VOTERS TAKE THE HIGH ROAD IN TOWN ELECTION

Hull voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of a $10 million debt exclusion today, revenues that will be devoted to transforming Hull's streets over the next five years.

Voters approved the ballot question, 940 to 599.

Residents who went to the polls signaled they were ready to step out in a new direction. Park & Rec Commissioner Greg Grey trounced incumbent selectman Chris Mitchell, 1,067 to 381.

And political newcomer Evan Shuman edged Hull native Joseph Reilly, 627 to 606.

Town Clerk Lori West posted most of the unofficial results shortly after the polls closed at the Memorial School at 8 p.m.

By the time most poll watchers left the building by about 9:15, the only candidate still waiting for results was Jim Richman, who mounted a write-in campaign for Hull Housing Authority.

Richman sat with his wife, Gail, daughter Rachel, and a family friend as poll workers continued to count more than 1450 ballots by hand for write-in candidates for both housing authority and two seats on the Board of Library Trustees.