McCarthy, Titus square off in historic debate

NAHANT – More than 150 people filled Town Hall on Wednesday evening to hear a debate between the two candidates for selectman, which was sponsored by the Nahant Woman’s Club.Jennifer McCarthy and Lainey Titus are vying for a seat on the Board of Selectmen, which was left vacant when Robert Frary resigned earlier this year.Resident Nancy Whitman said the debate was historic because it is the first debate in town between two women in almost 100 years.?The last time two women debated in town was around 1912,” she said. “It was at the time of the Suffragette Movement.”Finance Committee Chairman Joyce Maroney moderated the debate, which got underway with opening statements by each candidate.In her opening statement Titus, who served as chief of staff to state Rep. Steve Walsh, D-Lynn, for seven years, said when she received the Woman’s Club Scholarship as a high school senior she never dreamed she’d be participating in a debate sponsored by the Woman’s Club. Titus went on to say she’d use her background in public service to serve the residents of Nahant.McCarthy said she is not a politician and does not have all the answers but she knows the town and would work hard to serve the town.Throughout the debate, McCarthy pointed out her commitment to the town and her 17 years of service on various committees while Titus emphasized her experience at the state house.When asked by Maroney what the single most pressing issue facing the town this year, is both candidates said it is the budget.Titus said a rollback in the sales tax could leave the town scrambling if mid-year cuts are made at the state level.She said her experience at the state level would allow her to work with state and local officials to help secure grants.McCarthy also expressed concern over the possible loss of revenue due to possible cuts at the state level.?We will be laying off our friends and neighbors,” she said.McCarthy went on to say she believes the two most pressing issues that would need to be address in the next four or five years are finding a town administrator and selling the former military housing, which the town currently rents out.?The Town Administrator (Mark Cullinan) is getting older and getting ready to retire,” she said. “Mark holds an engineering degree (and is the town engineer). That saves us money. We need to figure out who will replace him.”Titus said stabilizing town finances and address the changing demographics in town are priorities that should be addressed in the next four to five years.?We have an aging population in town,” she said. “We need to make sure the school system is sustainable into the future as enrollment decreases.”Titus said the town needs to look ways to increase housing stock for seniors, who may be looking to downsize.Resident Susan Thomas expressed concern about trash on the beaches and asked what could be done about it.McCarthy said the Department of Public Works cleans the beaches every day and she believes most of the trash is from individuals who don’t reside in Nahant. McCarthy said the town should make sure only residents have beach parking stickers, which would help alleviate the problem of out-of-towners leaving trash on the beaches.Titus said she would like to see more trash cans at the beach and recycling bins in place at all the beaches.When Diane Desmond asked about the trash fee, both candidates said it is something that should be looked at.In response to other audience questions both candidates said they would support Nahant becoming a No Place for Hate Community, support the use of the term elder instead of elderly and be accessible to residents.Titus said if elected, her first order of business would be to listen. She said she would meet with town officials, department heads, town committees and residents alike before jumping into action.?I don’t think we need someone to come in with guns blazing,” Titus said.McCarthy said if elected one of her first priorities would be to get the town on the path to becom