Paragon Dunes developer withdraws from environmental review, to revise flood control plan

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

The developer proposing the Paragon Dunes mixed-use project has withdrawn from a state environmental review process and will resubmit its Environmental Notification Form to address flood resiliency concerns.

In a June 3 letter to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office, The Procopio Companies Vice President of Development David Roache said the company sought withdrawal to address the issues raised by state officials.

“Given the narrow scope of the comments received from state agencies, we feel the best course of action is to resubmit a revised ENF,” said Roache, who also acknowledged comments from planning board members and the public that the MEPA review had not been adequately advertised.

“While the submission followed all regulations, restarting the process will allow additional time for review to avoid any perception that the review process was rushed,” he wrote to MEPA Environmental Analyst Eva Vaughan.

Click here to read the full Environmental Notification Form

Click here to read the comments by various state agencies

Click here to read Procopio’s letter of withdrawal from June 3, 2024

The proposed development will include 132 residential units, commercial uses, an elevated courtyard with an inground pool, public open spaces, landscaping, a stormwater treatment system, a parking garage and surface parking for a total of 180 cars. As presented in the ENF, the new structure will have four stories, including three stories of residential units above first-floor commercial space. The garage level, located partially below the street grade of Nantasket Avenue, will consist of parking and storage areas for residents, as well as an enclosed trash room and utility spaces.

Two months after receiving planning board approval of its special permit, on May 20 Procopio finalized the purchase of the property for $6 million from Nantasket Dune Holdings LLC. The seasonal businesses that previously operated there, including the Paragon Boardwalk, arcade, ice cream stand, and miniature golf course, are not scheduled to reopen this summer.

Construction on the site cannot begin until the environmental review is completed and all building permits are issued.

During the MEPA review by several state agencies, some analyses requested include grading plans with cross-sections that show the existing and proposed grades, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zone elevations; evaluation of how these grade changes will affect the flow of coastal floodwaters; studies adequately characterizing how high groundwater conditions at the site will impact the viability of the proposed infiltration system.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation said a Construction and Access Permit (CAP) will be required for work activities within the boundaries of the DCR’s property

“Additional details regarding the velocity and volume of overtopping flood waters entering the site are necessary to assess potential negative impacts, to properties under the care and control of DCR, resulting from diversion of flood flows and reflection of wave energy onto Nantasket Ave., the comfort station site, and the parking lot adjacent to the beach,” the agency wrote in its comments.

The Dunes project would connect into existing stormwater systems that serve DCR’s parking lot on George Washington Boulevard, or would access discharge locations by crossing DCR property. The DCR pointed out more information is needed to assess the potential impacts to these systems.

The DCR requires proof that the project will have no negative impacts to DCR’s stormwater infrastructure, its function, and the Weir River Area of Critical Environmental Concern, while the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) advised a full technical review for compliance with Chapter 91 waterways regulations.

Coastal Zone Management Director Alison Brizius wrote that FEMA flood maps predict that in a major storm, there will be three feet of overwash, with waves coming over the seawall along Nantasket Beach and moving across the project site.

“The proposed buildings and vertical walls at grade could channelize floodwater through smaller areas, increasing the velocity and volume of floodwaters, likely increasing storm damage to landward infrastructure, including the DCR parking area and George Washington Boulevard,” according to CZM. “Since Nantasket Avenue and George Washington Boulevard are the only two roads in and out of Hull, it is important that alternative designs be considered for this development to minimize the potential to cause damage to these evacuation routes.”

According to CZM, the geotechnical boring analyses conducted on the site confirm the location meets the definition of a coastal dune and should be delineated as such on the project plans.

The CZM noted the coastal dune functions on the project site are limited due to past development.

FEMA has determined through post-storm assessments as well as laboratory analyses that buildings built at grade with solid walls in Coastal A Zones, such as this project, are subject to structural damage. As a result, FEMA recommended in its 2011 Coastal Construction Manual that buildings in Coastal A Zones be built to Velocity Zone Standards, such as on open pilings.

“Although this code is not in effect yet, elevating new buildings in Coastal A Zones on open pilings is a best practice and should be further evaluated for this site,” according to the CZM letter.

