Life-saving equipment installed at playing fields to help users in case of a medical emergency

By Carol Britton Meyer

A cooperative effort among town departments has resulted in the installation of potential life-saving equipment at several of Hull’s playing fields, basketball courts, and the high school walking track.

Automated External Defibrillators are now available at the Kenberma pickleball and basketball courts/playground, the L Street fields, and the high school turf field and walking track to provide emergency medical assistance at these widely-used locations.

A fourth AED will be installed soon at the Dust Bowl field at Pemberton. Signage has been ordered and will be placed at all the sites, with arrows pointing to the AEDs, which will be clearly marked.

AEDs are life-saving devices designed to treat individuals who experience sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.

The combination of CPR and early defibrillation is considered to be effective in saving lives when used in the first few minutes following a collapse from sudden cardiac arrest.

Installation of the AEDs is the result of a partnership among Hull High School athletic trainer Lexie Watkins, Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn, and School Business Administrator Diane Saniuk, Greg Grey and other members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the fire department, working with Chief Chris Russo.

“This was truly a group effort,” Watkins told The Hull Times. “Hull Public Schools split the cost with Parks and Recreation, and Hull Fire provided and mounted the cabinets for the AEDs.”

Watkins explained that after noticing that coaches don’t normally have access to the AEDs inside the high school on the weekends, she brought the issue to the attention of school administration.

“It seemed like a good idea to have an AED on site, because the field and walking track are used by student-athletes, community members of all ages, and sports groups who rent the field,” she said. “I took a look around and learned that most communities have AEDs at their athletic facilities. Given how widely used the high school field [and these other recreational areas are], installing AEDs made a lot of sense. They’re easy to use, and you can’t hurt anybody when using an AED while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. That extra time saved means a lot when someone is unconscious.”

After reaching out to Kuehn and Saniuk and gaining their support, Watkins approached Russo, who connected her with Grey.

“Park and Rec [members] felt it was important to have AEDs at the L street facility and Kenberma Field especially since we added the pickleball courts,” Grey said. “Athletic Director Connor Duhaime was also at our meeting and knew there was a need for one at the high school, so we reached out to Chris Russo for guidance, and he jumped right in and followed it through –  procuring the AEDs and having his department install them. This was a great effort by all.”

Kuehn called this “an important project because this small device plays an important role in saving the life of someone who is in cardiac arrest.”

The AED device walks the user through what to do in the event of a cardiac emergency. With more AEDs available, “a life may possibly be saved,” Kuehn said. “This is absolutely a team effort and another example of a partnership between groups in the community.”

At the end of the playing season, Watkins will collect the AEDs and bring them to the Fire Department for storage until the spring. The company that provided the devices maintains them.

“It’s really nice when people from different town departments work together and get things done,” she said, expressing gratitude to everyone involved. “It was quick action on everyone’s part in recognizing the need. The process started last winter, and we ordered the AEDs this past spring and then installed them for the benefit of everyone.”

Music by the Sea summer concerts return to the Bernie King Pavilion

Music resumed Memorial Day Weekend at the Bernie King Pavilion, and it starts up again this Sunday, June 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. and every Sunday through Sept. 10.

Performers will feature everything from music from the American Songbook, to the 1950s,’60s and ’70s, so you can swing, foxtrot, cha-cha and waltz, or just listen to beautiful Music By The Sea. Join fellow music lovers at the beach under the breeze-swept, shaded Bernie King Pavilion to hear the bands play some of your favorites.

This activity continues a multi-year tradition which is enjoyed by many music and dancing devotees. These popular musical events are supported by donations, so your financial support and volunteer hours are welcomed.

All of the funds collected go toward paying expenses. This very ambitious schedule needs everyone’s financial support to pay the musicians. Consider making a donation and asking your local business to do so.

To donate, refer a donor, or volunteer to be a part of this endeavor contact Gina Pag (thesnippery.hairstudio@verizon.net) or Lou Altieri (altlou@msn.com). Checks can be made payable to Music By The Sea and mailed to The Snippery, 428 Washington St., Braintree, MA 02184.

