Atlantic Avenue drainage, utility work under way; sidewalks and paving slated for 2023

A HARD ROAD. Residents of Gunrock, Green Hill, and Atlantic Hill are dealing with detours and construction noise as the long-awaited reconstruction of the Atlantic Avenue continues. Here, crews replace old drainage piping near the beach. The town manager said Samoset and Manomet avenues will be addressed beginning in 2023. Regular road paving updates – including recent projects on Park Avenue and Bay Street – are available through a link on the home page of the town’s website, www.town.hull.ma.us. [Tom Foye photos]

By Carol Britton Meyer

Work on the long-awaited and much-anticipated roughly $8 million, 1.3-mile Atlantic Avenue rehabilitation project, involving the complete reconstruction of Atlantic Avenue from Nantasket Avenue to the Cohasset town line, is well under way.

In an update this week, Town Manager Philip Lemnios reported to The Hull Times that through this November, the contractor, P.A. Landers, will be completing work on all the drainage structures. That work began in April.

Hull Municipal Lighting Plant’s contractor has completed the necessary utility pole relocations along Atlantic Avenue and is now installing the overhead wires on the new utility poles.

“The retaining wall at Gunrock Beach was recently substantially completed, including new access stairs to the beach,” Lemnios said. “Next spring, the roadway will be ground down to a gravel base and the installation of a new surface and sidewalks will be substantially completed during the period of April 2023 to November 2023, with final ‘punch list’ items to be finished in the spring of 2024.”

With regard to addressing paving/roadway reconstruction needs in other parts of Hull, Lemnios said the town expects “to look at the design services for Samoset and Manomet in the spring of 2023” to help resolve issues on these low-lying roads. Regular road paving updates – including recent projects on Park Avenue and Bay Street – are available through a link on the home page of the town’s website, www.town.hull.ma.us.

On Atlantic Avenue, most recently, portions of the new underground stormwater drainage system between Gunrock and Montana avenues were installed, as well as between Summit Avenue and the Cohasset town line.

During the next two weeks, work on the underground drainage system will continue between 103 and 123 Atlantic Ave., with crews also working on the drainage in the area of the Summit Avenue intersection.

HMLP will continue to work on transferring power to the new wires. Most residents and businesses on Atlantic Avenue between Nantasket and Gunrock avenues will be contacted by the light plant to coordinate brief power outages that are necessary to complete the transfer.

Through traffic will be detoured between School Street and Jerusalem Road during the daytime for the foreseeable future, with one lane open on Atlantic to accommodate local traffic.

Pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles will continue to be able to travel through the construction area, with access to residences, businesses, and town hall maintained during this time. Trenches will be restored with asphalt patching at the end of each week.

Residents and visitors are advised to travel through the construction area with caution and that noise disruptions may occur between the work hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

As background, the Town of Hull, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Highway Division, is working to achieve the overall goals of improving pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle safety, access, and drainage along Atlantic Avenue.

The project involves reconstructing sidewalks and installing bike lanes, paving, replacing guardrails, making the street compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, enhancing drainage, and improving side-street intersections.

The construction is being paid with state and federal dollars, with the town responsible for costs associated with the design, environmental permitting, and right-of-way acquisition for the project.

For more information, click here (the link also is visible from the town’s home page).

HHS assistant principal looking forward to ‘building relationships’ in new role

SCHOOL’S IN. Hull High’s new assistant principal, has already begun working in her new role. Hull students return to school on Aug. 31. [Courtesy photo]

By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull High School will welcome Julie Burke as the new assistant principal at the start of the new school year under a three-year contract with the Hull Public Schools.

She will join newly-appointed Principal Michael Knybel at the helm. Both were chosen following “a rigorous selection process” that included feedback from a wide variety of HPS stakeholders, according to Superintendent Judith Kuehn.

Since 2018, Burke served in administrative roles in the Randolph Public Schools, including as Dean of Climate and Culture – which oversaw disciplinary actions, Advanced Placement coordinator, mentor program coordinator, ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) school team leader, and summer school coordinator for Randolph High School.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Julie to Hull High School for the upcoming school year,” Knybel said. “As both she and I are new to the district, we are looking forward to meeting as many of the staff, students, and families as we can to learn more about what makes Hull such a terrific place to live and learn. Julie’s unique experiences and lifelong passion for education make her an ideal choice for the role of HHS’s new assistant principal.”

