HRA plans more facilitated workshops as members seek consensus on development

The Hull Redevelopment Authority has scheduled sessions on Tuesday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 15 to continue discussions about what should be included in the draft Urban Renewal Plan that will guide the future use of its 13-acre property. 

Like its previous workshops in August, these in-person meetings at Hull High School will be facilitated by University of Massachusetts-Boston professor Douglas Thompson and are not designed for public comments on the plan. Both meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. 

On August 12 and 26, Thompson and the five members reviewed the existing Urban Renewal Plan and considered whether the current goals should be retained, deleted, or modified. Although no formal decisions were made, three authority members said they favored removing housing from the list of development goals. At the second meeting, Chair Dennis Zaia proposed adding a conference center to the development plan for the property, and members debated some of their ideas for what constitutes “economic development” for the land. 

The public is invited to attend in person or over the Zoom platform to hear the discussion. Click here to join the meeting.

The redevelopment authority was formed in the 1960s under a federal program to revitalize urban and suburban neighborhoods. The HRA’s original footprint – designated Town Center No. 1 – encompasses the land between the beach and bay from Water Street to Phipps Street; at one time, the authority planned to expand its territory into three additional districts that stretched southward to the site of the former Paragon Park. 

Much of the HRA land has been vacant since the 1970s, when homes and businesses were taken by eminent domain by the authority and bulldozed, burned, or relocated in anticipation of development proposals that never materialized. The HRA has been working for the past several years to create a set of guidelines for future development. 

A 2023 version of the URP envisioned several uses for the property, including a boutique hotel and buildings with ground-floor retail and residential units on the upper floors. For the property north of the DCR parking lot near Monument Square, options included affordable housing or beach parking and event space. The HRA stepped back from that plan and has embarked on the current process to rework the URP. 

Future meetings include a meeting with attorney Paula Devereaux on Monday, November 4, and a regular business meeting on Monday, November 18. 

-- Christopher Haraden

Temple community gathers for celebration, reflection during Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur

By Rabbis David and Joshua Grossman

Shanah Tovah oo’mitukah!

We at Temple Beth Sholom wish everyone a happy and sweet New Year. We are counting the days during this final month leading to the holiday season. This important month of Elul that dovetails into the holidays is said to be a Hebrew acronym for the words Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li - I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. We can certainly agree it’s a beautiful concept. We relate this idea, not only to our loved ones, but to our personal and communal relationships with God. It’s during this season and the weeks that lead up to it that we are meant to pursue a closeness to holiness and divinity. Yes, easier said than done.

Rabbis David and Joshua Grossman

So how do we go about most effectively pursuing this elusive holiness? During the month of Elul, we find ourselves taking a detailed inventory of what we did and did not do during the preceding year, our deeds of loving kindness, as well as the areas where we have fallen short. 

Our method of returning to the correct path is called Teshuvah, directly translated as “return,” but informally understood to mean repentance. Of course, making right what was wrong is a worthy practice that can be done anytime, but it is truly emphasized during the days of the holidays. This is the principal idea of the High Holiday season and can be summed up in the closing prayer of Yom Kippur. God tells us, “I do not desire the death of the wicked, rather the wicked’s return from the way that they live.”

We engage in deep preparation for this powerful and meaningful time. Many of our buildings will be prepared beautifully with our special holiday curtains and Torah covers. Many of our sanctuaries use white Torah and table coverings in place of our standard colorful ones to signify purity and a fresh start, or “clean slate,” which is gifted to everyone this time of year.

We look forward to the Holy Days when we hear the sound of the shofar, a ram’s horn whose piercing sound reverberates in synagogues across the globe, ushering in a New Year. The shofar is sounded in three distinct blast styles. The Tekiah blast is a single sound calling attention to the community and reminding us that there is something far more important than the daily routines of our lives; the Shevarim, three broken, swooping blows meant to imitate sobbing, in relation to true repentance; and finally, the Truah, the nine rapid blasts in quick succession meant to be a full “wake up” call with its unique pattern and rhythm. These sounds join together to bring us a connection to God, and steal away our Yetzer Harah, our evil inclinations.