The review of the Paragon Dunes project was continued to the Tuesday June 11 meeting of the Hull Conservation Commission; it is not clear whether the ENF withdrawal will affect this timetable.

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Nesoff named new chair as Select Board reorganizes, makes several volunteer committee appointments

By Carol Britton Meyer

Irwin Nesoff was unanimously elected as select board chair for the coming year at Wednesday’s meeting, while former Chair Greg Grey was made the new vice chair on another unanimous vote.

TO THE RESCUE: The town received a check for $300,461 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for an ambulance. ARPA money comes from the federal government and is in response to the COVID19 pandemic; it must be allocated by the end of this year. Shown at Wednesday’s check presentation are select board members Greg Grey and Jerry Taverna, Deputy Fire Chief William Frazier, select board member Brian McCarthy, Plymouth County Commissioner Chair Jared Valanzola, select board members Jason McCann and Irwin Nesoff, Town Manager Jennifer Constable, and Fire Chief Chris Russo. [Photo courtesy of James Lampke]

“It’s been a fun experience being chair for a year,” Grey said before physically moving his seat at the table. “Now it’s time to switch chairs!”

Jason McCann agreed to serve as clerk for another year on another unanimous vote.

Nesoff thanked Grey for his work as chair.

“You’ve done a momentous job in moving the board forward, and I hope to continue that work and build upon what we have accomplished in the past year,” he said.

“This was the quickest reorganization in several years!” quipped Grey.

“That’s because we all get along so well,” Nesoff said.

In other business at the meeting

• Plymouth County Commissioner Jared Valanzola presented an American Rescue Plan Act check for $300,461 to the board to cover the cost of the new Hull Fire Department ambulance, which is already in service.

Chief Chris Russo expressed appreciation for the grant.

“This is wonderful for the department and the community,” he said.

This is on top of earlier grants of $595,000 toward the sewer department ocean outfall rehabilitation project that began in December 2023 and additional ARPA funding of $986,803 last fall.

 The ARPA bill was a response to the COVID19 pandemic, geared toward addressing both the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

• In keeping with the select board’s goal to make appointments to various committees and boards by the end of June each year, interviews were conducted for the newly formed beautification committee, permanent sewer commission, veterans’ council, and the war memorial commission.

The following appointments were made:

• Beautification committee: Anne Finley, Leandro Rosa, and Betsy Russo, all for a three-year term. Finley and Russo are Hull Garden Club members, with Russo serving as president. Rosa thought serving on the committee would be a good way to “do something for the town.” There are four remaining seats to fill on the seven-member committee. More applicants will be interviewed June 26.

The newly-created beautification committee intends to enhance the natural beauty of the town and to “cultivate a more visually appealing and vibrant community by actively spearheading projects that elevate the aesthetics of public spaces.”

• John Clougherty and Jordan Depenbrock were interviewed for two seats on the permanent sewer commission, with additional applicants to be interviewed at the board’s next meeting, when the appointments are expected to be made.

• Current Veterans’ Council members Philip Bellone, Robert Bowes, David Irwin, and Andrew Wohar were interviewed after expressing an interest in being reappointed, along with Peter-Michael Preble – the minister of the St. Nicholas Church in Hull Village – James Richman, Jr. –who recently revitalized the American Legion in Hull – and Kenneth Walsh, an advocate for veterans. Because there are more applicants than there are available seats on the council and more potential interviews on June 26, the appointments will be made that night.

• Current War Memorial Commission members Edward Burke, Andrew Wohar, and Ernest Minelli, III were reappointed to the commission, and Joseph Grieco was reappointed as an alternate member.

Interviews for the one opening on the board of health will be held June 26.

“This is what makes Hull a special place to live,” Nesoff said, referring to the large number of candidates interested in serving in various capacities on a volunteer basis.

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‘Climate Adaptation Roadmap’ to address flooding, rising sea level in Hampton Circle area

By Carol Britton Meyer

“The Hampton Circle Area Climate Adaptation Roadmap” report provides short-term and long-term recommended actions for the Hampton Circle area, which floods frequently and is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surge, and high tide.

Long-term strategies could include wall and drainage improvements, a home elevation program, building a raised road, or pursuing “planned retreat” of residents and natural restoration of the land.

