Emmy-winning television producer’s Hull roots still influence his flair for storytelling

EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH. Greg McQuade won so many Emmy awards for his television work – eight at this year’s ceremony – that his girlfriend, Melissa Golden, had to help him carry them home. [Courtesy photo]

By Carol Britton Meyer

Former Hull resident Greg McQuade has done it again, winning another eight Emmy Awards for his work as an anchor and “storyteller” for CBS affiliate WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia. These latest wins bring the total number of Emmys McQuade has earned since 2002 to 56.

McQuade spent many happy summers in Hull during his childhood and returns here occasionally to visit his family, including two planned trips this summer.

His mother, Annie McQuade, proudly displays about half of the Emmy statuettes on the mantel of her Hull home.

The 2021 winning stories, which were judged by his peers in the industry across the country, included a piece on the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and a story about a 101-year-old man in rural Virginia whose father was born into slavery before the Civil War.

“I’m a history buff through and through. I love exploring Fort Revere in Hull and the historic cemetery below,” McQuade told The Hull Times. “I read anything I can on Hull’s rich past and Paragon Park.”

That’s not surprising considering his deep roots in, and love for, the community in which he grew up and has many happy memories, including his first summer job as a teenager was working for the Metropolitan District Commission on Nantasket Beach.

“I was the attendant at the bathhouse across the street from the Bernie King Pavilion during the summer of 1985,” McQuade recalled. “I can still hear sounds of the big bands that played there on weekend days.”

Another story for which he won an Emmy this year featured modern-day musicians who play instruments once owned by people who lost their lives in the Holocaust through a program called “Violins of Hope.”

McQuade also earned an Emmy for a story on a 73-year-old BMX rider “who doesn’t mind coming in last as long as he can compete,” McQuade said. “One of my most cherished Emmy Awards this year was in the writing category.”

The ceremony was held June 25 near Washington, D.C. in Bethesda, Maryland. WTVR is part of the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

For the past 11 years, McQuade has anchored the “CBS6 Weekend Morning” show with his colleague and friend, meteorologist Mike Stone.

“The alarm clock starts ringing a little after 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings,” he said, but he’s not complaining because he enjoys doing what he loves most – storytelling.

McQuade recently returned from Florida, where he organized and hosted his late grandfather’s 50th annual WWII reunion.

“I am the unofficial historian for the 692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion,” he said. “We meet in different parts of the country every June. More than 40 people attended, including 97-year-old veteran Elman Brown. You could hear a pin drop on the carpet as he recounted tales from the battlefield nearly 80 years ago.”

While he never had the pleasure of meeting his grandfather, Capt. William McQuade, his spirit lives on. The former MDC police officer passed away at the age of 47, years before McQuade was born.

“The surviving veterans serve as surrogate grandfathers,” he said.

Whenever McQuade makes plans to return to Hull to visit his mother, Annie, and stepfather, Charlie, during the summer, he counts the days until he can put his beach chair in the sand “and feel the ocean breezes” at Nantasket once again.

Beloved banker to bid Rockland Trust goodbye after decades of service

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS. Rockland Trust Assistant Manager Kathy Concannon is counting down the days to July 29, when she retires after 36 years in banking, the majority of them at the Hull branch. [Victoria Dolan photo]

By Victoria Dolan

After 32 years at the Hull branch of Rockland Trust bank, Assistant Manager Kathy Concannon is saying goodbye and retiring with assurances that she will be missed.

Concannon has worked for Rockland Trust since 1986, starting at a branch in Cohasset. After growing up in Norwell, but living in Hull since 1978, she was asked to transfer to Hull in 1990. She worked her way up from the teller position she held in Cohasset and is retiring as the assistant branch manager and the customer service “platform” position.

“Every day is an experience,” Concannon said this week of her job, which she will be leaving on July 29. She loves working in customer service, and says it taught her “how to deal with people.”

Her secrets?

“Listen, don’t judge – everybody is different,” she said.

Perhaps this philosophy is what has made her such a staple of the Hull community, and encouraged the level of client retention at the Hull Rockland Trust.

“People have stayed faithful to Rockland Trust,” she said. “Thank you for your loyalty and relationships.”

