NAHANT — The residents of Nahant got to know their new administration over coffee and scrambled eggs Friday morning.
Dozens of people ventured out for this month’s community breakfast at the Nahant Village Church to meet Town Administrator Tony Barletta and Peter Capano, a candidate running unopposed for state representative in the 11th Essex District.
“We’ve been doing this once a month for 18 years,” said Marrit Hastings, one of the organizers of the breakfast.
Guest speakers attend each month, but the gatherings are a chance for people to get to know their neighbors, no matter their political views or religion, said Hastings.
A new town administrator brings a huge turnover, said Police Chief Robert Dwyer. He knew Barletta as a child, and joked that it wasn’t from anything he did wrong.
“I think he’ll bring calmness back here,” said Dwyer. “He’ll bring common sense.”
Barletta, who grew up on Ward Road, worked with the Department of Public Works during his summers and his brother owned Nahant Fish & Lobster, a seafood market sourced by local fishermen.
When he got older, he interned with former town administrator Mark Cullinan.
“I got bit by the bug through that process,” said Barletta, who went on to be the director of governmental affairs at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. “To be back here is a dream come true.”
Residents drilled Barletta on the issues that mattered to them. They questioned the status of the redevelopment of the town’s Coast Guard housing units, how the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program could help them, what he could do about trees that needed to be taken down, problems accessing the beach, and other issues that were plaguing them. He provided the answers he could, and set up appointments with residents on the spot to address the problems he couldn’t.
He told the residents the biggest problem he’s facing is the town’s finances. Nahant suffered $1.6 million in storm damage, he said. Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the town 75 percent of the cost for repairs, but the town will have to pay up front, he said.
“Last year, we balanced our budget with almost $1 million in free cash,” said Barletta, who added that it could jeopardize the town’s bond rating and affect borrowing costs in the future. A sewer break last winter cost the town more than $1 million.
“Our sewer infrastructure is aging and it needs a lot of work,” he said.
Capano, who is expected to represent Lynn and Nahant in the 11th Essex District, agreed.
The Lynn resident and Ward 6 City Councilor admitted he didn’t have a feel for the town yet, but said he was excited to meet more people and feel like he’s a part of the community. He admires the community’s passion, he said.
“I don’t know of many places where Town Hall is overflowing, over capacity, when issues come up in town,” said Capano.