Kuehn added her own accolades. “We are so fortunate to hire such a highly-qualified candidate, especially with the shortage of administrators,” she told The Hull Times.  “I am so excited about our new high school team.”

The assistant principal will be paid $107,000 in her first year, pro-rated to reflect her Aug. 15 start date, under her three-year agreement.

Burke told The Hull Times that when she was exploring assistant principal openings, the one at HHS “jumped out” at her.

“I hadn’t worked in a suburban school system in a while, my best friend lives here with my two ‘nephews’ who attend Jacobs School, the town is beautiful, and it’s a great community,” she said. “The ride to my interview for the position was so serene.”

In her new role, Burke will be working with HPS School Resource Officer Joe DelVecchio to continue the ALICE training that was recently introduced into school system. This program helps schools prevent, respond to, and recover from a violent critical incident.

Burke also plans to implement a “buy back” program that she utilized in Randolph in which students can earn back time for classes for which they lost credit due to absenteeism.

“As an example, they could stay at school during professional development half days and work on homework as an opportunity to get their credits back while being monitored by adults,” she explained.

Prior to holding administrative roles, Burke was a teacher at Randolph High School from 2013-2018, serving as a grade 9-12 English teacher as well as New England Association of Schools and Colleges Committee Chair, summer school teacher, and in other capacities.

Burke has additional teaching experience at Weymouth High School, Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, the Fort Greene Prep Academy in Brooklyn, and as a teaching assistant at UMass-Boston.

Her experience working in the diverse Randolph school system, which has a majority of minority students, will provide an opportunity to help students in Hull understand the importance of everyone’s voice being heard – “how representation of diverse voices and cultures matters. It’s important for all students to be exposed to as many different cultures and worlds as possible,” according to Burke.

She believes that the opportunities that are available when working in a smaller school district are many. For one, “the smaller class sizes are fantastic, providing teachers with an opportunity to really get to know their students and to spend time with each one,” she said.

Burke’s love of literature began at a very early age and is something she has held onto ever since and something that she has always shared with her students. She is also an advocate for not simply teaching students what to think, but how to think.

“It’s important for kids to see themselves and other voices and cultures in literature,” she said. “This is how they learn to live in a world that is diverse and interesting. A diverse curriculum is one way to accomplish that.”

As a result of her 16 years of experience in various academic settings, Burke said she is “confident that I am both fully capable and prepared to make the transition to becoming an impactful assistant principal for the Hull High School community,” Burke said. “I look forward to working with the teachers and staff to best equip students with the tools they will need to become critical thinkers and curious, independent learners, and I am very excited to begin the new school year.”

While there will be a learning curve, she is more than ready.

“I adjust well to new environments and think this new position will be a lot of fun,” Burke said.

Like Knybel, Burke is looking forward to getting to know the school community and “really listening” to what the students, teachers and staff, and parents/guardians have to say.

“Building relationships is my strongest suit,” she said. “It’s really important for administrators to be visible and to be seen talking with the kids and introducing themselves – not just remaining in their offices.”

Burke noted the high percentage of administrators, teachers, and staff who have continued to work for the Hull Public Schools over the years, which she said speaks highly for the district.

She is also looking forward to working with Knybel.

“It seems as though we complement each other well. He seems very enthusiastic, and I respond well to that,” Burke said. “He has a lot of experience as a principal, so hopefully I will learn a lot from him.”

She considers the “kids” to be the best part of her new job.

“I’m excited about getting to know them, some of whom I have already met. They are really friendly,” she said. “The whole reason this building exists is because of the kids.”

Burke received her bachelor’s degree in English from St. Anselm College, her master’s in English Literature from UMass Boston, and her Educational Leadership and Social Justice Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) from UMass-Boston. She also recently completed the Accelerated Post Baccalaureate Program in Secondary Education from Bridgewater State University.

In her spare time, Burke enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

“I like to be around people!” Burke said.

Friends of the Paragon Carousel heads ‘back to the races’ for annual fundraiser

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Friends of the Paragon Carousel are going “back to the races” with this year’s Derby Day fundraiser following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Proceeds from the Aug. 20 event, now in its 11th year, will benefit the restoration and preservation of the historical Paragon Carousel.

“There’s no need to travel to Saratoga for the August races,” Carousel board of directors President Marie Schleiff told The Hull Times. “We’re hoping for a good turnout.”

