Sister’s illness inspires seamstress to collect handmade ‘Hats for Hope’ for chemotherapy patients

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

Longtime Hull resident Jean Liben has embarked on a project to donate 500 handmade hats to those suffering with hair loss due to illness, in honor of her sister Helen Valja, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2018.

Many in town may know Liben for her sewing expertise with her company Coastal Aprons, as well as Village Dresses, a mission project Liben began nearly a decade ago to send dresses to orphaned Haitian girls. In 2016, this inspiring story was also made into a children’s book of the same name.

Liben said the girls had nobody who could help them and desperately needed clothing. So, she and some friends got to work sewing dresses – hundreds of them. Now she wants to inspire others to make caps for those going through chemotherapy to remind recipients and their families they are loved and supported. She is calling this project Helen’s Chemo Hats for Hope.

“Helen was always supporting others throughout her life,” Liben said. “She would lend a hand to anyone who needed it… I am sure she would be thrilled with this project.”

The local seamstress is now asking the generous, hardworking people of Hull and surrounding communities to “donate their time, talent, yarn, thread, and fabric for handmaking caps through the art of knitting, crocheting, or sewing.” She would like to have the 500 hats completed by September.

Liben said her nieces, Jennifer, Wendy, and Amy, of Walpole, are very happy she is taking on this project in honor of their mother to help patients going through these extremely challenging times to feel a little less alone.

She said she is “being powered by the love, compassion, and kindness” her sister embodied in all areas of her life, which included working at the Quincy Shipyard right out of high school, becoming a homemaker, volunteer Girl Scout leader, preschool teacher, and eventually a grandmother.

At the Jacobs School, Liben taught Girl Scouts how to make no-sew scarves; she thinks it would be great if leaders want to help their Scouts get involved.

Liben said Helen’s Chemo Hats for Hope project is off to a great start; she has at least 100 hats so far to assist patients who are balding, have partial hair, irritable scalp, or wear wigs.

“They are coming from everywhere; even as far as California…I have them all bagged, tagged, and ready to go,” she said.

Although she does not knit or crochet like her sister Helen, Liben has begun sewing caps out of a variety of fabrics. She had been told vibrant colors, designs, and styles can boost the moods of patients, where softer tones can foster a soothing and tranquil effect.

“My sister Helen could knit or crochet anything…her blankets were as beautiful as a picture,” said Liben.

Liben is moved to know this simple act of kindness can make a difference in the lives of people going through hardship by letting them know even strangers are seeking ways to ease their pain and support them on their journey.

Those who have not gone through it may not know that chemotherapy can cause heads to become tender. Wigs can be itchy, uncomfortable, and expensive compared to caps, which can be made from softer materials.

The key when knitting or crocheting cancer caps is to safeguard the delicate scalp and skin by opting for breathable, lightweight yarn such as bamboo and soft cotton, while steering away from synthetic fibers.

Choosing smooth or non-irritating textures in yarn or fabric helps prevent scalp irritation, while ensuring maximum comfort.

Createtodonate.org has a variety of free patterns for crocheting chemo hats and cancer.org has free hat patterns, including one this is reversible.

When the hats are distributed, Liben hopes recipients receive some comfort from knowing how much love, care, and prayers went into handmaking each one.

“Who knew sewing could bring you to these heights?” asked Liben. “It is a joy to shine some brightness into the days of those in need.”

If you would like to help Jean Liben to support patients on their cancer journey by providing caps to serve as a representation of courage, faith, hope, and love, email her at jvl51@comcast.net.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Get your tickets now for the circus coming to the HRA land next week

On July 2 and 3, the Hull Redevelopment Authority is bringing to Hull the Hideaway Circus, a family-friendly experience perfect for all ages.

Be prepared to be dazzled by their new outdoor show, Canvas Sky, featuring 10 world-class performers who will take your breath away with their gravity-defying feats, jaw-dropping acrobatics, and mesmerizing displays of skill and artistry.

Canvas Sky features a relatable tale exploring the themes of self-acceptance and uplifting one another. We follow the story of a circus troupe where the clown struggles to fit in and find his voice, until he gets a little help from a friend who has already figured out how to embrace what makes her wonderful and unique.

