Town Manager Philip Lemnios to retire in June

By Carol Britton Meyer

TOWN MANAGER PHILIP LEMNIOS…

By Carol Britton Meyer

After serving the Town of Hull for a combined 26 years during his two separate terms as town manager, Philip Lemnios announced to the select board Wednesday his decision to retire on June 30.

Under his contract, Lemnios must give six months’ notice of plans to leave the position. In the meantime, Lemnios intends to include funding for an assistant town manager in the proposed FY24 budget, which was a topic during the board’s October goals and objectives discussion, he noted.

“This would give the board some latitude on thinking about the town manager position, and what the next person in that role could accomplish,” he said. “I’m very excited for the town and for my own next steps. This is a great opportunity for the town and the select board to do some deep thinking and to reflect on the nature of the next person [who will fill the town manager position].”

Lemnios has a long history with the town, stepping for the second time into the town manager role in 2007 at the Hull selectmen’s request after holding that position from 1992 to 2003, when he left to serve as Natick’s town administrator. The second time around, Lemnios replaced retiring Town Manager Christopher McCabe, who – like Lemnios – had returned to employment in Hull after leaving for another community.

“I believe I’ve accomplished what the board asked me to do when they invited me back in 2007,” Lemnios said. “There’s a great team in place, and it’s a good time to gain a fresh perspective on the position. It’s been a great pleasure to work for and serve [the town], and I will be here for the next six months.”

Select Board Chair Jennifer Constable said it was the board’s pleasure and honor “to have you manage this town. Six months will go by quickly. Thanks for what you have done for the town. It’s a very stable community.”

Select board member Domenico Sestito recalled that Lemnios returned to Hull as town manager the year before he was elected as a selectman.

“You were met with one of the biggest economic crises of the last century, and [I appreciated] the way you navigated through what were uncertain, unprecedented, and scary times,” he said. “This was my introduction to your passion for the town. I’m happy for you but will miss you.”

Lemnios said this is the natural juncture for the board to decide what it would like the next town manager to focus on, “whether economic development, housing, or other issues,” whereas his charge was to focus on the town’s finances.

At Lemnios’ suggestion, an agenda item related to succession planning is planned for the Jan. 4 meeting.

“We’ll need to talk about and decide the process [moving forward],” Sestito said.

Board member Donna Pursel spoke about how many Hull board and committee members as well as town officials and members of groups outside of Hull’s borders speak highly of the town manager. “Your name often comes up as a resource and a reference,” she said. “You’re truly a leader, even outside of our town.”

Sestito noted that during discussions between the Hull and Hingham select boards related to the water company, Hingham officials also spoke of Lemnios with respect. “This is a testament to you [and what you have accomplished],” he said.

School Committee hears plans for grade realignment; vote may occur next month

By Carol Britton Meyer

Discussion of the potential consolidation of Hull’s school system continued this week, with the elementary and high school building principals offering ideas for how to transition middle school students into a two-building setup, with grades preK-7 at the Jacobs School and grades 8-12 at the high school.

UNDER THE CONSOLIDATION PLAN, THE MEMORIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER MUNICIPAL USES.

Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn presented “thoughts, plans, ideas, and possibilities” for the potential reconfiguration, following the school committee’s earlier decision to accept the recommendation of the Best Educational Use of School Facilities Ad Hoc Committee.

The school committee may discuss and vote at its next meeting on whether to move forward with this plan, and the timing for implementation.

The concept would leave the Memorial Middle School building open to municipal and other educational uses. Whatever the outcome, the school committee would maintain control of the building. One of the key goals of the consolidation plan is “ensuring the safety of students,” Kuehn said.

Jacobs Elementary Principal Kyle Shaw talked about the possible reconfiguration in that building, while realignment at Hull High School was presented by Principal Michael Knybel.

The guiding principle behind all decisions continues to be “What is in the best interests of our students?” Kuehn said. “This plan is a work in progress.”