Derby Day will take place at the Paragon Carousel from 7 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 20. Tickets are $50 each and may be reserved at www.paragoncarousel.com. In past years, the fundraiser was held on the same weekend as the Kentucky Derby in May.

Participants – dressed up as if they are “going to the races” – will enjoy an evening of simulated “derby” races among the carousel’s 66 carved horses, featuring prizes, raffles, silent auctions, gourmet finger foods, and a Derby Hat Contest. There will also be a cash bar.

Local businesses have an opportunity to sponsor a Paragon Carousel horse or chariot, Schleiff said. The $500 sponsorship for a chariot includes four event tickets, the corporate banner of the business on the chariot, and the company’s logo on the cover of the Paragon Carousel Derby Day Race Program.

Businesses that choose to sponsor a horse will have the opportunity to enter it into the Derby. All horse entrants are listed in the race program with the name of the horse and owner, and a name tag is placed on each horse. Those who sponsor horses are also invited to provide a decorated “Derby Hat” for their horse to wear for good luck.

Sponsorships include outside row horse, $300; first row jumper horse, $200; second row jumper horse, $150; and inside row jumper horse, $150. For information, call 781-925-0472 or contact Kim James at events@paragoncarousel.com.

Raffle donations are welcome as well, Schleiff said. After each race, all bets placed on the winning horse are included in a race raffle for the five top prizes. There also are advertising opportunities throughout the event to help the Friends build a stable foundation for the winter months, when the carousel operations are closed but the monthly bills continue to accumulate.

Judge sets December date for closing arguments in Graves Light tax lawsuit

A GRAVES SITUATION. The lawsuit challenging the Town of Hull’s authority to levy property taxes on Graves Light continues to work its way through the courts. Last week, the Land Court judge presiding over the case delayed the presentation of closing arguments until December. [Jennifer Whelan photo]

By Christopher Haraden

After hearings in Land Court earlier this month, the trial to determine whether Graves Light is within the boundaries of Hull will not be resolved until at least December.

Judge Diane Rubin has scheduled closing arguments in her courtroom for Dec. 9 to allow the lawyers for both sides to file legal briefs and transcripts and to review the 151 exhibits presented during the trial.

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 sued after the Town of Hull sent him a tax bill for $3,552.42 for FY20. He maintains that Graves Ledge, prior to his 2013 purchase of the property from the federal government for $933,888, was not previously included in the Hull assessors’ database like other public properties, but was arbitrarily added after he bought it.

“The judge made her decision on the date in response to a request from Hull’s town counsel and to accommodate post-trial briefing,” Waller’s attorney, Peter Biagetti, said this week. “Once those briefs are filed and the closing [arguments] take place, the case will be in the judge’s hands.”

Town Counsel James Lampke said the four-month period for post-trial work by the attorneys is typical in tax disputes like this one, which relies heavily on interpretations of documents and historic maps.

“I requested sufficient time to review the transcripts and research … and prepare the brief, taking into consideration the time of the year, schedules and other demands,” Lampke said.

He added that Rubin set a deadline of Aug. 31 for the filing of transcripts and Oct. 31 for attorneys to file briefs prior to the closing arguments in person on Dec. 9.

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.

Lampke filed a counterclaim against Graves Light and Fog Station LLC, Waller’s corporate entity, in order to prevent further renovations of the 113-foot-tall lighthouse without permits from the town.

During the trial, Biagetti presented documents and maps dating as far back as the 1600s that he says indicate that Graves Light is not within Hull’s boundaries. Lampke, a lighthouse historian, has introduced other maps that show the opposite circumstance, as well as documents from the federal government that list Graves as part of Hull.

Graves Light has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981. 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 town border protection issue, and asserts that the Town of Hull is not interested in preventing Waller from doing further work on the property, but is seeking clarity on the exact location of the town’s offshore boundaries.

All in the family: Grossmans provide stability to Temple Beth Sholom’s succession plan

DYNAMIC DUO. As part of a succession plan at Temple Beth Sholom, Rabbi David Grossman soon will be joined by his son, Joshua Grossman, as part of the temple’s spiritual leadership team. [Courtesy photo]

By Carol Britton Meyer

Temple Beth Sholom, which has been a pillar of the Hull community since 1938, is welcoming a second rabbi – current Rabbi David Grossman’s son – into its spiritual leadership team.

