Hull Performing Arts to stage Pulitzer Prize-winning drama ‘Proof’ at Weir River Center

Hull Performing Arts, Inc. is pleased to announce upcoming performances of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize winner in drama, “Proof,” at the Weir River Estuary Center later this month.

The production, directed by Hull’s Lindsay Clinton, tells the story of Catherine, who sacrificed her college years to care for her mentally ill father, Robert. He was a brilliant mathematician, but his disability left him unable to work.  Following his death, she must confront her own fears about her future.  Has she inherited her father’s brilliance, or his mental illness? With the same question in mind, Catherine’s sister, Claire, comes from New York City for the funeral and to help settle family business. She wants to bring Catherine back to NYC to give her a new start and provide any help she might need. Their father’s protégé, Hal, takes on the task of exploring his mentor’s 103 notebooks with the hope of finding something worth publishing.

“Proof” is about familial relationships, mental illness including depression, brilliance, the competitive world of academia, and the struggle of children to navigate the complications of a dependent parent.

Alyse Clinton of Quincy, formerly of Hull, plays the role of Catherine, who has spent most of the last four years caring for her father. Clinton is a graduate of Northeastern University with degrees in theatre and ASL/English Interpretation. Recent theatre credits include “The Exception and the Rule” (Guide), “Godspell” (Joanne/Robin), “How I Learned to Drive” (Female Greek Chorus), “The Winter’s Tale” (Florizel), “The Wolves” (#11), “As U Like It” (Jacques), “Play On!” (Aggie), “Hair “(Black Boys Trio), “Jonathan” (Tom/Ensemble), “The Eight” (Dancer), and “SWAN” (Aiden).

Mark Logue of West Roxbury is Robert, Catherine’s brilliant but mentally ill father. He most recently appeared in Curtain Call Theatre’s productions of “ART” (Serge), “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” (Man in Socks), and “Dancing at Lughnasa” (Father Jack).

Ashleigh Pelto of Quincy is Catherine’s sister Claire. She first performed a scene from “Proof” in her high school’s acting and stagecraft class and has loved the play ever since.

Andrew Burke of Norwell plays Hal, Robert’s protégé. He is an alum of the Atlantic Acting Studio. Recent credits include “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” (Lucas), “Rhinoceros” (Jean), “Twelfth Night” (Sebastian), “Agamemnon” (Aegisthus), “Amadeus” (Mozart), and “Bridget v. Law & Order” (The Director).

Lindsay Clinton of Hull has directed many HPA productions including “Tomfoolery,” “On This River,” “Toilers of the Sea” (about the life of Joshua James), “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” and “Play On!” She is a graduate of the internship program at New Jersey Shakespeare. Directing “Proof” has been a longtime dream of hers, but she was never able to find the right cast. After many readings over several years, she found her dream cast. This is an amazing group of actors, and she is so proud of how this production is coming together.

The stage managers for this production are Julie Collinge of Hingham and Jenn Burke of Norwell, with set design by Siobhan McGurk of Hull.

Performances are Sept. 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Weir River Estuary Center, 333 George Washington Blvd. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for seniors, students, and veterans. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.hullperformingarts.org.

Too many passengers, too few seats: Ferry often leaves Hull riders stranded

By Carol Britton Meyer

“History is repeating itself” when it comes to the MBTA’s ferry leaving passengers on the dock in Hull due to a lack of space onboard, according to Hull Village resident Randy Gould.

Town officials, local legislators, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which operates the service, say they are working toward finding a resolution to this recurring issue with the Hingham-Hull-Boston boat service.

In an Aug. 27 email to the MBTA, Hull and Hingham officials, legislators, and the Times, Gould outlined the scenario that took place last Sunday. According to Gould, the 12:20 p.m. ferry out of Hull, which leaves Hingham at noon, left 40 people stranded at Pemberton Pier.

This issue has been ongoing for a number of years, as evidenced by copies of three August 2019 emails from Gould to many of the same recipients listed above that were included in his recent email, detailing “another weekend left on the dock” on three occasions – Aug. 10, 11, and 24 of that year. Others in town have complained about similar experiences.