The committee’s discussions are in keeping with the purpose of the Best Educational Use of School Facilities report by the MARS Group, which was charged with evaluating the educational adequacy of Hull’s three school buildings.

As part of a two-phase plan, Kuehn explained the proposed one-year location of grades: Current grade 5 students who would normally go on to the middle school would remain at Jacobs for that year, meaning that grades PreK through 6 would be at Jacobs, grades 7 and 8 at Memorial, and grades 9 through 12 at the high school, with advance notice provided to grade 5 students and families and preparation of Grade 5 students for remaining at Jacobs for an additional year.

During this transition year, detailed plans would be crafted for the reconfiguration, input sought from all educators, school leadership would foster relationships with grade 7 and 8 educators and professional development would be provided. HHS administrators and guidance counselors would prepare seventh- and eighth-graders to help them transition to the high school.

Under a potential reconfiguration, “Lower School” preK-3 students would utilize the first floor of Jacobs under the guidance of a principal and assistant principal. The “Upper School” would consist of grades 4-7 in a middle school/upper elementary configuration, under the guidance of an assistant principal. The start and end times would be moved back, and the curriculum alignment strengthened, with increased collaboration and continuity with student support services.

This would mean one fewer transition and a shift in staffing, with additional course offerings such as engineering and band for grades 4 and 5 and foreign language for grades 6 and 7, as possibilities.

Also at Jacobs, a student mentoring program would be offered, along with increased staffing and expanded extracurricular offerings and continuing traditions such as Nature’s Classroom, the rowing program, assemblies, read-a-thons, student government, the Turkey Trot, dances, concerts, and band performances.

Hull High School would have a principal and an assistant principal, with four core classrooms. Under the plan, there would be no reason for grade 8 to use the second floor.

The students would benefit from a strengthened curriculum, increased academic enrichment and remediation, project-based learning, the ability for eighth-graders to participate in the woodshop program, and a moving back of the start and end times for grade 8-12 students, administrators said.

All past transitional experiences will remain to celebrate the students, with additional new activities and celebrations.

Kuehn explained that the final reconfiguration plan, if the school committee decides to implement it, “will be remarkable” because the school district “has creative educators and leaders, can imagine and plan for possibilities, is resourceful, has committed families, demonstrates willingness to invest their time, and always puts students first.”

Request for $1.5M in CPC funds to restore Village Fire Station faces scrutiny

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Community Preservation Committee spent a large portion of Monday night’s nearly two-hour meeting focused on the proposed Village Fire Station renovation project.

Under the historic preservation category of the Community Preservation Act, the proposal seeks $1.5 million for the next phase of the proposed reconstruction, which would likely be bonded over a number of years. The town is seeking to restore the deteriorating building at 129 Spring St., which was the first town hall and school and is located in the Hull Village Historic District. The building is currently used as a satellite fire station on the first level and the Hull Historical Society’s archives and museum are located on the second floor.

There was a general consensus among CPC members that they would like to see a detailed list of what work is included in the $1.5 million request, and information about how much of the time the building is used by the Hull Fire Department, including during severe storms when the area sometimes floods and an ambulance is stationed there.

Concerns were voiced about how potentially moving forward with such a high-cost project would take away from funding for other worthy historic preservation projects, and that if taxpayer-funded Community Preservation Act money is used for this project, there should be some kind of public access and educational or other benefit.

CPC member Jim Richman thinks the funding should come out of the town budget.

“Why isn’t the town fixing the building? It hasn’t been taken care of for years,” he said. “I have a problem with the town coming to us for funding.”

Community Development and Planning Director Chris Dilorio, speaking about the proposal on behalf of the town, explained that CPA funds may be used for restoration of town-owned historic buildings.

“If we don’t repair the building now, it will fall into further disrepair,” he said.

