, why we covered it, what it means for you, and what gets decided this week.

Kerry Jane, Ana Lucia and Mateo Daniel are the Current's voices. Their stories about life on Cape Ann are part of the show. Every fact about Cape Ann comes from public records and government data. How we work: https://capeanncurrent.com/standards/#how-stories-are-made

The Three
Essex school building committee OKs $95.4M design, 10 to 0: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/essex-school-building-committee-schematic-design-vote/
Manchester backs fire engine money, delays senior center vote: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/manchester-finance-committee-fire-engine-school-senior-center/
State rep race, where Delisio, Frieden and Tarr stand: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/fifth-essex-candidates-league-interviews/
In his own words, Dru Tarr: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/dru-tarr-in-his-own-words/
In her own words, Eunice Zeigler: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/eunice-zeigler-in-her-own-words/
Fifth Essex voter guide: https://capeanncurrent.com/elections/fifth-essex/
All nine ballot questions: https://capeanncurrent.com/elections/#questions

The heat
Heating oil on Cape Ann, $6.18 a gallon and where to get help: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/14/heating-oil-prices-cape-ann/
Heating oil calculator: https://capeanncurrent.com/business/economy/heating-oil-calculator/
Fuel assistance check: https://capeanncurrent.com/heating-help/heap-check/

The Desk
St. Peter's Landing, traps off by Nov. 15: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/gloucester-waterways-board-st-peters-landing/
Dogtown survey, $300,000: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/gloucester-dogtown-survey-open-space-committee/
Kondelin Road waste station: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/gloucester-kondelin-road-waste-station-conditions/
Railroad Avenue housing grant: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/gloucester-housing-subcommittee-railroad-ave-zoning/
Scoreboard, Oct. 17: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/scoreboard/
Weather and tides, Oct. 17: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/weather-and-tides/
Cape Ann Veterans Services office closed Oct. 19 to 21: https://capeanncurrent.com/2026/10/17/cape-ann-veterans-services-closed-oct-19-21/

Know Before It's Decided, Oct. 19 to 27
Mon. Oct. 19: Manchester Select Board, final town meeting warrant
Wed. Oct. 21: Gloucester Conservation Commission (Long Beach lot, Kondelin Road)
Thu. Oct. 22: Gloucester Budget and Finance Committee (Railroad Avenue grant); Manchester Finance Committee (senior center)
Tue. Oct. 27: Gloucester City Council; Planning Board housing subcommittee, 1 p.m., Zoom
Meeting Finder: https://capeanncurrent.com/meetings/

Questions for next week: [email protected]

Sources: City of Gloucester meeting recordings and agendas; Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea Finance Committee video and agenda; Essex School Building Committee video and agenda (MERSD); MIAA scores; National Weather Service; NOAA tide predictions; Mass.gov drought status; Massachusetts DOER weekly heating fuel survey; Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth candidate list; League of Women Voters of Cape Ann interviews; candidate questionnaires submitted to the Cape Ann Current.

This episode is read by an AI voice. Our editor reviewed and approved it before it was published.

Transcript and sources: https://capeanncurrent.com/podcast/weekly-current-2026-10-18/

What this podcast is: Cape Ann civic matters, budgets and history explained in plain language, with a transcript and sources for every episode.

The Cape Ann Current Podcast takes one subject from Gloucester, Rockport, Essex or Manchester-by-the-Sea and explains it plainly, with a full transcript and a list of sources for every episode.

Free public information every day at capeanncurrent.com. Get the Morning Current email.

This episode is read by an AI voice. Our editor reviewed and approved it before it was published.

Transcript and sources: https://capeanncurrent.com/podcast/welcome-to-the-cape-ann-current-podcast/