Lifesaving Museum welcomes new feathered friends: Meet roosters Joshua and James

This week brought an unusual surprise to the Hull Lifesaving Museum. On Monday morning, as staff members arrived to begin their day, they were greeted by two unexpected visitors perched on the ramp – two friendly roosters.

Efforts to locate their owner began immediately. Museum staff made calls to neighbors, hoping the roosters might have escaped accidentally. However, no one seemed to know where they came from, leading to the assumption that they had been abandoned. The Hull Lifesaving Museum then contacted animal control, which worked to identify any possible owners.

In the meantime, the roosters needed names, and the museum drew inspiration from its rich history. The birds were christened Joshua and James, in honor of the legendary lifesaving captain Joshua James, who was stationed at Point Allerton.

During their stay, Joshua and James enjoyed top-notch hospitality. The museum provided them with food, water, and a safe environment. The roosters even got to bask in the festive glow of the museum’s Christmas lights, a display generously created by Wonderly Lights of South Shore.

By Thursday, Joshua and James found their forever home at Three Sisters Homestead in Scituate, where they are sure to thrive.

This charming episode is a reminder of Hull Lifesaving Museum’s enduring motto: “Saving Lives Then, Changing Lives Now.” Whether it’s rescuing those in peril or finding shelter for two wayward roosters, the museum remains dedicated to making a difference in every life it touches.

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Fire department, Campbell Christmas Angels teaming up for holiday toy collection

The Hull Fire Department and Campbell Christmas Angels are joining forces to distribute toys for the Hull Fire Annual Toy Drive.

Central Fire Station is the designated drop off location for the program through December 16.

All donations must be in their original boxes and the items cannot be gift wrapped. We will be accepting toys for age groups, newborn to 18 years old.

Collecting toys is a great initiative for school groups, book groups, etc. Gift cards would also be appreciated.

If you have any questions regarding this wonderful program, please contact Chief Chris Russo, program director, or Jane Walsh, program coordinator, at the Hull Fire Department, 781-773-3875, or jwalsh@town.hull.ma.us.

Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!

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Traditional Thanksgiving bonfire on hold as dry conditions pose public safety risks

By Christopher Haraden

Because of the heightened risk for fires due to the dry weather conditions, Hull’s annual Thanksgiving bonfire has been postponed.

THE FIRE NEXT TIME. Crews have been assembling a pile of wooden pallets on the Hull Redevelopment Authority property in anticipation of the annual Thanksgiving bonfire. However, risks from the state’s severe drought have prompted a postponement of the event until weather conditions improve. [Richard W. Green photo]

In a statement posted online Wednesday morning, Fire Chief Chris Russo cited the continuing drought and hazardous conditions across the state as the reasons for the delay. Wildfires across Eastern Massachusetts have been burning in several communities during the past few weeks, clouding the local atmosphere with smoky conditions.

“We are all aware of the current dry weather which has brought drought and hazardous conditions to the entire state, including the currently active North Shore wildland fires,” Russo said. “Unfortunately, the risk posed by these continuing conditions will have a local impact. After careful consideration, a longstanding Hull Thanksgiving Day tradition, the annual bonfire, is being postponed.”

Russo said he understood the community’s affinity for the bonfire, which is traditionally held on the Hull Redevelopment Authority’s property after dark on Thanksgiving Day, but concerns about safety are top priority. The HRA last week had approved holding the fire for Thursday, November 28, and crews already were piling wooden pallets on the property.

The tradition began in the 1960s as a way to build on the community spirit of Hull High’s football rivalry with neighboring Cohasset. The first bonfires were held at the Dust Bowl playground at Pemberton and later moved to the HRA site after the land was cleared of homes and businesses in the 1970s. This year’s football game will be held in Cohasset at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, November 28.

“While I recognized that this news will come as a disappointment to many in the community, as Hull’s fire chief, decisions in the best interest of public safety must come first and foremost,” he said. “This decision is supported by all department leadership who prepare well in advance to manage this event in the safest possible way each and every year.”

