Agenda for February 9, 2010 Board of Selectmen's Meeting
Watch on Comcast channel 10
Channel 35 on Verizon
The Hull Channel
7:30 PM
Photo from http://www.town.hull.ma.us/
TOWN OF HULL MEMORANDUM
Agenda for February 9, 2010 Meeting
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
October, 20, 2009, November 17, 2009, December 1, 2009
APPOINTMENTS
7:30 – Public Hearing – Textile Building Trust dba Fascination, Richard Lawrence, Mgr. – Wine and Malt (annual) license as a General on Premise Licensee at 189 Nantasket Ave.
8:00 - School Committee
CORRESPONDENCE
- Jordan Smock – Permission for marriage on A St. Pier for Kirk Daffner & Lise Bliss on 6/19/10
- ABCC – re: Setting temporary increased population as of 7/10/10
LICENSES
1. Loretta West dba LW Auto Sales, 4 Lincoln St. – Class II Wholesale Auto- RENEWAL
What number is the Hull Channel on Verizon?
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I think the times said 34 and 35
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I hope the members of the Board of Selectmen ask the School Committee members about the figures regarding the percentage of the budget that goes to schools and how best to compare Hull's spending with other towns.
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Something similar to what I was gonna say, just worded a bit differently.
My thought is this- whether it be the 58% from the day to day operational budget or the $18Million TOTAL the DOE website says the town of Hull spent on its school system in 2008, that represents a significant amount, in both cases over 50%, of our towns budget.
Thats ALOT of money from an approx $30M Dollar budget to spend on 11% of the population, and apparently our school system isn't "up to snuff", WHERE is that money going??
THAT is what someone on the BoS needs to ask tomorrow night. We need answers; from the proverbial horses mouth, NOT ANOTHER 2 1/2 overide pep rally
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Does any one know why Fascination is applying for an alcohol license? They don't serve food and the place is a dump. Smells like a strip club to me.
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You know what a strip club smells like??
Hmmmm...........
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There are some licenses that don't require food called general on premise. Examples: Sea note, Darcy's
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Are they going to sell cheap booze to the old broads who have been sitting there since I was a kid? Don't think so.
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The question is not why Facination would apply for a liquor license but why would the BoS vote in favor of granting one? One guess? Cronyism!
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Actually, Fascination has cleaned up a bit since Lenny died. The Boosters did a good fund raiser there and had a one day alcohol license with no problems.
The person saying this is going to become a strip club has no idea what they are talking about. It is an amusement game and this sounds like they are trying to make it a place where people will stay and enjoy themselves. The game itself isn't that interesting, but it gives out cash prizes, and it's not an arcade like the one next door for kids.
Strip clubs need different licenses. Just because you get a liquor license, that doesn't mean you can have strippers there too.
Talk about jumping to conclusions and being an alarmist! Let's hear what the guy has to say first!
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"Cleaned up a bit" are you kidding me? The place is terrible front and back inside and out. I can see the drunks falling out into Nantasket Ave now. This will add a lot of "local" to our town.
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Fascination ~ A game of skill and chance .
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I am watching the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen discuss the state of the schools and the potential override. I am very close to being convinced to support this tax increase and appreciate the time and effort that is being put into this. I agree with the Town Manager that the children of Hull are our legacy. He has rarely spoken favorably about the schools, but is supportive of this. He seems to be convinced of the validity of this proposal. This has helped me a lot in making this difficult decision. I also would like to thank Jim Tobin and Pat Finn for being there to ask the tough questions and hold the officials feet to the fire,
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I find it interesting how many of JW's random numbers, taken out of context, were discredited by a rather informed, calculated presentation by the school department.
Was that Lemnios in support of the school dep? I think it was.
I was thinking I was leaning toward JW's perspective. I am glad that I had the opportunity to see that presentation, and look forward to more before I make my final call.
However, if any of us are making decisions based on JW's biased take, completely out of context, we had better do ourselves and our community a favor and further educate ourselves.
I didn't realize this at first.......but JW obviously has a rather personal vendetta against the SC and the School Department. Before you take any of what he says to heart, you should verify it and put it in context.
It is possible that these people are telling us the truth, and if asked, will answer real questions. Email them, and ask them the questions directly, not JW here on his forum....the hullblog.
