Stumped by your smartphone or computer? Student donates his talents to tame trickiest tech troubles

By Victoria Dolan

Can’t read a text? Logged out of your email? Give Hull High senior Jake Smith a visit – in his spare time, Smith helps senior citizens navigate technological problems.

Every other Monday at 3 p.m., Smith helps seniors with any tech issues they may have at the Anne M. Scully Senior Center. He volunteers his services and offers one-on-one assistance.

Smith says many of the seniors he’s helped have recently gotten their first smartphone, so he teaches them “how to use a phone, make phone calls, read text messages” to make communication with loved ones more accessible.
Smith drew inspiration from his family. His mother is a nurse for the elderly, and “inspired me to do what I can to help those in need.”

When he saw the difficulty his grandmother had in using her phone, he saw a common problem. He wanted to teach other seniors to use theirs, so Smith contacted the senior center to find out how he could help.

Hull’s senior center had been hoping for just that kind of help.

“We had a lot of constituents coming in and asking for help with smartphones,” said Maura Quinn, the center’s activities coordinator.
Smith’s idea blossomed into a passion, and now he plans to continue the service until he starts college next fall.

“I make connections with a lot of the senior citizens, and I see the joy it gives them,” he said.

Senior Center Director Lisa Thornton said the teen’s service “helps them to feel confident and empowered,” and enables older adults to “live their lives comfortably with technology.”
Thornton had been hoping to start multigenerational programming and noted that Smith’s work is a “nice step towards that” as it connects youth and seniors and enables future connections by helping seniors gain experience with technology.
Smith is certainly well qualified for the job. He gained experience from an interest in technology that started when he was younger, and worked as a volunteer coach for an MIT robotics team. His interest gave him the background he needed, and the robotics team taught him to “troubleshoot problems and have patience while helping someone.”
For others hoping to help their community, Smith suggests they take a similar approach.

“Do something you like,” he advised, “something that you feel could be useful.”
“A lot of people underestimate how talented they are, and how much they have to offer,” Thornton added.

Hull High student Jake Smith’s next tech assistance hour at the Anne M. Scully Senior Center is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m.

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Select Board names new police sergeant, two full-time officers; reappoints 19 to committee seats

By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board this week appointed two new police officers and promoted a Hull native to the position of sergeant.

TOP COPS. Deputy Chief Neil Reilly, left, and Chief John Dunn congratulated new full-time police officers Andrew Ziniti and Michael Cambra, as well as new Sgt. Andrew Reilly, all of whom were appointed by the select board on Wednesday night. [Courtesy photo]

Andrew Reilly, who has been employed by the Hull Police Department for nearly 10 years, was named a sergeant upon Chief John Dunn’s recommendation.

Reilly has served as a detective, officer-in-charge, and sexual assault officer (remaining in that role), among with other assignments. He is also a Plymouth County Outreach officer, assisting individuals affected with substance abuse disorders and their families.

Former select board member John Reilly, Sgt. Reilly’s father spoke in support of the HPD and the “good work” of its officers from the audience.

“A lot of great things are in store for the Hull Police Department,” he said.

Also upon Dunn’s recommendation, the select board appointed permanent intermittent police officers Andrew Ziniti and Michael Cambra to full-time police officer status. Both are Hull residents and former seasonal officers. This change will result in filling two of the five current HPD full-time vacancies.

“They are both great assets to the department,” Dunn said.

Intermittent officers supplement the current police staff when full-time officers are not available and during a time when there are openings on the force, with the goal of eventually transitioning into full-time officers.

In other business at the meeting, the board reappointed 19 members of various boards and committees. No other citizens expressed an interest in these positions.

⦁ Beach Management Committee: Josephine Lewis, Jan Murray, Peter Pyclik

⦁ Board of Health: Janet Scribner

⦁ Design Review Board: Thomas Burns

⦁ Permanent Sewer Commission: Paul Norton

⦁ Veterans Council, David Irwin, Andrew Wohar, George Anastos

⦁ War Memorial Commission: Ernest Minelli III, David Irwin, Andrew Wohar, Edward Burke, Jerry McLaughlin, Robert Neal

⦁ Weir River Estuary Committee: Judeth Van Hamm, Scott Plympton

⦁ Zoning Board of Appeals: Timothy McCarthy (alternate), Timothy Pranaitis.