It’s mostly the relationships she’s formed that have kept Concannon in Hull for so long. Both of her children went to school in Hull, and she loves “the beauty of the ocean and the atmosphere.”

Concannon has had some notable accomplishments during her 36-year tenure, from being honored for Best Customer Service in 2009 to not being robbed once in her career. 

“She’s an icon in the community,” said Manager Jessica Abbott. “It’s going to be a big loss for the bank, but an even bigger loss for the community.”

So what’s next for Concannon? Right now, she’s just looking forward to the next stage of her life. She’s planning on “spending time with the grandbabies before they go back to school,” and “going to see Christmas school concerts.” 

Concannon also has some trips planned that were delayed due to COVID19. She’ll be going on a cruise in August, as well as visiting Italy in October. 

“I’m ready for the next phase,” she added. “It’s been a long time.”

Report: Hull needs more affordable housing; Plan sets five-year goals to create new units

By Carol Britton Meyer

More than half of Hull’s existing households are cost-burdened or living at or below the poverty level, according to the recently completed draft five-year Housing Production Plan.

As the next step in addressing Hull’s affordable housing needs, the select board and planning board met in joint session Wednesday night to hear an update on the plan, with a focus on providing more senior- and family-friendly housing. Public input was considered in the development of the plan.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council collaborated with Community Planning and Development Director Chris DiIorio, other town officials, and the HPP Advisory Group to craft the draft the plan for review and submit for approval by the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

“DHCD looks for planning board support before a community submits their HPP,” Carlos Javier Montanez, a consultant with MAPC, told the boards. The planning board will review the report prior to the Aug. 1 submittal deadline and decide whether to support the plan.

Members of the HPP Advisory Group are Steven Greenberg, Matt McGonagle, select board members Irwin Nesoff and Donna Pursel, Carl Katzeff, and planning board Chair Harry Hibbard.

Select board Chair Jennifer Constable said that the fact that only 1.6% of the town’s housing stock is considered to be affordable, that 37% of Hull households are “cost-burdened,” and that 16% are at or below the poverty level – as indicated in the report – “makes it clear that we have to do more. Most of our affordable housing is under the housing authority’s control. There’s been a lot of talk about attracting families to town and meeting the housing needs of our seniors, and it’s clear that we need to act, and yesterday.”

The term “cost-burdened” refers to households that pay more than a third of their monthly income on housing.

During the process of developing this plan, various sites were reviewed for further exploration for residential development potential, including town-owned land, underutilized properties, and possible “opportunity sites.”

Included on the list of properties “considered for future exploration and potential future voluntary redevelopment” are the former aquarium building; Nantasket Beach Overlay District (possible “oceanfront inclusionary” zoning district),Paragon Boardwalk mini-golf and amusement center; Hull Redevelopment Authority property, the town-owned parking lot at XYZ Streets; “additional land” at McTighe Manor (Atlantic House Court), commercial recreation zoning districts, the Kenberma area (with no specific site identified); and town-owned properties. These were listed as possibilities, with nothing decided at this time.

Pursel said the HPP Advisory Group “had some great conversations around the subject of accessory dwelling units [often referred to as in-law apartments]. How could we do that?” noting that “a lot of thought went into this plan.”

Even though the town has a “finite amount of land and houses available, and it seems as though the town is a day late and a dollar short, there are [affordable housing] opportunities [as outlined in the HPP],” she said.

The report sets forth several goals for affordable housing production. (See related story.)

“This plan will be an effective tool in developing affordable housing in town,” DiIorio said. “It contains a lot of good strategies to move us forward.”

Approval of the plan by DHCD, which is about a three- to four-month process, would mean that the town would be eligible to receive certain grants.

In the meantime, Town Manager Philip Lemnios suggested, pending planning board approval of the HPP, that town officials “begin to strategize and decide who is responsible [for which part of the plan] and how to implement it.”

Even though DHCD does not require select board approval of the plan, there was a motion to endorse it as presented, with whatever additions/changes the planning board might suggest. The vote was unanimous.

