Remembering Hull’s biggest issues and memorable newsmakers of 2024 – Part 2
/Compiled by The Hull Times staff
JULY
Former Memorial Middle School Principal Anthony Hrivnak was named the new Hull High School assistant principal, replacing Julie Burke, who had not reported to work since early May. Retiring Hull Public Schools Superintendent Judith Kuehn reported that Hrivnak was appointed to his new role in consultation with new Superintendent Michael Jette. Burke reportedly resigned on June 12, although neither the school committee nor administrators made any announcement of her departure to students, families, or the community.
On July 2 and 3, the Hull Redevelopment Authority hosted outdoor performances of the Hideaway Circus on its property. The sold-out shows attracted large crowds on both nights.
The Hull Redevelopment Authority did not approve a motion made by Adrienne Paquin to “not endorse the draft Urban Renewal Plan as currently written.” Paquin said she was prompted to make the motion because it has come to her attention the draft URP is being used as justification for other projects in town, when it is not something that is ready to happen. The motion was met with heated discussion, but all members of the HRA agreed the goal is to get back to the board’s core mission and revise the draft plan.
No longer allowing telephone poles to be placed along the railroad bed in the northern alphabet section of town, a stipulation that was included in a town meeting-approved warrant article, was not yet in effect because the town was still awaiting Attorney General approval of the policy. Poles had been placed this year and the town manager asked that they not be removed.
A Bastille Day concert and celebration at Fort Revere recognized the partnership of the French during the American Revolution, in particular the French soldiers who were stationed at the fort’s earlier incarnation, Fort Independence.
Wellspring held its annual Adult Education Program graduation ceremony, with numerous graduates from Hull and surrounding communities.
A heat wave continued, bringing heavy weekend traffic to Hull’s main access roads. Cars were backed up on George Washington Boulevard past the Hull Medical Center.
A large crowd gathered for an update on the seawall project along Nantasket Avenue at the foot of Allerton Hill near the lagoon and a discussion of the temporary traffic plan. Residents expressed concerns about the planned one-way road, providing accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists during the construction; additional expected traffic on Allerton Hill due to detours; and whether these changes should have gone before the select board acting as the town’s traffic commissioners.
A gorgeous sunset set the scene for the Hull Lifesaving Museum’s annual Harbor Illumination. Highlights included a rowing team taking to the water at dusk along with bagpiper Owen Foley, as well as the “Forever Flare” ceremony at A Street Pier, at which flares were lit in memory of friends and family members in an annual tribute. Residents took to the hills all over Hull to get the best view of the harbor lights.
Hull High School’s former assistant principal, who stopped reporting to work in early May and resigned on June 12 with no public acknowledgement by the Hull school department, was hired as the assistant principal at Mansfield High School.
AUGUST
According to a survey conducted by a private firm in conjunction with SOS (Save our Space) Hull, an organization that opposes large-scale development of the HRA property, residents and visitors who responded do not want the Hull Redevelopment Authority land to be heavily developed. When asked to select their top several choices for the use of the land, 80% of Hull residents surveyed want walkable park space, while 57% want a music or event performance space. Hull has a population of more than 10,000 people; out of 873 people responding to the survey, only 631 were Hull resident respondents.
The Hull Redevelopment Authority held the first of several facilitated discussions about the reuse of its 13-acre property. While no decisions were made during the nearly three-hour meeting, a majority of the members said they favored deleting housing from the list of development goals in the draft Urban Renewal Plan. The meeting was billed as a working session for HRA members without public comments, so open space advocates held up signs to express their opinions.
The Weir River Water System pledged to improve customer communication in the aftermath of complaints about widespread water discoloration that occurred over several days in June. The plan was developed in response to complaints about how the company handled notifying customers of the initial discoloration issue and subsequent updates.
A memorial stone honoring victims of Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War was dedicated at the war memorial at Monument Square.
Work on replacing the seawall running along Nantasket Avenue adjacent to the lagoon at the foot of Allerton Hill began. Modification to the intersection of Beacon Road, Fitzpatrick Way, and Nantasket Avenue was complete, and the town reported receiving positive responses from neighbors. Nantasket Avenue was closed along the seawall. The time span for the project extends through December 21, 2025.
The Hull Garden Club gathered on the lawn of the Hull Public Library to make several dedications at the annual picnic. A silver maple was dedicated to the HGC’s past president, Helen Weiser. A rhododendron garden was dedicated to Jeanne-Marie Parkes, also a past president of the Hull Garden Club.
