Allerton-area seawall project ‘on time and on budget,’ with completion only months away

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By Carol Britton Meyer

During an hour-long meeting Wednesday night, the select board heard an update on the $15.6 million Nantasket Avenue seawall project – including the taking of a construction easement from an abutting property owner, signed a Purple Heart proclamation, and accepted a plaque listing past Veterans of Foreign Wars post commanders, to be displayed at town hall.

WALLED IN: The select board this week heard an update on the seawall construction project currently under way near the Allerton lagoon. The project manager said that the work is on time and on budget, with 1,215 feet of new wall already constructed out of a total of 1,576 feet. [Richard W. Green photo]

Kevin Mooney, project manager for the seawall construction at the base of Allerton Hill across from Mariners Park, reported that the work is on time and on budget, with 1,215 feet of new wall already constructed out of a total of 1,576 feet. The work is expected to be completed in several months.

The signing of an order of taking by the board for 948 Nantasket Avenue related to a permanent construction easement – with a payment of $94,000 to the owner of the single-family home whose land would be affected – is an important piece in getting the work done on time, Mooney said. The property is located near the end of the seawall construction, close to the intersection with Point Allerton Avenue. The vote was unanimous. Board member Greg Grey was not in attendance at this week’s meeting.

Click here for the latest updates and details on the seawall project

Town meeting voters in 2024 approved the taking after some discussion. Town Counsel Brian Winner said that the current owner was offered the opportunity to talk about possible other options.

“We [referring to himself, Mooney, Town Manager Jennifer Constable, and another attorney] actively engaged with the owner, who lives out of state most of the time, to see if there was an alternative way to accomplish this short of an eminent domain proceeding … and we told him what would happen if we were unable to reach an agreement … because we needed to preserve the project schedule,” Winner said.

“This involves completing a critical portion of the wall as we head into nor’easter season, and we need to get the work done as soon as possible,” Mooney said.

Mooney also described a proposed change to the grade of the road just past 1 Point Allerton Avenue and a rain garden to help alleviate flooding in that area, contingent on conservation commission approval. An easement is also necessary for this work, Mooney said.

Excess construction materials would be used for the project, which means they would not need to be trucked from the site, as required under the contract if the materials were not being used.

Neighbors have been notified to expect truck traffic starting sometime soon.

“I have an open-door policy. Residents in the area do stop by for updates, and I take care of any issues right away,” Mooney said, noting that he is the only inspector for this quarter-mile-long project.

The select board also heard a presentation from Veterans Agent Paul Sordillo, who requested the select board’s signature on a Purple Heart Town proclamation, making official Hull’s designation as a Purple Heart Community under the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Springfield.

Board member Jason McCann read the proclamation out loud. The document proclaims Hull a “Purple Heart Town” honoring the “service and sacrifice of those from our community who were awarded the Purple Heart while serving in our nation’s wars” and August 7 as “Purple Heart Day” annually.

The board urges Hull’s citizens and organizations to display the American flag as well as other public expressions of recognition of the town’s Purple Heart recipients on that day.

The proclamation also acknowledges that the people of Hull have “great admiration and utmost gratitude for all the citizens of our community who have selflessly served in the armed forces that have been vital in maintaining the freedom and way of life enjoyed by all our citizens.”

The Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration and was created as the Badge of Military Merit, made of purple cloth in the shape of a heart with the word “Merit” sewn on it on August 7, 1782, in Newburgh, N.Y., by General George Washington, then reestablished as the Purple Heart on February 22, 1932, by General Douglas MacArthur.

In other business

• Kevin Beck, past commander of VFW Post 1787, presented a plaque to Sordillo and the select board commemorating all past VFW Post 1787 commanders dating back to 1929 for display at town hall.

• The board approved – subject to legal review – the new board and committee handbook.

This guide is designed to assist both new and current members of the town’s boards, committees, and commissions in understanding their roles and responsibilities. The handbook also provides an overview of procedures, legal requirements, and best practices to ensure that the local government operates “transparently, ethically, and efficiently.”

