Nahant selectmen discuss funding for grass planting

NAHANT – Selectman Michael Manning said at a meeting Thursday he?s had many inquiries from town residents over the promise the selectmen made to plant dune grass at the Coast Guard station.?It involves money we haven?t even borrowed,” said Manning. “Planning and funding still needs to be addressed.”In revisiting the Town Moderator?s decision to turn down an amendment to the Short Beach dune grass planting article that would have allowed the Coast Guard station?s section of the beach to be included in the planting, the selectmen discussed ways the extra planting could be funded.Manning said he talked to Tides Restaurant owner Mike O?Callaghan about having a fundraiser for the beach grass, and suggested the Department of Public Works do the planting to cut costs. Town Administrator Andy Bisignani said he would be meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to talk about damage Nahant had incurred during coastal storms, and said he would be inquiring about the reimbursement of funds to pay for the dune grass planting as well.?That seems like it?s moving in a positive way,” said Vice Chairman Perry Barrasso.The dune grass planting was just one item on the selectmen?s future list of objectives for the year that Lombard was adamant the other selectmen help to compile to make a three- or five-year plan for the town.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].