Hampton Circle, a residential neighborhood with year-round homes, is a mini-peninsula located along the western side of Hull on the harbor-facing side of the barrier beach. Residents say they live life by the tidal cycles, according to the report: “Keeping track of low and high tides drives daily activities and helps them prepare for flooding.”

Tides are projected to increase in this area due to climate change, with exceptionally high tides documented in recent years.

Click here to read the Climate Adaptation Roadmap

Climate Adaptation & Conservation Department Director Chris Krahforst provided an update on the report to the select board and the climate adaptation committee this week.

“This is a problem area we’ve been working on for the past three years,” he said.

Public meeting scheduled for this month

A public meeting about the report will be held in the Hampton Circle area, weather permitting, this month, with more details to come.

The project is a cooperative effort among the town, the Weston & Sampson engineering team, and the state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, which is funding the initiative.

The purpose of the roadmap is to identify the areas of the neighborhood that are being impacted more immediately by climate change, with adaptation and resiliency strategies still under development.

It is hoped that this process will be transferable to developing strategies in other problem areas in town, such as Cadish Avenue, as outlined in the Town of Hull Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 Update, which is posted on the town’s website.

The report addresses a wide range of considerations, including shoreline flood mitigation, emergency access, open space improvements, private property adaptation, and ecological restoration. In short, the roadmap will serve as a guide for the town and community in envisioning the future of this area under the conditions of climate change.

Culmination of year’s work

The report – the culmination of a year’s work involving community engagement and technical analysis, the MVP, and the town – includes photographs of flooding in the area, information about projected flooding, a public engagement summary, and an overview of design options related to shoreline protection and drainage improvements to help increase climate resiliency.

“The roadmap considers climate change predictions for 2030, 2050, and 2070, including what sea level rise we may expect at those future horizons,” according to Krahforst.

The “2070 Possible Design Vision” outlined in the report is intended as a conversation starter, exploring a possible future scenario in which the Hampton Circle area is exposed to daily tidal flooding and is regularly at risk of significant storm flooding.

In this vision, flood protection is established using the 2070 1% annual chance flood elevation and builds upon 2050 mitigation strategies, keeping in place the seawalls while expanding possible floodable park space and potentially converting Moreland Avenue to a spanning bridge.

“If residents in this area accept buyouts for their homes in the future and subsidized funding to enable relocation to safer areas, the central wetland park areas could be re-naturalized to reflect its historic condition and provide greater climate resilience for the rest of the Hampton Circle Area,” according to the report.

2070 adaptation strategies could also include barrier wall and resilient drainage improvements, expansion of the home elevation grant program, a raised roadway, and pursuing planned retreat and ecological restoration in the area.

Home elevation program

The town has a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help fund home elevations for private property, for which many Hampton Circle residents may be eligible.

“Given the projected flood vulnerability for the HCA, the neighborhood may become less habitable in the future,” the report states. “The area, which already experiences flooding from high tides, storms, and rain events, has limited access when roads become flooded. Planned retreat is one climate adaptation strategy in which property owners receive the fair market value for their property in order to relocate to a safer area.”

That said, “HCA residents are not [currently ready] to consider planned retreat in their future plans,” Krahforst said.

Immediate next steps include repairing the existing flood wall, making stormwater system improvements, and continuing home elevation program outreach to help increase participation. Another possibility is installing temporary flood protection barriers.

The town has already applied for funding from the MVP fund to complete the 75% design and develop permitting applications of wetlands restoration, culvert, tide gate, and green infrastructure designs as well as pump station relocation (fiscal year 2024-2026).

“Interim measures are being actively worked on [among various town boards and committees], because the flooding will get worse,” Town Manager Jennifer Constable said.

Phase 2 of this project will advance concept designs developed during the first phase, with continued community outreach. The project is expected to continue for the next two years.

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HHS Class of 2024 urged to ‘go forth with confidence, compassion’ at graduation ceremony

By Victoria Dolan

Last Saturday, the Hull community celebrated 51 graduates and 11 retirees in a bittersweet graduation ceremony. 

