By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board updated its annual goals and objectives at its June 20 retreat, after which department heads were asked to submit their own set of plans to the board

“Over the course of August, department goals will be merged with what the board discussed about their own goals and objectives to come up with a strategic plan to present to the board in September,” Town Manager Jennifer Constable said at last week’s select board meeting.

The select board’s list includes economic development; community development, transportation, housing, open space and recreation, capital, and resiliency planning; communications; and general planning, including:

• Ongoing implementation of the Unified Work Plan approved by the board in 2020 that integrates eight earlier plans and studies focused on the revitalization of the Nantasket Beach area and offers a strategy for short- and long-term implementation; continuing the town’s collaborative relationship with the Department of Conservation and Recreation; and reviewing the town’s vacant commercial property bylaw, which provides, in part, that owners of vacant (not used for 90 consecutive days or more) nonresidential buildings must maintain those structures and also register with the Community Development & Planning Department within seven days after the unit becomes vacant. The 2018 town meeting approved this bylaw, sponsored by the Economic Development Committee, in an effort to promote economic health and vitality of area businesses and business districts by improving the appearance of buildings once they become vacant.

• Continuing to work with the MBTA to support efforts for more reliable ferry and bus service; encouraging neighborhood and civic groups and business leaders to maintain and improve public spaces; reviewing the South Shore Mobility Study to identify opportunities for Hull, including possibly seeking an on-demand shuttle; and considering speed control measures in the Kenberma area.

• Providing ongoing support for the affordable housing committee on strategies and actions in support of the goal to create more affordable housing in town.

• Updating the town’s open space and recreation plan and potentially seeking grants to do so; consideration of the implementation of an “adopt-a-park” program; and working with the DCR to improve conditions at Fort Revere.

• Creating a capital improvement plan, reviewing capital funding policies, and historical asset planning.

• Identifying areas of Hull that are at the greatest risk from climate change and beginning to develop mitigation strategies; ongoing fortification of the continuous dune system; promoting “green” infrastructure; updating the beach management plan; and developing an emergency response and recovery plan.

• Updating the town’s communication policy and committee handbook; requesting biannual legislative updates from Hull’s state Representative and Senator; and exploring the addition of communication staff and increasing the current IT staff.

• Working with the council on aging to implement recommendations from the recently-completed needs assessment report aimed at enhancing the lives of Hull’s growing senior population now and in the years to come. By 2035, 43% of Hull’s population will be age 60 or older, according to the study.

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