At a glance
The Code and Infrastructure Committee met for a monthly report from DPW Superintendent Rob Perry. The sewer department is on track despite a cold January, but the plant's 1960s-era clarifiers need replacement in the next year or two at a cost of about $350,000. Maintenance included cleaning grease traps at restaurants, repairing leaks from frozen pipes, and swapping out aged street signs. The snow season was active and expensive, costing about $122,000 so far, well above budget. Discussion included parking meter removal, fire hydrant repairs, upcoming street sweeping, a major Columbia Street sewer project planned for 2026, and potential traffic changes around Seventh Street Park.
Roll Call and Meeting Opening
Chair Jason Lippman opened the meeting at 5:40 p.m. after waiting for Rob Perry to arrive. Committee members Henry Hadad and Dwan were present, with Dwan attending online.
Key points
- Meeting officially started at 5:40 p.m., 10 minutes late due to confusion about start time
- Committee members present: Henry Hadad in room, Dwan online
- Rob Perry joined to give the DPW monthly report
- Technical setup for video and audio took several minutes to sort out
Sewer Department Collections and Budget
Perry reported January sewer collections were low at about $33,000, compared to a budgeted monthly average of $45,000, but attributed this to winter weather and snow.
Key points
- January sewer department receipts totaled $33,640, below monthly target of $45,000
- Annual sewer budget is about $525,000
- Low January collections attributed to wintertime slowdown and heavy snow
- Budget tracking remains roughly on pace despite monthly variation
Sewer Plant Clarifiers Need Replacement
Perry explained that the clarifiers at the sewer plant, originally built in the 1960s and rehabbed in 2010, are failing. Replacement will cost about $350,000 and is unlikely to happen in 2026 but must be addressed soon.
Key points
- Main sewer plant structures were rebuilt in 2010, but clarifiers were reused from 1960s construction
- Clarifiers (main treatment tanks) are now failing, with cracks developing
- Replacement includes walkways, spillway, clarifiers, and minor tank repairs
- Estimated cost is $350,000, likely a 2027 capital project
The city will need to fund a $350,000 clarifier replacement in the next year or two.
Restaurant Grease Traps and Sewer Maintenance
Perry showed photos of poorly maintained grease traps at a Hudson restaurant, which cause grease blobs to enter sewer mains. DPW works with code enforcement to require regular cleaning.
Key points
- One restaurant's grease trap had 6 to 8 inches of thick grease buildup
- Unmaintained traps cause grease to bypass and enter sewer lines in alleys
- DPW coordinates with code enforcement to enforce cleaning schedules
- Photos showed the clogged trap and grease in the sewer main behind it
Sewer Filter Cleaning and Winter Repairs
Perry described annual winter maintenance at the sewer plant, including cleaning sediment buildup from one of four filters. He also showed examples of frozen pipes and water leaks repaired during the cold snap.
Key points
- DPW cleans sewer filters annually, scouring, acid washing, and rinsing out sediment
- Before-and-after photos showed a noticeably cleaner filter
- One vacant house on State Street had a frozen lateral service that burst, causing a foot and a half of standing water in the basement
- A frozen fire service two buildings away from City Hall leaked through the wall into the basement
- DPW uses a locating company with advanced equipment to triangulate leaks by sound
Street Sign Replacement and Seasonal Work
DPW is replacing aged street signs citywide, ordering about 3,000 items. Staff also cleaned and restained barricades and flagpole holders indoors during winter.
Key points
- DPW inventoried street signs and found many in poor condition
- About 3,000 signs ordered to swap out old, damaged ones
- Winter indoor work included sanding down and restaining small flag poles for street lights and barricades
- Seasonal maintenance keeps equipment in good shape year-round
Traffic Accident at Columbia and Hospital Triangle
Perry reported a morning crash at the Columbia Street and hospital triangle intersection. A driver crossed into the wrong lane and hit a telephone pole, damaging the flashing light switch, which was repaired.
Key points
- Driver traveling west on Columbia crossed into eastbound lane and ran along the curb
- Vehicle struck a telephone pole near the hospital intersection
- Damage to the flashing light switch knocked it out of commission temporarily
- Incident was driver inattention, not a traffic device failure, and repairs were completed
This intersection at Columbia and Prospect has a history of traffic issues. Later in the meeting, Chair Lippman discussed plans for a phase one engineering study to simplify it.
Parks Department Overview and Budget Cut
Perry presented a summary of all city-owned properties maintained by DPW, totaling 114 acres or 9% of the city's two square miles. A vacancy elimination reduced the parks crew from three to two staff.
Key points
- DPW maintains 35 properties from the waterfront park to small scattered parcels
- Total green space includes 80 acres at the cemetery, 12 acres at Oakdale (maintained by Youth Department), and 22 acres of other parks
- Combined total is 114 acres out of 1,280 citywide, roughly 9% green space
- Budget cut eliminated one of three parks positions, reducing crew by 25%
- Perry noted that the remaining two staff will do what they can, but the workload is heavy
Perry emphasized that maintaining parks requires adequate funding and staffing. The recent budget cut means less capacity for the same amount of green space.
Snow Season Costs and Overtime
Perry reviewed snow removal costs for December 2025 through February 2026. Payroll hit $44,000 against a $30,000 budget, requiring a fund balance transfer. Total snow costs reached about $122,000, above the $90,000 budget.
Key points
- Snow payroll costs totaled $44,000, well over the $30,000 budget
- A transfer from fund balance covered the shortfall last month
- DPW used over 800 tons of salt against a 700-ton bid
- Snow season costs including materials, snowblower repairs, and contractors reached $122,000
- One forecast called for 8 to 16 inches but delivered only a couple of inches
Snow costs will need to be revisited in November and December to ensure adequate funding for next winter.
