HULL - November 19 - The Hull Select Board approved an integrated goals and objectives document and finalized a comprehensive handbook for town committees November 19, establishing new standards for committee governance and creating quarterly public reporting requirements for town projects.
The Full Story
The Select Board voted unanimously to adopt the town’s 2025-2026 integrated goals and objectives following review by town counsel. The document combines priorities established by the board with operational strategies contributed by Town Manager Jennifer Constable and staff. Board members praised the collaborative approach that incorporates both leadership direction and staff-level work.
In a significant transparency initiative, Constable announced that departments will produce quarterly reports tracking progress on all projects and strategies outlined in the document. These reports, due in January, April, July, and October, will be posted on the town’s website under a town resources button for public access. Each report will include project names, objectives, summaries, schedules, milestones, and quarterly progress updates.
“I’m proud that there’s this integrated document that takes the input of both the board, you know, the leadership in town, but also the input and acknowledges the work of staff at the staff level,” Constable said.
Board member Jason McCann emphasized the importance of making the information publicly accessible. “Putting it on the web, making it available to anybody in town, I think, is a major step forward in transparency and keeping people informed,” he said.
The board also finalized a comprehensive handbook for select board-appointed committees following legal review by town counsel. The document, which had been approved pending counsel review, received several clarifications and modifications based on legal recommendations. The final version will include a preamble specifying that it applies to all committees, councils, commissions, and boards appointed by the Select Board, but does not affect any elected boards.
Key provisions in the handbook include requirements for committees to maintain proper meeting procedures, comply with open meeting law and public records law, and adhere to standards of conduct. The handbook specifies that committee chairs must include select board liaisons in all meeting agendas, meeting materials, and minutes.
The conduct section outlines a progressive disciplinary process for violations. A first-time minor violation may result in a verbal warning from the chair. If behavior continues or is more serious, the chair may issue a written warning with a copy to the Select Board and town manager. The most serious violations can result in recommendations for removal.
All current and future committee members will be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of the handbook by signing an acknowledgment form that will be kept on file. The town clerk will incorporate the handbook into the onboarding process for new appointees.
Town Clerk Lori West had requested the handbook be developed to provide clear guidance to committee members. Board member Greg Grey noted its value especially for new members: “If someone gets on that committee, especially as someone coming in two years ago and not really having a lot of experience in it, it’s a good framework for understanding exactly what’s going to be involved and what the expectations are.”
In other personnel matters, the board appointed Beverly-Love Rock to the Affordable Housing Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2026. Rock, who recently moved to Hull from Cohasset where she was involved with a Habitat for Humanity project, told the board she is passionate about affordable housing because she couldn’t afford to buy the family home she lives in.
“I think that we need more rental properties. There’s not many options of that in Cohasset or Hull,” Rock said. She noted that Hull’s first grade currently has only 26 students total. “If we had more housing where people could live and families could live and afford to live, then we’d have 26 kids in a classroom instead of in a grade.”
Kate Barclay, chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, recommended Rock’s appointment, noting her experience with affordable housing in Cohasset and her understanding of South Shore housing dynamics. Rock previously served on the Affordable Housing Committee before being appointed to the Affordable Housing Trust.
The board also appointed Sarah Jane Lundrigan to the Economic Development Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2027. Lundrigan, a realtor and small business owner, told the board she brings expertise in research, simplifying complex documents and issues, and technology. “I just want to help. Like I said, I live here. I care about what happens here. My kids live here,” she said.
Board member Jerry Taverna, who serves on the Economic Development Committee, welcomed Lundrigan and noted a joint meeting between the committee and Select Board is planned for the next month or two.
In a third appointment, the board voted to appoint Dan Sullivan to the Beach Management Advisory Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2026, filling a citizen-at-large seat. Sullivan, who was not present, had previously served on the committee as a representative of another board.
The board approved multiple license renewals including alcohol and entertainment licenses for the Nantasket Beach Saltwater Club, an all-alcohol package store license for Village Market, and lodging house licenses for the Bermaken Hotel and Nantasket Lodging House. Board member Brian McCarthy disclosed he is a member of the Saltwater Club but stated he could vote impartially, which the board accepted.
The board also renewed a livery license for Michael Ashe doing business as Seaside Transport and a livery badge renewal for Tara Ashe.
Constable provided several updates on ongoing projects. The public safety feasibility study team met with consultants who assessed town-owned parcels suitable for various public safety facility configurations and reported on needs assessments for police and fire departments. “No surprises there. We know that the need is pretty deep,” Constable said. The final document is expected around December 8, when the board has a follow-up meeting with consultants.
The town held kickoff meetings for MVP grants and the PFAS remediation project at the sewer plant. The Adopt a Lamp Post holiday lighting program is now accepting contributions through QR codes on town and Hull Municipal Light Plant websites, as well as by check or credit card.
Town Hall will be closed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Day itself. The traditional Thanksgiving evening bonfire is scheduled to return at 6:30 PM on Thanksgiving.
Board members thanked the police and fire departments for organizing and managing the bonfire tradition. “I definitely recognize it’s a big thing to handle and manage and prep for on a holiday where everybody likes to be with their families,” McCann said.