Contents include the structure of Hull’s government, how to become a committee member, oaths and term of office, vacancies and attendance, organization of boards and duties of officers, adoption of rules and regulations, select board liaisons, meetings, conduct of committees and public officials, legal resources, communication and public relations, training and development, use of town resources, and annual reporting.

• Constable reported that the town recently was awarded three grants, including $332,000 “to advance resiliency work in the Hampton Circle neighborhood;” $252,000 from Coastal Zone Management to explore the resiliency of the DPW and municipal light plant facilities; and a $32,000 grant to the Hull Police Department for bulletproof vests and other items.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Town awarded $252K state grant to help fund plans for combined DPW, light plant at West Corner

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The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management has awarded the Town of Hull a $252,000 grant to help pay for plans for a combined public works and light plant building at West Corner that will be protected from sea level rise, storm surge, and flooding at high tides.

COMBO PLAN. The town is considering a proposal to replace the DPW barn at West Corner with a building that would combine the highway department and light plant into a single structure. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.

A CZM grant awarded in 2023 funded an evaluation of the two existing facilities, which are both currently in the floodplain. Both are considered to be undersized and beyond their serviceable life. The main light plant was built in 1880, with several additions and outbuildings added over the years. The highway department garage was built in 1946. Climate resiliency measures would be built into the new building, which would replace the brick DPW barn at 9 Nantasket Ave.

Preliminary reports by the town recommended designing new buildings with floodproofing and climate resiliency measures.

Hull’s grant was one of 12 projects receiving a total of $3.8 million in CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grant Program. Grants advance feasibility assessments, public outreach and engagement, design, permitting and implementation of projects.

“Erosion and storm damage already threaten homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure along the 1,500 miles of coastline in Massachusetts, and impacts are getting worse,” Governor Maura Healey said when announcing the grants. “With these Coastal Resilience Grant awards, we are investing in solutions to protect housing affordability, business competitiveness and safety in coastal communities.”

Hull’s current DPW building area is 21,702 square feet, and the proposed structure would dedicate 25,256 square feet to these uses. The current HMLP building area is 12,407 square feet, while the proposed building is 12,795 square feet. The new building at West Corner would feature six equipment storage bays for the DPW (facing the Hall Estate side of the property) and four bays for the light plant (facing the Weir River).

“Investing in resilient coasts supports strong local economies and healthy communities in the face of worsening climate change impacts,” said state Rep. Joan Meschino. “We appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s partnership. This investment in our local infrastructure and public safety building means that for years to come, residents of Hull can continue to be prepared to address increasing inundation events, more intense storms and extreme weather events.”

The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management is the lead policy and planning agency on coastal and ocean issues within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

In the Sport-light: Roundup of news from Hull's wide world of sports

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On Friday night, students and community members celebrated Hull High School’s annual Homecoming football game under the lights. Members of the Homecoming Court were introduced at the game – Montana Alibrandi, Olivia Creech, Emily Irby, Dorothy Gavin, Erin Walsh, Lawrence Bodley, JT Gould, Logan Griffin, Brendan Julian, and Chris Resnick. At the dance on Saturday night, Homecoming King Logan Griffin and Queen Olivia Creech were crowned. [Photos courtesy of Taylor Duhaime]

Compiled by Matt Haraden

• Boys 5/6 Soccer lost to Norwell on Saturday, October 4, with a score of 3-2. Liam Palermo scored both goals for Hull. Enki Mundo and Owen Bilodeau did great at defensive and midfield positions. North Saforrian did great in his debut as goalie, not letting any goals past him in the second half. The team will not have a game this weekend and plays next on Saturday, October 18 at Hull High School against Marshfield at 2 p.m.

• Girls 5/6 Soccer had a close game in Marshfield on Saturday, October 4, coming from behind to win, 4-2. In the first half, Hull fell behind 2-1. The whole team rallied with exceptional effort by forwards Magnolia Harbin and Emma Medina and defenders Leah Dibley, Laila Dolan, and Hadley Dolan. Willa Britton scored two goals and Frankie Rockett added another. Rockett also played goalie in the game.