HRA Chair Dennis Zaia is serving as project manager, leading the effort to bring Hideaway Circus to Hull as part of a 35-week tour to more than 60 towns in 22 states.

“I was mesmerized by the Stars Above show at Weir River Farm last summer,” he said. “The event was exhilarating. It was exciting to see all of the kids acting out the performance during intermission. I thought, why not do this in Hull?”

The HRA has invested in this demonstration project as it ramps up efforts to activate its space.

For more information and tickets to the July 2 and 3 shows, scan the QR code. General admission (bring your own seat) is $30 and reserved premium seating is $65. The show is a two-hour performance with a 20-minute intermission. Also, if for some reason these dates do not work for you, you can also check out the show at Weir River Farm July 16 and 17.

For further information about the HRA, visit HRA02045.com.

Weir River Water System commissioners to meet Wednesday to discuss ‘totally unacceptable’ discolored water issue

By Carol Britton Meyer

The ongoing issue of brown water that has affected customers of the Weir River Water System in Hingham, Hull, and North Cohasset – some for a prolonged period of time – will be the subject of a public meeting on Wednesday, June 26, at 2 p.m.

FIRE WATER. Members of the Hull FIre Department helped residents load cases of bottled water into their cars across from central Fire station on Friday. another distribution is being planned for monday, june 24.

The Hingham Select Board, acting as water commissioners for the water system, will conduct the meeting in person at Hingham Town Hall in the third-floor meeting room. It also will be available for remote participation over Zoom; check www.hingham-ma.gov for the agenda and Zoom link.

This will be an opportunity for frustrated WRWS customers in Hull and the other two communities to express their concerns and to ask questions.

Weir River Water System Managing Director/Superintendent Russell Tierney will attend the meeting, and representatives of Veolia, the company that manages the system, have also been asked to be there.

“For people to see brown water coming out their faucets is totally unacceptable and falls far short of the standards the WRWS needs to maintain,” Hingham Select Board Chair Joseph Fisher said in an interview with The Hingham Anchor, an online news site.

Select Board member William Ramsey said he will be asking “a number of questions at the meeting that I want answers to. I want to know the cause of why this is happening; what can be done internally to prevent it from happening again; and how long the discolored water will continue. I also want to ask about the safety of the water -- what is actually in it? Nobody wants to drink brown water. Brown water is completely unacceptable under any circumstance.”

Fisher said the board as water commissioners “is on top” of the situation, including ensuring that Veolia notified the state Department of Environmental Protection about the discoloration issue. “MassDEP sets standards for safe drinking water in the state, and the results from tests on the WRWS water confirm it’s in compliance with DEP standards,” he said.

Ramsey also noted that heat waves are not uncommon during this time of year, “although we typically get these higher temperatures in July and August. [That said,] we haven’t had discolored water in the past during heat waves.”

Customers in Hull, Hingham, and Cohasset who would like to receive regular updates about the brown water issue and other WRWS news can subscribe on the WRWS website.

“We need to be sure the messages are getting out consistently and that we’re not missing folks but also to ensure we’re not overburdening WRWS customers with too many notifications,” Fisher said.

Brown water also affecting Hull restaurants

The discolored water is also a major concern for Hull restaurants, according to Brian Houlihan, who owns The Parrot in Hull, Bia Bistro in Cohasset, and Trident in Hingham.

At the Parrot, the water has been so discolored that staff have needed to change the filters on the ice and soda machines much more frequently than usual/

“We’ve also bought a ton of bottled water,” Houlihan told The Hull Times. “We’re using extra cleaning agents when we wash the dishes. The water for the whole building is filtered, but the system doesn’t get rid of everything, so we’re using five times the normal amount of filters.”

Beyond the inconvenience and added expense, “it’s a matter of trust,” he said. “Will people come to the Parrot and other Hull restaurants if they’re not aware whether the water is being filtered? Everyone needs to drink water, especially during a heat wave.”

