THE SELECT BOARD AT ITS RETREAT MEETING ON TUESDAY NIGHT. SOURCE: HULL COMMUNITY TELEVISION

By Christopher Haraden

In a series of votes prior to launching its annual goal-setting retreat Tuesday night, the select board agreed to send a voter-approved change in the management of the light plant to the state Legislature, but split whether the board should support the changes under annual town meeting Article 40.

The vote to “transmit” the home-rule petition language to Beacon Hill was 4-1 in favor, with board member Greg Grey opposed. A motion by Jerry Taverna to send a letter indicating the select board’s position was approved, 3-2, with Irwin Nesoff joining Grey in opposition. A final vote offering “full support” of removing the town manager as light plant manager, which was approved by two consecutive town meetings, was similarly split 3-2, with Nesoff and Grey in opposition.

Both Article 40 in the spring town meeting – which was approved by a 236-82 vote – and Article 37 of the 2025 town meeting (approved by a 116-83 vote) would revert to the light plant management setup that was eliminated in 1993 when town meeting amended the town’s charter.

The charter change requires approval by the Legislature; last year’s proposal remains in a committee at the state level.

This year’s home-rule petition will be sent to state Rep. Joan Meschino for action by the Legislature.

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