Lifesaving Museum, select board pursue ‘once-in-a-generation’ chance to acquire Boston Light
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By Carol Britton Meyer
In response to the recent announcement that the United States government is seeking a new owner for the historic Boston Light Station off Hull’s coast, the Hull Lifesaving Museum executive director and director of development asked the select board this week to partner with the museum – as part of a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” – in an effort to acquire and preserve “American’s oldest light station as a public accessible historic treasure.”
Rather than submit a joint letter of interest, as Director of Development Maureen Gillis and Executive Director Mike McGurl originally intended to propose, the board – at their request – supported the museum and town submitting separate letters in the event that at some point either party decided they were no longer interested in being considered. Then the remaining party could proceed on its own.
The select board made it clear , however, that Boston Light is an important part of Hull and that members support the acquisition one way or another, as do many members of the Hull community.
‘It’s part of our life’
Resident Dennis Zaia noted that “the town is filled with people who see Boston Light every day. It’s part of our life.”
McGurl told the select board that the museum’s board is in favor of moving forward with the letter of interest, which is the first step.
Gillis noted that “we knew about this from the Coast Guard a few months prior [to the general announcement] to make sure we didn’t miss this opportunity. The place is magical, and we’d like future generations to have the opportunity to visit Boston Light.”
State Representative Joan Meschino was at the meeting to show her support. State Senator Patrick O’Connor also is supportive but was not able to attend.
Due diligence process
After submitting letters of interest, there is a due-diligence process during which applicants have a chance to evaluate the property’s condition, infrastructure, public access, preservation needs, and long-term sustainability.
As part of this effort to acquire the property – at no cost – “Hull’s seat at the table will be preserved and the community will be given a meaningful voice in helping to determine Boston Light’s future,” Gillis said. “We will also find out who else is interested.”
Click here for the full presentation from Wednesday’s meeting
Potential partnership
Gillis explained why this potential partnership matters:
• Boston Light has guided mariners into Boston Harbor since 1716 and is inseparable from Hull’s maritime identity.
• Federal law allows an eligible municipality or nonprofit organization to receive the property at no cost if it can demonstrate responsible preservation, management, and public benefit.
• “The question is not simply who should own Boston Light. The question is who can best protect, preserve, and activate it for future generations.”
While the town brings “permanence and public accountability, municipal expertise, and access to government resources and funding opportunities,” McGurl and Gillis explained, the museum has “more than 40 years of maritime preservation experience; offers education, programming, and historic interpretation”; and has fundraising, grant writing, and volunteer management experience – what they consider to be a winning combination.
Rich history
The current Boston Light was built on Little Brewster Island in 1783 after the first lighthouse was blown up in 1776 during the American Revolution. This site is the oldest light station in the United States. The oldest lighthouse in the country is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey.
The property includes a 98-foot light tower, a second-order Fresnel lens with a 27-nautical mile range, a keeper’s quarters, cistern boathouse, sound signal, and oil house. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Public access required
Under the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1989, public access to Boston Light and the preservation of the historic nature of the light station is required and the federal government charged with developing a plan for maintenance, staffing, and use. Applicants will be asked to show how they will comply with this law.
Pursuant to the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, Boston Light will be made available at no cost to eligible entities for educational, park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes. The term “eligible entity” is defined as any federal, state, or local agency, nonprofit corporation, educational agency, or community development organization.
The applicants deemed eligible are also required to create a master plan for the light station – including preservation and maintenance, use, financial, and management plans, which will be rated as part of the process.
Process outlined
A review committee will evaluate the applications. Applicants that are rated “recommendable” will be considered for conveyance of the property. The committee will make its recommendation to the National Park Service director, and if she agrees, it will then be forwarded to the secretary of the interior, who will make the final selection/recommend to the General Services Administration a single approved applicant or sale of the property through a GSA auction.
Letters of interest are due October 2, and applications 90 days after the site inspections, which are scheduled for the week of October 12. The remainder of the timeline has not yet been established.
Gillis explained that letters of interest don’t constitute an obligation of any kind and that two separate letters would not be taken as the town and museum competing with each other.
Doing some ‘amazing things’
Gillis envisions, if the town/museum were to acquire the property, building upon the museum’s existing educational programs and “doing some amazing things there that the nation would be proud of.” Potential grants, donations, and fundraising would help pay to restore the structure and related improvements and programming.
Meschino explained that the island will always be owned by and accessible to the Coast Guard, with oversight by the National Park service.
In other business
Chair Brian McCarthy announced that he will not be able to attend the scheduled September 9 board training session.
When board member Irwin Nesoff said he is not comfortable holding the meeting without the chair present, McCarthy said that after decades of serving the town in a number of roles, he feels he “knows enough” without additional training.
He noted that he has been receiving compliments about his performance on the board – with some citizens calling him a “breath of fresh air” – and that he doesn’t plan on attending any training session [even if the date was changed].
Member Greg Grey said that board members all being together in the same room at the same time “sends a powerful message” that the board is unified.
Board member Jerry Taverna said his requests of the select board’s office for details about what the training will involve have gone unanswered and asked for more information prior to the meeting.
Town Manager Jennifer Constable noted that the training was an item on the recent select board retreat agenda. “It’s critically important … training with the town counsel and labor counsel,” who are preparing the presentation, she said.
Constable plans to provide more details to the board once the presentation is complete.
“We’re all giving our opinions, which is wonderful!” McCarthy said.
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