State Rep. Joan Meschino, a Hull resident, and Hull’s elected officials say they are pressuring the MBTA to resolve this frustrating issue.

“The town will always advocate for its citizens with the MBTA, and we actively do. The problem here is the T,” select board Chair Greg Grey said. “We all see it daily in the news. They are certainly struggling in all directions. We will continue to do our best to speak with everyone that we can to help out with the issues, but in the end it will be their job to get things straightened out.”

Meschino said her office has heard from numerous other Hull residents who are frustrated about not being able to use weekend ferry service into Boston, and has reached out to the MBTA.

In response to an inquiry from The Hull Times, MBTA Communications Director Joe Pesaturo said the transit authority understands this is a “frustrating and inconvenient experience for passengers,” but said there are no larger boats to make the run.

“We, unfortunately, do not own any vessels with a higher passenger capacity, and our service provider does not have any other vessels available during the peak boating season,” Pesaturo said. “In the short term, we are limited by the number of available vessels. We apologize for any inconvenience that this has caused to passengers. We are committed to providing reliable and accessible public transportation, and we will continue to work to improve the service across our system.”

Pesaturo said the other vessels of the summer ferry operator – Hornblower Group, which purchased Boston Harbor Cruises in 2019 –are being used for whale watches, harbor cruises, and other events to meet the summer tourist demand.

“The vessels that serve this route have a capacity limit of 149 passengers, and in the past month or so, we have been experiencing higher than normal ridership on weekends,” Pesaturo said. “We are aware that this has resulted in some passengers being left behind, and we are in the process of monitoring the market for any vessels that will have a higher passenger capacity. We are also working with our service provider to develop solutions that can be implemented in the future.”

Adrian Muir, who owns the Shipwreck’d restaurant and take-out near the ferry ramp in Pemberton Point with his wife, Susie Regan and is president of the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce, observed what occurred last weekend.

“This has been happening all summer, typically on weekends, but not always,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that this is occurring at a time when people are being encouraged to find alternative transportation due to the temporary closure of the Sumner Tunnel.”

Muir noted that the Feast of St. Anthony in Boston’s North End, which attracts large crowds, took place last Sunday, and apparently the number of extra riders heading for that event over the water “overwhelmed the ferries.”

While a few stranded would-be ferry passengers have stopped in at Shipwreck’d for a bite to eat while waiting for the next ferry, there’s a downside, Muir explained.

“We mostly get negative feedback from displaced riders, because no ferry schedule has been posted in the ferry wait building for a couple of years,” he said. “If we don’t have the current one handy, their response isn’t always pleasant. [Some displaced riders] don’t seem to realize that we can’t stop serving our customers and help them find a taxi, which is a request we get often. It’s almost impossible to get an Uber to go to the end of Hull due to the distance, the number of traffic lights, and the heavy summer traffic.”

Gould said the problem is not new this year.

“As one can see from the old e-mails, this has been going on for a few years now. COVID curtailed it for two, but the ferry started up again last year,” he said. “With the good weather this summer, it is back in full swing.”

While Hingham has a problem with some people being left at the dock, a ferry is available to them with greater frequency, which is not the case in Hull, according to Gould.

“If you look at the schedule, the ferry stops at Georges Island four times a day and Hull five times a day, while Hingham has a boat every hour,” he said.

The main problem is the midday ferries from Hull and Hingham, Gould said.

“If the ferry is full coming to Hull, then they probably left people at the dock in Hingham. You’d think by now that the MBTA would have experimented with making adjustments, especially since they changed contractors two years ago,” he said.

Town Manager Jennifer Constable said the town would pressure the transit agency to correct the problem, especially since Hull is considered an MBTA Community.

“The town will be discussing the capacity issues, in earnest, with both the operators and the MBTA,” Constable said this week. “The town has continuously noted the increase in seasonal ridership and the need to provide adequate services to the community. When riders are turned away due to capacity issues, that is neither reliable nor acceptable service to a an MBTA Community. Hull already struggles with limited service and service line disconnects.”