There is an outdoor, natural element to the first day of Rosh Hashanah as well. Our community here in Hull will gather as we hold our Tashlich service on the sand of the beach. There, we will ceremonially cast away past misdeeds into the ocean, represented by bits of bread. In doing so, we remember that sins are not character flaws, rather they are mistakes that we regret and resolve to not repeat. While many congregations find lakes or streams for this purpose, we are blessed to be in close proximity to the great sea to observe this tradition. We marvel at the power and majesty of the landscape that we are so lucky to enjoy.

We also look ahead to Yom Kippur, our Day of Atonement, slightly more than a week after Rosh Hashanah. We will fast from sunset to the next sunset, taking in neither food nor water. Our fast is meant to remove the possibility of eating and drinking from our minds, clearing them for more meaningful thought. It is a profoundly moving day of deep self-reflection, when we attempt one final time to recognize our shortcomings, our failures, to correct our wrongs from the past year, and return our faith to God as the true judge for forgiveness.

In no recent year have these upcoming days of awe been more critical. This time of year we will petition for God’s care and protection for our families and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers also extend beyond our own borders, to our sisters and brothers worldwide in our hopes for safety and peace.

Shanah tovah!

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In the Sport-light - Roundup of news about Hull athletes

THE ROYAL TREATMENT. The Hull High Pirates’ 34-10 victory over Boston English wasn’t the only reason for celebration last Friday night. In addition to Senior Night and Alumni Night, the 2024 Homecoming Court was introduced during halftime of the football game. The king and queen – Grace Perry and Luke Dunham, at left – were announced at the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night. Members of the royal court are, from left, Grace Perry, Luke Dunham, Monica Del Guidice, Ken Autio, Fallon Ryan, Boden Ciulla-Sestito, Elsie Harper, Margot Harper, Oliver Szabo, Kaelyn Burke, John Truglia, and Shane McDonough. [Photos courtesy of Taylor Duhaime]

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Compiled by Matt Haraden

• Girls 5/6 Soccer took on Middleboro 1 at home this past Saturday, losing 5-4. After tying the game with a minute to play, Middleboro figured out a way to sneak one more shot past the Hull defense. Ruby D’Errico, Deirdre Flaherty, Reese Irby, and Frankie Rockett scored the goals for Hull; assists came from Magnolia Harbin and Ruby D’Errico. In net for the Pirates were Sydney O’Brien and Deirdre Flaherty. 6/7/8 Girls Soccer lost to Cohasset, 3-2, on Saturday, September 28 in a hard fought game. Hull goals came from Evelyn Concannon and Aubrey Littlefield. Ellie Kiley played well in the midfield for Hull. The team will travel to play Marshfield on Saturday, October 5.

• 3/4 Boys Soccer Team 2 had a strong presence in this weekend’s jamboree in Marshfield. The boys played three teams in total and came out on top in two out of the three games, winning the first two 2-0 and 7-2, while dropping game three, 6-5. Jordan Dunn had five goals, Andy Michaelides ended with four goals, Sam Chiba and Teddy Misdea each had two goals, and Enki Mundo had a goal. Great performances in net were turned in by Landgon Walper, Nolan Cichocki, and Declan Fahey. James Petruzzelli and Ryan Duran were powerhouses as forwards. The team’s next game is on Saturday, October 5 at 3:30 p.m. in Kingston. Boys 5/6 Soccer tied this weekend against Plympton, with a final score of 3-3. Reefe Markowitz did a great job stopping shots in goal. Finn Smith scored two goals, one from a beautiful pass by Slava Rzhevskii. The third goal was scored by Jacob Greenberg. Braedyn O’Hare played tough defense and midfield.

• HHS Girls Soccer suffered its first loss of the season on Tuesday against Norwell, 4-1.  The Clippers had the lead at the half, 3-0, and the Pirates weren’t able to mount a comeback in time. The team is enjoying success, with a 6-1-2 record for the season. On Friday night, celebrate EM20 Friday Night Lights as the team takes on Sandwich at home – JV at 4 p.m. and varsity at 5:30 p.m. T-shirts to benefit the Emma Ryan Memorial Fund will be sold for $20, and the snack shack will be open with pizza, taco in a bag, popcorn, drinks, and candy. Next week, the girls are on the road on Monday, October 7, playing at Middleboro at 4 p.m. and at Rockland on Friday, October 11 at 4 p.m.

