Nahant sails through Town Meeting

NAHANT-Town Meeting wrapped 25 articles in just under two and one half hours Saturday with debates coming only on a zoning issue and semantics.The primary debate of the afternoon occurred with article 18 that sought to change the zoning of the Coast Guard Station from a natural resource zone to a B-1 business district. Proponents asked for the change to allow for the Preservation Trust Committee, which has a 25-year lease with the town to develop the site, to open its doors to the American Legion, who is hoping to make a home there. It would also allow for the property to be used for weddings and other events.Opponents however feared that the re-zoning would open the door to using the property as a restaurant, a private club or a more intrusive business proposal.Selectman Michael Manning explained that even with the B-1 zoning change there were conditions within the lease that would prohibit such actions.Resident Jody Graul however was shocked the town would even consider the zoning change.”I can’t believe you would take this B-1 zone over a natural resource zoning,” he said adding that it seemed to go against everything else the town was striving to do. “Don’t go this huge step to change this to a business area. You have beach on each side, this is a natural resource.”Selectman Robert Frary reminded residents that the Preservation Committee had a proven track record with the rehabilitation of the Valley Road School and he had no doubt they would be equally successful in rehabbing the Coast Guard Station.”Do we trust ourselves?” he asked. “You know who these people are.”The zoning change was approved 105-5.Prior to zoning vote the largest debate came over whether verbiage in the bylaws should be changed to allow the town warrant to be made “available” rather than “delivered,” not less than seven days before Town Meeting.Resident Peter Rogers worried that changing “delivered” to “make available” was starting down a slippery slope. Jim Walsh agreed adding the despite the intent of the article, making the warrant merely available could mean dropping off a stack at the local convenience store.While two amendments were offered it was a third that was approved.Resident Bea Rogers suggested the wording be changed to include the word delivered as well as “to every household in which there resides an eligible voter.”The amendment and subsequent article was approved unanimously.Other articles included housekeeping items such as reauthorizing the revolving account for the cemetery, transferring funds to balance the budget, including paying off $71,849 to cover snow and ice removal expenses, and approving a $9 million plus budget.There were also nine separate items approved under Article 10, which was the dispersal of the Community Preservation Act funds. Four dealt with paying off debt services connected to the Coast Guard Station, the town wharf and the new stairs at 40-steps. Money was also granted to continue mapping the town’s rights of way, to complete a study on the viability and possible location of a community garden or tree nursery, replacing storm doors and window in the Veterans Housing and paying off administrative fees connected to the Preservation Trust.While the meeting was somewhat sparsely attended Town Moderator David Conlin said he appreciated the fact there was a quorum, “and we don’t have to send the police out to redirect cars or pull people out of their gardens.”