McCann won’t seek new term on select board, planning board member to resign after election

By Christopher Haraden

After initially taking out nomination papers to run for a second term, select board member Jason McCann said this week he has changed his mind and will retire from the board when his term expires this spring.

Select board clerk Jason McCann has said he will not seek re-election this may.

Planning board member Cindy Borges, elected to a five-year term in 2024, also announced her intention to step down after the May 18 election.

With McCann’s departure from the race, there are five people considering running for the two available three-year terms on the select board, as Town Clerk Lori West reported that Michael A. Sampson requested nomination papers last Thursday.

Incumbent Jerry Taverna could be challenged by Sampson, Susan Short Green, Patricia Lynn Cormier, and Christopher Niland.

Candidates have until today (Thursday) at 5 p.m. to take out nomination papers and must return them to town hall with the signatures of 50 registered Hull voters by Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m.

planning board member cindy borges has announced her intention to resign from the board after the may 18 election.

McCann said that although he will no longer serve on the select board, he is not retiring from public life.

“I’m proud of some of the work I was able to contribute,” he said this week. “I wrote policies that opened up public comment on agenda items at select board meetings, making it easier for residents to participate in discussions before decisions are made. I drafted a policy allowing community groups to use public facilities, and I created a handbook for select board committees to help volunteers understand their roles and operate more effectively. I also drafted and compiled the Waterfront Access Study Group’s initial report, which helps frame an ongoing conversation about how residents and visitors access our shoreline.

“I'm continuing leadership roles on the boards of both the Friends of Paragon Carousel and Hull Pride, where there is a lot of good work to do,” he added.

Borges, in a letter to the editor published in this week’s edition of The Hull Times, said she decided to step down after becoming frustrated with the operation of the town’s planning process.

“At this point, I lack confidence in the paid administrative support provided to our board and the quality of the reports produced by paid consultants,” she wrote. “I have raised serious concerns about town staff delaying or omitting key documents. These gaps prevent this elected board from having the full picture. Whether intentional or unintentional, the result is the same: at times, our board has been rendered ineffective in participating in hearings or making informed decisions.”

Because of the timing of her intended resignation, her seat will not appear on the ballot on May 18. The vacancy likely will be filled by a joint vote of the planning board and the select board after her resignation takes effect.

“Between now and then, my efforts will be focused on assisting others with the review of MAPC’s draft master plan phase one report, in hopes of fostering a more coordinated and transparent effort as we move into phase two,” Borges wrote.

One seat on the planning board will appear on the May ballot – the five-year position now held by Jeanne Paquin. She could be challenged by Green, who also took out nomination papers for select board.

As of the close of business on Wednesday – with one day remaining for potential candidates to emerge – two seats on the board of assessors (one for three years and the other for a one-year term) currently have no candidates. There are a total of 15 openings appearing on the ballot.

The five-year seat on the redevelopment authority now held by Adrienne Paquin has attracted one candidate – C. Anne Murray, who had unsuccessfully sought appointment to an HRA vacancy last year. Charles Richardson, who was appointed to the seat then, is running to finish the three-year term, as is Valerio Romano, who, like Murray and Richardson, sought appointment to the HRA last fall. Murray drew nomination papers for both HRA seats and must decide which position to seek. Adrienne Paquin has not yet indicated whether she will run for re-election.

In other potential races, Mark L. Kohn will challenge incumbent light board members Patrick Cannon and Jacob Vaillancourt for one of the two three-year seats available on the light board.

The school committee has two three-year terms available, with three candidates so far – current members Courtney Littlefield and Aleeza Hagerty and former member Ernest Minelli. Thu-Hang Tran is seeking one of the three-year terms on the library board, along with Amy Hyde and current member Celia Nolan.

Unopposed so far are housing authority member Anne-Margaret MacEachern and assessor Pamela Sinton-Coffman.

Drawing papers is the first step in the election process. Some candidates may change their minds prior to the deadline for returning their nomination papers on Monday, and two of those who are considering running for office have taken out papers for different offices; they must choose which office to seek, as town bylaws prohibit one person from holding two elected offices.

The last day to register to vote in the May 18 annual town election is Friday, May 8.

For the Times election policies for candidates, click here.

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Open-space experts discuss potential for ‘community green’ on part of HRA land

THE HULL REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROPERTY FROM SAGAMORE HILL. [PHOTO BY SOS HULL]

By Carol Britton Meyer

More than 40 people tuned into a virtual discussion of the potential for creating a “community green” on the Hull Redevelopment Authority property last Thursday night. The meeting was hosted by Save Our Space (SOS Hull).