It seems that the School Dep is trying to be as transparent as possible. Ask the questions of them, directly. This is a SD trying to move forward the way we demand they do, fixing errors of the past. Let's hold them to that, but let's give them a chance to be that.
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More Informed?
Just another crony trying to push the debt exclusion through. You hide behind by More Informed. You have to be one of cronies again hiding.
In your entry, you do not say anything.
You state, "We had better do ourselves and the community a favor and further educate ourselves."
Why do you say 'we'? Whoever you are, can't you google the D.O.E. website and research the facts yourself?
Ask yourself one question. Why do 40 students Drop Out of HHS in two years?
If that fact does not make you question the sc and superintendent's greed and uncaring nature, then so be it.
In the meantime why don't we wait until the people vote in May. Let the residents vote and then go from there.
Jack
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JW, I don't think you do yourself or your point of view any favors by dismissing me as a crony that is hiding.
If you read back, I have not yet made a decision. Looks like you have made yours.
That presentation made me look at this situation differently. It made me realize I needed to do more research.
More importantly, it made me realize that you are playing games with numbers to discredit the SC and super.
In the meantime, I will do more research and await the election. Research, however, will not include your personal agenda to discredit. I will be emailing school officials directly, or calling in some cases.
I am not a crony. I am simply a resident trying to piece this together.
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You sound like a SC Member or a wanna be. I saw the presentation and I am still voting NO. They do not know the meaning of the word accountability.
No one in this town does. Why start holding people accountable now???? I have lived in this town for 59 years and no one has ever stepped up to the plate and said to the public sorry I am wrong. It's to late you have lost our trust. A majority of this town is fed up. School Com. do you know what you can do with your MAP?
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Again, disregarding me based on the feeling that I am an insider is reckless at best. I simply remain open minded.
We hold people accountable through the election of school com members and in attending school com meetings and providing opinion and comment.
When we do neither, and simply vote down an override attempt, or pick apart line items, we do not hold anyone accountable. Instead, we make our students suffer.
Cohasset is just about the same size as HHS. This year they spend $1M more on education. $1 Million More.
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To Hullonian:
-TRYING TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE 21ST CENTURY SCHOOL-
Hullonian, in your recent entry, you ask, “If I listen to all these negative comments & vote no, what will happen? Kids will still have to pay fees for everything & there will still be no social studies & foreign languages at the Memorial. But, if I vote yes, taxes go up permanently.”
Your entry is very well put. I think other residents feel the same way.
Maybe, it would help if you consider the quality of educational services that the sc & superintendent intend to use the money for. Just giving them more money does not assure that HHS will provide business courses, industrial arts courses, or computer tech courses.
I guess it comes down to trust. Do you trust the sc members to hold the superintendent accountable & provide a quality education for Hull students or will Tyrell & the sc continue to spend taxpayer’s money on administrative bonuses & going away cash gifts?
Tyrell receives a new contract, a raise in salary, bonuses, & other perks. Ford receives a $57K check that takes money away from the students.
These are facts regarding the state of affairs in Hull & I will continue presenting the facts, one topic at a time.
Today, I will submit information from the D. O. E. website on the HHS dropout numbers, the in-house suspensions & the out-of-school suspensions.
OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS, IN-HOUSE-SUSPENSIONS, DROPOUTS
Under Tyrell & Fords’ watch HHS had more dropouts than at anytime in the school’s history.
Is this just a coincidence? Was this a conscience effort to assure higher scores on the MCAS, as many believe? Would you consider the theory that if HHS had a fully staffed guidance dept, student support service team, & a curriculum that included computer tech courses, industrial arts, & business courses, some students might have stayed on board? Maybe, if the sc & superintendent hired a Drop-Out Prevention Liaison to reach out to these kids, some of them would have been helped. Where are they now? (A good assignment for Coach Q, the Outreach Coordinator) Other school districts, such as Pembroke, have Dropout Prevention Liaisons.
In 2007, HH had 22 students dropout of school. In 2008, 18 students dropped out. Where are they now?
During Ford’s reign as principal, there were 117 in-house suspensions & 96 out of school suspensions in one year.
The Hull dropout numbers far surpass any of the south shore high schools. Ford had little empathy for these students. Of course, this might have something to do with his military background/mind-set.
