NAHANT — The ballot is set for the spring election, and most races are uncontested. But on April 27, the town will have a new selectman.
Chesley Taylor, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, will not run for re-election after just one term on the panel.
He made the announcement abruptly at the end of a February Board of Selectmen meeting.
“My closing announcement is kind of cut and dry — I will not be seeking re-election,” he said. “We are adjourned.”
Taylor did not return calls seeking comment.
But newbies Joshua A. Antrim and Carl J. Maccario are vying for his seat in the only contested race of the election. The winner will serve a three-year term.
Antrim is a 58-year-old engineer in turbo machinery and a lifelong resident. He has served on the town’s Open Space Committee, Alternative Energy Committee, Johnson School Council, has coached Little League and soccer, and has been involved with the Nahant sailing program.
Among his priorities, if elected, will be finding a way to solve the town’s budget issues without impacting the Police, Fire, and Public Works departments or the Johnson Elementary School.
Maccario is a 30-year resident with a background in homeland security.
Maccario owns The Center of Nonverbal Communication, a specialized educational center focused on teaching the ability to recognize and interpret nonverbal cues. He worked as an investigator and auditor in the securities division of the Office of the Secretary of State in Massachusetts, specializing in audits and potential fraud and for the federal government in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as deputy assistant federal security director. In 2015, Maccario left his position to create his own business. Maccario also works with Nahant Emergency Management because of his experience with emergency planning.
In addition to the town’s emergency preparedness, Maccario said he’s concerned with the aging infrastructure.
He would like to see the town hire a grant writer on retainer. Nahant is a residential community without a commercial tax base. A grant writer would work more closely with the state delegation to find and apply for funding opportunities, he said.
Both residents expressed concern about the proposed expansion of Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center.
One person, incumbent David Hunt, is running for a three-year term as assessor.
David Conlin is running for re-election as moderator, Margaret Barile for Town Clerk, and Robert Scanlan Jr. as constable. Each position is a one-year term.
Daniel Munnelly is running for re-election to a three-year term on the Public Library Board of Trustees and Lori Ballantine for a three-year term on the School Committee.
Two seats are open on the Planning Board. Eugene Canty is running for re-election and Calvin Hastings is throwing his hat in the ring. Each seat has a five-year term.
Voter registration is Friday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the town clerk’s office.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 27.