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

HRA agrees to pay $130K toward Fort Revere tower, master development plan

By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

The Hull Redevelopment Authority this week agreed to contribute $130,000 to the town for economic and community development projects, including work on the master plan and “gap funding” for renovations to the historic water tower at Fort Revere.

The 4-0 vote took place at the in-person meeting at Memorial School on Monday night; member Dan Kernan was not present for the vote due to prior work commitments.

Several community members in attendance expressed discontent that they were not recognized to make comments at the public meeting.

The motion was made in response to the town manager’s formal request to the HRA for $150,000 to restore the water tower. Since making the request, the town acquired a $75,000 grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, leaving a gap to meet the base bid for the work. The final amount of $130,000 represents two years’ worth of payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOTs) of $65,000 that the HRA has not made during to the town.

Town Planner Chris DiIorio said that when town meeting voters declined to fund an additional $600,000 for the tower in the fall of 2023, the town removed three items from the bid: electrical work to have lights on the tower, work on the base around the tower, and waterproofing.

DiIorio said the consultant on the project recommended moving forward with the waterproofing because the town received a competitive price; including waterproofing the total bid is $2.36 million.

“We are very close to moving forward and this has been on people’s radar for decades now,” said DiIorio, imploring the HRA to make the contribution because the town needs the funds before signing the contract with the low bidder.

PILOT agreements help communities recoup lost revenue from property that is exempt from taxation. However, these funds could not be designated in the motion as a PILOT, because the monies would go into the town’s general fund and there would be a waiting period until they were available.

HRA member Bartley Kelly said the PILOT is a way of giving the town money, but the HRA does not have to specify its purpose. Members ultimately said they were comfortable with how the money would be used even if it was not included in the motion.

“The wording is fine as long as the money goes where it is supposed to go,” said HRA Chair Dennis Zaia.

Town Manager Jennifer Constable said the last two years of PILOTs are similar to the amount of funding needed for the gap on the tower project and meeting the needs of developing the master plan for the town.

“Recently, the town signed a partnership agreement with the DCR…the HRA supporting the funding ask shows a willingness to support the town as well as the DCR,” said Constable.

“Working together with the DCR can be a collaborative effort to improve the area,” said DiIorio.

“There is a patchwork of land ownership up at the fort,” said Constable. “It is complicated moving forward. The entire fort is an asset, and it has fallen into great disrepair… we need to do a better job of maintaining the properties, and that comes with a cost.”

Member Adrienne Paquin expressed concern there is no money currently allocated for maintenance of the tower once it is restored, and the town does not seem to have a solid number for the cost associated with maintenance.

Constable stressed the importance of funding the master plan because it will be the guiding document for the next 10 years to define what Hull is, what the town is going to become, and how the partnership with the state will be expanded.

“We got a large piece of a small pot,” Constable said, referencing the funding from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. “The state sees this as an important project.”

Zaia said the HRA will award grants in different situations; however, this practice stopped about nine years ago because the HRA did not want to be put in the position of deciding what is a “valuable project and what is not.”

Constable said she understood the difficult position the HRA is in if members must decide which projects, how many, and to what extent to give support. She agreed to work with the select board to develop a PILOT payment structure for the HRA moving forward.

Joan Senatore, who made the motion to award the funds, said she is agreeable to paying the amount equivalent to the unpaid PILOTs, and then work with the town manager to develop a plan for future payments.

“It is a worthy endeavor to fund the tower and the master plan,” Kelly said.

“We are making a donation to the community because we are partners,” Zaia said.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Library to eliminate fines for overdue books, upgrade WiFi and expand programming

By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull Public Library will soon be fine-free – with the exception of Library of Things items – joining the 85% of Massachusetts libraries that have already adopted such a policy. The change is expected to go into effect by early August.

At a recent meeting, the library board of trustees unanimously supported Director Brian DeFelice’s recommendation for the library to go this route following a convincing presentation.

“Hull had been an outlier in the Old Colony Library Network on this subject,” trustees Chair Celia Nolan told The Hull Times. “As Hull library items [that are returned late] have been incurring a fine even if they are borrowed through or returned to another library, this makes Hull a less desirable source – and income from fines is minimal.”