SOS Hull Steering Committee member Jim Ianiri called the “Imagining the Nantasket Community Green: A land-use planning virtual session” what he hopes will be “the first of many conversations” about envisioning a park stretching from the ocean to the bay on part of the HRA land. Ianiri moderated the meeting.

SOS Hull champions “a strategic, sustainable, and community-centered land-use planning vision for the development of the HRA land,” with a focus on development that prioritizes open space, according to the group’s website, www.soshull.org.

At the start of the session, Ianiri gave a “shout-out to the many people who have already worked hard to preserve [open space] in Hull.”

Referring to the nearly 13-acre HRA property as “precious land in the [heart] of our peninsula,” he noted that “what happens there will affect everyone” and that amidst the “the openness and beauty of where we live, imagine a green [on which] to do all the things we love,” including special events and a number of other possibilities.

“This wouldn’t be an idle space, but rather vibrant, with hopefully a lot of action throughout the year,” he said.

Trust for Public Lands Senior Parks and Conservation Economist Jennifer Clinton and Wildlands Trust Executive Director/President Karen Grey shared their expertise on a number of topics related to such a vision – from land ownership and management options to coastal resiliency issues and the important value parks play in communities – as well as funding for any such project.

Grey went before the HRA last May at its request to talk about how the Wildlands Trust could play a stewardship role for the HRA property.

Dozens attend virtual meeting

The turnout of more than 40 participants included members of the steering committee and HRA, select board Chair Irwin Nesoff, Climate Adaptation & Conservation Director Chris Krahforst, and residents. No one from the HRA who was in attendance – including members Adrienne Paquin and Dan Kernan – spoke during the 90-minute session.

“The invitation to the meeting went out to all HRA board and select board members ahead of time,” SOS Hull Steering Committee member Susan Vermilya told The Hull Times in response to a follow-up email.

“The HRA was not involved in putting this together. The HRA has had it on their to do list to bring Wildlands Trust back into one of their meetings, but they haven’t done that yet. Hopefully hearing this presentation gives them some valuable information as they look at next steps,” she said.

In response to an inquiry from The Hull Times after the meeting, HRA Chair Bartley Kelly confirmed that the meeting “was not arranged in consultation with the HRA board. I saw the notice on Facebook and signed up, but was unable to attend,” he said. “Currently the HRA board is concentrating on the survey” to gauge citizens’ preferred uses for the property.

“Once we have the results, the board will try to reach a consensus,” he said. “Elected HRA board members will make the decisions” on what to recommend, based in large part on input from the community.

Clinton, who said she recognizes Hull as “a very special place,” explained the role of the Trust for Public Lands in partnering with communities to turn their shared visions for green space “into lasting reality.”

She noted that parks “help build social connections and deepen our sense of place.”

Clinton outlined ways in which parks can provide economic benefits to the communities in which they are located, according to Trust data:

• Cost savings as a recreational activity because they are free or low-cost;

• Improved public and mental health due to increased physical activity, “which reduces annual healthcare spending” – and reduced air pollution and carbon emissions;

• Enhanced property values – homes near high-quality parks and trails “have an increased value compared to the same home without nearby parks or trails,” Clinton said.

Other benefits, according to information gathered by the Trust, include reduced flooding impacts to public and private property, tourism, and small business spending by visitors and residents attending special events, concerts, and festivals on the proposed community green.

Nature-based solutions possible

Clinton also discussed the “green infrastructure” concept of nature-based solutions that protect or restore ecosystems by “relying on the natural environment to manage environmental, social, and economic challenges.”

Grey, who said she has visited Hull a number of times since she was approached by SOS Hull, said the role of the Wildlands Trust is to work with communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts to permanently protect native habitats, native farmland, and “lands of high ecologic and scenic value that serve to keep our communities healthy, and our residents connected to the natural world.”

She expressed appreciation for SOS Hull members’ thoughtfulness in trying to do” what’s best for the HRA property.

She said the Wildlands Trust works in partnership with communities to “help them pursue their own open space priorities.” Community input plays an important role in the process.

Master plan creation is important

Grey also talked about the importance of creating a master plan for the portion of the property proposed as a community green as the first step in any such process.

“There absolutely should be plenty of seats at the planning table, including HRA members, town committees, [and citizens] to help determine what happens to this landscape,” Grey said.

The expected outcomes of such a planning process include a “community-wide shared vision for the land and the project that meets the objectives of the HRA, the Town of Hull, and its residents; a plan for future land ownership and protection; a project budget; an understanding of funding opportunities; and a road map for moving forward,” according to Grey.