2023 Schedule of Performers at the Bernie King Pavilion

Sunday, June 25: The Continentals; From Swing to Soft Rock

Sunday, July 2: Don Altobello Dance Band

Tuesday, July 4:  Judy and Barry De Rossi (Formerly of Four Guys In Tuxes)

Sunday, July  9: Gina and The Jazz Notes; A Run Down Memory Lane

Sunday, July 16: Ray Cavicchio and the Amazing Therese DiMuzio

Sunday, July 23:  Bob Sinicrope And His Swing Set Trio       

Sunday, July 30: Magic Moments Live Vocal Group; Music of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s

Sunday, Aug. 6: DJ Armand Ramos Playing Your Favorite Dance Requests

Sunday, Aug. 13: Gina and The Jazz Notes; A Run Down Memory Lane

Sunday, Aug. 20: Play It Again Band; Songs from the past 100 years

Sunday, Aug. 27: Magic Moments Live Vocal Group; Music of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s

Sunday, Sept. 3: Play It Again Band; Songs from the past 100 years

Monday, Sept. 4: Judy and Barry De Rossi (Formerly of Four Guys In Tuxes)

Sunday, Sept. 10: Dale And The Defenders Concert Corps 20-piece orchestra

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Calling her ‘the perfect fit,' board names former Chair Jennifer Constable new town manager

By Carol Britton Meyer

Former Select Board Chair Jennifer Constable is Hull’s first new town manager in 16 years.

JENNIFER CONSTABLE, HULL’S NEXT TOWN MANAGER.

Following a more than one-hour interview on June 15, Constable was unanimously named to the position by the select board to replace Philip Lemnios, who is retiring at the end of this month.

The other two finalists, Peter Caruso and Thomas Guerino, also underwent extensive interviews during the four-hour meeting. (See related story.)

Chair Greg Grey called Constable, Rockland’s assistant town administrator since 2019, “the perfect fit and the best choice for the citizens of our town moving forward.”

Newly elected select board member Jerry Taverna could not participate in the interviews or vote since the new town manager will be his wife’s boss. Joan Taverna is currently Hull’s health director. He observed the interviews from the audience.

Grey announced before the interviews that no questions or comments from the public would be allowed.

While select board members Grey, Irwin Nesoff, and newly elected Jason McCann said that all the candidates were qualified, they said that Constable’s experience on boards and committees and as a member of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the MBTA Advisory Board, Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the South Shore Coalition – in addition to her discussions with the Department of Conservation & Recreation as a select board member – will enable her to “hit the ground running.”

Nesoff called Constable’s experience working with the DCR, which owns a great deal of property in Hull, a “significant plus.”

Constable, who resigned from the board in February shortly after Lemnios announced his retirement, said crafting a master plan for Hull would be helpful when addressing proposed residential and commercial developments.

McCann noted that there were “three strong candidates, with a lot of consistency from the perspective of being a strong manager, although they are three very different people.”

All the finalists had experience in grant writing. Constable listed many successful grant applications that she wrote and talked about her background with affordable housing, unions, and financial management.

Her role as Rockland’s assistant town administrator helped prepare her for this position.

“The town administrator and I work collaboratively on most if not all of the town’s [business], so I am part of the finance team,” she said. “I also am acting town administrator [when the current one is not available] and work with the police, fire, and all the other departments.”

Constable accepted that position during a challenging time when there was “a level of mistrust” and a need for more transparency, she explained. The town is now in a much better place due to enhanced communications, including a popular bi-monthly newsletter, that could be implemented in Hull, she said.

Constable’s service to the town over 20 years, including time on the planning board, affordable housing committee, and seven years on the select board, added to her appeal.

Other of her priorities includes understanding the needs of department heads, having a strong capital improvement plan and seeking grants to help finance projects, financial forecasting, and maintaining good communications with school leadership.

“In Hull, 60 percent of the town budget goes to the schools,” Constable noted.

McCann said that while all three candidates had similar management styles, including an open-door policy and a collaborative approach, Constable was “very organized” and gave a comprehensive overview of how her past experience would benefit her in the town manager position.

When asked what she envisions the role of the new assistant town manager approved at this year’s town meeting to be, Constable said it would be “somebody who complements me and is capable of filling in when I’m not available. My strengths are housing and economic development.”

An ideal assistant town manager would also be someone who could handle human resources matters and who knows how to pursue grant opportunities, she said.

During her interview, Constable explained that while her two-decade career has been in public service, she had not envisioned herself working in local government, but it has proved to be a good fit.

“I live here and love this community,” she said. “It’s financially stable and there are a number of focus areas for the future that I think I am well poised and experienced in to help move this community into and through its next chapter.”

While she had pretty much made up her mind to apply for the position, Constable said that community support for her doing so helped her make that decision.

When asked about serving as town manager in a community in which she resides, she saw no conflict.

“One of my strong qualities is wearing multiple hats and understanding those different roles,” she said. “I take my work very seriously and approach it thoughtfully and with honesty. Being a resident might hold me to a higher standard, but that’s OK. I hold myself to a very high standard anyway and am willing to take on that responsibility.”

Search consultant Bernard Lynch from Paradigm Associates noted that a number of communities have town managers who are also residents, and some even make that a requirement.

