Library director leaves ‘big shoes to fill’ as she starts new chapter in Sandwich

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By Carol Britton Meyer

While Hull Public Library Director Diane Costagliola is looking forward to entering a new chapter in her career as the new director of the library in Sandwich, she is sad to leave behind the staff, patrons, library trustees, officials, and others who supported her throughout her time in this close-knit community.

BOOKING IT. Hull Public Library Director Diane Costagliola is leaving Hull for a similar position in Sandwich. [Carol Meyer photo]

Costagliola, who was hired in large part due to her extensive library services experience, earned respect and affection for her energy and creativity at the Hull Public Library during the past two-and-a-half years.

“I wasn’t looking to leave Hull,” she told The Hull Times. “I’ve told so many people that I’m the luckiest librarian on the South Shore.”

Leaving Hull “has zero to do with anything that happened here,” she said. “I have been so happy in my role. We have the best staff, and I’ve enjoyed making improvements to this charming building with their help.”

She explained that she has long admired the Sandwich library.

“When I was in my mid-20s, I attended a history roundtable for local librarians at the Sandwich library and really liked it,” she recalled. “I thought to myself at that time, ‘I hope I get to work here sometime.’”

Yet when she realized the director position was open, she hesitated to apply because she was so content in her current role. A comment by her older sister changed her mind.

“She was teasing me, saying, “You’re not going to apply when you’ve had a crush on that library for so long?”

That remark spurred Costagliola to apply for the job. “I realized that this was the chance of a lifetime to fulfill that dream.”

Costagliola will miss Hull’s library staff and patrons the most.

“I have received so many compliments on the work I’ve done here, but I couldn’t have done any of it without the support of the staff and also the DPW – who assisted me when needed – the Hull Garden Club, and others,” she said.

Costagliola and other library staff were highly praised for their mega-efforts to maintain the library’s vibrancy during the pandemic prior to its reopening in June 2021, tirelessly sprucing up and decorating the Children’s Room and other parts of the library during its temporary closure, including thoroughly weeding out the adult non-fiction collection and improving that space.

Costagliola, who was hired in large part due to her extensive experience in library services -- including her role as adult services librarian at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy for 10 years – replaced longtime library director Daniel Johnson.

Costagliola’s last day is today, Aug. 24, when staff planned to honor her dedication and service to the town and the library at a reception. She starts her new job Sept. 12.

“Over the past two months since I announced I was leaving, there have been a whole bunch of emotions expressed” among people who are sad to see her leave, as well as her own feelings about leaving a place she has come to love.

Library Board of Trustees Acting Chair Mary Dunphy spoke highly of Costagliola’s tenure.

“Diane is leaving behind big shoes to fill,” she said. “She was exactly what we were looking for in a new director – full of energy and enthusiasm” and a willingness to work hard and get things done, such as painting during COVID19 shutdowns, “and to work collaboratively with the community, fostering good relationships.”

Costagliola allowed time before stepping into her new role to provide time to fill the position and to help the staff “keep things afloat” in the meantime.

“We have an excellent, dedicated staff, so the trustees feel confident that they can maintain the library’s high level of customer service and programming until a new director is found,” Dunphy said. “Once we get the word out about the open position, we’re hopeful that we’ll get a nice pool of applicants.”

One of the things Costagliola likes best about Hull’s library is the number of patrons who are avid readers.

“There’s something quaint and old-timey about them stopping by to check out bestsellers, access eBooks, and spend time here,” she said. “Most of our patrons are true readers in all different formats. They’re not just here to access the other services we offer.”

Among her initiatives in Hull was a digitization project that resulted in online access to the archives of The Hull Beacon and the Hull News-Mirror. She worked with Times Editor Christopher Haraden and historian John Galluzzo, both members of the Hull Historical Society, on the effort to digitize the rolls of microfilm in the library’s collection.

While she will miss Hull, Costagliola is looking forward to this new opportunity and to meeting new people in Sandwich.

“I’ll be taking all the experience and skills I gained here and applying them in my new job,” she said.