Meschino said her office reached out to the MBTA early last week to alert them that when the midday ferry runs arrive in Hull from Hingham, the ferry is already at maximum capacity.

Her office also asked the MBTA to formulate a plan to meet service demand fairly for riders from both towns in the final weeks before weekend ferry service ends on Oct. 10.

“Further, we urged the MBTA to look at this summer’s strong ferry ridership as a testament to the growing service demand and when planning for next season, to increase the weekend ferry service frequency in response to this season’s demand,” Meschino said.

The MBTA’s office for rider engagement is accepting comments on upcoming seasonal service changes, including the seasonal weekend ferry.

“We encourage people to use this open comment period to tell the MBTA how much Hull residents value the weekend service, to share their individual experiences, and to request additional weekend service for Hull/Hingham (F2 Run) next year,” Meschino said.

According to the MBTA, changes will be or have been made to bus, subway, and ferry services. Service for The Ride will remain the same. Commuter rail service changes will go into effect in October. Details on those changes will be available in September.

Bus and subway changes went into effect Aug. 27, while ferry changes will start Oct. 10. More information is available at www.mbta.com/service-changes/fall-2023-service-changes.

In addition, the MBTA is doing a significant amount of work along the Old Colony Line, which is directly impacting Greenbush connections.

“We asked the MBTA to consider allowing Greenbush riders to use their commuter rail monthly pass on the weekday ferry during construction delays along that main line,” Meschino said. “We argue that a Greenbush rider who buys a Zone 4 pass should be able to use an alternate transit mode such as the Hingham ferry during construction. Unfortunately, commuter rail passes are not currently honored on the ferry.”

Do you have an opinion on this issue? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Woodworker restores a unique totem of Nantasket history with modern flair

By Christopher Haraden

The six-decade-old wooden totem pole that stood outside the state Department of Conservation and Recreation building on Nantasket Beach since 1962 has been restored and will be reinstalled later this summer.

TAKING A POLE. Carpenter Neal Syphers undertook a major restoration of the historic totem pole that stood outside the DCR building since 1962. Outfitted with some of his personal touches, the restored structure is expected to be reinstalled later this summer. [Courtesy photos]

Carpenter Neal Syphers, who described himself as “a lifelong fan of Nantasket Beach” and whose ancestors arrived in this area in 1631, took up the project after the structure rotted and collapsed last year. He has completed the restoration and is working with the DCR crew at the beach to place the new pole in its original location, on the lawn near the former police station and in front of the long building that is known as the “dormitory.”

Totem poles are traditionally found in the northwestern United States, and are characterized by carved symbols or faces that carry various meanings to native cultures, ranging from recounting old legends to symbolizing significant events to representing cultural art. Over the years, the designs of totem poles have evolved and have taken on different meanings than originally intended in the Pacific Northwest.

The Nantasket totem pole was carved in 1962 by Joseph R. Fleurant, an artist who created several similar poles as a hobby. The wood for this installation is quite historic, as it traces its origins to the former Nantasket Hotel, which stood next to the current Bernie King Pavilion from 1879 through 1955. The dormitory building, now part of the DCR property, was originally affiliated with the hotel and served as lodging for employees, making it one of the oldest buildings at Nantasket.

“In view of the town’s rich history of Indian lore, the new totem pole was recently presented to the MDC [Metropolitan District Commission, predecessor of the DCR] by Joseph R. Fleurant, of Gardner, a wood-carving artist of French-Indian ancestry,” The Hull-Nantasket Times reported in July 1962. “When the old Nantasket Hotel was condemned several years ago and workmen began its demolition, a huge pole broke away in a storm and floated out to sea, later being brought back on the tide high onto Nantasket Beach, almost in front of the old hotel site. Fleurant spotted the pole early this spring and managed to maneuver it to a safe spot from the tides, near the entrance to the state bath house at Nantasket.”

Fleurant began carving the totem pole on July 3 and it was installed later that month. He is said to have included a self-portrait by carving the face at the bottom of the pole in his own likeness.