Late-night prankster targets DCR’s lighted message board with vulgar political message

Hull residents Richard Booth and Mimi Leary were among those who found an expletive-laden political message posted on the DCR’s message board on George Washington Boulevard Tuesday night. By the next morning, the electronic sign had been disabled. [Richard Booth photos]

By Carol Britton Meyer

As residents Richard Booth and Mimi Leary were returning to Hull around midnight on Wednesday, July 6, they were surprised to see the digital sign in the Department of Conservation and Recreation parking lot on George Washington Boulevard displaying a vulgar message about President Joe Biden.

This sign is normally used to alert residents and visitors about parking restrictions, fireworks notices, and other important information. It is unclear how the lighted message was changed to include the derisive political message, which included an expletive, and who is responsible for the act.

After noticing the sign, Booth and Leary made a U-turn into the Jake's parking lot and circled back to the DCR lot, where they joined Hull Police officers and a couple of other cars that were already parked near the sign.

They learned that a similar digital sign near the Weir River Estuary Center that they had already passed had earlier borne an inappropriate message that had been disabled by the time they passed it.

“We stayed by the second sign by the DCR parking lot for about 45 minutes, talking with some other observers and the police, who were looking for ways to shut the sign down” but were unable to do so, Booth told The Hull Times.

Efforts to reach the state police and the DCR for assistance were unsuccessful at that time, according to Booth.

Leary suggested covering the sign with a tarpaulin using duct tape to secure it, which was achieved with some effort

On Thursday, Leary received a return call from a DCR staff member who said the DCR was “horrified” that the sign’s message had been changed to a political message and included an expletive. The Hull Times left messages with the DCR community relations office but has not yet heard from the agency.

When Booth drove by the sign that afternoon, he noticed that both signs were “not lighted in any way” and that the tarp was gone.

In response to an email inquiry, Hull Police Chief John Dunn said that because the signs are on state-controlled land, the DCR “will be handling anything to do with their signboards and property. If a police agency is needed [to assist], it will be the Massachusetts State Police.”

Neighbors dedicate Pan-Mass charity bike ride to memory of Hull Times publisher

RIDING FOR A CAUSE. Hull’s Lisa, Caroline, Stuart, and Julia Patterson will participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge bicycle trek across Massachusetts next month to raise money for cancer research in honor of their neighbor, Hull Times Publisher Patti Abbate, who died in May after battling pancreatic cancer. The family will include Abbate’s photo on their jerseys.[Courtesy photo]

By Victoria Dolan

For her 17th year riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge, Hullonian Lisa Patterson and her family have decided to dedicate their ride to their neighbor and friend, late Hull Times Publisher Patricia Abbate. 

The Pan-Mass Challenge is a Massachusetts bike-a-thon that raises millions of dollars for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Participants ride anywhere from 25 to 200 miles and collect pledges to donate to the cancer center. 

Abbate was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020, and Lisa Patterson dedicated her 2021 ride to her then as well. After Abbate died in May, Patterson decided to dedicate this summer’s ride to her neighbor again, “to remember her and honor her.”

Late Hull Times Publisher Patti Abbate, who died in May.

Lisa Patterson’s whole family is involved in the ride this year. She will ride with her husband, Stuart, who has been participating in the Pan-Mass Challenge for 10 years, and her daughter, Julia. Her son, Brad, will be riding and raising money virtually from Washington D.C., and her other daughter, Caroline, (or “KK”), will be volunteering during the ride. 

“They all knew Patti,” she said. “We miss her terribly.”

Stuart Patterson agreed, noting that “Patti is really in our hearts this year.”

He added that “it means a lot” that his children are ready to support the cause. “They’re younger than 30, but they know people like Patti who have suffered from cancer,” he said. “I’m really proud of them for being willing to do the ride.”

The ride itself is certainly no picnic. Lisa Patterson is planning to bike an 85-mile loop and raise $4,000 out of the PMC’s goal of 68 million dollars. Since she is riding for Patti, some of the money will go toward pancreatic cancer.

“It’s a wonderful way to raise an incredible amount of money,” said Stuart Patterson. 

The family will be riding as part of a new team of bikers, Team PopSciCycles. The team is named after the McGraw/Patterson Division of Population Sciences at Dana-Farber and was created in honor of Stuart’s father, Dr. W. Bradford Patterson, who was instrumental in the founding and growth of the division.

