Hull Select Board Approves Integrated Goals and Objectives for 2024-2025

State officials highlight investments in town during meeting

HULL, MA - October 30 - The Hull Select Board has approved a comprehensive set of integrated goals and objectives for 2024-2025, providing a roadmap for town initiatives over the next few years.

The document, presented by Town Manager Jennifer Constable, outlines priorities in areas such as economic development, transportation, housing, and sustainability.

"This provides accountability, prioritization, and is ultimately a community tool for communication and transparency," Constable said.

The goals and objectives were developed through a collaborative process involving the Select Board, town staff, and department heads. The document includes descriptors for each category and prioritizes goals within various objectives.

New additions to the plan include establishing a tree-planting program, evaluating evacuation routes, and promoting green infrastructure initiatives.

Select Board members praised the document's thoroughness and collaborative nature.

"There's far more detail in this one. Far more understanding for the public to look at it, read, understand, so kudos. Well done," said member Greg Grey.

The board emphasized that while the plan provides direction for the next few years, it remains a "living document" open to review and adjustment as new information or issues arise.

During the same meeting, State Senator Patrick O'Connor and Representative Joan Meschino addressed the board, highlighting recent state budget allocations benefiting Hull.

O'Connor discussed increases in Chapter 70 funding for education, noting a rise from $30 to $104 per pupil in the current fiscal year.

"If we can do more as a state to offset the expenses that municipalities are paying for school districts, for their school children, I think that we're able to build a bridge to really allow us to look into the whole of Chapter 70 and how we actually fund education in this state," O'Connor said.

Meschino emphasized the state's commitment to supporting municipal services and education, pointing out the slow but steady growth in both Chapter 70 funding and unrestricted general government aid for Hull.

The legislators also discussed recent tax relief measures, including raising the estate tax threshold to $2 million and reducing the short-term capital gains tax from 12% to 8.5%.

"This is great. Any tax relief and giving money back into people's pockets is great, but the reality is there's still a lot more to do to make Massachusetts competitive," O'Connor said.

Other topics addressed during the meeting included:

- Plans to convert flagged bus routes into designated stops, with discussions underway with the MBTA.

- Updates on the potential relocation of town offices to the middle school building.

- Ongoing efforts to address beach access issues at James Avenue.

- The transition to a new town counsel beginning Nov. 1.

Constable clarified misconceptions about the potential relocation of the senior center to the middle school, stating, "There have not been the conversations yet about the senior center. There has not been a decision about the senior center moving to the middle school or not moving to the middle school."

The town manager emphasized that the only definite decision made is the relocation of town hall offices due to the current building's condition.