Syphers said he restored the image of the original carver and has covered the entire pole in two coats of clear rubber so that it will last another 60 years. He also was careful to remain true to the history of the structure, while adding a few contemporary touches.

“The whale on top of the pole is actually a flying fish, I am told by local historians, so I restored its flying wings and made a ball bearing attachment so that the flying fish will actually spin and fly,” Syphers said. “It was stationary originally.”

He said the bottom figure on the “pays homage to the Hull High Pirates with their blue and yellow school colors.”

Syphers said he has delivered the finished product and is eagerly awaiting its placement on the DCR’s grounds.

Do you have an opinion on this issue? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Weymouth man arrested for breaking into cars, carrying ammunition without a license

A Weymouth man was arrested on Sunday and charged with breaking into cars near the Nantasket Beach Resort and carrying high-capacity ammunition without a firearms license.

At about 6:15 a.m. on Aug. 27, Hull Police were called to the hotel after a man was thought to be breaking into vehicles, according to Chief John Dunn. A responding officer caught up with Nicholas Nardo of Weymouth, who was walking along Nantasket Avenue near Edgewater Road, and saw that he was carrying a Glock magazine in his right pocket. Nardo was searched and a total of five large capacity Glock ammunition magazines were found. Nardo does not have a license to carry a gun or ammunition, police said.

Hull Police called in the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit to search the area for a gun, but none was found. The Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation unit also assisted.

Police believe that Nardo broke into five cars near the hotel and in the Sagamore Hill neighborhood on Sunday morning. He was arrested and later arraigned on five counts of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, and four counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device at Hingham District Court.

Do you have an opinion on this issue? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

3 charged with vandalism after being caught with spray paint at Fort Revere

Hull Police arrested three people on Friday night and charged them with vandalizing historic Fort Revere on Telegraph Hill in Hull Village.

On Friday, Aug. 25 at 10:16 p.m., a Hull Police officer was conducting a directed patrol at Fort Revere Park, which closes at sunset. The officer saw a 2013 Volvo in the parking lot with nobody inside. The officer used the cruiser’s loudspeaker to announce that the park was closed, and instructed anyone there to leave.

Three people – Kylie Ferreira, 20, and Matthew Ferreira, 18, both of Cohasset and a 17-year-old girl whose name is not being released – emerged from the dark and walked toward the car. Police said they were carrying a can of spray paint, and officers found fresh paint on the walls of the concrete fort.

Ferreira and Ferreira both were arrested and charged with tagging property and trespassing and arraigned on those charges on Monday. The underage girl was released but will face the same charges in Hingham District Court.

Do you have an opinion on this issue? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Memorial’s entrance closed for emergency repairs; schools seeking $300K for work

By Carol Britton Meyer

Unexpected repairs to the entrance to the Memorial Middle School will change how students and staff access the building when school starts on Aug. 30, and voters at the next night’s special town meeting will be asked to spend $300,000 to stabilize the top of the front portico.

“The school department is seeking emergency funding to cover the costs of the engineering design for stabilization, stabilization work, and engineering design for the reconstruction of the triangular masonry structure in front of the clock tower at the Memorial Middle School,” Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn told The Hull Times.

A future request for a larger bond is expected at the next annual town meeting once the total cost of the work has been determined, she said. The roof section of the portico is pulling away from the building, although there is no damage to the four columns supporting the structure.

Kuehn said that as a result of the needed repairs:
• Both front entrances will remain closed until the structure is stabilized, likely until October.

• Students will still be dropped off at the front of the building.

• Students and staff will enter and exit the building through side entrances.

• Visitors will park in the back of the school and be buzzed in through the rear entrance.

• Parking lines will be repainted and spaces reserved for handicapped and visitor parking at the rear of the building.

Kuehn said the $300,000 figure includes the cost of engineering design to stabilize the masonry structure at the entrance, an issue that was discovered recently by engineers and “presents a high risk to students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the school,” according to the advisory board’s comment in the special town meeting warrant.

“This is an anticipatory bond that will fold into the annual town meeting 2024 bond [if approved],” Kuehn said. “We’ll have the bids for the project before then, and we’ll know the cost of the whole project.”