In 2008, 18 Hull High students dropped out of school. 117 students were involved w/in house suspension, and 97 out of school suspensions.
Hanover had 3 dropouts, 2 in-house suspensions and 52 out-of school suspensions.
Cohasset had 4 dropouts, no in-house suspensions, and 16 out of school suspensions.
Hingham had 6 dropouts, 49 in-house suspensions and 44 out of school suspensions.
Somebody has to care.
JW
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Responding to Jack Wholey (2/10/2010 6:06 am): Concerning the dropout rate, some of the 22 dropouts reported in 2007 and 18 dropouts reported in 2008 were the same students, so the total number of individuals would not add up to 40. Some students drop out when it becomes hopeless at some point during the year, such as if they have exceeded the number of absences allowed under the attendance policy, so would not receive credit for their courses even if passing grades were attained. Some of these students return the following fall with a clean slate for the new school year, and sometimes this happens again for the same students. They drop out again, and return for a third clean slate in the fall (so one student shows as a dropout for 2 years). Some stay, earn passing grades, receive no credit for their courses if they exceed the attendance policy standards, and make up the credits later through such things as the credit recovery program.
This dropout number issue, the attendance policy, and in/out of school suspensions are all ways that students are held to higher standards so that a HHS diploma actually means something. A student cannot earn a diploma if absent 52 times in a year without earning the credits later (and should a student who has been absent for 52 days really be earning passing grades anyway?? it does happen at times!) Should a student who is disruptive or cutting classes or violating other rules such as smoking in school be allowed to continue such behaviors without consequences like suspensions? How fair would this be to the greater number of students who are present in school, behaving appropriately, achieving real success and learning, and are therefore prepared for college level work or other productive paths after graduation?
I don't dispute the need for business and industrial tech courses to enhance academics, especially for those students who will not head for college. But I do support requiring students to achieve in actual academic courses such as algebra and biology, and not only for the reason of passing MCAS. How prepared are students for a productive life if they don't attain the skills needed to solve problems, learning the skills they need to seek help and see through difficult moments? Many students refuse to approach a teacher, & some refuse to follow through with any sort of research project. It doesn't have to be Harvard-level work to pass a course, and everyone won't earn an A, but it seems reasonable to expect that students learn to follow through with learning the skills to tackle and finish a project.
In the past, students were allowed to count certain business and industrial tech courses as math or science courses toward graduation requirements. Though this was useful for some to attain their diplomas, and some people said they could never pass algebra or biology requirements (or MCAS itself), they did once they were required to do so! Raising the bar raises achievement for most, including staff++
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I thought it was a dog & pony show thru & thru, why didn't they cut all the crap and just take the vote in favor of it that they all knew they were gonna do well before the meeting started.
Lemme ask ya this- in prior posts you've "hung yer hat" on these school budget numbers and the Hull Public Schools "School budget FAQ#1", and to defend their position the schools dept used numbers from other towns to say "see, we're not spending as much as other towns".
Welp, ya hear the "flip-flop" right at the start of this agenda issue last nite W/ the Super and the woman from the SC about these exact same numbers?? They BOTH said; in essence, these numbers are not accurate and not a true snapshot of any towns school department budget expenditures. Which I agree with. But ;depending on how it will serve you, you can't in one place put those numbers up to "pretend show" one thing and then try to disavow those exact same numbers in another place because they won't serve you as well in the same light.
That to me is nothing more than spinning spun numbers so that they will spin another tale, I believe one member of the BoS; at a point during the meeting , asked TM to "spin the numbers". There was so much spinning up town hall last nite my head was spinning by the time I got done watching it all.
This ; as TM so succinctly put last night, is a PERMANENT increase in our tax levy. Remember that, PERMANENT, as in it doesn't go away(unless we vote it out with an underide, which I highly doubt would ever happen).
And what TM say, $350K on top of the $1.9M??. if you vote yes in May, you are voting to PERMANENTLY raise our tax levy $2.250M @ year, and ;as TM also said, as a separate levy on top of the forecast statutory maximum allowable 2 1/2 increase, which TM also indicated would be the "nature of the beast" for the "foreseeable future" at a past meeting.
So, Just how much ya wanna pay in taxes to live in Hull?? At what point does throwing more and more of our tax money at a problem become counter-productive to the town as a whole?? As Blackall put it last night, I think we are VERY CLOSE to that "tipping point", although, according to the Super and SC, doing this will apparently also solve Hulls "dead real estate market" dilemma.