Joshua Grossman is joining his father as part of a succession plan for the future, with both serving in the dual role of cantor and rabbi.

Following an informal “meet and greet” on July 29 as part of its Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat service, a formal installation is planned for Sunday, Aug. 14, starting at 6 p.m., followed by a kosher catered barbecue.

“We’re excited about this unique experience [for our congregation], and we’re looking forward to what this will bring to our community,” Temple President Patrick Guiney told The Hull Times. “They make a dynamic team.”

Both rabbis are “fabulous singers,” he said. “It’s a true win-win with two rabbis working together as father and son and all that brings, and their singing abilities on top of that is like the icing on the cake. It will be a moving experience.”

Rabbi David is entering into his fourth year as spiritual and religious leader of Temple Beth Sholom.

His roots in Hull run deep, from the time he led Shabbat services at Temple Beth Sholom’s sister shul, Temple Israel of Nantasket, during the summer months from 1980 to 2010.

He began his career as a cantor at a Norwood temple, where he served for many years. Prior to stepping into his role with Temple Beth Sholom, he was the Rabbi of Temple B’Nai Tikvah in Canton, the congregation resulting from the merger of Temple Beth Am of Randolph and Temple Beth Abraham of Canton.  Previously, he served the Temple Beth Am community, first as cantor for eight years and as rabbi for five years.

During the time that father and son shared space in Canton under the two different congregations, Joshua began his studies to become a rabbi while serving as a cantor. He received his rabbinical ordination after his father had moved on to the Hull temple and was putting the wheels into motion for a long-term succession plan that would be in place after three years of sharing leadership.

“One of the biggest things is to have a mentor – someone to look up to and respect, and I’m looking forward to learning from my father,” Rabbi Joshua said.

Father and son are both pleased that the dual rabbi idea was well-received by the Beth Sholom congregation.

“We have their full support and cooperation, with a sense of excitement and optimism,” Rabbi Joshua said. “This will lead to a smooth and comfortable succession that can be put into place without too many obstacles [when the time comes].”

The two rabbis have often shared notes and studied together in the past, “so now we can do it more closely because we share a community,” Rabbi David said.

The words “Beth Sholom” mean “house of peace,” which both rabbis say truly describes the temple they serve. “One of the 613 commandments in the Torah relates to the pursuit of peace, and our temple is a house of peace. The aim of our services is for people to feel uplifted and filled with more peace than they felt when they walked in,” Rabbi David said.

The meaning of those words is also reflected in the kindnesses shown among members of the congregation that extend beyond the service in responding to the various needs of its members.

The word “rabbi” means teacher, “serving as a spiritual guide for the congregation in passing along knowledge, the exploration of traditions, and preparations for the high holidays,” Rabbi Joshua said.

His father explained the different roles of cantor and rabbi.

“A cantor mainly sings and interacts with the congregation, while a rabbi’s role goes beyond the service to pastoral duties that include weddings, bar mitzvahs, funerals, and interacting with people in the Beth Sholom community who are in need of care,” he said. “The gist of Judaism is to love your fellow person as yourself.”

The congregation has been hit hard by the pandemic, and the Grossmans are endeavoring to bridge that gap.

“I’m hoping we are approaching the end of that chapter,” Rabbi David said. “We’re looking forward to the high holidays that start in September. We’re planning to be on the ground, with safeguards in place, following a time of more Zoom rather than in-person participation. This will be a good transition for this coming fall.”

Both are looking forward to the unique experience of serving together as father and son.

“Having a succession plan in place offers some comfort to the congregation in the form of longevity,” Rabbi Joshua said. “We’re here to stay and glad for this to be so.”

Rabbi David is looking forward to introducing his son at the next Hingham-Hull Religious Leaders Association.

“This is a lovely group comprised of most of the clergy from the two towns, who meet monthly and support one another,” he said.

Rabbi David shared his thoughts about what makes the Beth Sholom community special, from the congregation’s commitment to one another to the tremendous amount of volunteerism.

Rabbi Joshua explained the qualities he believes are best-suited to being a rabbi, including dedication, honesty, caring, and compassion.

Rabbi David said his son brings new energy to the congregation and that he will be developing new programs to engage the members of the congregation.

“Our programs are open to everyone, and we welcome questions,” he said.

In his spare time, Rabbi David enjoys spending time with his family, including his grandchildren.