• Hull Pirates Youth Basketball is now accepting registrations for its travel program, supporting boys and girls in grades 3-8. The season begins in late November, and registration will close on October 31. Families are encouraged to register players as soon as possible at https://hullbasketball.leagueapps.com.

• Hull Youth Soccer’s in-town programs are off this weekend – there will be no in-town or travel soccer games on Saturday. The in-town season resumes on October 18. Games are on Saturdays at the Dust Bowl field in Hull Village and teams have the same schedule each week for convenient planning – Guppies (coed): 9-10 a.m.; Kindergarten (coed) and Girls Grades 1 & 2: 10-11 a.m.; Boys Grades 1 & 2: 11 a.m. to noon.

• Hull Youth Football action continues this Sunday, October 12 at the West Bridgewater Middle/High School field. Mites (C Squad) will play at 10 a.m.; Midgets (A Squad) will pay at 11:30 a.m.; and PeeWees (B Squad) will play at 1 p.m.

• The Hull High Pirates Varsity Football team fell to KIPP Academy during last Friday’s annual Homecoming game, 40-10. This Friday, the Pirates are home again, playing Cathedral High School under the lights at 7 p.m.

• Hull High girls varsity soccer split games this week, losing 5-3 to East Bridgewater on Monday and defeating Middleborough, 3-2, on Wednesday. Up next for the 4-4-2 team are Carver on the road on Tuesday, October 14 at 4 p.m. and Cohasset at home on Thursday, October 16 at 5:30 p.m. (JV at 4 p.m.).

• Boys varsity soccer has two upcoming home games – Friday, October 10 against West Bridgewater at 4 p.m. and Tuesday, October 14 against Carver at 5:30 p.m. The Pirates then hit the road, traveling to Cohasset on Thursday, October 16 at 4 p.m.

• Coaches, league organizers, and superfans – 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 Wednesday at noon. 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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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Seniors can reduce property tax bills by performing up to 100 hours of community service

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By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull’s senior homeowners have the opportunity to reduce their property tax bills through a program that gives them a tax credit for community-service hours.

The purpose of Hull’s senior tax work off program is to provide qualifying low- to moderate-income older citizens with an opportunity to use their skills and knowledge to provide a service to the town in exchange for a partial reduction in their property tax burden.

The program is currently limited to 12 participants, with no more than one tax credit – which is offered in lieu of wages – granted to each family per calendar year.

“When homeowners contact me, I forward them information about the program, and we chat about opportunities that are currently available,” Hull Council on Aging Director Lisa Thornton told The Hull Times. “Property tax work-off programs provide one more way to help our community’s senior citizens to ‘age in place’ and have more economic security.”

Public notice about the program – established in 2013 – is given prior to the beginning of each year in time for the Council on Aging to review applications, verify eligibility, and match applicants’ skills with town department needs.

“A proxy can do the work for someone who physically cannot work,” Thornton said.

Seniors 60 and older who meet the eligibility requirements – including income – must perform 100 hours to qualify for the maximum tax credit of $1,000 a year per family. Fewer hours worked will amount to a lower credit.

Another eligibility requirement is that residents or their spouses must own the property and occupy it as their principal residence, in addition to producing a copy of their current real estate tax bill upon applying.

“Most tasks are not strenuous and typically involve light duties, such as office work (computers and typing), serving as a receptionist, and senior center activities such as helping with events and the lunch cafe,” according to Thornton.

If a home is owned by a trust, the resident wishing to participate in the program must have legal title.

Applicants are required to complete and sign an application and a volunteer services contract.

For details and an application, call the senior center, 781-925-1239, ext. 205.

For more information on other property tax breaks available to senior citizens and veterans, visit www.town.hull.ma.us/assessors/pages/2026-senior-tax-exemption.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

'Community conversation' event to explore the history of housing discrimination

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The Hull Affordable Housing Committee, in partnership with the Council on Aging, Wellspring, and The Anchor, invites residents to a community conversation on the history and lasting impact of housing discrimination. The event will be held on October 21 at 7 p.m., via Zoom, and is free and open to the public.