Time to put the Gasden flag up
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Continuing to Jack:
All that said, no child (or staff member, or citizen) should be left behind, and there’s work to be done to assure that all students experience success. There are issues to be dealt with so that students don’t miss 52 days of school, so they’re not smoking on school property, so they’re not cutting classes, etc. We certainly know that money is not necessarily utilized in the best ways possible at all times. It is a good thing that students are held to higher academic standards and suspended when necessary. I’d love to see a culture of fairness, achievement, and responsibility pervasive of all levels, from students throughout staff, the super, and the sc. Will it ever be perfect? I’d say it can improve greatly, and that voters definitely have a say in this, both at election time and by asking the hard questions (and seeking the truth) throughout the budget process.
Responding to johnnyboy (2/102010 6:37 am):
You are absolutely right that statistics can be made to support any point of view, even opposing points of view using the exact same statistics. Anyone who has taken a statistics course at any time in life should know this (maybe that's why it was required in my graduate program), and even those who have never taken a course can usually figure this out on their own.
That's why it's so important to dig for the real truth, no matter what is presented by whom in a presentation to convince people to vote in one direction or the other. Things are not always as they appear, even when presented with statistical support.
Kudos to those who are committed to making informed decisions – I hope you can get the info you need!
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Proposed item for the next Board of Selectmen's meeting: Enforcement of Sign Bylaw. The town has a sign bylaw that states that sign for defunct businesses should be removed from buildings. This has almost never been enforced and adds to the run down abandoned look of many buildings through out our town. One example: the "laundromat" across from Daly and Wanzer. When was the last time that was in operation? 1980's? C'mon highly paid town manager, make the employees get out of town hall and look around!
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To Truthseeker:
Students are not allowed 52 absences a year. The school policy is 5 absences each term.
The dropout rate, in-house suspensions, and out of school suspensions, at HHS, is a result of not having a quality student support team and guidance staff. When the superintendent makes a decision to eliminate the guidance staff, presumably to assure that Ms. Hazeltine did not obtain permanent teacher status, this has an affect on the student body and the entire school morale.
If only there was a cohesive student support staff and guidance department, the students might have been able to receive some guidance and subsequently still be attending HHS.
Having 40 students dropout of high school, in a two year time frame, is not something that should be overlooked or taken lightly. That number is higher than the previous ten years combined. It is also higher than the school districts of Cohasset, Hingham, Hanover, and Scituate combined.
So, Truthseeker wants to make excuses for the high dropout numbers and blame the students. But, the fact is, some students are going through a difficult time and they need someone to talk to. What many students did not need was Jonathan Ford’s ‘zero tolerance policy.’ Ford implemented his’ zero tolerance policy’ to assure higher MCAS scores and have himself look good.
There is more to a teenage high school student than their MCAS scores.
Now that there is a new principal and assistant principal there is more support and caring going on at HHS.
“You don’t throw someone away just because they’re a little banged up!”
JW
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JW - you bring up good points, continually.
However, this is where your complete inability to listen causes problems and exposes you.
Truthseeker is not saying that a student with 52 absences gets them. Instead, she is saying when that particular student finds themself in that situation, in violation of policy, they simply give up. Should we change that policy as a result? I think not.
For whatever reason this happens. Your repeated attempts to discredit Jonathan Ford are irrelevant. He is no longer the principal at HHS, presumably because of his inability to get along with the super. Maybe his approach was the reason that they could not coexist. If so, cudos to her.
His exit payment was negotiated by the super on your SC watch. Maybe you should have done more to protect our community from what you now speak so loudly against. If it happened under your nose, shame on you. You should have been more diligent.
The school admin office was negotiated on your watch. Maybe you should have done more to protect our community from what you now speak so loudly against. If it happened under your nose, shame on you, you should have been more diligent. You do not get to serve, and then complain about the results of your tenure. That would be failing to hold one accountable, as you would say.
With that said, JW, you are so loud and so opinionated, what exactly did you accomplish in your short time on SC?
"You can only lead someone to water, you cannot make them drink."
If students do not comply, they must face a consistent consequence. Truthseeker is right, it is not fair to those that follow the rules to allow those that do not, to simply slide.