CPC member Nathan Peyton said he was having a tough time understanding why CPA money is considered to be the right funding source, and encouraged more creative thinking on this subject. “It wouldn’t have to be all or everyday access to the building, but I think we would need to explain the value beyond a restoration” to Hull citizens, he said.

When initially garnering voter support for instituting the CPA surcharge in Hull several years ago, “we promised quality of life investments that would otherwise go unfunded,” Peyton recalled.

The Village Fire Station “should [be turned into] a museum,” Richman said, if the request for CPA funding were to move forward.

While Dilorio thinks the committee’s desire for public access to the building if it were to be restored using CPA funds makes sense, “we’d have to figure out how to make it work,” he said.

The committee plans to invite Town Manager Philip Lemnios, Town Accountant Michael Buckley, and Fire Chief Christopher Russo to its Jan. 9 meeting to explain the details of the application and to respond to the committee’s questions.

Following the lengthy discussion, Chair Rachel Kelly said that she hoped the meeting “puts a little fire under the town” to realize that the CPC won’t consider supporting the requested amount without further discussion.

Despite shortage of plow drivers, town is prepared for winter weather’s arrival

By Carol Britton Meyer 

Following a recent meeting of department heads, Town Manager Philip Lemnios reported that Hull is prepared for whatever this winter may hold, although a shortage of contractors to plow snow is an issue.

“The DPW equipment is ready, and the superintendent of schools [Judith Kuehn] has talked about potential school closures,” Lemnios told the select board this week. “This is a meeting we hold every year to discuss any potential issues and ways we can improve upon last year’s [efforts].”

While the DPW makes every attempt to clear the town’s roads quickly and safely, the usual issues related to the amount of on-street parking and the impacts of drifting snow are exacerbated this year by that shortage of contractors – a challenge faced by many communities, Lemnios noted. “We’re paying competitive rates, so that’s not the issue. It’s just that there are not as many folks [as in past years] who want to do this work.”

What this means, he explained, is that depending on the duration and intensity of a snowstorm, it may take longer for the roads “to be in better shape than many would like.”

When the snow is falling so hard that a large amount of additional snow has fallen once the first round of plowing is completed, the cleanup process lengthens.

“It was a good meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page, so that piece of the puzzle is done,” Lemnios said.

He said the DPW’s first priority is to ensure that police, fire, and medical emergency equipment can move safely on town streets, the second is to open main and secondary roads for use by the public, and the third is to open residential streets, which can take additional time depending on the amount of snow that has fallen. The DPW’s fourth priority is to clear the sidewalks used by students walking to and from school.

A winter parking ban is now in effect through March 31. On-street parking is prohibited on Nantasket Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, Spring Street, and Main Street between 1:30 a.m. and 7 a.m.

During inclement weather, parking will be allowed on the even-numbered side of each street, except in areas where such parking is always prohibited. This will help make the snow removal, sanding, and salting operations run more smoothly and allow for the free flow of traffic, especially emergency vehicles.

In addition to all these measures, the light plant has leased generators again this year to ensure that Hull residents don’t go without electricity and stay warm this winter in the event of a prolonged power outage through National Grid, whose lines supply Hull with power.

Hanukkah season signals a time of celebration, renewal, and light for all

Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish ancestral military victory, recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent miracles that took place in the holy temple in Israel.

Historically, Hanukkah has been a time of renewal and rededication. Over the centuries, the holiday has evolved to include all the joyous celebration elements we observe today.

We come together to light menorah, increasing by one candle on each of the eight holiday nights, increasing the light and beauty every night.

Jews everywhere enjoy fried foods, such as potato latkes and donuts, and will spin dreidel, a game of chance for fun and prizes.

Hanukkah is often termed The Festival of Lights, bringing warmth and happiness to the darkest days of winter.

Here in our home in Hull, we will have a communal menorah lighting on Sunday, Dec. 18 at the gazebo at nightfall, and an open house party in our synagogue, including entertainment and refreshments, leading up to the lighting.