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Town considers permitting process for retail marijuana sales after voters OK bylaws

By Carol Britton Meyer

After last month’s town meeting overwhelmingly approved the sale of recreational marijuana in Hull, what happens next remains unclear.

Select board member Irwin Nesoff asked for clarification of the process this week, which requires state Attorney General approval of the changes to the town’s zoning and general bylaws approved by voters, crafting a Host Community Agreement between the marijuana business and the town, and reviewing new Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission procedures, among other considerations. The AG has 90 days to act on the bylaw changes.

While the Alternative Compassion Services medical marijuana facility on George Washington Boulevard advocated for the warrant article at the special town meeting, any similar business could now apply for a recreational marijuana license with the town, according to Town Counsel James Lampke. 

“The right to submit an application is not guaranteed or reserved for any existing establishment or any possible other party,” he said, adding, “ACS is the logical applicant. We’re not the biggest community for marijuana sales. While it might make sense for ACS to expand to retail sales, it’s up to them to apply for it.”

In the meantime, it’s not too early to start the process, according to Lampke. This could include the select board reviewing a draft HCA recently submitted by ACS following the special town meeting vote, and reviewing the town’s current rules and regulations.

Select board member Brian McCarthy noted that the draft document “is actually a template of their agreement with Bridgewater,” where ACS’s main operation is based.

“It’s their right to submit an application, but we haven’t started the process yet,” Lampke said.

At the same time, Town Manager Jennifer Constable said it’s “not the town’s responsibility to reach out to a business” about applying.

Lampke also said the town is researching how other communities have handled requests from existing medical marijuana facilities to expand to include retail sales.

The issuance of any license to sell recreational marijuana is contingent on select board, planning board, and CCC approval and the crafting and approval of a HCA and would follow a public process.

“I think we have an obligation to move forward on this,” Nesoff said. “The statement of the town was pretty clear.”

Constable, however, urged the board to consider what the most important priorities should be regarding placement on agendas for future meetings. Chair Greg Grey suggested board members review existing documents and to be prepared to address the issue at an upcoming meeting.

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School department hires consultant, sets timeline for superintendent search

By Carol Britton Meyer

School committee members this week established a draft timeline for hiring the next Hull Public Schools superintendent, with a selection expected to be made by the end of January and a start date of July 1. Current Superintendent Judith Kuehn is retiring at the end of the school year.

The New England School Development Council, based in Marlborough, has been hired to facilitate the search at a cost of $13,760. The final decision rests with the committee.

Member Kyle Conley and other school officials are working closely with NESDEC with the goal of leading “a very intentional and thorough search for our next superintendent – someone who is fabulous, although not as fabulous as [Kuehn] – and who will continue her great work,” she said. “We want to be sure we have a clear, transparent, and inclusive process. There will be lots of opportunities for stakeholders to weigh in, including teachers, administrators, staff, custodians, students, parents, and other members of the community.”

As part of the process, the job will be posted and recruitment for the position will begin in October or November, a timeline approved, a screening committee appointed, and a salary established. The deadline to submit an application for the position in Nov. 27.

The tentative timeline:

⦁ Mid-October: In partnership with the school committee, NESDEC will conduct focus groups with administration, staff, parents, and other community members as part of a community needs assessment, to develop a candidate profile.

⦁ By Oct. 30: Screening committee members will be recruited and selected.

⦁ End of November, early December: The screening committee will review procedures, develop interview questions, set the interview schedule, review applications received, and distribute application packets.

⦁ Mid- December: Preliminary interviews of selected candidates will be conducted; the screening committee will determine which candidates to recommend to the school committee.

⦁ Around Dec. 18: Finalists will be announced and interviews with these candidates conducted Jan. 10-19.

It has not yet been decided whether visits to finalists’ districts will be part of the process.

