The Hull Times

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Upcoming workshop to explore climate change’s impact on Hampton Circle area

By Carol Britton Meyer

Residents living in the Hampton Circle neighborhood are encouraged to attend a Climate Adaptation Workshop on Dec. 7 for an overview of flood vulnerability in their neighborhood based on climate change projections.

The workshop will be hosted by the Hull Climate Adaptation and Conservation Department and the sewer department, both which are exploring options to address flooding in the Hampton Circle area. This includes the proposed reconstruction of the Lt. Joseph D. McLaughlin Playground, which is subject to frequent flooding. This event will provide an overview of flood vulnerability based on climate change projections, introduce adaptation options.

The workshop, which will run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., will be held in the Hull High School Exhibition Room. It is funded by the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Residents who live on Marginal Road, Moreland Avenue, Hampton Circle, and Bay Street – as well as others interested in the topic – will have the opportunity to offer feedback.

The Hull Community Development and Planning Department is working with Hampton Circle residents to reconstruct the McLaughlin playground, subject to an environmental review conducted by the state and other considerations.

“The current proposal calls for a new play structure with an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pour-in-place surface and walkway, parking, a new swing set, benches, plantings, and a rain garden-type feature to better manage stormwater and to attempt to improve ocean flooding drainage,” Director of Community Development and Planning Chris DiIorio explained earlier.

As part of the process, the CDP submitted an Environmental Notification Form to the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on Oct. 31 to initiate review of this project.

This is due to the fact that the land where the playground existed is located in an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

In addition, because the town plans to use some federal funding for this project, a Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act review was triggered, resulting in the ENF. MEPA will make the determination as to whether an Environmental Impact Report is required for the project.

For additional information about the effects of climate change on Hull, visit the Climate Adaptation and Conservation Department website at www.town.hull.ma.us/climate-adaptation-and-conservation.

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