By Carol Britton Meyer 

There are more than 25 requests pending to install memorial benches around town, which sparked a discussion among the select board this week about the creation of a bench donation policy. 

A moratorium on new installations has been in place for two years due to the great interest in the community and the need to find appropriate locations for the benches. Requests go through either the town manager’s office or the parks and recreation department.

During the earlier discussion, the board talked about the considerations to include in a contract with those whose bench requests are approved, with the development of a policy as the next step.

These factors include deciding whether there is a public need for a particular bench, determining whether there are public safety or other concerns about proposed locations, and only considering requests made by current or former residents.

The full cost of a bench and installation will be borne by the donor, the town maintains the right to relocate or remove a bench, and is not obligated to repair or replace a bench if it is no longer sound. The DPW installs the benches at no charge to the donors. Also, the town has final editorial control over any plaque or engraving on the donated benches.

The goal is to create a policy so that requests are treated consistently and to do so before the spring, which would start the season when benches would normally be installed.

Following this week’s discussion, Town Manager Jennifer Constable will draft a policy for the board’s review at an upcoming meeting.

“We’ll talk about it and get it done,” Select Board Chair Greg Grey said.

Constable noted that the former beautification committee was involved with the installation of benches several decades ago.

Resident Steven Greenberg encouraged the board to ask for input from the Hull Garden Club and the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce.

“Benches are part of the beauty of this town,” he said. “It’s a design choice. Hull is working on looking better, and the benches are a distinct [part of] how we as a community look.”

Select board member Brian McCarthy suggested a cap on the number of benches that could be installed per year in particular parts of town.

In other business…

The select board approved a new common victualer license for Taco Guy Corp. at 165 Nantasket Ave., the first floor of the Sandpiper Inn, with Clint Smith as manager.

Smith explained that this request resulted from the need for a commercial kitchen due to the popularity of his South Shore Taco Guy food truck business.

“Because the food truck is so busy, I decided to open a taqueria,” he said. “This is a great way to keep my current employees fully employed year-round.” The food truck will continue to operate as usual.

The new business is expected to open the second week in January, seven days a week, offering breakfast burritos Sunday mornings at the request of customers, Smith said.

The board also approved the change of manager on the wine and malt package store license for Quick Pick Food Shop, 261 Nantasket Ave., to Malissa Blossom, as well as the renewal of the license for 2024.

Also approved were the renewal of the wine and malt package store license for EZ Smoke Shop, 527A Nantasket Ave.; the common victualer license for Scoops Ice Cream Co., 540 Nantasket Ave.; the Class II wholesale license for Nantasket Auto Sales and Repair, LLC, 410 Nantasket Ave.; and the lodging house licenses of the Bermaken Hotel, 102 Revere St. and Easy Living Lodging, 24 Park Ave.

Under correspondence, Grey read a letter from Robert Neal announcing his resignation from the war memorial commission. He will continue to serve on the veterans’ council.

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