Chair David Twombly urged anyone interested in the process to get involved now.

“Don’t sit on the sidelines,” he said. “We want to be sure a lot of people attend the upcoming meetings and give their opinions. This is an exciting time, and while we certainly don’t want to lose Judy, we can embrace the change and go from there.”

In other business at the meeting:

Kuehn provided a progress report on phases one and two of the school reconfiguration process. “I’m happy to say that phase one was incredibly successful because of the commitment of the leadership team and everyone, including our custodians, who worked so hard to get this project done,” she said.

Under phase one, Pre-K through grade 6 students are attending classes at Jacobs Elementary School, grades 7 and 8 at Memorial Middle School, and grades 9 through 12 at the high school for the current school year.

Phase two, once granted final approval by the school committee, would implement the final reconfiguration, where Jacobs School would house grades PreK to 7 and the high school, grades 8 to 12, beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

“On to phase two!” Kuehn said, noting that the new HPS theme is “Stronger Together – Hull Pirate Pride.”

At the end of the meeting, the committee held an executive session related to the lawsuit against the town by former Superintendent Michael Devine. The select board also was scheduled to discuss the lawsuit in closed session this week.

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Three-member committee to review applicants for library director position

By Carol Britton Meyer 

A three-member selection committee will review the applications of eight people who are seeking to replace Diane Costagliola as director of the Hull Public Library.

Costagliola resigned recently to accept the position of library director in Sandwich. The search committee is comprised of library trustee James Curtis Miller III, Town Manager Jennifer Constable, and select board member Jason McCann.

“We will narrow [the process] to three or four candidates and interview them, moving forward as quickly as possible,” Constable said at Wednesday’s meeting of the select board. She also thanked the library staff for “holding down the fort” in the meantime.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, War Memorial Commission Chair Edward Burke proposed the creation of an Agent Orange memorial at Monument Square to honor the eight or more Hull veterans who died from its effects. The goal is to have the memorial completed by Aug. 10, 2024, which has been designated as Agent Orange Awareness Day annually. The select board was supportive of this idea.

Constable was appointed as the select board’s designee to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the MBTA Advisory Board. The MAPC is the regional planning agency serving the people who live and work in the 101 cities and towns of Metropolitan Boston. MAPC’s mission is to promote smart growth and regional collaboration, and to work toward sound municipal management, sustainable land use, protection of natural resources, efficient and affordable transportation, a diverse housing stock, public safety, economic development, clean energy, healthy communities, an informed public, and equity and opportunity among people of all backgrounds.

“The MAPC is an exceptional resource to the entire region, and specifically to Hull,” Constable said. Community Development and Planning Director Chris DiIorio will serve as the alternate.

The MBTA Advisory Board plays a key role in the allocation of federal funds for MBTA capital-related projects. The board is composed of the chief elected official of each of the 176 cities and towns in the Commonwealth, or their designee.

McCann noted the importance of alerting the community to any service changes related to the Hull bus, commuter rail, ferry, or The Ride in a prompt manner. Constable suggested that the proposed select board newsletter could include such updates.

Constable reported that she, Rep. Joan Meschino, and Sen. Patrick O’Connor will meet soon with the new Department of Conservation and Recreation commissioner “to share our needs and asks of the DCR” and to provide a tour of the Point Allerton seawall – which is owned by the DCR and is in desperate need of repair – Fort Revere, and the front beach area” and to talk about climate adaptation. Constable will report back to the board following the meeting.

“We would like to see our improved relationship with DCR continue to grow,” she said.

McCann reported that there has been progress in negotiating a long-awaited, long-term Paragon Carousel lease with the DCR for the state-owned clocktower building.

The board entered into executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss former Superintendent Michael Devine’s lawsuit against the town. The school committee also held a closed-door discussion of the suit at its meeting on Monday.

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Temple preparing to celebrate Rosh Hashanah this weekend, observe Yom Kippur Sept. 24-25

By Rabbis David and Joshua Grossman

Shanah Tovah oo’mitukah!