Constable also said that if chosen for the position, she “would take my experience, love, and understanding of the community and apply it every single day.”

When asked about her management style, Constable said being flexible is important as well as good communication and transparency.

“I would want the select board to set priorities on an annual basis and be sure that the board’s and town departments’[goals] are in alignment,” she said.

The select board interviewed each of the three town manager finalists in alphabetical order, with Lynch assisting with the process.

Caruso is currently the town administrator of Millville, a position he has held for the past four years, and Guerino served as Bourne’s town administrator from 2005 to 2019 and is currently the executive director of the Greenfield Housing Authority.

Following the interviews, board members briefly shared their thoughts about the three finalists, followed by a motion by Grey to hire Constable and a unanimous vote in favor of that recommendation.

Before the interviews, select board members, other than Taverna and Brian McCarthy, read letters they wrote related to the State Ethics Commission disclosing that they have interacted with Constable in a professional capacity in the past and that they would remain impartial and fair in making the new town manager decision.

McCarthy’s letter of disclosure indicated that he has not worked with Constable on any committees in the past and that he, too, would remain impartial and fair in making the final choice.

Grey thanked Lynch for his “above and beyond professional guidance” throughout the process and members of the search committee for their hard work.

“You guided us through a very open process that was transparent from step one, as it is now,” Nesoff told Lynch. “We came up with three incredible finalists from a much larger pool.”

After the decision was made, Nesoff spoke to “the elephant in the room,” referring to social media chatter claiming that “the fix was in” for Constable from the beginning, stating that was not the case.

“Jen is clearly the most qualified, with a smaller learning curve. She will be ready to jump in from day one,” he said. “For anyone with concerns who listened to her interview tonight and read her references and resume, she stands out above the other candidates.”

While Constable holds a master’s degree in public administration already, she considers herself to be a “lifelong learner.”

Constable’s hiring is contingent upon “any and all background checks and the successful negotiation of a contract,” Grey said.

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Hull Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn to retire in June 2024

By Carol Britton Meyer

Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn will retire at the end of the next school year.

During a record-short 17-minute meeting Monday night, the school committee unanimously elected David Twombly as the new chair and accepted Kuehn’s letter of intent to retire in June 2024.

Kuehn said it was “with mixed emotions” that she made her announcement.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JUDITH KUEHN.

“Coming to this decision wasn’t an easy one. However, it’s the right one as my retirement will coincide with the completion of the comprehensive reconfiguration of the [Hull Public Schools] project,” she said. “I owe it to the community, staff, students, and families to see it through.”

Previously the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and professional development, Kuehn was named superintendent of schools in May 2020 to replace Michael Devine.

She had been assistant superintendent since 2012. Prior to that Kuehn served as Hull’s director of student services for four years, where she oversaw special education, school nurses and medical services, 504 plans, grant writing, preschool, guidance and counseling, and the Special Education Parent Advisory Council.

“I have had the good fortune to be associated with so many exceptional educators, educational leaders, and school committee members, who have the passion and commitment to make decisions that reflect the best interests of our students,” Kuehn said. “For 15 years I have also been blessed to be associated with outstanding students, families, support staff, custodians, central office staff, and town employees. I am proud that the Hull Public Schools is truly a special place where all students have access to an outstanding education and life-changing opportunities.”

One of her top commitments during the new school year is to complete the plans for phase two of the reconfiguration project to ensure that a successful implementation occurs in the fall of 2024.

“The Hull Public Schools is an incredible school district. I can say with confidence that this project positions the Hull Public Schools to be even stronger in the future,” Kuehn said.

Calling this a “bittersweet moment,” Kuehn thanked the school committee for the opportunity to serve as superintendent.

“I wanted to give the committee time to prepare,” she said. “I could have retired two years ago, but I really love my work and wanted to see [the reconfiguration] through. … I am so proud of what we have built together.”

During phase one of the consolidation, pre-K through grade 6 will be housed at Jacobs Elementary School, grades 7 and 8 at Memorial Middle School, and grades 9 through 12 at the high school for the 2023-24 school year.

The phase two reconfiguration plan calls for Jacobs School to house grades Pre-K through grade 7 and the high school, grades 8 to 12, starting with the 2024-25 school year.

The committee also welcomed new member Regan Yakubian, and elected Kyle Conley as vice chair and Liliana Hedrick as secretary for the coming year. Conley was not present.

The entire committee expressed regret at Kuehn’s plan to retire while wishing her all the best.

Twombly said he knew Kuehn was “getting close to retirement age – it was in the back of my mind. …You’ve done an excellent job, going from the refrigerator to the frying pan [after she was named Devine’s replacement], and then two weeks later COVID started, and you took the lead and did an unbelievable job.