Graham Whelan, the organizer of a fishing camp at Hull Gut, found a Civil War-era cannonball on the beach. This was the most common solid shot projectile of any caliber used during the Civil War by either the U.S. or Confederates.
The select board appointed patrolman James “Garret” Toner to the position of sergeant upon the recommendation of Police Chief John Dunn. Toner’s appointment filled the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Sgt. Scott Saunders, who had been on administrative leave since 2023 after being arrested in Pembroke for assaulting a 72-year-old neighbor. Toner is a state certified tactical instructor for the department as well as an officer-in-charge, and has been awarded the department lifesaving medal.
The planning board voted in support of engaging the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to assist with creating the town’s master plan at the request of Director of Community Development and Planning Chris DiIorio.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes collected in Hull. Insects with the virus also were found in other communities across the South Shore.
The Hull Lifesaving Museum, in collaboration with Hull High School, dedicated and launched two 19-foot Stretch Gloucester Gull skiffs at Pemberton Pier. The boats, built by students under the guidance of woodshop teacher Derek Skapars and museum Executive Director Michael McGurl, were sponsored by Hull Pride and an MIT Sea Grant.
It was standing room only during the first Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on a proposal to build a four-story, 12-unit condominium development on a .63-acre lot at 25 Ipswich Street behind the former Veterans of Foreign Wars post in the Rockaway Annex neighborhood. This is the first comprehensive permit under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B to come before the board. Abutters’ concerns included the impacts of potential blasting, disruptions to the neighborhood, stormwater runoff, water supply, setback requirements, additional traffic, maximum lot coverage, height of the six two-unit buildings, and flooding, among others.
SEPTEMBER
The developer of the proposed Paragon Dunes mixed-use project at the former Paragon Boardwalk presented revised plans to the planning board in response to comments received during the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review process. Most of the modifications address stormwater management and landscaping, including 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. The building also is 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. The stepped-up boardwalk would allow flood water to pass under the building, but would not increase the overall height of the structure, as the interior ceiling heights of the first-floor commercial spaces will be reduced.
The 19th Endless Summer Waterfront Festival showcased the best restaurants, retail, and service businesses, as well as community groups, that make Hull special. Among the organizations participating were Hull Pride, Hull Artists, Hull Lions Club, Hull DPW, Friends of the Paragon Carousel, and many more.
The select board adopted the five-year Hull Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 update at Climate Adaptation and Conservation Director Chris Krahforst’s request. Prior to the vote, he shared news that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had already approved the plan, pending its adoption by the board. The purpose of the plan is to reduce the town’s vulnerability to natural hazards such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms.
The streets of Kenberma were transformed into a music festival featuring 30-plus bands from all over the Boston area – in genres including bluegrass, jazz, blues, plus plenty of rock’n’roll – who performed for attendees of all ages on donated porches and driveways that became stages for a day. The annual event raised money for programs for veterans at the Hull Lifesaving Museum.
The annual Nantasket Beach Car Show took over the main avenue as hundreds of vintage and classic autos were on display. Funds raised from the event benefit Cops for Kids with Cancer and other local charitable organizations.
The select board named Mead, Talerman & Costa, LLC to serve as Hull’s new town counsel for a one-year term. MTC would replace longtime Town Counsel James Lampke, who would assist with the transition.
The Town of Hull paused to remember those killed and injured by the terror attacks of 9/11/01. This year’s ceremony was held outdoors on a beautiful evening at the Bernie King Pavilion.
While the expectation in June was that the Hull Wind II turbine would be back in service soon, that might not be the way the scenario plays out after all. At that time, the Hull Municipal Light Board was awaiting the arrival of bolts to replace ones that had broken off of the turbine. While the parts were delivered, the repair didn’t solve the problem. The light board said that if another attempt to fix the turbine doesn’t solve the problem, the structure will be dismantled next year.
The select board approved a five-year renewal of the cable television license of Verizon New England. The term is for five years and part of the deal was a $90,000 public, education, and government programming grant and a commitment to connect cable service to the planned new town offices at the former Memorial Middle School.
In a landmark environmental restoration initiative, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Center for Coastal Studies led a historic cleanup of five key islands in the Boston Harbor. Dozens of volunteers participate, sorting through the tons of material collected and brought to the staging area at Pemberton Pier for eventual disposal. In October, more volunteers would converge on Nantasket Beach to remove trash and debris from the Atlantic shoreline.
