Planning Board hearing on Paragon Dunes special permit set for Dec. 6

By Christopher Haraden

The latest plans to build a multi-story, mixed-use development on the Paragon Boardwalk site will be the subject of an upcoming planning board hearing.

ALONG THE BOULEVARD. The proposed four-story Paragon Dunes project features three floors of residential units above retail and parking at ground level. This rendering shows what the building would look like along George Washington Boulevard [the Paragon Carousel and DCR building are shown in the distance].

On Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., the board will consider The Procopio Companies’ proposal for a 40-foot-tall, 132-unit building on the property, which stretches from the miniature golf course south to the now-closed Dalat restaurant at 181 Nantasket Ave. Because of the expected attendance – a previous meeting on Oct. 19 with the Design Review Board was standing-room-only at town hall – next month’s hearing will be held at Hull High School.

Procopio’s plans for the Paragon Dunes include almost 7,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor of the building, which would contain 81 one-bedroom units, 44 two-bedrooms, six studios, and one three-bedroom unit, along with 177 parking spaces under the building and along the former railroad bed that runs behind the property. Parking for the commercial units in the development would use existing street parking, according to the application.

Four months ago, the developer withdrew a request for a variance to build a 75-foot building at 183-197 Nantasket Ave. The Nantasket Beach Overlay District limits building heights to 40 feet.

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Click below to read developer’s documents submitted to the planning board:

Project Narrative

Site plans and renderings of the proposed building (split into two files because of large file size): Pages 1 - 19 and Pages 20 - 43

Nantasket Beach Overlay District Application

Traffic Study and Appendix (two separate links/documents)

Stormwater Management Report

If you have any trouble with the above links, try clicking here.

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This time, the developer’s special permit seeks approval of the mixed uses (required under the overlay district bylaw), permission to build the new building as close to the sidewalk as the current structure, and approval for a flat roof, which is permissible but “discouraged” under the bylaw.

According to the special permit application, the developer has “incorporated design features that minimize the box shape of the building,” namely, a step-back of the top floor by 10 feet and “inset balconies” along George Washington Boulevard.

The project submissions, available for public inspection at town hall and on the planning board’s page on the town’s website – as well as on hulltimes.com – include a traffic study conducted by Boston Traffic Data, with vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle counts conducted on two days more than a year ago – Thursday, October 27, 2022 and Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, although the report indicates that the counts were adjusted to reflect estimated volumes during the summer.

The traffic study concluded that “the proposed redevelopment is estimated to generate approximately 114 new vehicle trips (48 entering vehicles and 66 exiting vehicles) during the weekday morning peak hour, 88 new vehicle trips during the weekday afternoon peak hour (57 entering vehicles and 31 exiting vehicles), and 97 new vehicle trips during the Saturday midday peak hour (50 entering vehicles and 47 exiting vehicles).”

In addition to a private pool and two private courtyards, the Paragon Dunes proposal includes publicly accessible open space to comply with the NBOD requirements – two pocket parks facing Nantasket Avenue of 1,600 square feet and 2,500 square feet, as well as an open corridor that connects to the Art Walk that runs behind the site on land owned by the neighboring Horizons condominium complex.

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Wellspring seeking applications, donations for holiday gift program

Wellspring Multi-Service Center is now accepting applications for its annual holiday gift program for families in Hull. This program ensures that every child in need receives a gift this season. Gift donations are welcome. The program ensures that every child receives a warm hat, gloves, socks, toys, and gift certificates for the parents to shop for the needs of their children.

Please call Pat Martin, 781-925-3211, x112 to either apply for assistance from the program or to become a donor.

Applications for the holiday gift program also can be picked up at the Wellspring office no later than Dec.6.

Crowds enjoy annual Thanksgiving bonfire on HRA land

Despite 4.3% rate reduction, rising values mean higher property tax bills this year

By Carol Britton Meyer

In keeping with tradition, the select board voted to maintain a single tax rate for residential and commercial properties during this week’s tax classification hearing for FY24, following the recommendation of the Board of Assessors.

The average residential property owner can expect a 3.4%, or $237.52, increase in his or her fiscal 2024 taxes, while the tax on commercial properties is expected to increase by 4.5%, or $366.51.

This is because while the single tax rate for Fiscal 2024 is 4.3% lower than the FY23 rate ($11.65 per $1,000 of assessed value compared with $12.17), the average value of single-family homes has increased by 8%, from $573,800 in FY23 to $619,800 in FY24.

For the full tax rate presentation (and other select board info) click here.