Russo said he will stay in contact with the town manager, police, public works, and light departments to select a new date when weather conditions are more favorable.

“As a resident, I believe this annual Thanksgiving Day tradition brings the community together, much like the football game and the gift of friends and family that we celebrate each Thanksgiving, most of which will remain unchanged,” the chief said. “The town is committed to rescheduling this cherished tradition and will do so in resilient Hull fashion. Stay tuned for the new date!”

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Girls Soccer Team's historic quest for championship ends with 3-2 loss in state finals

Compiled by Matt Haraden

• Congratulations to the Hull High Girls Soccer Team on an incredibly exciting season! The Pirates advanced to the Division 5 State Finals for the first time in program history, but came up one goal short, losing 3-2 to the Douglas Tigers. Elly Thomas and Libby Harper scored the Pirates’ two goals in the championship game. The entire community is proud of this team’s dedicated players and coaches, and enjoyed cheering them on all season!

HISTORIC SEASON. The Hull Girls Soccer Team outplayed all opponents in the playoffs to advance to the state finals on Saturday. Despite a valiant effort, the Pirates fell to the Douglas Tigers, 3-2. Although the game was played at Curry College in Milton, the stands were loud with proud Pirates fans who made the trip to support the history-making team. Click here for a full gallery of photos from the game, by Jennifer Lynne Photography. [Jennifer Whelan photos]

Three Pirates players were recognized as Eastern Massachusetts Girls Soccer Coaches Association All-Stars – Elly Thomas, Elsie Harper, and Fallon Ryan. The All-Star game was played on Sunday, November 24 in Woburn.

• Two members of the Hull High Football Team have been selected as South Shore League All-League players – junior Isaiah Green and senior Luke Dunham. Congratulations to both, and to the entire Pirates team, which finished up its season on Thanksgiving Day game with a loss to the Cohasset Skippers, 51-0.

• With both the Thanksgiving Day football game and the girls soccer finals in the rearview mirror, attention now turns to Hull High’s winter sports season. The Boys Basketball team (varsity and JV) begins the 2024-25 year on the road against Falmouth Academy on Friday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. (JV at 5 p.m.). The Girls Varsity team begins on Wednesday, December 11 at home against Plymouth South at 5 p.m., while the JV squad will be at Randolph on Friday, December 13 at 4 p.m. The first meet for the Boys and Girls Indoor Track teams will be on Monday, December 16 at 6 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.

For more information, visit www.hullpublicschools.org/athletics.

• All three Hull Youth Cheerleading squads dominated the competition with spectacular performances at the Old Colony Youth Cheerleading Association League Championship on Saturday, November 23 in Marshfield. Both the A Squad and the B Squad won first place, while the C Squad came away with a second-place finish. Great work by the team and coaches for an amazing season!

• Hull Youth Lacrosse registration is open until January 22 – in-town registration, kindergarten to second grade, boys and girls travel registration, third to eighth grade, boys and girls. Register at hulllax.com; if you have questions, email hullyouthlax@gmail.com.

• Coaches and Super Fans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Tuesday at midnight. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo.

Thank you for your help!

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© 2024 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Board agrees with engineers’ opinion to retain two-way traffic on Beach Avenue

By Carol Britton Meyer

A report by an engineering firm hired by the town to monitor traffic along Beach Avenue between A and L streets recently recommended that portion of the road retain two-way traffic flow, observing that it “currently operates at low volume and speed.”

The BETA Group was tasked with evaluating a possible two-way to one-way conversion of Beach Avenue. Following a lengthy discussion, the select board voted this week to approve BETA’s recommendation from its August 28 report.

The police and fire departments earlier expressed an interest in changing this stretch of the street to one-way to enhance emergency access.

