Compiled by The Hull Times staff

JANUARY

Sally Snowman retired as the first and last female keeper of Boston Light and as the last lighthouse keeper in the country. The next step would be a stewardship transfer of Boston Light under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, which provides a mechanism for the disposal of federally owned historic light stations that have been declared excess to the needs of the responsible agency, in this case, the Coast Guard.

Crews began work restoring the historic windows of the Paragon Carousel, which were removed and replaced by temporary plywood boards. The project was funded through a $70,000 grant from the town’s Community Preservation Act fund, and would be completed by spring.

The select board approved a memorandum of agreement between the Town of Hull and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The agreement outlined the formation of a DCR-Town of Hull Working Group to collaborate on items of mutual interest, including an annual work plan for the care and management of the Nantasket Beach area.

The developer proposing a 40-foot, 132-unit project at the Paragon Boardwalk property presented a revised design to the planning board. It included changes in architecture, parking, and commercial spaces in response to concerns raised by residents. Designers added sloped roofs, a varied façade, clapboard siding, cornices, and window trim. Commercial space would increase from the previously proposed 7,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet, and would include an arcade and beer garden.

Following three hours of interviews with finalists, the school committee hired Michael Jette, then leader of the Litchfield, N.H., school district, as Hull’s next superintendent. Jette would replace superintendent Judith Kuehn, who would retire at the end of the school year.

Longtime Hull Town Counsel James Lampke announced his plans to retire before the end of the fiscal year. Lampke noted that it had been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to have served his hometown for more than 40 years.

Five citizen presenters answered follow-up questions on their proposals to the Hull Redevelopment Authority as HRA members continue to update the draft Urban Renewal Plan. Presenters included Erin Swenson Gorrall, Patrick Finn, Lenny Markowitz and team, Pam Wolfe, and Lisa French.

The Hull No Place for Hate Committee coordinated numerous local groups in a day of service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including a food drive for Wellspring and a speaking program.

Waves topped the seawall and for many, the high surf from a January storm caused headaches as flooding inundated low-lying areas. Rocks and debris littered the streets and piled up in the parking lots all over Hull. The flooding that occurred on January 10 and 13 marked the seventh and fourth highest tides on record for Boston Harbor, bringing water to areas that typically don’t flood in winter storms.

The chilly water didn’t diminish the excitement of Wellspring’s Winter Warrior Games fundraiser, a renamed and expanded take on the Drowned Hogs annual swim at Nantasket Beach. Among the first groups to hit the water was a bag of Doritos waving a Pirate’s flag and a crew of skirted male cheerleaders.

In a 3-2 vote, the select board agreed to increase the number of parking spaces on the Hull Redevelopment Authority property from the current 500 to a maximum of 900 for the 2024 season. The original number of seasonal parking spots was 900, which was reduced in 2020 during the COVID19 pandemic, increased to 600 in 2021, and reduced again in 2023 to 500.

The select board interviewed two attorneys from the Clifford & Kenny law firm for the position of employment and labor law counsel and appointed them to replace Town Counsel James Lampke, whose retirement will be effective June 30. Town Manager Jennifer Constable explained that the town is moving to a legal model whereby a land-use counsel will also be appointed as well as a town counsel.

FEBRUARY

Extreme cold weather caused numerous water main breaks in the Weir River Water System, including on Kenberma and Arthur streets and Atlantic House Road.

Select board members voted to begin accepting applications for retail marijuana establishments in April. A meeting with an outside counsel was planned to determine whether the town’s bylaw needs to be amended.

The select board was notified that a 12-unit, four-story condominium complex with three units designated as affordable was proposed for a three-quarter-acre parcel of land behind the former Veterans of Foreign Wars post in the Rockaway Annex neighborhood. The developer would seek approval through the comprehensive permit process under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B permit filed for the complex. Chapter 40B allows developers to circumvent a number of local zoning regulations in exchange for an affordable housing component.

THE RESIDENCES AT ROCKAWAY HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR LAND BEHIND THE FORMER VFW POST in the ROCKAWAY ANNEX NEIGHBORHOOD.

The Hull Beach Management Committee requested a change of name to the Hull Beach Management Advisory Committee to clarify its role.

After “king tide” flooding inundated several neighborhoods in January, the town hosted a workshop to allow affected residents to connect and learn how to better prepare for future flooding.

The Hull Redevelopment Authority began the process of seeking proposals to operate its 900-car parking lot in the summer, with members deciding to move toward a system that uses an app for electronic payments instead of accepting cash.