Costagliola noted that both Hull and Sandwich are small towns, where the people tend to be the most supportive, flexible, and open to new ideas in her experience.

“Working in Hull was like a breath of fresh air,” she said. “My experience with HPL has change me for the better, and I’m excited to be walking into my new job in Sandwich with that inspiration.”

With start of school quickly approaching, Hull Public Schools welcome new teachers

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LUNCH AND LEARN. Jake’s Seafood Restaurant continued its tradition of hosting a luncheon to welcome new teachers to Hull as they become familiar with the town and their new roles. Superintendent Judith Kuehn and administrators are shown with the newest members of Hull’s educational team across the district. [Skip Tull photo]

As the school district prepares for the start of the new year on Aug. 30, Jake’s Seafood Restaurant continued its tradition of hosting a luncheon to welcome new teachers to Hull as they become familiar with the town and their new roles. Superintendent Judith Kuehn and administrators provided these profiles of teachers who will be joining the Hull Public Schools this year.

David Benson will be a long-term substitute 0.8 mathematics teacher at Hull High School during the 2023-24 school year. Mr. Benson received his bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, his master’s degree from the University of West Florida, and his CAGS from the University of New Hampshire.

Theodora (Teddi) Cowden was a long-term substitute grade-four teacher at the Jacobs Elementary School last year, and this year she has been appointed as a grade-two teacher. Ms. Cowden received her bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University and her master’s degree from Merrimack College.

Michelle Darragh will be a 0.6 occupational therapist at the Jacobs School. Ms. Darragh received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ithaca College. She comes to Hull from Lexington Public Schools.

William Dorney is joining Hull High School this year as a long-term substitute English language arts teacher. Mr. Dorney received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College.

Athena Fazio will be a preschool teacher at the Jacobs School and comes to Hull from the Walpole Public Schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, her master’s degree from Lesley University, and her postgraduate certificate of study from Framingham State University.

Brendan Fitzgerald previously worked in the Haverhill Public Schools as a grade-six social studies teacher. He received his bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America and his master’s degree from Merrimack College.

Faith Martin will join the Jacobs School staff this year as a long-term substitute grade-five teacher. Ms. Martin received her bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College and her master’s degree from Bridgewater State University, and previously taught at Boston Renaissance Charter Public School.

Katelyn McMurdie will be a grade five teacher in Hull after teaching in Avon Public Schools for many years. Ms. McMurdie received her bachelor’s degree from Utah Valley University and her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

Select Board holding special town meeting info session on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at noon

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By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board will hold a virtual public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 29, at noon to review and discuss the warrant articles. This will be an opportunity for citizens to ask questions and to make comments. Click here for the agenda and access link.

On Aug. 24, Town Moderator George Boylen hosted an informational session with special town meeting article proponents that will be rebroadcast on Hull Community Television.

"Hopefully this will help inform the citizens of Hull and get them prepped for the upcoming special town meeting and also help speed up the process that night," Select Board Chair Greg Grey told The Hull Times.

Replays of this session, filmed by Hull Community Television, will be aired on hulltv.net at various dates and times leading up to the special town meeting.

"Citizens will be able to watch the replays as many times as they wish," Grey said.

Chamber asks HRA for financial support for trolley during Endless Summer festival

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By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

After the Hull-O Trolley canceled this summer’s service because of a loss of grant funding and increases in operating expenses, the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce has asked the Hull Redevelopment Authority for a grant to operate the trolley during the Endless Summer Waterfront Festival on Sept. 9.

On Monday Aug. 14, the HRA met with Chamber President Adrian Muir, who requested $3,000 for the trolley during the event, which runs from noon to 5 p.m.

Muir said he understood that the “economics for one day are difficult, when the cost to run the trolley for a season of nine two-day weekends and Endless Summer is $35,000.” Therefore, funding of the trolley for the entire summer breaks down to $1,842 per day.

“I want to help integrate transportation but would rather not spend this money on a five hour event,” HRA member Bartley Kelly said.

Muir said that when the trolley operated people were picked up at the ferry and moved through town, but most riders were from Hull.