Featuring guest speaker Bob Van Meter from the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA), the program will explore how historic housing policies such as redlining, restrictive covenants, and exclusionary zoning shaped communities across Massachusetts. Participants will also learn how these systems continue to influence housing access and affordability today.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussion, share experiences, and learn about ongoing efforts to advance fair and equitable housing in Hull.

To register, click here or the QR code: https://us06web.zoom.us/s/81224243632

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Locals make the pilgrimage to Maryland for ‘one last ride’ on Paragon’s old roller coaster

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Essay by Christopher Haraden 

On the rainy afternoon of June 12, 1985, I clearly remember looking up at Paragon Park’s Giant Coaster as it was auctioned off to the highest bidder, believing it would be one of the last times I’d ever see it standing.

Fast-forward a full 40 years later to the misty afternoon of September 27, 2025, when I once again looked up at the roller coaster’s 98-foot-tall first hill – this time in its “new” location at Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland – once again believing it would be the last time I’d ever see it standing.

The serendipity of those two events, four decades and 450 miles apart, highlights the magic of Paragon nostalgia that defines the childhood of generations of Hull kids – enough to prompt three of them to plan a road trip to ride the roller coaster again before Six Flags closes for good at the end of this season.

THE LAST RIDE: Three Hull ‘kids’ made the pilgrimage to Six Flags America in Maryland to ride the former Paragon Park roller coaster before the park closes for good – from left, Sean McGowan, Chris Haraden, and Jim McGowan.

Last weekend, that’s exactly what three of us did.

Wearing custom-made T-shirts promoting our “One Last Ride” pilgrimage, longtime friends (and brothers) Jim McGowan, Sean McGowan, and I achieved our goal on Saturday and made some new memories in the process. The trip was extra-special for me, as my grandfather, Frank Infusino, worked as part of the roller coaster’s maintenance crew for decades. Growing up in the Rockaway neighborhood behind the park, the sound of the coaster’s daily operation was the soundtrack of our summers. And just before the wooden structure was taken down, I had the chance to walk the track to photograph its place in history, retracing the steps my grandfather had taken so many times over the years.

ON TRACK: The author’s grandfather, Frank Infusino, worked on the roller coaster for decades as an employee of Paragon Park.

But first, some background.

Paragon Park opened at Nantasket Beach in 1905 and always had a roller coaster in some form, although changes resulting from a series of fires in the early 1900s dramatically altered the park’s landscape. After a devastating fire in 1916, owner George A. Dodge commissioned the construction of what he called the Giant, a 98-foot-tall wooden roller coaster that dwarfed any previous ride at Nantasket Beach in both height and distance.

At the time it opened in 1917, it was the tallest roller coaster in the world.

Paragon Park and its Giant Coaster survived the Roaring’20s, the Great Depression, World War II, the opening of Disneyland and Disney World, and the rising popularity of automobiles and airplanes as modes of travel – meaning that families no longer were limited to vacation destinations near their homes. As one amusement operator observed, the same methods of transportation that helped bring people to the beach resorts now could bring them to places even farther away.

The park’s roller coaster changed along with the times. Its first drop was made steeper and the speed of the ride increased as park patrons began to look for more thrilling rides. A significant fire in 1963 changed the Giant’s design, as it burned the rear section known as the “helix” that brought riders around a double-level circular track that shook them up one final time before heading back to the loading station. Time and cost considerations meant that the rebuilding of the ride in the fire’s aftermath left out this section, and the layout of the Giant Coaster that reopened later in 1963 is the one most of us remember riding right up until Paragon’s last season.

As Paragon lumbered along, relatively little changed during the next two decades except the names and locations of some of the rides. Every few years, rumors would circulate that Paragon was for sale and that the owners would retire. But then each spring, the gates would swing open to welcome another season of visitors from all over New England.

Until they didn’t.

By 1984, the Massachusetts real estate market was blossoming, and the factors that in the past had limited Paragon’s ability to expand now gave it extra value – it was sandwiched between two bodies of water and the views that came with them. A developer made the owners an offer they couldn’t refuse, and as the new year dawned in January, an announcement was made that the 1985 season would be the park’s last. Within weeks, however, the sale was rescheduled to springtime, as the owners decided that there were too many risks from souvenir-seekers, litigious loiterers, and potential vandals.