DeFelice noted that fines have not been found to increase timely returns, but rather, may deter patrons from continuing to use the library when they owe fines, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged.

He also explained that fines have an inequitable effect, as they only apply to print material, so patrons who do not have access to or are not comfortable with digital devices (or simply prefer physical materials) are the only ones to whom the fine applies.

“This doesn’t mean there’s no accountability,” Nolan said. “There will still be a replacement cost for items not returned and a hold on new borrowing if $15 or more is owed.”

No other change is expected to library charges, including printing, lost or damaged materials, and borrowing from libraries that do fine for late returns, among others.

In other business at the meeting…

• New library cards are now available, featuring a drone photo of the library building. “Even better than the aesthetics of the new card, patrons can have both a wallet card and key tag for a single account,” Nolan said. Previously, patrons could have only one.

• The library’s WiFi service has been upgraded to “50 times faster” (from 5 mbps to almost 250 mbps, according to DeFelice) than it was before, according to Nolan. The air conditioners are also being installed.

• Programming for all ages is planned. Event information is posted on the library’s website and Facebook page, as well as on the new screen in the Children’s Room.

• As a result of the board’s annual reorganization, Nolan will remain chair, with Emmy Garr as vice chair and Curt Miller now serving as clerk. Alice Sloan was welcomed as the recently elected board member.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Light Board expects wind turbine repairs to be finished soon; to conduct rate study

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Wind II turbine is expected to be back in service soon, according to Hull Municipal Light Board Chair Patrick Cannon.

The Hull Wind I turbine at Pemberton Point recently was demolished, while Hull Wind II at the former landfill remains offline, awaiting repairs to its computer system.

Hull LIght’s ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM ALLOWS CUSTOMERS TO PAY THEIR BILLS ONLINE.

“We’re just waiting for a couple of bolts that broke off [to be delivered] -- it’s a small repair, but the turbine is old and it’s not as easy to get parts as it was before,” Cannon told The Hull Times. “Hopefully it will be up and running in a couple of weeks.”

Hull Wind II, which generates enough energy to power 800 homes on an annual basis when working at capacity, has been offline for some time due to necessary repairs.

Although Vestas, the company that installed Hull Wind II in 2006, opted out of its maintenance contract with the town some time ago when the agreement expired, another company was hired to perform the necessary maintenance on the remaining wind turbine.

In other light board news…

⦁ A rate study is in the beginning stages.

“We’ll be figuring out Hull Municipal Light Plant’s operating budget for the next three to five years with assistance from MMWEC [Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company],” Cannon said. “The cost of electricity and the costs associated with the line crews and the office staff, equipment, and other expenses will be considered, as any other business does, [and then the rate will be determined].”

The non-profit MMWEC, through an energy partnership established in 1969, assists Massachusetts municipal light departments such as Hull with their needs to contract for energy.

Further discussions related to the rate study will take place at future light board meetings and will be posted on the agenda, with opportunity for public input, according to Cannon.

• A new paperless billing system took effect this month “using new software that will bring us into the 21st century,” Cannon said. Visit https://hullmlp.com/smarthub/ for information about how to pay a bill online with a credit card or by phone.

Visit https://hullmlp.com/rates/HMLP to learn more about electricity rates and billing.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Dune paths don’t seem as well maintained this year? There’s a reason for that…

By Chris Krahforst, Director

Hull Climate Adaptation and Conservation Department

Summer is upon us and many of you may have noticed that the town-maintained pedestrian paths through the dune to Nantasket Beach are not maintained to a state of repair that is typical for this time of year.

Maintenance of these paths requires a Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) permit. This is because barrier beaches (which is what most of Hull is located on) include natural resources (specifically here are coastal dunes and a coastal beach) that have important and desirable public interests which the Act specifically protects.

DUNE JUST FINE. This image from the town’s 2020 assessment of dune crossings shows the different types that exist along Nantasket Beach.

For dunes these “interests” (that’s the word that the regulations use) are the protection they provide to residents who live in the floodplain; dunes provide storm damage protection (blocking the ocean from surging onto adjacent properties) and help to control flood waters from reaching the low-lying areas that are beyond the dune and further behind these immediate homes along Beach Avenue.