Town Manager Jennifer Constable’s FY25 budget represented an increase of $2,596,531, or 5.46% over FY24’s $47.5M spending plan. Constable’s proposal would fund the schools at $17,854,77, an increase of $520,042, or 3% over the current year. A significant increase was projected for the law department, with an increase from $147,898 to $300,000 as town shifts away from an individual town counsel to a multi-firm model. Capital expenses included the movement of town offices, and possibly the senior center, into the Memorial Middle School. Revenues were expected to increase across the board, with an additional $1,295,340 coming from the tax levy, $71,394 in state aid, and $1,227,098 from increased local receipts such as excise taxes and fees.

The Hull Municipal Lighting Plant’s Hull Wind I at Windmill Point, which had not been producing power for several years, was taken down. The 23-year-old wind turbine needed a life-cycle overhaul that was deemed too expensive, given its age and the availability of parts, so crews weakened the base and the structure toppled toward the seawall behind the high school, where the crash caused some damage that would be paid for by the demolition firm. Meanwhile, at the other end of town, Hull Wind II remained offline, awaiting repairs to its computer system.

Residents crowded into the Hull High exhibition room as the planning board continued its hearing on the Paragon Dunes special permit application. Town officials and residents had raised concerns about the “wall effect” of the four-story, 132-unit building. The developer said the time constraints of purchasing the property and obtaining approval may prompt the company to walk away or pursue another alternative such as 40B affordable housing. The hearing would continue in March.

The proposed $17.9-million fiscal year 2025 Hull Public Schools budget represented a 3%, or $520,043, increase over the current year’s figure, with salaries comprising 76.79% of the overall budget. Changes in the budget included reductions of four full-time and two part-time positions. With the middle school’s closure, the principal’s position was eliminated and replaced with an intermediate assistant principal at the Jacobs School.

Jacobs Elementary School third-grade teacher Jessica Scott was appointed intermediate assistant principal. Scott would begin in her new role on July 1 alongside Principal Kyle Shaw and primary Assistant Principal Lindsey Rajan.

Members of the Hull PorchFest board delivered a check for $2,000 to the director and students of Hull High School’s choral and jazz bands. More than half that money was raised at the Hull PorchFest Revival, a make-up event held in place of the rained-out PorchFest 2023 at the C-Note music club in November.

MARCH

A week after threatening to walk away from purchasing the Paragon Boardwalk property, the developer presented revised plans with a view corridor to address concerns about the “wall effect” of the four-story building. The closing of the property sale was scheduled for April 30, and the developer required the planning board’s approval to complete the sale.

Hull’s primary election results had Joseph R. Biden topping the Democratic ballot and Donald J. Trump finishing first among Republicans. 2,920 Hull voters participated. A total of 1,547 voters took the Democratic ballot, while 1,354 Republican votes were cast. Nineteen people voted for Libertarian candidates. Biden received a total of 1,346 votes, while Dean Phillips earned 51 votes, and Marianne Williamson finished with 34. On the Republican ballot, Trump finished with 808 votes, Nikki Haley earned 508, Chris Christie took 9, Vivek Ramaswamy had 4, Ron DeSantis finished with 3, and Ryan Binkley received a single vote.

A meeting of the Affordable Housing Committee featured a presentation by a grant-funded consultant on town-owned properties that could be developed into affordable housing in cooperation with South Shore Habitat for Humanity. Town meeting authorization would be required before town-owned land could be used for this purpose. This was considered a high priority since more than 37% of Hull residents pay more than 30% of their income on housing, according to the town’s 2022 housing production plan.

Jury selection in the trial of the Hull police sergeant who was videotaped assaulting his elderly neighbor was delayed until April. Hull Police Sgt. Scott F. Saunders was arrested in Pembroke for assaulting his 72-year-old neighbor on July 24, 2023.

School committee member Ernest Minelli resigned from his position citing personal reasons, including health and wellness goals and spending more time with his children. He was reelected to the committee in 2023 for a second term that would have expired in 2026.

The Hull Redevelopment Authority began a series of presentations from its members on their visions for the HRA-owned property. Chair Dennis Zaia led the way with thoughts on housing, public safety, a shuttle bus network, art installations, a mobile stage, and event space. A common thread woven through all the presentations was the desire to improve on the current draft Urban Renewal Plan to create a “sense of place” and “identity” for the community. Not all five members were in agreement about the ideal mix of uses.

The school committee accepted a 20-year memorandum of agreement with the town that would allow some town services to move into Memorial Middle School once its grade consolidation plan is complete and the building is available for other purposes. The agreement was subject to obtaining funding for the town hall relocation and related costs of outfitting the building for town offices. The select board reviewed the proposed agreement, but stopped short of approving it due in part to concerns about the 20-year length of the license. Select board members agreed that the agreement should be changed to anywhere from 25 to 40 to 50 to 99 years, a message the town manager would relay to Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn.

