Hull Awards $50,000 Opioid Settlement Grant to The Anchor
Reviews 45-Article Town Meeting Warrant
HULL - March 18, 2026 - The Hull Select Board voted unanimously to award a $50,000 grant from the town’s opioid settlement funds to The Anchor of Hull to support community wellness and recovery initiatives. Town Manager Jennifer Constable announced that Hull has received approximately $273,000 in settlement funds to date, with plans to use the remainder for recovery bags, a contracted social worker, and alternative recovery programs. The board also conducted a final review of the 45-article 2026 Town Meeting warrant, which includes significant proposals for a new public safety facility and the relocation of the Senior Center.
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The Full Story
The meeting opened with a detailed presentation on the town’s strategy for deploying its opioid settlement funds. Town Manager Jennifer Constable noted that an opioid task force has been meeting for 18 months to identify specific challenges in Hull. Beyond the $50,000 grant to The Anchor, the task force is distributing recovery bags—containing Narcan, fentanyl test strips, CPR masks, and sharps containers—at the library, police lobby, and summer bathhouses.
Kury Gerold, Executive Director of The Anchor, explained that the grant will fund three primary pillars:
Wellness Classes: Continuing popular, free sessions for acupuncture, breath work, and sound baths that participants otherwise could not afford.
The Kory & Kyle Fund: Providing direct emergency aid for recovery-specific needs, such as sober housing, insurance, and emergency hotel stays.
Recovery Liaison: Hiring a female recovery coach or liaison to assist with peer support and community events.
“We believe community is the answer. It’s obviously not the end-all, be-all, but we believe that’s where it starts and healing happens—within a community.” [08:52] — Kurt Gerold, The Anchor
The Board also reviewed the 45 articles for the upcoming Town Meeting. Notable items include Article 24, which proposes relocating the Senior Center to the Middle School building, and Article 25, seeking funds for the preliminary design of a new public safety facility. Constable reported that recent tours of the Middle School space have already “converted” some skeptics due to the ample room available.
Finally, the Board approved a new initiative to increase transparency: Select Board Office Hours. Starting next month, two board members will rotate to host a 30-minute open session (6:30 PM to 7:00 PM) once a month before the regular meeting to hear resident concerns directly.
Why It Matters
For residents, the allocation of settlement funds represents a tangible investment in public health that bypasses the general tax levy. The success in maintaining a balanced budget—while simultaneously adding staff to the DPW and Fire Departments—stands in stark contrast to neighboring towns facing overrides or service cuts. Additionally, the new “Office Hours” provide a lower-barrier way for citizens to engage with leadership outside of the formal (and often intimidating) televised public comment period.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To support the $50,000 grant to The Anchor of Hull from opioid settlement funds.
Vote: Unanimous (5-0) (00:12:28).
Motion: To establish Select Board office hours for 30 minutes before one meeting per month.
Vote: Unanimous (5-0) (00:38:26).
Motion: To approve a one-day all-alcohol and entertainment license for a wedding at the Windmill Point Boathouse on June 13.
Vote: Unanimous (5-0) (00:40:15).
Public Comment & Updates
Opioid Statistics: Police and task force members reported that overdoses in the area are statistically down according to the Plymouth County Outreach quarterly meeting.
Budget Success: Chair Irwin Nesoff congratulated the Town Manager on a balanced budget that avoids overrides while increasing headcount.
Infrastructure: DPW has completed emergency dune repairs at Malta Street and is finalizing the last panels of the Nantasket Avenue seawall project this week.
What’s Next
Warrant Signing: The Select Board is expected to officially sign the Town Meeting warrant next week.
Public Safety Facility: The newly formed Public Safety Committee will begin meeting with consultants to narrow six potential sites down to a single recommendation for Town Meeting.
Beautification Cleanup: The annual town cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Source Video: Hull Community Television