We at Temple Beth Sholom wish everyone a happy and sweet New Year. During the month of Elul, the final month before the new year, we find ourselves taking a detailed inventory of what we did and did not do during the preceding year. The principle of the High Holiday season is summed up in the closing prayer of Yom Kippur. God tells us, “I do not desire the death of the wicked, rather the wicked’s return from the way that they live.”

Our method of returning to the correct path is called Teshuvah, which can be done anytime, but is truly emphasized during the days of the holidays. We engage in deep preparation for this powerful and meaningful time. Our buildings were prepared beautifully with our special holiday curtains and Torah covers. We use white in place of our standard colorful covers to signify purity and a fresh start which is gifted to everyone this time of year. Throughout the Holy Days, we hear the sound of the shofar, a ram’s horn whose piercing sound reverberates in synagogues across the globe, ushering in a New Year. This is a time of renewal and hope, however this year the shofar is sounded only on the second day of Rosh Hashanah because we do not blow the shofar on the Sabbath.

This year, in the early evening of the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we hold our Tashlich service on the sand of the beach. There we will ceremonially cast away past misdeeds, remembering that sins are not character flaws; rather, they are mistakes that we regret and resolve to not repeat.

We also look ahead to Yom Kippur, our Day of Atonement, Sunday night through Monday, Sept. 24 and 25. We will fast from sunset to sunset, taking in neither food nor water. It is a profoundly moving day of deep self-reflection, when we attempt once more to recognize our failures, correct our wrongs from the past year, and return our faith to God.

We will begin our Yom Kippur observance with a kosher dinner at Temple Beth Sholom on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you all, and sharing in both the celebratory and reflective services and events in our temple home here in Hull over the next month, and all year long.

Shanah tovah!

Community Preservation grant application deadline is Sept. 28

The Community Preservation Committee is now accepting new applications for grants through Hull’s Community Preservation Act funds. Grants can be used for historic restoration, open space, recreation and community housing projects. The grants receive final approval at annual town meeting in May, but CPC board members will begin to review the new applications this fall.

The application process has two mandatory steps:

Step 1: Preliminary application for project eligibility; deadline is Sept. 28. Complete the preliminary application and submit as soon as you know of a worthy project. A CPC member will contact you to confirm that your project falls within the boundaries of eligibility. If the preliminary CPA application is eligible, you will proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Final CPA application deadline is Oct. 31. The final application is a more detailed application, a CPC member will be assigned to your application to assist you as you complete a final application.

If a project is town-owned, applicants must get permission to submit  agenda of the select board or other town board, such as  conservation, historical commission, and park and recreation. For additional information, visit www.town.hull.ma.us/community-preservation-committee or email the CPC administrator at CPCadmin@town.hull.ma.us.

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Fort Revere tower project sent back to drawing board after town meeting defeat

By Carol Britton Meyer

FIRE IN THE SKY. There are few landmarks as uniquely Hull as the historic Fort Revere water tower atop Telegraph Hill in Hull Village. The structure is more than 100 years old and was the first reinforced concrete water tower built in the United States. At last week’s town meeting, voters did not approve additional funds for the nearly $3M restoration project, putting the tower’s future in doubt. [Photo courtesy of Jud Horner]

A majority of the more than 400 voters attending the Aug. 31 special town meeting soundly defeated a request for roughly $600,000 to cover the increased cost of restoring the town-owned Fort Revere water tower.

The final vote was 219 against, with 169 in favor. The request for funds is in addition to the 2022 town meeting appropriation of $2.2 million for tower repairs. The town is now evaluating how to proceed with the project with the original budget amount.

The discussion was the longest of all 10 warrant articles, with a number of speakers supporting both sides of the issue.

Director of Community Development and Planning Chris DiIorio made a strong case for supporting the additional funding and presented photos of the deteriorating condition of the tower.

“This is one of Hull’s most prominent historic structures,” he said. “There are critical needs. No work has been done on the structure for many years.”

