By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board last week adopted a temporary policy to allow public comment on individual agenda items, and members of the public wishing to speak on a particular item may do so after being recognized by the chair.

A section of the recent supreme judicial court case that determined that cities and towns could not prohibit residents from being critical in their commentary at public meetings. Read the full case by clicking here.

The temporary policy is based on guidelines provided by Town Counsel James Lampke and developed with input from retiring Town Manager Philip Lemnios. It is a work in progress that Lampke will revise prior to the board’s July 19 meeting.

The general consensus is that all board members support allowing public comment on specific agenda items rather than having a public comment period at either the beginning or end of each meeting.

The discussion was prompted by a complaint from Atlantic Avenue resident Christopher Sweeney about board’s disallowance of resident participation at meetings other than public hearings. The policy is being drafted in response to a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court case that determined that municipalities could not prohibit “rude” public commentary at meetings.

Click here to read the Southborough case about public comment at meetings.

In July, the subject will be addressed again and new Town Manager Jennifer Constable will be asked for her perspective. Under the policy, all public remarks must be addressed through the select board chair, and not all matters presented by members of the public speaking on an agenda item may be debated or acted on by the board at the time they are presented.

Under the temporary policy, members of the public wishing to speak would be encouraged to maintain order and civility and respect the views and opinions of others in making their remarks. This language will be reviewed and revised by Lampke as well.

“Jim will create a clean document that we will review at our next meeting in three weeks,” Chair Greg Grey said. The select board will go over the revised document at that time and take whatever action its members deem appropriate.

A member of the audience indicated an interest in speaking, but Grey said no public comment will be allowed until the temporary policy is crafted and approved.

In other business at the meeting, Hull Police Sgt. Stephen Glavin was appointed lieutenant upon the recommendation of Police Chief John Dunn.

Glavin, a Hull High School graduate, holds a master’s degree in criminal justice and according to Dunn is “a very capable officer who has taken on added responsibilities with a great attitude. He’s well respected by his peers and has been the officer in charge for a number of assignments.”

Glavin was promoted to sergeant in 2021 and has been awarded two lifesaving medals, among other recognitions.

The select board also approved a new library contract with the Hull Library Staff Association Local 4928 for the period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026.

The contract calls for an annual salary increase of 3% and an evening differential beginning at 5 p.m. and on Saturdays of 20% of the hourly wage, effective July 1, 2024. In addition, $100 was added to each longevity category.

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