During the public comment time, Paul Newman stressed the importance of having complete information available to share with the HRA, citizens, town officials, and others about the proposal – including potential funding.

He added that it’s important “to demystify [this proposal] for the HRA board and for them to know that this is a viable project, and to explain what we want.”

In closing, Ianiri noted that residents “are really concerned about this property and care about it, noting the “phenomenal turnout. I look forward to continuing this conversation.”

SOS Hull Steering Committee member Liz Kay mentioned “taking a leap of faith” and moving forward with the idea the “we can do this together and bring in a network to make it happen in collaboration with the HRA and the community. It’s not about what we can’t do, but seeing what we can do together,” she said.

Another resident mentioned the possibility of seeking Community Preservation Act funding to pay for part of any such project.

A recording of the meeting is posted on the SOS Hull website at www.soshull.org/imagining-nantasket-green-event-details.

“We will then invite all HRA board members to review it and welcome continued discussions on it,” Vermilya said.

For more information about the Wildlands Trust or the Trust for Public Land, visit www.wildlandstrust.org and www.tpl.org. The HRA maintains a website at www.hra02045.com.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Beautification Committee planning ‘Hulluva Clean Up’ day to encourage civic pride across town

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Beautification Committee is hosting a townwide clean up in collaboration with the town manager’s office and the Department of Public Works on Saturday, April 18, following a successful similar effort last year.

The rain date is the following day. The hours of the event – dubbed “A Hulluva Clean Up and Sweep Up” – are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Committee Chair Betsy Russo, who is a past president of the Hull Garden Club, was instrumental in the revitalization of the beautification committee in the summer of 2024.

The committee is committed to showcasing and improving the natural charm of the Hull peninsula by initiating and leading projects that enhance the visual appeal of public areas.

She said the upcoming clean up is part of that effort, involving many community groups, including the Straits Pond Watershed Association, Weir River Watershed Association, Beach Committee Action Group, Hull Community Garden, Hull High School students, Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club, Spinnaker Island, Hull Public Library, and various clubs and organizations around town. Local churches and youth groups have also been invited to participate in a show of civic pride.

“The town manager supported the concept of the clean up and encouraged us to proceed, and the town is supplying the designated bags and gloves necessary for the clean up,” Russo said. “The DPW has staff available all day collecting the filled trash bags collected from the shoreline and placed along Nantasket Avenue.”

‘One collaborative effort’

“Last year, other groups had their own clean ups on the same or different days that the beautification committee hosted theirs, so this year we are joining together as one collaborative effort,” Russo told The Hull Times.

Registration will take place at the N Street parking lot, and trash bags and gloves will be provided, as well as coffee. Participants can choose to clean up their own neighborhoods or another area that they prefer. Household trash is not collected as part of the clean up.

The beach is also an option, with brief instructions provided related to watching out for piping plovers and other considerations specific to beach areas.

“Last year, we had more than 300 citizens show up on a windy, raw day to work together to clean up our beaches, neighborhoods, parks, and ponds,” Russo said. “This year promises to be even more successful because we’re reaching out to a wider group of volunteers. We’ll all be working together as part of a wonderful community event.”

‘This is a win-win for everyone’

One individual walking his/her neighborhood “to pick up the winter trash or groups out in the community cleaning the shorelines or parks all make a difference,” Russo said. “Each bag of trash removed makes our water cleaner, our neighborhoods more welcoming, and our parks safer. This is a win-win for everyone.”

Fliers will be posted around town soon to encourage as many people to join the effort as possible.

Star Waste, the Atlantic Hill Market, and South Shore Taco Guy are sponsoring the event.

“We are grateful for their support,” Russo said.

The Hull Beautification Committee and the town’s Design Review Board led a successful effort last year to tighten guidelines – and prohibit certain types of signage – within Hull’s existing sign bylaw through a town meeting warrant article.

Committee members also repainted the planter in front of the Village Market and filled it with colorful flowers last year as part of an overall cleanup of the Kenberma area.

New ‘Welcome to Hull’ signs

The committee’s latest project involves the creation of “Welcome to Hull” signs featuring a wave design, “which has become kind of a Hull insignia,” Russo said. “We’re incredibly proud of these signs, one of which will be installed on the side of the waiting station at Pemberton Point where commuters get off the boat.”

The other sign will be installed at the intersection of Forest Avenue in Cohasset and Atlantic Avenue in Hull, at the entrance to town.

“We’re trying to clean up the entrances to our community and make them more welcoming,” she said. “It’s nice when entering town to see fresh, bright signs.”

