Newcomer Scanlon to take on 30-year incumbent Lombard for selectman seat

NAHANT – A political newcomer hopes to unseat a 30-year veteran selectman this spring.Robert Scanlon announced he intends to run against longtime incumbent Selectman Richard Lombard.Town Clerk Harriet Steeves said Lombard has taken out nomination papers but Scanlon has not pulled his yet.Scanlon, who is a graduate of Lynn English High, has been working as a marine surveyor since 1986 and previously was employed in marine sales.On Friday, Scanlon said he intends to pull his papers within a couple of weeks and he has already established a campaign Web site.Scanlon, 56, said if elected one of the first issues he would like to tackle is overhauling the police department.”We have too many police officers on the payroll,” he said. “We don’t need two cruisers on the street in Nahant. And I want all police officers to have random drug testing.”Scanlon said there are too many employees in Town Hall and he would like to eliminate the custodial position there and reduce waste.”Town Hall spends too much money,” he said. “We can make cuts there.”Scanlon said he would also like to eliminate jobs in the school department.”We don’t need a principal and part-time superintendent,” he said.Scanlon said he is a big supporter of the Nahant Fire Department and Department of Public Works.”I’m very protective of the fire department,” he said. “I’m impressed with the fire department and we don’t have the problems there we do in the police department. I want to make sure the DPW has the best equipment available.”If elected, Scanlon said he would like to eliminate the fees for beach parking and winter parking sticker fees.”I don’t think it’s fair,” he said. “Everyone pays taxes. They shouldn’t have to pay for parking stickers.”Scanlon, who is engaged to be married in June, said he is a lifelong resident of Nahant and his family has been in town for six generations.He is a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and vice commodore of the Nahant Dory Club.Scanlon said many people have volunteered to place signs on their lawns and hold signs for him on the causeway.”I said no,” he said. “I am afraid people holding signs would be subject to retaliation by the Lombard camp and I don’t want anyone in that position.”Lombard, who has lived in Nahant for more than 50 years, described himself as a dedicated municipal leader.”I have the welfare and best interests of the residents of Nahant as my top priority,” he said. “The one thing I am most proud of has been playing a part in assembling an outstanding management team. The management team has sound fiscal management skills, policies and procedures. I think we have the best management teams in municipal government. We have reduced the town debt and created a stabilization fund for future emergencies.”Lombard, 62, was a vice president at Dial Corporation before he retired last year. Lombard said during his tenure as a selectman his accomplishments include bringing ambulance service back to Nahant, improvements to town owned buildings, implementing paving and sidewalk maintenance programs and installation of new bathroom facilities at recreational areas.Lombard, a former United States Marine and Vietnam War veteran is a member of the Nahant American Legion, chairman of the Nahant Fourth of July Committee, a member of the beautification committee, chairman of Veterans Park committee and chairman of the Charles Kelley Memorial.He is also a member of Tedesco Country Club board of governors, Knights of Columbus, Nahant Lions Club, Save the Harbor Save the Bay, Safer Waters in Massachusetts and the Nahant Dory Club.In the past, Lombard has also served on the Nahant Country Club board of governors, Cemetery Committee, Nahant Little League, Finance and Advisory Committee, Charter Commission and Johnson School Renovation Committee.Elections are scheduled for Saturday, April 26.