The ceremony, which took place outdoors on Finlayson Field, marked the last class for Superintendent Judith Kuehn and Principal Michael Knybel, who both delivered remarks. 

Knybel encouraged the class to stay true to themselves and embrace their individuality, because “this world needs individuals who are willing to stand for what is right, to contribute with kindness and truth.

“Go forth with confidence, compassion, and the unwavering belief that you are capable of shaping a better future,” he concluded. 

Check out these great images from the ceremony from Jennifer Lynne Photography by clicking here.

Kuehn encouraged the graduates to continue applying the lessons they learned at Hull High, as “your curiosity, your passion for knowledge, your kindness towards others, and your commitment to excellence will be the foundation upon which you build your future.” 

After walking the field to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” Dahlia Hedrick sang the National Anthem. Hedrick and Katherine Orpen later delivered Class Reflections, and the HHS band performed a short selection.

After the salutatorian address, valedictorian Veronica Fleming took the stage to deliver her remarks. Fleming reflected on the transitions the class has faced thus far from elementary to middle school and middle to high school, and took on the age-old question, “Why are we learning this?”

“We have learned all that we have up to this point so that our past can help propel us into a better future, and all that we will learn in the future will only augment the foundation we have already built,” she said.  “Even if we never see the Pythagorean theorem again, at least we can affirm that it has gotten us this far.”

The commencement speaker was Elizabeth Greenwood, a professor and alumna of Columbia University with multiple critically acclaimed novels. Greenwood grew up in Massachusetts and encouraged the graduates to treasure their community and their home in Hull.

Senior class president Maeve Mulvihill shared similar sentiments in her address, sharing that “the time we have spent here in this town with these people is irreplaceable, and I don’t want these relationships to go away.

“This is the time for us to make mistakes and take risks,” Mulvihill said. “It is our time to live our lives however we would like, and to discover ourselves for who we are and what we would like to become.” 

And as “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove played to conclude the ceremony, the 51 students on the field became alumni of Hull High School.

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Grad’s advice to classmates: 'Go beyond the rotary' – but come back to make a difference

By Victoria Dolan

[This the text of the salutatorian’s address delivered at Hull High’s graduation ceremonies on June 1 by Victoria Dolan – Ed.]

Good morning parents, faculty, staff, honored guests, and thank you for joining us to celebrate my fellow members of the class of 2024. I’d especially like to thank all of our wonderful teachers who helped us make it to this moment, and to my parents, grandma, and sister, who listened to me complain for four years about all the homework those wonderful teachers assigned.

As many of my peers already know, I moved to Hull from across the country in sixth grade. I didn’t know anybody, and as I looked into the future, I was excited to join this community, but also incredibly nervous about what this new setting would bring. Many of you may be feeling similarly now as you prepare to move into a new community – for a job, or college, or trade school. 

My third day of school, I got lucky. Shocked to learn I had never made slime before, Cali Gibbons invited me to her house to learn how. I failed, miserably, at it, but made a new friend in the process.

You see, my favorite thing about Hull and our time at Hull High is precisely what I experienced on that day with Cali. Cali represented the best characteristics of Hull’s close-knit community – one that is protective of its own while kind to outsiders, and always overwhelmingly generous. 

We’ve seen that community in action time and time again over the past four years. Packing the stands at cold and windy football games until we made it to Gillette for the first time in decades. Rallying around our gift-card fundraisers that relied on local businesses to help bring prom tickets to unprecedentedly low prices. Filling the seats of the auditorium for a 40-minute play, or the gym bleachers for the students-versus-faculty basketball game. 

But despite these successes, it is no secret that the past four years have been difficult ones for Hull High School. Our first two years were still impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. Our final two years were punctuated by continued changes in leadership. Whether it was braving class scheduling during add-drop period or driving through flooded streets to get to school, we still made it through, thanks to the support of our community and one another. 

I hope you’ll use what you’ve learned from navigating those uncertainties to help you with whatever path you choose to take next. Go “beyond the rotary.” Learn from a broader, more diverse range of perspectives than we have here in Hull, and let them shape the person you’ll become. I hope you find great success, and I hope you learn to fail with grace. Go into the world, and do it with the courage, tenacity, flexibility, and sense of spirit you learned at Hull High School.