• Coach Jaime Standridge and the Hull High girls basketball staff and players will lead a five-week shooting camp beginning on October 5. The camp is designed to focus on proper technique and following through, instill a shooter’s mentality, and will include take-home drills, shooting competitions, and prizes. The camp will be held on Saturdays in the Hull High gymnasium between October 5 and November 2; Grades K-5 will be from 4-5 p.m. and Grades 6-8 will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. A camp T-shirt is included in the $75 fee per participant, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Emma Ryan Memorial Fund. Email HullGirlsHoops@gmail.com.

SQUAD LEADERS. Among those honored at Senior Night last week were Hull High cheerleaders – Captain Hailey Putnam-Resnick, Captain Madeline Reede, Ellana Malley, Stevie Ryan, and Sofi Zalduondo.

• There was much to celebrate on Friday, as the Hull High football team defeated Boston English, 34-10, improving its record to 2-1 for the season. This was a great result for the home crowd, which honored seniors before the game and announced this year’s Homecoming Court. Many former players were in the stands for Alumni Night. This weekend, the team heads to the North Shore for the first of two away games. The Pirates face off against Kipp Academy at Manning Field in Lynn on Saturday, October 5. That noontime game is a rematch of the 2022 Division 8 Super Bowl, which the Pirates won, 27-6. On Thursday, October 10, the team will play at Randolph High School at 6 p.m. before coming back to the home field on Friday, October 18 to play Mashpee under the lights at 6:30 p.m.

• On Tuesday, the Hull High boys soccer squad dropped a game on the road, losing 4-1 to the Norwell Clippers, bringing the team’s record to 2-5-1 for the season. The next game is against Sandwich at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4. The Pirates then have back-to-back home games, against Middleboro on Monday, October 7 at 5:30 p.m. and against Randolph on Wednesday, October 9 at 5:30 p.m.

• Hull Youth Football and Cheer picture day is scheduled for Sunday, October 13. You can order in advance by visiting https://easternexposuresphoto.teamimaging.com and using the code Hullfootball2024. If ordering online, it is strongly recommended to do so prior to picture day, as there is an added cost to orders placed after October 13. Delivery of these orders also may be delayed. Here’s the schedule for picture day: C Team – Player pictures at 8:30 a.m., Cheer pictures at 9 a.m.; Game starts at 10 a.m.; A Team – Player pictures at 10 a.m., Cheer pictures at 10:30 a.m.; Game starts at 11:30 a.m.; B Team – Player pictures at 11:30 a.m., Cheer pictures at 12 p.m.; Game starts at 1 p.m.

• Coaches and Super Fans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Tuesday at 8 p.m. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo. 

Thank you for your help!

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© 2024 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Lifesaving Museum’s annual Head of the Weir rowing race hits the water on Saturday

Hull Lifesaving Museum’s 38th annual Head of the Weir River Race is a celebration of the estuary at the height of its fall beauty and the fabulous array of the region’s open water rowers. As many as 60 boats jockey for position racing out of the narrow estuary and onto open water, traveling from the headwaters of the Weir River downstream, past Bumpkin Island, across Hull Bay, to the museum’s Windmill Point Boathouse at Hull Gut.

This year’s Head of the Weir race has been rescheduled to October 5 (from October 12) to avoid any conflict with Yom Kippur.

The race begins at 12:30 p.m.; check-in is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Steamboat Wharf, 48 George Washington Boulevard. Entry fee is $45 per person. There is no day-of-event registration: Online registration ends on Friday, October 4 at noon. Register online at https://www.hulllifesavingmuseum.org/openwaterrowing.html#weir

A highly contested five-and-a-half miler, the Weir draws coxed youth and adult rowers in gigs, single and double livery and workboats, currachs, and ocean shells, as well as experienced kayakers. In the “head of the river” format, boats kick off the starting line at closely timed intervals, and times are collated at the finish to determine the race winners. The Weir is an exceptionally exciting race and a great spectator event, featuring more than 200 of the region’s finest rowers from all over New England and New York.

Please remember that due to worsening erosion of the marsh, the traditional starting line has been moved. All vessels must now launch at Steamboat Wharf and row to the starting line, 1-3/4 miles. High tide is scheduled for 1:36 p.m. on that date.

