By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Redevelopment Authority welcomed newly elected member C. Anne Murray at its meeting this week and went on to approve an event to be hosted this summer by the town’s USA 250th Anniversary Committee that will feature a beer garden, live music, and fireworks – subject to select board approval and conforming to regulations to protect piping plovers in the area.

During the traditional reorganization following a town election, the vote was unanimous for Chair Bartley Kelly, Vice Chair Dan Kernan, and Treasurer Joan Senatore to remain in their current positions, with Charles Richardson unanimously elected clerk to fill the seat recently vacated by Adrienne Paquin, who resigned.

Following a brief discussion, Murray made a motion – which was seconded and then approved unanimously – for the board to look into the possibility of purchasing a software program designed by a Cohasset resident that takes meeting minutes and complies with the state’s Open Meeting Law requirements. Both Murray and Kelly will explore the possibility and report back to the rest of the board.

The board also approved the USA 250th Anniversary Committee’s request to host a one-day event featuring fireworks, a Vitamin Sea Brewing beer truck, the popular Assisted Living band, and two food trucks on Saturday, July 18, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Lot B (the large middle section) of the HRA property. There will be special seating for veterans. The Hull Boosters Club carnival will take place that weekend.

Select board approval for the event is required, as well as approval from state agencies overseeing endangered birds, because piping plovers are nesting on nearby Malta Street and a viewing plan is required to ensure that the fireworks display will not disturb them. This issue was brought up by Beach Management Advisory Committee Chair Susan Mann.

“The discharge of fireworks needs to be at least three-quarters of a mile away from nesting plovers,” Mann said. USA 250th Committee Chair John Reilly was unaware of this requirement but will look into it as well as update the HRA after going before the select board.

Reilly thanked the HRA board for its $10,000 donation for the planned 30-minute fireworks display and noted that “ironically, the signed Declaration of Independence arrived in Massachusetts on the same date” two and a half centuries ago. The fireworks will go on, rain or shine.

The committee is also planning a number of other events throughout the year.

In other business

• Richardson reported that 998 citizens responded to the recent HRA survey about possible uses for the property and that the results will be compiled soon by Market Street Research, the firm hired to conduct the survey.

• During the “member updates to board” agenda item, Richardson noted that he keeps hearing that more transparency in town government is needed, and that his recent campaign for election to the board after being appointed to fill Dennis Zaia’s unexpired term was based on a promise of transparency.

He disputed rumors that surfaced during his campaign related to him being a close friend of, and “in Bart Kelly’s back pocket,” and that Richardson is a real estate agent and a developer.

“When I returned to Hull a few years ago, I hadn’t seen Bart for 40 years, so the idea that we are close friends is ludicrous,” said Richardson, who grew up in Hull. “I’m my own person, but I’ve grown to respect you, Bartley, and the town is lucky to have you give of your time, energy, and expertise.”

While he obtained a real estate license a few years ago in Maine, where he ran a wilderness program and someone he knew recommended that he get one, “I don’t have a real estate license in Massachusetts, and I am not a developer,” Richardson said. “When I returned to Hull, I wanted to help out. In talking with different folks, I’ve heard as many suggestions as to what to put on the HRA property as I have met people – from a Ferris Wheel to a dog park to a boutique hotel. I will be working toward a compromise [as an HRA member].” His comments met with applause from the audience.

• Also related to the issue of transparency, Murray said she thought that the HRA agendas should contain more specific information under each item, especially under “old business” and “new business.”

While the way the agendas are posted does not violate the Open Meeting Law, according to Kelly, board members generally agreed that more information would be helpful for citizens, who might plan to participate if they had more details.

Murray also thanked those who ran for office in the recent town election.

“It’s not an easy thing to do – I didn’t think I would do it, but here I am!” she said. “For those who voted and for others who supported the candidates, it’s nice to know that people do care in [this town].”

The next HRA meetings are scheduled for Mondays – June 15 at 7 p.m. (a remote meeting) and in-person June 29 at 7:30 p.m., with a tentative town hall location.

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