However, following a review of the BETA study, both departments were in agreement with other town staff to keep the road two-way, Town Manager Jennifer Constable said. She also thanked residents for their input during the process.

Before the vote, a resident living in the area suggested perhaps making Beach Avenue one-way during the summer months, but Merrick Turner of the BETA Group said doing so would make it difficult to manage “all of those side streets,” and that making such a change would most likely result in it becoming a permanent one.

BETA conducted a 72-hour traffic count between Thursday, July 11 and Sunday, July 14 during nice weather at two locations along Beach Avenue and determined that “the traffic volume along [that road] is low” – about 500 to 700 vehicles per day for the average weekday, with Saturday volumes slightly lower at 400 to 500 vehicles per day, and Sunday activity similar to weekday volumes, according to the report.

The 85th percentile speeds – the speed at or below which 85% of drivers travel along a portion of a road — were observed at 20 to 24 miles per hour.

Select board member Brian McCarthy remarked that he found the low volumes and speeds that were reported “surprising.”

BETA also monitored pedestrian activity and parking demand on Sunday, July 21, when the weather was warm and sunny.

“Most pedestrian activity is in an east-to-west direction (and vice versa) crossing Beach Avenue as residents walk to and from the beach,” the report states. “There is typically an entrance to the beach at the end of each of the intersecting alphabet streets, and therefore multiple crossing points. Pedestrian crossing activity appears to peak around mid-day, and up to approximately 50 to 60 pedestrians were observed crossing at various points along Beach Avenue over a 20-minute time period.”

About five bicyclists were observed along Beach Avenue over a 30-minute mid-day period.

BETA also reported that parking along abutter frontage was observed to be minimal, with most parking occurring within the road, with vehicles stopping to unload people visiting the beach.

Although the road is narrow, with a drivable width of about 20 feet, “the low volumes and low speeds along the roadway appear to allow for a safe interaction between the various users,” according to the report.

Concerns expressed by residents at the meeting related in part to cars that park on the intermittent sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk in the street, and a request to install crosswalks where feasible.

BETA staff met with town officials on August 20 to discuss general operations and adjustments that could be made.

The following observations resulted:

⦁ According to the Hull Police Department, Beach Avenue was originally a wider street, but encroachment of the dunes has over time reduced its width. DPW officials noted that other than maintenance operations limited to pushing back encroaching sand by approximately 18 inches, reclaiming the original road width is not permitted.

⦁ Traffic volumes were not expected to be an issue if conversion to one-way were to take place. However, BETA noted that one-way operations could create issues related to accommodating all users and could lead to increased vehicle speeds and “confusion and conflict with bicycle users, who would likely desire to use the roadway in both directions.”

⦁ Installation of a sidewalk and the striping of crosswalks across Beach Avenue at the end of each of the alphabet streets were also considered. Installing a sidewalk on one side of the street is estimated at $350,000, however, not including drainage relocations, and could require modification to one-way operation. Striping about 10 crosswalks would require signage at each one.

⦁ Striping the 20-foot shoulders on either side was deemed impractical since the resulting street would be two narrow for two-way traffic.

⦁ Creating seasonal landing areas at beach entrances using barrels or stanchions to create an obstacle for approaching traffic also was discussed. However, the police department expressed concern about nighttime operations related to “any device encroaching into the roadway” and that they might need to be lit.

In its recommendation that the road remain two-way, BETA noted that any modification would have operational impacts, “which may create more negatives than positives to the general convenience, safety, and use of Beach Avenue and may be less desirable to the community. As such, maintaining existing conditions appears to be a reasonable alternative.”

BETA also suggested continued education for the community, including the periodic use of “dynamic signage” such as sign boards to emphasize the need for “slow operation and caution” along Beach Avenue, and evaluating the feasibility of placement of permanent signs.

Another suggestion offered by BETA is the possibility of improving the sight lines at the dune entrances where needed.