Your friends at Temple Beth Sholom hope to see you all, and share our warmest wishes for the holiday.

Need help for the holidays? These Hull organizations are ready to lend a hand

By Carol Britton Meyer

While the holidays are typically a happy time of year, full of celebrations, goodwill, and cheer, assistance is available in the close-knit Hull community for those who are struggling to put food on their tables and pay their utility bills, let alone finding the means to buy gifts for their children and creating a festive atmosphere.

Many Hull residents are donating gifts to the Hull Fire Department/Wellspring Multi-Service Center Toy Drive, the Campbell Christmas Angels program, and to Holiday Gifts for Veterans 2022, while the Council on Aging is supporting older adults in Hull in various ways in the spirit of the holidays. (See related story.)

Families who would like to request toys for their children through the fire department toy drive should sign up through Wellspring, according to Program Coordinator Jane Walsh.

“Wellspring assigns families a number, and they will be able to pick up their gifts at the fire station on Dec. 16 and 17,” she said.

This holiday gift program is open to all children under 18 in Hull. “In partnership with the HFD, we ask families what is wanted and what is needed,” Wellspring President & CEO Vinny Harte told The Hull Times. “Everyone gets the needed hats, gloves, socks, and other items, and then we match donors to the wanted items. Gifts for teens usually include gift cards that allow them to shop and choose for themselves.”

Wellspring’s food pantry, Aunt Dot’s Kitchen, will provide food for holiday meals, including a ham or a turkey, during the week before Christmas.

The pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30 a.m. for any Hull resident in need. “With the cost of food skyrocketing, we are seeing more families who are just trying to make ends meet,” Harte said. Wellspring provides assistance with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps) applications as requested.

Transportation to the pantry is available on Mondays. Clients are picked up at their homes and returned once they have collected their food. Delivery of food is available on Fridays for those unable to go there in person.

“For people looking to share their kindness during the holiday season, donations of food, dollars, or gift cards will be put to immediate use and will provide joy and happiness to a neighbor in Hull,” Harte said

For more information about these programs, call Pat Martin, who helps clients get the help they need, at 781-925-3211, ext. 112.

Campbell Christmas Angels founder Laurie Good knows what it’s like to be in dire straits during the holidays.

“I was at one time living in a motel with my kids [for an extended period of time], including on Christmas,” she recalled. “No child should be left out because of the circumstances they live in or feel as though they have been forgotten. Kids are aware that Santa is coming – that’s what kids look forward to and think about when they hear his name – and we want them to have a nice Christmas.”

Quite a few requests have already come in. Good notes that proof of guardianship is required before gifts can be given to families.

While there is no deadline for Christmas Angels requests, the sooner the better for planning purposes. An example of a last-minute need is someone who has just taken in a foster child, Good explained.

Parents and guardians can shop at the Kenberma location as they would in a regular store. Everything is new, from the toys to the beds in a bag, pajamas, and winter jackets that each school child up to age 17 receives.

For more information, including making a request for gifts, visit www.campbellchristmasangels.org.

Holiday Gifts for Veterans 2022 benefits men and women veterans at the Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center, and also Hull veterans. Contact Craig Wolfe, 781-771-6416 for more information.

As a show of respect for Hull veterans, decorated wreaths will be placed in the Hull cemetery, at the Hull Lifesaving Museum, the war memorial, and other locations around town for the holidays, working in partnership with the Hull Garden Club, Wolfe said.

Looking beyond the holidays to the new year, free food is available for pickup for veterans, family, friends, and the general public through the Veterans Voice and WATD/WMEX drive-through program at the WATD studios, 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, on the second Thursday of every month from 12 to 1 p.m. No registration is necessary. For more information, contact Wolfe at the number above or at 89edge@comcast.net.

For those struggling to keep warm, help with filling out fuel assistance applications is available at the Anne M. Scully Senior Center and at Wellspring.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Bright decorating contest returns for its third year

Hull’s favorite holiday contest is back by popular demand for the third year in a row. Bibbidi Bobbidi Bright shows off the best-decorated houses in town for all to enjoy.

