Heather Castonguay

The meeting addressed several new business items, including the appointment of two individuals, Michael Baez and Britani-Leigh Dunbar, as full-time Police Officers for the Nahant Police Department. The Board voted to declare specific DPW equipment and a vehicle as surplus to be auctioned. A significant portion of the meeting involved the review and approval of annual licenses, specifically Liquor Licenses, Entertainment Licenses, Common Victualler Licenses, and Used Car Dealership Licenses for calendar year 2026, which included discussion and subsequent action regarding complaints related to the Bayside establishment's liquor license. An update was provided on the Lead Water Service Lines project concerning EPA regulations on pipe material inventory. The session concluded with a vote to adjourn to an executive session to discuss litigation strategy in the matter of Town of Nahant v. Susan and Anthony Alessi.

Key discussions and actions taken during the meeting included the approval of several event requests: the HOOMPA Nickel 5 Mile road race, the Nahant Historical Society Lecture, and the Nahant Women's Club Annual Holiday Fair. The Board voted to appoint Leighton O'Conner to the Nahant Cultural Council and approved the promotion of Heather Leary to Nahant Police Sergeant. Appointments were also made for several call firefighters. The Board voted to approve the employment contract for the Treasurer/Collector, Edmond Locke, effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Furthermore, the FY2026 water/sewer debt shift totaling $1,486,375 was approved, along with new FY 2026 rates for water, sewer, and trash services. The FY26 Master Fee Schedule was approved with an exception made for liquor licensing fees, which will be addressed at a later meeting. An inter-municipal agreement with the Town of Swampscott regarding shared services for the building commissioner was approved, as was an event request for the Nahant Sailing Program fundraiser. Under ongoing business, a petition regarding the naming of the Men's Lowlands Softball Field was continued to a future meeting, and an addendum to the Oceanview Lease concerning the seasonal tent usage period was executed. The Town Administrator provided updates on ongoing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) concerning paving, Coast Guard housing lot #5, library renovations, the Public Safety feasibility study, and the Town Hall Ramp project.

The meeting addressed procedural and introductory matters, including discussions about open meeting protocols and welcoming new committee members Alex Kent and Josie Reese. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the upcoming Special Town Meeting in November concerning the state-mandated requirement (3A) for providing multifamily zoning by December 31st of the current year. The committee discussed the need to publish its recommendations regarding the planning board's proposed zoning bylaw change by the end of the following week. The members agreed on the process to develop and finalize a formal recommendation for the vote.

The meeting covered several key operational and new business items. Opening comments addressed municipal matters including dog restrictions on beaches, availability of resident parking stickers, metal recycling schedules, and upcoming community events such as the Purple Heart Ceremony, Market by the Sea, and the HOOMPA Road Race. New business included the approval of the Nahant Youth Soccer Fall Season and the employment contract for the Interim Town Administrator/Finance Director, Alison Nieto. A citizens' petition regarding limiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers was introduced. The board also approved the installment of a S.W.I.M. eelgrass informational panel at Tudor Wharf. Ongoing discussions included an update from the Town Administrator Search Committee and the finalization of the FY26 fee schedule changes for building and liquor licenses. Town Counsel provided an update on the Coast Guard Housing appeal phase and the RFP process for Lot 114 Gardner Road, which resulted in an award for $425K. Administrative updates noted delays in trash/recycling pickup due to a strike impacting disposal facilities.

The Conservation Commission addressed several items. A continued Notice of Intent regarding beach nourishment and coastal bank stabilization at 0 Nahant Road was continued due to lack of progress with abutting property owners. The Commission voted to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 11 Relay Yard, contingent upon the future installation of plantings for a boulder wall project, and also issued a Certificate of Compliance for repairs at 17 Relay Yard. Other business included a discussion regarding the nature of the FEMA grant awarded to the Town for the Short Beach dune restoration project, which involves expanding the dune vertically and horizontally to enhance protection for Nahant Road.