By Christopher Haraden

After initially taking out nomination papers to run for a second term, select board member Jason McCann said this week he has changed his mind and will retire from the board when his term expires this spring.

Select board clerk Jason McCann has said he will not seek re-election this may.

Planning board member Cindy Borges, elected to a five-year term in 2024, also announced her intention to step down after the May 18 election.

With McCann’s departure from the race, there are five people considering running for the two available three-year terms on the select board, as Town Clerk Lori West reported that Michael A. Sampson requested nomination papers last Thursday.

Incumbent Jerry Taverna could be challenged by Sampson, Susan Short Green, Patricia Lynn Cormier, and Christopher Niland.

Candidates have until today (Thursday) at 5 p.m. to take out nomination papers and must return them to town hall with the signatures of 50 registered Hull voters by Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m.

planning board member cindy borges has announced her intention to resign from the board after the may 18 election.

McCann said that although he will no longer serve on the select board, he is not retiring from public life.

“I’m proud of some of the work I was able to contribute,” he said this week. “I wrote policies that opened up public comment on agenda items at select board meetings, making it easier for residents to participate in discussions before decisions are made. I drafted a policy allowing community groups to use public facilities, and I created a handbook for select board committees to help volunteers understand their roles and operate more effectively. I also drafted and compiled the Waterfront Access Study Group’s initial report, which helps frame an ongoing conversation about how residents and visitors access our shoreline.

“I'm continuing leadership roles on the boards of both the Friends of Paragon Carousel and Hull Pride, where there is a lot of good work to do,” he added.

Borges, in a letter to the editor published in this week’s edition of The Hull Times, said she decided to step down after becoming frustrated with the operation of the town’s planning process.

“At this point, I lack confidence in the paid administrative support provided to our board and the quality of the reports produced by paid consultants,” she wrote. “I have raised serious concerns about town staff delaying or omitting key documents. These gaps prevent this elected board from having the full picture. Whether intentional or unintentional, the result is the same: at times, our board has been rendered ineffective in participating in hearings or making informed decisions.”
Because of the timing of her intended resignation, her seat will not appear on the ballot on May 18. The vacancy likely will be filled by a joint vote of the planning board and the select board after her resignation takes effect.

“Between now and then, my efforts will be focused on assisting others with the review of MAPC’s draft master plan phase one report, in hopes of fostering a more coordinated and transparent effort as we move into phase two,” Borges wrote.

One seat on the planning board will appear on the May ballot – the five-year position now held by Jeanne Paquin. She could be challenged by Green, who also took out nomination papers for select board.

As of the close of business on Wednesday – with one day remaining for potential candidates to emerge – two seats on the board of assessors (one for three years and the other for a one-year term) currently have no candidates. There are a total of 15 openings appearing on the ballot.

The five-year seat on the redevelopment authority now held by Adrienne Paquin has attracted one candidate – C. Anne Murray, who had unsuccessfully sought appointment to an HRA vacancy last year. Charles Richardson, who was appointed to the seat then, is running to finish the three-year term, as is Valerio Romano, who, like Murray and Richardson, sought appointment to the HRA last fall. Murray drew nomination papers for both HRA seats and must decide which position to seek. Adrienne Paquin has not yet indicated whether she will run for re-election.

In other potential races, Mark L. Kohn will challenge incumbent light board members Patrick Cannon and Jacob Vaillancourt for one of the two three-year seats available on the light board.

The school committee has two three-year terms available, with three candidates so far – current members Courtney Littlefield and Aleeza Hagerty and former member Ernest Minelli. Thu-Hang Tran is seeking one of the three-year terms on the library board, along with Amy Hyde and current member Celia Nolan.

Unopposed so far are housing authority member Anne-Margaret MacEachern and assessor Pamela Sinton-Coffman.

Drawing papers is the first step in the election process. Some candidates may change their minds prior to the deadline for returning their nomination papers on Monday, and two of those who are considering running for office have taken out papers for different offices; they must choose which office to seek, as town bylaws prohibit one person from holding two elected offices.

The last day to register to vote in the May 18 annual town election is Friday, May 8.

For the Times election policies for candidates, click here.

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