The traditional after-race party will be held at the boathouse, and all race competitors are welcome to nourishing chow and refreshments at the Boathouse Bistro. After competitors have gone through the line, friends, family, and spectators are welcome to enjoy the offerings with a $5 suggested donation.

Visit www.hulllifesavingmuseum.org for all the details regarding registration, launching, and parking. You can email your questions to info@hulllifesavingmuseum.org or call 781-925-5433.

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© 2024 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Volunteers needed to collect, record beach trash and debris during Coastsweep on October 6

The Coastsweep beach cleanup is being planned for next month on the town-owned section of Nantasket Beach. Join the other volunteers at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, October 6 to collect trash and debris from the beach.

Since 1987, thousands of volunteers in Massachusetts have removed hundreds of tons of trash and other marine debris through Coastal Zone Management’s annual Coastsweep cleanup. This year, Austin Roberts, a member of Hull’s surfing community, is coordinating a Coastsweep cleanup on the town-owned section of the beach on Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 a.m. Roberts learned to surf on Nantasket Beach and says that coordinating this beach cleanup is his way of giving back to the community. This year, Hull’s Beach Management Advisory Committee also is supporting this endeavor.

As a volunteer at a cleanup, you will remove trash and debris from the beach and record the types and quantities of material you find. This data will be used to better understand what types of materials are littering the beaches all over the world. All volunteers are encouraged to wear protective gloves while collecting trash. Disposable gloves and trash bags will be provided, but gardening gloves, other reusable gloves and buckets for trash also work well, so feel free to bring your own to cut down on waste. This year the meet-up spot will be at A Street and Beach Avenue. Tacos will be served to volunteers, compliments of the South Shore Taco Guy.

Sign up to volunteer by contacting Roberts, 774-222-0020 or austintroberts23@gmail.com.

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Affordable housing committee to focus on education, partnerships before applying for CPA funds

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Affordable Housing Committee’s special projects subcommittee met Tuesday night to discuss whether to recommend that full board request Community Preservation Act funding before next Monday’s deadline, and ultimately decided to focus on building partnerships and educating the public before submitting an application.

The first step in the Community Preservation Committee’s FY25 application process requires a submission by September 30. Eligible requests in the community-housing category include funds to acquire, create, preserve, and support affordable housing.

Subcommittee members Cynthia Koebert (who also is the AHC chair), Bob Pezzini, and Bob Pahl shared ideas for potential requests – ranging from a market study of Hull’s rental inventory to identifying tax credit opportunities for improving the housing stock and increasing Hull’s affordable housing count to a loan or grant program to assist single-family owner-occupants create accessible dwelling units.

Subcommittee members also discussed creating an Affordable Housing Trust Fund and developing partnerships with groups such as Habitat for Humanity to create more publicly supported affordable housing in town, which exists primarily in the units managed by the housing authority on Atlantic Avenue and on C and D Streets.

“These partnerships are very important,” Koebert said.

Creating a trust fund to manage the town’s community preservation affordable housing money would require town meeting approval.

Following an hour-long discussion, the subcommittee decided to recommend the AHC continue to focus on town-owned parcels, affordable housing education, and expanding its capacity through partnerships and the creation of a municipal affordable housing trust fund prior to requesting Community Preservation Act funding.

Building expertise, partnerships, and support

Members of the subcommittee who have reviewed the statewide Community Preservation Coalition’s searchable database of community preservation projects noted the importance of building sufficient expertise, partnerships, and support prior to taking on such initiatives. AHC members also observed that many of the CPA applicants were municipal affordable housing trust funds. Visit www.communitypreservation.org for more information.

After discussing these possibilities, the conversation turned to focusing on creating a community engagement process to support development of affordable housing on town-owned land and to educate the public about what affordable housing is and is not.

With regard to education, there is an overall misunderstanding in the community about the meaning of affordable housing, Pahl said.

Koebert noted that the Citizens Housing and Planning Association awards municipal engagement initiative grants. The AHC applied unsuccessfully before due to a lack of funding, but the process may be reopening.

The underlying goal is to create more deed-restricted affordable units that would count toward the state’s 10 percent affordable housing threshold. Hull is currently at about 1.5%, which Koebert said she considers to be “close to zero.”

