By Carol Britton Meyer

Voters at last week’s special town meeting supported allowing the sale of recreational marijuana in Hull – 283 to 60 – while voting against appropriating an additional $600,000 to rehabilitate the Fort Revere water tower following the longest discussion of the evening. (See related story.)

The meeting, which some predicted would carry over into a second session due to the controversial nature of some of the 10 warrant articles, attracted more than 400 citizens and wrapped up in three-and-a-half hours. The voting process was expedited by electronic voting.

The start of the meeting was delayed by 15 minutes to accommodate voters who were standing in line waiting to enter the gym.

Town Moderator George Boylen was pleased with the turnout.

“Hopefully we’ll see as many of you next spring [at the annual town meeting]!” he said.

His request for voters to discuss issues and act in a “spirit of cooperation” was taken to heart, and the meeting ran smoothly.

Voters approved an initial $300,000 for emergency repairs to Memorial Middle School and $120,000 to replace two pieces of equipment that regulate water flow in the drainage lagoon at Draper Avenue and Newport Road, along with allowing the consolidation of certain “housekeeping” articles into a single vote “to expedite the flow of town meeting,” as described by Boylen, the article’s proponent.

Advisory board member David Clinton urged voters to vote “yes” on the middle school article. “This work must be done,” he said.

Planning Board member Harry Hibbard spoke in support of allowing Alternative Compassion Services to sell recreational in addition to medical marijuana.

“The town can’t pass this up,” he said, referring to the revenue that recreational sales would generate for the town. He also noted that ACS has kept its business low-key. “There are no downsides to it.”

Select board member Irwin Nesoff spoke against the Fort Revere article, expressing concern about the increasing cost of making the repairs, now at roughly $2.8 million.

The warrant article that would have authorized the select board to petition the legislature for an additional package store license for the town for the Quick Pick on Nantasket Avenue was also voted down, with 259 against and 148 in favor of requesting the additional license.

“We’re here tonight as a result of a citizens’ petition,” Boylen said. “It’s the right of every single citizen to collect the required number of signatures and present an article [for town meeting consideration]. When this happens, we have 45 days to schedule a special town meeting under state law, and that’s why we’re here this evening.”

Quick Pick owner Bobby Patel’s son, Khush, pointed out that there have been no violations associated with the store’s current beer-and-wine license, and that use of the now-empty adjacent storefront space would increase the value of the property while providing more options for those with mobility issues who frequent the current handicapped-accessible store.

Sagamore Hill resident Danielle Dolan said while the Patels are good neighbors, she’s not sure she would feel comfortable with her two teenage daughters continuing to frequent the store for snacks if the package store license were to be granted.

The advisory board earlier voted favorable action on the article, 6 to 1, with member Dan Sullivan opposed, saying, “There’s no need for an additional package store in Hull.”

The article proposing to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family homes, with a 10 per year limit, under certain circumstances was referred to further study by the planning board, zoning board of appeals, and the zoning bylaw study committee during what will be monthly public meetings upon the planning board’s recommendation. The vote was 311-18.

Advisory Board Chair Jason Frady recognized ZBA Chair Patrick Finn and the committee for their hard work on the article, noting that there “are still some things that need to be worked out to tighten the article up to give us the zoning bylaw we would like to see, so we’ll be ready to vote on it at the 2024 annual town meeting.”

Finn, in turn, said he was amenable to referring the article to study “so we can all work together and move this forward.”

Voters also favored postponing until spring a proposed fee increase to help cover the cost of administration of the Wetlands Protection Act and to double the fees for after-the-fact work, as proposed by Climate Adaptation and Conservation Director Chris Krahforst. The delay until the 2024 annual town meeting will allow enough time to discuss the proposal and to hear public input.

“I’m concerned this article is over-reaching by the conservation commission and would like to see it tabled for further discussion at the May 2024 town meeting,” resident Charles Shaffer said.

Resident Patricia Lambert, on the other hand, said she doesn’t think “we can do enough at this stage to protect our wetlands and to address other environmental issues that will endanger our community more and more. … We must take the lead from scientists to save what we have here in Hull for future generations.”

Boylen expressed appreciation for town officials, in particular Town Clerk Lori West and her staff, and Judi Saide of the Hull Public Schools technology department, for “pulling together this special town meeting in the required 45 days,” which didn’t leave much time for discussion about and consideration of the warrant articles.

He also thanked the school department for allowing the use of the high school gymnasium during the first week of school.

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