DCR accepting feedback on floodproofing strategies for the Nantasket Reservation

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PRESENTATION

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting feedback until November 30 on its Flood Resilience Adaptation Strategies report aimed at reducing flooding along Nantasket Avenue and Hull Shore Drive

The strategies being considered for the state-controlled property, known as the Nantasket Reservation, include changing traffic patterns, relocating buildings, reducing parking areas, and building taller seawalls or rock revetments along the boardwalk from the foot of Atlantic Hill to the Hull Redevelopment Authority property.

An online meeting was held October 20, and an in-person meeting October 27. A recording of the October 20 meeting is available at www.mass.gov/dcr-public-meetings-information/events/past.

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Public invited to forum on the local use of automated license plate recognition cameras

The public is invited to attend a discussion about automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras  on Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m. at Hull High School. ALPR cameras are more commonly known as Flock safety cameras, after the name of the major manufacturer of the devices.

The purpose of the meeting is to seek community input “to help us make a decision as a town” as to whether to continue their use,” select board member Irwin Nesoff announced at last week’s meeting.

Hull Police Chief John Dunn is expected to attend, along with a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

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HRA allows additional sauna for winter season, discusses process for park design RFP

By Carol Britton Meyer

At its October 26 meeting, the Hull Redevelopment Authority gave Respiro Sauna Co. owner Karen LaFond approval to install a second sauna, a portable “fire pit,” and a wind barrier at her request after accepting her bid to continue operating a sauna in the off-season starting October 13 at its last meeting following a successful summer season. She was asked to come back to go over the added amenities she requested.

HRA permission was granted with the understanding that all elements be secured, the wind barrier removed during inclement weather for safety reasons, and the “fire pit” brought inside at the end of the day and its operation contingent on the weather – all subject to town inspections and approvals.

“The ‘fire pit’ is not technically a fire pit – it runs on propane, with radiant heat, and there are no embers or ashes,” LaFond said. “I envision something like S’more Saturdays overlooking the ocean – free to passersby and a hangout space for the community.”

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MCAS results reveal ‘moderate’ progress toward academic goals, reduced absenteeism since 2022

By Carol Britton Meyer 

School administrators this week presented the 2026 Hull Public Schools Accountability and MCAS Assessment results to the school committee, maintaining an overall official “not requiring assistance or intervention” and demonstrating “moderate progress toward targets,” Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Christine Cappadona reported. “We’re here to outline significant achievements.” Another accomplishment is a decrease in absenteeism schoolwide.

Click here for the full presentation on Hull’s MCAS results

Hull High School Assistant Principal Anthony Hrivnak and Jacobs School Principal Kyle Shaw provided an update on their schools’ test results.

“We have demonstrated time and time again that we can do anything,” Shaw said of the school’s accomplishments, noting a 100% participation rate during the last round of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams. “It’s evident we’re reaching our students in ways we haven’t before.”

5,491 Hull voters went to the polls in Tuesday’s state election

By Christopher Haraden

A total of 5,491 Hull voters headed to the polls during Tuesday’s state election, choosing to re-elect the incumbents in the contests for governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Attorney General, treasurer, auditor, and Secretary of State, among others. The town’s two delegates to Beacon Hill – Representative Joan Meschino and Senator Patrick O’Connor – were unopposed.

Click here for Hull’s vote totals from Tuesday’s election

Hullonians chose the Democratic ticket of Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll over Republican Michael Minogue and Shawn Oliver (who suspended his campaign but was still on the ballot), 3,282 to 2,037. Local voters also supported the re-election of Senator Edward Markey, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Secretary of State William Galvin, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, and Auditor Diana DiZoglio. Hull also chose Rhonda Nyman over Anthony O’Brien for an open seat on the Plymouth County Commission, reflecting the overall result in the 27 municipalities countywide.

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Wednesday’s Veterans Day observance to feature USCG commander as guest speaker

By Paul Sordillo

Hull Veterans Service Officer

The town’s annual Veterans Day observance is an opportunity for residents to come together to honor the service and sacrifice of all veterans while recognizing the continuing contributions they make to our community.

The Town of Hull invites residents, veterans, families, and visitors to attend the community’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, at 11 a.m. at the war memorial at Monument Square.

The ceremony will pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served in the United States armed forces and will provide an opportunity for the community to reflect on the sacrifices made in defense of our nation.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Chief Warrant Officer Sean Cahill, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Station Point Allerton. CWO Cahill will share remarks honoring the service and dedication of veterans from all generations.

The Town of Hull Veterans’ Services Department also encourages residents to watch for information regarding the upcoming Hometown Heroes Program. This new initiative will recognize and celebrate local veterans and servicemembers who have proudly represented Hull through military service. Program details, eligibility requirements, and application information will be announced in the near future.

