By Carol Britton Meyer

During a three-hour meeting Monday night, the Hull Redevelopment Authority reviewed two vendor applications for the summer season – both focusing on connecting residents during “increasingly disconnected times” through community-building events – in addition to hearing a proposal for a public/private partnership to build a child wellness and community center. (See related story).

Jane Wicks would like to “test pilot” a community market by the gazebo and Weir River on four Saturdays in June, featuring vendors such as local painters, potters, woodworkers, and booksellers, a vintage clothing store, music, and healers.

“The goal is to say ‘Hi’ to our neighbors more often,” she said.

Jennifer Freedman, owner of Groom with Me, would like to connect members of the community “from ages zero to 100” at the same location as Wicks but on a different schedule by offering “Rooted in Hull” family- and dog-friendly backyard-style barbecues to celebrate the end of the school year and also to mark summer’s end.

This will be an opportunity to connect with other residents of all ages – “to find a buddy or friendly neighbor to check in throughout the year,” she said.

Parking, traffic management, trash removal, and other issues will be addressed. Both proposals will be considered again at the March 10 meeting of the redevelopment authority.

In other business…

• Paula Devereaux, the HRA’s attorney, provided guidance on how board members should handle public records requests. While the authority hasn’t received such a request, an inquiry about how to request public records was received. The board will discuss appointing a member to serve as the HRA’s public records officer at an upcoming meeting, at their attorney’s suggestion. The late James Tobin served in that capacity while on the board.

Under state law, should such a request be submitted, the HRA has 10 days to respond, either with the requested information, or if it’s not immediately available, to respond that more time is needed.

The public records officer will start off by learning what records exist, where they can be found, and organizing them.

Longtime HRA member Bartley Kelly offered to assist whoever is appointed, but due to other responsibilities, he is unable to assume that role.

“I know where documents from 12 years ago can be found, but the board goes back 60 years,” he said.

Devereaux noted that any requests for HRA public records should be as specific as possible.

Member Adrienne Paquin will respond to the individual who made the initial inquiry, which led to this discussion.

• Upcoming meetings are scheduled for March 10 over Zoom; March 31, in-person at the Memorial School to consider vendor concessions bids; April 7, in-person at the Memorial School to consider parking lot bids; and April 14 over Zoom.

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