JW, put your rabid efforts toward the state government's approach in consistently lowering local aid, and expecting us to survive. I think your approach would then be useful. As of now, it just comes off as personal and vindictive.
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To More Informed:
You state, “Cohasset is just about the same size a Hull. Cohasset spends $1M more a year on education. $1M.”
Cohasset is not about the same size (student enrollment) as Hull.
Cohasset’s student enrollment is 1,466. Hull’s student enrollment is 1,213. This is not close to being similar. Cohasset has 253 more students than Hull. So if Cohasset spends $1,000,000 more than Hull, Cohasset is spending the taxpayers’ money within reason.
And, it should be noted that Cohasset’s administrative offices are on the basement floor at the high school that is also the middle school. Cohasset finds room for the administrative staff within the school and houses both the middle school students and high school students w/o an additional tax burden on their residents.
The Hull sc decided to add an administrative wing to the Jacobs at the cost of $1.200.000. Remember, this $1,200,000, state of the art administrative wing, is not 71% reimbursable by the School Building Association. The Hull residents pay the entire $1,200,000.
I voted against this $1,200,000 administrative wing. Richardson, Evans, Bowes, and Canavan voted in favor of this state of the art administrative wing.
JW
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You forget that the School dept was paying approx $60,000 per year for Hadassah Way. The lease was coming up and they wanted more for rent. Pretty much a wash but at least we will own the offices in time.
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To Anonymous:
The Hadassah Way rent was more like $40-$45/year. As for stating that it is a a wash, that is not so. The superintendent is renting out space to South Shore Collaborative, That tells me that there is plenty of space within the three schools to accommodate the 14 members of the superintends staff.
HHS has about 375 students attending that school. My graduating class had 150 students and the HS had about 600 students. Some graduates say that over 800 students attended HHS. So, the other four sc members that voted for the new administrative wing knew that there was room in the schools. There plan was well thought out. They would vote for the $1,200,000 administrative wing because they would have their children attending that school. Canavan, Evans, Richardson, Peters, Merrigan, and others wanted to develop this beautiful state of the art facility for them to stop by at anytime and monitor what is happening. Kristen can stop by on the way home from her principals job and meet with her best friend Mary Merrigan and Tyrell and chat about the next group of professional development colleagues from Milton would be stopping in and chat. Richardson, Canavan. Peters, and others must feel quite at ease in the administrative wing of their child's school.
This was all planned well in advance by the Richardson, Canavan, Evans and others.
So, your rent amount for Hadassah Way is way off and your comment regarding the fact that we will own it is off base too. The Town already owned that space. It was the sc members that voted to add another $1,200,000 to the taxpayers' burden just after the residents voted for the $60,000,000 school renovation project. These sc members were not satisfied with the $60,000,000 committment. They had to display their greed and they are continuing to ask the taxpayers for more money for the schools at the tune of a permanaent tax increase that would transfer another $2,300,000 to the schools. It will never end and these committee members and their cronies are all making over $100,000 in family income. Many of the sc members have family members that are firemen in Hull and between the two incomes they are doing very well, unlike many of us.
JW
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KOO KOO'S NEST, KOO KOO'S NEST....
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Except...
JW is correct about the rental costs. Not sure I agree with the vast conspiracy theory.
The Rental was in the 40K range and not 60K. Also Many argued against the 1.2 mil as the 40K / year rent was reasonable and The Temple was willing to keep rent static and do some necessary updates to the building in order to keep the schools there. It was also argued to stay at Haddassah Way until such time that other arrangements that were financially beneficial could be arranged. In hindsight, we could have build the building waited for the requisite number of years had passed and then moved them in to the schools while keeping the 71% reimbursement.
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check the figures again. Remember if they didn't go to Jacobs they were going to build at "N" Street...remember the town rushed into buying that for the Schools...I remember the School Moms at that town meeting, ask for the video. Let the override go on the ballot...it will be crushed and the schools will have to look into consolidation and further steps to remain a viable system...it time i see regionalization of the school "district" The schools and teachers will not make any real change until they are desperate. As for the town same thing ....more regionalization and less services. A big part of this can go right to Mitt Romney and the failed Mass health plan approx 1 Billion a year that is taken away from cities and towns for a plan, that no private doctors take, so they still have to go to the emergency room....think about it.