BETA also presented the possibility of rebuilding Beach Avenue from Revere Street to Lewis Street at the town’s expense, since such a project would likely not qualify for funding under the state Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP. Estimates range from $420,000 to $580,000, depending on which option is selected. The repairs would be expected to last for between 10 to 15 years, according to BETA engineers.

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© 2024 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Rebuilding Manomet, Samoset Avenues could include one-way traffic, sidewalks, bike lanes

By Carol Britton Meyer

The town has begun planning the long-awaited reconstruction of Manomet and Samoset Avenues, decried by neighbors for their poor condition and described this week by one resident as an ‘obstacle course’ of potholes and uneven pavement.

Town Manager Jennifer Constable told the select board this week that no design decisions have been made, but community input will be sought throughout the process. Final plans may include new accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians, and could include changing one or both roads to one-way traffic instead of the current two-way setup on each street.

Funding could come from the State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for a more comprehensive project, or entirely from town funds for a simpler one. Various one- and two-way traffic options are under consideration, as well as different parking scenarios.

“A lot more community outreach is needed for this project,” Constable said. “I recommend going forward to determine what this would look like as a TIP project, because it would be more inclusive and provide more accessibility for bikers, walkers, and others.”

No specific design in mind

At Constable’s suggestion, the select board voted to endorse moving forward with the next steps, without specifying which design would be chosen.

A Manomet resident said he was thrilled to see on the agenda that “this obstacle course would be fixed” and asked that measures be included to help decrease the speed of some vehicles in the area.

Options for rehabilitating Samoset Avenue could range from $3.1 to $6.1 million and for Manomet Avenue, $2.8 to $5.5 million, based on a chart provided by the BETA Group engineering firm.

Click here for more details from the BETA Group on the road projects

All of the estimates include constructing pedestrian ramps at the intersections and some include shoulder and sidewalk reconstruction, while another includes construction of a concrete sidewalk with granite curbing down one side of the road.

These estimates are in 2024 dollars and include engineering/construction phase support, police details, and a general contingency.

The BETA Group was hired to complete an assessment of a series of typical sections of Manomet and Samoset, in part to help determine the general feasibility of providing the pedestrian and bicycle accommodations that are required under the TIP process.

On-street parking a consideration

The town has identified on-street parking as an important consideration for reconstruction of these roads. In a recent report, BETA provided scenarios to meet all of these criteria.

Seventy-two hour traffic counts were taken between Thursday, July 11 and Sunday, July 14, with 24-hour volume and speed recorded for each day.

“The traffic volume on each roadway is minor,” Merrick Turner of the BETA Group said in a memorandum to the town. “Along Samoset Avenue, traffic volumes are approximately 1,100 to 1,200 vehicles per day (vpd) for the average weekday and Saturday, with higher Sunday volumes (approximately 1,800 to 2,100 vpd).”

Along Manomet Avenue, traffic volumes are approximately 500 to 600 vehicles per day for the average weekday and Saturday. Sunday volumes are higher at about 900 to 1,100 vpd.

The 85th percentile speeds were observed at 27 mph to 29 mph on Samoset Avenue and 22 mph to 25 mph on Manomet Avenue “and are not indicative of excessive speeds in the corridor,” according to Turner. The 85th percentile speed is the speed at or below which 85% of drivers travel.

Town meeting allocated $500,000

Within the TIP process, the town would be responsible for temporary and permanent easement costs and may or may not elect to “bear the costs of certain abutter impacts, such as relocated walls and fences,” the memo states. “A one-way roadway project that limits right of way and abutter impacts may minimize these costs.” Town meeting earlier committed $500,000 to begin this project.

Total costs to the town when completing the reconstruction of Manomet Avenue and Samoset Avenue through the TIP process are anticipated to be less than completing a less comprehensive project independent of it, according to BETA, but the reconstruction work would take a longer period of time – several years or more, compared with two to three years.