Then, come back. Come back in the summer to a town with two schools instead of three, with an entirely new administration that you might not know the names of. Learn their names. Run for office, or speak up at town meeting. Vote. Support local businesses, and prevent people from building more condos. Come back to Hull with the lessons you’ve learned from getting out of here. Then give back to this community which has given so much to you.

Bring the new perspectives you’ll have from the new people you’ve met and lessons you’ve learned, and help Hull grow to become even better. We live in a town of 10,000 people, and I see 51 soon to be graduates seated on either side of me with the potential to make a serious difference in this town and in the world.

To all of you sitting on the field and in the stands, I ask that you welcome the new ideas these students bring back with the same grace, kindness, and Hull spirit that Cali once showed a new kid from California. I am forever grateful for the welcome I received from the Hull community, and I am proud to call this town my home.

Thank you, and congratulations to the class of 2024. 

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Former superintendent’s $5M wrongful termination suit settled on second day of trial

By Victoria Dolan

In the middle of the second day of testimony in former Hull Public Schools Superintendent Michael Devine’s $5-million wrongful termination lawsuit against the town, representatives informed Judge Patti B. Saris that they had reached a settlement in lieu of continuing the trial.

The Hull Select Board held an unscheduled Zoom meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday – allowable under the Open Meeting Law in emergency situations – to consider the settlement amount. The details of that executive session were not available by the Times’ deadline.

Devine, who was principal of Hull High School before becoming superintendent in 2017, alleged that the termination of his contract in 2020 was a product of discrimination based on his sexual orientation, and brought seven counts against the Hull Public Schools, the Town of Hull and five school committee members for breach of contract, discrimination, defamation, and economic and emotional damages. Devine filed his suit in 2021; the trial in front of a jury began on Tuesday.

Click here to read the full text of Devine v. Town of Hull, filed in 2021

Click here for the notice of settlement filed with the court on May 30, 2024

former Hull Superintendent Michael Devine….

Representing the schools, attorney Deborah Ecker argued in opening statements that Devine’s termination was not discriminatory, but a direct result of inappropriate text messages with former student Ryan Hauter, who was identified in open court and in attorneys’ filings.

Devine, said Ecker, “was texting with a student who looked up to him as a father figure and who he knew had significant mental health issues.” He had “crossed the line,” said Ecker, and at the time he told Hauter and multiple school officials that he knew it.

Devine was represented by India Minchoff and Stephen Kuzma. In her opening statement, Minchoff argued that Devine’s “sexual orientation was a deciding factor in his termination,” and that texts with a 21-year-old adult living in another state should never have been under the jurisdiction of the school committee.

Minchoff argued that the five school committee members decided to terminate Devine because they were worried about public perception and began to stereotype Devine upon learning of his sexuality.

“This case is about… public perception,” said Minchoff, “and the school committee’s perception of him as a ‘groomer.’”

After opening statements, Minchoff and Kuzma called two witnesses, former Athletic Director Jim Quatromoni and Executive Secretary Maggie Ollerhead, who both testified that Devine created a friendly and welcoming work environment within the school department. Quatromoni, who was subpoenaed to testify about whether Devine influenced the assignment of internships – Quatromoni testified that he had not – said that Hauter was eventually placed in an internship at the school’s main office. While in this internship, he frequently encountered and had one-on-one conversations with Devine.

Devine did not finish his testimony before the case settled. However, he spoke at length about his messages with Hauter and his fear of “coming out” as gay in the Hull community.

“I felt at times that there were people who were not tolerant,” he said, especially after hearing comments like “that’s so gay” from “people in positions of power,” such as local elected officials.

Devine argued that text messages with Hauter were incomplete and taken out of context. The trial and a pre-trial memorandum were the first time these text messages were made public. Devine and Hauter’s communication began with Hauter reaching out through email, after which Devine provided his personal cell phone and Hauter began texting him. The student had already graduated from Hull High School and was living out of state.

The text messages displayed during the trial were from September of 2019, and included Devine asking, “Have you ever thought about us in a different way?” In a later part of the conversation, Hauter texted “Hahahah my thinking was ‘my former principal just came on to me’ hahahaha,” to which Devine responded, “No he didn’t! Well…” and “You totally knew what I was hinting at didn’t you?”