“You’ve done it all and touched thousands of lives in the Hull Public Schools,” Twombly continued. “You’ve earned a nice retirement. I’m looking forward to working with you during the next year as we transition into the consolidation and [into the process of searching for] a new superintendent.”

Hedrick called Kuehn “an incredible person first and foremost, on top of the amount of care and time you have put into education for our community. There’s no doubt that you will see [the school reconfiguration plan] through and make it all happen.”

Speaking as a parent, Yakubian said she’s grateful to Kuehn for all she has done for the HPS and the students, “especially through COVID, when the kids were able to remain in school. You took care of the district and this community, and I look forward to the year we have to work together.”

Member Ernest Minelli thinks fiscal 2024 “will be a year of celebrating the next stage of the reconfiguration effort and to also celebrate your [Kuehn’s] accomplishments and achievements in the various roles you have performed.”

Also speaking as a parent, Minelli expressed appreciation for Kuehn’s understanding of students, educators, and the community.

“You are part of the fabric of what makes Hull [special],” he said.

When talking about next steps, Twombly said he expects a transition team would be created in the fall and that a consulting firm may be hired to help with the search.

In the meantime, Kuehn will work with the school committee to create a transition plan to support a successful start for the next superintendent on July 1, 2024.

“At the August school committee retreat, discussions related to the superintendent search will begin,” she said.

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Town manager finalist interviews reveal range of ideas for development, collaboration

By Carol Britton Meyer

All three finalists for the Hull town manager position were considered to be strong candidates, select board members said at their meeting last Thursday night before choosing former board Chair Jennifer Constable to replace Philip Lemnios.

Peter Caruso is currently the town administrator of Millville, a position he has held for the past four years. Thomas Guerino served as Bourne’s town administrator from 2005 to 2019 and is currently the executive director of the Greenfield Housing Authority.

“We had three excellent candidates,” said select board member Irwin Nesoff, who served as chair of the search committee.

PETER CARUSO

Constable was named to the position in large part because of her knowledge of Hull and her relationships with outside organizations such as the Massachusetts Area Planning Council and the Department of Conservation & Recreation.

During his interview, Caruso, a Scituate resident, said he appreciates all of Hull’s “nooks and crannies” and finds the town and its coexistence with the ocean “fascinating.”

He was also impressed with the number of candidates in the recent select board race.

In explaining his management style, Caruso said he always tries to be prepared while maintaining a sense of humor. One of his goals as a town manager would be “to help people be the best they can be in the municipal sector, coaching and acting as cheerleader, educator, and sometimes a student. You have to earn their respect.”

He also believes it’s important to be open, to set expectations, and to get “all the town departments to buy in and understand the financial challenges facing the town.”

When asked how he would increase the level of citizens’ trust as Hull’s town manager, he said finding a way for everyone to get along and “allowing people to have input” is helpful.

THOMAS GUERINO

With regard to public input at meetings, Caruso said having the select board manage the dialogue “even with parameters in place” is key. “Having someone in blue at the back of the room when you think a conversation might get dicey helps ensure that a meeting remains civil,” he said.

With regard to sound financial management, Caruso referred to himself as a “budgetmeister.”

It’s not something that a town manager can do alone. “It’s important to try to live within a town’s means and to have a good relationship with the school district and the superintendent,” he said.

Caruso noted that the fact that Hull has a number of shovel-ready projects helps pave the way for successful grant applications to pay a portion of the costs.

He also observed that because Hull doesn’t have much open space left, it would be good for the select board “to put a stake in the ground” regarding finding a balance between growth and “not pushing residents out of the way” during that process.

With regard to hiring an assistant town manager as approved by the recent town meeting, he thinks that rather than hiring a human resources expert, the town would be better served by someone who could assist with grant writing, procurements, and special projects. 

Caruso also acknowledged what Hull’s public safety officials and EMS staff “have to deal with on summer weekends. You never know what to expect.”

During his interview, Guerino said he spent two full days meeting in person or conversing by telephone with different Hull department leaders and has driven and walked around town.

He described his management style as “horizontal and approachable. I don’t micromanage the town departments.”

Part of his job would be to set goals with department heads and benchmarks, and if there’s a “hiccup” to find a way to address it and move forward.

If chosen for the position, Guerino said he would identify and address any “pressure points” that required special attention and find out the board’s consensus on the matter.

“I would attend every meeting I could for the first couple of months to be visible and out there and let elected folks know I am available,” he said.

Guerino also suggested running a “community academy” several times to help citizens become familiar with different aspects of Hull’s town government and how it is run.

