Current exhibits at town hall, public library showcase the varied talents of four artists

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Hull Artists’ exhibitions currently feature work from four local artists, on view through November 3 at Hull Town Hall and November 4 at the Hull Public Library. Works can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.

The current installation in the front entry vestibule of the municipal building houses the work of photographer Craig Bradley and painter/illustrator Tricia Tkaczuk Griffin, curated by Marianne F. Buckley Curran.

Children’s book (“Beach Day”) illustrator, artist, and curator for HA, Curran first became a member of Hull Artists in 1997, when she and her family moved to Hull. During that time, she’s also been running her business, Locale Color, which started more than 30 years ago in Canton, to “exhibit local artists’ work, manage [artwork] rotations, and create opportunities for artists,” including hosting sales, shows, events, and classes for a variety of ages. She has since served on the HA board for two years, taught classes with HA, and curated town hall shows for roughly three years. You can find her work displayed at Front Street Gallery.

When previous curator Sheila Connor resigned, Curran stepped up.

“Sheila was the inspiration and catalyst for this display, I just filled the slot for a bit.” Curran said. “What I liked best about the site is the amount of visibility it gets from residents. There is always traffic in and out, paying taxes… early voting, and day to day… I have had a lot of feedback from residents that they had seen my work at the town hall. People always comment positively when we are hanging pieces so it is appreciated.”

As for members of Hull Artists, town hall “offers the artist a free spot to display work, no fee or commission, thus making this a community service component for both the artist and the visitor. It is also open to any member without being juried.” The current town hall installation marked a changing of the guard, as Curran created her last exhibit there and passed the reins on to new curator and current exhibitor, Craig Bradley.

A new member of Hull Artists and a South Shore-based fine art photographer, Bradley has already shown work at several Hull venues, including the Nantasket Beach Resort, Gallery Nantasket (Hull Artists’ primary sales venue, located across the street from Nantasket Beach), and town hall. His photography showcases a combination of florals, seas, and artful scenes, covering a broad range “from detailed, representational images to more interpretive work using movement, color, and abstraction.” Several shots of various flora and coastal scenes are featured in his town hall display, including hydrangeas, sailboats, rowboats, and close-up studies of marine rope.

On the wall opposite Bradley’s display, co-exhibitor and South Shore native Tricia Tkaczuk Griffin has a collection of watercolor paintings (six original watercolors and one giclée print of watercolor) depicting striking land and seascapes., Her works span multiple seasons, incorporating autumn’s changing leaves by a lake in one piece and snow-capped rocks in another. Griffin works primarily in watercolor, but also draws in graphite and charcoal. She says that she is a “forever student,” continuing to study with the many wonderful instructors on the South Shore. You can find her work through the New England Watercolor Society, Plymouth Center for the Arts, the North River Art Association, the South Shore Art Center, and at town hall.

Over at the Hull Public Library, patrons can find HA’s most recent display featuring artists Desiree April Connolly and John Marshall Dyke, in the non-fiction section on the second floor. This space is also host to a multitude of other activities.

“[It] is a multi use space. We have lectures, tai chi classes, yoga, book club meetings, and many other events in that area of the building, [Which] ensures the talented work of Hull Artists is enjoyed by a large and diverse collection of library patrons,” said Library Director Brian DeFelice.

South Shore residents will recognize several local spots in these artists’ works.

“Though both the poetry and art done for the recent collaborative ‘Poetic Canvas’ exhibit will always stand out as one of my personal favorite shows, I am blown away by the talent of our current exhibitors,” DeFelice said. “Desiree April’s masterful photography captures the natural and striking beauty of the Town of Hull, while John Marshall Dyke’s colorful and expressive oil and acrylic paintings of the Paragon Carousel expertly capture the fun and whimsy of one of Hull’s most iconic and beloved landmarks. This is a must-see exhibit!”

As with many artists who have visited the South Shore, Connolly fell in love with Hull and never left.