Team PopSciCycles has a “Pedal Partner,” Ellie, whom they are riding for as well. Teams are matched with children getting treatment at Dana Farber.

“She’s sort of an inspiration,” said Lisa Patterson. Ellie is eight years old, and Team PopSciCycles will get to meet her at the third water stop on their route. “That’s always an incredible thing.”

In preparation for the ride, the Patterson family has been training. They rode a 50-mile route to Duxbury from Hull on July 3, and will continue getting ready for the ride until the day arrives on Aug. 6. 

The family is definitely excited about their ride.

“It’s a very powerful weekend,” said Lisa Patterson. “It’s very moving, but you have a lot of fun too.”

On the challenging ride, one of the many things pushing the family forward will be their memories of Patti. Stuart Patterson remembers her through her business.

“She invited me to speak at one of the many organizations she was responsible for,” he said. “She was so well connected and with such a wonderful personality, and was such a wonderful, powerful, entrepreneur…  she was just a dynamo.”

Lisa Patterson likes to remember “hanging out on her porch and always looking at the sunset.” Abbate was a sunset lover, she said, and was always taking a photo. “I think when I see sunsets now, I think so much of Patti.”

Abbate’s “attitude toward her cancer was incredible,” she added. “I think she tried to make the people around her feel better and was very willing to talk about it which brings good awareness.”

“I think we all thought we had a little bit more time with her,” she said. “She’s going to be missed by so many people.”

Their bike ride “is a small thing to do for her, but if we can bring more awareness to pancreatic cancer that would make Patti really happy…she wouldn’t want us to be sad,” she said.

The Patterson family will ride on Aug. 6 with a photo of Abbate on their jerseys. Anybody can participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge by walking, riding, or running, and making a donation. You can learn more about the Pattersons’ ride and donate to the Pan-Mass Challenge at https://profile.pmc.org/LP0071.

School department promotes two, changing leadership at Jacobs Elementary School

The Hull Public Schools this week announced two administrative promotions that will change the leadership structure of the Jacobs Elementary School next year.

Superintendent Judith Kuehn said that Jacobs Principal Christine Cappadona will move out of her current role to become director of curriculum and assessment districtwide. Assistant Principal Kyle Shaw will replace her in the top job at the elementary school.

Cappadona has worked in Hull for 22 years, starting as a fourth-grade teacher and serving as assistant principal before being promoted to principal in 2015. In her new position, she will develop staff training, analyze student data, and develop school-wide intervention and enrichment programs for students.

“I have seen tremendous growth in the Hull Public Schools over my 22 years and look forward to building on the strong foundation our staff and administrators have worked hard to implement across the district,” Cappadona said. “I am excited to serve as an instructional leader supporting the district’s initiatives at all three schools, collaborating with staff across the district, and providing leadership to ensure equity for all students to achieve their fullest potential.”

Shaw began his career in the Hull Public Schools in 2008 as a physical education teacher. He also has been the supervisor of attendance and the sexual harassment grievance officer for the elementary school, which has 60 staff members and 385 students in grades preK-5. Additionally, he is the founder of South Shore Surf Camp, the first of its kind in Massachusetts.

“It is my sincere pleasure to be able to continue my work at Jacobs Elementary in my new role as principal,” Shaw said. “I’m so lucky to have been able to observe Christine Cappadona as principal and I am excited to take what I have learned into my new role and continue to serve the students, families in the Jacobs community.”

Cappadona holds a bachelor’s degree in business and managerial accounting from Regis University and a master’s degree in elementary education from Fairfield University. Shaw holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Salve Regina University, a master’s in elementary education from Lesley University, and completed the Graduate Education Leadership program at Curry College.

“We are so excited for Mrs. Cappadonna and Mr. Shaw to start their new positions within the Hull Public Schools,” Kuehn said. “Appointing them to their positions supports the district’s goal to employ and retain personnel who are motivated, always strive for excellence and are committed to providing a better educational environment for all our students.”

-- Christopher Haraden

Study outlines challenges of meeting the needs of Hull’s growing senior population

By Carol Britton Meyer

By 2035, 43% of Hull’s population will be age 60 or older, according to a recent study.