Not reaching or exceeding that threshold makes such communities vulnerable to comprehensive permits (more commonly known as Chapter 40B projects), which allow developers to circumvent most local regulations in exchange for an affordable housing component.

Town-owned parcels considered

Last March, three vacant town-owned parcels were identified as potentially suitable for the development of affordable housing by two consultants in a grant-funded town land feasibility study. Only parcels larger than one-half acre were considered.

The lot next to St. Nicholas Church on Spring Street (formerly the Hull Village School) and the parking lot at XYZ Streets are considered more suitable than a parcel of land on Gosnold Street consisting of several lots that could be combined. The Gosnold property is wooded and would require removal of a large number of trees, while the other parcels are flat and already cleared, select board member Irwin Nesoff, the board’s liaison to the AHC, told The Hull Times at that time.

Working with the AHC, South Shore Habitat for Humanity earlier identified two smaller town-owned parcels of less than one-half acre – at the corner of N Street and Nantasket Avenue and on F Street near Cadish Avenue. No decisions have been made.

The AHC’s intent, Koebert said, is to engage the community from the beginning of the process before the town issues a request for proposals, to explain the meaning of affordable housing and for citizens to share what they envision affordable housing to be and their ideas about affordable housing.

‘We have to find ways to be more successful’

Koebert said she knows enough about affordable housing “to get frustrated that it takes so long and it’s so complicated and complex. We have to find ways to be more successful.”

She also expressed concern about communication issues between the AHC and managers of the Hull Housing Authority properties, who are not based in town. Jim Richman is the authority’s liaison to the AHC.

Resident Christopher Sweeney said he is concerned about how long it is taking to develop affordable housing.

“We have plenty of town-owned property,” he said. “All we have to do is [collaborate] with Habitat for Humanity [or another organization], and they can build it.”

At its October 8 meeting, the AHC will host guests from neighboring towns that have affordable housing trust funds to learn more about their experiences.

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© 2024 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Light plant, Chamber already planning for second annual holiday decorating campaign

By Carol Britton Meyer

When it comes to decorations, it’s not too early to get into the holiday spirit!

Hull Municipal Light Plant and the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce are again sponsoring the “Light Up Hull” adopt-a-lamppost holiday light campaign.

The second annual program provides Hull residents and businesses with an opportunity to show their “Holiday Hull” spirit by helping to beautify 33 lantern-style lampposts in the Surfside area – from Water Street to Anastos Corner –with lighted garlands and bows, and also double-sided lighted wreaths and festive lighting in the Kenberma shopping district for a donation ranging from $25 to $500.

“We’re excited to broaden our footprint this year after last year’s success with the support of the light board, town manager, and the Nantasket Hull Chamber of Commerce … offering folks the chance to suggest other places that might be suitable for a small display,” Hull Municipal Light Plant Administrative Assistant Anne Finley told The Hull Times.

Individuals, families, and businesses that make a $150 tax-deductible contribution will have their names displayed as sponsors on a lamppost for the 2024 holiday season.

There are also supporting patron opportunities – $25 donation, Red Level sponsor; Silver Level, $250; and Gold Level, $500. Red Level sponsors will have their names displayed on a gift tag. Silver and Gold Level sponsors have the option of putting their donation toward lighting a pre-approved additional town location of their choice, such as the library – also with personalized gift tags – Finley explained.

Campaign supporters and sponsors will be featured in local advertising and social media and on an appreciation certificate displayed at town hall and at the light plant, along with an invitation to, and recognition at, a special holiday event.

LIGHT TOUCH. The Hull Municipal Light Plant and the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce are again sponsoring the ‘Light Up Hull’ adopt-a-lamppost holiday decorating campaign. The effort will focus on wreaths and lighting in both the Surfside and Kenberma business districts.

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Email HMLP@town.hull.ma.us for further details or to become a sponsor or supporter.

“The donations associated with the decorating campaign pay for the wreaths and the cost of keeping the holiday lights lit throughout the season,” Light Board Chair Patrick Cannon told The Hull Times.

Inserts about the holiday campaign will be included with upcoming electricity bills and have been sent out to last year’s contributors.