“I have spent most of my summers in Hull since childhood and always felt sad when summer was over. Now I live in Hull full-time with my husband, it is a beautiful and unique place to live,” she said.

Connolly’s photography has been featured in several spots around Hull and beyond. Since joining Hull Artists in 2022, her work has been on display many times at the Nantasket Beach Resort and the Hull Public Library. When asked about her inspiration, Connolly said: “I love to capture the beauty of the ocean, the flowers, trees, the hummingbirds, sunrises, and sunsets, God’s beauty and His creation … My photographs, my artwork, are what make me feel connected to life, to nature, and to God.”

Similar to Connolly’s work, Dyke’s 11-work series of the Paragon Carousel in oil, acrylic, and watercolor reflects his longtime residence in Hull and his love for the town. In the early-mid-’90s, a group of artists began to open their homes to each other and the community to share their work and passion for art. While it would appear there’s some disagreement surrounding the (un)official beginning of what would later become Hull Artists, one thing is for certain: J. Marshall Dyke has been there from the start, “and participating in the HA Open Studios since!” HA was formally incorporated as a non-profit in 1998 after several years as an informal artists’ organization.

Dyke noted that “the library space is perfect for small exhibits,” and discussed how HA “has given me more opportunities to paint, [participate in a] plein air group, and exhibit at the [Nantasket Beach Resort].” When asked about his artistic process, he said: “l enjoy experimenting with new acrylic products. My inspiration is the challenge of a new subject, curiosity!”

Hull Artists would like to express our gratitude toward those at Hull Town Hall, the Hull Public Library, and the members of the community who have made these exhibits possible over the years. Thank you for your continued support that allows us to make the arts accessible and enjoyable to everyone. These displays will be up through November 3 at town hall and November 4 at the library. They are open and free to the public, subject to the location’s regular hours of operation.

See more from Hull Artists at the Nantasket Beach Resort and Gallery Nantasket. For more information, or to volunteer with us, please email Info@HullArtists.com or visit HullArtists.com.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Light board, town manager clash over proper authority for studies of building sites

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A rendering of the combined light plant/dpw building proposed for west corner. [Source: town of Hull]

By Carol Britton Meyer

Following the light board’s earlier vote to commission a study of the feasibility of constructing a garage at the existing Hull Municipal Light Plant site on Edgewater Road, Town Manager/Light Plant Manager Jennifer Constable last week told the board that the project has not yet gone out to bid, pending further clarification about the scope.

Following a lengthy conversation, the board voted to create a subcommittee comprised of Burns and member Jake Vaillancourt, who was not present at the meeting – to talk with Constable and light plant Operations Manager Mike Schmitt to develop a more defined scope of work that will be presented to the full board at its next meeting for discussion.

“Then we can submit a bid proposal we can all agree on,” Burns said. “This current scope was the first cut, and the subcommittee [will refine it].”

Constable said there are a number of unanswered questions, including whether the board has talked with neighbors about the potential new garage. The board had authorized up to $110,000 for the study.

Interim truck storage location identified

In the meantime, a location has been decided upon for interim storage of the light plant’s expensive new truck – at the garage at 6 A Street, with an expected beginning date of mid- to late-October. The property is owned by Hollie LLC, of which Tyler Grey, son of select board member Greg Grey, is listed as manager.

With regard to a Phase 4 Coastal Zone Management grant received by the town for the proposed joint Department of Public Works/light plant facility at the current DPW site at West Corner, Burns noted that the light board voted unanimously, and the select board on a 3-2 vote, supported having the light board taken out of this joint study. The light board unanimously opposes the joint facility.

In an effort to clarify the select board’s authority over the town manager/light plant manager, Town Counsel Brian Winner recently shared a seven-page analysis of the July 22 select board vote to remove the light plant from the planned joint project at the site of the current public works garage.

The select board also recently voted to direct Constable to approve the $110,000 requested by the light board to fund a feasibility study concerning construction of a garage at the existing Hull Municipal Light Plant site on Edgewater Road.
Constable had asked Winner for his opinion as to whether the board had the legal authority to direct Constable to take these actions.