Without even knowing it, we’d had our last ride at Paragon Park.

At the June auction, the most visible prize didn’t attract the highest bid, but garnered the most attention. Wild World amusement park near Baltimore – which later became Six Flags America – paid $28,000 to buy the Giant, and promptly announced plans to dismantle the ride piece-by-piece and have it rebuilt in time for the next season.

Incredibly, Paragon’s Giant had a new lease on life.

VIEW FROM THE TOP: Times Editor Chris Haraden climbed the roller coaster as part of a photography project prior to its dismantling in 1985.

As the crews arrived to start disassembling the ride, another quirk of fate presented me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The photographer hired to chronicle the coaster’s last days in Hull needed someone to carry his camera equipment and asked me to come along. I put aside my fear of heights and spent a day walking the track, just as my grandfather had done all those years before.

The Maryland park found the old blueprints and rebuilt the section that burned in 1963, so the coaster as it exists is slightly different from what many remember at Paragon. The park renamed the ride the Wild One and opened it on May 3, 1986. Like it did at Nantasket, the roller coaster survived changing economic conditions, world events, and changes in the park around it. Eventually, the Six Flags chain bought the park, and in May of this year, announced it was closing. No mention was made then – or since – of what will happen to the rides and attractions once the park closes for the last time on November 2.

A GOOD TURN: This section of the roller coaster, known as the ‘helix,’ was destroyed by fire at Paragon Park in 1963. It was rebuilt when the ride was moved to Maryland.

It was against this backdrop that the three of us decided to make the trip to Maryland for “one last ride.”

The Wild One has seen better days – similar to how it appeared in its final years at Paragon – and Six Flags America itself was bathed in a melancholy air. The late-season attendance was sparse and there were no lines at the rides, games, or food stands. The sight of the three of us wearing identical shirts with a picture of the roller coaster attracted some attention, both from employees and from other patrons. One of the ride operators told us they’d encountered others from this area who had made a similar nostalgic trip in recent months.

Whether caused by the occasional rain showers, lack of maintenance, or the ghosts of Paragon Park, the roller coaster had one final surprise for us. After a few rides, the three of us explored the remainder of Six Flags and then returned to the Wild One for our true “last ride,” only to find that one of the trains was stuck about three-quarters of the way up the lift hill. A park employee had to climb up and give it a push. While this happened often at Paragon without interrupting the operation of the ride, the crew at Six Flags was more cautious and closed it for the afternoon.

Once again, without even knowing it, we’d had our last ride.

SLOW RIDE: On Saturday, one of the roller coaster’s trains became stuck on the first hill. A park employee can be seen climbing up to push it over the top.

While watching this unfold, we met some members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, who said the group had heard of plans to try to save the Giant – I mean, the Wild One – but there was nothing concrete to report. The probability of it being saved from the wrecking ball a second time is remote, but not out of the question. After all, we didn’t think it was possible 40 years ago, either.

That’s the great thing about amusement parks – there’s always the chance for something wonderful to happen.

Times Editor Christopher Haraden is a member of the Hull Historical Society and is compiling a history book about Paragon Park. For more information, visit www.paragonparkbook.com.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Celebrating the support of our readers and advertisers during National Newspaper Week

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If you are reading this, you are someone who understands the value of local newspapers.

And we are grateful for you.

Next week – October 5-11 – is National Newspaper Week, an annual celebration of the value that local news sources provide their communities, and we’re happy to publish our annual message to readers to remind you of why we do the work we do.

For many years, newspapers were the only way that people could understand what was happening in their cities and towns without directly participating in the process. The Hull Times has been around since 1930. And in those 95 years, our pages have covered many of the same issues year in and year out – you can see that history in columnist John Galluzzo’s weekly look back at the news we published 50 years ago, and the feature stories we publish in partnership with the Hull Historical Society.

The Hull Public Library has digitized some local newspaper archives, including Times competitors such as The Hull Beacon and the Hull News Mirror. We’re working with the library to digitize past issues of the Times, and a healthy slice of life in Hull between 1959 and 2004 is now searchable on the library’s website at no charge.