In view of the growing number of seniors in town, and in an effort to better serve and plan for the evolving needs of Hull’s 55-plus population, the Hull Council on Aging commissioned the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging, part of the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, to conduct a community-wide study of the needs, preferences, opinions, and interests of Hull’s older citizens.

Caitlin Coyle of the UMass team presented the study’s results and recommendations at a recent joint Select Board/COA meeting. The findings were based in large part on input from focus groups, interviews, a peer community comparison, and a survey of residents ages 55 and older.

“The overwhelming number of surveys that were completed and returned (1,750) shows that there’s great interest in improving the experience of Hull’s seniors,” Council on Aging Director Lisa Thornton said.

Most residents surveyed wish to remain in Hull as they age. Among the top issues relating to being able to remain here are the ability to afford increasing taxes, the availability of public transportation, affordable senior housing, traffic and local infrastructure, remaining independent and healthy, and climate change and sea-level rise.

Coyle observed that not only are longtime Hull residents choosing to remain in town during their senior years, but also people in their 50s and older who move here when they retire and plan to stay, and have their own set of expectations.

Specific concerns relate to road and sidewalk conditions in some parts of town, lack of on-street parking for residents, and limited health resources to remain at home, among others.

Fifty-nine percent of the older citizens who responded to the survey view the COA as playing a role in their lives or in those of individuals they know, while among those who visit the senior center, 70% only stop by about once a year for special events.

The report indicates that the reasons behind these statistics are that residents in this age category are still working, not interested, unaware of the programs and services offered, or feel they are “not old enough,” including 8% of seniors 70 and older. Another 8% describe the senior center as “not inviting.”

Among the reasons that were given that would increase the likelihood of using the senior center were the presence of more people “like myself,” more parking, programs and services better suited to individuals’ interests, reducing or eliminating program costs, more convenient hours, and easier access to the building.

Suggestions for programming include offerings aimed at education, information-sharing, and exploring the history and natural resources of the community and New England, a center-based lunch program, trips to casinos, restaurants, and museums, more lectures and off-site events with transportation, Italian and Spanish language classes, LGBTQ+ social gatherings, bocce and bridge tournaments, and ways to get involved with issues such as climate change and alternative energy sources.

The report also contains the sobering news that 26% of the town’s older population lives alone, 11% don’t know someone nearby on whom they could rely for help, 41% report not having a bathroom and bedroom on the entry level of their current home, 47% need home repairs, 14% cannot afford to make them, and 7% are not responsible for repairs where they live.

With regard to transportation, 6% of survey respondents do not drive, 26% limit their driving in some way, 18% of those who do not drive or drive with limitations have missed a medical appointment in the past year due to a lack of transportation, and 35% of those who do not drive or drive with limitations are dissatisfied with the transportation options.

On the issues of caregiving, disability, and health, 43% of survey respondents have been affected by substance misuse, 47% have been a caregiver in recent years, with 65% of those individuals saying it was challenging to provide this care and also meet their daily responsibilities.

Both Coyle and Select Board Chair Jennifer Constable expressed concern about these statistics.

Survey respondents’ preferred sources of information are: local newspaper, 53%; town website, 39%; senior center newsletter, 35%; email or text, 34%; Facebook or social media, 32%; cable TV, 9%; and radio, 1%.

Ninety-five percent of respondents reported having Internet access at home. Most of the survey respondents, ranging from under age 60 to 80 and older, said they have adequate resources to meet their financial needs, with 40% of respondents indicating that they are still working full- or part-time.

The report also reveals that Hull has the highest proportion of older residents and the smallest physical space in terms of square footage among its peer communities, and the lowest median household income for residents ages 60 and older.

In addition, the study indicates that the physical space and location of the Hull COA does not currently meet the needs of the range of ages and interests of Hull’s older population. On another note, that opportunities to adapt current housing, to downsize, or to obtain housing with services “are perceived as challenging in Hull.”

Constable said it’s important to have a “balanced discussion” to ensure the needs of all of the town’s demographics are met, noting that while by 2035, 43% of Hull’s population will be age 60 or over, 57 percent of the residents will not be in that category and will require different kinds of services.