In summary, Winner said the select board “appears to have the authority to direct Constable to remove HMLP from the CZM grant application.”

However, he said, the board’s authority to compel approval of a specific $110,000 expenditure “is less certain” because there’s a risk of “intruding upon the manager’s assigned authority.”

When Burns asked Constable this week if she had requested a modification to the grant application to remove the light plant from the application, she said no – stating that it is the select board’s charge “to set policy.”

Lengthy, heated debate

There was a lengthy, sometimes heated, debate between Constable and Burns, who said repeatedly that he was disappointed and also found it hard to fathom that after the two boards’ votes to remove the light plant from the grant application, it still hasn’t been done.

Burns asserted repeatedly that the current light plant, if expanded, is the most viable and cost-effective option and that this what some have referred to as a $50 or $60 million project would raise ratepayers rates “astronomically.”

However, Constable said it is too early to be talking about possible costs, and that no final figures have yet been determined.

Constable said the project is important because the DPW and light plant sites are considered the two most vulnerable town-owned properties and that the DPW site was deemed the best of the two for the combined facility.

Peer review suggested

Near the end of the discussion, Constable suggested the light board consider having a peer review done of the findings that already exist from current studies – “for far less money than a feasibility study would cost.”

She also said that the ultimate decision of whether to fund the project, which option to approve, and other considerations rest in the hands of town meeting voters.

“The select board is aware of everyone’s position, and we’re not going to throw the baby out with the bath water,” Constable said.

At one point, she accused Burns of using this topic “as a red herring,” to which he disagreed.

Constable tried to bring an end to the conversation a few times, and finally that was accomplished.

“You know how both boards feel, and I don’t know why you continue to pursue this dual facility,” Burns said. “I’m not happy, and I don’t think anyone here [other commissioners] is happy.”

This topic will be on the light board’s next agenda, “and hopefully we will get some clarity on what the right move is. Everyone knows that the light board is vehemently against this project,” he said.

Board member Stephanie Landry said the board should take into account “how we came to support this decision” for the light plant to be taken off the application.

“The previous operations manager asked us to support him, because he didn’t agree about merging both facilities, and we did support him,” she recalled. “Maybe we should have this discussion with the current operations manager.”

One more presentation

Constable noted that the previous operations manager “didn’t want any state or federal funds.” Constable also suggested “one more presentation” on the joint facility to ensure everyone understands all the details.

Resident Polly Rowe encouraged citizens to keep an open mind until more is known about the actual costs associated with either option and how much might be funded by state or federal grants to lessen the tax impacts of such a project.

“It’s a question of whether [the joint facility] is a good idea or not, regardless of potential funding,” light board member Dan Ciccariello said.

Burns said he is of the opinion that “any large capital expenditure should be put into “the $10 to $15 million third feeder line” to improve reliability of the town’s electrical service.

The newly created Hull Municipal Light Board subcommittee will meet in person on Wednesday, October 7, at 3 p.m. at town hall regarding the Edgewater Road feasibility study scope, to report to the full board at its October 15 meeting.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Grant to fund electric-vehicle charging stations in Surfside, Kenberma, Pemberton areas

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By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Municipal Light Plant has been awarded a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center grant that will pay for the installation of three charging stations – with two chargers each – in the Surfside, Kenberma, and Pemberton areas.

Town Manager/Light Plant Manager Jennifer Constable shared the details with the light board on Thursday.

Former light board member Pat Cannon called this good news while also voicing that he hopes “there’s a charge for the electricity used and that there will be no cost to ratepayers for the few who want to charge their EVs. We want to be sure this is not a freebie.” Constable confirmed that this would be the case.

The work will be done by Voltpost “to enhance local clean energy access and to support electric vehicle infrastructure in the area.”

The grant is part of MassCEC’s InnovateMass Gridtech Spotlight program, which is contributing $311,236 to an initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company involving Hull Light, Belmont Light, and the Ipswich Electric Light Department.

