A huge crowd enjoyed the town’s annual Thanksgiving bonfire on Thursday, November 27 on the Hull Redevelopment Authority property. Happy Thanksgiving to all! 💙💛
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The Hull Holiday Showcase will be held on Saturday, November 29, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Nantasket Beach Resort, 45 Hull Shore Drive.
Free to attend – open to public! With the holiday season fast approaching, the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce invites you to shop Small Business Saturday in Hull. Shop small, stay local, and gift creatively at the 2025 Hull Holiday Showcase! This in-person event is the best place to shop for unique and affordable holiday gifts, decorations, home décor, handmade items and local apparel, as well as coastal holiday arts and crafts created by local professional artisans. This one-day event has a lot to offer and is free to attend. Help support local businesses and get a jump on your holiday shopping. For more details, visit www.hullchamber.com.
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By Carol Britton Meyer
The select board this week adopted revisions to a handbook for appointed committees and confirmed the town’s policy of holding meetings either in person or fully remote, but not in a hybrid format.
The Town of Hull Select Board Committee Handbook – adopted by the board last month pending review by town counsel – is designed to provide guidance to both new and current members of select board-appointed committees, councils, and commissions in understanding their roles and responsibilities. The board made additional edits at its meeting Wednesday.
“This is really a guidance document,” Town Manager Jennifer Constable said.
After consulting with town counsel about some of the wording in the handbook, Constable will incorporate this week’s edits and send the final copy to the board. The document will be posted on the town’s website.
The foreword of this guide tells these volunteers that their “dedication and service are vital to the effective governance of [the] community.”
It also provides an overview of procedures, legal requirements, and best practices to ensure that the local government operates “transparently, ethically, and efficiently.”
Contents include the structure of Hull’s government, how to become a committee member, oaths and term of office, vacancies and attendance, organization of committees and duties of officers, adoption of rules and regulations, select board liaisons, a section about meetings that includes information about the Open Meeting Law, conduct of committees and public officials, legal resources, communication and public relations, training and development, use of town resources, and the annual report that committees are expected to submit summarizing their activities, accomplishments, and recommendations to the select board.
Each section contains detailed information related to that particular topic.
In other business…
• Board member Jerry Taverna mentioned the number of citizens who are requesting hybrid Hull Redevelopment Authority meetings for those who cannot attend in-person meetings now that the board has decided to alternate between the in-person and Zoom formats. The HRA held mostly Zoom meetings until recently.
Board member Greg Grey noted that “this is an HRA issue.”
The town “has not adopted a hybrid policy,” Constable said in response to Taverna’s comments. “We don’t have the capacity to do that, and it comes at a cost. [Offering hybrid meetings] comes with a large host of questions and considerations.”
Chair Irwin Nesoff noted that if the hybrid meeting format is used by one board or committee, the same option must also be offered to them all.
“We don’t have that capacity, and we don’t have the technology [to offer] two or three hybrid meetings at the same time,” he said.
While stating that some “good points” were made, Taverna said, “We need to [talk about this] more… I think the public is interested in discussing this with the town.”
Nesoff noted that it’s “easier to do a meeting all on Zoom. Hybrid is different.”
• The board approved the renewal of several licenses and livery badges: Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club – all alcohol; common victualer, and entertainment; The Village Market – all alcohol as a package store; Bermaken Hotel and The Nantascot Lodging House – lodging house licenses; Seaside Transport – livery license for 2021 Toyota Sienna and livery badge (Michael Ashe); Seaside Transport – livery badge (Tara Ashe).
At the end of the meeting, the board entered into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to the potential purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate, related to Beach Food Market and Steamboat Wharf Marina. Both business operators have leases on town-owned property.
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Compiled by Matt Haraden
• The Hull High Girls Soccer team is the Division 5 state champion after defeating Monson, 3-1, in the finals on Saturday, November 22! The team advanced after beating Hopedale on Tuesday night in the Final Four round.
• Even more great reasons to be a fan of the Pirates – the Hull High cheerleading team placed fourth in Division 4 South Regionals last weekend. The team has advanced and will be competing at the state competition on Saturday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Worcester State University.
• Hull High Football defeated Cardinal Spellman in the team’s most recent game on Friday, November 14, with a final score of 33-6. Tristen Lofgren had 171 all-purpose yards with two touchdowns, one coming from an 80-yard kick return. Treston O’Hare and Landon Manfredi both rushed for touchdowns. Quarterback Teagan Bellew threw for 201 yards and two passing touchdowns, caught by Lawrence Bodley and Tristen Lofgren. The team has this weekend off but will be preparing to play the traditional Thanksgiving Day game at home against rival Cohasset. Kickoff will be at 10 a.m.
