HRA’s scheduled work on Urban Renewal Plan detoured by prolonged discussion of road project

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By Carol Britton Meyer

This week was supposed to be the start of another Urban Renewal Plan revision process for the Hull Redevelopment Authority parcel, but the intended discussion was sidetracked when the controversial subject of the proposed two-way road plan was brought up for a second time during Monday’s meeting.

The board decided recently to dedicate one meeting a month toward reviewing the draft URP.

GETTING THERE FROM HERE. This rendering of the traffic modifications within the two-way road plan shows how traffic might be different in the Surfside and Hull Redevelopment Authority areas. The top image is the current street grid, while the bottom map shows fewer lanes north-south lanes in the HRA property, with several east-west streets added. The other major change is the intersection of Hull Shore Drive, Nantasket Avenue, and George Washington Boulevard, which would be straightened. Both Nantasket Avenue and Hull Shore Drive would be changed from one-way traffic to two-directional flow. For more information, click here.

The second discussion occurred despite Chair Dennis Zaia’s statement at the beginning of the meeting that there would be no further conversations to allow the board to focus on the draft URP and other relevant topics.

Click here for the related story from this week’s edition.

The second two-way road discussion followed Zaia’s comments during an agenda item during which he suggested trying to arrange a joint meeting between the HRA and the select board, in part to provide an update on the draft URP.

In response, HRA member Dan Kernan said he doesn’t think the HRA overall, except for Bartley Kelly, who has been involved with the two-way road plan for a long time, is knowledgeable enough to have an opinion about the plan. It was noted during the meeting that the two-way plan outlined in the draft URP is different from the latest version.

“All I’m trying to do is remove this topic from HRA meetings so it doesn’t consume so much time,” Zaia said, referring to repeated discussions in the past.

Then Kelly said he had a statement to make. At that time, Zaia asked him not to bring up the two-way road plan “that Dan just brought up until we get some kind of request from the town manager or the town of Hull about that,” he said.

HRA is a stakeholder

Kelly said the HRA is a stakeholder in the plan and will be impacted by the outcome, “so we do have something to do with it. Moving forward with the URP, it makes a difference.”

Kernan, however, said he feels that the HRA can be a stakeholder in the two-way road plan without having an opinion.

Then Zaia proposed a motion that the HRA “take our direction with regard to the two-way road conversion project from the town of Hull.” The motion wasn’t seconded.

Kelly then made a motion, seconded by Zaia, that the HRA “endorse the two-way road plan moving forward.” The rest of the board did not support that motion.

The reason he made the motion, Kelly said, was in part because the two-way road plan has been a topic of discussion for a number of years and “would benefit the town in terms of resiliency, safety measures, sidewalks, and other improvements and that the HRA would gain some land.”

For more information on the two-way road redesign plan, click here

“If we are supposed to make a motion now without really understanding what we’re making a motion for, I don’t believe we’re being responsible stewards,” Kernan said.

‘I’ve been demonized’

Kelly stated that his support for the two-way plan has been “mischaracterized” and that he has “been demonized on social media, in the paper, and during HRA meetings when I’m trying to do right by the town.”

“Pushing back is not demonizing,” Kernan replied. “If [it] the right thing to do [the plan will move forward]; if not, we should stop spending more [good] money after bad.”

Kernan said that while he may change his mind, his current thought is that a two-way road “would be a terrible inconvenience. There’s one way onto this island and one way off. A two-way road would change the dynamic of getting off and on our island. It’s not a simple thing, and we shouldn’t make this decision lightly.”

Ultimately, Zaia asked Kelly if he would like to withdraw his motion, and he did. Kelly also noted that the 25% design plan is available for those who wish to review it.

“I don’t want to worry about this now but [rather] to worry about what to do with our property,” Kernan said.

URP discussion delayed

Following a lengthy and sometimes contentious back-and-forth, a frustrated Zaia said that while he had hoped to start the new review of the draft URP that night, it wouldn’t happen due to the prolonged two-way road discussion and the lateness of the hour.