Voltpost retrofits lampposts and utility poles into a modular charging platform to reduce costs and provide service in a smaller footprint than traditional charging stations.

Light board chair Tom Burns said he thinks it would be a good idea to discuss “the rules” of the grant with the select board – the rate, how long a vehicle can remain at a charging station, and other considerations.

“Hopefully they won’t have a negative impact on businesses. More discussions will be had,” he said.

In other business

• The board met executive session at the beginning of the meeting to discuss ownership of electrical equipment on Spinnaker Island, but no update was provided on that ongoing dispute. The board has met several times in closed session on the matter during the past two years.

According to a 2024 letter sent to the Spinnaker Island and Yacht Club Condominium Association, the light plant has determined that “the aging condominium electric infrastructure” needs to be upgraded or replaced. However, the light plant contends that the “town does not own the electrical infrastructure on Spinnaker Island. Consequently, the HMLP is not obligated to replace/upgrade or operate and maintain the condominium electrical facilities, other than the meters.”

Residents of the island have pushed back, objecting to the assertion that the light plant is not responsible for the electrical equipment on the island, citing HMLP’s decades of maintenance since the housing complex was constructed in the mid-1980s. Utilities to the island traverse a privately-owned bridge from the mainland.

• Constable told the board members that the town’s auditors will attend the board’s October 15 meeting and presented them with revenue and expenditure journals to look over, asking them to provide questions to her in advance to be asked at the meeting with the auditors.

“I hope these suffice,” she said, referring to the long list of light plant financial records and FY24 audited financial statements the board recently asked her to provide.

“I’ve heard on [a few] occasions the statement that we weren’t handing over the requested documents because we’re hiding something, and I absolutely refute that right now,” Constable said. “If there are still concerns, they should be discussed with us.”

Burns noted that “these are the first financials we’ve received since last March, which is great. Let’s get the financials going again. This is a great start.”

• Burns read a letter from Clean Energy Climate Action Committee Chair J.D. Kaplan, requesting a discussion with the light board “to prioritize the development of policy in these areas: EV charging points; microgrid enabling systems; financial support of ratepayer upgrade projects; and an accelerated, explicit commitment to no-carbon-emitting energy sources, reaching 100% by 2030.”

These challenges “are substantial, but all can be achieved with an integrated approach, right alongside the Hull Municipal Light Board’s current directives, priorities, and requirements,” Kaplan said.

The board “will have a conversation about this in the near future,” Burns responded.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

School committee approves five-year strategic plan to guide decision-making through 2031

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By Carol Britton Meyer

The school committee recently approved a Strategic Plan for 2026-2031 for the Hull Public Schools, with the vision of “honoring community, promoting confidence, sparking curiosity, and community, confidence, and curiosity.”

The new mission focuses on the concept that “anchored in Hull’s proud history and committed to its future,” the HPS provides “safe, equitable, and challenging opportunities that inspire all students to become responsible, resilient, and engaged citizens.”

The school committee voted to approve the plan at its September 8 meeting.

The process was facilitated by consultant Gary Maestas of the Teaching & Learning Alliance, working with an 18-member committee, with community and culture; engagement and partnerships; teaching and learning; and budget, finance, technology, and facilities named as the “strategic focus areas.”

Maestas was the superintendent in Plymouth from 2008-2020 and served as interim superintendent of the Hingham Public Schools after Superintendent of Schools Paul Austin resigned unexpectedly in 2021.

The committee, comprised of staff, students, parents, and community members, met from April through July of this year, conducting surveys of staff, parents, and students and holding targeted focus groups on May 6.

The core values include respect, inclusion, endurance, safety, curiosity, and belonging, providing a welcoming environment for the entire school community.

The resulting “theory of action” is based on the premise that when a culture of:

• “Respect, inclusion, endurance, safety, curiosity, and belonging” is fostered;

• High-quality teaching and learning supported;

• Families and community partners engaged as “active collaborators”; 

• A thriving educational community for all learners developed and sustained; and

• Resources, technology, and facilities “strategically aligned” to support student success, then

“All students will confidently grow, persevere, and achieve at high levels while thriving as curious and engaged learners, responsible citizens, and contributing members of the local and global communities.”