“The majority of ridership has been local…for instance, riders from the alphabets would hop on,” said Muir, adding the trolley does get some visitors who ride the ferry over from Boston. The Chamber actively markets the festival outside of town. “For a number of years, we have taken a full-page ad in OnTray Magazine, which is distributed throughout the city of Boston and South Shore.”

Kelly suggested the possibility of utilizing the existing Hull town bus and offering it free to riders on Sept. 9; Muir was open to exploring this option as a mode of transportation for Endless Summer especially since it is likely to provide the ability to get to more neighborhoods than the trolley has been able to service in the past.

“Some people have never been on the town bus and may take it for the first time. This may have a double positivity of exposing people to the town bus…great way to educate people about the bus service they have to use,” said HRA Chair Dennis Zaia, who added that he is an advocate for improved transportation options in town. “I want to spend money in a manner that benefits the community and makes sense…great option is to partner with the existing bus service.”

HRA member Adrienne Paquin said she is “all for supporting, but want to use the money in the best way possible…love the idea of connecting with the bus; need to understand the feasibility and logistics of making it happen.”

The HRA tasked Muir and the Chamber to determine the logistics and cost for arranging a free day of bus service. Muir will return to present his findings to the HRA on Monday Aug. 21 and members will decide what level of support they can provide to assist with transportation for Endless Summer.

Proposal to create accessory dwelling units aims to allow Hull seniors to ‘age in place’

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By Carol Britton Meyer

Town meeting voters will be asked to approve a allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family homes under a proposal sponsored by the zoning board of appeals.

The article on the Aug. 31 special town meeting warrant is similar to the one that was voted “no action” in order to allow for further study at last spring’s annual town meeting. According to ZBA Chair Patrick Finn, the plan would help Hull homeowners age in place.

It would create housing units within an existing single-family structure for family members, seniors age 60 and over regardless of income, or other occupants who qualify according to income eligibility for affordable housing. Further details will be available at the planning board’s Aug. 23 meeting, at which the article will be discussed prior to town meeting.

“This is to help single-family homeowners in Hull remain in their homes and is basically the same article as the earlier one – with the three restrictions [listed above] spelled out and a special permit process if the proposed ADU is not in conformance with existing zoning regulations,” Finn told The Hull Times. “Some of Hull’s Coast Guard members are given housing vouchers but are having trouble finding rental housing in Hull, and allowing ADUs would be perfect.”

Town meeting will be asked to amend the zoning bylaws to allow a limited number of ADUs without adding to the number of buildings, reducing open space in town, or substantially altering the appearance of the principal dwelling.

There would be limits on the size of the ADU within the existing structure -- not larger than half of the floor area of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller, with four required parking spaces. The family member, senior, or income-qualifying Hull resident or non-resident occupying the other unit must have a minimum stay of six months.

Homeowners who gain approval as necessary to create an ADU would be required to provide a signed affidavit to the town each year confirming that they reside in the dwelling (either the original house or the ADU) for at least six months of the year. If the occupant is living in one of the units based on income eligibility, an affidavit confirming his or her income would also be required with the owner’s affidavit.

The goal is “to provide for a more efficient and economic use of existing housing stock by enabling owners of single-family dwellings larger than required for their present needs to share space and the burdens of homeownership, while also protecting the stability, property values, and residential character of the neighborhood,” according to Finn.

He noted that there has been some questioning of the intent of this ADU article as a zoning article versus a strictly affordable housing article.

“The ZBA, zoning bylaw committee, and affordable housing committee discussed this difference and unanimously agreed (one affordable housing committee member abstained from the vote) that ADUs in owner-occupied single-family homes are not the place where our town planners should suddenly put down the hammer and require strict compliance with [affordable housing requirements] for occupants,” Finn said.

“This would drop the weight of a long-ignored issue [referring to the need for affordable housing in Hull] on the backs of struggling seniors, family members, and other hardworking taxpayers of Hull when developers have constructed over 800 multi-family condominium units with a total of zero affordable housing deed-restricted units required – added to Hull’s tiny 1.7% total of the required state-certified subsidized housing inventory,” he explained.