Next steps outlined

Moving forward, next steps include determining whether this will be a town or a TIP project. If the state program is used, the town must determine whether a consensus exists for the one-way option, which BETA considers to be more desirable and a more competitive design, following a local outreach effort.

Adoption of a one-way road for Manomet may influence the selection of a one-way road design for Samoset, and vice versa, according to project engineers.

If the one-way option is favored, the TIP qualification process could begin.

If not, then the study would be redirected to evaluate design elements and to get input from MassDOT.

In other business at the meeting…

⦁ John Struzziery, director of wastewater operations and assistant director of public works, provided an update on the town’s pavement management plan.

Over the past several years, since a $10-million bond was authorized for road improvements, work on 21 miles of roads – 41% of the town’s 50 miles of roads – has been completed at a cost of $23 million, Struzziery said.

“We’ve made a significant investment in roadway infrastructure,” he said.

The costs have added up significantly beyond the $10 million due to unplanned but necessary related work and increasing costs. Some of the additional money came from state-funded programs. Next season, there will be a focus on repairing roads in the Allerton Hill and Hull Village.

⦁ The select board approved Shipwreck’d owner Lillian Parker’s request that the restaurant’s seasonal all-alcohol license be extended until January 15 from November 30.

⦁ The board also approved the renewal of the following annual licenses: The C Note – all-alcohol, entertainment, and automatic amusement; and the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club – all-alcohol, common victualler, and entertainment.

⦁ Also approved by the board were the renewal of package store licenses for The Village Market and West Corner Liquors.

⦁ Breadbasket Bakery and Cafe’s common victualler license was also renewed.

⦁ The lodging house licenses for the Bermaken Hotel, 102 Revere Street, and Nantasket Beach Lodging, 12 Park Avenue, were renewed as well.

⦁ Also renewed was the Class II wholesale license for Ben’s Auto and the livery service license and livery badges for Seaside Transport.

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Wellspring offering free meals for Thanksgiving, as well as discounted holiday shopping

 By Carol Britton Meyer

There’s still time to place a reservation for a Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the fixings as part of a 10-year cooperative effort between Wellspring Multi-Service Center and Alma Nove’s Paul Wahlberg through the “Alma Cares” program. Both are named after the Wahlberg family matriarch, Alma, and in the case of the restaurant, her nine (nove) children.

“This is a way to ensure that families and individuals have food for Thanksgiving,” Wellspring President & CEO Vinny Harte told The Hull Times. “No one should ever go without.”

The meal boxes will be available for pickup on Turkey Tuesday – two days before Thanksgiving to allow plenty of preparation time – to enjoy during the holiday. Arrangements can be made to have meals delivered for those without transportation.

Call Wellspring Food Services Director Anne Stenfors at 781-925-3211, ext. 122 to reserve a Thanksgiving meal, free of charge.

Starting this Friday, November 22, students enrolled in Wellspring’s entrepreneurial adult education classes through the Sprout Center for Jobs will host “Festive Fridays” for the second year due to last year’s success.

A holiday shop set up in the extension of the thrift shop will offer seasonal decorations, gifts customers can purchase for family and friends, clothing, baked goods, and other items.

“Donations for the shop are already coming in from individuals and organizations in the community,” Harte said.

The holiday shop will be open every Friday through December 20, except for the day after Thanksgiving, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This will not only be a great opportunity to buy really nice items, all at good prices,” Harte said, “It’s also a chance for our students to take a project from start to finish, while giving them the ability to expand their job skills and real-life experiences.”

Wellspring is also offering a holiday gift program for parents and caregivers of children who can use assistance during these challenging times.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to stop by Wellspring, 814 Nantasket Ave., to fill out an application asking for the ages, gender, sizes, and gifts their children desire for Christmas.

“We’ve been organizing this program for 25 years, meeting the needs of each of the families,” Harte said. Families are matched with donors, who provide gifts from their wish lists.

The gifts are available for pickup closer to the holiday. Those interested in donating to this program are asked to call Stenfors at the above number.