“Hull has such beautiful views of the ocean, and some of the references to ‘ocean’ in our hymns relate,” he said. “The people of Hull really care for each other, and that’s what Temple Beth Sholom endeavors to foster in our community.”

Rabbi David is also a member of the South Shore Men of Harmony a cappella group, which has performed at numerous functions in Hull and adjacent towns.

Rabbi Joshua said the people of Hull make the town special.

“I have been welcomed wholeheartedly by the Beth Sholom and the overall community, and Hull already feels like home after a mere few weeks of being here,” he said. In his spare time, he enjoys taking day trips and spending time outdoors.

During the summer months, Beth Sholom’s services are held at Temple Israel at 9 Hadassah Way. Everyone is welcome. 

Celebrating Charlie Gould as he turns 90

Hull’s Charlie Gould and Larry Kellem each are celebrating their 90th birthdays!

Submitted by Caitlin Gould

My Uncle Charlie, Charles E. Gould, Esq. was born on Aug. 8, 1932 to John F. Gould and Anne V. (McGinn) Gould. Recently he shared some of his many accomplishments that he achieved in his 90 years – yes, 90!

I’ll begin with the date of Dec. 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor. My Uncle Charlie was with his Dad, my grandfather, who was a permanent Hull Firefighter at the Hull Village Fire Station and would end up providing coverage to Fort Revere during this time of war. From Feb. 9, 1951 to Feb. 8, 1954, he served two combat tours in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Calvary Division. When he returned to the States, he was assigned as an instructor to the first-year cadets at West Point.

Back in Hull, he was active in local politics. During the 1956 Democratic campaign for state Representative, he shared the speaker’s platform with former Boston Mayor James Michael Curley at a large public gathering at Hingham High School. In 1958, he introduced Massachusetts Senator and future President John F. Kennedy to the people of Hull in the parking lot of what was Tedeschi’s and the Surf Ballroom.

In 1965, he became chairman of the Hull Redevelopment Authority, which at that time hadn’t had a meeting in five months, helping to take the authority through the important steps of planning and staffing, where only Hull residents were put in positions. During the largest town meeting in Hull’s history the urban renewal program was approved with 1,645 votes, a 90% approval rating. To fund this program, he was able to acquire millions from the federal and state governments.

In 1971, the process began to acquire 76 buildings that had been ruled substandard, the relocation of 125 people and numerous businesses, and the demolition of 75 buildings. One building was rehabilitated to become the Hull Medical Center, the state built the TOPICS Road, and community development was made available for the whole town by the federal government.

As part of the program, the chairman of the HRA requested that the town make the building department a full-time position. Separately, he recalled a proposal at a town meeting to make the office of town clerk an appointed one rather than an elective one. This office is responsible for the supervision of elections and the official in charge of records of births, marriages, deaths, etc., and Charles fought this proposal on the town meeting floor and was successful in defeating it.

After the Blizzard of 1978, he was the government official that was in charge of the insurance team that helped almost 1,000 families in Hull with their insurance claims. As a state examiner with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, he represented that organization at a U.S. Senate hearing led by Senator Nunn of Georgia and Senator Percy of Illinois, where he wrote a report on those proceedings.

Recently, my cousin Nicholas Torre (my uncle’s look-alike), the U.S. Army historian, came up from the Pentagon to interview his granduncle about his military service to be sure it is preserved. He also interviewed my Mom, Marilyn Gould, the widow of Thomas G. Gould about his military record. My Dad, Charlie’s youngest brother, was a 100% disabled veteran of the Vietnam War.

Please join our family in wishing Charlie Gould a Happy 90th Birthday!

Redevelopment Authority expects revised Urban Renewal Plan to be ready by fall

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Redevelopment Authority has been working on a much-anticipated Urban Renewal Plan during the past couple of years, and Chair Bartley Kelly said a draft of the document could be ready by late summer or early fall.

The HRA was charged in the 1960s with redeveloping a large parcel of land in the Nantasket Beach area that is considered to be prime property, and the plan relates to this area.

After denying in 2019 two responses to a Request for Proposals, the HRA determined that an updated URP was necessary in order to give the HRA the flexibility needed to negotiate with, and choose, developers for the property and to ensure the result is in accordance with the opinions of town officials and residents. Some affordable housing is expected to be included in the plan.