For all the years we’ve been around, the Times has been staffed by people who love Hull as much as you do. Whether you grew up here – like many members of our staff – or if you are new to town and are still learning about what makes our peninsula special, we hope you find something valuable in each edition.

The Newspaper Association Managers has sponsored National Newspaper Week for almost as long as we’ve been in business – since 1940 – and cites four key contributions that local news sources make to their communities:

⦁ Informing its citizens: Local reporting empowers people with the information they need to make decisions in their everyday lives – from voting to attending town meetings. There are plenty of websites and social media platforms that don’t fact-check or offer context about the issues. Sometimes it’s frustrating to have to wait to publish certain pieces of information, but we adhere to strict standards of accuracy that are missing on most online posts.

⦁ Accountability: Local news reporting keeps you informed about decisions being made and funds being spent. Our staff is small, but we work hard to find the answers and often are the first place Hullonians learn about important issues in town.

⦁ Community connection: Local news fosters a sense of belonging by highlighting stories that resonate on a personal level. We publish the most comprehensive community calendar of events and offer it at no charge on our website in order to give local organizations maximum exposure. Many people tell us the calendar is their favorite part of the paper, as it gives them a wide perspective on all the great things happening in town.

⦁ Economic development: Local media supports small businesses through advertising and promotion, strengthening the local economy. We are grateful for those local businesses and individuals who support us with advertising dollars, and we take seriously our commitment to expanding our outreach into the community. We have a consistent presence online, on social media, in stores, and in people’s homes – and we are the only business we know of that regularly emails thousands of Hull households each Friday with our weekly newsletter. Advertisers who invest in the Times get exposure they can’t get anywhere else.

We like to keep things local, but we have to acknowledge the challenges facing the media on the state and national level. Trust in the media is being undermined regularly, and by forces much larger than us, but we continue to work hard in our corner of the world. We want to be where you are, giving you information that you need to make sound decisions about navigating life in Hull. We also want to give you a trusted place where you can find comprehensive coverage of important issues, not the tangled mess of speculation and rumors that seems to dominate online discourse. When you read something in the newspaper, on our website, or one of our social media accounts, you can be sure that its accuracy has been verified to the best of our ability.

Despite the national trend of community news sources being absorbed by larger operations or shut down entirely, Americans are still looking for reliable, accurate information, as a recent study conducted by the America’s Newspapers Foundation concluded.

The survey of 5,000 people found that eight out of 10 Americans still get news and information from local print or digital sources every month. Nearly three-quarters of those interviewed said a local newspaper is important, and 43% said local newspapers or their websites are the most accurate source of news and information. Or, as the study’s authors wrote: “Local news is critical to the well-being of a community.”

The Times is locally owned and plans to stay that way.

But like every local business, there are inevitable costs. None of us can afford to work for free, and the human hours it takes to write, edit, photograph, draw, design, sell, print, label, deliver, upload, promote, share, interpret, analyze, and publish each week are daunting. Not having to answer to a national parent company allows us some flexibility, but being independent presents its own challenges. As we’ve said many times, keeping this show on the road often keeps us up at night.

We’re so grateful for our supporters – our regular subscribers, those who buy the paper on the newsstand every week, and our advertisers whose consistency provides a strong foundation for growth.

Our message during National Newspaper Week is one of thanks, but also a request for your help. As we mentioned above, if you are reading this, then you understand the value of a local news outlet. We need more people like you. We need Hullonians to support us with subscriptions, newsstand purchases, and advertising. We need others who may not be subscribers or advertisers to join you on this journey and become part of the family.

And speaking of families, we also want to encourage all our readers and advertisers to send us news about Hull’s families – births, engagements, marriages, graduations, job promotions, awards, and other accomplishments. Share your good news with your neighbors!

The Times is stronger when there are many voices contributing, and with our committed group of staff members and supporters like you, we plan to celebrate National Newspaper Week as an independent news organization for at least 95 more years.