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Planners approve Paragon Dunes design changes, calling the mixed-use proposal ‘a better project than it was before’

By Carol Britton Meyer 

The planning board unanimously approved modifications to the mixed-use Paragon Dunes development at the former Paragon Boardwalk at its well-attended November 14 meeting, following a lengthy discussion and numerous earlier hearings.

The project moving forward is contingent on conservation commission, sewer department, and building commissioner approval. The proposed development is located at 181-199 Nantasket Avenue – from the former Dalat restaurant to the miniature golf course.

THE NEWEST RENDERINGS OF THE PARAGON DUNES PROJECT.

Approval of the initial Paragon Dunes plans granted by the planning board on March 20 was subject to conditions, including gaining approval from all the appropriate state agencies. The plans were reviewed by the board April 3 and approved April 10.

Stormwater management addressed

However, the developer, the Procopio Companies, found it necessary to present revised plans to the planning board at the end of this summer in response to comments received during the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review process. Most of the modifications address stormwater management and landscaping issues.

A MEPA certificate was recently issued for the development after the state Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs determined that the Environmental Notification Form (ENF) submitted for the proposal “adequately described the project and assessed its impacts,” and it was also determined that “an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is not required,” Adam Brodsky, attorney for the developer, said at the meeting. “We request that the board close the hearing tonight.”

Based on MEPA regulatory review and requirements, “the applicant is advised to continue to study alternatives and additional measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate project impacts and effects,” Hull Conservation Administrator Ian MacDonald told The Hull Times in response to an email inquiry.

Due to the lack of a quorum at its November 12 meeting, the conservation commission was unable to address the Paragon Dunes project and will re-advertise and re-notify abutters, according to MacDonald.

Residential and commercial uses

The development will include 132 residential units, commercial uses, an elevated courtyard with an inground pool, public open spaces, a parking garage, surface parking for a total of 180 cars, and a dog run.

Click here for plans, reports, and other info on the Paragon Dunes project

The now-approved proposed changes include creating a 10-foot-wide wooden boardwalk along Nantasket Avenue with stairs and handicapped-accessible ramps, and elevating all but one of the commercial spaces and the residential lobby to a height that is about two feet, four inches above the current level of the sidewalk.

The raised boardwalk will allow flood water to pass under the building, but will not increase the overall height of the structure, as the interior ceiling heights of the first-floor commercial spaces will be reduced. One of the commercial spaces won’t be elevated because of its location; it would be disconnected from the public area if elevated.

The building is also being pushed back 10 feet from Nantasket Avenue, as well as the same distance from the northern boundary near the state Department of Conservation and Recreation’s comfort station.

Changes won’t affect project’s density

These modifications, however, won’t materially change the density, unit count, parking, or the architecture of the earlier-approved plan, Brodsky said earlier.

The Design Review Board also weighed into the process. At the request of Planning Board Chair Jeanne Paquin and the DRB, a landscape architect with expertise in coastal landscaping reviewed the landscaping plan to ensure the plantings will survive at that location, considering its proximity to the ocean.

The landscape architect hired to do the review assured the board that the plantings included in the current plan are salt- and wind-tolerant.

Both DRB alternate Kevin Locke and resident Bill Smyth suggested getting the Hull Garden Club involved.

“Get someone familiar with Hull to work with the consultant [about the plantings],” Smyth said. “Let somebody from the Garden Club be your guide. Trust me, you need a native.”

‘What’s best for the town’

Resident Susan Mann reiterated what she said she read “in the MEPA letter” related to encouraging those making the decisions to think carefully about the project and, in her own words, to consider “what’s best for the town and the people who will be living in this building.”

Planning board member Harry Hibbard countered that as far as he can tell, “every single recommendation,” whether made by the DRB, planning board, or members of the community, has been “responded to and accommodated by” the development team.