Some excerpts of the conversation were not available, because they were left out of screenshots or, as Devine alleged, deleted by Hauter.

Devine stated that he asked Hauter about his feelings because Hauter had previously texted “I love you.”

The conversation continued, but Hauter later contacted school social worker Andrea Centerrino that he was upset by the messages. During conversations with Centerrino and former Hull High Principal Nicole Nosek, Devine repeatedly stated that he “crossed the line.” On the stand, Devine expressed that this sentiment was misperceived, and he crossed the line by making Hauter uncomfortable with his question about their relationship.

Before Devine finished his testimony, the parties reached an agreement to settle, the terms of which were not released. The judge issued a 30-day order to finalize written terms.

Christopher Haraden contributed to this report.

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Developer pays $6M for Paragon Boardwalk; venue won’t reopen for summer

By Christopher Haraden

Two months to the day after receiving planning board approval of its special permit for the Paragon Dunes project, a Middleton developer finalized the purchase of the property for $6 million.

The Procopio Companies plans to build a four-story, 132-unit mixed unit project at what has been known as the Paragon Boardwalk since 2017. The sale spells the end of the outdoor beer garden and indoor arcade, as well as the adjacent miniature golf course, as the former owner returned the venue’s liquor license to the town in March.

“We would like to forfeit our liquor license for Paragon Entertainment Ventures effective March 31. … Our insurance coverage will be lapsing on that date and we will not be renewing it,” Chris Reale, one of the property owners, wrote in a March 6 letter to the select board. If Procopio plans to reopen the businesses, the company would need to apply for its own business permits.

Principal Michael Procopio of 197 Nantasket Owner LLC purchased the site from Nantasket Dune Holdings LLC on May 20. The $6 million sale price was supported by a mortgage of the same amount from First Boston Construction Holdings LLC, a private lender owned by the Grossman family of Quincy. Nantasket Dune Holdings purchased the property from the Levin family for $1.25 million in November 2017 and replaced a large section of the storefronts with outdoor seating and performance space.

Procopio’s Paragon Dunes project is currently under environmental review by state and local authorities.

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Another milestone for the Class of 2024: Prom is one last dance for seniors

By Victoria Dolan

Last Thursday, more than 100 students attended the Hull High School junior-senior prom at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy, for many marking the near end of their high school career with a night of dancing and fun.

Hull High SENIORS recently had their ‘last dance’ of high school. watch next week’s edition for more photos from the prom and from Hull high’s graduation ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, june 1. [Skip Tull photo]

The moment was a long time coming. Senior class president Maeve Mulvihill explained that the student government has been fundraising for prom since freshman year. One major fundraiser that contributed to prom was the recent gift card raffle, where businesses donated gift cards that students raffled off to community members.

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Click here for 2024 Prom Photos from Jennifer Lynne Photography

WATCH FOR MORE PROM & GRADUATION PHOTOS IN NEXT WEEK’S EDITION!

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“We are very thankful that so many local businesses were so generous,” said student government advisor Lindsey Donovan. Their generosity resulted in a highly successful fundraiser that brought the cost of prom tickets down to only $40.

Mulvihill noted that although many seniors attended prom last year as juniors, this year had a different experience in store. Seniors walked down the “promenade” at the Hull Yacht Club for pictures in front of parents, as well as “watch[ing] our classmates get prom king and queen which was amazing!”
Madison Constable was named prom queen and Daniel Gianibas was named prom king. For them and their classmates, the best part of the night was the main feature of prom itself – the dancing.

“The highlight of the night,” agreed Donovan, “was how happy the students were dancing with their friends! How free they were.”

“Even though we haven’t graduated yet, it is an amazing way to end our time here in Hull,” said Mulvihill. “I think it was the perfect way for our class to come together for one of the last times.”

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

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Parade, dedication of squares highlight Hull's Memorial Day observance

Scenes from Hull’s Memorial Day observances all over town on Monday, May 27. Many thanks to photographers who contributed images — Skip Tull, Jennifer Whelan, James Lampke, and Kerrie Ryan.