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the approx 40K figure is correct.
The N street was bought for the Library and/or other municipal purposes. The Idea of the School offices going there was just a thought and there was no real plans for that. The point it the 40K was a good deal and looking at the enrollment numbers declining, they could have planned to stay there temporarily until there was room in the building for them as there was in the Middle school during the late 80s and 90s
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We have already spoken. What don't you understand? It was defeated the first time and it will be defeated again. We do not trust you. How many times must we touch the stove to know it's hot. Only once for me.
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Isn't it funny that two of the highest paid people want this override passed. (TM & Superintendent)They want us to dig them out of their hole. Well sorry I cant afford it. I don't make over $140,000 or $156,000 a year. I am struggling now on $60,000 combined. Come on are you kidding me.
73 cents a day Bull@#$%! I need it to pay my bills.
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Response to Anonymous Entry 2/11/10 (2:48 PM)
That is not a very intelligent entry.
What is Koo Koos Nest, Koo Koos Nest…?
It appears that you cannot stay on the issues. When your entry is full of erroneous information, you deteriorate into innuendos and childish responses.
At every turn, I have proved your information is without merit. You are not willing to do your homework and your entries clearly reflect that.
As a retired teacher, I am programmed to assess students’ work and you force me document an ‘F-‘ grade for your entry and a ‘F-‘ for Effort. As for your conduct and attitude, I will await your response, regarding your grades, before I disclose a grade for conduct/attitude.
Mr. Anonymous,
Just a suggestion; but, why don’t we submit information with references as to the sources of our entries that can be verified?
JW
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Looks like Dennis B just shot JW's personal vendetta against the schools right out of the water. When you subtract fixed cost (insurance for retired and current teacher at old 90-10) and out of district costs, we are in line or below all of the surrounding communities with 08 numbers - the latest listed on DOE site. This is a comparison that allows for the subtraction of those same costs from the other districts - for comparison sake. Apples to apples at that point, if you will.
To take that a logical step forward, when you consider that we have cut each of the last 2 years, and other communities have not cut as significantly, it is reasonable to conclude that we are now far behind other communities.
Further, the coding issues in dealing with instructional leadership and administration have been cleared up and explained.
Your points have been rebutted JW. Get a copy of the tape. Educate yourself. Then lets hear what's next.
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walter wrote:
Proposed item for the next Board of Selectmen's meeting: Enforcement of Sign Bylaw. The town has a sign bylaw that states that signs for defunct businesses should be removed from buildings. This has almost never been enforced and adds to the run down abandoned look of many buildings through out our town. One example: the "laundromat" across from Daly and Wanzer. When was the last time that was in operation? 1980's? C'mon highly paid town manager, make the employees get out of town hall and look around! This goes for the Selectmen, too. This is something that could make an immediate,observable difference. If the town employees can't even get this done, can we really expect them to tear down decrepit buildings?
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speaking of other town business and decrepit bldgs, what about 301 nan ave.??
Seems to me the main developer of the condo project "on the board" for this addy is a town employee in the inspectional services dept and a member of a fairly significant committee in town, the HRA.
Nothing against that person at all just "curious" about what appears to be a conflict of interest, how will town hall handle that
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It is not necessarily a conflict of interest, as long as there is full disclosure and that it is an arm's length deal. Again, how can we expect hem to do much of anything if they can't even enforce the simplest of laws? Another example of non-enforcement is the old Z-Chef building in the village. It still has the sign on it and has been closed for years. Again these are simple things that could make our town look a little better, possible even a little more respectable. This law is on the books and is being ignored. Can anyone come up with more examples? I am sure there are more decrepit buildings with years old signs. How about TNT Driving in Kenberma?
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Not decrepit, but...how many beachgoers trek up to SUBWAY and find there's no shop?
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What about the Sid Silbert Realty sign at the corner of Kenberma St. and Nantasket Ave.? I think Sid's been dead for 20 years or so...
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This is a great forum. It seems as though people are getting their frustrations out. It's about time people in this town started speaking out. We are all really upset and this is a great way to let the town officials know that we are not happy with the way they are running it. Thanks Hull Blog.
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You got it, keep up the discussions.