OCTOBER
The Zoning Board of Appeals continued its review of a four-story, 12-unit condominium development proposed for the Rockaway Annex neighborhood, the first project in town to be proposed under the state’s Chapter 40B comprehensive permit law. The developer provided a project update. The board voted to hire Merrill Engineers and Land Surveyors of Hanover to complete a developer-funded peer review.
Dozens gathered at the Sgt. Joseph Bazinet Bridge, which connects Spinnaker Island with the mainland, to pay tribute to members of the military and others who have been lost at sea. The Windemere was one of four lobster boats participating in the wreath-laying ceremony, held in the shadow of the Gold Star Mothers Memorial at Hull Village Cemetery.
Police Chief John Dunn recommended – and the select board approved – the removal of all parking meters townwide, coupled with a proposal to move to a pay-by-phone app system that many communities around the state and country have already implemented. An increase in parking fees was part of the recommendation. The cost to the town to set up such a system was estimated at about $1,500, with a six-to-eight week timeframe to get it up and running.
Dozens of rowers in boats of all kinds took to the water in the Hull Lifesaving Museum’s annual Head of the Weir race. The 5.5-mile course started at the headwaters of the Weir River, made its way out past Bumpkin Island and across the bay to the Windmill Point Boathouse at Hull Gut, where volunteers were waiting to greet them and the spectators who crowded in for a great selection of soups and other treats.
The Hull School Committee declined to take a position on the upcoming ballot question about removing the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests as a high school graduation requirement.
The Hull Redevelopment Authority agreed to mark the cover page of the draft Urban Renewal Plan posted on the Authority’s website as “in progress” rather than as a “public review draft.” Older versions of the plan, suggestions by members, and ideas submitted by the public would remain posted on the authority’s website. Members voted beginning planning to include an additional option in the draft.
The Northern Lights lit up the skies over the South Shore, offering a rare sight on October 10.
The housing consultant and engineer for the proposed comprehensive permit development at 25 Ipswich St. in the Rockaway Annex neighborhood met with the planning board. A site visit was scheduled for November, with the developer, planning board, zoning board of appeals, design review board, and other town officials to experience first-hand what is being proposed.
NOVEMBER
The select board unanimously agreed to enter into a Host Community Agreement with Alternative Compassion Services, Inc. to sell retail marijuana in addition to the medical marijuana that has been sold at its 175 George Washington Blvd. location for the past two-and-a-half years. Town meeting earlier authorized allowing up to two retail marijuana establishments in town.
The select board voted to maintain a single tax rate for residential and commercial properties during its tax classification hearing for fiscal year 2025. The FY25 tax rate is $11.21 per $1,000 of assessed value, compared with $11.65 for FY24, for a decrease of 4%. However, the average valuation of a single-family home increased from $619,800 in FY24 to $673,300 for FY25, with an average annual tax bill of $7,548 as compared with $7,221 in FY24.
6,820 Hull residents cast their votes in the presidential election with the final tally being 4,100 for Harris-Walz and 2,499 for Trump-Vance. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congressman Stephen Lynch, State Senator Patrick O’Connor, and State Representative Joan Meschino were reelected to their seats.
Several residents of the Alphabet section of Hull reported seeing a minke whale swimming through the bay near K and M Streets; later, a dead whale was found on the shore near O Street. The whale was removed and tests would determine its cause of death.
Because of the heightened risk for fires due to the dry weather conditions, Hull’s annual Thanksgiving bonfire was postponed. In a statement posted online, Fire Chief Chris Russo cited the continuing drought and hazardous conditions across the state as the reasons for the delay.
The Weir River Water System board of commissioners 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 safe to do so.
The planning board unanimously approved modifications to the mixed-use Paragon Dunes development at the former Paragon Boardwalk. The project moving forward is contingent on conservation commission, sewer department, and building commissioner approval.
Hull Police investigated how a live bullet ended up in the Jacobs School gym. The bullet was discovered by a student during an evening sports practice. The Massachusetts State Police conducted a full sweep of the Jacobs School with a K9 unit specifically trained in firearms and ammunition detection. No additional ammunition or any weapons were found. Hull Police reported that there was no threat to the safety of the school’s students or staff, and no threats had been made toward the Hull Public Schools.