The planning board voted 5-1 to approve the special permit for the Paragon Dunes development. Members of the public, as well as some board members, expressed concern about whether the decision was being rushed based on an April deadline for the developer to purchase the property. Planning board member Jeanne Paquin voted against the approval.

As part of reviewing the town’s marijuana regulations, the town hired outside counsel to clarify what was adopted at the 2018 town meeting related to banning the sale of recreational marijuana in Hull and related issues and to recommend bylaw amendments to clear up any confusion. Attorney Nicole Costanzo of KP Law presented virtually to the board a Hull cannabis bylaw update and proposed bylaw amendments to be considered at the May town meeting.

Consultants identified parcels on Gosnold Street, the land next to St. Nicholas Church on Spring Street, and the parking lot at XYZ Streets as vacant town-owned land potentially suitable for the development of affordable housing. This was a preliminary report and no conclusions were reached.

Crews resumed work on the Atlantic Avenue reconstruction project after a winter hiatus. During the next several months, project work would include installation of granite curbs, paving of sidewalks and the final road surface, installation of new signs, and line painting. The work was expected to be complete by July.

Hull’s first assistant town manager was scheduled to begin work in April. Stacy Callahan, then Rockland’s human resources director, would spend roughly half of her time as human resources director and the other half as liaison to Hull’s community services departments for support and to work on special projects. Town Manager Jennifer Constable, previously the assistant town administrator in Rockland, and a consultant from Community Paradigm Associates interviewed the five finalists and were in agreement on all of the candidates.

The Hull Cultural Council held a reception at town hall to announce its grant awards for this cycle of funding. Grant awardees included Lisa Thornton of the Hull Council on Aging, Jon Belber of Friends of Holly Hill Farm, Tara Ashe of the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, Maureen Gillis of the Hull Lifesaving Museum, and Charles Shaffer of the Satuit Concert Band.

The Hull No Place for Hate Committee held its second Feast of Conversations at the high school. Featured speakers presented their methods of dealing with and resolving disputes in positive ways, focusing on respectful communication.

APRIL

The Paragon Carousel opened for season, featuring the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt on the carousel grounds.

The town appealed the state Department of Public Utilities’ recent denial of a request to investigate National Grid’s maintenance of the power lines that feed electricity to Hull. On November 1, 2021, Hull Light filed a petition to open an investigation on the way National Grid had been managing and maintaining the two electric lines that provide power to residents and businesses. The Massachusetts DPU dismissed the request on the grounds that such an investigation was not its responsibility.

SOS (Save Our Space) Hull, the community organization that opposes large-scale development on the Hull Redevelopment Authority property, launched an independent survey to gather opinions on the future uses of the land. Humans Not Consumers, a Hull-based ethical business consultancy, conducted the survey.

A total of 15 candidates met the final deadline to be placed on the May annual town election ballot, but there would be only three contested offices – municipal light board, planning board, and library trustee.

Plymouth County Commissioners presented an American Rescue Plan Act check for $595,000 to the select board toward the sewer department ocean outfall rehabilitation project that began in December. This was on top of additional ARPA funding of $986,803 last fall. The work involves extending diffusers above the ocean bottom and removing accumulated sand, gravel, and sea growth from the outfall pipeline.

The school committee accepted the revised version of a proposed memorandum of agreement with the town, including changes recently proposed by the select board, that would allow the town offices to move to Memorial School once the school consolidation plan is complete. The revised MOA changed the length of the lease from 20 to 30 years and the right to terminate timeframe from not less than 24 to not less than 36 months. The select board subsequently approved the signing of the agreement.

U.S. Air Force veteran Donald Kupperstein was congratulated by Hull American Legion Post 140 Senior Vice Commander Ken Walsh for his recognition by the State House for his unwavering support for veterans in Hull and on the South Shore by volunteering with those less fortunate with food distribution, transportation, and legal advice.

Director of Community Development and Planning Chris DiIorio stepped back from his role as consultant to the Hull Redevelopment Authority, stating that serving in both roles could become a conflict of interest as it gets closer to the point where the HRA will be coming before the planning board.

Hull Pirates Sean Walsh and Veronica Fleming were honored with the 2024 South Shore League Scholar-Athlete award.

The Hull Police Department held an open house to show residents the current state of the police station, in anticipation of a town meeting article that would request funds to study the need for a new public safety building.