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Saturday morning boat parade and ceremony to honor Gold Star families, those lost at sea

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FILE PHOTO FROM 2025 wreath ceremony at the Sgt. Joseph BAZINET BRIDGE.

The public is invited to a Boat Parade and Wreath Ceremony honoring Gold Star families and those lost at sea on Saturday, October 3.

The wreaths and flowers will be laid on the water from the Sgt. Joseph Bazinet Bridge (between Spinnaker Island and the mainland) and from boats on west side of the bridge

Participants are asked to arrive at the town pier at Mariners Park (between the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club and the Hull Yacht Club) beginning at 11 a.m. There is free parking, and guests should check in with Sheila Fleck.

At 11:30 a.m., the ceremony will move to the bridge (either by boat or by car). Parking at Hull Village Cemetery is by the Gold Star Mothers’ Memorial at Duck Lane.

The boat parade of respect starts at noon; boats will parade on the west side of the Sgt. Joseph Bazinet Bridge from south to north in a continuous circle, or will remain at anchor.

Names of those lost at sea and Gold Star recipients will be read aloud, and wreaths will be placed in the water from boats and from the bridge.

At approximately 12:15 p.m. at end of the ceremony, boats on their final pass by the American flag on the bridge will sound six blasts of respect. Lunch will follow at the Nantasket Beach Salt Water Club at 1:00 p.m.

The event and info will broadcast on Channel 69.

For more information, contact: Craig Wolfe, 781-771-6416 or 89edge@comcast.net.

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In the Sport-light: Roundup of news from Hull's wide world of sports

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Compiled by Matt Haraden 

FULL SAIL: In the recent Hull Yacht Club Junior Sail Mayor’s Cup Regatta, JP Hnath and Sam Guardino, members of the Nantasket Nor’easters Sailing Team, took first place in the 420 Class. [Courtesy photo]

• Hull High Football improved to 3-0 on the season, picking up a 13-8 victory over Boston English on Friday, September 25. PJ Rivieccio ran in both Hull touchdowns, finishing with 94 yards off nine carries. Other rushers included Nate O’Hare, with six carries for 37 yards, Tegan Bellew with three carries totaling 25 yards, Landon Manfredi rushing three times for 14 yards and Tristan Lofgren picking up three yards on one carry. Defensively, Nick Perry led the team with seven tackles, Tom Cunningham had six tackles and a fumble recovery, and Josh Gatto had three tackles and an interception. River Coyle also recovered a fumble and added a tackle to the stat sheet. Mason DelGallo, Harry Sesitito, and Malik Ervin all added tackles as well. The Pirates host Brighton on Friday, October 2 at 4 p.m.

• Girls varsity soccer scored two victories on the road this week, defeating Mashpee, 6-1, on Monday and Middleborough, 2-1, on Wednesday. In the Mashpee game, Brianna Ramos two goals and two assists, Gianna Thorne had one goal and one assist, while Meghan Duran, Mackenzie MacLeod, and Abby Baglione each scored one goal, and Emma Lees had two assists. Against Middleborough, the Pirates were initially down 1-0 until Baglione scored on an assist from Aubrey Littlefield. Thorne scored the game-winner in the second half off a free kick cross from Ramos. The 4-2-1 team hosts Abington on Monday at 5:30 p.m. and East Bridgewater on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

• The Hull High boys varsity soccer team is now 3-1-3 on the season, tying its two most recent games – 1-1 against Mashpee at home on Monday and 2-2 against Middleborough on Wednesday. The next game on the schedule is on the road against Abington on Monday at 5 p.m., followed by two home games – Academy of the Pacific Rim on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and New Heights Charter School of Brockton on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

For the full schedule of all Hull High teams, visit www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=10611.

