Choose Granite Countertops in Hull, MA for Elegance and Durability

This week's nor'easter has not spared the South Shore, even if the snow has stayed away. (Though some people have said they saw hail this morning.)

High winds and coastal flooding spurred on by Thursday morning's high tide have made a mess of roads, particularly in often hit areas such as Scituate, Marshfield and Quincy.

A coastal flood warning was in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday morning for the east coast of the state, the Cape and Islands, according to the National Weather Service.

"Some vulnerable coastal roads become impassable around high tide. Flooding 1 to 2 feet deep affects some "coastal "roads and low lying areas from Revere and Winthrop through Boston to Hull, Braintree and Quincy," the weather service predicted when the warning went into effect at 6 Thursday morning. "Splashover and debris may wash onto coastal roads when large waves occur."

A high wind warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service said wind speeds would remain between 25 to 20 mph, with gust of up to 60 mph possible. Plymouth saw 59 mile per hour winds yesterday.

"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected," the agency said in its warning.

National Grid power outages

The number of National Grid outages on the South Shore was low and continues to drop as of noontime.

The total for the two counties is less than half the figure from a few hours ago, with a total 67 outages, with Norfolk at 49 and Plymouth at 18. Quincy has dropped from 126 to just 10. Any lingering outages should be fixed within the next two hours, according to the company.

Braintree, which has its own electricity provider, has not reported any outages.

The situation was very different at 10 a.m. for some of the other counties in the state served by National Grid, such as Essex, which has around 7,800 customers without power, and Middlesex, which has around 3,500 reported outages.

Those numbers are steadily decreasing, although thousands of people remain without power. Restoration times for those areas should be completed by early evening, according to National Grid.

Eversource outage numbers

Eversource reported 3,134 outages across its eastern Massachusetts coverage area as of 10 a.m. On the South Shore, most towns had either no or single-digit outages reported. Marshfield was an outlier to that by a bit, with 68 outages reported. Plymouth had 22.

The total outages as of noon are 1,410. Marshfield now has 45 customers without power and Plymouth 21.

Estimated restoration times were not available.

When will the storm be over?

The National Weather Service estimates any lingering effects from the storm will clear out by Friday morning.

Scituate, Marshfield storm updates

Scituate, which is among the South Shore towns that often see the most damage, usually in the form of coastal flooding, from storms, has not had any notable incidents related to the weather, Scituate Town Administrator James Boudreau said late Thursday morning.

"We have had road closures centered around high tide. Many have opened up at this point. DPW is doing debris cleanup along the coast," he said. "(There are) no major issues that I am aware of "

The Brant Rock area of Marshfield has been closed to through traffic due to flooding, according to multiple residents in the area.

Quincy road closures

The city of Quincy has announced several area road closures, which includes:

This story will be updated.

Demolition of the former Atlantic Aquarium at the foot of Atlantic Hill in Hull, Mass., currently is under way and construction of the 21-unit residential building that will replace it is moving forward, the Hull Times reported Oct. 5.

The developer expects a building permit to soon be granted for the project.

Contractors began demolishing the 51-year-old concrete-block building in the small coastal town, located on a peninsula at the southern edge of Boston Harbor, from the inside out.

Jonathan Leavitt, a principal of 120 Nantasket Ave LLC, said there has been a lot of work in the ground already, such as breaking the slab floor in the basement, bringing it to the surface to crush it, before putting it back in the hole to bring the level of the basement higher.

"The demo is under way even though the walls are not collapsed in yet," the Brookline architect and developer told the Hull news source. "The roof has been removed and a geotech engineer examined the soil to be sure it can accept footings."

Leavitt said that the plan to completely raze the existing structure and build a new one over the old foundation was "complicated," while adding, "Normally we knock down the existing building and build new."

On Sept. 27, the planning board in Hull approved a definitive subdivision plan for the development, which Leavitt described as "protecting the property from any adverse bylaw impacts."

Filing a subdivision plan does not fundamentally change the property's layout, but locks in current zoning for eight years, noted Leavitt's attorney, Adam J. Brodsky.

The property's units will be rented or sold at market rate, and because of the zoning freeze, none of the units are required to be designated as affordable, he said.

Brodsky also addressed the planning board's previously voiced concerns about the project not going forward by assuring Hull officials that the new building will be constructed.

"The developer has arranged with the [Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, or DCR] for a construction easement," he explained.

Fencing for the construction project has been installed on the DCR-controlled sidewalk in front of the building, according to the Times.

Leavitt noted that the owners also are answering questions posed by Hull's municipal building department regarding the building permit.

"An extensive analysis for energy consumption is required, and we are finalizing the energy model for certain criteria," he said. "We are set to meet all required criteria."