Two stray roosters found temporary shelter at the Hull Lifesaving Museum. The birds were christened Joshua and James, in honor of the legendary lifesaving captain Joshua James and subsequently found a home at Three Sisters Homestead in Scituate
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, after evaluating a possible two-way to one-way conversion of Beach Avenue.
More than 250 volunteers coordinated the preparation, packaging, and delivery of 1,100 holiday dinners and bags of donated groceries to local families. Using Daddy’s Beach Club as a home base (where 200 were served inside), the volunteers packed up the meals – complete with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pie – for a hundred residents to pick up, while the remainder of the dinners were hand-delivered in less than four hours.
DECEMBER
Neighbors and town officials raised concerns about the impacts of a proposed three-story, 12-unit comprehensive permit project on one of the highest points in Hull during a zoning board of appeals hearing. A second site visit was scheduled. Hull’s fire chief told the ZBA that he is concerned about access for emergency vehicles and neighbors said the addition of dozens of cars on the narrow roads would impact their quality of life.
Town Manager Jennifer Constable earned high marks and a pay raise in her first performance evaluation. Based on Constable’s performance during her first year on the job, the board approved a 3% raise retroactive to her August 16 anniversary date. Constable’s initial salary was $190,600.
The select board unanimously approved a Host Community Agreement with Alternative Compassion Services that would allow the business at 175 George Washington Boulevard to sell retail marijuana.
The town’s traditional bonfire – postponed from Thanksgiving Day because of the danger of outdoor burning in the unusually dry conditions – was rescheduled for Saturday, December 28, one month later than originally planned.
Hull Public Schools students fared well overall on the 2024 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams compared with achievement levels statewide, with room for improvement, according to a presentation at a meeting of the school committee. Fifty-four percent of students in grades 3 through 8 met or exceeded expectations on the English Language Arts exam, and 46% of students in the same grades met or exceeded expectations above the state average of 41% on the math exam. 58% percent of grade 10 students met or exceeded expectations on the ELA exam, while 51% met or exceeded expectations on the math exam.
The Hull School Committee recognized several students for their outstanding academic achievements, including Boden Ciulla-Sestito: AP Scholar with Honors; Grace Naylor: AP Scholar with Distinction; Shane Grier: AP Scholar; Nathan Somario: MCAS perfect score in Grade 5 STE; Audrey Lancaster: MCAS perfect score in Grade 6 ELA; Allison Collins: MCAS perfect score in Grade 6 ELA; and Nelleh Huxtable: MCAS perfect score in Grade 8 ELA.
Santa Claus made his annual visit to the Paragon Carousel, delighting children of all ages. Santa’s favorite elf, Moe, handed out reindeer food to those who made a donation to the carousel, while Santa himself posed for photos with local families. Flying Santa made a stop at the Point Allerton Coast Guard Station to bring cheer to the Coast Guard personnel and their families. A lobster trap tree lit up Mariners Park and the buoy tree was moved from the Hull Lifesaving Museum to the intersection of Nantasket Avenue and Hull Shore Drive for all to see and enjoy.
The Hull Police Department welcomed four new officers, as the newest recruits graduated from the Boylston Police Academy were sworn in by the town clerk. New officers included Thomas Walters, Anthony Bates, Michael McDonald, and Thomas Bellew.
Hull Municipal Lighting Plant decided that, despite several repair attempts, the 18-year-old wind turbine at the former sanitary landfill was unable to be fixed and would have to come down. The plant began soliciting bids for the dismantling and disposal of the tower and blades.
At the request of the War Memorial Commission, the select board approved a new policy that prohibits anything other than official and military-related flags – such as holiday decorations like Christmas trees or menorahs – from being displayed at Monument Square.
Members of the Hull PorchFest team attended the Hull Lifesaving Museum’s veterans coffee hour, and presented a check for $5,000 to HLM to help fund the museum’s programs for veterans, including coffee-hour speaker fees, and boat-building and rowing sessions that are free to veterans.
At the request of the Affordable Housing Committee, the select board approved a motion to direct the town to prioritize affordable housing and to investigate potential locations, with the goal of presenting at least one property for consideration at the May town meeting. In addition, the AHC asked the board to support the creation of an affordable housing trust, which would allow more leeway in taking advantage of potential low- and moderate-income affordable housing opportunities that might come up in-between town meetings. The board was in support. Such a trust would be linked to Hull’s Community Preservation Act funds, with about $500,000 currently available from the annual required 10% allocation of funds to the community housing category.
Happy New Year!
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