ROLLING RALLY: They weren’t on Duck Boats, but the Hull Youth Football Association’s Cheerleading teams and their supporters paraded through town on Sunday to celebrate a successful showing in the Old Colony Youth Cheer Association’s league championship this weekend. Each of Hull’s teams did well in the competition – the B and C Squads both won first place, while the A Squad took second place. The procession started on George Washington Boulevard and finished at the high school. [Skip Tull photos]
• The Old Colony Youth Cheer Association’s league championship was held on Saturday, November 15 at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. Hull’s teams did phenomenal in the competition – the B and C Squads both won first place, while the A Squad took second place. To celebrate, the teams were escorted through town on Sunday afternoon, with the parade starting on George Washington Boulevard and finishing at the high school.
• Hull Youth Football Association players and cheerleaders are invited to a celebration of the 2025 season on Tuesday, December 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. The event will include food, music, games, and more.
• Coaches, league organizers, and superfans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Wednesday at noon. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo.
Thank you for your help!
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Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, our deadline for the week of November 27 is Monday, November 24 at 5 p.m. The Times will still arrive in your mailbox and local stores on Friday morning. Thanks for your understanding!
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Volunteers from the Nantasket-Hull Rotary Club are maintaining the fall tradition that grew out of the pandemic – serving up free hot meals on Thanksgiving morning to residents throughout Hull and across the South Shore.
Typically, 900 turkey dinners and bags of donated groceries are distributed by a growing network of volunteers. Another 100 meals are eaten on-site. Participants can either pick up the food on the morning of November 27 at Daddy’s Beach Club, 280 Nantasket Ave., eat at the restaurant with others, or have it delivered to their homes. Call the restaurant at 781-925-3600 for a reservation after noontime.
More help is needed this year, as food insecurity is on the rise. The group could use donations to keep the program going. Each meal costs about $35, and food donations are more difficult to obtain this year.
Volunteers arrive at Daddy’s at 7 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning to unload the supplies and prepare the kitchen for cooking. Plating of the food and filling of grocery bags begins around 8 a.m., so that meals are ready for pickup or delivery by 9:30 a.m. The assembly line puts together the food for each destination, whether an in-person pickup or a volunteer road trip through each of Hull’s neighborhoods.
Wolfe said volunteers are always welcome to assist, but the program needs monetary donations this year more than ever.
The Rotary Club will accept checks by mail at PO Box 38, Hull, MA 02045.
Anyone who would like to register for a meal should call Kim at 781-925-1165. To volunteer to assist on Thanksgiving morning can contact Craig Wolfe directly at 781-771-6416 or 89edge@comcast.net.
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HOLDING THE FLOOR: After holding its meetings mostly over the Zoom platform, the Hull Redevelopment Authority opted to return to an in-person session at town hall this week. The size of the audience, however, proved too much for the Louis C. Costa Meeting Room to handle, as members of the public were forced to sit on the floor inside the room, and some were left to find their own accommodations in the hallway. The town currently does not typically hold meetings with a hybrid option that would allow both in-person and remote participation. [Skip Tull photos]
By Carol Britton Meyer
After debating the issue for months, the Hull Redevelopment Authority has asked the town planner and an engineering consultant to discuss the details of the controversial two-way road plan later this month.
The November 24 HRA Zoom meeting will feature a presentation by Director of Community Development & Planning Chris DiIorio about the plan, which would modify traffic flow around the HRA property and as far south as the intersection near Mezzo Mare restaurant. Representatives from The Engineering Corporation, or TEC, Inc. – civil engineers involved with the project – will also participate in the meeting.
HRA members are divided about the merits of the proposal.
“There will not be a big question-and-answer session,” Chair Bartley Kelly said Monday night, although the public is invited to attend. “The board has work to do and needs to focus on that.”
Asking DiIorio to outline the plan to the HRA was first suggested at the board’s August 11 meeting following a lengthy discussion about this subject – including whether the HRA committed earlier to contributing an additional $1 million to the plan if it moves to completion. DiIorio was not present at that meeting.
At that time, the board decided to send DiIorio a clarifying letter, because there was no recollection among HRA members – including longtime member Kelly – of a vote committing the board to contributing this amount.
The letter was to leave out specific reference to the $1 million, stating that any future HRA commitment to funding for the two-way road project "will be based on the future Urban Renewal Plan and a vote from the authority.”
