Nahant residents fired up over expansion of Northeastern Marine Science Center

NAHANT, Mass. – The smallest town in the Commonwealth is getting ready to stand up to one of the biggest universities in the state.

For the first time, Northeastern University Marine Science Center is set to discuss its plans for expansion with the residents of Nahant.

Life-long Nahant residents tell Boston 25 News they feel their tiny town is under siege by Northeastern’s plans to construct a new 60,000 square foot building on East Point.

“I think you will see civil disobedience if they try to do it,” explained Jim Walsh, who’s lived in Nahant for 45 years. “We have a small town jail. There’s no way they’re going to hold all the people who are willing to go to jail to stop this kind of development.”

People in the 1-square-mile community of about 3,400 residents describe more than 50 years of a positive relationship with Northeastern. Many people credit the once small facility with shielding the natural coastline and an abundance of wildlife.

According to concerned residents, things have recently shifted.

“This is 60,000 square foot, $30 million project, and nobody had heard a word about it. Not the selectmen. Nothing,” explained Vi Patek, president of the environmental organization Nahant S.W.I.M. “Nothing would be the same on East Point.”

Just a few weeks ago, Northeastern withdrew a controversial proposal to increase seawater intake for research in Nahant.

Some residents say they are being blindsided by yet another set of drastic plans by the research facility.

“Any further expansion is going to be detrimental to the infrastructure and the town. As a commercial fisherman, I’m already concerned about their current intake,” explained Justin Mahoney, a fourth generation Nahant resident and a second generation commercial fisherman.

It’s expected to be standing room at Nahant Town Hall on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. when Northeastern is set to discuss its plans in detail.

A University spokesman told Boston 25 News that the meeting is to gain input and feedback from the community. He said it would be premature for Northeastern to comment on its plans ahead that meeting.

TOP STORIES:

Cox Media Group