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Sensors to be installed off Hull’s coastline to collect data, monitor sea-level rise

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

On Tuesday night, the Hull Conservation Commission gave a unanimous green light to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) to install water sensors in various locations along Hull’s coastline to monitor sea level rise.

In this image from the Woods hole oceanographic institute’s website, research Associate Levi Gorrell opens the panel door of a water level sensor being deployed in chatham; similar sensors are proposed for installation off hull’s coastline.

The WHOI identified Hull as well suited to test the water sensors because the coastal community is vulnerable and provides an opportunity to better understand local flooding problems.

Sarah Das, WHOI scientist and author of the RDA, said a team at WHOI worked to develop the low-cost water level sensors to determine how sea level rise is affecting us “right in our back yard.”

The water level sensors are expected to help scientists track sea level rise in coastal communities throughout Massachusetts and the WHOI kept the cost low, about $300 per prototype.

WHOI has already deployed the new devices at its Woods Hole dock as well as Chatham Fish Pier. The WHOI visited Hull in April and is working with Chris Krahforst, Hull’s director of climate adaptation and conservation, to identify areas in Hull for placement of the sensors.

The commission members did not see any adverse effects of putting the sensors in place.

The sensors consist of a plastic box about the size of a tissue box that contains the electronics. On the top is a solar panel for power; on the bottom is an acoustic transducer, which is shaped like a small cone. A transducer converts acoustic energy to electrical energy and vice versa.

WHOI scientists believe the water-level sensors will provide data to a greater number of coastal communities and add community-specific data to the NOAA existing tide gauge network, which covers only a small portion of the Massachusetts coast.

According to Das, having the sensors in town will fill in some of the holes between someone reporting a flood in their backyard and the NOAA existing tide gauge not connecting to what the community is experiencing.

“There are only a handful of tide gauges on the whole Northeast, with an enormous stretch between observation areas,” Das said. “We need to deploy more sensors to understand water levels at a much finer scale.”

WHOI understands even a small community can see variability; it may not be a significant storm event, but it produces flooding.

NOAA’s tide gauges measure water levels every six minutes. There are six NOAA tide gauges in Massachusetts: in Woods Hole, Nantucket, Chatham, New Bedford, Fall River, and Boston.

The WHOI sensor uses technology similar to sonar to make its measurements; by sending out short pulses of sound and measuring how long it takes those sound waves to reach the surface of the water, scientists can determine the water level.

According to WHOI, the sensor collects data for 30 seconds every 10 minutes. Every second that the sensor is collecting data, it takes six distance measurements. Every 10 minutes, the collected data is averaged into one number that is sent to the cloud using a cellular data modem.

WHOI would like to deploy water sensors in Hull so scientists can compare the prototype to NOAA’s Chatham tide gauge across a wide variety of weather and water conditions.

According to a WHOI press release, sea level has risen in Massachusetts by two to three inches since 2022, “which is much faster than average rates observed over the previous three decades.” According to WHOI physical oceanographer Christopher G. Piecuch, this number comes from measurements taken by the Woods Hole and Nantucket tide gauges.

Das said it is this uneven accelerated rate of change, when it comes to sea level rise, that prompts a need for more data collection, especially to learn how that increasing rate will affect flooding on a local scale.

The sensors will assist in empowering coastal communities with localized data that could be used to mitigate flood risk.

“Where are we experiencing problems? Where might we want more data? How does a rainfall event come in versus extra river runoff, versus winds coming from the east or the west? All these scientific questions which really build into communities understanding why they’re having flooding in certain places and why it’s changing,” said Das.

Das pointed out during the same weather event, there could be a flood in one Hull neighborhood but not in another. The water sensors will provide detail that isn’t really captured by the federal network, which only monitors sea-level rise along a small amount of the state’s coastline.

In addition, Das said researchers have good measurements for sea level rise, but they don’t have as much data for coastal flood events.  Researchers are hopeful the sensors will improve understanding of flood processes, as well as the models used to allocate resources going forward.

“What we imagine for the future are networks of coastal water sensors that provide coastal towns and cities with data to inform policy and response,” said Das. “That helps scientists validate coastal flood risk models and advance our understanding of coastal flooding more generally.”

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