The school, built in 1948 and named in honor of World War II veterans, previously housed grades six through eight. This fall, as the first phase of the school consolidation takes effect, only students in grades seven and eight will be housed there. Future use of the structure after Hull’s grades are fully reconfigured has not yet been determined.

Gale Associates, an engineering firm hired for this project, recommended creating a design to stabilize the triangular structure and monitoring that part of the building until the reconstruction work starts in the spring, continuing for about eight weeks contingent on the weather, according to Kuehn.

“There’s no way we could have foreseen this. It’s an emergency repair that we became aware of in the last two weeks, so the timing of the special town meeting is good,” Kuehn said. “We need to stabilize the structure so the building is safe for the students and staff for the new school year. We’ve been working collaboratively with the town manager, building inspector, fire chief, and Gale Associates to come up with a safe plan.”

If voters do not approve the warrant article, the result could be the “eventual failure of the entrance structure and exposure to harm,” according to the advisory board’s comments.

Do you have an opinion on this issue? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

Voters to rule on marijuana sales, liquor license, Fort Revere funds at rare summer town meeting

By Christopher Haraden

Residents are being summoned to Hull High School next week for an event as rare as finding a parking space at the beach – a summertime town meeting.

On Thursday, Aug. 31, voters will act on 10 articles, ranging from a request for another package store license to allowing the sale of recreational marijuana in Hull to appropriating more money to repair the historic Fort Revere water tower.

The relatively fast-paced time frame resulted from the meeting being requested by a citizens’ petition, as state law mandates that special town meetings requested in this manner be held within 45 days. Town officials have scheduled public meetings to educate voters about the issues that will be on the warrant.

---

Click here to read the warrant, along with the advisory board comments.

---

Town Moderator George Boylen will host an informational session with article proponents that will air live on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. on Hull Community Television, and will be replayed frequently in the days leading up to the meeting.

---

Click here to watch the moderator’s review, courtesy of Hull Community TV

---

The select board will hold a virtual public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 29 at noon to review and discuss the warrant articles. Citizens may attend to ask questions and offer their opinions.

The advisory board, which reviews each article and makes recommendations prior to town meeting, indicated that the tight time frame made it impossible for members to review each article before the warrant was printed for distribution. For example, the board was unable to discuss Article 1, which would allow accessory dwelling units in owner-occupied homes, prior to the planning board’s hearing on the proposal. The board plans to make its recommendation on the floor of town meeting.

“The advisory board wishes to encourage the town to bring its regular business before annual town meeting each May,” members wrote in their warrant message. “The window of opportunity for the advisory board to review articles from the town is very short for special town meetings. Having a meeting at this time of year creates difficulty for the advisory board due to personal and professional scheduling conflicts and doesn’t afford the voters of Hull to spend as much time reviewing the articles.”

The full text of the special town meeting warrant, as well as the advisory board’s recommendations, is available at www.hulltimes.com.

Briefly, the 10 proposals that will greet voters on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at Hull High School:

Article 1, proposed by the zoning board of appeals, would create a special permit process to allow accessory housing units within an existing single-family structure for family members, seniors age 60 and over regardless of income, or other occupants who qualify according to income eligibility for affordable housing.

Article 2, inserted at the request of the moderator, seeks to streamline the disposition of so-called “housekeeping” articles – those that must be approved annually in order to operate the government – by creating a “consent agenda” that would approve them in one vote. The handful of articles typically do not generate debate and would be approved once the budget article has been finalized.

Article 3, sponsored by the conservation commission, would increase the fees charged for various permits and would tighten regulations on wetlands that serve to capture stormwater, overwash, and ocean surge to mitigate flooding.

Approval of Article 4 would authorize spending $120,000 for a new pump to regulate water flow in the drainage lagoon that runs between Draper and Vernon avenues. The 22-year-old electric pump has failed; the town would bond the $120,000 over 12 years to replace this unit. A secondary diesel pump has not seen major work in seven years.

