HULL - February 18, 2026 - The Hull Select Board voted on Wednesday to implement a new online parking permit system and significantly increase fees for residents and visitors. In a move designed to streamline administrative burdens and fund an expansion of the Community Service Officer (CSO) program, restricted parking stickers for residents will rise from $14 to $20, while visitor passes will also increase to $20. The board also referred four major zoning bylaw amendments to the Planning Board, including changes to height restrictions and public open space requirements in “flexible” development zones.
The Full Story
The debate over parking dominated much of the evening, as the Select Board weighed the need for municipal revenue against the frustrations of residents who feel “taxed” to park in front of their own homes. Town Manager Jennifer Constable and Police Chief John Dunn proposed moving the entire permit process to “City Hall Systems,” an online vendor that will handle the printing and mailing of stickers for a $4 transaction fee.
Chief Dunn emphasized that the current manual system is an “incredible amount” of work for staff, often creating backlogs at the police station window. He argued that the fee increases are necessary to expand the CSO program from six to ten officers to better manage the 1,700+ parking tickets issued annually during the busy summer season.
The board ultimately rejected a higher $30 fee recommended by the Chief, settling on $20 as a compromise. Select Board member Brian McCarthy expressed strong opposition to the hike, arguing that homeowners who already pay excise taxes should receive at least one free pass. “To me, it’s just discombobulated,” McCarthy said. “We pay excise tax, and then we charge homeowners to park in front of our own houses?”
“We have a giant beach that people come to... this mechanism is put in place to try to protect our resident spaces, and it comes with a cost.” — Greg Grey, Vice Chair
In other business, Community Development and Planning Director Chris Dilorio introduced four zoning bylaw amendments intended for the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Most notable is a revision to the “Flexible Plan Development” zone—affecting large parcels over 10 acres. The proposed changes would slash the maximum allowable building height from 70 feet to 40 feet and mandate the inclusion of public open space.
Additional zoning proposals include:
Non-conforming Uses: Turning “by-right” construction in narrow setbacks into a special permit process to prevent houses from being built too high and too close together.
Nantasket Beach Overlay District: Requiring building breaks every 60 feet (down from 80) to prevent “wall-like” facades and introducing shadow studies to protect public sidewalks from losing sunlight.
Museum Uses: Explicitly allowing museums in certain commercial recreation districts.
Why It Matters
For residents, the new parking policy means a higher annual cost per vehicle and a shift to a digital-first application process. For those uncomfortable with online systems, the town has committed to providing in-person assistance at the library and Senior Center. The zoning changes reflect a broader push by the Planning Board to preserve the town’s coastal character by limiting building heights and ensuring that large-scale developments provide tangible benefits like public parks and sun-lit walkways.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To refer the four proposed zoning bylaw amendments to the Planning Board for public hearing.
Vote: Unanimous ([1:18:53])
Motion: To set the restricted parking sticker fee at $20, visitor passes at $20, senior stickers at $10 (for ages 65+), and provide one free sticker for Veterans/Handicapped residents.
Vote: 3-2 (McCarthy and Taverna opposed) ([1:31:35])
Motion: To approve the conditional offer of employment for full-time police officers James T. Denton and Neil L. Reilly.
Vote: Unanimous ([1:37:29])
Public Comment
Anne Murray (Summit Ave): Expressed deep frustration with the “revenue enhancement” nature of the parking program, arguing that enforcement is lacking in her end of town despite paying for the stickers for years.
Randy Gould (Cushing St): Criticized the accuracy of the town’s parking website and questioned why certain municipal lots were not being enforced according to posted signs.
Susan Shortgreen (B St): Questioned the town’s choice of comparison communities (like Marshfield) used to justify the fee increases.
What’s Next
Zoning Public Hearings: The Planning Board is scheduled to hold public hearings on all four zoning amendments on March 11, 2026.
Beach Management Plan: A 151-page comprehensive Beach Management Plan was presented and will be up for formal review and adoption at the March 11 Select Board meeting.
Parking Rollout: The new online parking system is expected to go live in March to allow residents several months to acquire permits before the summer season.