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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

In the Sport-light: Roundup of news from Hull's wide world of sports

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RED SKY AT NIGHT… is a Hullonian’s delight! The brilliant colors of Monday’s sunset provided a stunning backdrop for the Hull High boys soccer game against Rockland at Finlayson Field. The Pirates came up short against the Bulldogs, 3-0. [Jennifer Whelan photo]

Compiled by Matt Haraden

• 5/6 Girls Soccer dominated Duxbury on Saturday, September 27, with a 5-0 win at home. Great passing and crosses led to goals scored by Willa Britton, who netted three, and Frankie Rockett and Sydney O’Brien with one each. Assists came from Charlotte Ward, Emma Medina, and Magnolia Harbin.

• 7/8 Boys Soccer pummeled Hingham at home on Saturday, September 27 under the lights. Right before halftime, Henry Littlefield belted the ball up to the opposing end, where Ethan Medina buried it in the back of the net, ending the scoreless half right before the whistle. Hull continued the upward trajectory by scoring three more goals, two from Tristan Misdea and one from Billy Littlefield, shattering the Hingham defensive line and any hopes of them clawing their way back. Hull’s defensive back line was a force of nature; no ball was unmanned or passed by this team. Jack O’Mara, Cody Miller, Slava Rzhevskii, PK Gunderson, and Liam Fahey manned the decks and fought tooth and nail to prevent any goal from entering their zone. In addition, Logan Pergola and Charlie Montgomery held up the defensive line as needed. Men of the match were Billy Littlefield who started in goal, usually plays defense, and this week played offense, scoring one of the four goals. Also mentioned is Jack O’Mara for continuously being able to read the ball and being in the right place at the right time. Very special mention to Derek DelGallo for being a relentless and tireless attacking force on the back line and ensuring all balls were swept out of our half. Last but not least, Tristan Misdea for scoring two of the four goals and for always showing up, scoring, pushing, and grinding down the opposing defensive line.

TEAM SPIRIT: The Boys 7/8 Soccer Team cruised to victory over Hingham at home last weekend. Shown in the back row are, from left, Coach Tom O’Mara, Cody Miller, Derek DelGallo, Reefe Markowitz, Henry Littlefield, Joseph Elisii-Johnson, Billy Littlefield, PK Gunderson, Finn Smith, Tristan Misdea, Jack O’Mara, and Stellan Kilroe. In the front row are, from left, Coach Haley Littlefield, Liam Fahey, Charlie Montgomery, Logan Pergola, Josh Papasodero, Jacob Greenberg, Ethan Medina, and Coach Brendan Kilroe. [Courtesy photo]

• Hull Pirates Youth Basketball is now accepting registrations for its travel program, supporting boys and girls in grades 3-8. The season begins in late November, and registration will close on October 31. Families are encouraged to register players as soon as possible at https://hullbasketball.leagueapps.com.

• Hull Youth Soccer’s in-town programs continue this weekend. Games are on Saturdays at the Dust Bowl field in Hull Village and teams have the same schedule each week for convenient planning – Guppies (coed): 9-10 a.m.; Kindergarten (coed) and Girls Grades 1 & 2: 10-11 a.m.; Boys Grades 1 & 2: 11 a.m. to noon.

• Hull Youth Football action continues this Sunday, October 5 at the Wareham High School field. Mites (C Squad) will play at 10 a.m.; Midgets (A Squad) will pay at 11:30 a.m.; and PeeWees (B Squad) will play at 1 p.m.

• The Hull High Pirates Varsity Football team defeated English High School last Friday, 15-8. This Friday, the Pirates return home for a replay of the 2022 Super Bowl vs. KIPP Academy at 6:30 p.m. Hull Youth Football Cheerleaders are invited to attend this week’s varsity football game to cheer on the sidelines alongside the Hull High cheer team. Dress code is competition uniform and a pink bow, and cheerleaders are asked to arrive by 5:30 p.m.

• Hull High girls varsity soccer tied Rockland, 0-0, on Monday, and next week hosts two games at home, East Bridgewater on Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. (JV at 4 p.m.) and Middleborough on Wednesday, October 8 at 5:30 p.m. (JV at 4 p.m.).