Click here for links to more information about the two-way road plan (scroll down the page).
Overflow crowd
A standing-room only crowd attended the at times contentious HRA’s November 10 meeting – the first to be held in person for a lengthy period of time. The overflow crowd of residents was sitting on the floor and standing and sitting in the hallway outside the Louis C. Costa Meeting Room at town hall.
One of the first orders of business was a continuing conversation about the third version of the draft Urban Renewal Plan, which once finished will be reviewed by the planning board and voted upon by the select board, before going before the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for final approval.
Kelly started off the discussion asking HRA members for their thoughts about possible development on the northernmost parcel at Phipps Street. While Kelly envisions “some kind of brick-and-mortar housing,” member Joan Senatore said she would like to see a community center on Lot B [the middle of the property] featuring an “open public park” and maybe a mobile shell for various activities – “a gathering place for different events, with nice landscaping and benches. That’s my suggestion based on what I hear from citizens’ feedback,” she said.
New HRA member Charles Richardson said thinks the board should attempt to reach a compromise.
“I’ve been referred to as a developer… [among other terms] … but I’m a Hullonian and love this place,” he said. “When I run in next spring’s town election, I want to be on the record as saying that I see the HRA property as an asset.”
Richardson’s recommendation is to set aside 20% of the property for a project that would garner income “to [meet] a lot of different [needs] in town. Let’s have a conversation.”
‘Precious, unique piece of land’
Member Dan Kernan advised the board “to look at the word ‘asset’ very carefully. This is a precious, unique piece of land that I don’t look upon as a financial asset. We should treat the property like the United States treats Yosemite National Park. It’s our Yosemite, with beautiful sunrises and sunsets.”
Kernan added that building housing on the property “isn’t the way to go. It’s not a question of compromise but about what the board thinks is the right thing to do with the [land].”
Kelly, on the other hand, said, “At the end of the day, it comes down to using common sense, and compromise is key.”
Board member Adrienne Paquin said that “selling the land and getting money for it is the easiest way,” while searching out funding from elsewhere for other uses is a viable option.
“Once land is sold, that’s the end of the story,” she cautioned.
Resident Susan Mann said that accomplishing both goals – some housing and also open space – might be possible, but whatever the plan, “It has to be cohesive in order to add beauty and charm to the town,” suggesting that everyone “keep an open mind.”
Planning board member Cindy Borges, speaking as a private citizen, spoke against building housing on the HRA land, noting its location in a flood zone.
‘Spinning our wheels’
“It feels as though we are spinning our wheels,” Paquin said, noting that she and Kernan “don’t see eye-to-eye” with Kelly “on what is valuable and possible” for the property.
The idea of contacting The Wildlands Trust, which made an informal presentation to the HRA earlier, as a follow-up came up a number of times, with plans to ask a representative to attend an upcoming meeting.
This regional trust works with communities to protect natural land across Southeastern Massachusetts and to help them come up with a funding mechanism to maintain property under its stewardship.
Steve Bowman, owner of South Shore Taco Guy, said he and a group of Hull businesses will present ideas to the HRA soon about possible uses of the HRA property.
“We want to see more going on in this town beyond the beach,” he said. “We need foot traffic in order for people to see what an exciting town we live in.”
He added that an important part of the process is collaboration “rather than sitting here butting heads with each other. Our group wants to work with the HRA and town officials to come up with something special for all four seasons of the year – something we can be proud of.”
A resident asked what will happen to the HRA once it has accomplished its mission of developing an urban renewal plan and gaining the necessary approvals.
Trust fund suggested
“Once we have accomplished our mission, we would hopefully have funds set aside before riding off into the sunset,” Kelly said, recommending such money be put into a trust fund to maintain the property for years to come.
Resident Susan Vermilya said more recreational opportunities are needed in town and emphasized the importance of “looking at the financials.” She also noted that if there was an interest in building on the property, those involved would have shown up at this and previous HRA meetings. “Where are they?” she asked. “This is really telltale.”
Near the end of the meeting, Paquin shared her thoughts about a different issue.
“We are a democracy, and citizens are told to get involved, but it drives me crazy when I hear elected members of various boards – not just this one – speak negatively about a group because they care enough to get involved,” she said. “It makes me sad. You will never see me do that, even if they disagree with me.”
She thanked the people attending this week’s meeting for “coming and showing your passion.”
A replay of the meeting will be available on demand on Hull Community Television’s website, www.hulltv.net.
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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.
