By Carol Britton Meyer

Select Board Chair Jennifer Constable announced her resignation Wednesday night after serving for seven years, stating that her involvement with the Hull community will continue.

While Constable did not offer specifics, her stepping down follows Town Manager Philip Lemnios’ announcement that he plans to retire on June 30. Constable is currently the assistant town administrator in Rockland.

“I do look forward to the prospect of new potential leadership roles in the community, so my resignation at this point will make that potential opportunity possible,” said Constable, who will leave the board effective Feb. 19.

During an earlier select board discussion about next steps in the town manager search and interviews with two consulting firms, Constable either recused herself or was not present.

According to the State Ethics Commission, a select board member generally cannot be appointed to any position, paid or unpaid, that is both appointed by and under the supervision of the board. Rather, the incumbent must wait 30 days after he or she finishes serving on the board before becoming eligible to be appointed to such a position, or permission to be appointed must be granted by town meeting.

Constable thanked her constituents and expressed appreciation for the camaraderie the board has shared.

“We’ve accomplished a great number of things over the course of time, including hiring new police and fire chiefs and a director of community development and planning, and economic development [initiatives] with the support and involvement of the board, town staff, Phil Lemnios, and [Town Counsel] Jim Lampke,” she said. “We also have an agreement with the Department of Conservation & Recreation.” 

Fellow board members wished her well.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you,” Domenico Sestito said. “You and I haven’t always agreed, but we always agreed to disagree. I know this wasn’t an easy decision for you.”

Calling her “a leader, mentor and friend,” Donna Pursel said Constable guided her through the process when Pursel was elected to the board. “I started my term during COVID and had a million questions – half of them probably foolish – but you never made me feel that way. You always showed me where to go to get the answers.”

Pursel also praised Constable for her many contributions to the town as a select board member “in the eight short years that I have lived here. That’s why I got involved [in town government] – because I saw what you were accomplishing and that you are a true example of someone with the heart to serve.”

Advisory Board Chair David Clinton, who was in the audience after hearing Lemnios’ Fiscal 2024 budget presentation, commended Constable for the “collegiate” way she has conducted herself, and the board as a whole, during the advisory board’s “deliberations and due diligence” leading up to town meeting. He also acknowledged Constable’s “calm demeanor and grace,” wishing her well in her future endeavors.

His remarks were followed by applause from fellow board members and the audience.

“I love what I do, and I love this community, so I hope that in some form I will be able to continue this work,” Constable said.

The process for replacing Constable was not discussed this week, but will be a topic at a future meeting.