HULL - January 21, 2026 - The Hull Select Board unanimously approved the sale of $3.5 million in short-term notes to fund a slate of critical town projects, including the Nantasket Pier dredging and the Village Fire Station renovation. Thanks to a competitive bidding process, the town secured a true interest cost of 2.5%, significantly lower than the 4% originally budgeted—a victory for local taxpayers that board members described as “amazing” and “phenomenal.”
The Full Story
The funding package consists of a $1.8 million General Obligation Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) and a $1.7 million Grant Anticipation Note (GAN). These funds act as a financial bridge, allowing the town to maintain cash flow while waiting for federal reimbursements and long-term financing.
“Two and a half percent is a phenomenal rate. It’s amazing... you must have done a lot of phone calling.” — Select Board Member Greg Grey
Town Manager Jennifer Constable provided updates on the projects supported by this borrowing:
Nantasket Pier Dredging: Authorized in 2022, this project is coming in under its $1.4 million estimate and is slated for completion this spring.
Village Fire Station: Construction is “imminent” with a goal to finish by the end of the year.
Landfill Closure: A long-term project expected to continue until 2032. Current funds support the “delineation phase,” involving research and design to map decades of buried materials.
Nantasket Seawall: The $1.7 million GAN specifically bridges the gap for this project while the town awaits slow-moving federal reimbursements.
Why It Matters
For residents, these votes translate to progress on visible infrastructure without the sting of high-interest debt. Securing a 2.5% rate when 4% was expected saves the town significant interest expense. Furthermore, the use of Grant Anticipation Notes ensures that projects like the seawall—essential for climate resiliency—don’t stall due to federal bureaucratic delays.
A Semicentennial Celebration: Hull Prepares for the Nation’s 250th
John Reilly, Chair of the USA 250th Semicentennial Committee, presented a robust year-long calendar of events starting in March 2026. The celebration aims to highlight Hull’s unique role in the American Revolution, including the 1776 evacuation of the British from Boston harbor.
Planned events include:
March 7: Kickoff at the Lighthouse Museum with a salute from the Hingham Militia.
April: “Restaurant Week” featuring revolutionary-themed menus.
June: A “Patriot Pub Crawl” and a Gala Dance at the Boathouse.
July 4: A public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
July 11: Bastille Day celebration at Fort Revere, potentially featuring French dignitaries to honor the historic alliance.
August 15: A massive parade and “Field Day.”
Reilly emphasized a grassroots funding model, selling flags and seeking sponsorships (with a top tier of $1,776) to minimize the tax impact.
Light Plant Budget & Storm Preparedness
The Board reviewed the Hull Municipal Light Plant (HMLP) budget, presented by Town Manager Constable and new Operations Manager Mike Schmitt. The plant remains in a strong financial position with a “healthy fund account,” though it is moving toward a goal of having 365 days of cash on hand by 2027.
Constable also addressed the recent power outage during Martin Luther King Jr. Day. She clarified that while the town has backup generators, they are not an automatic switch. It takes roughly 1 to 3 hours to bring technicians on-site and safely power up the town section-by-section. With another Arctic blast and snowstorm forecast for the coming weekend, officials urged residents to have battery-powered radios and to follow the “Emergency Management” social media pages for updates.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the sale of $1.8 million in BANs and $1.7 million in GANs to Fidelity Capital Markets.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously (5-0)
Motion: To approve the “Over the Rainbow Run” 5K road race for May 2, 2026.
Outcome: Passed (4-0); Jason McCann recused himself as he is Co-President of Hull Pride.
Motion: To approve the Harbor Illumination event for July 25, 2026.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Public Announcements
Plow Driver Incentive: The town is offering a $1,500 bonus for new plow drivers who contract through the end of the season. Interested parties should contact the DPW.
Website Upgrade: A new town website is in development that will feature clickable links in PDF agendas to make attending remote meetings easier for residents.
National Grid Lawsuit: The Light Board has voted not to pursue the lawsuit against National Grid regarding transmission lines, following counsel’s advice that the lack of recent major outages weakened the town’s standing in court.
What’s Next
February 4: The Waterfront Access Study Group will return to the Select Board to propose a revised charge as an Advisory Committee.
February 21: An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Workshop will be held at Hull High School to educate residents on new housing options.
Source Video: Hull Community Television