By Carol Britton Meyer

After their role as traffic commissioners was debated during recent discussions about the impacts of a seawall repair project, select board members this week heard from the town’s attorney to clarify their obligations. Town Counsel Brian Winner explained the role and responsibilities of the select board as traffic commissioners.

This issue came up during meetings about the seawall project on Nantasket Avenue near the Allerton lagoon, the temporary traffic plan and the planned one-way road in that area.

Winner provided an extensive list of the board’s responsibilities as traffic commissioners, noting that many of them fall under state statutes and regulations.

“The board has no obligation to [perform] every one of these at one time,” he said.

The responsibilities deal with signage, parking, and speed restrictions, coordination of traffic activities, conducting traffic surveys, studies, and investigations, and hearing complaints related to – and educating the general public about – traffic matters, among others.

Town Manager Jennifer Constable noted that the board has already made decisions about a number of items on the list.

While she explained that traffic engineers, project managers, and other experts are involved with various town projects such as the seawall, there was general agreement among the select board and Constable that communication is important, and that details of upcoming projects affecting neighborhoods should be shared sooner rather than later.

Select board member Jerry Taverna recalled that the most recent traffic commissioner “debate” started with the seawall project.

“There was a crunch on the timeline and funding for the project, and a major evacuation route was being raised three feet and changed to one-way without any approvals required by the select board,” he said.

Chair Irwin Nesoff pointed out that board members “aren’t experts, and we rely on experts. There are a lot of opinions out there regarding one- and two-way roads, but our job is to get the information from experts, to understand it, to make decisions, and then to explain to the public what they are based on.”

Nesoff added that the board “did due diligence” regarding roadwork at the public meetings about the seawall, “with experts answering questions.”

Select board member Jason McCann said that when there is widespread public concern about the seawall project, “I think we need to bring in our traffic commissioner role.”

Select board member Brian McCarthy thinks that while the board “has to put faith in the experts, we also have to listen to neighbors’ concerns.”

With projects such as this one, Constable said she’s not sure where the traffic commissioners’ authority would come into play with so much state involvement and the number of traffic and other experts involved.

In other business…

• The select board conditionally offered a full-time police officer position to Thomas Chase upon the recommendation of Police Chief John Dunn.

The appointment is contingent on the successful completion of physical and psychological exams and the required physical agility test.

Once the remaining steps are completed, Dunn will present Chase to the board for approval to attend the Municipal Police Training Academy as a student-officer.

• The town issued public service announcements about a recent “unfortunate incident” on D Street involving a dog that was killed in a backyard by a coyote, according to Constable.

“It’s important to not leave small children or pets unattended in yards or otherwise,” she said. “We’ve spoken with local dog daycare centers and asked them to help pass the word.”

Constable also noted that it’s mating season and that coyotes are a protected species. Select board member Greg Grey cautioned that coyotes can jump a six-foot fence.

“This could get out of control pretty quickly during mating season,” Taverna said.

In response, Constable said there is no indication that the coyote population in Hull is out of control, but emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant.

More information about coyotes will be sought from the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

• The town is working with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority on improvements to the #714 bus system, including likely changing from a flag system for hailing rides to designated ADA-compliant bus stops, with more details to come.

• The Nantasket Beach seawall project is paused for two months due to issues with cement pouring in such cold weather conditions. The timeframe for completion remains the end of December 2025.

• Constable also talked about the proposed two-way road project in the Surfside area, saying it doesn’t exist “solely to support development” and that it involves the Hull Redevelopment Authority, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and state and town-owned land.

“The project is now at the 25% design stage and getting close to the 100% design stage, but we’re waiting for more input from the DCR,” Constable said, among other considerations.

While the project could support development, it’s “as much a safety project as anything else,” she explained. “We’re all familiar with the roadway issues at Mezzo Mare. I was faced with a head-on car recently. The traffic flow and signage are not safe.”

This project was “originally to reduce seasonal congestion and improve safety and accessibility for [beachgoers], to support economic development, and to remedy traffic concerns,” according to Constable.

She also noted that emergency management officials have the authority to temporarily change the direction of a road if necessary during an evacuation.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed and support our work with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.