Nahant sets date for special election

NAHANT – A special election has been scheduled for Oct. 19 to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Selectmen.The vacancy was created when Robert “Skip” Frary resigned in the spring. Town officials initially hoped to have the special election included on the state ballot in November but the request was denied by the state.Town Clerk Peggy Barile said nomination papers are available in Town Hall and completed nomination papers are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31.To date, Jennifer McCarthy and Lainey Titus have taken out nomination papers.Titus, who served as chief of staff to state Rep. Steve Walsh, D-Lynn for seven years, said her familiarity with the town and its residents would make her an asset to the Board of Selectmen.Titus served on the Nahant 150th anniversary committee and is a member of the Democratic Town Committee and Memorial Day Parade Committee. The Swampscott High School graduate received her Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the McCormack Institute at UMass Boston.”The campaign has already been very educational,” she said. “For example, while reading through the town bylaws, I discovered that they (voted to) establish a youth commission that has never been formed. I would like to assemble that group so that opportunities are available for kids in town after they leave the Johnson School. I look forward to campaigning over the next three months and bringing a fresh perspective to the Board of Selectmen.”McCarthy, who is a public school teacher in Lynn, said her family has resided in town for generations.”While my family has been serving Nahant for generations I think my dedication speaks for itself,” McCarthy said. “I am a Nahanter. I am willing to put politics aside and do what is best for our town.I am so excited about the opportunity to represent the citizens of Nahant.”McCarthy has been serving on the Recreation Commission for 17 years and the Fireworks Committee for 10 years. She also serves on the Golf Committee and Fourth of July Race Committee.”This past April at Town Meeting I was named The Nahant Citizen of the Year for 2010,” she added. “I am really proud to say that I have spent almost half of my life engaged in our community.”The last day for residents to register to vote in the special election is Sept. 30.