Text and Photos Submitted by Kelly Reilly and Kathleen Wolf

On the bay side of Hull, at the end of the peninsula in the Village, sits a small rocky beach area that has been in use for hundreds of years. The town bought land here at James Beach, created a parking lot, lighting, and a small pier for boat launches. Water testing is performed regularly during the summer to insure safety for swimmers. Many Hullonians remember taking swim lessons at this beach in their youth. The beach is a precious community space and has always been used for swimming, boating, fishing, bird watching, rock skipping, sitting, walking, sunning.

**JUST BEACHY:** In years past, neighborhood families had unrestricted access to the beach at the end of James Avenue.

This beach area is now blocked by wires and a “no trespassing” sign that warns of 24/7 video surveillance. A homeowner in the area has created this blockage so people cannot access the rest of the area. The blockage has been an issue in the past as well. Other homeowners in the area state that they support protecting community access and sharing the beach with the public, as has always been done.

At a town meeting in 2017, the blockage was discussed at length and the citizens voted to authorize the select board to take necessary measures to protect access to this area. Unfortunately, the town has not followed through on this important decision. Now that the blockage is back in place, citizens have been trying to get this issue on the select board’s agenda without any response.

**BLOCKED:** A neighbor whose property boundary stretches across the traditional beach entrance at James Avenue has posted signs and a wire barrier to prevent access to the area.

Interestingly, there are already 14 easements in Hull Village. A new protective easement would fit right into our cultural dynamic and reestablish access to this wonderful beach.

To view the town meeting discussion, visit Hull Community Television’s website, www.HullTV.net, click on video on demand, type in town meeting, scroll to 5.1.17. The presentation of Article 15 starts at 2:38 and ends at 3:39.

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