My name is Donna Pursel and I am running for a second term on the Hull Select Board. When I ran three years ago, our whole town, and indeed the entire world, was adjusting to a “new normal.” We all had to learn new ways of working, new ways of socializing, and new ways of living. Now, three years later, it is time to look ahead to what is facing Hull now: hiring a new town manager, addressing the ongoing housing crisis, maintaining our coastal infrastructure , charting a common course for the future of the HRA property, strengthening our public transportation, and continuing to build relationships with DCR and all of our state and regional partners.

My first term on the select board has been an honor, a privilege, and at times a full course of lessons on municipal government and serving my community. I have prided myself on being the type of leader and representative who can listen to all sides of an argument and fairly weigh the options when presented. Too often, too many issues in town are presented as either/or, when we should be thinking of them as both/and. Many times there are no solutions, only compromises. With so many important issues facing our community, I am excited and ready to continue to serve.

The decision to run for re-election was easy; my work isn’t done. Over the years, this town has spent tens of thousands of dollars on various studies and surveys. This money is well invested only if we use data gathered and begin to implement the plans laid out for our community.

Before addressing the myriad of issues facing this town, we need a unified vision. A priority for my second term would be to set a deadline for completion of the Pemberton Economic Development Plan, and seek funding to create a townwide master plan. This master plan will be the road map in shaping the peninsula’s future. While we work toward this townwide plan, we need to continue the implementation of the plans we already have adopted, such as the Unified Work Plan. The data and guidance from this plan have already brought us Business Improvement District and better/consistent communication with DCR.

We recently saw the results from the UMass Gerontology survey, which confirmed what many of us knew: Hull is an aging community. I have been an advocate for the senior community in town and will continue to represent this community as we face real challenges like providing adequate services like transit, housing, and a senior center of which the entire community can be proud.

Across the country, there is a housing crisis. We need to support all types of housing everywhere. This includes options for seniors who are looking to downsize and age in place, houses for families who are looking to move here to raise their children, and for others looking to live and work in town. Establishing a housing trust with CPA funds, and taxes collected from room tax or other businesses, would be a start. However, addressing our housing challenges needs to be strategically thought out, taking into consideration climate change and coastal resilience, along with the responsibility we have to our unique coastal environment we call home. We are called to be stewards of our precious dunes and beautiful Nantasket Beach. We must keep this in mind when we are considering new developments in town.

Access to public transit is essential. I have been working with the MBTA in support of better transit to our community, which I have done by fostering a relationship with the Metropolitan Planning Organization. I continue to advocate for a more transparent MBTA bus route to town, including MBTA branded buses, marked stops, and discounts for senior and disabled riders, along with more coordination with the ferry and commuter rail to better sync schedules and increase ease of use.

I use the ferry whenever I need to go into work downtown and understand how important having this regular service to our town is to commuters in town, but to tourists who will soon be visiting our beaches as the summer approaches! Supporting transit supports our entire town. We need to invest in the infrastructure of the pier.

All of the work that needs to be done wouldn’t be possible without our state and regional partners. That is why I think it is so important, and why I have worked so hard to build relationships with the DCR on issues along Nantasket Beach. By working with our state partners, including our locally elected leaders on Beacon Hill, I am an advocate for funding to support our small businesses, address climate mitigation efforts, and support development that makes sense for all of us.

I have been able to see so much growth and change in this community in my short three years on the board, and it has been a humble honor to serve all of you. But as you can see, we have so much more ahead of us! If you believe, like I do, in doing everything we can to make sure this beautiful peninsula we all get to call home can be a home to our parents and grandparents, as well as our children, grandchildren, and their children for generations to come, then I invite you to join me! Follow my campaign on Facebook, and I ask for your vote on Election Day, May 15. Thank you.