School fight center of interest: A four-way contest for two seats on the Hull School Committee is the center of public interest as the March 13 town election campaign enters the final days. A technical error in preparing the original copy of the town warrant, which omitted the School Committee office, seemed earlier in the week to pose an obstacle by voting for that particular office on March 13, but the obstacle was apparently removed by the exercise of the General Laws in a meeting of Selectmen, Town Counsel and Town Clerk Tuesday. In the school board fight, incumbent John F. Wholey is seeking re-election to a three-year term and there is another vacancy caused by the decision of SC Neil Dushan not to seek re-election. Other candidates for the two posts include Dr. Gerald J. Fay, prominent Hull optometrist and businessman; Atty. David L. Dray, Hull High School graduate and local practicing attorney; and Joseph C. Myers, Hull Fire Captain and High School Booster Club head.
Renewal program moving ahead: The Hull Redevelopment Authority started the Project One renewal program down the runway this week with letters of intent for land-taking sent to some property owners in the 30-acre tract. First letter of intent went to Gem Properties Inc., formerly operated by the late George Gordon, giving 90 days’ notice to vacate buildings and land on both sides of Otis Street, extending from Nantasket Avenue to Shore Drive on the oceanfront.
Over $5 million voted at meeting; Lack of quorum blocks second try for fire department 42-hour week: In the second session of the town meeting, Wednesday evening, Hull voters approved pay hikes of $550 for the chairman of Assessors, $415 for the Tax Collector and $214 for the Town Clerk, but rejected a sub motion to raise all elected officers’ pay by 5.5%, which was the raise granted other town employees Monday evening. The meeting also recommended no action on a plan to buy land in the Kenberma area for public parking and for purchase and renovation of the former Bayside Theatre for a youth center. Voters approved $50,000 to expand landfill operations at the town dump, and $24,000 for a new dump truck.
SCUBA funds voted for fire department: Hull voters approved $2,329 last night on a request of Fire Chief Kervyn Means to establish, equip and train a SCUBA diving unit in the Hull Fire Department for use in floods and other emergencies.
SC cuts school budget $47,000: In a sub motion last night, Chairman Neil Dushan, in what was probably his last official act as a School Committeeman, announced that the SC had cut its budget by $47,000, representing a dollar on the tax rate. $9,035 of the cut was from school expenses and $37,965 was applied from federal refunds.
Teachers’ pay raised $300: In a tentative contract agreement with the School Committee, Hull teachers and other professional personnel have accepted a base pay hike of $300, upping their annual pay to $7,750, starting next September. Superintendent Richard Charlton said that in addition to the base pay hike, teachers with 5 to 10 years’ experience will receive 4.4% instead of the previous 4.3%.
Turnabout damaged: Along with so many other families in Hull, Turnabout received measurable damages from the storm. Four feet of water wiped out the entire commissary in the basement. Mattresses, linens, a dryer, three refrigerators and a new washing machine were lost due to the flooding. Only a clean-up crew remained in the Hull House while the other residents were temporarily evacuated to the Hingham House.
Cub Pack news: The Cub Scouts of Pack 412 held their second annual Blue and Gold Banquet at the Jacobs School on Feb. 29. Many awards were given out by Cubmaster Robert Dow. Among these were trophies won by Cubs at last month’s Pinewood Derby.
Town concert: The Hull Music Department announces its coming town concert, to be held Thursday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial School auditorium. The elementary through high school bands will be performing. Proceeds will go to the high school’s exchange trip with Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
As published in The Hull-Nantasket Times
Compiled by John J. Galluzzo
