NAHANT — Community members and local officials gathered at Nahant Village Church Friday morning for a Community Breakfast that included speeches from Board of Selectmen candidates Patty Karras and David Wilson.
With the flip of a coin, Karras, who has served on the School Committee for five years and is the current chair, spoke first.
“I have a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Bentley University. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I have over 30 years of experience as a financial and strategic leader,” Karras said.
She spoke on her main passion, working in the nonprofit sector, highlighting her time in Washington, DC, where she lived for 11 years and worked with National Geographic.
Karras moved to Nahant with her son in 2018, noting that watching her son grow from a student at the Johnson School to a freshman at Swampscott High School has deepened her commitment to protecting the quality that attracted her to move to Nahant.
She mentioned her time as a member of the School Committee, stating, “As the current chair, I collaborate closely with administrators, committee members, educators, and families to support our children while upholding fiscal responsibility, transparency, and strong governance.
When diving into her vision as a member of the Board, Karras spoke about the need to preserve Nahant’s history, heritage, and community identity. She also mentioned preserving open spaces and advocating for sustainability.
“Thoughtful preservation ensures that future generations can enjoy the same scenic views, neighborhoods, and sense of community that we value today,” she said.
Karras also highlighted financial stability, grant funding, public safety, housing solutions, and education, pointing out the importance of a stable budget.
“Massachusetts has become one of the most expensive states in the country to live in. Nahant sits in the Greater Boston area, where the cost of living is significantly more expensive than the state average. Long-term strategic planning, responsible budgeting, as well as identifying new opportunities for revenue growth, are essential to Nahant’s financial stability,” she said.
She pointed out that Nahant is the smallest town in the state and one of the most densely populated, leading to the need for highly coordinated emergency services, stating, “I will support responsible budgeting that prioritizes preparedness and public safety. I will advocate for ensuring that Nahant’s first responders are staffed, equipped, and ready to protect our community in any situation.”
Karras said she would support practical solutions that create greater housing choices for seniors and young adults, encouraging small-scale housing options, including accessory dwelling units.
Lastly, she noted the importance of promoting learning and academic excellence, emphasizing the Johnson School’s “exceptional leadership, dedicated teachers, and vibrant learning environment,” and also noting that a strong school “attracts families, strengthens property values, and builds the foundation for long-term community success.”
Wilson, a resident of Nahant for 72 years, came to the mic next, speaking on his 54 years of service to the town. Wilson was a call firefighter starting in 1971 and continuing for 40 years, and was a member of the DPW for 37 years. He noted that he’s been on almost every committee, including the School Committee for approximately 12 years, the Planning Board, and the Housing Authority for 10 years.
“What a job that is. People think it’s easy, but it’s not. You have 1,200 applicants looking for a place. These elderly people are selling their houses and moving. They’re not moving to Nahant because there’s no affordable housing… That’s my number one thing. We have to take care of our citizens,” Wilson said, mentioning that his sister, who moved out of Nahant years ago, can’t afford to move back now.
Wilson said they have to work to protect the town and keep it the way it is, focusing the statement on the beaches, clean streets, strong police and fire departments, and the DPW, thanking them for the work they did during the tough winter.
“We gotta take care of the young kids too at the school,” Wilson said. “…We gotta look out for the kids for their futures too. You can go out on the beach right now at night, during the day, you can let your children walk, ride bikes, and it’s no problem. We are safe, and that’s because the chief does a great job, and all departments there… are at minimum staff right now.”
Wilson said he was there to stay in Nahant, that he loves the town, and that he wants to continue serving the residents.
During the Q&A period, residents honed in on issues on Castle Road and Bass Point. One resident pointed out that the narrowing of Castle Road leads to it no longer meeting the state requirements of a road. The question also highlighted how dangerous the area now was for students due to the lack of a sidewalk. Similarly, due to construction, Bass Point is dealing with the situation.
Due to time constraints, Karras was not able to answer the question posed to her. Wilson said he drove by the area and agreed that the sidewalks are an issue, stating that the town has to get the sidewalks back.
Polling hours for the election are Saturday, April 26, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Main Hall of Nahant Town Hall. Early voting will be April 22 through April 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Main Hall.