In FY23, the value of commercial properties increased by far less of a percentage than single-family homes, and the average tax bill decreased by $2, or -0.02%, based on the single tax rate at that time.

The scenario is far different for FY24, with the average value of commercial properties increasing by 9.1%, from $666,300 to $727,500.

At the new tax rate, the average tax bill for a single-family home will be $7,220.67, while the average tax bill for commercial properties will be $8,475.38.

Because nearly 96% of the properties in town are residential, and Hull has a small commercial base of 2.57%, maintaining the single tax rate means that most of the tax burden falls on residential property owners.

If the tax rate were split, homeowners would see relatively little savings, while the average commercial property owner would see his or her tax burden greatly increase, depending on the percentage of the split.

At the conclusion of the joint meeting between the select board of the board of assessors, acting chair Irwin Nesoff continued the tax classification hearing to a later date, but did not specify the reason for the move.

Hull ranks 16th from among 27 other local communities in a comparison of the average single-family tax bill.

A small portion of the property tax, 1.5%, applies to personal property. This tax includes tangible property that is not real property, such as furniture in second homes or business equipment.

The select board also voted not to adopt residential (for lower-valued, owner-occupied parcels) nor small business exemptions, also upon the recommendation of the board of assessors.

According to a chart listing the current range of values for Hull’s single-family homes, none are valued below $100,000 or between $100,000 and $200,000, and only 73 are valued between $200,000 and $300,000. There are 570 homes between $300,000 to $400,000, 997 in the $400,000 to $500,000 category, 699 valued between $500,000 and $600,000, and 19 valued at more than $2 million, up from 14 last year.

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HRA to extend temporary zoning freeze to ‘maintain options’ for future land use

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

After ample discussion at its recent meetings, the Hull Redevelopment Authority decided not to move forward with a definitive subdivision application to freeze zoning on its land for eight years. Instead, the HRA will submit another preliminary subdivision, holding the current zoning in place for seven months while the board continues to review the citizens’ submissions regarding uses of the land.

THE HULL REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY’s SUBDIVISION PLAN ESTABLISHES BOUNDARY LINES BETWEEN THE PARCELS.

According to Town Planner Chris DiIorio, if the board did nothing, the preliminary subdivision would become “null and void” and the zoning freeze would end. In order to be effective, the subdivision must be in place before any notice of public hearings on potential zoning changes.

“Last time it was tight…if late, you lose the freeze,” said DiIorio, who told the Times on Nov. 15 that surveyors are working on the final plans to submit to the planning board. “It shouldn’t be a heavy lift” because they have surveyed the land before, he said.

DiIorio said the members want to “maintain options and the NBOD (Nantasket Beach Overlay District) zoning gives a wider array of things you can do on the site… really, the subdivision is just moving lines on a page.”

“It would be shortsighted not to protect the zoning of the HRA land until we get through the URP (Urban Renewal Process),” said longtime HRA member Bartley Kelly. “We must protect the property…no matter what you do, always protect the value of an asset.”

“We need to be careful of our language,” HRA Clerk Adrienne Paquin said. “We are talking about protecting the land, but what are we protecting it from? The townspeople?”

“The language makes us look defensive when we are trying to build relationships with the town,” she said. “Protecting ourselves from what the townspeople want is not the kind of rapport I want us to have with the town.”

Kelly, however, said “being defensive” is necessary because the original preliminary subdivision was submitted in response to a zoning change filing that specified “nothing can be built there.”

HRA Chair Dennis Zaia said they would be “shooting themselves in the foot” if the lack of a preliminary subdivision precludes having any structure on the land, like a community or art center, which have been proposed by citizens.

“A subdivision is just property lines,” said Zaia. “It is not saying there will be a building or anything specific there…don’t want a bigger rift in the community over a procedural thing that shouldn’t be dividing.”

The property’s boundary lines need to be changed so it is a “bona fide” change.

“We are moving forward with the subdivision lines as they have existed for years and years,” said Zaia, adding that the preliminary subdivision plan as a “temporary fix” to allow more time going forward while not “eliminating potential.”

HRA Vice Chair Dan Kernan disagreed with filing the definitive subdivision plan, saying the original subdivision was “a direct statement opposed to open space… the goal is to protect the asset for the community, not from them. We are just locking zoning down, like some developer who does not want to allow affordable housing.”

Paquin agreed with Kernan.

“We as a board do not have a definitive plan; therefore, I am not in favor of a definitive plan,” she said.