Article 5 requests another $600,000 to cover increased costs to renovate the historic Fort Revere water tower on Telegraph Hill. Town meeting approved $2.2 million for the project in 2022, but bids for the work have exceeded the initial estimates.

Article 6 is a request from the school department to fund emergency repairs at the Memorial Middle School. The top of the portico over the front doors is pulling away from the building, and initial engineering and site work is expected to cost $300,000. The front entrance will be closed until the stabilization is completed.

Articles 7, 8 and 9 were submitted by citizens petition and seek to amend both the town’s general bylaws and zoning bylaws to permit recreational sales of marijuana in town. The town currently has one medical dispensary, Alternative Compassion Services on George Washington Boulevard, and ACS would expand its business if the article is approved.

The last item on the warrant, Article 10, is the reason for holding the town meeting – a citizens petition that would authorize the select board to ask the Legislature to grant another package store license in town, specifically for the Quick Pick Food Shop at 261-265 Nantasket Ave.

Watch this page for additional details and the coverage of the action taken at the Aug. 31 special town meeting.

Library director leaves ‘big shoes to fill’ as she starts new chapter in Sandwich

By Carol Britton Meyer

While Hull Public Library Director Diane Costagliola is looking forward to entering a new chapter in her career as the new director of the library in Sandwich, she is sad to leave behind the staff, patrons, library trustees, officials, and others who supported her throughout her time in this close-knit community.

BOOKING IT. Hull Public Library Director Diane Costagliola is leaving Hull for a similar position in Sandwich. [Carol Meyer photo]

Costagliola, who was hired in large part due to her extensive library services experience, earned respect and affection for her energy and creativity at the Hull Public Library during the past two-and-a-half years.

“I wasn’t looking to leave Hull,” she told The Hull Times. “I’ve told so many people that I’m the luckiest librarian on the South Shore.”

Leaving Hull “has zero to do with anything that happened here,” she said. “I have been so happy in my role. We have the best staff, and I’ve enjoyed making improvements to this charming building with their help.”

She explained that she has long admired the Sandwich library.

“When I was in my mid-20s, I attended a history roundtable for local librarians at the Sandwich library and really liked it,” she recalled. “I thought to myself at that time, ‘I hope I get to work here sometime.’”

Yet when she realized the director position was open, she hesitated to apply because she was so content in her current role. A comment by her older sister changed her mind.

“She was teasing me, saying, “You’re not going to apply when you’ve had a crush on that library for so long?”

That remark spurred Costagliola to apply for the job. “I realized that this was the chance of a lifetime to fulfill that dream.”

Costagliola will miss Hull’s library staff and patrons the most.

“I have received so many compliments on the work I’ve done here, but I couldn’t have done any of it without the support of the staff and also the DPW – who assisted me when needed – the Hull Garden Club, and others,” she said.

Costagliola and other library staff were highly praised for their mega-efforts to maintain the library’s vibrancy during the pandemic prior to its reopening in June 2021, tirelessly sprucing up and decorating the Children’s Room and other parts of the library during its temporary closure, including thoroughly weeding out the adult non-fiction collection and improving that space.

Costagliola, who was hired in large part due to her extensive experience in library services -- including her role as adult services librarian at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy for 10 years – replaced longtime library director Daniel Johnson.

Costagliola’s last day is today, Aug. 24, when staff planned to honor her dedication and service to the town and the library at a reception. She starts her new job Sept. 12.

“Over the past two months since I announced I was leaving, there have been a whole bunch of emotions expressed” among people who are sad to see her leave, as well as her own feelings about leaving a place she has come to love.

Library Board of Trustees Acting Chair Mary Dunphy spoke highly of Costagliola’s tenure.

“Diane is leaving behind big shoes to fill,” she said. “She was exactly what we were looking for in a new director – full of energy and enthusiasm” and a willingness to work hard and get things done, such as painting during COVID19 shutdowns, “and to work collaboratively with the community, fostering good relationships.”

Costagliola allowed time before stepping into her new role to provide time to fill the position and to help the staff “keep things afloat” in the meantime.