Town Manager Philip Lemnios called the study “a valuable resource,” noting that the Select Board can now consider “what framework we want to put in place so we can begin to coalesce around some of the bigger goals [set forth in the report].”

COA Chair Rob Goldstein said he and the other members are “trying to be thoughtful about this [study] and to be sure the report doesn’t sit in a drawer. There are a lot of recommendations in the report, some which have already been implemented,” he explained. “The COA fully supports this report and looks forward to being a resource [moving forward].”

Goldstein also suggested that town officials look into the possibility of Hull joining the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. More information will be available at a later date.

The needs assessment report will be posted on the town website.

Hull Lifesaving Museum’s new program makes rowing accessible to disabled

ROWING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. The Hull Lifesaving Museum is partnering with the Friendship Home in Norwell to offer an adaptive rowing program for people with disabilities. The first session was earlier this month in the water off Hull, with more to come this summer. [Skip Tull photo]

By Victoria Dolan

The Hull Lifesaving Museum is partnering with Norwell’s Friendship Home to bring adaptive rowing to those who might not otherwise be able to participate in the activity. 

The first Introduction to Rowing class was held on Saturday, June 11, and was a huge hit.

“Our members were challenged and had a positive experience with trying something new,” said Kimberly Ball, program director for social recreation at Friendship Home.

Friendship Home is an overnight respite and activity center providing day and evening programs for individuals with disabilities. The organization fosters community involvement for participants while providing support and helping them realize their full potential.

The lifesaving museum has partnered with Friendship Home before, so “it was a natural transition to say, ‘Why don’t we try rowing with the members of the Friendship Home?,” said Maureen Gillis, director of development at the museum. 

The museum already has extensive rowing programs, with opportunities for adults, youth, veterans, and underserved populations. And while the “museum is accessible to everybody,” the Friendship Home had not yet tried rowing and Gillis “wanted to add that.”

“It’s an inclusive environment that we want to share with the community,” she added. 

Eight members of Friendship Home attended the rowing meeting, where they got an introduction to rowing from the lifesaving museum staff.

“The key thing was making sure everybody felt comfortable with getting in and out of the boat and with rowing before the boat was even in the water,” said Gillis. 

After making sure they were comfortable, they pushed off into the bay, and Friendship Home members rowed with lifesaving museum rowers for about an hour. 

After the rowers came back to shore, they held a team-building meeting to discuss their experiences and what they enjoyed about the process. 

“Rowing members were inspired to self-advocate, push through barriers and learn new skills,” Gillis explained. “The most important takeaways from rowing are an increased sense of belonging and fun!”

Ball says she “left the outing feeling a true and natural sense of inclusion for our members,” and that “our members were challenged and had a positive experience with trying something new.”

Both Gillis and Ball are looking forward to more rowing events with Friendship Home in the future. Their next meeting will be in August. 

“They can’t wait to come back. They had a great time,” said Gillis.

For more information on this and other lifesaving museum programs, visit www.hulllifesavingmuseum.org.

Select Board OKs live music at Paragon Boardwalk, asks operator to mitigate noise

By Carol Britton Meyer

The new operator of the Paragon Boardwalk won approval for outdoor live music at the venue, but at reduced hours after neighbors raised concerns.

Paragon Entertainment Ventures, LLC’s new operating partner, Charles Veysey, asked the select board Wednesday to amend the license to permit outdoor entertainment, including live music –beyond the piped-in music that is already allowed. The property is owned by Hingham residents Chris and Diane Reale.

Noting the large audience for the hearing, Veysey explained his role in bringing the popular Cisco Brewers beer garden experience to the Paragon Boardwalk.

“Cisco is all about live music, a family-friendly environment, and cocktails,” he said.

Outdoor entertainment at this venue could include a DJ, karaoke, an amplification system, live, vocal, and instrumental music (up to five instruments – drums, guitar, and keyboard) and dancing by patrons on a 30-by-30-foot dance floor at the 183-197 Nantasket Ave. site. Indoor live music is already allowed.