In addition, progress continues on Hull’s Global War on Terrorism Memorial Plaque. The project has entered its final stages, and the formal request for the plaque has been submitted to the bronze manufacturer. Additional updates regarding installation and dedication plans will be shared as they become available.

In the event of inclement weather or a significant storm, the Veterans Day ceremony will be relocated to the Hull High School gymnasium. Any change in location will be announced through the town’s communication channels prior to the event.

All members of the public are encouraged to attend the Veterans Day ceremony and join the town in honoring the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of America’s veterans.

For additional information, contact the Hull Veterans’ Services Office.

“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” – President John F. Kennedy, Amherst College address, October 26, 1963

Call or visit the veterans office (appointments recommended, but not necessary) for more details of the subject matter in this article, or any benefit question. Paul Sordillo, Hull’s Veterans Service Officer, can be reached at 781-925-0305 or psordillo@town.hull.ma.us.

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Rising values translate into 2.9% increase in average property tax bill in FY27

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PRESENTATION ON THE FY27 TAX RATE

By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board voted to maintain a single tax rate for residential and commercial properties during this week’s tax classification hearing for fiscal year 2027. This decision is in keeping with the board’s traditional approach to property taxes and was made upon the recommendation of the board of assessors.

The select board and the board of assessors met in joint session Wednesday night to set the rate.

The FY27 tax rate is $10.30 per $1,000 of assessed value, compared with $10.81 for FY26. However, the average valuation of a single-family home increased from $721,100 in Fiscal 2026 to $779,500 for FY27, with an average annual tax bill of $8,029 as compared with $7,798 in FY26.

This means that the average residential property owner can expect a $231 increase in FY27 taxes versus a $257 increase in FY26 taxes, even with the lower tax rate. The average tax bill for commercial properties in FY27 will be $8,900 as compared with $9,227 for the last fiscal year. The average valuation on commercial properties for FY27 is $863,300 as compared with $853,300 in FY26.

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DCR seeks public input on changes to traffic, parking, seawall to combat flooding

FOR THE FULL DCR PRESENTATION, CLICK HERE

By Carol Britton Meyer 

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation recently hosted two public meetings to review the “DCR Parkways Flood Resilience Adaptation Strategies” report aimed at reducing flooding along Nantasket Avenue and Hull Shore Drive while maintaining the parkway’s cultural, recreational, and natural features.

The strategies being considered include changing traffic patterns, relocating buildings, reducing parking areas, and building taller seawalls or rock revetments along the boardwalk from the foot of Atlantic Hill to the Hull Redevelopment Authority property.

An online meeting was held October 20, and an in-person meeting October 27 at the Nantasket Beach Resort, with more than 100 participants in the virtual meeting. The same information was shared at both meetings.

“The DCR’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all,” DCR Director of Public Engagement Dan Cushing said.

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Select board reaffirms vote to remove light plant from joint facility at West Corner

A RENDERING OF THE PROPOSED DPW/LIGHT PLANT BUILDING THAT WOULD REPLACE THE CURRENT DPW BARN at West Corner.

By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board on Wednesday night reaffirmed its majority opinion to support the removal of the light plant from a grant proposal to fund a joint public works/light plant structure at West Corner.

On Monday, October 19, town staff met with Coastal Zone Management representatives to discuss the potential change in scope and any associated consequences resulting from an earlier select board 3-2 vote and the light board’s unanimous vote to remove the light plant from the CZM coastal resilience grant study. The light board voted unanimously against a combined facility some time ago.

While Town Manager Jennifer Constable, who also serves as light plant manager, was unable to attend, she later received an update from CZM, which she summarized for the select board at its request this week after sharing the details with them in a memo following the October 22 light board meeting, at which this issue was discussed.

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Light board votes to advance study of options for both expansion, plant relocation

THE HULL MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT at 15 Edgewater road.

By Carol Britton Meyer

Following the light board’s earlier vote to commission a study of the feasibility of constructing a garage at the existing Hull Municipal Light Plant site at 15 Edgewater Road, a subcommittee met with the light plant manager and operations manager to develop a more defined scope of work – which was presented to the full board at last week’s meeting.

The board had authorized up to $110,000 for the study, which will estimate “what it would cost for the light plant to remain at the current site so that the board can act on its November 20, 2025 decision to house the [light plant] fleet [of vehicles] in a new, permanent garage there and can compare that course with the relocation to the proposed joint [DPW/light plant] facility at 9 Nantasket Avenue [the current site of the DPW] on a common basis,” according to the report of the subcommittee, which has two members – Chair Tom Burns and Clerk Jake Vaillancourt.

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