Other groups also have launched beautification projects. The Hull Garden Club is working on the George Washington Boulevard entrance area, with plans to install plantings. Hull Community Garden organizers are requesting Community Preservation Act funds to make improvements, while Manet Community Health Center has installed landscaping to help beautify the area, according to Russo.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Times revises policies for candidates’ announcements for May 18 annual election

The Hull Times is adjusting its policy on candidate announcements beginning with the upcoming annual town election on May 18.

In the past, we made an allowance for one free announcement per candidate in the early weeks of the election cycle, with the remaining weeks available for paid advertisements. What has happened during the past several years is that too many candidates have waited until the last-minute deadline for those free announcements and then never again contributed to the paper during the election cycle. In fact, last year, we increased the size of the paper (at added expense) to publish and distribute multiple pages of free candidate announcements, news and photographs of campaigns, the annual candidates’ forum, and a full sample ballot, but there was not one paid political advertisement during the election season.

For a business that has only two sources of revenue – selling copies of the newspaper and selling ad space – this model is simply unsustainable.

The Times will now accept candidate announcements only as paid political advertisements.

We understand that this is a markedly different approach than what our readers are accustomed to, but there is no denying the economic conditions that have challenged the local news business during the past several years.

There also is an issue of fairness, frankly. Candidates running for office are expected to pay the companies that make their lawn signs, the printers that create fliers and stickers, and restaurants and function halls that host campaign events. Advertising and promotion are legitimate expenses in the course of a campaign, and candidates still have the freedom to spend as much, or as little, as they desire on all of these services as they seek office.

Mockups can be emailed directly to candidates and are also available on our website to demonstrate the sizes of ads and how a traditional candidacy announcement – text and photo – would look. Candidate announcements should have a maximum of 500 words at a cost of $125. Candidates may choose to purchase a display advertisement to call more attention to their campaign. A guide to the Times’ election policies, detailing the guidelines, sizing, and pricing, is available at this link.

This change in policy is only affecting candidate submissions. We will continue our coverage of important political issues, including the upcoming League of Women Voters campaign forum on Tuesday, April 21, and plan to publish the sample ballot in our May 14 edition.

In addition, the Times will dedicate a special section of our website, www.hulltimes.com, for election-related news and information about candidates, and will include the advertisements on this page. There will be no shortage of news about the May 18 election in these pages.

During the campaign, the Times may solicit candidates’ views on campaign issues, depending on the context and the circumstances. We will continue our longstanding policy of not accepting letters to the editor from candidates, as well as letters for or against candidates for office. All material published in our May 14 issue – the week before the election – will be subject to closer scrutiny because of the lack of opponents’ response time.

Political ads, in print and online, should be factual and in good taste. We reserve the right to reject advertising that makes assertions that cannot be verified. All political advertising must be paid for in advance of publication and identify the person or committee paying for it. Contact our office as soon as possible to reserve space on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information about advertising, call 781-925-9266 or email office@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Tuesday at 5 p.m. each week.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

In the Sport-light: Roundup of news from Hull's wide world of sports

HEARTBREAKER: The Third-Grade Boys Basketball team lost its semi-final game (in overtime!) at home on Saturday by a score of 20-19. [Courtesy photo] 

Compiled by Matt Haraden

• Hull Youth Basketball teams closed out their seasons this past weekend. The Third-Grade Boys Basketball team lost its semi-final game (in overtime!) at home on Saturday by a score of 20-19. In their first year of travel, players showed tremendous growth, built strong team chemistry, and brought sportsmanship and heart to every game. The Seventh-Grade Boys basketballers lost their semi-final game against Duxbury on Saturday March 21 at home, while the Eighth-Grade Boys defeated Duxbury in the semi-finals on Saturday but fell to Milton on Sunday in the finals.

• The Hull High Boys Lacrosse team starts off the regular season with back-to-back home games – Friday, March 27 against East Bridgewater at 4 p.m. and Tuesday, March 31 against Weymouth at 4 p.m. Then it’s on the road to North Quincy on Thursday, April 2 at 4 p.m.

The Girls Lacrosse team’s next games are at home on Monday, March 30 against Whitman-Hanson at 4 p.m. and on the road at East Bridgewater on Thursday, April 2 at 4 p.m.

• The HHS Girls Softball travels to Holbrook on Friday, March 27 at 3:30 p.m., and then will play in Carver on April 1 at 5 p.m. The Boys Varsity Baseball game originally scheduled for Saturday has been moved to Friday, March 27 at 4 p.m., at Quincy, and the Boys and Girls Track squads won’t start their seasons until Tuesday, April 7 at 4 p.m. on the road in Abington.