“I would like to suggest that we consider, with every idea we come up with for the property, how it would fit in with the two-way road plan and how it would look on the existing plan,” Zaia said. “…We can’t continue to not move [on this]. We have to think – and articulate – what this property could be … We can’t stop dead in our tracks. There are too many intriguing, boring, and exciting ideas to consider,” including ideas for the property proposed by community members.

“I don’t think the two-way road should have any bearing on our decisions,” Kernan said. “We are one small stakeholder with a little influence, and we should base our decisions on our own understanding but not derail anything we are doing.” He said he doesn’t want the HRA to be considered “champions of the two-way road plan.”

At the end of the meeting, Zaia remarked that he thought it was good news when he read a statement at the beginning of the meeting by Town Manager Jennifer Constable, which he asked her to issue, regarding the two-way road plan.

However, “it didn’t turn out that way for me,” he said. “It led to a convoluted [discussion]. I was saying let the town take the lead, and when they call us we will be ready to get engaged. Yet this turned into this big production. We have so much to do, and continuing to use our meeting time on this topic is just a sinkhole.”

The meeting was adjourned following his remarks.

A replay of the full meeting will be available on Hull Community Television’s broadcast channels and on demand at www.hulltv.net.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Town manager’s statement on road redesign project fails to put the brakes on HRA debate

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By Carol Britton Meyer

There would be no further discussion of the proposed two-way road plan, at least for the time being, was Hull Redevelopment Authority Chair Dennis Zaia’s message Monday night. However, that isn’t the way the meeting turned out.

“This a new year for all of us, so onward and upward – I hope,” Zaia said at the beginning of the meeting. “We’re not going to have conversations about the two-way road plan at our meetings, including questions, because I’ve asked the town manager to give us a definitive statement, which was received this afternoon.”

AN ANIMATED HRA CHAIR DENNIS ZAIA led the discussion at this week’s HRA meeting, held over Zoom.

Zaia then read Town Manager Jennifer Constable’s statement:

“The two-way conversion project is a unique roadway redesign project which encompasses land and/or roadways controlled by multiple public agencies, including the Town of Hull, the Hull Redevelopment Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Accordingly, each of these entities are both collaborators and stakeholders to the project.

“As project lead, the Town of Hull’s goal of is to convert the current one-way flow roadway pattern to a two-way flow roadway network to help reduce seasonal congestion, improve safety and access to the beach for residents and visitors, improve options for emergency response vehicles, and support existing and future economic development. This roadway conversion is also intended to remedy numerous traffic safety concerns realized in its current design.

For more information on the two-way road redesign plan, click here

Click here for the related story from this week’s edition.

“The town appreciates the partnership of all entities involved.”

“That’s the message from the town manager, so the topic of the two-way conversion plan will not be discussed at our meetings until we’re asked to resume input by request of the town manager,” Zaia said.

However, the topic came up again later in the meeting, and a lengthy discussion took place despite Zaia’s intentions. Links to more information on the road redesign project can be found in the online version of this story at www.hulltimes.com.

In other business…

HRA Technical Operations Manager Mark Hamin explained the request for proposals (RFP) drafting process and the progress made so far for the 2025 parking lot and vendor leases and licenses related to hours of operation, fees, maintenance, and other considerations.

Zaia called it “a work in progress.” Accordingly, HRA members will continue to have input before it is posted in the Central Register (where state, county, and municipal solicitations are advertised to potential bidders).

“The RFP needs to more straightforward and clear,” Hamin said.

Resident Paul Newman, who has made suggestions in the past related to the RFPs, suggested finding a way to get the information out to a larger audience of potential parking lot operators and vendors “to get as many bids as possible. If you can’t get people to bid, it’s all for naught. There will be competition for this RFP. Some ‘door knocking’ needs to be done and maybe some direct marketing.”

