Stacy Callahan

The meeting agenda covered several items for discussion and approval. Discussion topics included a presentation on the Hull Municipal Light Plant 2026 Budget by the Town & Light Plant Manager. Key items for approval involved the Note Sale for the Temporary Financing of several projects including Nantasket Pier Dredging, Nantasket Avenue Seawall Replacement, Landfill Closure, and Village Fire Station Projects. Updates were provided by the USA 250th Committee and the Hull Chamber of Commerce. A request for a Rainbow Run 5K road race scheduled for May 2, 2026, was also presented. The board voted to approve the sale of General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) and Grant Anticipation Notes (GANs) to Fidelity Capital Markets and ratified related official statements and disclosure undertakings. The board also approved putting the Hull Life Saving Museum's Harbor Illumination event on the agenda for July 25, 2026.

The Zoning Bylaw Committee discussed several key regulatory topics. The committee voted unanimously to delay the reorganization of the committee until a new member is seated and another member is present. Discussions covered the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bylaw, where no new update on Town Counsel's opinion was available. Regarding Flexible Plan Development, the majority favored developing amendments over repeal. The committee reviewed the Zoning Map and requested a list of zoning updates since 2002. A unanimous vote resulted in the removal of discretionary design language concerning roof appurtenances for nonconforming uses. The committee also discussed striking the "515 Rule" provision and reviewed proposed edits to the Nantasket Beach Overlay District (NBOD) definition of open space, supporting housekeeping changes first. Further discussion focused on NBOD standards related to building massing and the "wall effect." Other high-level topics included potential changes to prohibited uses and parking concerns.

The committee approved the meeting notes from previous dates (8/26, 11/6, 12/2). Key discussions included the ongoing update to the website, review of the Capital Asset Worksheet, including the master sheet and scoring/ranking system skeleton. The committee reviewed the Initial Project List, addressing how to handle project requests not submitted via department heads, which may involve soliciting from committees and utilizing a spreadsheet for known Town project needs. The group also discussed waterfront access data and strategy regarding a dynamic versus comprehensive worksheet. The focus for the next meeting is reviewing Capital Request Forms.

The Tri-Town Committee meeting included updates from Hull, Cohasset, and Hingham representatives concerning various conservation and development issues. Hull updates involved progress on the Eastman Road Trail, efforts to fund identification markers for over 160 public access points via an online map, and follow-up on rebuilding a damaged information kiosk. Concerns were raised regarding potential development in an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and plans for purchasing water from the Quabbin Reservoir. Cohasset updates covered a well-attended community history event regarding Straits Pond, ongoing efforts by developers to build houses near a critical freshwater source, a proposal to support sidewalk construction near Black Rock Beach, and findings from a Weir River Culvert and Trout study utilizing Environmental DNA measurements. Hingham updates included a request to share the Straits Pond presentation, discussion about development in an ACEC (a proposed Senior Center), and a need for additional Hingham members on the committee.

The Hull Select Board meeting included several key actions and discussions. Approvals were granted for manager changes and license extensions for the Sandbar and Shipwreck'd businesses. The Economic Development Committee presented a branding and marketing campaign proposal centered on the tagline "No Place Like Hull," which the Board approved conceptually, with a condition to integrate existing town branding elements, such as the wave logo. A preliminary budget review for Fiscal Year 2027 was conducted, outlining anticipated spending increases and the development of a five-year capital improvement plan. The Board voted to open the warrant for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting and approved the declaration of trust for the Community Housing Trust Fund. Numerous renewal requests for various licenses, including All Alcohol, Common Victualer, Entertainment, Livery, Package Store, and Lodging House licenses, were unanimously approved. The Town Manager provided updates on holiday closures, upcoming public works projects including Crescent Beach cleanup and Samoset/Manomet road work, and the status of the James Avenue property issue. The Chair reported on a meeting with the Light Board chair aimed at fostering better inter-board cooperation, which led to a plan for regular quarterly meetings between elected body chairs. Finally, the Board entered into Executive Session to discuss strategy concerning the potential purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real estate related to Beach Food Market and Steamboat Wharf Marina.