• After last week’s heavy rains, Hull Youth Soccer is back on the field with a busy schedule in store. On Saturday, October 3, Travel Teams play their games at Hull High: Boys 7/8 vs. Scituate at 2 p.m.; Boys 5/6 (Fahey) vs. Scituate at 4 p.m.; Girls vs. Halifax at 5:30 p.m.; and Boys 5/6 (Panetta) vs. Hingham under the lights at 7 p.m.

Coaches will be reaching out directly with information on makeup games from this past weekend.

In-town league games are on Saturdays at the Dust Bowl field in Hull Village and teams have the same schedule each week for convenient planning – Guppies (coed): 9-10 a.m.; Kindergarten (coed) and Girls Grades 1 & 2: 10-11 a.m.; Boys Grades 1 & 2: 10-11 a.m. Players should arrive about 10 minutes before game time and check in at the soccer shed. Wear cleats and shin guards and bring plenty of water. Mark your calendars for the In-Town makeup games scheduled for Saturday, October 31.

• Registration for the 2026-27 Hull Pirates Youth Basketball Travel season (boys and girls entering grades 3 -8) continues until Friday, October 2. The season runs from mid-November through March, featuring 14-16 regular-season games and playoffs in early March. The season begins with a tournament, and league schedules will be finalized in early November, with regular season games starting the first weekend in December. Games are held on weekends. The Hull Pirates Travel Program focuses on player development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and competitive basketball in a fun and supportive environment. Payment plans are available to help make registration more accessible for families. To register and learn more about the program, visit the registration page at https://hullbasketball.leagueapps.com.

• Hull Youth Football plays Carver at home on October 4. Mites play at 10 a.m. and Midgets are at 11:30 a.m. Games are on Sundays; the next two are also at home – October 11 against Lower Cape and October 18 against West Bridgewater. The final two games – October 25 and November 1 – are both away, against Dennis-Yarmouth and Hanson.

• Coaches, league organizers, and superfans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Wednesday at noon. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names (first and last) of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo.

Thank you for your help!

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Commemoration to celebrate the stories behind Edward Rowe Snow’s maritime tales

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Edward Rowe Snow spent a lifetime collecting and sharing stories of shipwrecks, lighthouses, lifesaving, pirates, and the people who lived along the New England coast. An author, historian, lecturer, and storyteller, Snow became one of the region’s best-known chroniclers of maritime history.

On Saturday, October 3, the Hull Lifesaving Museum will celebrate Snow’s birthday with a special commemoration featuring someone uniquely qualified to tell his story: his daughter, Dolly Snow Bicknell.

Bicknell will share personal stories and memories of her father, offering a rare glimpse into the man behind the celebrated author, historian, and storyteller. The program will also feature rare family photographs and historic video footage from Snow’s lifetime, providing an intimate look at his work, his passions, and his life beyond the stories that made him famous.

For generations of New Englanders, Snow’s name has been synonymous with maritime lore. His fascination with the sea and its history led him to uncover and preserve countless stories that might otherwise have been forgotten. Through his books, lectures, radio broadcasts, and annual Christmas Eve programs, he helped keep New England’s maritime heritage alive.

Snow’s legacy also lives on through the Flying Santa, the Christmas tradition he continued from 1936 to 1980, bringing gifts by airplane to lighthouse keepers and their families throughout New England.

But the stories people knew were only part of Edward Rowe Snow’s life.

“This program gives us a chance to see Edward Rowe Snow not just as the legendary storyteller so many people remember, but as a father and a man whose life was deeply intertwined with the history he spent decades preserving,” said Michael McGurl, executive director of the Hull Lifesaving Museum. “Having Dolly share her personal memories, along with photographs and historic film from the family collection, makes this a truly special opportunity.”

The Edward Rowe Snow Birthday Commemoration will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, at the Windmill Point Boathouse, 185 Main Street.

Collectors and fans of Edward Rowe Snow will also have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of his books, including several featuring his original sketches.