Organizer Liliana Hedrick needs the community’s help to create one night of magical lights for families to enjoy on Sunday, Dec. 18.

Maps will be handed out on that day from 3-5 p.m. at Scoops Ice Cream Company, 540 Nantasket Ave., at the corner of Kenberma Street, and will be available online on the 18th.

Your vote is still needed – after looking at all of the participating houses, you can vote for your favorites and drop your map at Nantasket Flatts, 145 Nantasket Ave. and stay for stay for a nice meal.

Residents who would like to be on the map of houses decorated with lights should contact Hedrick directly at bibbidibobbidihull@gmail.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/bibbidibobbidibright/ 

If any helpful elves would like to assist with the details or donations for prizes, please reach out using the contact information above to get involved in this great program that raises funds for local causes.

Students at all grade levels help local families in need

By Carol Britton Meyer

In the spirit of generosity and caring for one’s neighbors for which this town is known, Hull Public Schools students and staff are helping to make the lives of families in need a little brighter during the holidays through what Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn called many “acts of kindness.”

Project 351 Ambassador Emily Irby, a ninth-grader, is holding a food drive through Dec. 9. Each grade has an assigned English teacher to whom they can drop off cans of food and other non-perishable items.

Fellow Project 351 ambassador and eighth-grader Bruno Andrews-Mundo is conducting a food drive to support Wellspring Multi-Service Center during the holidays.

Jacobs Elementary School held a food drive for Wellspring as part of its Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, which was a huge success.

The Jacobs School is currently participating in the “Mittens Program,” with adjustment counselors reaching out to families who may need assistance with holiday gifts that are then purchased by staff members and donated anonymously from gift ideas written on “mittens.”

HPS also works with Hull’s “Stretch Your Food Budget” program to deliver meals to families in the community who could use a helping hand.

During the December holidays, Memorial Middle School staff “adopt” families who would benefit from some assistance, providing toys and gift cards anonymously, an effort that is coordinated by the school counselors

Hull High School counselors request donations from staff to purchase gift cards for students and families in need to use at Marshalls and/or T.J. Maxx.

In addition, counselors in each building work to connect families with the Hanover YMCA, which has a gift assistance program. Each year donors adopt local families who need assistance and provide holiday gifts for their children. Moms, Dads, and other caregivers can sign up using a link for personalized gifts for kids, including clothing sizes.

Hull Fire Department Toy Drive organizers coordinate with adjustment counselors for names of children in need in elementary and early middle school grades to provide them with holiday gifts, according to Kuehn. “Also, the Hull Police fill a cruiser with toys and coordinate with adjustment counselors for names of families in need,” she said.

Six proposals under review for Community Preservation funding at next town meeting

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Community Preservation Committee is considering six applications for the next round of Community Preservation Act funding, primarily for projects that the town would otherwise not be able to afford.

Requests this year include a partial payment toward the proposed next $1.5-million phase of the Village Fire Station project; $70,000 for supplementary funding for the Hampton Circle Playground, with a possible additional $29,000 request to install porous material that would make the play area, which is located in a flood zone, more flood-resistant; $55,000 for L Street playground and tennis courts repairs; $30,000 for an approximate 30-by-30-foot L Street playground shade structure, in large part to provide shade for summer campers; $70,000 for the restoration of the Paragon Carousel windows; and $28,000 for a waterfront access consultant.

Such a consultant, with the goal of helping to improve waterfront access and possibly overall public space access at the suggestion of CPC member Nathan Peyton, would study access points around town, provide an existing conditions analysis and recommendations for any new access points, and offer recommendations for rehabilitation of existing access. The consultant would take into consideration ADA compliance, environmental issues, building-code requirements, maintenance, and the approximate cost of each project.