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© 2024 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

In the Sport-light - Roundup of news about Hull athletes

Compiled by Matt Haraden

• Girls 5/6 Soccer has broken the ice, with a win over Kingston 2 in the pounding rain and wind. Goals were scored by Magnolia Harbin, Frankie Rockett, and Reese Irby. Hailey MacLeod also recorded an assist. Sydney O’Brien and Deirdre Flaherty were in net for Hull, both stopping countless shots and shutting down opponents’ attacks.

DOGGED DETERMINATION. Christian Truglia takes the ball downfield in the Hull High Pirates’ game against Rockland earlier this week. After celebrating back-to-back wins, the varsity boys soccer team lost, 5-0, to the Bulldogs, who are in a higher division than Hull. [Jennifer Whelan photo]

• After coming off back-to-back wins, Hull Boys Soccer came back down to Earth, falling to the higher division Rockland Bulldogs. The Pirates battled well in the first half, but with sickness and injuries mounting, the second half was all one-way traffic for the strong Rockland squad as the Pirates tired. The team came up short against another higher division team, East Bridgewater, at home on Wednesday. A goal by Oliver Szabo tied the score with 25 minutes left in the first, but the Vikings took control and opened up a 4-1 lead at the half. EB added another goal to finish up on top, 5-1. The boys’ next two games are on the road, first against the Norwell Clippers at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, and then against Sandwich at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4.

• Hull High Girls Soccer defeated Rockland, 2-1, at home, improving to 6-0-1 on the year. Both goals came from Elly Thomas. The Pirates then hit the road to play East Bridgewater on Wednesday. The team took an early 2-1 lead, but the Vikings came back to tie the score before Hull went ahead again, 4-2. East Bridgewater played strong and tied the score again, 4-4, which ended up being the final score. The next varsity soccer match is against Norwell at home on Tuesday, October 1 at 5:30 p.m., followed by a road game against Sandwich on Friday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m. The JV girls play at 4 p.m. on both of those days.

• Coach Jaime Standridge and the Hull High girls basketball staff and players will lead a five-week shooting camp beginning on October 5. The camp is designed to focus on proper technique and following through, instill a shooter’s mentality, and will include take-home drills, shooting competitions, and prizes. The camp will be held on Saturdays in the Hull High gymnasium between October 5 and November 2; Grades K-5 will be from 4-5 p.m. and Grades 6-8 will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. A camp T-shirt is included in the $75 fee per participant, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Emma Ryan Memorial Fund. Email HullGirlsHoops@gmail.com or scan the QR code below for information and to register.

• Hull High Football defeated Holbrook, 41-6, on Friday, September 20. Lawrence Bodley scored his first varsity touchdown off an 18-yard catch. Teagan Bellew got his first varsity score as well, running it in from 15 yards out. Other touchdowns include a 50-yard Luke Dunham run and a 28-yard Isaiah Green catch. Nathan O’Hare had a 50-yard touchdown run as well as a 38-yard fumble recovery, leading to a defensive touchdown. Thomas Blake, Mason DelGallo, and Nick Perry all had strong games on defense. The Pirates play next on Friday, September 27, hosting Boston English, in the annual Homecoming Game at Finlayson Field. Game time is 6 p.m.; senior parents and players will be introduced beginning at 5:45 p.m. Homecoming ceremonies take place at halftime, and after the game, it’s Alumni Night at the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club. Former Pirates are invited to gather after the game at the club to celebrate memories, both old and new. Next weekend, the team heads to the North Shore to face off against Kipp Academy at Manning Field in Lynn on Saturday, October 5. That noontime game is a rematch of the 2022 Division 8 Super Bowl, which the Pirates won, 27-6.

• Coaches and Super Fans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Tuesday at 8 p.m. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo. 

Thank you for your help!

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© 2024 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Volunteers collect tons of trash, marine debris during week-long cleanup of Boston Harbor Islands

In a landmark environmental restoration initiative, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Center for Coastal Studies led a historic cleanup of five key islands in the Boston Harbor. This once-in-a-generation project aimed to help restore the natural beauty and ecological health of Great Brewster, Middle Brewster, Outer Brewster, Calf, and Lovells islands.