While the HRA has relied on posting in the state’s Central Register in the past, Zaia supported exploring other ways to reach out to potential bidders as well.

The conversation will be continued at the January 27 HRA meeting.

A replay of the full meeting will be available on Hull Community Television’s broadcast channels and on demand at www.hulltv.net.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

In the Sport-light: Pirates invade TD Garden for annual basketball tournament

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GARDEN PARTY. The Hull Pirates invaded the TD Garden in Boston on Saturday, January 11 at the girls varsity basketball team squared off against Hingham in the annual Andrew Lawson Invitational Tournament. The event, previously known as the Good Sports Tournament, was renamed five years ago in honor of Andrew Lawson, a Norwell resident with Down syndrome who died in 2018. His family formed the Andrew James Lawson Foundation to help improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Not only did the high school hoop team play on the parquet floor, but so did both the youth basketball teams and the HHS winter cheerleading squad. At halftime, fans in the arena honored the memory of Hull’s Emma Ryan, sister of senior Fallon Ryan, and her parents Kerrie and Derek were presented a personalized Celtics jersey while a beautiful video tribute to Emma played on the scoreboard screen. Click here for full gallery of photos by Jennifer Lynne Photography. [Jennifer Whelan photos]

Compiled by Matt Haraden 

• Last weekend, the Grade 6 Girls Basketball beat Hingham 16-8 on Saturday, improving to 5-0 on the season. Piper Yakubian and Molly McCarthy put up points for Hull. Josie Tyrrell, Ruby D’Errico and Natalie Tiani all played strong defensively. The team will host Scituate on Saturday, January 18 and Halifax on Sunday the 18th at the Jacobs School. 

• The Boys Varsity Co-Op Hockey Team (with Cohasset) defeated Norwell, 7-5, this week. Taighe Dwyer had a hat trick in the game, with Luke Dunham also netting two goals and an assist. Brendan Hartwell tacked on his first career varsity goal, with Clyde Fales scoring one as well. Matt Thomas also had an assist on the game. The team is 3-4 on the season after falling to Rockland, 3-2, on Wednesday this week. Next games are Saturday, January 18 at 4 p.m. against Middleboro (at Connell Rink in Weymouth); Monday, January 20 at 3:40 p.m. against South Shore Vo-Tech at Rockland Ice Rink; and Wednesday, January 22 at 7 p.m. against Sandwich at Gallo Arena in Bourne. 

• The Hull High Boys and Girls Indoor Track teams competed at the Reggie Lewis Center in their latest meet, the girls improving to 2-0 on the season, while the boys fall to 1-1. Bree Simpson Sliney broke the school high jump record, jumping five feet. Winners from the girls’ side include: Elsie Harper in the 55-meter high hurdles and 55-meter dash, Catalina Jette in the 1000 meters, Maysea Lyons in the one mile, Scarlett Arevalo in the two-mile, and Bree Simpson-Sliney in the long jump. Boys team winners were Patrick Hughes in the 300 meters and Chris Resnick in the 55-meter hurdles and long jump. 

• The Girls Varsity Basketball team played an exciting game at the TD Garden on Saturday, January 11 in the Andrew Lawson Invitational Tournament, although the Pirates ended on the losing side of a 51-18 score in the matchup against Hingham. Next week, in regular season action, the team travels to Minuteman Regional High School in Lexington on Tuesday, January 21 at 5:30 p.m., and then hops the ferry to Nantucket on Saturday, January 25 for a noontime game against Nantucket. 

• The Boys Basketball team is now 4-6 after a 69-30 win over Codman Academy Charter School on Wednesday. The Pirates host Carver at home on Friday, January 17 at 6:30 p.m. (JV at 5 p.m.), and then travel to the Starland Sports Complex in Hanover to play South Shore Charter School on Tuesday, January 21 at 3:30 p.m. 

