Nahant selectmen focus on Nov. 19 special town meeting, flag Castle Road sidewalk issues

The Nahant Board of Selectmen on Nov. 5 stressed preparations for a Nov. 19 special town meeting and flagged questions about the Castle Road subdivision's street alignment and sidewalk easement that the planning board will revisit.

Selectman Patrick said the board's immediate focus is getting ready for the special town meeting and outreach. "For the next couple weeks, we're really going to be focused on town meeting preparation and getting the word out and communications plan," he said. He also noted the planning board raised concerns about the subdivision's street alignment and sidewalk easement and that the matter is set for a future agenda in January or February for further review.

Town administrator Allison confirmed residents will receive the advisory and finance committee warrant books by mail at least seven days before the special town meeting and said electronic versions are already available on the town website. "Again, it's November 19th at 7 o'clock in town hall," Allison said, adding that the meeting is in person and that voters must be registered with the town clerk by Nov. 9 to vote.

Allison and board members discussed the practical timeline for street and sidewalk work: the town expects to rebuild sidewalks after the new homes are permitted and connected to utilities, rather than immediately. Allison said she had asked staff to post interim signage directing pedestrians to a safe route around the largely inaccessible sidewalk in front of recently sold Castle Road lots.

The discussion did not produce a final policy decision; board members said the planning board and staff will review plans and confirm whether previously filed subdivision plans are final or conceptual before any construction or final alignment is approved. The selectmen scheduled further consideration as part of future agendas and pre-town-meeting joint sessions with the planning and finance boards.