Preliminary assessment finds ‘ample space’ for town offices and ‘additional uses’ at Memorial School
/By Carol Britton Meyer
Following a 20-minute select board meeting Wednesday, Town Manager Jennifer Constable noted that “we will be considerably busier” at subsequent meetings. “We’re in the budget and capital planning phase of our work, and it’s the busy season,” she said.
Hull’s Memorial School is slated to become the next town hall.
While upcoming meeting dates include January 21, February 4 and 18 (to be confirmed), and March 4, she asked the board to be flexible in the “off weeks” because time-sensitive issues may come up that could require additional meetings.
Although short, this week’s meeting included updates on the relocation of town hall, an enforcement order to stop a Beach Avenue homeowner from cutting into the Nantasket Beach dune system, and the announcement of a grant to repair the float at Pemberton Pier.
• In an update about the town hall move to the Memorial School, Constable said work with the architect and the owner’s project manager continues, with follow-up meetings with staff planned for next week to review the spaces they will occupy in the building.
An update will be provided at a future select board meeting.
“We have found that there is ample space in the building for additional uses, and that discussion will be forthcoming as well,” she said.
• On January 13, the conservation commission issued an enforcement order under the Wetlands Protection Act at 169 Beach Avenue in response to the location of a water main in the primary dune system.
“[While] the homeowner was advised not to [do work within the] dune system, [there was] significant excavation in the existing dune,” Constable said.
The order includes discontinuation of the connection of the main in the dune system and connecting to the Lewis Street system by January 22, and a dune restoration plan by February 9. The homeowner was also “ordered to repair, restore, and revegetate the dune by March 15 and to provide periodic reports on the regrowth [process],” Constable said.
The water main runs underneath the dune system, “and the Weir River Water System is investigating the connection along that main in the hopes of abandoning and relocating it,” she said.
At last spring’s town meeting, voters rejected an article that would have taken part of the property at 169 Beach Avenue by eminent domain to protect the dune system. At the meeting, homeowner John Ferrara told fellow voters that he has been resisting efforts by the town to take his land for the past five years. Voters approved takings in other sections of Beach Avenue.
In other business…
• Constable recognized town staff members who participated in a lengthy call with the City of Boston, “who reached out to us because they are interested in the work our town has done on the climate adaptation and resiliency front.”
Participants included Director of Wastewater Operations/Assistant Director of Public Works John Struzziery, Climate Adaptation and Conservation Director Chris Krahforst, Director of Community Development & Planning Chris DiIorio, and other staff.
“They were impressed with the work that we’ve done,” Constable said, adding that it was an honor “for a major city like Boston to reach out and want to learn more about the work happening here.” She noted that there may be further discussions with the city.
• The USA Semiquincentennial (250th) Anniversary Committee has “begun its work in earnest” and in February will make a presentation about their plans for a townwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
• The town was awarded a $278,400 Seaport Economic Council grant toward the Pemberton Pier commuter float replacement project.
• The third town annual report cover contest is under way. Citizens wishing to submit art work or photos for consideration should drop them off at town hall by March 12 at 4 p.m.
• Chair Irwin Nesoff provided an overview of the recent “meet and greet” elected chairs meeting, which did not include any votes or public input. Those attending included members of the select board, school committee (and superintendent of schools), planning board, Hull Redevelopment Authority, and light board members, among others.
The discussion included a consensus that the group would meet quarterly to identify challenges to address together and clarify issues facing the town, and also to seek citizen input. The next meeting is scheduled for April 7.
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