“We have an excellent, dedicated staff, so the trustees feel confident that they can maintain the library’s high level of customer service and programming until a new director is found,” Dunphy said. “Once we get the word out about the open position, we’re hopeful that we’ll get a nice pool of applicants.”

One of the things Costagliola likes best about Hull’s library is the number of patrons who are avid readers.

“There’s something quaint and old-timey about them stopping by to check out bestsellers, access eBooks, and spend time here,” she said. “Most of our patrons are true readers in all different formats. They’re not just here to access the other services we offer.”

Among her initiatives in Hull was a digitization project that resulted in online access to the archives of The Hull Beacon and the Hull News-Mirror. She worked with Times Editor Christopher Haraden and historian John Galluzzo, both members of the Hull Historical Society, on the effort to digitize the rolls of microfilm in the library’s collection.

While she will miss Hull, Costagliola is looking forward to this new opportunity and to meeting new people in Sandwich.

“I’ll be taking all the experience and skills I gained here and applying them in my new job,” she said.

Costagliola noted that both Hull and Sandwich are small towns, where the people tend to be the most supportive, flexible, and open to new ideas in her experience.

“Working in Hull was like a breath of fresh air,” she said. “My experience with HPL has change me for the better, and I’m excited to be walking into my new job in Sandwich with that inspiration.”

With start of school quickly approaching, Hull Public Schools welcome new teachers

LUNCH AND LEARN. Jake’s Seafood Restaurant continued its tradition of hosting a luncheon to welcome new teachers to Hull as they become familiar with the town and their new roles. Superintendent Judith Kuehn and administrators are shown with the newest members of Hull’s educational team across the district. [Skip Tull photo]

As the school district prepares for the start of the new year on Aug. 30, Jake’s Seafood Restaurant continued its tradition of hosting a luncheon to welcome new teachers to Hull as they become familiar with the town and their new roles. Superintendent Judith Kuehn and administrators provided these profiles of teachers who will be joining the Hull Public Schools this year.

David Benson will be a long-term substitute 0.8 mathematics teacher at Hull High School during the 2023-24 school year. Mr. Benson received his bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, his master’s degree from the University of West Florida, and his CAGS from the University of New Hampshire.

Theodora (Teddi) Cowden was a long-term substitute grade-four teacher at the Jacobs Elementary School last year, and this year she has been appointed as a grade-two teacher. Ms. Cowden received her bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University and her master’s degree from Merrimack College.

Michelle Darragh will be a 0.6 occupational therapist at the Jacobs School. Ms. Darragh received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ithaca College. She comes to Hull from Lexington Public Schools.

William Dorney is joining Hull High School this year as a long-term substitute English language arts teacher. Mr. Dorney received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College.

Athena Fazio will be a preschool teacher at the Jacobs School and comes to Hull from the Walpole Public Schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, her master’s degree from Lesley University, and her postgraduate certificate of study from Framingham State University.

Brendan Fitzgerald previously worked in the Haverhill Public Schools as a grade-six social studies teacher. He received his bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America and his master’s degree from Merrimack College.

Faith Martin will join the Jacobs School staff this year as a long-term substitute grade-five teacher. Ms. Martin received her bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College and her master’s degree from Bridgewater State University, and previously taught at Boston Renaissance Charter Public School.

Katelyn McMurdie will be a grade five teacher in Hull after teaching in Avon Public Schools for many years. Ms. McMurdie received her bachelor’s degree from Utah Valley University and her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

Select Board holding special town meeting info session on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at noon

By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board will hold a virtual public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 29, at noon to review and discuss the warrant articles. This will be an opportunity for citizens to ask questions and to make comments. Click here for the agenda and access link.

On Aug. 24, Town Moderator George Boylen hosted an informational session with special town meeting article proponents that will be rebroadcast on Hull Community Television.

"Hopefully this will help inform the citizens of Hull and get them prepped for the upcoming special town meeting and also help speed up the process that night," Select Board Chair Greg Grey told The Hull Times.

Replays of this session, filmed by Hull Community Television, will be aired on hulltv.net at various dates and times leading up to the special town meeting.

"Citizens will be able to watch the replays as many times as they wish," Grey said.