CLEAN HARBORS. Hull teachers Heather Weber (left) and Sheila Blair (right) assembled their summer science and Green Team students to join dozens of other volunteers participating in a recent cleanup of five Boston Harbor islands. The group sorted debris and combed through scores of bags to separate recyclables, Styrofoam, and other flotsam and jetsam from the tons of material collected and brought to the staging area at Pemberton Pier for eventual disposal. [Courtesy photos]

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This effort is the culmination of nearly two years of planning and organizing during which DCR and CCS brought together the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Boston Harbor Now for a historic public-private partnership. These organizations are focused on removing substantial marine debris from the Boston Harbor Islands to help restore critical coastal bird nesting areas and enhanced ecological health of the islands. This project also helped revitalize recreational areas on the islands for residents and visitors and ensure their sustainability for future generations.

“The Boston Harbor Islands are precious natural, cultural, and recreational resources that are visited by more than half a million people a year and this historic cleanup represents a major milestone in our collective effort to protect and preserve them for generations to come,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We are proud to lead this transformative effort alongside our dedicated partners… This initiative reflects our commitment to the environmental health of these islands and our belief in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change.”

“The Boston Harbor Islands are unique in the Gulf of Maine, located in the back yard of New England’s largest city,” said Laura Ludwig, director of the Center for Coastal Studies’ Marine Debris & Plastics Program. “Our joint effort is not just about cleaning up debris; it’s about collecting data, finding value in the material where possible, and disposing of all items responsibly. A collaborative approach ensures that our collective expertise and resources are effectively applied for the benefit of wildlife and surrounding communities.”

Volunteers during the week-long effort included three members of the Hull Rowing Club and Hull High’s Green Team, an environmental service group. Pemberton Pier was used as a staging area, and many in the community came together to contribute to the cleanup, according to volunteer Hilary Moll of the rowing club.

She said that St. Nicholas Church in Hull Village donated its kitchen to prepare meals for the entire week. A chef cooked the food and it was brought over to Peddocks Island on a boat provided by Hull Lifesaving Museum Executive Director Mike McGurl. She added that one night, McGurl and the Hull rowers rowed the chef and the prepared dinner across the Gut.

The cleanup includes several funding sources, including a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris grant, with funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. This $2.7 million grant was awarded to CCS for a multi-year coastal cleanup project, a portion of which will be used for the Boston Harbor Islands cleanup. In addition to the CCS grant, DCR is providing $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding and an additional $35,000 from DCR’s operational budget to cover the cost of the commercial vessels and heavy equipment rental to remove and transport industrial debris. USFWS is providing $80,000 through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration program.

The cleanup took place over a one-week period from September 13-22, and many volunteers camped out on the islands.

“The National Parks Service is dedicated to preserving the unique landscapes and ecosystems of our national treasures,” said National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasey. “This cleanup underscores our commitment to safeguarding these irreplaceable resources and demonstrates the strength of our partnerships in achieving impactful and sustainable results.”

The cleanup addressed a diverse array of marine debris, including dock, pier, and bridge timbers, skidder tires, lobster traps, ropes, nets, buoys, metal and fiberglass boat pieces, plastic float components, rebar, plastic foam, and other plastic waste. Volunteers strategically staged debris for removal using barges, cranes, and boats. Efforts will be made to divert debris from landfills by exploring creative reuse – some items may be repurposed by artists, builders, fishermen, students, and researchers, or delivered to recycling centers specializing in wood, metal, and fishing gear.

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Select Board changes Hull’s legal approach by hiring law firm as town counsel

By Carol Britton Meyer 

The select board named Mead, Talerman & Costa, LLC to serve as Hull’s new town counsel for a one-year term on a unanimous vote this week, following two separate one-hour interviews with MTC attorneys and also lawyers representing KP Law, PC. 

A screening committee had already narrowed the number of candidates to two. 

Whether the town will pay MTC a flat fee of $14,000 a month, a monthly “hybrid” fee of $9,000 a month, or pay for services at an hourly rate has not yet been determined. 

MTC replaces longtime Town Counsel James Lampke, who will assist with the transition. Lampke was a town employee; the new firm will be paid as a contractor. 

“We heard from two strong firms. Either would be a good choice,” Town Manager Jennifer Constable said. 

