Charter in Hands of Selectmen: Hull’s new home- rule charter plan, as approved by the state’s attorney general, is being processed by the selectmen to go on the March 1971 election ballot, where it must be either accepted or rejected in its entirety by the town’s voters. If approved, Hull would become the 10th town in the state to activate a home-rule charter. “Other charters voted and in active operation are in Leominster, Swampscott, Rockland, Auburn, Northborough, Abington, Barnstable, North Reading, and Westwood,” John Dalton, state Department of Community Affairs official, said Tuesday. Dalton said 13 other communities plan to put the charter questions on their ballots in 1971.
Charter Com Chair Candidate for Selectman: David E. Berman, 31, Boston banking officer and chairman of the Hull Charter Commission, has entered the contest for Hull selectman, opposing incumbent Selectman Simmy Hartstone. Berman and Hartstone have both taken out their nomination papers and are getting signatures, as is Charles Weiner, candidate for re-election to the Hull Park and Recreation Commission. Miss Mary P. Potterton, former chairwoman of the Advisory Board and retired advertising executive at Sears Co., has taken candidacy papers for Planning Board and Hull Redevelopment Authority but will probably finally run for the HRA, she indicated yesterday.
Emergency Funds Sought: Selectmen have requested the state director of accounts for permission to raise $22,600 in emergency funds for the Highway and Police departments due to depleted 1970 funds and outstanding expenses. Highway Superintendent Matthew Muncy requested $12,300 for snow removal costs, $4,000 for other expenses, and $2,300 for salt, sand, and landfill materials. Police Chief Short requested $4,000 to pay bills for repairs to police cars caused by accidents for which the town has been reimbursed by insurance during November and December 1970.
A Warning on Winter Car Removal: Highway Superintendent Matthew Muncy and Police Chief Daniel A. Short have joined in a strong message to Hull residents urging that cars be removed from streets during snowstorms in order not to block snow removal trucks. During the heavy storms of late December and on New Year’s Day, snow removal was seriously impeded, particularly on residential side streets where trucks had to frequently detour around lines of cars in front of homes on both sides of the street.
Cupola to Stay – for Now: The historic cupola on the Hull Village Library, beneath which the late John Boyle O’Reilly used to contemplate as he wrote his famous poetry, has been temporarily saved from removal on request of the Hull Historical Society, which wants to preserve the quaint architecture. Selectmen voted to convey the request to Building Commissioner Stanley MacLeod, who has been cost surveying the cupola as well as other parts of the building for much-needed repairs, or removal. HHS Secretary Rose Lord, in her letter to the board, also indicated the society hopes to eventually occupy the building if and when a new town library is built.
Police Chief to Retire This Year: Hull Police Chief Daniel A. Short has notified the Board of Selectmen that he will retire on or before Dec. 1, 1971. Chief Short, a veteran of more than 40 years on the Police Department, has headed that department for the past 26 years. An examination for the position will be scheduled by the Division of Civil Service. Short is past president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and a graduate of the FBI National Academy and is presently serving a term on the Massachusetts Police Training Council. He is chairman of Trustees of the Boy Scout Troop Building, co-chairman of the Hull Beautification Committee, vice chairman Hull Charter American Red Cross, and member of the board of directors of the newly formed Hull Historical Society.
VFW Gives Police New Rescue Unit: The James W. Richardson Post, VFW of Hull and Hingham, has presented a new $350 Emerson Resuscitator to the Hull Police Department that it bought with the proceeds from a recent Las Vegas night. The new equipment is portable and can be quickly shifted to any of the police cruisers for ready use in emergencies.
Rehab Center to Remain Open: The Project Turnabout drug rehabilitation center, located in the former Coast Guard building in Hull, has changed its plans to close the center and is keeping it open with four resident staff members, pending receipt of new funds, Hull Selectman Martin A. Fallon said Monday.
News Brief: The condition of former selectman William M. Bergan is reported slightly improved, although he is still under intensive care for a heart condition at the South Shore Hospital.
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