For details on all the high school teams, visit www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=10611

• The Hull High Athletic Department is planning a “college signing day” to acknowledge those high school seniors who have committed to playing athletics at the college level. The event will be held on Thursday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. Among those being honored are Ayden Pike – Anna Maria College; Matt Thomas – Lasell University; Lawrence Bodley – Springfield College; Chris Resnick – Springfield College; Max Lofgren – Johnson & Wales University; and Erin Walsh – Roger Williams University. The public is invited to celebrate these student-athletes.

• Registration is now open for the Hull Youth Soccer In-Town spring program, which is for players in pre-K through second grade. This program provides a fun introduction to soccer, focusing on basic skills development, teamwork, and building a love for the game in a supportive environment. The six-week program starts on Saturday, April 11 at James P. Sullivan Field (the Dust Bowl) at Pemberton. Players who registered for the fall in-town program do not need to register again for the spring session. Registration and additional information are available at www.hullyouthsoccer.com.

• 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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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

HRA agrees to donate $10K for summer fireworks during Hull’s USA 250th celebration

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Redevelopment Authority is making a $10,000 donation toward fireworks on the HRA property on Saturday, July 18 as part of the town-sponsored celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Hull’s USA 250th (Semiquincentennial) Committee is planning special events to commemorate the July 4, 1776 signing as part of a nationwide effort.

The fireworks display will be coordinated with the Hull Youth Football and the Hull Boosters Club’s annual carnival at that location. Both organizations also are making donations toward the event.

At $1,000 per minute for a 30-minute display – which is the plan – and $7,500 for a barge – a discount price offered by Mike McDevitt who runs a tugboat business at Pemberton – the total cost will be $37,500.

The committee will be sending out letters to banks, insurance companies, and other businesses offering sponsorship opportunities to help cover the cost of the 250th activities.

“We have a full year of events planned out,” 250th committee Chair John Reilly told the board this week. “It will be quite a celebration, and we appreciate your donation.”

Hull’s celebration kicked off last weekend with the Snow Row on March 7, which was well attended.

Other events include a parade and field day at the L Street field in mid-August, a gala dance co-sponsored by the Hull Lifesaving Museum, and possibly a dinner dance cruise later in the year.

Reilly, a former select board member and chair of the committee that celebrated Hull’s 375th anniversary in 2019, participated in the meeting at the request of the board after recently asking for a $10,000 donation to answer any questions and explain for what purpose the donation might be used. The town’s contribution is $50,000.

The fundraising goal is $100,000 – although that much may not be needed – according to Reilly, with proceeds from events requiring tickets returned to the 250th fund to help defray expenses.

HRA member Dan Kernan made a strong case for using the donation toward fireworks, which the rest of the board agreed would be a good use.

The board approved the $10,000 donation unanimously, along with the committee’s request to hang a banner on the gazebo letting the community know about upcoming 250th events, contingent on members of the committee putting up and taking down the banner – which would be displayed from Memorial Day to Labor Day – and keeping an eye on it to ensure it remains in good condition.

The committee also is requesting that the lights on the gazebo on the HRA property from the holiday season remain in place and that they be switched to red, white, and blue during the 250th celebration.

A schedule of events will be published in the Times and online.

In other business

• Survey approved. The board talked at length about the upcoming survey that will provide residents with the opportunity to share their preferences for the use of the HRA property. Postcards will be arriving in the mail in the near future with the details.

• Mobile sauna business outlined. Karen LaFond, a Hingham resident who enjoys cold plunging at Nantasket Beach, plans to make a bid for an HRA vendor spot this summer for a mobile sauna for people of all ages.

She ran the idea for her “new, non-traditional” business before the board to get members’ initial feedback and to become familiar with the process.

Input from individuals she has talked with who indicate they would gladly “get into the heat on the beach but not into the cold” gave her the idea. She noted that mobile saunas have increased in popularity in Scandanavian countries.

In LaFond’s case, this involves a 6-by-12-foot trailer affixed with a sauna heated by fire that can seat six people at a time and a changing room.

Rather than health benefits, LaFond’s focus is on the social interaction and connections that would be made among people “sitting next to each other without cell phones in hand, with conversations going on around them.”

The vendor spaces are awarded to the highest bidders, followed by a permitting process.

LaFond’s plan is to apply for a vendor space this summer through the bidding process, with thought given later to a possible off-season arrangement.

“This sounds like a great thing in general – and a great spot for it,” Kernan said.

HRA member Adrienne Paquin said she’s “so jazzed about this. I would have been there all winter if you were there.”

The next HRA meetings are scheduled for March 30 and April 6. The board will review seasonal vendor bids on March 30 and the parking lot bids at the April meeting.