While serving as town administrator of Bourne from 2005 to 2019, Guerino explained how he dealt with an unexpected necessary significant expenditure, working out a strategy to address the shortfall “and shore up our finances. We did some trimming, got a small override, only the second one since 1991, which failed, and created a new financial policy on the municipal and school sides,” he said. “The financial team worked hard over a number of years, and when I left the town was sitting on $8 million in free cash and a little less in the stabilization fund.”

The town’s financial rating also improved greatly under his leadership, he said.

Guerino envisions the assistant town manager as someone “eager who might not have municipal experience, but who has a specific skill set and might need some mentoring, but the expectations would be high for that person.”

He called Hull “a unique town surrounded by water, with limited access,” calling economic development and growth a “long-term plan. If you put a good team together, a project can go from seed to stalk to bearing fruit when possible.”

Guerino, who lives in Vermont, said the distance between his hometown and Hull wouldn’t be a problem and wasn’t when he worked for Bourne. “I never missed a meeting, despite the long commute. I would get a place down here and go home on weekends. It’s not perfect, but it works for my wife and me. You would never need wonder where Guerino is! You would get an awful lot of hours from me -- I would be the first one in town hall and the last one out as long as I could get in a swim once or twice a week and get my drumsticks out!”

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Police, fire departments issue reminders to celebrate Fourth of July safely

With the Fourth of July holiday quickly approaching, Hull’s police and fire departments issued several reminders for safe and lawful celebrations.

According to the state Department of Fire Services and State Police, Massachusetts fire departments reported nearly 1,000 fires related to illegal fireworks between 2013 and 2022. In addition to the 42 fire service injuries, five citizen injuries, and $2.5 million in damages attributed to these fires, Massachusetts medical facilities reported about 30 severe burn injuries extending to 5% or more of the victims’ bodies that were caused by illegal fireworks.

In 2022 alone, fire departments reported 106 fires and explosions attributed to fireworks, an increase of nearly a third over the prior year.

Fireworks of all kinds are illegal to use, possess, or sell in Massachusetts. Residents should also note that open burning is only legal in the state between Jan. 15 and May 1.

The Hull Police Department will take enhanced measures, including ramped up enforcement of beach parking regulations, in order to ensure that the ban on bonfires during the summer months is strictly adhered to and that fireworks are not used.

What is prohibited by under Massachusetts law?

It is illegal for private citizens to use, possess, or sell fireworks in Massachusetts without a license and a permit. This includes fireworks purchased legally elsewhere and brought into the state. It includes sparklers, firecrackers, cherry bombs, and other fireworks. The law prohibits any article designed to produce a visible or audible effect.

What are the penalties?

The sale of fireworks is punishable by confiscation, and a fine or imprisonment, or both. A fine can range from $100 to $1,000 and possible imprisonment is a maximum of one year.

The possession of fireworks is punishable by confiscation and a fine of $10 to $100.

Is there any danger associated with fireworks?

Fireworks can cause injuries to firefighters and citizens, along with millions of dollars in property damage. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there has been a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries. Between 2006 and 2021, injuries with fireworks climbed 25% in the U.S.

• Young adults aged 20-24 had the highest estimated rate of emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries in 2021.

• In 2021, there were an estimated 1,500 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 1,100 involving sparklers.

• In 2021, the parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were hands and fingers (an estimated 31% of injuries) along with head, face, and ears (an estimated 21%).

Residents are encouraged to report any misuse of fireworks to the Hull Police Department at 781-925-1212.

In case of a fireworks-related or other emergency, always dial 911.

Additionally, residents are reminded of these key safety tips for Fourth of July celebrations:

• Attend organized and permitted fireworks displays only.

• Report illegal fires to the police.

• Remember that alcohol/drugs and fireworks do not mix.

• Keep pets indoors and away from fireworks. The loud noises and flashing lights can be overwhelming for pets. Pets can become frightened and run from familiar environments and people, becoming lost.

The departments also urge residents to observe the following tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to get home safely following Fourth of July celebrations:

• Be mindful of pedestrians.

• Always wear your seatbelt.

• Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. From 2017 to 2021, 1,460 drivers were killed in motor vehicle crashes over the Fourth of July holiday period; 38% of the drivers killed were drunk.

• Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, do not plan on driving. Instead, designate a sober driver or use a ride-share service to get home safely.

• Take keys away from people who are under the influence and are planning to drive. Alcohol and drugs impair perception, judgment, motor skills, and memory, which are critical for safe and responsible driving.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, safely pull over and call 911.

For more information on fireworks in Massachusetts visit: www.mass.gov/doc/summary-of-massachusetts-fireworks-law/download

For general summer safety tips, visit: www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer

With new members on board, HRA to set dates for more public hearings

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso 

UPDATE: The HRA meeting scheduled for Monday, June 26 has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 28 at 5 p.m.