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Just reading the Hull Times and this appears to be the first time in recent memory that the zoning bylaws are actually being enforced! This town would be much better off in the long term if it enforced its bylaws. Enforcing zoning equals protecting neighborhoods!
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Selectmen, please enforce the below bylaw this is a minimal expectation of the townspeople. Attempt to keep our town from continuing its downward economic spiral! Basically, we are now advertising all the defunct businesses in town and this is decidedly discouraging to anyone thinking of moving or doing business here. Please note that the building dept. is required to enforce this. 70-5. Non-Conforming
a. Signs that are abandoned, dilapidated or illegible, or do not indicate the current use or service provided shall be prohibited and shall be removed by the property owner within one-year from the date of the issuance of the violation.
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When was the last time the Penny Arcade was open? The sign is still up. Sign of Hull's economic depression?
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Arcade was open this summer. Drive down to the " BIG BEACH" beach much ?
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To townie,
Perhaps you're talking about the Dream Machine? Read much? Apparently not!
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Hull Blog,
Can we have a new thread regarding the single family zoning issue on Sagamore Hill? This is an issue that potentially affects every neighborhood in town. Thanks for considering this.
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Will Do.
By the way, I'm always looking for people to write and submit new entries on any topic. Submit to hullblog@comcast.net
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To Anonymous:
You and Blackall are justifying the school department budget?
You must be one of the ‘Cronies.’ Blackall is definitely a member of this group of Richardson, Evans, Bowes, Peters, Canavan, Merrigan, O’Brien, Quatromoni, Ford, Tyrell, and Lemnios!
By the way, I would not give Blackalls’ grandstanding strategies a great deal of merit.
There is not anyone that knows more about the department of education data on the Hull schools than I do. If someone would take the initiative to set up a Cable TV session to debate the figures, I would show exactly how the Hull sc and superintendent spend the taxpayer’s money.
As you have stated, “It is reasonable to conclude that Hull is now far behind other communities.” You continue by stating, “The coding issues dealing with instructional leadership and administration have been cleared up and explained.”
These statements are frivolous. You do not substantiate your claims.
That being said, just for argument sake, I will concede that your viewpoint is correct and go along with your statements.
Allow me to present a brief summary of the courses offered in the Hingham School District
THE BUSINESS COURSES OFFERED AT HINGHAM HIGH:
Computer Applications
Web Design
Accounting
The Real world
Business Law
Investment & Finance
International Marketing
Business Marketing
Entrepreneurship
* Cooperative Work Experience (Work-Study)
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Spanish
French
Latin I, II, III, IV, and AP Latin
Chinese (Mandarin) I, II, III, IV
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
Woodworking Technology I (Grades 7-8)
Woodworking Technology II (Grades 10-11)
Mechanical Drawing (Grades 9-12)
Consumer Automotives (Grades 11-12)
Technology Education (Grade 8)
Power Technology I (Automotive Tech)
Power Technology II (Grades 11-12)
Technical Drawing I, II, III (Engineering students)
Construction Technology
Graphic Arts I, II, III (Photography)
*Cooperative Work Experience (Work-Study)
LIBRARY MEDIA
Introduction to Television Production (Grade 8)
Television Production I
Television Production II
Senior Video Television Production II
These offerings are not offered at Hull High School. The offering of four years of Latin plus an additional AP Latin course is excellent. Additionally, offered is Chinese (Mandarin) I, II, III, IV,
Jack Wholey
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I can't refute most of the numbers, however, it was explained that we must code some budget items a certain way because we did so prior to 1993. As such we must continue. (the we is the town. I do not speak for the schools and care only to view matters as a town)
Secondly Can we ALL stop using the schoold systems Geographically next to Hull as comparisons. It is not a fair and accurate comparison. We must compare Like Towns in terms of enrollent, socio-economic status among other measures. To Trot out what the Town of Hingham can offer or Cohasset for that matter is irrelevant. Hingham Tax base is much larger, enrollment is larger, and percentage of population serve is double that of Hull.
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To Common Sense:
Comparing Hull to any public school system is what should be done.
Common sense, you say, "Hingham's tax base is much larger, enrollment is larger, and percentage of population served is double that of Hull."
You also state. 'It is not fair to compare Hull to these more affluent school districts.'
I do not agree with those statements. Comparing course offerings and student achievement, among other things, opens the eyes of some.
