Nahant boards weigh Castle Road sidewalk fix

Select Board · Meeting of August 25, 2026

Nahant's Select and Planning Boards met jointly to untangle a sidewalk easement left unresolved since the town sold former Coast Guard housing lots on Castle Road. Former housing committee member Peter Barba explained that deeds reserved only a temporary, 17.1-foot construction easement rather than a permanent sidewalk right, leaving the town with no clear legal path to rebuild. Town Counsel, identified only as Dan, estimated a land taking to permanently secure the strip would cost $275,000 to $375,000 and require a two-thirds town meeting vote; a cheaper alternative, narrowing the road per a Stantec design funded through Chapter 90 aid, drew objection from one board member who said, "I reject that plan.

I oppose that plan." Resident Ken Carangelo disputed officials' claim that the road is 33 feet wide, measuring it himself at 28 feet. No votes were taken; the boards agreed to bring Stantec in for a public presentation before deciding.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of August 25, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.