By Carol Britton Meyer

At the select board meeting Wednesday night, Town Manager Jennifer Constable suggested that Hull delay action on applications to sell recreational marijuana until new state regulations can be reviewed.

Town Counsel James Lampke originally was scheduled to present an update on the process for approving Host Community Agreements with retail marijuana sellers this week, but in the “town manager updates” agenda item, Constable explained that the state Cannabis Control Commission has implemented “a host” of new rules and regulations that will need to be reviewed to ensure the town’s zoning and general bylaws are in compliance, noting that there are “a lot of questions about” those changes.

The select board will schedule a hearing on the status of the dormant licenses of the nantasket flatts restaurant, which has been closed for almost a year.

“I think we should pause before accepting any requests [for recreational marijuana host community agreements],” she said. The town has already received two – from the Alternative Compassion Services medical marijuana dispensary on George Washington Boulevard and another Hull business, Skarr Inc., owned by Mambo’s restaurant’s Anthony Ghosn – and there’s a possibility of a third application.

The select board also finalized policies for memorial bench donations and community use of public buildings, and renewed another round of annual liquor and other licenses, which expire Dec. 31. The board also will schedule a hearing on the licenses held by the former Nantasket Flatts restaurant, which has been closed for nearly a year.

Building use policy finalized

With regard to the community use of public buildings, a policy was created because the town recognizes the importance of community meeting space. The policy provides clear guidance for the use of appropriate and available town facilities.

That “public meeting space promotes community engagement and provides support to organizations serving the Hull community” is the basis of the policy. Key components include eligibility requirements, the reservation process, usage guidelines, and fees.

Community organizations are defined as non-profit, civic, or charitable organizations based in Hull that primarily serve the local community. Under the policy, such groups have the option of reserving space during regular hours in either the Hull Public Library or the Anne M. Scully Senior Center, with certain conditions in place.

Any permitted after-hours use approved by one of the directors would require a town employee to be present and a $30-per-hour fee paid for custodial and other services, which may be waived at the discretion of the director, in consultation with the town manager, on a case-by-case basis.

A number of American Legion members were present during this discussion, including David Irwin, who said he was “appalled” that the Legion, which has repeatedly expressed an interest in meeting at the senior center, would be charged that fee to meet after hours in the building once a month after the many sacrifices veterans have made for the country.

Another member pointed to the Legion’s fundraising efforts that benefit not only veterans but also other members of the community who are in need.

A warrant article at last spring’s annual town meeting supported the American Legion’s request to use that location for its meetings. However, Constable said town meeting “can’t direct a municipality on how to use a town building,” while acknowledging that the community spoke in support of veterans thorough the vote and that the board recognizes that sentiment.

The senior center will be available the first two Wednesdays of the month from 3 to 6 p.m., but the Legion meets from 6:30 p.m. for about two hours once a month on that day of the week.

Following a lengthy discussion, the board was amenable to allowing the American Legion to meet after hours at the senior center since the group has liability insurance that indemnifies the town, and a town employee who is a member will be responsible for making sure the space is cleaned up and the building is locked at the end of the meeting to avoid the $30-per-hour fee.

Select Board member Jason McCann, who worked on the creation of the policy, said the impetus came from that town meeting vote.

“This is a work in progress. I’m glad you are all here,” Chair Greg Grey told the veterans.

Written requests – including the organization’s name, purpose of meeting or event, date and time requests, estimated number of attendees, and any seating or equipment needs – must be submitted at least two weeks in advance to the director of the facility in which the organization wishes to rent space. For the library, hucirc@ocln.org and for the senior center, hullCOA@town.hull.ma.us. Reservations will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The usage guidelines stipulate that approved organizations may use the two town buildings for meetings, workshops, seminars, and events aligned with their mission. No alcohol is allowed, nor is food or use of kitchen facilities without the director’s permission.

“Disruptive behavior infringing on other residents’ facility use or staff responsibilities is prohibited,” the policy states. The town reserves the right to revoke building usage privileges for policy violations.

The policy, which is effective Jan. 1, will be posted on the town’s website.

Bench donation policy approved

In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, the bench donation policy was finalized, with an application available for those who wish to have a memorial bench installed. Bench dedications are limited to current or former Hull residents unless otherwise approved by the select board. Applications will be considered in chronological order from the date they have been and will be submitted, and are subject to town manager approval.

Bench designs will be determined by the town after consideration of the location. The cost of the bench, plaque, and maintenance are the donor’s responsibility.

Licenses renewed; Nantasket Flatts hearing will be scheduled

The board also approved another group of annual liquor and other licenses, including: Mambo’s, 269 Nantasket Ave., all alcohol, common victualer, and entertainment; Mezzo Mare, 245 Nantasket Ave., all alcohol, common victualer; Nantasket Beach Resort, 45 Hull Shore Drive, all alcohol as an innholder, common victualer, entertainment; Shoreline Kitchen and Bar, 43 Hull Shore Drive, all alcohol, common victualer, entertainment; Toast, wine and malt as a restaurant, common victualer; The Parrot, 1 Hull Shore Drive, all alcohol, common victualer, entertainment; A Street Liquors, 675 Nantasket Ave., all alcohol as a package store; and common victualer licenses for the following establishments -- Dunkin’, 1B Bay St.; Dylan’s Pizza, 14 Nantasket Ave.; Hull Jade Restaurant, 516 Nantasket Ave.; L St. Pizza, 754 Nantasket Ave.; Saltwater Diner, 512 Nantasket Ave.; To Dine For, 518 Nantasket Ave.

The select board did not approve the request by Nantasket Flatts, 145 Nantasket Ave., for renewal of the restaurant’s all alcohol, common victualer, entertainment, and pool table licenses pending a hearing that will be scheduled because the business has been closed for a year, and the property is on the market, according to Constable.

The board also approved renewal of the following livery service/badges -- Bayside Coach, 71 Kenberma St., and a livery license for three vehicles for Seaport Livery Service, 58 Lynn Ave., and renewed the lodging house license for The Nantascot Lodging House, 475 Nantasket Ave.

Looking toward New Year’s Eve, The Parrot, Nantasket Beach Saltwater Club, Daddy’s Dry Rock, Sandbar, Schooner’s, Jo’s Nautical, California Underground, and the C Note all requested and received a New Year’s Eve extension of closing time until 2 a.m.

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