Board adopts Dignity Pledge, reaffirms Hull’s commitment to ‘No Place for Hate’ ideals
/By Carol Britton Meyer
The select board addressed a full agenda this week, from hearing a shade tree decision appeal and moving forward with the earlier created 250th Anniversary Committee to reaffirming the No Place for Hate pledge and adopting a Dignity Pledge.
Greg and Judy Cunningham of 49 Prospect Avenue appeared before the board to appeal the earlier decision of Tree Warden Chris Gardner, who leads the Department of Public Works, to not take down three maple trees on town property by their house that they say obscure their view entering and leaving the driveway. Numerous residents wrote letters expressing opposition to their removal. An unhealthy birch tree was removed following the September hearing.
Following some discussion, Gardner felt comfortable with removing the three maples (which are saplings) but not a remaining healthy birch tree (a request withdrawn by the Cunninghams) – a resolution supported by the board with the understanding that the Cunninghams will plant three trees from between eight and 18 feet tall in approximately the same area, but outside of the sight line and out of reach of the power lines, by the end of 2025.
In other business…
• On a reminder by former select board member John Reilly, the board supported establishing a 10-member 250th Anniversary Committee that was prematurely approved at a meeting in 2021.
The committee is charged with planning townwide activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence; focusing on remembrances concentrated throughout 2025-26; coordinating events related to the founding of the country; and aligning Hull events with other local, state, regional, and federal commemorations.
Along those lines, the select board is seeking three citizens at large volunteers to serve on the USA Semiquincentennial (250th) Anniversary Committee. Those with an interest in serving are asked to submit a letter of interest to the select board by email to Lori West, lwest@town.hull.ma.us.
Three members with community connections will also be appointed, along with three others. Reilly has agreed to spearhead the effort.
There will be numerous community events offering volunteer engagement for interested residents with a passion for local history.
• The select board also reaffirmed the No Place for Hate pledge that the board adopted in November 2022. It reads: “The Hull Select Board believes in the strength and vitality of an inclusive, equitable, and diverse community. We will work to support and promote these qualities in Hull through the town’s policies and operations.”
Hull “can be proud it’s an active NPFH community, which speaks volumes about what we are as a town,” Chair Irwin Nesoff said.
• In addition, the board adopted the Dignity Pledge, feeling that now is a good time heading toward annual town meeting season, which Town Manager Jennifer Constable noted can be “contentious.”
The Dignity Index Project involves measuring how people talk to each other when they disagree and is based on the core beliefs that contempt causes division, while dignity eases division; that if a spotlight is put on dignity and contempt, people will use more dignity and less contempt; and that if Americans are shown how they can help ease divisions among themselves, they will “jump on it.”
The pledge reads: “As an American who knows and loves my country, I am convinced there is no America without democracy, no democracy without healthy debate, and no healthy debate without dignity; therefore, I pledge to do more to treat others with dignity, not contempt.”
Now is the “right time to reenforce this,” Constable said. “Let’s approach town meeting as a community event and recognize past progress. This is a leadership opportunity for the board.”
Resident Patrick Finn said it’s important not to discourage free speech, noting that the annual town meeting provides a once-a-year opportunity for citizens to “express genuine concern without censorship.”
In Nesoff’s opinion, though, if someone comes to town meeting angry, the pledge could help them “constructively express that.”
He emphasized that the pledge “is not right or left, conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat. It’s about how we treat each other and about taking a breath and listening to what people are saying – which gives us time to formulate a cogent response. It opens up dialogue.”
• Wellspring Multi-Service Center President and CEO Vinny Harte was reappointed to the affordable housing committee.
• Economic development committee members Kim Roy and William Smyth submitted letters of resignation.
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