Mead, Talerman & Costa, with offices in Newburyport, Millis, and New Bedford, has expertise in general municipal law, land use and zoning, energy and environmental matters, labor issues, and residential and commercial real estate law, and serves as town counsel in dozens of Massachusetts communities, as well as special municipal counsel to others. 

BRIAN WINNER

Attorney Jay Talerman explained MTC’s team-based approach, while Brian Winner, the primary contact for the town, and co-primary Kate Feodoroff talked about the importance of good communication, accessibility to the attorneys working for the town, and proactively providing guidance along the way to avoid litigation if at all possible. 

“If chosen, we will be here to learn from you and what works best for the town,” Winner said during the interview. 

Attorneys Lauren Goldberg, Gregg Corbo, and Roger Smerage represented KP Law during the interview. 

KP represents more than one-third of the cities and towns in the Commonwealth as city solicitor or town counsel, and provides special counsel services. 

Dedicated attorneys 

KATE FEODOROFF

Both firms offered dedicated attorneys to work on a regular basis with the town – with assistance provided by other associates in specialized fields – and training seminars. 

MTC also offers office hours for town officials to become acquainted with its attorneys “and to help [them] navigate the complexities of town government,” Feodoroff explained. 

MTC represents a number of coastal communities. 

“Coastal issues are near and dear to our hearts,” Talerman said. 

Feodoroff has experience dealing with labor and employment issues, while Winner has a background in environmental law and working with local, state, and federal agencies. 

MTC also has experience in dealing with railroad bed, beach, and dune-related issues, has its own real estate department, and will keep the town apprised about new state and federal laws and legislation that could affect Hull. 

‘We are approachable’ 

“We would be there and approachable,” Feodoroff said before the vote. “We really love being municipal lawyers. Attending meetings is not a drag. Of course it’s work, but we make the choices that we do because we really like what we do.” 

MTC will also provide assistance with town meeting and special town meeting preparations and have a presence there. 

All five board members agreed that the MTC fee structure was the most beneficial to the town as well as the fewer number of communities served by MTC, although a significant amount, compared with KP Law, which select board member Greg Grey felt was “a better fit to respond to our needs.” 

Constable said that the MTC fee structure also appealed to her because “it gives us some degree of certainty in our budgeting. My office has a financial responsibility to the town, and this is an important factor.” 

‘A big bang for the buck’ 

Select board member Brian McCarthy noted that two of the MTC attorneys present at the meeting were former employees of KP Law “and took that experience to MTC,” a fact that was mentioned during the interview. 

“We’re getting a big bang for the buck,” he said. 

Due to the MTC team’s experience in this field, Constable said she doesn’t foresee the need to hire an additional land use counsel. 

Board member Jerry Taverna noted that one of the payment options – a flat fee of $14,000 a month – “might seem like a lot, but that comes to $168,000 a year, an amount that wouldn’t cover the cost of hiring one lawyer” to serve as town counsel. 

“If the attorney we hired had to work the hours that Jim Lampke worked, I figure the total to be about half a million dollars [a year],” Grey said. “Jim put in 2,000 hours a year. He went above and beyond because he was part of the fabric of our community. He is irreplaceable.” 

The other two fee options include a hybrid rate of $9,000 a month, and a traditional hourly arrangement. 

The flat fee includes virtually all general services (excepting labor-related) and substantially all routine litigation. The hybrid fee includes virtually all general services, excluding litigation matters, which are billed at an hourly rate of $225 per hour. 

The traditional hourly fee arrangement would bill all matters on an hourly basis. No additional charges are assessed for services provided by the firm’s paralegals, staff, or other personnel or for brief consultations before a meeting, for instance. 

Contract will be revisited in a year 

Constable said the financial model will be determined once the contract is signed. The contract will be revisited in a year. 

KP Law proposed town counsel services at the single, blended hourly rate of $245 through June 30, 2025, and also a retainer option, with varying hourly rates for specialty legal services. 

The MTC team is looking forward to a smooth transition. 

“We know Jim and really respect him,” Talerman said. “We have a great line of communication, and he will provide updates on [all the issues facing the town.” 

This is “quite a change for Hull,” Constable said. “Jim has been town counsel for decades and then some.” 

Hull Community Television will replay on its cable channels and on-demand at hulltv.net. 

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