With the results of the annual town election settled, the new members of the Hull Redevelopment Authority said they are eager to get to work.

Newly elected HRA members Daniel Kernan and Adrienne Paquin. [SKIP TULL PHOTO]

Daniel Kernan said he is “excited about the mission,” because up until now he has “convinced a lot of citizens to vote for me, but have not had the opportunity to convince anyone on the board to vote with me.

“I have no preconceived notions of working with the board, just high hopes,” he said. “I support going in the right direction and being part of a team.  It is not about me it is about the community; done right the HRA can create a legacy for generations to come.”

Adrienne Paquin, born and raised in Hull, says she is “looking forward to our first meeting and getting to work.” In previous statements, Paquin has said the was “motivated to get involved with the HRA out of a desire to serve the town and concern for the land itself.”

The meeting on Monday, June 26 will be the first time the HRA has met since the election results were certified on June 13. On the original date of the election in May, a fire blocked the road to the polls and delayed the outcome for about a month.

On May 15, Patrick Finn held a 15-vote lead over Kernan for the five-year HRA seat; however, on June 13, Kernan claimed a 126-vote victory, 1,340 to 1,214. Paquin won a three-year term, defeating Edwin Parsons, 1,640 to 806.

HRA Chair Bartley Kelly said he is “looking forward to getting to work with the new members as we continue the [Urban Renewal Plan] process.” Monday’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be conducted over the Zoom platform (access link on town.hull.ma.us).

Unrelated to the election uncertainty, the HRA now has an open seat, following the unexpected death of state appointee James Tobin on May 30. Tobin has been described as “an overall town hero and dedicated public official with unquestionable commitment to the people of Hull.”

STANDING PAT. Patrick Finn, who came up short in the final election vote tally, said this week that he will not apply for the state-appointed seat on the HRA. [JOE BERKELEY PHOTO]

Kelly, explaining he just returned from vacation, said he will be “reaching out to the governor’s office to get someone appointed as quickly as possible…the sooner the better; we want a full complement as we work through the process.”

According to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 121B, Section 5, if the state Department of Housing and Community Development “does not fill a vacancy in the position of that member within 120 days from the date that the vacancy is created, the board of selectmen shall appoint, in writing, a person by a majority vote to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term.”

Finn told the Times that some of his supporters have asked him about his interest in the appointed seat on the HRA, but he said he would not apply.

“If I had gotten elected, I was allowed one elected and one state appointed seat,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to have two appointed seats, so I would not expect the governor to consider appointing me unless I resign from the zoning board [of appeals].

“I would not leave the zoning board because I care about housing choices and helping people,” he continued. “I believe staying on the zoning board is the best way for me to continue serving the community of Hull.”

“Just because I am not elected to the HRA does not mean I will stop going to meetings,” he added. “I will continue to be a part of the process for as long as it takes.”

Two items on the agenda for Monday’s meeting are the board reorganization and the Urban Renewal Plan public meeting schedule.

“How quickly we move forward depends on how soon the consultants finalize the financial data and impact information,” Kelly said. “The goal is to hold the next set of public information sessions toward the end of July; we hope to clarify specific dates Monday.”

More details are available on the HRA’s website, www.hra02045.com.

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Extended voting flips HRA results as Kernan tops Finn; Yakubian wins write-in bid for SchoolCom

By Christopher Haraden 

The month-long uncertainty over the results of Hull’s annual town election came to a close on Tuesday, as 382 more people cast their ballots in a court-ordered extension of voting hours. 

On May 15, a three-alarm fire on Q Street caused the closure of Nantasket Avenue for about 90 minutes, blocking vehicles from reaching the polling place at the high school. The town clerk kept the polls open for two extra hours that day and sought approval from the court the following day. 

A Plymouth Superior Court judge initially denied the counting of the 80 votes cast between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., then reversed that decision and ordered the polls reopened for approximately the same time that the road was closed. 

Most of the initial results – votes cast from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 15 – were unchanged after all the votes were counted, although the additional voting hours flipped the race for a five-year seat on the Hull Redevelopment Authority. A month ago, Patrick Finn clung to a 15-vote lead over Daniel Kernan; on Tuesday, Kernan claimed a 126-vote victory, 1,340-1,214. 

The school committee results also were clarified, as write-in candidate Regan Yakubian won the second seat on the school committee with 1,110 votes, behind incumbent Ernest Minelli with 1,204. Fay Ferency finished a close third with 1,085, and Colby Mahoney had 705 votes. 