“I’ve never seen a more professional or responsive approach to this kind of a project, period,” he said. “[The development team] has bent over backwards to do what they have been asked to do, and we take everything that’s put in front of us into consideration. We’ve spent hours and hours on this. I object to your suggestion that they aren’t being cooperative.”

In response, Mann said that wasn’t her intent.

“I was just responding to the MEPA letter saying they hope people will take [the available information] into consideration,” she said.

Procopio Director of Development David Roache reiterated that the development team “has taken this very seriously,” working with not only the town, but also the Woods Hole Group and the state Office of Coastal Zone Management.

‘Narrow and specific’ vote

Before the vote, Paquin noted that the board’s charge was “narrow and specific,” and that the vote related only to the modifications submitted by the developer.

She also noted that a mixed-use development at this location would “liven the area and make it more active. … I think we’ve reached a good compromise for the town and the developer. I’m comfortable with it,” she said.

The board ultimately voted to close the hearing and went on to unanimously approve the modifications (members Jim Pitrolo and Nathan Peyton were not present).

Community Development and Planning Director Chris DiIorio is still drafting the planning board’s conditions to the approval of the modifications, and encouraged any members who would like to add conditions to reach out to him soon.

“This is clearly a better project than it was before,” he said.

In response to a “thank you” from the development team following the vote, Paquin said, “We got there!”

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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Volunteers preparing meals for more than 1,000 families in the spirit of Thanksgiving

By Carol Britton Meyer

Continuing a more than 10-year tradition, organizers Craig Wolfe and his family – with the assistance of more than 240 volunteers – prepare and deliver complimentary Thanksgiving dinners to 900 households in Hull and surrounding communities. Wolfe is Hull’s emergency preparedness coordinator.

Daddy’s Beach Club will serve 100 meals to adults and children at the restaurant that afternoon and provides supplies for the meals.

Other volunteers include the Nantasket-Hull Rotary Club, a number of local restaurants, and members of the community, all working as part of a community-wide effort to spread joy and love on Thanksgiving.

‘Nice feeling for volunteers and those enjoying the meal’

“This is a good opportunity for people of all ages to share their different skill sets, whether cooking or organizing a large event, to provide meals to so many people – including those facing food insecurity and others who just would like to get together with other members of the community on Thanksgiving,” Wolfe told The Hull Times. “It’s a nice feeling for both the volunteers and those enjoying the meal.”

The dinners include turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, and homemade pumpkin pie. Bags of groceries are also provided for each individual or family.

Jim O’Brien from Jake’s Seafood Restaurant donates the turkeys, Weinberg’s provides the stuffing and pies, the SandBar heats the vegetables and the pies, and Daddy’s cooks and hosts the meal for those wishing to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner there.

The first year Daddy’s opened, in 2010, owner Jeff Lemkin partnered with Wellspring Multi-Service Center for the first buffet-style community Thanksgiving dinner for Hull residents, serving about 40 to 50 meals. The success of the program is evidenced by the greatly increased number of volunteers and recipients.

Participants can either pick up their food at Daddy’s, 280 Nantasket Ave., eat at the restaurant, or have the meals delivered to their homes.

Effort is in the spirit of friendship 

“A lot of people are unable to drive or don’t have transportation, and we wanted to include them,” Wolfe said. “Providing Thanksgiving dinners helps people feel cared for, and those who dine at Daddy’s have a chance to socialize with other community members, including children, in the spirit of friendship.”

Volunteers arrive at Daddy’s at 7 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning to unload the supplies and prepare the kitchen for cooking. Plating of the food and filling of grocery bags begins around 8 a.m., so that meals are ready for delivery by 9 a.m.

Meal pick-up time is between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. in front of Daddy’s. An assembly line puts together the food for each destination, whether for an in-person pickup or delivery.

“Every year our extended family comes together at Thanksgiving to make sure that everyone who would like one receives a hot meal,” Wolfe said.