• The Girls Varsity Gymnastics Team (co-op with Hingham) won both of its meets last weekend – on Saturday, January 11, the team topped Plymouth North High School, 135.7 to 129.2, and Marshfield High the next day, 134.3 to 134.1. Next up is Whitman-Hanson Regional High School on Friday, January 17 at 8 p.m. at the Massachusetts Gymnastics Center in Pembroke. 

• The Girls Hockey Co-Op Team (1-10) will face off against Scituate High School on Saturday, January 18, at 5:50 p.m. at Rockland Ice Rink. 

For more information, visit www.hullpublicschools.org/athletics. 

• Coaches and Super Fans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Tuesday at midnight. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo. 

Thank you for your help! 

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Food drive, community celebration to mark Day of Remembrance and Service for Martin Luther King, Jr.

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On Monday, January 20, the Hull No Place for Hate Committee will again to sponsor a community drive to benefit Aunt Dot’s Food Pantry at Wellspring Multiservice Center.

The food drive and celebration will take place on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Wellspring, 814 Nantasket Avenue

The Day of Remembrance and Service is one of the No Place for Hate Committee’s events under this year’s theme, “Peace on our Peninsula.” The intent is to improve communication and interaction across all sectors of the community, and to celebrate both the similarities and differences of Hull’s population.
This year’s program will include a slide show, readings, poetry, music, and light refreshments. Resources about the history of this occasion will be available, and families are encouraged to participate with their children.
The Day of Remembrance and Service has numerous supporters, including Hull Artists, Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, Council on Aging, Hull Land Conservation Trust, Hull Lifesaving Museum, Hull Pride, Nantasket Hull Rotary Club, Hull Select Board, Weir River Watershed Association, and Wellspring.

Participants in Monday’s event are asked to bring nonperishable food items and personal items such as shampoo and shaving products for the food pantry.
More information about the Hull No Place for Hate Committee can be found at On Monday, January 20, the Hull No Place for Hate Committee will again to sponsor a community drive to benefit Aunt Dot’s Food Pantry at Wellspring Multiservice Center.

The food drive and celebration will take place on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Wellspring, 814 Nantasket Avenue

The Day of Remembrance and Service is one of the No Place for Hate Committee’s events under this year’s theme, “Peace on our Peninsula.” The intent is to improve communication and interaction across all sectors of the community, and to celebrate both the similarities and differences of Hull’s population.
This year’s program will include a slide show, readings, poetry, music, and light refreshments. Resources about the history of this occasion will be available, and families are encouraged to participate with their children.
The Day of Remembrance and Service has numerous supporters, including Hull Artists, Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, Council on Aging, Hull Land Conservation Trust, Hull Lifesaving Museum, Hull Pride, Nantasket Hull Rotary Club, Hull Select Board, Weir River Watershed Association, and Wellspring.

Participants in Monday’s event are asked to bring nonperishable food items and personal items such as shampoo and shaving products for the food pantry.
More information about the Hull No Place for Hate Committee can be found at www.town.hull.ma.us/no-place-hate-committee.

Committee’s efforts focus on improving business areas as first step in beautifying Hull

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By the Hull Beautification Committee

This is the first in a series of updates from the Hull Beautification Committee on its efforts to improve the quality of life in town.

Your Hull Beautification Committee is not hibernating!

During the last several months, the HBC has focused on areas prioritized in our Endless Summer survey. Enhancing the business districts was the top priority based on community feedback. We walked, recorded, photographed, and made a list of things needing attention. An expanded list, including other areas outside the business districts, was presented to Town Manager Jennifer Constable.

We also set out to introduce ourselves to the select board as well as the building department, Department of Public Works, Design Review Board, Economic Development Committee, harbormaster, Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, Nantasket-Hull Rotary Club, Weir River Watershed Association and the zoning bylaw study committee. We look forward to working closely with them as well as other boards to accomplish our mission.