Further, these dunes and the beach also provide important habitat, particularly for the piping plover (PPL). PPL are listed as threatened on both the Massachusetts and federal endangered species lists and thus are afforded extra protection by law. Each year, the town contracts with Mass Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program to help monitor PPL activity on the beach as a protective measure and as recommended by state guidelines in managing PPL on coastal beaches in Massachusetts.

However, the town’s WPA permit for path maintenance has expired. A new Notice of Intent for path maintenance was submitted in March by the Department of Public Works and is still currently before the conservation commission for permitting. This permit will require all path maintenance work to be completed before the official PPL season. As of to date, we are still in the process of meeting the requirements and answering concerns about this project with the Commonwealth’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). (Sorry about all the acronyms!)

NHESP is concerned about the number of paths through this dune and the habitat fragmentation to which these paths contribute. As of 2020, there were 69 established crossings through the dune; 33 town-maintained paths are currently being considered for a WPA permit. These permits are good for three years and, after that period, may be extended for additional three-year periods upon request to the commission. It should be noted that DCR also must permit these types of activities on their portion of the beach. The agency currently has a valid WPA permit.

As you may be aware, we are well into PPL season (begins April 1 and extends to last day of August). Thus, even if there was an existing and valid WPA permit for the town to maintain these paths, we would be in the period now where no maintenance work would be performed; a condition that NHESP has required in the past, and most likely would include in this new permit.

For more information regarding this project please feel free to reach out to the Climate Adaptation & Conservation Department or listen in on the continued hearings on this matter before the conservation commission. We expect this matter to be continued to the June 25 conservation commission evening meeting. The commission’s agendas are posted in advance on the calendar page of the town’s website, www.town.hull.ma.us.

One last note, fireworks use by residents is illegal. Last year, there was a PPL taking cited by NHESP because of fireworks on North Nantasket Beach. A taking, under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act is defined as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.” The Commonwealth is focusing on areas where fireworks are an issue for PPL in Massachusetts. Thus, the town is currently under a good deal of scrutiny because of this incident and the fireworks activity that occurs on Nantasket Beach.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Company to distribute bottled water in response to complaints of discolored water

As a follow-up to yesterday’s updates about the discolored water situation, we’re providing additional guidance below to common questions.  We understand your frustration, apologize for the inconvenience, and greatly appreciate everyone’s patience as our teams work to address the issue.  

The Weir River Water System is aware of and tracking the affected areas.  Please do not contact Hingham or Hull emergency management teams about this issue.  Please continue to reach out to WRWS at wrcs@veolia.com, operations@weirriverwater.com, or 877-253-6665. 

How are we addressing the issue?

WRWS crews continue to strategically flush hydrants to remove the bulk of the discolored water from the water mains.  The situation is improving in many areas.

Is the water safe to use and drink?

Our water was tested as recently as Wednesday and it passes MassDEP's Drinking Water Standards.  WRWS tests the distribution system weekly for total coliform bacteria in accordance with MassDEP requirements for safe drinking water. Our most recent samples taken on June 19th were all absent of total coliform bacteria.  

Although MassDEP has not identified a safety issue, we understand residents' concerns about using water if it continues to be discolored. We are in the process of procuring bottled water (gallon size if possible) to make available for distribution in Hingham and Hull. We will update the public on this later today. Please note that we do not recommend that people use discolored water for baby formula due to the potential for increased manganese.  Manganese levels in water coming from the treatment plant are well below MassDEP standards, but the tinted water color that people are seeing in their home service is mostly due to the mineral sediment (iron and manganese) in water mains that was stirred up by recent events. If your water continues to be discolored, we recommend taking the steps identified below.

How can I clear the discolored water from my house?

Although water delivered by WRWS may be getting clear, there could be sediment in your house pipes that continues to cause discoloration. After 5pm today, we recommend that residents who are still experiencing discolored water do the following in this particular order:

1.       Run an outdoor spigot until that water runs clear. Turn off.

2.       Run the cold faucet only in your tub until that water runs clear. Turn off.

3.       Run the cold water in remaining faucets around your house after the tub faucet cleared.  Turn off.

4.       Once your cold water is clear, run the hot faucet only in the tub to clear the hot water.  Turn off.

My clothes got stained in the laundry due to the discolored water. What can I do?