Compiled by Matt Haraden
• The Hull High Girls Soccer team has made it to the Final Four! The Pirates won their Round of 16 playoff match, 6-0, against Boston Collegiate Charter School on Monday and beat Nashoba Valley Regional Tech, 6-2, in the next round on Wednesday, November 12. Both were home games. The next game will be on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Mansfield High School vs. Hopedale (Seed #2).
HAVING A BALL: The Hull High Girls Soccer team has made it to the Final Four! The Pirates won their Round of 16 playoff match, 6-0, against Boston Collegiate Charter School on Monday and beat Nashoba Valley Regional Tech, 6-2, in the next round on Wednesday. The team’s next game date and location will be announced soon. Among the keys to the squad’s success is the help of 5/6 team players who have been ball girls this season, including during the playoffs – Hailey MacLeod, Ada McMullen, Erin Goodfellow, Scarlett Reilly, and Thalita Nascimento. [Courtesy photos]
• Hull High Football beat Atlantis Charter School, 11-0, in last Friday night’s home game. The 3-6 Pirates play Cardinal Spellman High School on the road in Brockton at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 14. The team will play the traditional Thanksgiving Day game at home against rival Cohasset. Kickoff will be at 10 a.m.
• Hull High Boys Soccer lost its Round of 32 playoff game, 1-0, to Turners Falls on a last-minute goal and were eliminated from postseason play. Seniors who played their final game last Wednesday night: Matt Thomas, Max Lofgren, Teddy Hipp, Thomas Brasil, and JT Gould, as well as Student Manager Chris Resnick.
• The Old Colony Youth Cheer Association’s league championship will be held on Saturday, November 15 at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, 600 Franklin St., Hanson. Hull’s C Squad performs at 11:15 a.m.; B Squad at 2:15 p.m. and A Squad at 4:40 p.m. For tickets, visit https://gofan.co/event/4756746?schoolId=MA101321.
• Coaches, league organizers, and superfans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Wednesday at noon. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo.
Thank you for your help!
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Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.
© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.
By the Hull Beautification Committee
The Hull Beautification’s “Catch the Wave” is catching on.
Thanks to the efforts of Harbormaster Kurt Bornheim, Hull has a more welcoming commuter boat shelter on Pemberton Pier. The not-so-welcoming port-a-potty has been moved to the beach side of the shelter, and a new coat of paint and shutters make for a more appealing sight for visitors and Hullonians alike.
The Hull Beautification Committee has worked with Hassan Sign of Cohasset for a new “Welcome to Hull” sign which will be added in the spring.
The HBC has created a “Planter of Pictures” featuring beautiful things in Hull that catch our eye. The planter is now on display at the Rockland Trust bank branch. Take a peek – you may be seen in a photo sweeping up in front of your business, hosing down awnings, or making your home or business a more beautiful sight with welcoming planters, signage, or decorations.
There is more good news to come from the HBC in the coming months – plenty of time for all to Catch the Wave and maybe find your picture in our planter!
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© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.
Wellspring Multi-Service Center is closely monitoring the ongoing federal government shutdown and its potential impact on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
More than 1 million Massachusetts residents, including more than 300,000 children, depend on SNAP, representing 16% of our state’s population. According to a recent USDA notice, federal food aid will not be distributed starting November 1. SNAP is a critical lifeline for families, seniors, and neighbors with disabilities, across our community, and the uncertainty surrounding the length of this shutdown only adds to the strain.
If the shutdown continues, local food pantries like ours may become the only source of support for many households in need. At Aunt Dot’s Kitchen, we are preparing to meet this challenge, and we’re here for our neighbors, no matter how long this lasts.
This is a time for community, and we want every neighbor to know, if you are affected, we’re here to help. It’s important to remember: your SNAP benefits are yours. Whatever funds remain in your account belong to you, and we can help you make the most of them. Don’t wait for any remaining funds to be gone; use the food pantry alongside your existing SNAP dollars to stretch your resources and ensure your household has access to healthy, nourishing food throughout the month.
Need groceries, or know someone who does?
Visit Aunt Dot’s Kitchen by making an appointment by calling 781-925-3211, ext. 122 or email anne@wellspringmultiservice.org. Aunt Dot’s Kitchen hours are by appointment.
Monday: 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Transportation to and from the Hull pantry is available on Mondays.
Wednesday: 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Food delivery is available on Fridays.
Together, we can ensure no one in our community goes without food.
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Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.
© 2025 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.
Click here for the warrant for the May 5, 2025 Annual Town Meeting
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