Hull Receives $100,000 Grant for 250th Celebration, Updates on Multiple Projects
Town Manager Constable briefs board on celebration plans, seawall work, and parking changes during regular meeting
HULL - April 16 - Town Manager Jennifer Constable announces the town has received a $100,000 grant for its upcoming 250th celebration, with plans already underway for several major events.
"So far the committee has discussed a gala, parade, fireworks, there's like four or five major ones," Constable tells the board during her update. "The budgets haven't been finalized for those, we've had to put in estimated budgets and projective plans."
Constable credits the celebration committee and specifically Lori West for the successful grant application.
The announcement comes as part of several project updates Constable provides to the board during their regular meeting, including the resumption of seawall work and progress on the Memorial Middle School project.
The seawall project is set to mobilize again beginning April 28, with traffic diversions already posted as crews work toward completing the low wall section. Residents should expect some traffic pattern changes in the area during construction.
Progress continues on the Memorial Middle School project, with seven responses received for the Owner's Project Manager (OPM) bid. The town also receives five responses for the public safety feasibility study, with interviews expected to be scheduled for the last week of April.
"We're hoping to schedule interviews for the last week, if not a little bit sooner in April, to begin that work as well," Constable says.
In a development that Chair Irwin Nesoff suggests will please the beautification committee, new planters are being added to Kenberma. The town is working with a local florist on these additions, while planters at the Mezzo Mare intersection are being revamped by the Department of Public Works.
"Those are being a little revamped by DPW, some voluntary work, I want to thank them, and they'll be filled, I believe we're aiming for about Memorial Day on that," Constable says.
The board discusses the new pay-by-park signs that have been installed throughout town, though the system is not yet operational. The board needs to finalize the parking fees for each district at their upcoming meeting on April 23.
"The biggest change will be the Helen Street lot will become a paid lot going forward," Constable explains, adding that the board will clarify whether resident stickers will be applicable in that lot as they are in the front lot.
Board member Brian McCarthy raises concerns about how the new parking system will work for elderly residents and those without smartphones. Constable acknowledges these concerns and emphasizes that the primary purpose of the paid parking is not revenue generation but ensuring proper turnover of spaces.
"The reason for the meters or paying for parking now is exactly that," Constable says. "In Surfside, for example, where you want that turnover, you know, you might have a higher rate there because you want that turnover so that people are going, parking there, going to the businesses and leaving, but not parking and staying there going to the beach for a day."
McCarthy reinforces this point, stating, "This is not supposed to be a money-making scheme for us."
Constable also informs the board that the town meeting warrant is now posted on the website and will be mailed to voters at least seven days prior to the meeting. She is working on making the warrant interactive online, similar to what the town of Hopkinton has done.
"The goal is to have that interactive warrant online. So it would have all the articles, some GIS locations as it relates to some of the articles, any information and links to information again related to each of the articles," Constable explains.
The board is scheduled to meet again on April 23, beginning at 5 p.m. with a ride on the 714 bus route with MBTA representatives who will be presenting. Constable notes that the Metropolitan Planning Organization has given a sizable award to support the transition from flag stop to designated stop service.
Other announcements from the meeting include:
* The Hull Pride scholarship application deadline is April 25, with up to a $5,000 award available this year
* Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be available at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the carousel
* An egg hunt is scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m.
* Derby Night is set for Friday, May 2, at the carousel, coinciding with the actual Kentucky Derby
* Hull Cleanup Day is scheduled for April 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at N Street
The meeting concludes with board member Greg Grey requesting attention to the deteriorating asphalt between the Saltwater Club and the Yacht Club where the town pier is located.
"There's a lot of backing up with the trucks and it's really turning into a mess," Grey says, asking for the area to be added to the town's maintenance list.