The board also expressed appreciation for the Veterans Day event organized by Paul Sodillo, which drew over 150 attendees and was moved indoors to the high school. Grey praised the event’s speaker and noted strong community participation, with bleachers and side walls filled with attendees.
Chairman Irwin Nesoff reminded residents about Thanksgiving meal efforts organized by Craig Wolfe, which served over 1,000 meals last year and is seeking volunteers and monetary donations.
McCarthy announced the Hull Police Department will host a toy drive on December 7 from 9 AM to 1 PM in front of Town Hall. New, unwrapped toys can also be dropped off at the police department through December 15.
Taverna congratulated the Hull Girls Soccer team for reaching the state finals, scheduled for the upcoming Saturday at Curry College. “Phenomenal accomplishment for a small school,” he said.
Taverna also reported that Article 37 from the May town meeting has progressed to Bill 4739 in the state legislature. A public hearing with the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government is scheduled for November 17, 2025, with written comments due by 5 PM on Friday.
Regarding cemetery issues, Taverna noted that the columbarium has limited remaining capacity. Constable confirmed the town is addressing this, with Chris Gardner and Lori West working on recommendations. She noted Hull’s cemetery fees are considerably lower than neighboring communities and expects a recommendation to increase fees to be presented to the board soon to maintain cemetery operations and improvements.
Taverna reported resolving a personal issue with a faulty smart water meter that resulted in inflated water and sewer bills. After replacing the meter twice, he received a substantial rebate and encouraged other residents experiencing high bills to contact the water department.
The board discussed whether to allow hybrid meetings for committees, sparked by a recent Housing Redevelopment Authority meeting that included remote participants. Constable explained that true hybrid meetings, where the public can participate either in person or remotely, require significant technology infrastructure, IT support, and come with substantial costs. The town currently lacks the capacity to provide hybrid options across all committees.
“We only have one room that really could truly accommodate a hybrid meeting because you need to have access and we need to set up policies,” Constable said. She noted that if 30 committees wanted hybrid capabilities, the town would need approximately 30 Zoom accounts, equipment for every meeting room, and staff to monitor and ensure compliance with open meeting law.
Board members noted that hybrid meetings create potential for open meeting law violations if not properly managed and documented. McCann suggested revisiting the issue when the town moves to the Memorial School building, which will provide more space and infrastructure.
The HRA recently voted to hold every other meeting in person, which Taverna noted has created concerns among residents who want to participate but cannot attend in person. The board acknowledged this as primarily an HRA issue rather than a town-wide policy matter.
The board entered executive session at the meeting’s conclusion to discuss strategy regarding potential real estate transactions involving Beach Food Market and Steamboat Wharf Marina and did not return to open session.
Why It Matters
The adoption of the committee handbook and integrated goals document with quarterly public reporting establishes unprecedented transparency in Hull’s local government operations. Residents will now have clear, regular updates on town projects and priorities through publicly accessible quarterly reports. The committee handbook provides standardized guidance for dozens of volunteer committee members who help govern various aspects of town operations, ensuring consistent procedures and expectations across all boards. The appointments to the Affordable Housing Committee and Economic Development Committee bring fresh perspectives from residents who understand housing challenges and business development needs facing Hull families. These governance improvements strengthen accountability and public access to information about how their local government operates and makes decisions affecting their community.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve renewal of all alcohol license, common victualer license, and entertainment license for Nantasket Beach Saltwater Club. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 04:25)
Motion: Approve renewal of all alcohol package store license for Village Market. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 05:30)
Motion: Approve renewal of lodging house license for Bermaken Hotel. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 05:37)
Motion: Approve renewal of lodging house license for Nantasket Lodging House. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 06:36)
Motion: Appoint Beverly-Love Rock to Affordable Housing Committee with term expiring June 30, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 12:06)
Motion: Appoint Sarah Jane Lundrigan to Economic Development Committee permanent seat with term expiring June 30, 2027. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 14:55)
Motion: Appoint Dan Sullivan to Beach Management Advisory Committee with term expiring June 30, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 17:02)
Motion: Approve integrated goals and objectives for 2025-2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 25:11)
Motion: Approve renewal of livery license for Seaside Transport (Michael Ashe). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 53:26)
Motion: Approve renewal of livery badge for Tara Ashe. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 53:26)
Public Comment
No formal public comment period was held during this meeting. Two residents appeared for committee appointments and provided information about their backgrounds and interest in serving.
What’s Next
Town Manager will post the final committee handbook on the town website and distribute it to all current committee members for acknowledgment. Quarterly reports on integrated goals and objectives will be published starting in January. The Select Board will receive the final public safety feasibility study report around December 8 and share it with the community. A joint meeting between the Economic Development Committee and Select Board is planned for the next month or two. Town staff will present recommendations on cemetery fees and columbarium expansion in the near future. Beverly-Love Rock and Sarah Jane Lundrigan must complete online ethics training and be sworn in by the town clerk before fully participating in their respective committees.
Full meeting available via Hull Community Television.