“We’re currently working with a consultant to help us drill down the details,” Kelly told The Hull Times. “We’ve already had discussions with developers about what we would like to do with the property, and the HRA is trying to get an idea of what the town [would like to see there]. It’s important to maintain the fabric of the community and to avoid overwhelming the surrounding neighborhoods.”

The HRA has identified the parcels to be developed and is now working to find the proper balance and scope of any future project, Kelly said.

“The draft will include the layout of what we’re looking for, including the unit count and how the [planned] two-way road would intersect with that,” he said.

The HRA was earlier awarded a $272,000 state MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant in support of a two-way road design for Nantasket Avenue, Hull Shore Drive, and Hull Shore Drive Extension around the HRA property.

This grant provides for the continued development of the two-way road beyond the 25% design concept, funded by the HRA, into fully designed and shovel-ready construction plans.

This major change is geared toward improving vehicular flow and pedestrian safety and access through the area, as well as helping to resolve traffic backups and adding open space along the bay side of the HRA property.

Once complete, the draft form of the Urban Renewal Plan will be presented to the select board and planning board for input, followed by public meetings to gather comments from citizens.

“We’ll incorporate the boards’ and residents’ comments into the final plan,” Kelly said.

The draft will also be submitted to the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The ultimate goal is to gain DHCD’s approval of the final URP following the select board’s endorsement of the document.

“It’s important that the final approved plan meets the needs and wants of the community,” Kelly said.

Hull High turf field rentals attract out-of-towners to local shops, restaurants

By Carol Britton Meyer

Since the turf field at Hull High School opened in September 2019, it has been widely used not only for Hull-based sports, but also by some out-of-town teams.

For example, the high school field hosted the 2022 Shore Cup Memorial Day Soccer Tournament on May 28 and 29 and has been the site of a regional lacrosse tournament. Hull Public Schools Director of Athletics & Intramurals/Athletic Facilities Coordinator Connor Duhaime, a 2011 Hull High graduate, is the point person for out-of-town teams interested in renting the facility.

“Though we are very fortunate to have such a beautiful field, it is the only field in town that can hold these events. That means we have to be aware of the times and dates that we’re scheduling to ensure we’re not double booking,” he told The Hull Times.

Proponents of the town meeting vote authorizing the bond needed to construct the $2.1 million project cited the potential for revenue from field rentals. An added benefit associated with active use of the field is that out-of-town players and their families sometimes stop by local shops and restaurants on their way to or from the games.

To hold an event on the turf, forms are filled out by the team wishing to rent the field. The forms are then sent to the business department to create an invoice based on the field-use request.

“We charge a fair price for outside teams to use the field, but that same fee does not apply to Hull youth sports programs, such as football or soccer,” Duhaime explained. “The more kids we can get actively playing sports in Hull, the better. Kids love to play on the turf field, [and this positive experience] may lead them to continue playing sports at the high school level and beyond.”

Youth teams are charged $45 an hour when they host games on the field, Hull Public Schools Business Administrator Diane Saniuk told The Hull Times.

“This covers the cost of the custodian to set up and clean up as well as to open, close, and clean the bathrooms,” she said.

Rental of the field by out-of-town teams has generated approximately $18,500 so far. Funds raised through turf field rentals go into a revolving account that is used for field maintenance and repairs, bond payments on the field, and the eventual replacement of the turf carpet, according to Saniuk.

Funds from the sale of field signs go into the field advertising account, which is used for the same purposes. The balance in that account is currently about $75,000.

Duhaime understands the importance of local businesses generating revenue during the summer months “to get them through the slower winter days.”

During the Memorial Day tournament, for example, he noticed a number of kids in uniforms walking into Hull restaurants with their families, along Nantasket Beach, and shopping for groceries at the Village Market, which contributes to the local economy.

“While I’m not sure how much revenue this brings in for local businesses, I am confident that the more times we rent our field and hold larger, weekend-long tournaments, the bigger the positive impact on generating revenue for the businesses here in town,” he said.

Shipwreck’d owner Adrian Muir, who is also president of the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, said he definitely noticed a boost in business during Memorial Day weekend with the restaurant in such close proximity to the high school.

Scoops owner Kathy Prevett also experienced an uptick in the number of customers that weekend – most noticeably, whole teams dressed in their uniforms who stopped by to enjoy an ice cream.

“Paragon Boardwalk was definitely busier, too,” Muir said.