On the select board, Jason McCann and Jerry Taverna topped a field of seven candidates for two three-year terms. McCann had 1,414 votes and Taverna finished with 978, followed by David Gibbons with 668, incumbent Donna Pursel with 604, Kathleen Barclay with 474, Moraiba Reyes with 374, and Philip Bellone with 257 votes. 

In the race for a two-year term, Brian McCarthy again finished first with 1,224 votes, ahead of James Ianiri with 942 and Steven Greenberg with 560 votes. 

Adrienne Paquin won a three-year term on the redevelopment authority, defeating Edwin Parsons, 1,640-806. In the ballot’s other contested race, Emily Garr defeated Sasha Green, 1,307-670, for a two-year term on the board of library trustees. 

This year’s election was unprecedented in Hull, and the lack of certified results – known as a “failure to elect” under the law – meant that incumbent officials were “held over” in office until new members were legally seated. Some boards canceled meetings immediately after the election because of the uncertainty, although pressing business required officials to take action. 

On May 24, the select board met to continue the search for a new town manager with two members present who were on the board prior to the May 15 election but who would no longer be serving if the results had been certified – Pursel, who finished fourth in the balloting, and Domenico Sestito, who did not seek another term. The board rescheduled meetings for the three town manager candidates until tonight (June 15) in order to allow the newly elected officials to conduct the interviews. 

On May 26, Town Clerk Lori West and town attorneys appeared before Judge Brian S. Glenny on to seek clarification of an earlier decision that denied the extended voting hours on Election Day. Glenny also had said that the court believed the results were “not valid” and that the “only just remedy” would be an entirely new election, but he did not order the town to start from scratch. In his decision, the judge said he was concerned that some voters who were detoured by police were told that “they would not be able to vote due to the emergency but were not informed at that time that there would be remedial action to ensure residents’ right to vote.” 

“We reiterated our position that the town, through the town clerk, and following consultation with and approval of the state Elections Division director, had offered voters extra time to come to the polls to enfranchise as many voters as possible,” West explained in an email to candidates. 

“We emphasized further that those who voted during the town-sanctioned extended voting hours, like all of the people who voted during regular voting hours, cast their ballots in good faith and reliance on the town, and me as the town clerk, to run an election consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth,” West said. 

Glenny eventually agreed and ordered the extra two hours of balloting to ensure that voters could be adequately notified. The June 13 polling was open to anyone who did not vote on May 15, regardless of whether the reason they did not cast a ballot. 

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Select Board elects Grey chair; considers creating public-comment policy

By Carol Britton Meyer

One day after voting concluded in Hull’s extended annual town election, three new select board members – Jason McCann, Jerry Taverna, and Brian McCarthy – attended their first meeting Wednesday night, participating in the unanimous vote to elect Greg Grey as chair, Irwin Nesoff as vice chair, and McCann as clerk.

longtime Hull resident Kate Murphy, who celebrates her 101st birthday today (June 15), and her daughter, Michella Murphy, were among those voting in person on tuesday to finalize the election results.

All three expressed enthusiasm about having the opportunity to serve Hull citizens in their new roles.

Nesoff expressed appreciation for Town Clerk Lori West and her staff, working with Town Counsel James Lampke, for a “good and smooth outcome” for the May 15 town election and subsequent limited election on June 13 to finalize the vote counts after a road closures blocked vehicle access to the polls for part of Election Day.

Initially, Grey and Nesoff each nominated themselves to be the new chair, with a second for each, but after Taverna and McCarthy indicated that their vote would likely be for Grey due to his seniority on the board, Nesoff good-naturedly amended his motion to nominate Grey as chair and himself as vice chair “after reading the writing on the wall.”

At the same time, both McCarthy and Taverna said they would feel comfortable with either one being elected chair.

The following select board liaisons were appointed: McCarthy, Weir River Water System Citizen Advisory Board; McCann, Economic Development Committee; and Taverna, Plymouth County Advisory Board.

There was some discussion about how the next evening’s town manager finalists interviews would be conducted and whether to allow public comment. Taverna must recuse himself from the final selection of the town manager because that position supervises his wife, who is the town’s health director.

Also, there are plans to address, tentatively at the board’s June 28 meeting, the creation of a policy on whether to allow public comment on some, all, or no agenda items, during a specific public comment period, apart from public hearings, where the purpose is to allow public comment.

The issue is complex due to a recent state Supreme Judicial Court ruling that Lampke explained allows speakers broader parameters by prohibiting municipalities from requiring civility in public-comment periods. He said the select board would have little authority about how far someone could go, especially when potentially making negative comments about the board or a town employee, for example.

Lampke has begun crafting such a policy, which will be discussed by the board.

