By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Council on Aging recently recommended that the town explore the possibility of applying for designation as an “age-friendly” community under the American Association of Retired Persons program that supports the efforts of cities and towns to be “great places for people of all ages.”

This was one of the key recommendations from the recent needs assessment aimed at enhancing the lives of Hull’s growing senior population now and in the years to come “that the select board can immediately act upon,” COA member Robert Goldstein said at a recent board meeting. “This would be an opportunity for Hull to be one of the first South Shore communities [to join the program].”

This AARP network is based on the premise that communities should provide safe, walkable streets, age-friendly housing and transportation options, access to needed services, and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life. There are no membership costs.

While 43% of Hull’s population will be age 60 or older by 2035, according to the needs assessment, “this is not only about seniors. It is a way for Hull to publicly show that it is committed to making the town a livable community for people of all ages,” Goldstein said.

What the program calls “the eight domains of livability” include outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, communication and information, health services and community supports, respect and social inclusion, and civic participation and employment.

“We wouldn’t take on all the domains at once,” Goldstein said. “It would be an ongoing process.”

At the select board’s request, the COA will draft for the board’s Nov. 16 meeting a commitment letter, which is part of the process when applying for AARP Age-Friendly Community designation.

The steps include filling out an online application and a signed letter of commitment from the select board that it would implement a continuous improvement process as a member.

Town Manager Philip Lemnios acknowledged that transportation is an issue and that the board is already focusing on housing.

Select Board Chair Jennifer Constable noted that the town’s Affordable Housing Committee will reconvene soon and asked the board to add a position for a COA member on the AHC, which it did.

Among the benefits of joining the program is “access to and support on implementing a framework of continuous improvement through the lens of aging,” Goldstein said.