Hull teams take priority, though, when it comes to scheduling on the turf.

“During the school year, things are different. We have our Hull High School sports teams and youth teams using up a majority of the field time,” Duhaime said. “That said, I am always willing to consider requests to use the field on weekends during the fall and spring seasons [when they are not being used by Hull teams].”

Muir plans to reach out to Duhaime with the hope of getting information about the turf field schedule ahead of time to share on the Chamber’s website, so local businesses will be prepared for a potential influx of customers on those dates.

Posting the schedule would also inform Hullonians who enjoy attending sports events of games they might not otherwise know about, offering them a chance to “support our local kids” and other athletes right in their hometown, he said.

Duhaime’s role is multi-faceted, including building relationships with Amateur Athletic Union teams, select organizations, and travel/club leagues in an effort to host yearly tournaments on the turf field and to “build traditions” in Hull, he explained. “We’re [continually] trying to grow awareness of our turf field.”

The AAU involves high-level competition for a number of sports. There is usually a fee to participate.

The Hull turf field is definitely in the spotlight. Last summer, Duhaime sent a photo of the field to MaxPreps, a high school sports resource, which was posting what it considered to be the most unique high school fields in the country on its social media pages.

“They chose our field and posted a photo and write-up about it, which contributes to larger organizations noticing us,” Duhaime said.

Last November, thanks to “some amazing people here in town, we held a USA Lacrosse Day, with banners supporting USA Lacrosse and coaches and kids from around the South Shore playing on the field.”

Following the event, USA Lacrosse Magazine featured an eye-catching photo of the turf field and a writeup about the Hull lacrosse program.

“We also had Patriots Quarterback Mac Jones and No Bull clothing shoot a commercial last summer on the field,” Duhaime said. “When I asked them why Hull, they told me they were looking for a field that truly represents New England.”

Overall, Duhaime believes that the turf field has been “nothing but a positive” for the community.

“I see people daily just walking the track while the weather is nice or playing soccer with their small kids running around in the afternoon,” he said. “This is truly a community that deserves something beautiful to call its own. The job moving forward will be to continue to promote and maintain what we have. I could not be more excited about the future and to see the growth over the next few years.”

This weekend’s Illumination to continue maritime tradition of lighting up the night

HULL TIMES FILE PHOTO

By Christopher Haraden

Continuing a tradition begun in 1881 along the town’s miles of shoreline, the Hull Lifesaving Museum will present its annual Harbor Illumination this Saturday night, July 30.

Volunteers will light flares that have been purchased to honor, remember, or celebrate loved ones along the two-mile stretch of the bay from A Street to Hull Village. Flares are still available on the museum website, www.hulllifesavingmuseum.org, or at the museum shop for those who have yet to reserve them, said museum Executive Director Mike McGurl.

The collective celebration and personal remembrance event begins Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Hull Village Cemetery, where the legacy of Capt. Joshua James and the lifesavers who patrolled the shores in the late 1800s and early 1900s will be honored. Following that recognition, the Forever Flare memorial ceremony, sponsored by Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, will begin at 8 p.m. near the A Street Pier. The general lighting of the flares begins at 8:30 p.m., as the community and visitors gather along Hull Bay from the A Street Pier to James Avenue in the Village.

In Hull, lighting the harbor with candles and torches began as an end-of-summer celebration, with the first illumination organized by the yacht club in 1881. By the next year, The Boston Globe reported that the locals had ironed out any wrinkles, and the second annual event cast a bright glow from the verandas of local hotels and cottages along the shoreline.

“The residents of the charming village of Hull, as a rule, entered heart and soul into the preparation for the illumination… seen from the landing at the Hotel Pemberton, the many-colored lights decorating the cottages on the hill were mirrored in the surface of the water below, the twinkling lights reflected in the bay producing a most charming and delightful effect,” the Globe reported on the morning of Sept. 5, 1882.

This year, Hull Lifesaving Museum will honor Hull native General Richard “Butch” Neal, Hull Times Publisher Patti Abbate, and shipwreck historian Bob Sullivan, all of whom died in recent months, with Forever Flares.

“They were forever friends of the museum, and will be forever in our hearts,” said Maureen Gillis, the lifesaving museum’s director of development.