If you look at what I submitted regarding course offerings, it is clear that Hull does not offer anywhere close to the courses that Hingham does.
For example; Hull taxpayers' paid $60M for beautiful new schools. The facilities at HHS are as good as any public school in the state but none of this technology is being used. There is no excuse to not have business courses, computer tech courses, or industrial technology courses. NO EXCUSE!
If the sc can renegotiate the superintendents' contract, give Ford a $57K check as a going away present and indulge in so much patronage, they certainly could reverse this trend and make the students their top priority instead of covering each others' back.
Why is it that the student enrollment in Hull has declined at a higher rate, in the past 20 plus years, than any other school district in the state and it is still plummeting? Why is it that Hull parents and students choose to attend schools' out of the district at a higher rate than other school districts?
The answer is accountability. The residents of Hull voted to support the building of new schools costing $60m. They have done their part. Now, the sc and superintendent should do their part.
It is ironic that the sc and school administrators, in The sc expects so much from the residents, students and teachers but refuse to hold themselves responsible for not holding up their end.
The sc puts all of the blame on the taxpayers', parents and teachers. The sc wants more money to solve their inexcusable posture. The sc has to be held responsible for the misuse of funds and community members must stop making excuses, excuses and more excuses.
The TM, BOS, advisory board and the cronies that are in cahoots with the sc and superintendent must stop trying to look for excuses regarding the department of education data. It is the sc and superintendent that are responsible for presenting that data to the D. O. E. If the sc wants to give the superintendent raises in the middle of her contract, they should also make Tyrell accountable.
Everyone should stop tweaking the numbers and get down to the business of giving the students what they need.
JW
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So you are saying that the, "TM, BOS, advisory board and the cronies are in cahoots with the SC and Superintendent" and are all working together as part of some conspiracy to convince the town that we need more money for education when, if fact, we do not?
I'm not a big fan of much of this, but really? Why would TM, BOS and the advisory board (as well as the cronies?) develop a cahootful relationship unless they saw this as the best course of action? What is in it for TM, BOS, or Advisory board to go along with something that they don't believe in? The answer is....there is nothing in it for them.
One of them must have been sitting on the grassy knoll. Oliver Stone Wholey over hear, expecting anyone to believe that the TM, BOS and Advisory Board are agreeing with SC and Super to decieve us all. Disagree with the decision. Disagree with the process....but don't expect me to believe that those groups agree on something to damage us.
Im repeating myself, TM, BOS and Advisory have no horse in the race. There is no benefit for them to do anything other than what they see as best in this particular situation.
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To Anonymous:
Allow me to quote my comments regarding the TM, BOS and advisory board.
What I said was; "The TM, BOS, advisory board and the cronies, that are in cahoots with the sc and superintendent, must stop trying to make excuses regarding the department of education data. It is the sc and superintendent that are responsible for presenting that data to to the D. O. E."
I did not say that the TM, BOS, and advisory board are in cahoots. I do believe and have evidence of sc members, the superintendent and the sc cronies are making deals to benefit each other. The superintendent and sc do take care of each other.
This is not just a whim of mine.
As for the TM, BOS, and advisory board being part of this network, there are certainly members of the advisory board that are entrenched, within this elite group, 'The Haves.'
Anyway, maybe it is time for me to submit a new Blog entry. I think it would be interesting and informative to look into the adherence of sc policies, Massachusetts General Laws, federal laws, and Massachusetts Department of Education mandates by the sc and superintendent.
By the way, I really think that you should consider disclosing your name. Why hid? It's only a chat session.
JW
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Jack how about not just doing a new topic maybe a new blog site and you as tha blog master. just stay on school topics all time. Innovative cutting edge stuff. It would be a model for other towns to follow and track where the majority of the funds go.
We could use conventional methods...but that could take years. It is time for bold action. Time to fall back on superior knowledge. Pick up the gauntlet, fight back with facts. We await the signal.
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Area 51, Are ya kiddin me?
You can get all the Information you want through Hullblog.com
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I know you are in cahoots too. I think you are the superintendant. If i didn't have my tin foil hat...they would get me too!!
Just kidding....I enjoy reading through the entries, until I realize it is 2AM.
I believe this blog is still evolving, once people blow off some steam; i think there is a lot of creative energy out there. But just in case...wait for the signal!
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