The community is invited to make donations in support of this effort and to help keep the program going. Each meal costs about $25. The Rotary Club is accepting checks made out to Nantasket-Hull Rotary Club by mail at P.O. Box 38, Hull, MA 02045, or by Venmo using the QR code. Earmark the donation by noting “Thanksgiving.”

Those wishing to register for a meal delivery should call Kim at 781-925-1165. For reservations to eat the meal on-site beginning at noon, call 781-925-3600.

Volunteer opportunities

Anyone who would like to volunteer to assist on Thanksgiving morning, or has questions about the program should contact Wolfe directly, 781-771-6416. Volunteer opportunities include cooking, serving, plating meals, cutting pies, boxing and bagging, loading, delivering, and “smiling and laughing!”

This effort is in partnership with the South Shore Community Action Council and The Outreach Program (Ending Hunger. Enriching Lives), which also provide food.

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Water company to study razing building on site of new Strawberry Hill tank

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Weir River Water System board of commissioners this week approved funding to add to the scope of the new one-million-gallon Strawberry Hill water storage tank and booster pumping station design project, including potentially demolishing the remaining structure on the site of old tank this winter if it’s safe to do so.

During the first year of owning the WRWS, officials immediately began developing a master plan to identify water system needs. The Hingham select board serves as the system’s water commissioners.

THE WEIR RIVER WATER SYSTEM WILL STUDY THE COSTS OF REMOVING THIS BUILDING ON PROSPECT AVENUE AS IT CONTINUES ITS PLANS TO REBUILD A WATER TANK ON HULL’S STRAWBERRY HILL.

Priority one in the final plan presented in October 2022 was a new water storage tank within the WRWS distribution system – hence the Strawberry Hill project. A full hydraulic analysis, tank siting study, and a master plan for the work were submitted last January.

The additional funding approved by the board this week will pay for evaluating and determining whether the existing structure on Strawberry Hill can be “demolished and disposed of safely,” WRWS Managing Director/Superintendent Russell Tierney told the commissioners Wednesday night. “I’m confident that there is some kind of contamination, such as asbestos, [to be removed].”

When asked by water commissioner and Hingham Select Board Chair Joseph Fisher if any asbestos that might be found could affect the water supply, Tierney responded that there would be no resulting hazard.

The new tank would be about double the capacity of the old Strawberry Hill tank, which was taken down after a 2008 study by the water company determined the 75-year-old structure was no longer needed.

The new tank and pumping station are expected to improve the reliability of service while ensuring adequate water pressure and flow for Hull customers.

“The new tank would provide significant benefits to the water system including, but not limited to, redundancy, pressure stabilization, increased fire-flow capabilities, and improved water quality,” Procurement and Contracts Manager David Sequeira explained in a recent memo to the Hingham select board.

WRWS officials will talk with neighbors living on both sides of the Prospect Avenue property about these plans if the project proceeds, Tierney said.

The Hull police and fire communications equipment located in the existing building would be moved to another location when the structure is demolished and eventually installed in the new tank under the tower, where there will be space, according to Tierney. The equipment is installed in the water tank area because reception is better at that height than in some other parts of town.

The work if it moves forward — at an additional cost of $56,400 — is expected to be completed this winter within about a two-week time period -- with minimal noise impacts and debris expected.

The new contract total with Environmental Partners Group, LLC for this part of the project is $342,600. The associated disposal costs for the small structure and any hazardous waste have not yet been determined.

The funding source is through a 2024 Hingham Annual Town Meeting vote. At that time, voters approved an amount of up to $21 million for costs associated with WRWS design, construction, reconstruction, repair, and improvement projects through borrowing.

The approved amount included $12.755 million for the design, permitting, and construction of a new water storage tank at Strawberry Hill; $2.25 million for an associated booster pumping station; $3 million for rehabilitation of the corroding Turkey Hill water tank; and $3 million for ongoing maintenance of the water system.

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