Shannon Chiba, presenter of the open space/beach shell concept for the property, said “the people of Hull want open space. They voted as such, and most recently have shown that majority view in their presentations…we hope the HRA will listen and move forward with the town’s majority wishes.”

Zaia assured the group he is not saying “anything about what the town wants,” but rather as guardians of the HRA property, the board needs to be sure the zoning “stays flexible for the duration of the work we are doing.”

Kelly made a motion “to authorize Chris DiIorio to use the map that was presented to submit for a preliminary subdivision plan after it is cleaned up by our surveyors.”

Zaia, Kelly, Joan Senatore, and Paquin voted yes, while Kernan abstained because he is “uncomfortable with the whole thing.”

“This decision allows things to percolate from all the good work people are doing…putting things in a holding pattern to allow us to continue working the way we are, making sure our zoning is going to be available to us to use in all different ways,” said Zaia.

Senatore said she does not see a down side to submitting a subsequent preliminary subdivision plan because the board is “in the midst of going through all the options.”

“Hopefully down the road in seven months we can do a definitive plan,” Senatore said.

In response to a comment in the Zoom chat saying the plan could lock in an undesirable plan, Paquin replied: “By doing the subdivision, we are actually doing the opposite. We are keeping ourselves open to any options on the land as opposed to locking ourselves into something... I really want to state it over again. It gives us maximum flexibility for what we do. We are not locking ourselves into anything.”

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Rained out this summer, Hull PorchFest to come alive at Sunday’s ‘revival’

By Kathleen McKenna

Twenty inches of rain made the summer of 2023 one of the wettest on record, resulting in a dismal Fourth of July weekend, a slew of sodden Saturdays, and one washed-out Hull PorchFest. 

Disappointment over the event’s cancellation compelled HPF committee members to find another way to bring the one-day, once-a-year tradition of free music – played on porches from Nantasket to Beach Avenues, between Revere and Kenberma Streets – back to life. 

They found it in The Hull PorchFest ’23 Revival, a music extravaganza happening this Sunday at the C-Note from 2 to 7 p.m., rain or shine. 

Just like PorchFest, the Revival is open to all ages, although kids must be accompanied by adults. 

And it’s free of charge, although donations will be welcomed by the Hull High School choral and jazz bands. Music director Ian Barkon said the band is working hard to re-build post-pandemic, and that any money raised at Sunday’s event will be put toward transporting student musicians to both state and national competitions, where in the past they’ve achieved two gold ratings and one silver.

Merchandise from past PorchFests, including T-shirts and baseball caps, will be given away to Revival attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.

More than 30 musical acts were scheduled to play at a dozen or so Kenberma homes for PorchFest ’23, and four of those are donating their time and talents to the Revival: Seawitch, Redbeerd, The Pitfalls, and the Assisted Living Band. 

“Dancing is most definitely encouraged and expected,” said Sue Lynch of Revere Street, who’s taken over the reins of HPF since the organization’s founder and president, Tom Hardey, left Hull for his native Texas in October.

Lynch, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987, became a JAG attorney in 2000, and was promoted to colonel last year, said she was drawn to PorchFest because she “really loves to throw a party.” She’s been hosting bands on her Revere Street porch since HPF’s inception.

“I’ll never forget the day in summer of 2018 when Trish Hardey knocked on my door to ask if I’d like to host on my porch,” she said. “I’d just moved to town and I’d been looking for ways to get involved, so I immediately agreed.”

At the Revival on Sunday, she and other members of the Porchfest team hope to enlist volunteers to help plan and execute future PorchFests and related events, including fundraisers whose proceeds go toward town organizations like the HHS Band Program and the Anne M. Scully Senior Center, a past beneficiary of HPF donations.

“While most experience HPF as a fun-filled afternoon, it’s actually a year-long effort that brings together a dedicated team of people who fundraise in support of local causes, as well as plan and organize the actual event,” Lynch said. “Our vision going forward is to continue bringing Hull a vibrant family event, and to expand by welcoming new committee members, porch hosts, and bands, to collaborate with the town and with local businesses, and most importantly, to have fun.”

A rain date, she said with a smile, will also be incorporated. 

For more information, visit www.hullporchfest.org.

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Rotary Club seeks donations to sustain tradition of serving 800+ Thanksgiving meals

Volunteers from the Nantasket-Hull Rotary Club plan to maintain the fall tradition that grew out of the pandemic – serving up hot meals on Thanksgiving morning to residents up and down the peninsula.

