By Carol Britton Meyer

There would be no further discussion of the proposed two-way road plan, at least for the time being, was Hull Redevelopment Authority Chair Dennis Zaia’s message Monday night. However, that isn’t the way the meeting turned out.

“This a new year for all of us, so onward and upward – I hope,” Zaia said at the beginning of the meeting. “We’re not going to have conversations about the two-way road plan at our meetings, including questions, because I’ve asked the town manager to give us a definitive statement, which was received this afternoon.”

AN ANIMATED HRA CHAIR DENNIS ZAIA led the discussion at this week’s HRA meeting, held over Zoom.

Zaia then read Town Manager Jennifer Constable’s statement:

“The two-way conversion project is a unique roadway redesign project which encompasses land and/or roadways controlled by multiple public agencies, including the Town of Hull, the Hull Redevelopment Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Accordingly, each of these entities are both collaborators and stakeholders to the project.

“As project lead, the Town of Hull’s goal of is to convert the current one-way flow roadway pattern to a two-way flow roadway network to help reduce seasonal congestion, improve safety and access to the beach for residents and visitors, improve options for emergency response vehicles, and support existing and future economic development. This roadway conversion is also intended to remedy numerous traffic safety concerns realized in its current design.

For more information on the two-way road redesign plan, click here

Click here for the related story from this week’s edition.

“The town appreciates the partnership of all entities involved.”

“That’s the message from the town manager, so the topic of the two-way conversion plan will not be discussed at our meetings until we’re asked to resume input by request of the town manager,” Zaia said.

However, the topic came up again later in the meeting, and a lengthy discussion took place despite Zaia’s intentions. Links to more information on the road redesign project can be found in the online version of this story at www.hulltimes.com.

In other business…

HRA Technical Operations Manager Mark Hamin explained the request for proposals (RFP) drafting process and the progress made so far for the 2025 parking lot and vendor leases and licenses related to hours of operation, fees, maintenance, and other considerations.

Zaia called it “a work in progress.” Accordingly, HRA members will continue to have input before it is posted in the Central Register (where state, county, and municipal solicitations are advertised to potential bidders).

“The RFP needs to more straightforward and clear,” Hamin said.

Resident Paul Newman, who has made suggestions in the past related to the RFPs, suggested finding a way to get the information out to a larger audience of potential parking lot operators and vendors “to get as many bids as possible. If you can’t get people to bid, it’s all for naught. There will be competition for this RFP. Some ‘door knocking’ needs to be done and maybe some direct marketing.”

While the HRA has relied on posting in the state’s Central Register in the past, Zaia supported exploring other ways to reach out to potential bidders as well.

The conversation will be continued at the January 27 HRA meeting.

A replay of the full meeting will be available on Hull Community Television’s broadcast channels and on demand at www.hulltv.net.

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