Individual flares can still be purchased for $10, while Forever Flares – which the museum will display every year to remember loved ones – are $300. Participants should contact the museum at info@hulllifesavingmuseum.org to buy flares or to purchase T-shirts and sweatshirts to support the museum’s diverse programming calendar throughout the year.

To prepare for the harbor illumination, staff members place the flares along the shoreline, and area captains are responsible for lighting them on cue.

“Volunteers are always needed to help the captains in each neighborhood ignite the flares to ensure a consistent glow, and residents interested in helping can approach the captains on the night of the event to assist,” McGurl said.

The Hull Harbor Illumination was an annual event in the late 1800s and early 1900s before being discontinued. The museum brought the tradition back for several years in 1989 as part of Joshua James Heritage Days, and in recent years the event has become part of the lifesaving museum’s annual fundraisers and community-building efforts.

Proceeds from the event support programs for children, adults, veterans, and underserved individuals throughout the year, including offering scholarships and financial assistance when necessary. Gillis and McGurl said that the museum values and is grateful for the support of its sponsors, including Pyne Keohane (memorial sponsor of Forever Flares), Save the Harbor Save the Bay, Woodard and Curran, Granite City Electric Company, Safe Harbor Sunset Bay, Local 02045, O’Donoghue Insurance Agency, South Shore Cycles, and Hull Trolley and Tours.

The Illumination is a favorite event of photographers on land and sea throughout town, and with favorable weather in the forecast, the museum staff is looking forward to a repeat of the Globe’s assessment of the 1882 illumination: “The scene was one never before witnessed in this vicinity, and rarely surpassed by the display upon any similar occasion elsewhere. It was a picture of striking beauty, and one that, once seen, will not easily be forgotten.”

Hull-O Trolley returns with plans for expanded routes, narrated tours

HITCHING A RIDE. The Hull-Nantasket Chamber of Commerce’s Hull-O Trolley is now operating. Rides are free! The route runs the length of the peninsula, from the ferry dock Pemberton Point to Hull Town Hall, from approximately 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 18. This weekend, it runs on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. For the full schedule, as well as advertising opportunities, visit www.hullchamber.com. [Skip Tull photo]

By Victoria Dolan

This summer, the “Hull-O Trolley” is up and running again after being unavailable during the height of the COVID19 pandemic, and plans are under way to greatly expand its service.

Operated by the Chamber of Commerce, the free trolley service runs on weekends, shuttling passengers to different parts of the town in an effort to reduce beach traffic and boost tourism. Running from the MBTA ferry stop at Pemberton Point down to Nantasket Beach, trolley services are planned to run until mid-September.

The trolleys are managed by South Shore Cycles, a Hull business that also rents out e-bikes. With one location already on Nantasket, the business is working on opening another in Kenberma to manage and park the trolleys.

Bill Hennessey, the owner of South Shore Cycles, says for the two weeks of the year the trolley has run so far, it has been very popular, with more than 400 passengers already. 

“Quite a few people have been coming in,” said Kat Wasabi, a Chamber of Commerce member and administrator who was involved in the process of getting the trolley rolling again. “It’s a cool little thing that we do.”

Hennessey also reports that the Chamber is planning to expand the trolley services, and will be adding a second trolley in the coming weeks “to connect to different towns or the commuter rail.” He hopes to have five trolleys in service by the end of the year with an expanded route.

The Chamber will also be adding narrative tours, with “volunteers that would give a speech on each point they’re passing,” according to Wasabi. Those will begin this weekend. 

Not only is the Hull-O Trolley” good for tourism in Hull, as it brings in new visitors from surrounding towns, but it can also help contribute to lowering beach traffic and Hull’s carbon footprint. 

Hull aims to reduce its carbon footprint to net-zero by 2030, and having many people take the trolley instead of riding in their own cars can help reduce carbon emissions.

“The trolley company itself is actually looking into the future,” said Hennessey. “We’re looking into providing electric vehicles.”

Another plus of riding the trolley? With no cost to riders, it’s much more affordable than gas. But if you don’t have to pay to ride, who is financing the service? A series of grants and a few sponsorships from local businesses. Funding from the Town of Hull and grants obtained by state Sen. Patrick O’Connor, and from Save the Harbor Save the Bay, the state’s Better Beaches program, and the Hull Redevelopment Authority have made this public service possible. 

“We're glad to be a part of this,” said Hennessey. 

For more information on the Hull-O Trolley, including its schedule, visit the Times’ website or hullchamber.com.