Our mission statement reads: This committee is committed to showcasing and improving the natural charm of the Hull peninsula. Therefore, it is only fitting to highlight what others are doing in the community to accomplish these goals … and “highlight” is the perfect word!

We would like to extend an enormous thank-you to those who lit up Hull for the holidays. The Hull Municipal Light Plant’s second annual adopt-a-lamppost campaign was an enormous success! Surfside and Kenberma lampposts were aglow and decked with holiday wreaths. Sponsors spreading de-light-ful holiday spirit throughout town deserve applause. The HRA’s lampposts created a magical path through the property, as well as a charmingly lit bayside gazebo. Dark during the winter months, the Bernie King Pavilion was illuminated in holiday fashion. Nearing the tip of town, the Hull Public Library’s display brightened the historic Village.

More second annuals! The buoy tree with twinkling lights atop sparkled in a new location, thanks to the Nantasket-Hull Rotary Club. The nearly 1,600 lobster-trap tree is deserving of name recognition. This monumental light display was constructed by a predominantly younger, community-minded group: Justin Goodwin, siblings Matthew, Madeleine, and James Mahoney, Mike McDonough, and Aidan Robey. The lobster traps were provided by Keith Connolly, Peter Mahoney, and Tim Walsh.

This year, the menorah found the perfect spot on the Avenue, shining bright with colorful new lights. The Central Fire Station at A Street and the Hull Lifesaving Museum did not disappoint with their traditional light displays. Thank you to all the homeowners and business owners who proudly showcase their properties during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Coincidentally, while our committee was focusing on the business districts, the Kenberma area underwent a major construction project. The road was lowered to accommodate sidewalk transitions for handicapped access. Curb-to-curb restoration, paving, painted parking spaces, tree removal where necessary, as well as the removal of parking meters has made this shopping area much more appealing and safer. Sidewalk restorations will continue in the future.

The efforts made by these diverse groups have made a major difference in our town. It takes community-oriented people with drive to make Hull better and to motivate others. Our committee members are a dedicated and energized group and will continue to focus on our mission.

The HBC will be providing more enlightening news in the months ahead!

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Student awarded plaque for leading Hull’s Veterans Day celebration in song

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By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull Veterans Council member David Irwin and American Legion Post 140 member Jerry McLaughlin presented a plaque to Jacobs School sixth-grader Chloe Hedrick on behalf of the American Legion during this week’s school committee meeting in appreciation for her contribution to the November 11 Veterans Day ceremony.

PATRIOTIC DUTY. Sixth-grader Chloe Hedrick was presented with a plaque by David Irwin and Jerry McLaughlin of Hull American Legion Post 140 at this week’s school committee meeting while her family members looked on from the audience. Chloe was recognized for contributing her vocal talents at the Veterans Day ceremony in November. [Courtesy photo]

“This young lady got up in front of a crowd of more than 200 people and sang the National Anthem without an accompaniment,” Irwin said. “She didn’t miss a word or a note.”

McLaughlin noted that Chloe sang the song “on the spur of the moment during this honorable event we hold every year for Hull’s veterans.” Chloe volunteered to step up from the audience and perform the solo.

The presentation was made in the exhibition room at the high school as family members looked on from the audience. Chloe is the daughter of school committee member Liliana Hedrick.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Winter Warrior Games for Wellspring set for February 1 on Nantasket Beach

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Almost 30 years ago, residents of Hull began taking the dive in the frigid waters of the Atlantic to raise money for Wellspring Multi-Service Center. The formerly titled “Drowned Hogs” polar plunge is reimagined and back as the Winter Warrior Games. With a new look and a new focus on families and some friendly competition, we are proud to continue this local, beloved event.

This year’s Winter Warrior Games for Wellspring takes place on Saturday, February 1, at 9:30 a.m. on Nantasket Beach and 1 p.m. at the Parrot restaurant.

Why this fundraiser?

