Superior Court backs NU over Nahant

As Featured in the Daily Evening Item

NAHANT — Essex County Superior Court has denied the town’s petition to take 12.5 acres of land known as East Point from Northeastern University by eminent domain.

“The court hereby declares and adjudges that the order of intention to take conservation easement by eminent domain issued by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Nahant on Sept. 8, 2021… is null and void because the Town of Nahant is pursuing the taking described therein in bad faith for an improper reason,” the decision document reads. 

The court sided with Northeastern’s defense, which argued that Nahant’s “dominant” reason for wanting to take the land is to block the university from expanding its Marine Science Center or any other potential development, as opposed to preserving open space, recreation, and wildlife area.

The decision cites quotes from Selectman Josh Antrim that it found to be valid evidence in support of Northeastern’s claim.

“As of July 23, 2020, Selectman Joshua Antrim believed that an ‘eminent domain (taking) provided a tool to prevent development or to negotiate an acceptable resolution with Northeastern.’ In fact, it was his ‘hope’ that eminent domain gave the BoS (Board of Selectmen) the ability to stop the project,” the decision document reads.