We, the undersigned, are former Board of Selectmen members of the town of Nahant with a total of almost 30 years of elected service to the town. We believe this op-ed is an appropriate, thought-provoking editorial to ask citizens on both sides to consider exactly what is at issue in some current Nahant squabbles.
Signs: Behind the “sign” pollution strewn throughout the tiny town of Nahant, is an orchestrated campaign of rumor, innuendo, and now — political collusion. A group, led by wealthy residents, will apparently stop at nothing to prohibit Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center from enhancing and, yes, expanding their facility. This group in Nahant takes sport in demonizing Northeastern and their efforts to broaden their research into fishery ecosystems, climate change, ocean acidification, and coastal sustainability. Years ago, one noticed a couple of signs here and there — protesting Northeastern’s planned expansion — then bigger signs — then more aggressive signs. And now — more signs — explaining why there are SO many signs.
Lawsuits and threats of eminent domain: The group along with an incorporated non-profit trust has filed suit in Massachusetts court challenging the property rights of Northeastern University to the land Northeastern acquired in the 1960’s (after the town refused to vote $30,000 to purchase the same parcel from the federal government). When the legal processes started a couple of years ago, the group and the non-profit stated, “Don’t worry — we will finance all of this — it won’t cost the town a penny. We and our donors have the funds.”
Since then, the legal decisions have been uniformly in favor of Northeastern University. Now, for the first time, the town faces the prospect of three changes.
First: When all else fails, hijack the government! Nahant is managed by three elected selectmen and an appointed town administrator. In the upcoming election, there is the possibility that the three-member Board of Selectmen could all be members of the group and non-profit. (Two new selectmen will be in office in the last eight months as the result of the recent November Special Election and the upcoming June Annual election.)
The two sitting selectmen appear to be clearly aligned with the Anti-Northeastern expansion group. There are two realistic selectmen candidates campaigning for the June Annual election seat. Of the two candidates, one is apparently aligned with the Anti-Northeastern group. A quick drive around town will help to illuminate this alignment. Just follow the plentiful signs.
Second: The anti-Northeastern group is pushing an eminent domain initiative that would cost the town either $1.5 million or more than $30 million, depending on who you talk to. This pathway would likely go on for years, while the town would continue to be littered with signs and animosity. In the upcoming Town Meeting, the town will be asked to commit to borrow and repay — by property taxes over decades — one dollar for every two dollars provided by the group and the nonprofit for an eminent domain taking.
Such a vote would clearly commit the taxpayers but does not commit the faction, non-profit, or donors. The total eminent domain costs are not guaranteed, nor is the fractional split between the taxpayers and the originators of the suits. So much for, “Don’t worry — we will finance all of this — it won’t cost the town a penny. We and our donors have the funds.”
Third: At one point, Northeastern was apparently engaged in discussions with the town to donate as much as $4 million to $6 million as a quid pro quo and to help balance their impact on town resources. This money was earmarked to repair and upgrade aged components of the town’s infrastructure like water and sewer system, the Johnson School, and police cars and public works equipment.
The anti-Northeastern group has organized several protests. At least one caused a visiting lecturer, who had just flown in to give a presentation to students, to turn around and leave. As other protests ensued, and it became clear that the anti-Northeastern group had no intention to negotiate, the $4 million to $6 million deal(s) were withdrawn. Some rudimentary math shows that the Anti-Northeastern group may be in the process of ultimately costing the town anywhere from $5.5 million to more than $30 million.
The average taxpayer in Nahant is far from wealthy and they will directly feel the impact of this loss in a way the wealthy will not. It seems to us that voters should be aware of this — and consider how their vote for the open selectman seat and Town Meeting vote on eminent domain will affect all our futures.
The above process has the prospect of allowing, with relatively little open discussion, a democratic majority to take control of the executive board of a Massachusetts town and of its finances to fund the next set of raised bets on a losing legal poker hand.
Let the buyer beware!
Michael P. Manning served as town selectman from 1995-2016.
Perry C. Barrasso served as town selectman from 2012-2015.
Francis J. (Enzo) Barile served as town selectman from 2015-2019.