New Structure to Sport Unique Windblown Design

A complete construction schedule is being worked out between the contractor and 120 Nantasket Avenue LLC, added Leavitt, who noted that typically he "would expect the build to take one and half years. Whether it will take longer or shorter, I do not know. There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle."

The new residential structure will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, with a parking garage on the ground level. The plans also include an outdoor swimming pool and deck.

"The building is not a cookie-cutter design," he said. "There are terrace effects with balconies providing Hull with a premier entrance to the town."

Additionally, the facade of the building will feature glass walls facing the Atlantic Ocean, with each story receding backward, to create the effect of "rippling flags or sails." The rooftop also can accept solar panels if an owner wants them.

"There is a lot of privacy and views from each unit," Leavitt told the Hull news site, adding, "You see the beachgoers, the sand and the ocean. It faces west, so you see the sunset as well, and the city of Boston is also in the distance."

He added he is "not pushing to presell" and would like to have the building completed before any units are sold.

The developer pointed out that recessions usually last eight to 18 months, so that if one is in the near future, "we will probably be out by the time the [building's construction] is completed."

However, he also acknowledged "anything can happen — look at COVID."

"The project is coming at a time when Hull is being discovered more," Leavitt continued. "I have found there is increasing interest in living and retiring in Hull."

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developmenthousingMassachusetts

• Hull High junior Fallon Ryan has been recognized by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for her community service as part of Team Up 4 Community, whose mission is to “encourage athletes and all individuals to take decisive action to create positive and lasting change in their local and global communities,” the organization notes on its website.

According to Coach Jaime Standridge, Fallon is a junior three-sport standout athlete at Hull High, and captain and point guard of the girls basketball team. “In addition to being an amazing athlete and on the court leader, she is a well-respected role model and leader within her school community,” her coach wrote in explaining the program. “Prior to this year, Hull High had never been involved in the MIAA Student Ambassador Program, and Fallon saw this as an opportunity to make a huge impact within the school and community, hence taking the initiative to bring this program to Hull High, where she currently serves as the first-ever Hull High MIAA Student Ambassador, where she attends and leads the charge for all related events. During the last Student Ambassador event, the takeaway was to create a service project to help those in need, by collecting hats, mittens and gloves.

“Fallon took this challenge very seriously and took the initiative to organize and further promote this event at a recent girls basketball game, where fans from both Hull and opponent Carver were encouraged to donate gently used or new hats, gloves, and mittens in place of admission to the game. Both the Hull and Carver fans were very receptive to and supportive of Fallon’s efforts, and the Carver girls basketball team and athletic department did an amazing job helping to promote and further support as well. The event was a huge success and the donations box was overflowing by end of night.

“Fallon also sent an email to the local elementary school staff and students, further promoting the event, where she is further involved with the teachers and youth via the Hull Girls Bball Pirate Readers Program, and has encouraged them to continue to bring in donations,” Standridge continued. “‘It feels great to be a part of helping others in need,’ Fallon said, and I personally couldn’t be more proud of Fallon and all of her efforts – she is an amazing example of what all student athletes should strive to achieve, both on and off the court.

• ”Best wishes to native Hullonian Charlie Gould, who recently returned home from a hospital stay. Many know Charlie from his many community activities and his frequent contributions to our letters to the editor page. We know he will be back to his old self in no time!

• Siobhan Burke has been named to the University of Alabama Dean’s List for the 2023 fall semester. Students with an academic record of at least 3.5 earn a spot on the list.

• You have until Friday night to place your order as part of the Nantasket-Hull Rotary’s Stretch Your Food Budget program. Any Hull citizen may try the meal kits and special weekly offerings by going to www.SYFB.space and sending a request for a delivery. All SYFB meal kit options are free. The organization must receive your order by Friday night to ensure delivery on the next Tuesday.

• Happy Birthday (February 1) to former Times Publisher Susan Ovans. We hope you are enjoying your big day somewhere warm and fun!

• Richie Chau and Amelia Donovan, both of Hull, have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Rhode Island for the fall 2023 semester. To be included on the Dean's List, full-time students must have completed 12 or more credits and achieved at least a 3.30 quality point average.

• Congratulations to Caitlin Rowe, who has been named to the Dean’s List at Salem State University for the fall semester. Kate is a junior at Salem State.

• Attention local photographers and artists! You are invited to enter your best photo in the first annual Town Report Cover Contest. To be considered, you may submit a Hull-related photo or drawing to the select board’s office at town hall before March 14. Anyone under 18 must have their parents’ permission to enter the contest. Visit the town’s website at www.town.hull.ma.us for all the details, and you could see your artwork on the cover of the town’s 2023 annual report.