The proponent of all but one of the current applications is Community Development and Planning Director Chris Dilorio on behalf of the town. The proponent for the carousel project is the Friends of the Paragon Carousel.

CPA funding comes from a 1.5% property-tax surcharge approved by town meeting in 2016 and may be used only for open space, affordable housing, historic preservation, and recreation projects. The state provides a partial match for these funds.

The current available CPA funding is $642,487, including $485,341 from FY22 CPA surcharge revenue and $148,359 as the FY22 state match.

The CPC makes its recommendations prior to each year's town meeting. The final decision rests with voters after recommendations from the select board and advisory board.

‘Kids can do stuff too’ – Young Hull skateboarder wins local, national support

By Victoria Dolan

FLYING HIGH. With no local skate park, Kairi Stanbrook practices in Quincy. [Photo courtesy of the Stanbrook family]

After practicing her tricks for the Skateboarding National Championships, Hull third-grader Kairi Stanbrook went out for some ramen. 

Stanbrook, who placed 14th in the 2022 Women’s Park National Championship semifinals, traveled to California to take part in the event – and, like always, after every skating session, she headed out for some ramen or sushi.

After Stanbrook qualified for the semifinals with a 50-second, unedited video of her skating, she was invited to California for the next round of the competition.

“I’m going to compete with Olympians, and my dream is to be an Olympian,” said Stanbrook, “so it’s one step forward to my dream.”

Those around her certainly support this dream, as Stanbrook’s parents and community have helped her every step of the way.

“We are not skaters, we don’t skate at all…  a lot of things she’s learned has been from community people at the skate park,” said her Dad, Chris Stanbrook. 

From her elementary school principal, Kyle Shaw, appearing at her birthday party at a skate park to the encouraging comments of her 600-odd followers on Instagram, Stanbrook “likes that a lot of people support me skating.”

In fact, Stanbrook has official support from S1 Helmets, her first sponsorship. Ryan Taylor of S1 saw her skating and approached her with the offer.

“He works for S1 helmets and ordered me stuff,” said Stanbrook. 

Kairi Stanbrook competed recently at the national championship in California. [Photo courtesy of the Stanbrook family]

Even in the competitive environment of the National Championship, Stanbrook’s family reports that everyone has still been supportive and welcoming.

“It’s nice to have that competition where it’s just everyone supporting everyone else,” said Chris Stanbrook. “Even here at the national championships, everyone wants to see each other push themselves to do better.”

This isn’t Stanbrook’s first time – she enjoys traveling and has competed in many other competitions around New England.

“I sometimes feel nervous at first,” she explained, so to combat anxiety she looks at pictures of the skate parks she’ll be competing in and plans “runs,” or what tricks and courses she will do once she arrives. 

Of course, her achievements have come from plenty of hard work. After months of practice, Stanbrook landed a kickflip – a trick where she jumps and her skateboard rotates 360 degrees before landing. To train herself, Stanbrook would hold on to a bar in her living room as she attempted the trick.

“Every single day I would do it… in six months I landed it,” she said. 

Stanbrook doesn’t mind being the youngest at a competition or the skate park, in fact, she likes it “because they see what I can do, and what a little girl can do.”

“Not just adults can do stuff,” Stanbrook said. “Kids can do stuff too.”

Unfortunately, Stanbrook isn’t able to practice her skills in Hull. She used to practice at the ramp behind Paragon Boardwalk, but since it was torn down, “we have to get out of Hull and skate somewhere else.” Instead, she goes to Bare Cove Park in Hingham or another skate park in Quincy. 

However, the Stanbrooks would love to see a skate park built in Hull. Kairi’s Mom, Yoshino, thinks having a skate park “right by the beach… would draw a lot of good crowds” to Hull. 

“The kids get outside, and it’s safe and supportive and healthy,” added Chris Stanbrook. “Everyone thinks of skateboarders as being standoffish or mean, but everyone has been wonderful and supportive of her.”