“We want to find a happy medium and to be efficient, open, and transparent while at the same time having a mechanism that is orderly in some fashion,” he said. “We will figure it out – and hopefully [what we come up with] will be acceptable to [citizens] – but we need to be very careful on what we ultimately adopt . . . so as not to create a liability.”

Town Manager Philip Lemnios noted that while it’s “easy to say” allowing public comment is important, doing so was easier before the court ruling, when the select board chair “could [use the gavel when someone was thought to be out of order], but that’s no longer the landscape.”

Grey said he’s more than willing to participate in a select board discussion “to see if there’s a way to get this done.”

In response to a question from a board member, Lampke explained that different rules apply to town meeting, which is under the control of the moderator, and that citizens are speaking on specific agenda items in that forum.

“What do you do when an individual is accusing a member of the board [of something that’s untrue] and the board has to sit there and listen to it without being able to correct [it]?” Lemnios asked.

While Lampke said that the chair can ask that person “to be polite,” Lemnios noted that he or she wouldn’t have to respond accordingly.

“This ruling has moved the guardrails from a four- to an eight-lane roadway, and it’s up to you as to whether you want to open up that roadway,” Lemnios said.

While the conversation will be a long one, Nesoff said he’s confident the board can “work something out with good leadership. It’s important for the public to have the opportunity to speak, and I would hate to see a few bad actors keep others from speaking.”

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Planners working toward compliance with MBTA Communities zoning law

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

Hull is one of 177 Massachusetts cities and towns required to take next steps in the MBTA Communities housing law, which was passed in 2021 and requires municipalities to establish zoning that encourages construction of new housing units.

State lawmakers believe compliance with this law will create more “stable, diverse, and inclusive communities” in Massachusetts, which they say is in “desperate need of more housing.”

The general regulations require the area to be 50 acres in size and within half a mile of a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal, or bus station, which is essentially walking distance.

After town officials had discussions with the state, the conditions were reduced, so Hull’s district is only required to be seven acres, provide 586 units as opposed to 750 units, and does not need to be within half a mile from the ferry.

“We won’t be able to do it in a seven-acre parcel without creating a really dense district,” Director of Community Development and Planning Chris DiIorio said. “The goal is to spread it out among higher density areas the town already has.”

For all cities and towns, the multi-family housing districts should be allowed by right, at a density of 15 units per acre, with no age restrictions and suitable for families with children.

As long as the district-wide gross density of 15 units per acre is provided, zoning districts can include use restrictions such as commercial, residential, and industrial, as well as intensity limits such as setbacks and height limitations. By-right uses can also be subject to site plan review standards. Finally, uses that are permitted by right are still subject to other applicable state and local regulations.

Like other local towns, Hull is working to comply with the MBTA Communities regulations, in order to avoid the risk of losing access to grant money through MassWorks, Housing Choice funding, and the Local Capital Projects fund.

“The biggest grant to lose is MassWorks, because it provides infrastructure funding to the town,” DiIorio said. “Seven or eight years ago, they provided money to reconstruct Surfside, and most recently provided $275,000 to design the two-way roads.

“Housing Choice has not been used in the town before because it is granted for meeting affordable housing requirements, which we are still trying to do,” he added.

The town submitted an action plan, which secures grant eligibility until December 2024, at which time commuter rail and “adjacent” communities must comply with the new regulations.

Under the framework of this law, municipalities are responsible for their own zoning. Either the zoning is already in compliance with the MBTA Communities law (by meeting the minimum land area, minimum multi-family unit capacity, and other requirements) or, like Hull, the municipality is required to revise its zoning bylaw to comply.

Hull is currently working to plan zoning around the law’s requirements, and there are a couple of existing zones that offer high density already – the Multi-Family B district on Atlantic Hill and Commercial Recreation C, which has zones near DPW yard and at Allerton and Pemberton. “Those two zones allow good by-right development,” said DiIorio.

Hull received a grant from the state to work with planning consultants Eric Halverson of RKG Associates and Emily Innes of Innes Associates to look at different scenarios illustrating how the town can meet the 586 unit requirement when the current count is only around 300 units.

“We need to see what we can do to those zones, for example change the language of the zoning to allow more density to get to 586 units… find what is least impactful to meet it to take to Town Meeting in 2024,” said DiIorio.

The areas identified can be made up of multiple developable zoning districts, but can’t be town-owned, in a floodplain, or wetlands. According to DiIorio, the current guidelines make the area around town hall attractive because the most other parts of town are in a flood zone.

The Affordable Housing Committee applied for a grant to look at municipal properties to see which could be available for affordable housing and local capital projects.

“In the end of the day it will take a public and private partnership to get the units created,” said DiIorio, adding that it is important for the public to “understand the law only requires towns to create by-right zoning, not to build the houses. Zoning is a long-term process.”

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