Hull Select Board Selections Signal Major Progress on Public Safety Building and Beach Management
HULL - March 11, 2026 - The Hull Select Board moved closer to defining the town’s infrastructure for the next 50 years, appointing a high-powered Public Safety Building Committee from a field of over a dozen highly qualified residents. In a session marked by high civic engagement, the Board also unanimously adopted the 2026 North Nantasket Beach Management Plan and previewed a 44-article Town Meeting warrant that includes a proposed relocation of the Senior Center to the Memorial Middle School.
The Full Story
The March 11 meeting was dominated by the appointment process for the newly formed Public Safety Building Committee (PSBC), a project Chair Irwin Nesoff described as one that will “impact the town for decades” and “impact the safety of folks in town”. The Board was faced with what Nesoff called an “embarrassment of riches,” as 12 residents applied for only four at-large seats.
To harness the depth of expertise presented—ranging from former fire chiefs and state police leadership to commercial lending executives and project managers—the Board voted to expand the committee by adding two voting alternate seats.
The final appointees for the permanent resident-at-large seats include:
Nick Russo: A lifelong resident and former Hull Fire Chief (18 years) who also served 20 years with FEMA as a disaster specialist, leading federal assets during Hurricane Katrina.
Patrick McCarthy: A civil engineer and project manager with experience as an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for a $195 million public safety complex in Quincy.
Richard Scott Warmington: A retired State Police Deputy Superintendent who managed a $500 million budget and 3,000 employees, overseeing the construction and maintenance of 35 barracks.
Donna Pursel: A finance and contract management professional with three decades of experience managing large-scale corporate projects.
David Twombly, a former school committee and planning board chair with extensive school construction experience, was named “first alternate,” followed by marketing professional Joe Berkeley as the second alternate. Select Board member Greg Grey was appointed as the Board’s liaison to the committee.
“It’s long overdue… I think the future of public safety in the community really rests on what this committee does and what the final results are.” — Nick Russo, Public Safety Building Committee Appointee
2026 Beach Management Plan Adopted
Earlier in the evening, the Board unanimously adopted the 2026 North Nantasket Beach Management Plan. Conservation Climate Adaptation Director Chris Krahforst and the Beach Management Advisory Committee presented the plan as a culmination of over a year of work aimed at balancing recreation, habitat protection (specifically for piping plovers), and storm damage control.
A critical component of the plan is the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) section, which permits the removal of man-made debris (plastic, tires, etc.) from the beach. Krahforst clarified that this does not include “rack management” (seaweed), which is subject to different regulatory standards. The plan must be revisited every three years by law to ensure compliance with state agencies, including Natural Heritage and the DEP.
Zoning Board Split Vote
A rare point of contention arose during appointments for the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). While tradition often sees alternate members move into permanent seats, the Board voted 3-1 to appoint newcomer Anthony May to a permanent seat expiring in 2026, passing over current alternate Phillip Bellone.
Member Jason McCann advocated for the change, suggesting a “fresh perspective” would be helpful for the board. Bellone, who remains an alternate until 2027, had emphasized his experience in negotiating with applicants to maintain “the integrity of zoning in town”.
Town Meeting Preview: 44 Articles
Town Manager Jennifer Constable provided an index of the 44 articles headed for the May Town Meeting. Significant items include:
Senior Center Relocation: Article 24 seeks to fund the relocation of the Senior Center to the Memorial Middle School, which Constable noted has “ample space”.
Stabilization Funds: Article 15 proposes adding $100,000 to each of eight different town funds, including the Stabilization, OPEB, and Capital Stabilization funds.
CPA Projects: Recommended Community Preservation Act projects include beautification of the community garden, playground renovations at Village Park, and historic preservation of town records.
Citizens’ Petitions: Ten petitions were submitted, ranging from requests for legal review of petitions to a controversial proposal for eminent domain at James Ave Wharf and James Ave Beach.
Why It Matters
The appointments to the Public Safety Building Committee represent a professionalization of the town’s oversight for its largest upcoming capital expense. By selecting residents with direct OPM, FEMA, and high-level police/fire administration experience, the Select Board is attempting to mitigate risks associated with the complex, multi-million dollar construction project. Simultaneously, the adoption of the Beach Management Plan provides the town with the legal standing to maintain North Nantasket Beach while navigating strict state environmental protections.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To adopt the North Nantasket Beach Management Plan 2026.
Vote: 4-0 ([13:32])
Motion: To appoint Anthony May to the permanent seat on the ZBA.
Vote: 3-1 (Nesoff, Gray, McCann in favor; McCarthy opposed) ([24:13])
Motion: To appoint Greg Grey as the Select Board liaison to the Public Safety Building Committee.
Vote: 4-0 ([1:08:48])
Motion: To appoint Nick Russo, Patrick McCarthy, Scott Warmington, and Donna Pursel to the permanent resident-at-large seats of the PSBC.
Vote: Various ([1:24:40 - 1:30:36])
Public Comment
Resident Leslie Taylor inquired about town-provided insurance for residents holding educational presentations regarding Town Meeting warrant articles. Town Manager Constable noted she would need to check insurance requirements for shared town/school spaces but expressed a willingness to support the public’s need for information.
What’s Next
March 18 & 25: Select Board meetings to finalize and close the Town Meeting Warrant.
April 2: Warrant sent to the printer.
May (First Monday): Annual Town Meeting.
Ethics Training: Newly appointed committee members must complete online ethics training through the Town Clerk before being sworn in.
Source Video: Hull Community Television