In response to questions he was asked prior to the meeting about grant possibilities and the lack of access up to the top of the tower, he explained that not many grants are available for projects as specialized as this one, and that there might be a way to open up the tower maybe “once or twice a year” for tours if the necessary repairs are made, contingent on compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

“Townspeople showed by their past vote that they want this work done,” he said. “Appropriating the additional money would enable full rehabilitation of the tower.”

The majority of the advisory board voted favorable action, noting that if funded by a 20-year bond, this change would add approximately $45,000 to the town’s debt service for the first year. The minority of the board said the additional expense should not be borne by the town.

The rehabilitation work “won’t get any cheaper” if put off further, board member Steve Kiley said.

Board member Dan Sullivan, on the other hand, said he voted against the project a year ago because access to the top of the tower with its magnificent views wouldn’t be a guarantee even after spending $2.2 million for repairs.

“We might get [tours] two days a year,” he said. “Will people be lining up on those two days?”

Patrick Finn, who lives just below the tower, said access isn’t the only consideration.

“Safety is an issue now. The town owns the building and is required to maintain, preserve, and protect it to keep it safe,” he said. “It is what it is. We’ve been trying to prioritize this project for years. We’re responsible for it. Let’s fix it. It’s worth every penny. Not doing so would open the town up to liability.”

Select Board member Irwin Nesoff spoke against the article, expressing concern about the increasing cost of making the repairs, now at roughly $2.8 million.

“I think it’s time to pull the plug,” he said. “I think we need to think about other ways we could use that money. We have roads and seawalls that also need to be repaired.”

Longtime Fort Revere tower supporter Judeth Van Hamm considers the tower to be “the center of a beautiful park. It’s the foundation of a beautiful historic site for our town. It’s not a frivolous [request].”

Another resident called the tower “obsolete. Let’s take it down and put up a tower we can actually use if we need a tower there. This is too much money to spend that could be put to better causes.”

David Kellem, on the other hand, advocated strongly for approval of the additional funding. “The tower’s iconic silhouette that can be viewed every night when the sun sets cannot be replaced,” he said. “This is our identity. The tower is part of Hull.”

Before the vote, DiIorio was asked what would happen to the $2.2 million earlier appropriation if the article didn’t pass. His response was that the funding would remain in place “and we could look at how we might change the scope of the project and then go out to bid again.”

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Voters OK marijuana sales, emergency school repairs; reject new liquor license

By Carol Britton Meyer

Voters at last week’s special town meeting supported allowing the sale of recreational marijuana in Hull – 283 to 60 – while voting against appropriating an additional $600,000 to rehabilitate the Fort Revere water tower following the longest discussion of the evening. (See related story.)

The meeting, which some predicted would carry over into a second session due to the controversial nature of some of the 10 warrant articles, attracted more than 400 citizens and wrapped up in three-and-a-half hours. The voting process was expedited by electronic voting.

The start of the meeting was delayed by 15 minutes to accommodate voters who were standing in line waiting to enter the gym.

Town Moderator George Boylen was pleased with the turnout.

“Hopefully we’ll see as many of you next spring [at the annual town meeting]!” he said.

His request for voters to discuss issues and act in a “spirit of cooperation” was taken to heart, and the meeting ran smoothly.

Voters approved an initial $300,000 for emergency repairs to Memorial Middle School and $120,000 to replace two pieces of equipment that regulate water flow in the drainage lagoon at Draper Avenue and Newport Road, along with allowing the consolidation of certain “housekeeping” articles into a single vote “to expedite the flow of town meeting,” as described by Boylen, the article’s proponent.

Advisory board member David Clinton urged voters to vote “yes” on the middle school article. “This work must be done,” he said.

Planning Board member Harry Hibbard spoke in support of allowing Alternative Compassion Services to sell recreational in addition to medical marijuana.

“The town can’t pass this up,” he said, referring to the revenue that recreational sales would generate for the town. He also noted that ACS has kept its business low-key. “There are no downsides to it.”

Select board member Irwin Nesoff spoke against the Fort Revere article, expressing concern about the increasing cost of making the repairs, now at roughly $2.8 million.