Typically, 800 turkey dinners and bags of donated groceries are distributed by a growing network of volunteers. Participants can either pick up the food at Daddy’s Beach Club, 280 Nantasket Ave., eat on-site, or have it delivered to their homes.

“Every year our extended family comes together at Thanksgiving to make sure that everyone receives a hot meal,” said Craig Wolfe, one of the volunteer coordinators.

The only difference this year is that more help is needed, and the group asking the public for donations to keep the program going. Each meal costs about $25, and food donations are more difficult to obtain this year.

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 9 a.m., so that meals are ready for pickup or delivery by 10 a.m. The assembly line puts together the food for each destination, whether an in-person pickup or a volunteer road trip through each of Hull’s neighborhoods.

Wolfe said volunteers are always welcome to assist, but the program needs monetary donations this year more than ever.
The Rotary Club will accept checks by mail at PO Box 38, Hull, MA 02045, or by Venmo using the QR code (earmark the donation for this program by noting “Thanksgiving”).

Anyone who would like to register for a meal or to volunteer to assist on Thanksgiving morning can contact Wolfe directly at 781-771-6416 or 89edge@comcast.net.

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You’ve got to go: Hull High troupe to stage ‘Urinetown: The Musical’ next weekend

By Victoria Dolan

This weekend, Hull High School Theatre Arts will present its funny, family-friendly fall musical, “Urinetown.”

“Urinetown” is a comedic musical set in a world where a drought forces inhabitants to “pay to pee” to conserve water. Against this backdrop, a love story and a tale of revolution unfolds. For theatre lovers, there’s another underlying theme: Urinetown is designed to parody classic Broadway tropes.

“This is just supposed to be a funny way of celebrating everything you see on Broadway,” said HHSTA and Urinetown Co-Director Erin O’Donnell.
Sister and Co-Director Emily O’Donnell noted that “this show is not supposed to be serious, and I think that’s what people need – to sit down and watch something that’s not serious.”

Above all else, Urinetown is a show for the family.

“Everyone, no matter what age, can enjoy the show,” said Emily. “Everyone can come and enjoy theatre as what it’s supposed to be, which is just a good time.”

However, while the main goal of the show may be to entertain, there’s an important underlying message.

“The show is mainly about love, but it’s also about fighting for what you believe is right,” which is “very relevant for today’s society,” said Emily.
This is Emily and Erin O’Donnell’s third year directing the school’s theater program, and it will be their second musical with HHSTA. After a long gap because of COVID19, this means it also many of the students’ second time participating in a musical. This provided a unique challenge, as there were “a lot of newbies who had to learn what it means to be in a ‘big-kid’ show,” explained Erin.

Another obstacle to overcome was “teaching kids it’s OK to embarrass themselves,” said Emily, who prioritized “getting everybody to let go, and not be so serious when they’re onstage.”

Hopefully, the hard work will pay off on opening night. Erin has already seen promising signs, such as at a strong sitzprobe, a rehearsal where students sang along with the orchestra providing live music.

“The most rewarding part will be seeing the audience laugh,” said Emily. “I’ve laughed [while watching the show], so hopefully they’ll laugh.”

HHSTA will perform “Urinetown: The Musical” at the high school on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door or online at www.showtix4u.com/event-details/76853.

Victoria Dolan is The Hull Times school correspondent. This column reflects her student viewpoint.

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‘More than a parking lot:’ HRA considers circus, movies, other short-term land uses

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

In addition to reviewing citizens’ proposals for uses of its property, during the past few weeks the Hull Redevelopment Authority has been exploring opportunities for the land in the short-term, including a circus, a pop-up movie screen, and an electrical utility skills demonstration.

PERFORMERS OF THE HIDEAWAY CIRCUS…

The HRA land also will host the traditional bonfire on Thanksgiving, with wood already being placed at the site.

On Oct. 30, HRA Chair Dennis Zaia made a motion to hold the Hideaway Circus in July, while filmmaker Ben Forman proposed an inflatable projection screen to hold drive-in or picnic-style movie nights. Representatives of the Hull Municipal Light Plant and Northeast Public Power Association attended the HRA meeting on Nov. 6 to share more details about the 2024 “RodE&O Conference” they would like to hold on the HRA land in May.

Zaia said he first encountered the “all-American” Hideaway Circus in August at Weir River Farm in Hingham, and he was “surprised at how amazing it was.”

