Issues We Are Facing
Budget | We are facing a budget issue right now. This is a serious challenge that, frankly has not been properly addressed for several years, as reported in the 2018 Advisory and Finance Committee (Fin Com) Report and Recommendations found here: http://www.nahant.org/documents/advisory_finance/Advisory_Finance_Report_2018.pdf
Quoting from this text: “The Advisory and Finance Committee was again hampered by a lack of coordination, leadership, and timely communication from the previous Town Administrator and the Board of Selectmen during this year’s budget process.” This absolutely will not be the case while I am selectman. Problems are not solved by ignoring them. Coordination and communication between Board of Selectmen and Fin Com is not optional, it is a job requirement.
Again quoting from this text: “But for decades the Town has deferred long-term, less glamorous maintenance in favor of short-term needs.” We need a long-range maintenance plan and that plan needs to be funded within our budget constraints.
My goal is to preserve Nahant’s Police, Fire, and DPW services as we know them. I want to make sure the Johnson School remains as a center and foundation of the Nahant community. But we can’t afford these by simply hoping for it. The Board of Selectmen must work together and collaborate with Fin Com, department heads, and town committees and put long-range plans and budgets expectations in place. It will take cooperation and perhaps a bit of compromise from all sides. But if we all work together for Nahant we can make this work.
Infrastructure | We have been hearing that our infrastructure is in shambles. But I think infrastructure is too generic of a term and we need to speak and plan in specifics. Yes, our water and sewer system is old and failures are occurring that are disruptive and costly to repair. Our storm water drainage needs improvement. We need to address these issues. Some other aspects of our infrastructure are in pretty good shape. But we do need a long term preventative maintenance and capital improvement plan integrated with our financial plan. I think the DPW does a great job of quickly addressing problems, maintaining our open spaces and beaches, plowing the roads, and generally tending to the town. We have dedicated employees at Town Hall, the library, and elsewhere that really know the town and care about it too.
Coast Guard Housing | Many view owning the Coast Guard houses as a liability but I see it as an asset. The town has a low interest loan for approximately $1.8M, but the property is worth much more than that. The Coast Guard Housing Committee is nearing completion on a plan that the town will vote on soon. In the meantime, the town is currently making about $150K/year on the houses. If the town votes to sell the properties all at once, it will be a large input to revenue. If we sell a couple a year, it will be a nice revenue stream for several years. Either way, it has proven to be a good investment for Nahant and will prove to be a benefit for Nahant over the coming years. Like many of you, I look forward to voting soon on the plan put forth by the Coast Guard Housing Committee.
Northeastern University Expansion | You may notice a consistent message in my approach, which is that the greater good of Nahant is most important consideration. 1,700 Nahant residents signed an open letter opposing any NU expansion. Nahant’s zoning bylaws prohibit building anything other than recreational buildings in a Natural Resource (NR) area and all of NU’s property has been zoned NR for many years. As a selectman, I will be transparent with any discussions with NU and approach those discussions with the will of Nahant’s residents as my guiding principal.
My personal opinion is that large expansion of NU buildings and associated development does not benefit Nahant. These changes will blemish East Point forever. I was on the Open Space Committee when Lodge Park was transformed from flat slab of asphalt into the gentle hills we now enjoy. My father, in one of the last things he was able to do as he was dying of cancer, sculpted the relief of Henry Cabot Lodge on the dedication plaque. My sister was married at beautiful Lodge Park. So yes, I want to preserve this magnificent place for future generations.
Views On Our Community
Obviously I have tremendous respect for Nahant’s past and traditions and consider myself blessed to been have part of it all my life. We are all very fortunate to share this beautiful place. There is a unique and strong sense of community in Nahant. This sense of community stems from the passion Nahanters have for our little town. Sometimes we may get upset or wish things were different. But when you take a moment to think it over, we all share a wonderful town.