WRWS has a product called “Iron Out” that residents can use clean water-stained clothes.  Please email operations@weirriverwater.com with the subject “Iron Out” to request a bottle. 

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Public invited to ‘say goodbye’ to Memorial Middle School

The Hull School Committee will hold a commemorative event in the Memorial Middle School lobby on Monday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m. as the building will no longer be used as by the school department as it prepares to consolidate its grades into two buildings in the fall.

The event is billed as “as way for the community to come together to commemorate the school’s history, share memories, and say goodbye.” Town Manager Jennifer Constable, state Rep. Joan Meschino, and former select board chair and school building committee Chair John Reilly are expected to attend. Diane Walsh, who retired this year after working 40 years in the school lunch program, also will be honored.

The public is invited to attend; the school committee has a meeting scheduled in the building immediately following the event.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Town to pay former superintendent $700K to settle wrongful termination lawsuit

By Christopher Haraden

The town has agreed to pay former Hull Public Schools Superintendent Michael Devine $700,000 to settle a lawsuit that alleged wrongful termination, defamation, and civil rights violations, among other charges.

The unanimous vote to fire Devine came in 2020 after the school committee learned that he had sent suggestive text messages to a 21-year-old former student. According to court documents, the man, who was living in Florida, threatened to “go public” about the situation unless Devine resigned; he also contacted other administrators to alert them about the texts he received from the superintendent, who had previously served as the high school principal.

The school department conducted an investigation and replaced Devine, who had been appointed superintendent in 2017, with current Superintendent Judith Kuehn, who is retiring later this month.

In 2021, Devine filed a $5-million suit against the town, the school committee, and individual members David Twombly, Stephanie Peters, Jennifer Fleming, Lucas Patenaude, and Eric Hipp, alleging discrimination based on his sexual orientation, civil rights violations, breach of contract, defamation, and economic and emotional damages.

Click here to read the full text of the settlement agreement

Click here to read the full text of the Devine v. Town of Hull lawsuit

On May 29 of this year, in the middle of the second day of testimony in front of a Boston jury, the parties told Judge Patti B. Saris that a settlement had been reached. The terms were finalized this week; in addition to the monetary damages, the school department agreed to issue a statement thanking Devine “for his years of honorable public service” and to write him a letter of recommendation for future employment.

Of the $700,000 that will be paid to Devine within the next 30 days, $300,000 is covered by the town’s insurance policy, while the school department will pay $250,000 and the town’s general fund will contribute $150,000. Neither party admitted any wrongdoing and each agreed to pay its own legal fees.

After receiving a copy of the settlement agreement late Wednesday afternoon, the Times reached out to Kuehn, Twombly, Town Manager Jennifer Constable, and select board Chair Irwin Nesoff about the source of the $400,000 that the town and school department must pay. It is unclear whether the settlement payout was anticipated in the current budget or if cuts will be made to accommodate the payment. None responded by the Times’ print deadline.

Also on Wednesday, the school department sent an unsigned email to parents with the statement that the parties had “resolved their differences to the satisfaction of both sides regarding the termination of Michael Devine.” The message indicated that the town “thanks Michael Devine for his years of honorable public service … and wishes him well on his future endeavors.” A similar message is contained in a three-paragraph letter of recommendation signed by Twombly that is part of the settlement.

In court last month, the school department’s attorney argued that Devine’s termination was not discriminatory but resulted from the superintendent’s “texting with a student who looked up to him as a father figure and who he knew had significant mental health issues.” Court documents indicated that Devine admitted that his behavior had “crossed the line.”

Devine’s attorney alleged that his “sexual orientation was a deciding factor in his termination,” and that texts with a 21-year-old adult are not under the jurisdiction of the school committee. His attorney said that the school committee had labeled Devine a “groomer” because he knew the former student from his time as Hull High principal.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.