By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull Redevelopment Authority member Dennis Zaia announced his resignation at Monday’s board meeting – effective the following day – after serving for more than 10 years.

The HRA will meet with the select board jointly to fill that seat until the next town election after the position is advertised.

“It’s imperative to fill it, because it would be hard [to move forward] without a full board,” Chair Bartley Kelly said.

Zaia made the announcement during the “correspondence” agenda item, reading from a lengthy prepared statement indicating that the decision came about as he “reflected on [his] upcoming 80th birthday,” while also noting that he was not resigning due to health issues.

In thinking about “what I want to concentrate on with the finite time I have left on this Earth, I want to spend it with friends, my chosen family, and my husband and to continue to engage with and enjoy this amazing community,” Zaia said.

He detailed his accomplishments on the HRA, other town boards, and in many other capacities in the community – including the beach management committee, the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, advisory board, the Friends of the Paragon Carousel, the Rotary Club, and founder of the “Stretch Your Food Budget” program – funded by donations during COVID to help citizens facing food insecurity.

Zaia was unopposed when elected to his most recent term in 2024. He served as chair and organized the recent successful circus on the HRA property, among other accomplishments. He unexpectedly stepped down as chair in May.

“I’ve never been one to walk away from a challenge, but I realized my continuing investment in the HRA has become counterproductive and enormously stressful, and [am resigning now] in the best interests of my own wellbeing and the town’s,” Zaia said, calling his decision “bittersweet.”

Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Zaia is a former teacher and has lived in Hull since 1976.

“I’m not going away. I will carefully choose my next activities. As a proud resident for nearly half a century, I care deeply about the Hull community,” he said, noting that he is “looking forward to [the HRA] doing great things, without my presence.”

Fellow board members expressed their appreciation for his many accomplishments over the years.

“I hope you will continue to be involved with the HRA process as a citizen,” Kelly said.

Joan Senatore commended Zaia for always having the best interests of the citizens of Hull in mind.

“It’s been a wild ride and so much fun doing this with you and learning from you,” Adrienne Paquin said. “Good on you for doing what is right for you. Have fun, enjoy life, and send us emails about opinions through the HRA website!”

Dan Kernan called Zaia a “great leader” and an “excellent” chairman.

“I’m sorry for the board but happy for you,” he said.

During the public comment period, C. Anne Murray told Zaia, “You have no idea how much everything you have done over the years for the community means to many of us.”

She noted that at the time she spoke, 36 people were participating in the Zoom meeting – many of whom “would have lots to say about all the things you have done for this community” if time allowed. “You were always open and willing to listen,” Murray said.

In other business…

• Kelly presented the HRA with a proposed 11-part public comment policy based on a select board policy from a neighboring town.

“Such a policy would keep comments on topic and limit the timeframe we will be dealing with, including ones related to items that are not on the agenda,” he said, adding that it would help to decrease the length of the meetings.

The proposed policy places limits on the length of time for speakers to express their views on agenda items, presenting remarks in a respectful manner, not expecting the HRA to respond to comments the same evening they are made, and that due to “constitutional free speech principles,” the board does not have the ability “to prevent all speech that many be upsetting and/or offensive,” among other considerations. At the same time, the draft policy notes that “disruptive comments and conduct will not be tolerated.”

HRA members will look over the proposed policy and take a vote at a future meeting once the board reviews the Hull select board’s public comment policy – at Paquin’s suggestion – and the HRA’s attorney reviews it. Zaia said he feels it’s important that any HRA policy be consistent with the select board’s.

• The HRA will discuss at an upcoming meeting the possibility of allowing Hull residents with town parking stickers to park on the Hull Shore Common property near the triangle lot when there aren’t spaces available at that location.

This was in response to concerns recently voiced by some citizens that there isn’t always parking for residents available in the triangle lot now that paid parking for visitors is allowed there this year under the seasonal parking lot operator agreement.

• As a follow-up to a discussion at the June 30 meeting in which Paquin said she observed “cash exchanged” at a lot under the control of this year’s operator when the use of an app is required under his agreement with the town, HRA members agreed to sending the operator a notification reminding him of the terms of the contract as a first step in resolving the issue, which also will be on the HRA’s next agenda.

• Kelly called for the agenda item to discuss “Option 3” of the Urban Renewal Plan to be tabled due to the lateness of the hour and the need to discuss the steps involved with finding a replacement for Zaia.

The next meeting is scheduled for July 28.

A replay of the July 14 HRA meeting will be available on Hull Community Television’s website, www.hulltv.net.

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