Nahant looking to beautify town entrance

NAHANT-Sprucing up the entrance to town is something that will be addressed at the annual Town Meeting on April 26.An article on the Town Meeting warrant will ask voters to approve $25,000 to develop plans to rehab the entrance to town and Nahant Road.Selectman Richard Lombard, who is an ex-officio member of the Beautification Committee, said some of the things being envisioned for that area include replica gas lights, moving utility lines underground and widening the street along the beach to allow for additional parking.?We want to develop a plan that will would go from the (Equitable) bank to 40 Steps,” he said. “We want to add benches and trees. Nahant Road used to be lined with Dutch Elm trees but the trees died off.”Lombard said the proposed project would not only beautify the area but it would enhance public safety as well.?We want to add sidewalks,” he said. “It would make the area safer for pedestrians and beachgoers.”Lombard said the proposed revitalization project for the entrance of town is something he would like to see the community as a whole get involved in.?We are looking for ideas and suggestions,” he said. “We want to know what residents would like to see done with that area. We want every facet of the community involved.”Lombard said he doesn’t have any figures on how much the revitalization project would actually cost because initial studies have not been done. But he said he anticipates some funding would be available from grants and Community Preservation Act funds.