Hideawaycircus.com describes Stars Above, which has an approximate run time of 85 minutes, as “an outdoor, family-friendly circus, a modern take on the nostalgic small touring circuses from over 200 years ago. Featuring an all-star cast of circus performers and musicians, the show centers around a day in the life of a traveling family troupe... the all-ages production is performed outdoors, under the vast canopy of sky and stars, on a custom-built circular stage and aerial rig.”

“The Hideaway Circus will illuminate utilization of the HRA property while bringing in revenues of $39,000 to offset the $30,000 cost, while enhancing the Independence Day holiday in Hull,” said Zaia, saying the cost is $10,000 per show, along with $10,000 for police details, fencing, and other incidentals.

Another proposal would use the property to show movies.

“My ask is for a partnership with the HRA…my first stop was to see if we could use the land,” Forman said. “Whenever the land starts to transform to a permanent solution, I hope art and culture is part of that; until then I would like to do something meaningful, impactful, and uplifting.”

In contrast to a traditional movie screen, which is 40 feet, the inflatable screen could be as large as 52 feet.

“Part of the engagement factor and magic is for people to see it while driving by,” said Forman.

Zaia said he would like to see this happen for a designated number of days; HRA Clerk Adrienne Paquin agreed.

“I love the idea; this is the kind of use of the space a lot of us are talking about,” Paquin said. “Not sure how much financially the HRA can buy in, but as a pilot program you have a yes from me there.”

Newest HRA member Joan Senatore agreed with Paquin about considering a pilot program.

“I think this could fly down here very much,” she said. “We do not have a movie theater in town. Watching a movie as the sun goes down over World’s End would be pretty special.”

“The devil is in the details,” said longtime HRA member Bartley Kelly. “[It] wouldn’t be a bad idea to get legal counsel to be sure we are within guidelines of the HRA.”

Paquin also questioned whether it was within the HRA’s mandate to spend money on events such as the Hideaway Circus and the drive-in movies.

To address these concerns, Zaia invited commercial real estate and land-use attorney Paula Devereaux to Monday’s meeting to explain the parameters around these uses of the land.

“The power of the HRA is to eliminate blight and substandard conditions,” Devereaux said. “There is a little more leeway when it is for a project rather than the entire plan area… ‘demonstration projects’ are a way an urban renewal project can test projects.”

A demonstration project is defined as a relatively self-contained, small-scale capital investment or technical assistance project, the purpose of which is to “demonstrate” a particular approach.

Devereaux used the examples of the Cobble Hill Center LLC v. Somerville Redevelopment Authority decision by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Suffolk Superior Court’s Marchese v. Boston Redevelopment Authority decision to justify the HRA’s ability to conduct activities other than large-scale development under a formal urban renewal plan.

She said the court found that state law “clearly contemplates the development and testing of new or different projects that may lead to future use and improvement, which is consistent with the common understanding of a demonstration.”

“We have vetted it thorough legal counsel. The Hideaway Circus falls in the category of a demonstration project, and we have clear legal standing to do this and there may be other demonstration projects we wish to present,” Zaia said. “[A] demonstration project is a valuable tool for our authority as we move forward with citizens ideas.”

The motion by Zaia and approved by the board at the October 30 meeting – to “engage the Hideaway Circus for July 2 and July 3, 2024, for a full buyout not to exceed $30,000 contingent this is bona fide activity for the HRA to do in quest of economic improvement of our property for the community of Hull” – was reaffirmed by the board following clarification by Devereaux.

The Northeast Public Power Association and Hull Municipal Light Plant proposed holding the 2024 RodE&O Conference on the HRA land and at the nearby Nantasket Beach Resort. The conference and exposition consist of skilled competition, educational sessions, roundtables, networking, sponsor exhibits, and more.

“When they called out for a new location, I could not think of a better backdrop for the event which will bring business to Hull,” said Anne Finley of HMLP, who thanked the HRA for “embracing something good happening in Hull.”

Light plant Assistant Operations Manager Mike Schmitt said 10 telephone poles would be installed, and spectators are encouraged to watch the line workers compete in pole climbing, transformer change-outs, and cross-arm change-outs.

“The event is a great way for the public to learn how Hull’s utility does what they do for the community, and how they keep the lights on for people,” said Wendy Esche, NEPPA director of marketing, communications, and events.

The HRA approved the event, citing the revenues it would bring to town by filling the hotel for a few days and bringing business to local restaurants. However, some logistics need to be with the layout of parking and portable bathrooms for the event.

The NPPA event received tentative approval with submission of a revised event layout diagram.

“This event will put Hull Light on the map like Anne said, but will also give recognition to the whole town of Hull…great for our town to bring in some business,” said Senatore.