Wellspring has a rich history here; our mission is to provide support and skills to people facing challenges to their well-being in order to help them achieve independence and self-sufficiency. This year, all proceeds will directly benefit Wellspring’s Adult Education Program.

Your community event - join us!

With the addition of competitive events, Winter Warrior Games ’25 will capture a new audience that celebrates Hull and focuses on building community while raising funds for Wellspring – a truly community-based non-profit. Sponsors will be able to advertise to their community, while directly giving back to it.

Our goal is to really maximize participation this year so you can count on a large audience.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact jessie at jessie@wellspringmultiservice.org.

A flier inserted into the print edition of this week’s Times has all the details.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Hull’s Stephen Martin to discuss new novel at Barnes & Noble’s local author event

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Hull’s Stephen B. Martin will be featured at a local author showcase later this month at Barnes & Noble in Hingham.

Martin, who is familiar to Times readers as a former reporter, published his first novel, “Thumper” in April. He will be among a dozen authors discussing and signing their books on Saturday, January 25 at 1 p.m. at Barnes & Noble at the Derby Street Shoppes.

Martin started out as a folk singer in the mid-60s Worcester folk scene.  He was a member of the Boston Sound centerpiece Orpheus, who recorded 15 of his original compositions. One of them, “Congress Alley,”  has been covered by five other artists. A total of 21 of his songs have been released on major labels, and another thirty on independent labels. 

In 1973, Martin relocated to San Francisco, where he played in several popular groups and worked as a music therapist. When the state halved mental health funds, he began a 25-year career in market research, becoming president of the Northern California Market Research Association.

Returning to New England in 1987, he continued writing, performing, and recording. Upon retiring from market research in 2001, he worked as a newspaper reporter for five years before devoting the rest of his life to non-profit efforts. As special projects coordinator at the New England Wildlife Center, Martin recruited, trained, and oversaw a volunteer force of more than 30, many of whom were variously challenged. He co-founded Native support group Lakota Kidz in 2004, the Wildlife Center’s Catbird Café coffeehouse in 2006, and Musicians for the Greater Good in 2018. During the past 15 years, Martin has produced eight CDs in addition to his new novel.

In the book, Thumper spends a lot of time at the Blue Belle Diner in downtown Worcester, under the watchful eye of Charlie, an ex-boxer turned short-order cook, and befriends such marginalized and colorful characters as Worcester's Last Gypsy, Last Ragman, and Last Sidewalk Preacher.

“Thumper” puts the reader “deep into the self of a precocious troubled kid navigating the travails of growing up in a fractured family in a gritty New England factory town in the ’50s,” Dominican University of California Professor Robert L. Bradford wrote in a review. “It accomplishes the goal of all great literature – utilizing evocative details to provide the experience of being an ‘other.’”

The book will be available for sale at the event and at stephenbmartin.net.

Other local authors to be featured at the Hingham event include Iris Leigh, Amanda Davis, Jessica Levai, Margie Benedict, Kendra Vaughan and Kathleen Jeffrey, Christine Knapp, Laurie Davis, Mark Ciccone, William Fleming, and Derek Mola.

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ZBA review, neighbor input on Rockaway Annex condo project ‘the first step in a long process’

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By Carol Britton Meyer 

During the fourth lengthy zoning board of appeals hearing Tuesday night on the proposed four-story, 12-unit comprehensive permit project at 25 Ipswich St. in the Rockaway Annex neighborhood, housing consultant Dean Harrison – representing developer and Hull resident Alan Mckenzie – called the work so far on developing a preliminary plan “the first step in a long process.”

In response, ZBA Chair Patrick Finn noted that the board “needs to have enough preliminary information to render a decision, with conditions that need to be agreed to by the developer.”

That said, he thanked the development team for being “very agreeable” throughout the process so far.

“We will continue to work with you,” Harrison said, noting the need to “settle on a site plan in order to address concerns” that have been expressed by abutters and town officials throughout the process.

