Hull Select Board Approves One-Way Traffic, Speed Bumps for Railroad Bed
Board addresses safety concerns after town meeting vote to remove poles; also reduces Kenberma speed limit to 20 mph
HULL - June 11 - The Hull Select Board approves a series of safety measures for the controversial railroad bed between M Street and W Street, including making it one-way, installing speed bumps, and restricting parking to the east side only.
The decision comes after a town meeting vote last year prohibited the town from placing objects that obstruct travel along the railroad bed, requiring the removal of telephone poles that previously limited vehicle access.
"We're all, for better or worse, stuck with it," Town Manager Jennifer Constable tells residents during the meeting. "This board and myself have a responsibility to carry that out."
The board votes to make the railroad bed one-way in a south-to-north direction from M Street to W Street, install rubber speed bumps, restrict parking to the east side of the right-of-way, and authorize police to enforce parking restrictions.
Additional measures include installing stop signs at intersections, posting suggested speed limit signs of 10 mph, and investigating the use of cameras to monitor traffic patterns.
Many residents express concerns about safety, particularly during summer months when pedestrians, including children, frequently cross between the beach and homes.
"In the summertime there are kids, teenagers, old people, young people, dozens, hundreds of people on a weekend or even during the week who are crossing that street from the beach," says David Golden, a resident of Beach Avenue. "If a car is coming down the road, there's going to be an accident."
Several residents argue the telephone poles should be reinstated for safety reasons, noting they had been in place for decades without incident.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," says Larry Handler of Beach Avenue. "This pole's been going down for 70 years. There has never been an incident where any emergency vehicle of any kind has not been able to respond to a house."
However, Police Chief Jack Dunn and Lieutenant Stephen Glavin explain the poles cannot be reinstated due to the town meeting vote, which was certified by the Attorney General's office.
"The public safety exemption is meant if we have to block the road, if we have to shut down the road for public safety reasons, not for poles, not for making the neighborhood safer," Lieutenant Glavin says.
The ownership of the railroad bed remains unresolved, with the town manager indicating legal counsel continues to research the matter.
"The outcome of this is going to impact the entire town," Constable says. "I don't think I need to say to anybody in this room or anybody that may be watching what kind of Pandora's box that unravels."
In a separate action, the board unanimously approves reducing the speed limit in the Kenberma business district from 30 mph to 20 mph.
Chief Dunn recommends the reduction due to heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the area, which includes multiple crosswalks and a playground.
"The speed limit right now in that area, unless otherwise posted, is 30 miles an hour, which is very fast for a business district in my opinion," Dunn says. "We get a lot of complaints of speeders through that area."
The reduced speed limit will extend from the Kenberma intersection to Nantasket Road, encompassing the playground, park, and pickleball court area.
In other business, the board:
- Approves a request from Birds and Bees Management, LLC, doing business as South Shore Taco Guy, to extend their hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Approves Harry Dunn's request to park 350 additional cars at the HRA lots
- Approves the 2025 Seasonal Liquor License Certification
- Approves road closures for a block party on Brookline Avenue (August 9-10) and for the Senior Center Open House Block Party on Lewis Street (July 16)
The town manager provides updates on several projects, including the selection of KBA Architects for the public safety feasibility study, the shortlisting of four firms for the middle school project, and the completion of negotiations with all outstanding unions.
Constable also notes the installation of planters in the Kenberma district and confirms that Article 37 from town meeting, which sought to remove the Town Manager as light plan manager, is not actionable because it would require special legislation.
The board schedules a retreat for June 26 at 5 p.m. to review and update goals and objectives.