Tickets are $20 and are available in advance at https://tinyurl.com/mtv7jukp.

For anyone interested in New England maritime history, the Flying Santa, or the remarkable life of one of the region’s most memorable storytellers, the afternoon promises stories that can only be told by someone who was there.

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School department hires Norwell administrator as new Hull High principal

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By Christopher Haraden

Just over a month after Hull High’s principal submitted his resignation, the school department has hired a replacement. Ellen Murray, currently the assistant principal of Norwell Middle School, accepted the position and will take reins of the high school on November 9, according to Superintendent Michael Jette.

Murray, who lives in Scituate, has been in her current role since 2022. Prior to that, she was a foreign-language teacher and department head in the Quincy Public Schools, teaching both Spanish and Italian, and was the assistant principal of Quincy High School from 2008-2022.

She replaces Robert Shaw, who resigned after two years to become assistant principal for academics at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. His last day in Hull was August 21.

Murray’s hiring marks the third leadership change at the high school in the past four years, as Shaw replaced Michael Kynbel, who held the job for two years before resigning in 2024.

Assistant Principal Anthony Hrvinak was appointed interim principal while parallel searches were conducted for both an interim and permanent principal. Hrvinak previously was principal of the Memorial School.

Murray applied for appointment as the high school’s permanent leader. The position had been advertised with a salary range of $150,000 to $155,000.

“As a school community, it is important that we structure our resources and efforts to help Ms. Murray start off strong at Hull High School,” Jette said in a statement released on Wednesday. “We are excited to welcome her as a new member of our school community and look forward to her advancing the work of the faculty and administration.”

Murray lives in Scituate is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership at Boston College. She holds a master’s degree in administration, policy and planning from Boston University.

“Success takes teamwork, and teaching and learning are maximized when there is a culture of joy, honesty, and support,” she said in the school department’s statement announcing her appointment.

The school committee is scheduled to meet again on Monday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.

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Board to send dueling letters to Legislature expressing opposite positions on light plant change

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By Christopher Haraden

At a special meeting called just for the purpose of discussing how the board would articulate its position to the state Legislature regarding Article 40, the town meeting-approved change in management of the light plant, members of the select board ultimately decided to send two letters expressing opposite viewpoints.

During a 26-minute Zoom on Tuesday morning, the board remained split, 3-2, on whether to support removing the town manager as the light plant manager. Two consecutive town meetings have approved the change, which was enacted in 1993, and now is on the state Legislature’s docket as House Bill H.5654.

Members Jerry Taverna, Brian McCarthy, and Susan Short Green support the concept and agreed to sign a letter drafted by Taverna expressing the select board’s position in favor. Members Irwin Nesoff and Greg Grey are opposed and initially sought to have the board’s letter express both the majority and minority opinions, but now will send a separate letter with their minority opinion on the select board’s letterhead.

“Respectfully, I thought we discussed this, and we made a clear decision to write two separate letters, one support and one in opposition,” Taverna said. “Feedback I have received from my contacts in the Legislature have made very clear that combining two opinions with one letter will just provide additional confusion.”

Nesoff sought to have a statement included in the board’s letter that said he and Grey “do not see any benefit to the ratepayers” from the management adjustment.

“I received a number of letters from residents that were urging me to vote to support the bill,” Nesoff said. “I appreciate the fact that people are concerned enough to take the time to send an email. However, I still have some concerns about this change and whether or not it will provide a benefit to ratepayers.”

Although they disagreed on the topic, the board was unanimous in its vote to send two letters to the state.

House Bill H.5654 is now before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, and the committee is soliciting written testimony until September 28 at 5 p.m. Residents are encouraged to send letters to House Chair Jack Patrick Lewis and Senate Chair Becca Rausch by email at muni.committee@malegislature.gov with “H.5654 Testimony” in the subject line.

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Water restrictions still in effect; scofflaws could face higher fines, service shutoff

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By Carol Britton Meyer

The Weir River Water System board of water commissioners, comprised of the Hingham select board, this week heard an update about drought restrictions and a proposed new fine schedule for violations, subject to approval by the WRWS Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) and the commissioners. The water company serves Hingham, Hull, and part of Cohasset.