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Board grants $50K in opioid settlement funds to The Anchor’s wellness, recovery programs

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Town of Hull is awarding the Anchor of Hull – which supports individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder – a $50,000 grant from its opioid settlement funds at the recommendation of the opioid task force.

Anchor co-founder and Executive Director Kurt Gerold accepted the grant with thanks at Wednesday’s select board meeting. He described the Anchor, which is located on Hadassah Way next to the temple, as a “community wellness center open to all, although we specialize in recovery. We believe there are multiple pathways to recovery.”

The Anchor offers a varied calendar of events, from a drumming circle to arts nights, to yoga, along with many recovery resources.

Hull’s share of opioid Settlement funds. Click here for more data.

Voters at the 2024 annual town meeting approved an opioid special revenue fund using proceeds from part of a settlement awarded to the town to resolve opioid litigation brought by states against large pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. The funds are to be used for substance misuse prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support and establishing a opioid task force to consider the best use of these funds.

The town has received $273,000 to date, according to Town Manager Jennifer Constable.

Click here for more information about the settlement funds in Massachusetts

Of the $50,000 grant, $5,000 is going toward the Anchor’s Kory and Kyle Fund, which provides financial assistance for individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders in emergent situations – including rides to rehabilitation centers, a night in a hotel, medicine, sober housing, or urgent care as needed.

In addition, $25,000 will fund a community manager/recovery liaison, who will provide personalized support and guidance to individuals in recovery.

The Anchor of Hull is also receiving $20,000 to organize a series of wellness classes and programming “to fill the crucial gap” between detox, recovery, and life management – with a focus on financial, physical, relational, emotional, and mental wellness.

Task force’s charge

Hull’s opioid task force is charged with developing a planning process and strategy for spending the town’s opioid abatement settlement allocation, providing an annual report identifying the town’s guiding principles and strategies for implementation, and identifying populations served. 

The idea of placing recovery bags containing naloxone (better known by the name brand Narcan) – an over-the-counter nasal spray that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses – and information about resources for those struggling with substance use disorder and their families in the Hull Police Department lobby, the library, bathhouses during the summer months with the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s permission, and other public places – is under consideration.

Some of the settlement money, which is allocated to the town over a number of years, may also be used to fund a licensed social worker contract position dealing primarily with substance abuse issues.

“The fire and police departments, our public health department, and the Anchor of Hull all agree this would be an asset to the community,” Constable said.

She also noted that the task force is in communication with schools Superintendent Michael Jette and others about additional ways the fund could be used.

Select board member Greg Grey thanked Gerold and other Anchor staff for their efforts.

“The importance of what you do is incredible,” he said. “Are we winning the battle?”

“I think we are,” Gerold responded. “When we first started the Anchor nine years ago, the overdose rate was quite high. We may have played a small role in the numbers dropping. Overdoses are down in our area.”

Grey responded that the Anchor plays a “very large role” in helping individuals with their recovery.

Chair Irwin Nesoff said he visited the Anchor recently and was impressed.

“Thank you for the work you do,” he said.

The board voted unanimously to support awarding the $50,000 grant.

In other business

Constable reported that there was “some undermining of the James Avenue pier that we’re aware of, and the Department of Public Works is making emergency repairs for now. We will need to address this in a more comprehensive way in the future, but the pier is secure in the interim.”

She also noted that the DPW “has filled in the illegal [dune] openings at Malta Street and secured the area” of Nantasket Beach.

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As state drags its feet, locals to consider mandating hybrid access to Hull’s public meetings

By Christopher Haraden

Last year in this space, we reminded readers about Sunshine Week, an annual recognition of the benefits of open government that is celebrated each March, along with St. Patrick’s Day, the return of Daylight Saving Time, and the coming of spring.

Add to those yearly March activities the lament that Massachusetts has a lousy track record when it comes to ensuring public access to its governmental records and public meetings.

As previously noted, Sunshine Week takes its name from a statement made in 1913 by Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis that “sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman” when it comes to rooting out dishonesty and generally providing clarity on how the machinery of government operates. The weeklong observation brings together organizations in the fields of journalism, education, advocacy, and government to shine a light on the need for openness.

It’s fitting – and frustrating – that the two debates we wrote about at this time last year remain unresolved. The discussion about whether the upper levels of state government should be subject to the Public Records Law continues, with the Legislature, State Auditor, Attorney General, and governor’s office still at odds about transparency.

The same public records disclosure requirements that are placed on cities and towns should apply to the governor, state legislators, and the courts. Only eight other states exempt their lawmakers from the public records laws, and the arguments being offered to justify it – another year later – are still nonsense. Forty-two other states have designed their regulations to protect constituents’ privacy and balance the deliberative process of policy-making with the public’s right to know. Massachusetts can do the same.