• Hailey Gould of Hull has been named to the Dean's List for the 2023 fall semester at the University of New England. Dean’s List students must have attained a grade point average of 3.3 or better out of a possible 4.0 at the end of the semester.

• The next meeting of the Hull Parent-Teacher Organization will be on Tuesday, February 6 at 7 p.m. at the Lillian M. Jacobs Elementary School, 18 Harborview Rd. Members and non-members are always welcome to attend. The mission of the group is to support the Hull Public Schools by sponsoring fundraisers, cultural enrichment programs, and other activities. If you need childcare while you attend the meeting, reach out before the meeting to Renee Kiley at president@hullpto.org. If you have other questions, contact Caryn O’Connor at secretary@hullpto.org. More information can be found at www.hullpto.org.

• Get your Valentine’s Day messages in as soon as possible – we are continuing our tradition of publishing free Valentine’s to (and from) our readers. You can tell that special someone just how much you care with a free Valentine in the February 8 issue of The Hull Times. Just print your 20-word message and return it to us by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 5. No late entries, please! Send your Valentines to news@hulltimes.com.

If you have news about Hull residents to share – birthdays, anniversaries, career and education achievements, weddings, births, and other milestones – send your information to us at news@hulltimes.com. If you include a photo, please be sure that everyone in the image is identified. Thank you!

HULL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The town of Hull is considering rebuilding the seawall along the coast on Nantasket Avenue, which could affect residents living in the area and alter traffic patterns as well.

Hull is working with the consulting firm GEI Consultants on a timeline for completion, which could take over a year.

On Jan. 17, GEI gave a presentation at the Hull Select Board meeting on their survey and study for the seawall construction. They determined that the Nantasket Avenue seawall is the “highest priority from the study,” reported GEI.

Grants to fund the reconstruction project would potentially come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and town funds among other sources, detailed the presentation.

At the meeting, the consultants told the board that it could take up to 18 months to complete.

And Hull residents have already begun to express their opinions on the potential reconstruction plans and the impacts it could have on their lives.

“Obviously we’re going to have issues with traffic," said Tom, who has a beachfront apartment in Hull. The potential construction project could turn Nantasket Avenue into a one-way street, which would change traffic patterns in the area, commented residents.

If the seawall undergoes renovation, it could affect the community as well as visitors to Hull. One resident explained, “It’ll be frustrating for tourists to not have places to park."

Other talked about how a construction project would affect those who lived close by. “It’s hard to live in front of a project site for a year or more at a time."

Yet, some residents said that it would be an important step to replace the seawall. Explaining the effects of weather on the coast, Tom added that "we get a lot of water coming in during really bad storms and high tide especially." These conditions have put strain on the seawall in the town, making conversations about a replacement necessary.

Hull's renovation project will be subject to public comment sessions in the upcoming months.

WBZ's Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.

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As the school district prepares for the start of the new year on Aug. 30, Jake’s Seafood Restaurant continued its tradition of hosting a luncheon to welcome new teachers to Hull as they become familiar with the town and their new roles. Superintendent Judith Kuehn and administrators provided these profiles of teachers who will be joining the Hull Public Schools this year.

David Benson will be a long-term substitute 0.8 mathematics teacher at Hull High School during the 2023-24 school year. Mr. Benson received his bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, his master’s degree from the University of West Florida, and his CAGS from the University of New Hampshire.

Theodora (Teddi) Cowden was a long-term substitute grade-four teacher at the Jacobs Elementary School last year, and this year she has been appointed as a grade-two teacher. Ms. Cowden received her bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University and her master’s degree from Merrimack College.

Michelle Darragh will be a 0.6 occupational therapist at the Jacobs School. Ms. Darragh received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ithaca College. She comes to Hull from Lexington Public Schools.

William Dorney is joining Hull High School this year as a long-term substitute English language arts teacher. Mr. Dorney received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College.

Athena Fazio will be a preschool teacher at the Jacobs School and comes to Hull from the Walpole Public Schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, her master’s degree from Lesley University, and her postgraduate certificate of study from Framingham State University.

Brendan Fitzgerald previously worked in the Haverhill Public Schools as a grade-six social studies teacher. He received his bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America and his master’s degree from Merrimack College.

Faith Martin will join the Jacobs School staff this year as a long-term substitute grade-five teacher. Ms. Martin received her bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College and her master’s degree from Bridgewater State University, and previously taught at Boston Renaissance Charter Public School.

Katelyn McMurdie will be a grade five teacher in Hull after teaching in Avon Public Schools for many years. Ms. McMurdie received her bachelor’s degree from Utah Valley University and her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.