Veysey’s request also included allowing live entertainment until 11 p.m. seven days a week. However, following a more than 1-1/2 hour discussion that involved comments from concerned neighbors about quality-of-life issues, the board voted 4 to 1 in favor of the following, effective through Oct. 13:

·       outdoor piped-in music only, Monday through Wednesday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and both piped-in and live music outdoors Thursday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

·       Monday and other legal holiday hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for outside piped-in and live music;

·       no outdoor light shows;

·       a requirement that Paragon Boardwalk make every effort possible to mitigate the outside noise from any kind of music and also work on a noise mitigation plan to be presented to the select board and Town Manager Philip Lemnios at a future time;

·       that Veysey provide contact information to neighbors and abutters in the event they have any noise complaints; and

·       that the volume of music be turned down in an effort to work cooperatively with the neighbors.

Select board member Irwin Nesoff voted against the motion because he thought the end time for the outdoor music should be 10 p.m. seven days a week.

When asked for his opinion as to the above hours, Veysey agreed “in the spirit of compromise.”

A large group of neighbors attended and one submitted a petition related to their concerns about live outdoor entertainment at this venue.

Concerns voiced at the meeting included the volume of the music and at what time it should be required to end, and difficulty hearing their televisions and radios and being unable to open their windows or sliders to get fresh air while the music is playing.

Some neighbors recalled noise issues that were brought up last year at the Boardwalk under a different operator and also concerns about the volume of the music at a recent event at this location.

Before the vote, resident George Murphy likened the request to allow live outdoor music to “a fire bell that we all better wake up to” and suggested that the town create a noise ordinance to assist with these types of discussions.

Following through with the discussion in the meeting, Veysey shared his contact information with neighbors and abutters in the hallway of town hall after completion of that part of the agenda.

Graves concern: Dispute over lighthouse tax bill gets Land Court hearing

GRAVES LIGHT… [JENNIFER WHELAN PHOTO]

By Christopher Haraden

The Land Court trial to determine whether Graves Light is within the boundaries of Hull began this week, but was recessed for a month at request of the town’s attorney.

The suit, filed in February 2020 by David Waller of Malden, disputes the Town of Hull’s claim that the lighthouse is within the town’s jurisdiction, and therefore subject to local property taxes.

Waller said Wednesday that he feels that he has “a pretty good chance” of prevailing in the suit, which he filed after the town sent him a tax bill for $3,552.42 for fiscal 2020. Waller maintains that Graves Ledge, prior to his 2013 purchase of the property from the federal government for $933,888, was not included in the Hull assessors’ database.

“We got to tell the story of Graves from our perspective,” Waller said after Wednesday’s hearing was recessed until July 25. “There’s been a lot of digging … and the documents we have are pretty compelling. I think there’s a preponderance of evidence in our favor.”

Town Counsel James Lampke, who filed a counterclaim against Graves Light and Fog Station LLC in order to prevent further renovations of the 113-foot-tall lighthouse without permits from the town, said today he expects that the trial will wrap up in July.

Waller said his deed from the federal government describes the property in terms of latitude and longitude, and references Broad Sound Channel, a shipping route in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. Documents provided by a US Coast Guard office in Virginia indicated that “the property is not located within the corporate limits of any municipality.” In court filings, Lampke disputed this characterization, noting that unlike other states, Massachusetts does not recognize unincorporated areas.

Waller and his attorney, Peter Biagetti, presented documents and maps dating as far back as the 1600s that they say indicate that Graves Light is not within Hull’s boundaries. Lampke has introduced other maps that show the opposite circumstance, as well as documents listing Graves Light as being located in Hull.

Graves Light has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981. The Graves Ledge was named for Thomas Graves, vice admiral of John Winthrop’s fleet and a resident of Lynn who became America’s first foreign trader. Under the terms of the sale, the Coast Guard maintains the Graves fog horn and beacon, which began flashing its 2-2-2 signal in 1905. Waller and another family renovated the lighthouse and use it as a vacation home.

Waller said he is acting in good faith and the renovations to the property comply with regulations, and the attempts to collect property taxes are an example of “mistreatment” by the town. Lampke has framed the dispute as a border protection issue, and asserts that the town is not interested in preventing Waller from doing further work on the property.

The parties meet again in Land Court on July 25 before Judge Diane Rubin.