A total water ban – Level 2, representing a “significant drought” – remains in effect for non-essential outdoor usage (lawn irrigation, washing vehicles, exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks and filling swimming pools).

Handheld watering for gardens, landscape plantings, and other essential needs is allowed but could be restricted if necessary.

WRWS Managing Director/Superintendent Russell Tierney explained that the current $50 and $100 fines are not high enough to stop customers from ignoring water restrictions – in particular the prohibited use of irrigation systems – and suggested fines as high as $750 for the first offense and $1,000 for the second offense and termination of water service, and a $1,000 fine for each subsequent offense and a potential termination of service, but nothing has yet been decided. The water commissioners delayed their vote pending CAB input.

The fines are tied to the state drought level the town is in at the time. These proposed fines are for a Level 3 drought, which Tierney said the region could find itself in at a future time.

Commissioner William Ramsey said more discussion is needed about whether to shut off water service for violators.

“Fines first,” he said.

CAB members include Hingham representatives Dave Anderson, Jim Broderick, and Charles Culpin; Select Board Chair Brian McCarthy and Director of Wastewater Operations/Assistant Director of Public Works John Struzziery represent Hull; and Stephen Girardi, Cohasset.

Tierney also encouraged customers to provide their email addresses to the water company for easy notification of water restrictions, emergencies, and other information.

“Out of 12,500 customers, only 8,000 are on our email list,” he noted. Other customers receive letters.

“The water levels, including Accord Pond, are low for this time of year,” Tierney said. “We plan to get the word out earlier next year – March or sooner, as suggested by the CAB – including notifying irrigation system companies so they are aware [of the restrictions] at the beginning of the season.” The next CAB meeting is in mid- to late-October. All CAB meetings are public and posted on the Hingham town website calendar.

‘New irrigation systems take weather into consideration’

Tierney also noted that some newer models of irrigation systems “take the weather into consideration” so they don’t, for example, turn on automatically when there’s a 50% or higher chance of rain.

WRWS and Veolia, which operates the water company, continue to place tags on the front doors of homeowners who use their irrigation systems despite the restrictions.

Ramsey thanked the many residents who have abided by the restrictions.

“I know it’s painful to see newly-planted lawns die out,” he said. “At the same time, many customers have not complied with the restrictions, and that needs to be addressed.”

He agrees that more aggressive fines are in order after the first warning and more enforcement. “This drought situation is unprecedented,” he said. “All you have to do is drive by Accord Pond to see the water level.”

It takes “extra effort to go to [the same] houses a number of times to [put tags on doors],” Tierney said. “Why should someone have four or five chances to not shut off their irrigation systems?”

Citizen concerned about irrigation of town’s athletic fields

Hingham resident Mark Rockoff asked whether WRWS has jurisdiction over private wells, the use of which “also reduces the amount of water in the aquifer.” Tierney’s response was no – “that would need to be a discussion as a whole town, and not just a WRWS decision.”

Rockoff also asked why the town continues to irrigate its athletic fields when citizens are told not to irrigate their lawns.

The cost to replace athletic fields is “astronomical,” Tierney responded. “When fields [dry up], they need to be reseeded the following season. In our opinion, a home lawn is not as important as open space and recreation areas.”

Nevertheless, Rockoff said, “using so much water to keep the fields in great shape is putting the town in a more critical position.”

‘We need a different approach’

Hingham resident John Borger, who is writing a series of articles for the Hingham Anchor on the water crisis, said he believes more needs to be done and that for many, fines are ineffective. “Some people will suck up the fines after investing thousands of dollars in irrigation systems, and green lawns say ‘upscale.’”

“We are [facing] a very serious public safety emergency” due to the shortage of water to fight fires, Borger added. “The fire chief is not crying wolf. Fines and penalties won’t do it. We need a different approach.”

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