The select board approved Temple Beth Sholom’s request to allow beach-season parking for up to 50 cars at 600 Nantasket Avenue with several conditions, including that the lot may not be used for that purpose until the nearby Coburn Street access path safety issues are resolved. Other conditions linked to the parking permit included that the temple distribute an educational flier about protecting the piping plovers in the area.

The planning board approved special permit conditions for the Paragon Dunes project. Board members voted in favor of the motion to approve the conditions as corrected. The approval of the Paragon Dunes plans granted by the planning board on March 20, for a four-story, 132-unit building at the site of the Paragon Boardwalk, was subject to the conditions the board began to review on April 3 and subsequently approved on April 10.

Hull American Legion Post 140 Commander Jim Richman accepted the Al White Award at the April meeting from District 10 Commander Bob Burke. The Al White Award is given each month to an American Legion post that has performed an outstanding community service project. This is the Hull post’s first award since it was revived.

The Hull Redevelopment Authority awarded the contract to manage its 900-car beach parking lots to LAZ Parking, which would pay $160,000 to operate the lots between Nantasket Avenue and Hull Shore Drive, with 50/50 revenue-sharing once LAZ reached $450,000 in profits. The company would not accept cash payments, opting instead to require credit card payments. The bid from LAZ was the higher of the two bids the HRA received in response to the request for proposals.

MAY

Residents continued to raise concerns about traffic and safety regarding the seawall replacement plan in a standing-room-only informational meeting. Consultants provided an overview of the project and fielded numerous questions from the dozens of residents who attended the meeting.

The position of Hull Public Health Director was posted following Joan Taverna’s resignation to accept the position of public health nurse in Cohasset.

Despite pressure from the state to enact zoning changes under the MBTA Communities Zoning Law, the planning board voted to unanimously recommend that the upcoming town meeting delay voting on Article 30, which would approve the MBTA Communities zoning. The recommendation, to be made on the town meeting floor, was contrary to the advisory board’s recommendation of favorable action. The town could lose a significant amount of money in state grants for various projects if voters failed to approve the article.

Over the course of a three-night town meeting, voters approved, among other items, an amendment allowing for accessory dwelling units; bylaw amendments to clarify the town’s marijuana regulations; a $150,000 combined police/fire public safety facility study; $6 million for the town’s share of repairs to the deteriorating seawall along Nantasket Avenue near the Allerton lagoon; a floodplain overlay district; funds for the replacement of the float at Pemberton Pier; the MBTA Communities warrant article crafted to meet the requirements of the new state legislation requiring as-of-right zoning for multi-family housing near public transportation; spending up to $3 million to retrofit a floor of the Memorial School as municipal office space; and an opioid special revenue fund. A proposal that would have authorized the eminent-domain taking of property along Beach Avenue failed. An article that asked the select board to stipulate that the old railroad bed right-of-way from L to XYZ streets continue to be unobstructed throughout the year was passed after a “no action” substitute motion failed.

Less than two years after being named principal of Hull High School, Michael Knybel announced that he would leave his position at the end of the current school year. The principal earned praise from students and parents during his time in Hull, although in early April, teachers protested outside the school, holding signs critical of Knybel’s leadership.

Hull’s No Place for Hate Committee held its annual Stand in the Sand event, where participants gathered on Nantasket Beach to spell out the word “together” as a show of solidarity and cooperation.

The New England Public Power Association’s annual line workers rodeo took over the Hull Redevelopment Authority land, as power crews competed against the clock in skill competitions – climbing poles, repairing transformers, and rigging lines – on a challenge course built on the property.

Hull voters went to the polls to cast their ballots in a relatively quiet election, as candidates in most races were unopposed.

The town announced that it would soon accept applications from individuals or companies with an interest in operating a retail marijuana establishment in Hull, with a limit of two adult-use facilities permitted under the town’s zoning bylaw. Alternative Compassion Services, which operates a medical marijuana dispensary on George Washington Boulevard, had already applied, along with one other applicant, Skarr Inc., owned by Mambo’s restaurant’s Anthony Ghosn.

Planning board members raised concerns that the town did not receive proper notification of a meeting about the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act review of the Paragon Dunes project. Abutters to the site also said they were not informed. Director of Community Development and Planning Chris DiIorio said his department would investigate.

A parent forum on the Hull High School principal search exposed remaining tensions behind Principal Michael Knybel’s departure and between parents, teachers, and administrators. The meeting was attended by about 60 parents and teachers.

Hull Police K-9 Officer Peddocks received his Hull Public Library card along with kindergarteners from the Jacobs School during their recent visit to the library.