The warrant article intends to increase the number of housing choices in Hull as recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development and consistent with Hull’s Housing Production Plan, proponents say.

“Property owners should have a right to choose who they share living space with in their single-family home – ideally with family members and loved ones, not necessarily income-eligible tenants,” Finn said. “If these proposed 10 units per year ever make it onto the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Subsidized Housing Inventory is strictly an administrative function of the Town of Hull, based on the current Chapter 40B [comprehensive permit] Local Initiative Program and proposed changes in the Legislature.”

The current housing crisis requires action, according to Finn, who believes that passage of this article “will allow administrative procedures to be put in place to assist in accomplishing the goals of the Hull Housing Production Plan.”

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council assisted the town in developing a housing production plan that is intended to “provide housing options to residents, their adult children, and elderly grandparents for all life phases and unanticipated circumstances, such as the economy, personal mobility, or changing preferences;” guide market-rate and affordable housing preservation and creation; help the town maintain its state-mandated affordable housing target; influence the type, amount, and location of affordable housing; and increase affordable housing opportunities and options in Hull, among other considerations.

On Constable’s first day as town manager, Select Board finalizes STM warrant articles

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By Carol Britton Meyer

New Town Manager Jennifer Constable concluded her first day on the job Wednesday in familiar territory – at a meeting of the select board, where she served as chair prior to resigning earlier this year to apply for the town’s top job.

Current board Chair Greg Grey welcomed her aboard in her new role and expressed appreciation for Police Chief John Dunn’s service as interim town manager after

“I’m thrilled to be here and look forward to working with the board,” Constable said, noting that she has an open-door policy. There was a round of applause from the audience following her remarks.

The select board signed the warrant for the Aug. 31 special town meeting, which will feature 10 warrant articles ranging from appropriating money for emergency repairs to the Memorial Middle School to whether to allow the sale of recreational marijuana in Hull.

A copy of the warrant will be mailed to every Hull household prior to the meeting and will include the advisory board’s recommendations. For some articles, the board may announce its decisions that night. Voters have the final say.

The articles include proposals to:

⦁ Appropriate approximately $300,000 to pay for recently discovered repairs that are needed at the Memorial Middle School;

⦁ Allow accessory dwelling units in single-family homes under certain circumstances (see related story);

⦁ Appropriate roughly $120,000 to pay for DPW equipment;

⦁ Allow the consolidation of certain “housekeeping” articles into a single vote to allow time for discussion of more important issues;

⦁ Allow the sale of recreational marijuana through a citizens’ petition submitted on behalf of the Alternative Compassion Services medical marijuana dispensary on George Washington Boulevard;

⦁ Adjust Hull’s wetlands protection rules and increase fees to help cover the cost of administration of the Wetlands Protection Act, and to double the fees for after-the-fact work that requires a permit or review;

⦁ Appropriate roughly $600,000 to cover increases in the cost of restoring the Fort Revere water tower, supplementing an earlier town meeting appropriation of $2.2 million for this work;

⦁ Authorize the select board to petition for an act of special legislation granting the town an additional package store license for the Quick Pick Food Shop on Nantasket Avenue (subject to select board approval if the legislation passes).

Select Board planning outreach efforts to educate voters about town meeting articles

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By Carol Britton Meyer

Following the signing of the Aug. 31 special town meeting warrant Wednesday night, the select board is ramping up its efforts to ensure that citizens planning to attend are fully informed about all 10 articles.

This is especially important in light of the short timeframe the board had in which to call the meeting in response to the filing of a citizens’ petition.

Outreach plans include a recording by Hull Community Television next week of an information session featuring Town Moderator George Boylen talking with proponents of the warrant articles to educate voters about the issues involved. Replays will be aired leading up to the meeting.

The board will also hold a remote public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 29 (time to be announced), to review and discuss the warrant articles. This will be an opportunity for citizens to ask questions and to make comments.

At that time, the board may decide to support or not support the article. There were mixed feelings as to whether the board should take a stand for or against any of them.

While member Jason McCann doesn’t think the board should make recommendations on the warrant articles, fellow board member Irwin Nesoff holds a different view.