Long list of concerns

These relate in part to emergency vehicle access, impacts on neighbors’ quality of life, drainage and stormwater runoff, setbacks from abutting properties, retaining walls, potential negative impacts from blasting to remove a large amount of ledge from the site, two possible entrances from Ipswich and North Truro streets, the proximity of the proposed development to abutters, and the proposed sewer system.

“Our [gravity] sewer proposal will allow some [abutters with pump systems] to tie into the new system,” Harrison said, if they wish to do so.

A North Truro Street resident expressed concern about the expected increase in delivery and garbage truck traffic “on this tiny road” leading to the new development.

Dan Sullivan, another North Truro Street resident, requested that a number of unresolved issues be addressed sooner rather than later, including the public access right of way – which affects his and another abutter’s property.

The deadline for the ZBA to complete its review is February 24, unless it is extended at the request of the town or the developer.

The development team agreed to meet informally with various town boards at Finn’s request in order to gather as much feedback as possible, even though the ZBA is the sole permitting authority for the project, which is being proposed under Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws. Chapter 40B allows developers to bypass some zoning requirements in exchange for including affordable units within the project.

Design review, planning boards weigh in

The board discussed comments received from the planning board and design review board at the hearing.

DRB members Tom Burns and Julia Parker attended, expressing concern about the “stark” design. Burns suggested adding dormers, shutters, different-sized windows, or other changes to make the buildings more aesthetically pleasing.

“The windows are all the same in all 12 units,” Burns said. “It’s almost an institutionalized look such as you might see in a dormitory at a state school.”

Parker suggested that “there are some things that could be done architecturally, even with modular units. We’re just [seeking] a variation from the repetitiveness of the design to give it more character and flavor so that it will fit in better with the single-family neighborhood,” she explained.

Harrison said these suggestions will be taken into consideration.

“We will look at different color schemes and exterior architectural features and come back before the board,” he said.

Finn reiterated that he is “very pleased with the way you [referring to the development team] have been so accommodating, to which McKenzie responded, “We’re trying to keep everyone happy and are making all the accommodations we can without [affecting] the essence of the plan.”

Three affordable units

The proposed Residences at Rockaway plan includes six modular, townhouse-style buildings with two units each set on a .63-acre, single-family-zoned lot. Three units would be affordable. Parking would be in garages under the units and in the driveways.

The comprehensive permit process, more commonly known as Chapter 40B, allows developers to circumvent most local regulations in exchange for an affordable housing component if the town has less than 10% of its housing units designated affordable. Hull’s current percentage of affordable units is 1.6%, according to the state’s formula.

This is the first comprehensive permit proposed for Hull to move through the review process; an earlier plan had been considered but did not move forward.

The site is located in the Rockaway Annex neighborhood behind the former Veterans of Foreign Wars post off Salisbury Street near the Hull Community Garden and the Manet Community Health Center.

Since the town is well below the 10% state affordable housing threshold, if the ZBA were to vote against granting a permit for the project, the developer could appeal to the state, with little chance of a successful outcome for the town.

Next meetings

The next scheduled hearing is Tuesday, February 4, with another on Tuesday, February 18, if needed.

“Everyone who is concerned about this project should attend these hearings,” Finn said.

Information still to be shared by the developer relates to the public access easement, a list of expected waiver requests, possible architectural design changes, ledge removal quantifications, the developer’s response to the DRB and planning board comments, and an update from the fire chief concerning emergency access to the site.

Inspections will be performed on abutting properties, including house foundations, before the blasting process begins.

The ZBA also requested that the developer make improvements to the Barnstable/Salisbury and Salisbury/George Washington Boulevard intersections to improve safety, but Mckenzie said that isn’t part of the plan.

Nevertheless, ZBA member Richard Hennessey said there “is no harm in asking anyway” in order to get a written response for this and possibly other requests.

A replay of the full meeting will be available on Hull Community Television’s broadcast channels and on demand at www.hulltv.net.

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