The second question about allowing remote meetings of public boards and commissions has been resolved to a degree, but not on a permanent basis. There also are two proposals coming up at Hull’s annual town meeting this spring that will bring that debate down to the local level – a sign that residents are frustrated enough with how things stand that they are taking matters into their own hands.

Last year, the pandemic-era authorization for remote or hybrid meetings of public boards and committees was set to expire at the end of March, and progress toward a resolution was uncertain. In the end, the remote/hybrid provision was extended until March 2027, when it will need to be reauthorized by the Legislature.

Governor Maura Healey has refiled her own reform package (known as the Municipal Empowerment Act) that includes permission – but not a requirement – for cities and towns to allow remote participation in public meetings. As it did last year, the bill contains a mishmash of more controversial proposals that could sidetrack the overall debate, such as whether municipalities can increase auto excise, meals, and hotel taxes, as well as topics ranging from procurement-law changes to tax breaks for senior citizens to tightening restrictions on utility companies keeping “double poles” on public streets.

A competing bill, H.4381, is narrowly focused on updating the Open Meeting Law to require hybrid meetings statewide.

Here in Hull, we’re encouraged by two citizens’ petitions that will appear on the May 4 town meeting warrant. Article 42 proposes to mandate that “town boards, commissions, and committees shall provide remote access for the general public, by audio or audiovisual means, for in-person or hybrid meetings.” The article also seeks to appropriate funds to buy the “equipment, software, connectivity, technical services, and training necessary” as a counterweight to the argument that the town doesn’t have money in the budget to buy and install the needed equipment in Hull’s aging municipal buildings.

Similarly, Article 39 seeks funds to purchase the equipment needed to ensure that all public meetings of Hull’s boards and committees “shall be recorded in audio or audiovisual format and made publicly available through Hull Cable and/or an official town website within seven (7) days of the meeting.” Both articles give the town a deadline of two months after town offices have moved to the Memorial Middle School, a nod to the idea that retrofitting the middle school as the next town hall should accommodate the technology to accomplish this goal.

That might be too generous an allowance. Many other cities and towns hold hybrid meetings on a regular basis, in buildings older – and in a worse state of repair – than Hull’s current municipal building. The town of Plymouth has even figured out how to hold a hybrid annual town meeting. That Hull can’t seem to work out the details to make this happen immediately is, frankly, nonsense.

Remote access to meetings has provided an essential public service. More people have been able to participate, or at least listen in, to their government because of the remote or hybrid option.

Of course, the technology isn’t foolproof, but as the self-help gurus always say, we shouldn’t let the quest for perfection be the enemy of progress. The human users of technology aren’t always experts, and some members of the public have complained that boards have refused to recognize digital hands being raised, cut off debate by cutting off microphones, or have blamed technology for limitations on public input. It’s a lot harder to ignore a constituent when they’re sitting directly in front of you in a meeting room, but not everyone has the ability to attend in person.

The debate at the state level about mandating hybrid access to meetings has influential organizations on both sides – the Massachusetts Municipal Association favors Healey’s proposal to make hybrid meetings optional, while the American Civil Liberties Union and the New England First Amendment Coalition strongly favor the mandate contained in bill H.4831.

Were we the betting type, we’d wager that the matter remains unresolved at the state level by this time next year. At this spring’s town meeting, Hull voters will be given the chance to set aside the state’s uncertainty by approving these proposals to let the sun shine into local government.

Times Editor Christopher Haraden has been writing about his hometown in these pages regularly since 1987.

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In the Sport-light: Roundup of news from Hull's wide world of sports

A RING TO RULE THEM ALL: Excitement over the Hull High Girls Soccer team’s history-making win in the state championship back in November – the first for the girls soccer program – can still be felt throughout town. Last Thursday, the community came out to celebrate the players as they received their championship rings in a ceremony in the high school auditorium. [Skip Tull photo]

Compiled by Matt Haraden

• The Seventh-Grade Boys basketballers continued their winning ways by defeating Hanover in the quarterfinals, 47-31, with a great team win, bringing their record to 15-1. Jayden Sheets led the Pirates with 13 points and great ball handling getting to the rim. Finn Smith had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Reefe Markowitz had another strong performance with 6 points and 7 rebounds. Liam Chalifoux, Jack O’Mara, and Josh Papasodero led the defense. The Pirates host their semi-finals game against Duxbury on Saturday March 21 at 2:30 p.m. at Hull High School. 