In the middle of the second day of testimony in former Hull Public Schools Superintendent Michael Devine’s $5-million wrongful termination lawsuit against the town, representatives informed Judge Patti B. Saris that they had reached a settlement in lieu of continuing the trial. The Hull Select Board held an emergency Zoom meeting to consider the settlement amount. Devine, who was principal of Hull High School before becoming superintendent in 2017, alleged that the termination of his contract in 2020 was a product of discrimination based on his sexual orientation, and brought seven counts against the Hull Public Schools, the Town of Hull, and five school committee members for breach of contract, discrimination, defamation, and economic and emotional damages. Devine filed his suit in 2021. The terms of the settlement were not immediately released to the public.

Two months after receiving planning board approval of its special permit for the Paragon Dunes project, The Procopio Companies finalized the purchase of the property for $6 million.

Flags, uniforms, and patriotic outfits were in ample supply during Hull’s Memorial Day observances. The parade stepped off from Hull High School and ended at the Gold Star Mothers Memorial at the entrance to Hull Village Cemetery. After a ceremony honoring those who died in service, the group made its way around town to dedicate memorial squares to veterans Theodore W. Craig, Thomas Bannen, Leo Georgopoulos, Edward Fitzsimmons, Joseph Menice, David M. McFarland, and Richard “Butch” Neal.

JUNE

Hull Gut and Peddocks Island provided a scenic backdrop for Hull High School’s graduation ceremony, as 51 members of the Class of 2024 received their diplomas. Graduates included Victoria Dolan, who contributed regular columns to The Hull Times for several years. In addition to being class salutatorian, Dolan was recognized by the South Shore Conservatory and was the first recipient of a scholarship in the name of late Times Publisher Patti Abbate.

The developer proposing the Paragon Dunes mixed-use project withdrew from a state environmental review process and planned to resubmit its Environmental Notification Form to address flood resiliency concerns. The company sought withdrawal to address the issues raised by state officials. It also acknowledged comments from planning board members and the public that the MEPA review had not been adequately advertised.

The town received a check for $300,461 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for an ambulance.

Inspired by the pressing need to support local families facing hunger, Hull teen Liam Hopkins raised $1,500 through a virtual food drive using GoFundMe to purchase essential food items for Aunt Dot’s Kitchen and sustain its operations in providing food assistance to individuals and families in need. At a Hull Council on Aging volunteer appreciation dinner, Connor Hipp and Jake Smith, recent HHS graduates, two of the youngest senior center volunteers, were recognized for their contributions to Hull’s senior population.

The former principal of North Quincy High School and current leader of a Massachusetts virtual high school was hired as the new principal of Hull High School. Robert Shaw signed a contract to replace Michael Knybel, who had announced his resignation prior to the expiration of his contract. Shaw was one of 15 applicants for the position.

The terms of a settlement to former Hull High School Principal Michael Devine were finalized. In addition to the monetary damages, the school department agreed to issue a statement thanking Devine “for his years of honorable public service” and to write him a letter of recommendation for future employment. Of the $700,000 that will be paid to Devine within the following 30 days, $300,000 is covered by the town’s insurance policy, while the school department will pay $250,000 and the town’s general fund will contribute $150,000. Neither party admitted any wrongdoing and each agreed to pay its own legal fees.

Work began on Pump Station No. 9 in the parking lot across Main Street from Hull High School. The 18-month project will replace the sewer pumping station at Pemberton. Construction work on the $2 million, federally funded project was expected to take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Ferry parking and pedestrian routes would be affected.

The town manager formally requested that the Hull Redevelopment Authority contribute $150,000 to restore the historic Fort Revere water tower. Following the request, the town acquired a $75,000 grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The HRA subsequently agreed to contribute $130,000 to the town for economic and community development projects, including work on the master plan and funding for renovations to the tower.

Members of the Class of 2028 were the last eighth grade class to graduate from the Memorial Middle School, which would be closed as the Hull Public Schools’ grade realignment plan took effect in the fall. The students held their eighth-grade dance at the school.

With the summer solstice and the hot weather arriving at about the same time, Hull’s beaches were filled with sun worshippers and Hull’s roads were filled with cars trying to get to the beach, or around the beach.

After days of discolored water at residences in Hull, Weir River Water System commissioners cited several possible factors, including extreme heat leading to increased demand, higher water usage on the Juneteeth holiday, and the need for additional system maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. Hull Fire Chief Chris Russo was commended by residents for his continuous “play by play” updates posted on the Hull Emergency Management Facebook page. The Hull Fire Department conducted the drive-through giveaways of bottled water during the crisis.

Watch next week’s edition for a review of the top news stories of the second half of 2024.

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