“Citizens have the right to hear our opinions,” he said.

It was noted that whether or not the board takes a position, its members are free to share their opinions about warrant articles at the special town meeting, speaking as residents.

HRA to extend deadline, ask for specifics on citizens’ development ideas

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By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

In an effort to elicit as many detailed submissions as possible, the Hull Redevelopment Authority will extend the time for citizens to submit ideas beyond the end of August. At its next meeting on Aug. 14, the authority will clarify the process and expectations.

“I pushed to get it out there, but we should have been clearer with what we were expecting,” said HRA Chair Dennis Zaia. “We will take a step back and make a correction and next week we will define the extra requirements.”

“It would be helpful for those submitting ideas to say what parcel they would like to put it on based on the current Urban Renewal Plan and give rough dimensions,” said member Bartley Kelly.

According to Zaia, some people only submitted a photo, and it is preferable to see more information such as “reference to where the photo was taken, as well as proposed size and scope, funding, and possible partners.”

“I do not think it is the community’s responsibility to figure out where and how to execute,” said Liz Kay member of SOS (Save Our Space), a group advocating for less intensive uses on the HRA property.  “This is over our professional expertise.”

HRA Vice Chair Dan Kernan said the board made the initial request and should “honor it” by putting the initial couple of submissions up on the HRA website.

“Someone could have a brilliant idea and not know what to do with it,” he said. “I would still rather see it than not… someone else may leverage that idea and provide the additional information.”

“People are not architects. They may not be able to note which parcel, what scope, how funded,” said Gisela Voss of Hampton Circle. “If you received 20 ideas for ‘blank,’ that at least becomes public record of the relative desire for ‘blank.’”

HRA Clerk Adrienne Paquin agreed that some people may not have the “bandwidth” to submit more than just an idea, but they should “honor the efforts” of the submissions received by posting them on the website.

The HRA also will revise its general agenda when members know a specific topic will be covered, or guest will be attending, if they able to meet the 48-hour rule for agenda posts by submitting changes by Thursday afternoon before town hall closes for the weekend.

At the upcoming HRA meeting via Zoom on Monday, attendees can learn more about the additional requirements for future submissions, and hear from a member of the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce regarding a request for funding for a trolley for Endless Summer in September.

Proposed bylaw would broaden Hull’s regulation of wetlands

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By Carol Britton Meyer

An article on the Aug. 31 special town meeting warrant would adjust Hull’s wetlands protection rules in response to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, the town’s conservation director told the advisory board this week.

When asked, “Why now?” by advisory board member David Clinton, Climate Adaptation & Conservation Director Chris Krahforst said the issues should be addressed before next year’s annual town meeting.

“There is some urgency to this article,” Krahforst said, explaining that it was due in part to “pressure from the conservation commission” and that a similar warrant article “fell off the radar screen” for last spring’s annual town meeting.

The article addresses a recent Supreme Court decision, Sackett vs. EPA, that restricts how certain land can be regulated under the federal wetlands rules. Krahforst said this could jeopardize the protection of wetlands in parts of Hull.

The ordinance proposed in the special town meeting article would protect wetlands that serve to capture stormwater, overwash, and ocean surge to mitigate flooding.

“This ordinance proposes that town residents value the protection from flooding provided by these wetlands and seek to preserve that protection – which was previously afforded under the Wetlands Protection Act,” Krahforst told The Hull Times in a follow-up email.

The article also seeks to require the conservation commission to consider “cumulative effects” proposed projects may pose on the town’s protected resources. As an example, an activity that may be permittable under the state WPA – such as adding docks over a marsh – would require the commission to consider whether this practice is consistent with protecting the entire resource.

“It’s important for residents to know about these issues due to the importance of storm damage protection and flood control,” Krahforst said.

Also, the conservation commission is seeking to institute a fee structure similar to ones implemented by many Massachusetts communities to administer the Wetlands Protection Act. These fees haven’t changed since at least 2013, according to Krahforst.

The commission is also requesting that these fees be doubled for after-the-fact work that requires a permit or a review.