• Boys varsity soccer fell to Rockland on Monday, 3-0, and hits the road next week to play East Bridgewater on Monday, October 6 at 4 p.m. and Middleborough on Wednesday, October 8 at 5:30 p.m.

• Coaches, league organizers, and superfans – 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 Wednesday at noon. 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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Jacobs School recognized for student achievement as state releases latest MCAS results

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The Hull Public Schools have been recognized by state for reaching pre-pandemic levels of academic achievement, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

DESE released the results of this year’s Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) earlier this week, and Hull was one of 63 school districts that reached this milestone.

PASSING THE TEST: The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education this week recognized schools whose students scored at or above pre-pandemic levels on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests. Jacobs School Principal Kyle Shaw and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Christine Cappadona attended the ceremony on behalf of the Hull Public Schools. [Photo courtesy of the Hull Public Schools]

District leaders hailed this achievement as significant, as the overall results show that post-pandemic learning loss continues to be a major challenge for many students.

Jacobs School Principal Kyle Shaw and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Christine Cappadona (the former Jacobs principal) attended the recognition ceremony at Ottoson Middle School in Arlington. Shaw and Cappadona have worked together to address chronic absenteeism and improve early literacy in Hull’s schools.

“Today, we are recognizing 63 districts for returning to pre-pandemic achievement levels in grades 3-8, but next year, I hope that all districts have met this benchmark,” said state DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “We want to exceed where we were in 2019, but the first step is to get back to that baseline.”

The Lillian M. Jacobs School was one of only 22 schools in the state to reach this milestone in English Language Arts (ELA). This achievement was earned by only 1.2% of the 1,817 schools. In addition, 54 districts achieved this level in math, with 13 districts recognized for students reaching pre-pandemic levels in both ELA and math. According to the statewide test results, about 42% of the state’s students met testing expectations, compared to about half of all students before the pandemic.

Hull’s full test results, as well as those for all other schools in the state, are available at https://profiles.doe.mass.edu.

“It is important to note that due to Hull’s recent school reconfiguration, this recognition of the Jacobs School is shared by the former Memorial School and Hull High School, where our eighth graders attended last year,” Superintendent Michael Jette said. “These results reinforce that the transition from three schools to two schools was carefully planned and well executed by everyone involved.”

Massachusetts voters in November approved a ballot question that removed the MCAS test as a requirement for graduation, and a committee appointed by the governor is expected to make initial recommendations for a new high school graduation standard by the end of the year.

“We know that when students feel connected and engaged at school their attendance improves. Our focus on creating meaningful classroom experiences and extracurricular opportunities has helped bring our chronic absenteeism rate to significantly below the state average,” Shaw said. “With students present and ready to learn, our all-star staff provides the instruction and support that drives student achievement. It is no surprise that Jacobs now finds itself in the top 1% of schools that have met or exceeded their ELA scores since the pandemic. We are proud of our students and grateful for our teachers.”

“We know that school communities are working hard to support their students, and I’m glad to highlight positive results among several districts while also recognizing the work that we still need to do as a state,” Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said. “We know our educators and students can do great things when all students are welcomed to school and attend classes every day, and the state’s investment in early literacy will build a solid start for future academic success.”

The next meeting of Hull’s school committee is scheduled for Monday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school exhibition room.

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Local fisherman spots white shark swimming off the coast of Hull

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On Friday, while out looking for sunfish in the crystal-clear water off the state-owned section of Nantasket Beach, Hull’s Joe Mahoney spotted a juvenile white shark, estimated to be about eight feet long.

New England Aquarium shark expert John Chisholm confirmed that it was a white shark, and said Wednesday that this is peak white shark season, and activity typically increases off the South Shore in the fall.

Chisholm added that last September, a tagged white shark was detected in the same area, but this year’s detections will not be tallied until the acoustic receivers are removed at the end of the year.

Mahoney alerted the Hull Harbormaster, Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, which told him that bait fish found nearby may have attracted the shark to the area. The sighting also was recorded on the Sharktivity app. [Images courtesy of Joe Mahoney]

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