THE NUMBER-ONE SEED Seventh-Grade Boys basketballers picked up a great win on March 15 over Hanover in their first-round playoff game and are host Duxbury on Saturday March 21 at 2:30 p.m. at Hull High School. [Courtesy photo]

• The Eighth-Grade Boys continued their amazing season with a win in the quarterfinal game against Hanover, 36-30. The Pirates got an MVP-level game from Joseph Elisii-Johnson, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds, as well as some amazing passing. Jack Ranger was a floor general who had the offense humming while chipping in 7 points. James Rand had another strong shooting performance and finished with 8 points. Evan Doyle and Brayan Telles led the defense, and each had a number of steals and blocks. The Pirates host their semi-final game on Saturday, March 21 at 12 p.m. against Duxbury at Hull High.

BIG WIN for the Eighth-Grade Boys basketball team last weekend, coming out on top over Hanover, 40-36. On Saturday, March 21 at 12 p.m. Duxbury will come to the gym at Hull High to face the home team in the semi-final round. [Courtesy photo]

• In addition to the two playoff games above, the Third-Grade Boys Basketball team plays its semi-final game in the Joseph Berman Gymnasium at Hull High at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Come pack the gym and cheer them on!

• Eighth-Grade Girls Basketball lost a tough playoff battle to Braintree by only two points on Saturday, March 14.

SEASON-ENDER: The Fourth-Grade Boys wrapped up their first travel basketball season on Saturday, March 14 with a hard-fought playoff game against the #3 seed in their bracket, coming up just short in a 23–20 battle. This team showed great grit and determination, competing right up until the final buzzer. [Courtesy photo]

• The Hull High Boys Lacrosse team starts off the season this Sunday at 10 a.m. at home against an opponent that is to be announced; the Girls Lacrosse team’s first matchup of the season is Saturday, March 21 at Scituate at 2 p.m., followed by two more road games – Tuesday, March 24 at 4:45 p.m. against Hanover and Thursday, March 26 at 4 p.m. against Barnstable High School.

• The HHS Girls Softball team opens its season on Saturday, March 21 at Scituate at 2 p.m. Boys Varsity Baseball will begin a week later, on Saturday, March 28 at noon at Quincy, and the Boys and Girls Track squads won’t start their seasons until Tuesday, April 7 at 4 p.m. on the road in Abington.

For details on all the high school teams, visit www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=10611

• Registration is now open for the Hull Youth Soccer In-Town spring program, which is for players in pre-K through second grade. This program provides a fun introduction to soccer, focusing on basic skills development, teamwork, and building a love for the game in a supportive environment. The six-week program starts on Saturday, April 11 at James P. Sullivan Field (the Dust Bowl) at Pemberton. Players who registered for the fall in-town program do not need to register again for the spring session. Registration and additional information are available at www.hullyouthsoccer.com.

• 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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Community invited to ‘Feast of Conversations’ to mark the 250th anniversary of the USA

Submitted by the Hull No Place for Hate Committee

You are invited to the 2026 Feast of Conversations – “We the People: A Community Conversation” – in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the United States. Please join us on Sunday March 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Nantasket Ballroom, on the second floor of the Nantasket Beach Hotel and Resort. We will be sitting together to talk and build our mutual understanding. This year’s program is one of a series of conversations sponsored by the Hull No Place for Hate Committee.

“We the People” is focused on exploring what makes Hull a community; what binds us and what might separate us. In what ways are we alike and how are we different? Participants will explore qualities that are part of their identities with the goal of broadening our mutual understanding and strengthening the bonds that bring us together. After all, we are all part of the Hull community.

The NPFH committee thinks that celebrating what connects us and respecting our differences is how we make this miracle of democracy work. Building bridges through conversation is an integral part of continuing our country’s legacy of self-governance. Democracy works when people come together and have open and honest conversations.

What a great way to remember that, 250 years ago, in spite of all the differences among the 13 struggling little colonies, they had one thing in common: they wanted freedom and they could only get it by coming together. In that spirit, we will come together to explore our identities and strengthen our individual ties to the community.

The mission of Hull No Place for Hate is to be a non-partisan town committee dedicated to building bridges of understanding within our community. We seek to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion among all people. It is our goal to unite people to promote a just and inclusive community, provide support and education on diversity, and celebrate our differences!  This Feast of Conversations, in recognition of the 250 years of our country, is a great way to make Hull more welcoming and to keep the conversation ongoing.

Please join us on Sunday, March 22, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Nantasket Ballroom, Nantasket Beach Hotel and Resort.

If you have any questions, email hullnoplaceforhate@gmail.com.

To register, visit https://hullnoplaceforhate.start.page or scan the QR code.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.