The warrant article that would have authorized the select board to petition the legislature for an additional package store license for the town for the Quick Pick on Nantasket Avenue was also voted down, with 259 against and 148 in favor of requesting the additional license.

“We’re here tonight as a result of a citizens’ petition,” Boylen said. “It’s the right of every single citizen to collect the required number of signatures and present an article [for town meeting consideration]. When this happens, we have 45 days to schedule a special town meeting under state law, and that’s why we’re here this evening.”

Quick Pick owner Bobby Patel’s son, Khush, pointed out that there have been no violations associated with the store’s current beer-and-wine license, and that use of the now-empty adjacent storefront space would increase the value of the property while providing more options for those with mobility issues who frequent the current handicapped-accessible store.

Sagamore Hill resident Danielle Dolan said while the Patels are good neighbors, she’s not sure she would feel comfortable with her two teenage daughters continuing to frequent the store for snacks if the package store license were to be granted.

The advisory board earlier voted favorable action on the article, 6 to 1, with member Dan Sullivan opposed, saying, “There’s no need for an additional package store in Hull.”

The article proposing to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family homes, with a 10 per year limit, under certain circumstances was referred to further study by the planning board, zoning board of appeals, and the zoning bylaw study committee during what will be monthly public meetings upon the planning board’s recommendation. The vote was 311-18.

Advisory Board Chair Jason Frady recognized ZBA Chair Patrick Finn and the committee for their hard work on the article, noting that there “are still some things that need to be worked out to tighten the article up to give us the zoning bylaw we would like to see, so we’ll be ready to vote on it at the 2024 annual town meeting.”

Finn, in turn, said he was amenable to referring the article to study “so we can all work together and move this forward.”

Voters also favored postponing until spring a proposed fee increase to help cover the cost of administration of the Wetlands Protection Act and to double the fees for after-the-fact work, as proposed by Climate Adaptation and Conservation Director Chris Krahforst. The delay until the 2024 annual town meeting will allow enough time to discuss the proposal and to hear public input.

“I’m concerned this article is over-reaching by the conservation commission and would like to see it tabled for further discussion at the May 2024 town meeting,” resident Charles Shaffer said.

Resident Patricia Lambert, on the other hand, said she doesn’t think “we can do enough at this stage to protect our wetlands and to address other environmental issues that will endanger our community more and more. … We must take the lead from scientists to save what we have here in Hull for future generations.”

Boylen expressed appreciation for town officials, in particular Town Clerk Lori West and her staff, and Judi Saide of the Hull Public Schools technology department, for “pulling together this special town meeting in the required 45 days,” which didn’t leave much time for discussion about and consideration of the warrant articles.

He also thanked the school department for allowing the use of the high school gymnasium during the first week of school.

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Middle school locked down after discovery of old bullets left over from police training

The unexpected discovery of ammunition left over from a police training exercise caused a lockdown on the first day of classes at the Memorial Middle School last week.

On Wednesday, Aug. 30, a copier technician found what Hull Police described as a “training round” that had been used in an active-shooter drill held on the eighth-grade floor of the school earlier in the summer.

“Please note that these training rounds do not have the capability to leave the barrel and become a projectile,” Police Chief John Dunn and Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn said in a joint statement on the incident. “This resulted in a short lockdown of the school out of an abundance of caution for our students and staff. When officers responded to the school, they immediately identified that it was a training round, and the lockdown was ended.”

On the next day, a teacher found more training rounds in a plastic cup.

“We did not call for a lockdown at this point because we recognized the items,” Dunn and Kuehn said in the statement. “The school resource officer and the lead police instructor for the active shooter training event conducted a protective sweep of the school on Thursday afternoon to make sure no other items related to the drill were left behind.”

The police drill was conducted earlier in the summer; the statement did not indicate why the leftover ammunition was not discovered prior to the opening of the school year.

“The Hull Police Department and the Hull Public Schools would like to apologize to parents and students for any alarm this caused,” the chief and superintendent said. “We also want to stress that at no point were any students, teachers or school personnel in danger.”

The school department and police department said they would coordinate on future drills in the buildings to prevent similar situations from occurring.

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