“The reality is we want to do more than a parking lot,” Vice Chair Dan Kernan said. “The process is more complicated to do this on the property, but we hope there will be more events like this in the future.”

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Board seeks more information on citizens’ ideas for long-term redevelopment projects

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

The Hull Redevelopment Authority this week continued discussing citizens’ proposals for long-term land uses and will ask some sponsors to present additional information in January.

“This is the time to make the comments on the submissions that have percolated up in our mind,” HRA Chair Dennis Zaia said, noting that it is “not meant to be ‘this is good or not good.’ For some we have more questions, others we need more meat.”

A total of 21 submissions were received; 11 were evaluated, and five groups will be asked to present in January. Another 10 will be discussed at the HRA meeting on Dec. 11 to determine if board members need more information and want to “dig deeper.”

Patrick Finn’s “HRA Three Phases,” Leonard Markowitz and Team’s “Mobile Stage/Open Space,” and SOS Hull’s “Open Space Revenue Generation/Long Term Vision” were the presenters asked to return. Jodi Lewis, who proposed community space, and Pam Wolfe, who suggested a seaside gateway park, decided not to give a formal presentation in the first round, but have been asked to present in January.

Zaia said he was wanted to hear more from Finn about adding a driveway to improve traffic flow. Joan Senatore, HRA treasurer, is interested in hearing more about how Finn would develop residences on the land.

“Like Dennis, I appreciated the traffic flow… understanding [a] better option for potentially dealing with traffic patterns, and how his [Finn’s] ideas could fit with the DCR if they did put in boardwalk,” said HRA Vice Chair Dan Kernan.

Zaia said Markowitz demonstrated a “flexibility that is enormously valuable, so the space could have the opportunity of many things happening there all the time.”

Hearing more about the concepts of the mobile stage and open space principles were at the core of why Senatore and Kernan wanted Markowitz to return for a follow-up presentation.

HRA members said the presentation by SOS Hull was “rich in lots of different areas” and warranted more exploration.

“There is a lot of connectivity” Zaia wishes to pursue further in the SOS Hull presentation, including connections with the Trustees of Reservations, Boston Harbor Islands, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Along with the other board members, Zaia said he wants to learn more about the short-term versus long-term options presented in the SOS Hull plan.

Zaia said Lewis’s proposal, which highlights the Tree House Tavern in Hanson as an example of community space, along with sunset events and small kiosk vendors, is a way to “make something ordinary a little more magical.”

Like Lewis, Wolfe chose not to present to the board, but her ideas still caught members’ attention.

“Verbiage is really good…could lift and put in our own Urban Renewal Plan,” said Senatore, who also would like to hear more about the seaside gateway park in the proposal.

Although the remaining six citizens were not asked to come back for a subsequent presentation, the board had positive comments about the ideas presented.

Senatore supported Shannon Chiba’s idea of the open space beach shell.

“People are very in favor of having some sort of event space,” she said, saying the board needs to “decide which shell suits the land.”

Kernan said he “appreciated the whole idea of environmental emphasis” in Chiba’s presentation and a lot of ideas could be incorporated from there.

Links to the DCR master plans, the concept of wide steps, and reference to the importance of a grant writer stood out to the board in reviewing Lepori’s “Beachside Park Walkways” proposal, inspired by a promenade in Tel Aviv.

“It is critical to leverage what the DCR is doing, and it is at the forefront of this proposal,” said Kernan.

During the meeting, members said resident Amy Joseph’s proposal was not posted with the others on hra02045.com, but Zaia said the concept, modeling the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham and an arts community building, stood out to him.

Ann Marie Papasodero proposed a musical festival, similar to Levitate, which is a three-day event with shops and entertainment in Marshfield.

“There is a lot of time to get to the Urban Renewal Plan,” Senatore said. “I like thinking out of the box of the carnival, bonfire, and parking… more events.”

Gert Warren proposed a Ferris Wheel, which other cities and states have used to bring in revenue.

Kernan said the idea of a wheel could be “a definable feature to define the town…not sure the Ferris wheel is the solution, but the idea is a beginning.”

Scott Plympton submitted a proposal for open space and a community center.

Zaia pointed out it was one of the few submissions that suggested putting a community building on the HRA land.

Kernan thanked all of the residents who took time to put together a presentation.

“Whether called back or not doesn’t mean the presentation wasn’t great,” he said. “We appreciate each one.”

To view the submissions for long-term use of the HRA property, visit www.hra02045.com.

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