Traffic Counts and State DOT Data
Perry explained that the New York State DOT conducts annual traffic counts using small cameras zip-tied to street signs. Data populates the state's online traffic data viewer and includes vehicle counts and speed.
Key points
- State DOT places small cameras on street signs at seven locations in Hudson
- Cameras record traffic counts, not for surveillance but for planning data
- Data feeds into the New York State DOT traffic data viewer, available online
- Information includes annual average traffic, vehicle classes, and average speed
- Counts typically happen in March as spring traffic picks up
Annual Reports and Dam Safety Conference
Perry listed recent annual reports submitted, including the 2025 combined sewer overflow report and water quality report. He attended a dam safety conference on emergency action plans and vulnerability assessments.
Key points
- 2025 Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) report submitted to DEC
- Annual flow certification and water quality report for 2025 completed with no issues
- Perry attended a dam safety conference with engineers and Army Corps representatives
- Topics included emergency action plans and vulnerability assessments
- Hudson's dam is Class C, high risk based on potential downstream impact, not structural failure
- DPW maintains contact information for 25 properties downstream in case of evacuation
Class C does not mean the dam is unstable. It refers to the potential for loss of life if a failure occurred, due to homes downstream.
Parking Meter Removal and Fire Hydrants
Committee member Henry Hadad asked about the status of parking meter removal. Perry confirmed that posts are being removed where street lights exist, and that new pay stations are coming. Fire hydrants were also discussed.
Key points
- Parking meter posts on Sixth Street between Union and Cherry Alley will remain where there are no street lights
- Posts on other blocks with street lights will eventually be removed
- New pay stations to replace individual meters are on order
- About 10 of Hudson's 250 fire hydrants are out of service
- Replacing a hydrant costs nearly $5,000, repairing one costs a couple hundred
- Fire department is not concerned, as they have alternative plans and know which hydrants work
Street Sweeping and Spring Cleanup
Street sweeping will start midday within the next couple of weeks, ramping up in April. Perry explained that the sweeper uses water and can't run overnight until temperatures stay above freezing.
Key points
- Street sweeping will begin midday in the next couple of weeks
- Full schedule starts in April when overnight temperatures stay above freezing
- Sweeper uses water on brushes for dust control and on the impeller to keep it cool
- Water would freeze on roads if sprayed in cold temperatures
- Heavy winter grit buildup this year, sweeper will be visible soon
Columbia Street Sewer Project and Truck Route Changes
Lippman mentioned that the Columbia Street sewer project is coming and that the mayor is working to enact the truck route change passed by the council last year. This would help divert traffic during construction.
Key points
- Columbia Street sewer replacement project is scheduled for 2026
- Common Council passed a truck route change last year
- Mayor is working to enact the change in time to divert traffic during construction
- Goal is to reduce disruption on Columbia during the sewer work
The mayor is working to implement the truck route change to help with Columbia Street construction diversion.
Oakdale Park Maintenance and Youth Department
Lippman asked if DPW should take over maintenance of Oakdale Park from the Youth Department. Perry said his two-person crew can't handle the 10-acre parcel, which requires all hand work.
Key points
- Oakdale is 10 acres, all hand work with no open fields
- Youth Department currently maintains it with part-time staff
- DPW has only two people for all other parks and can't absorb Oakdale
- Perry suggested Youth Department has enough bodies to handle it
Glenwood Shoulder Repair and Asphalt Plant Opening
Lippman forwarded a constituent concern about the rough shoulder on Glenwood near the pond. Perry explained that permanent asphalt repairs can't happen until the plant opens in late April or early May.
Key points
- Shoulder on Glenwood at the bottom of the hill near Oakdale and the pond is in rough shape
- Winter weather beat it up significantly
- Temporary patch product is available but doesn't stick reliably and flakes off
- Asphalt plant opens late April or early May, permanent repairs will happen then
Fairview and Green Street Crosswalk Signal Timing
Lippman raised a concern about the Fairview and Green crosswalk, where the pedestrian signal activates but cars turning left don't appear to be stopped or delayed. Perry explained the crosswalk was relocated due to utility conflicts.
Key points
- Crosswalk crossing Fairview is set back from the corner due to gas and Verizon utility conflicts
- When pedestrians get the walk signal, turning cars sometimes don't notice them immediately
- No apparent signal delay or stop control for turning vehicles
- Perry noted state law requires yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Lippman will follow up with the engineers (possibly Manning) or the installation contractor
The crosswalk location was changed mid-construction due to underground utilities, so the signal timing may not have been adjusted for the final placement.
Public Comment: Linda on Columbia Street Sewer Project
Linda, a business owner on Columbia Street, asked about the sewer replacement schedule and traffic control. Perry said design is underway, the project will be bid this year, and construction may start in 2026 or early 2027.
Key points
- Sewer replacement on Columbia Street is in design and will be sent to DEC for review
- Project will definitely be bid in 2026, construction may begin this year or early 2027
- DPW will meet with residents and businesses block by block once a staging plan is ready
- Goal is to use flaggers to keep traffic open, with periodic road closures
- Each block will have its own schedule and opportunities for input
- If roads are closed block by block, construction moves faster and costs less, but DPW understands businesses need access
Once a staging plan is ready, DPW will hold meetings with Columbia Street residents and businesses to discuss schedules and access.
Chair Lippman noted that getting trucks off Columbia before construction would help. The mayor is working on enacting the truck route change passed by council last year.
Public Comment: Lloyd on Street Sweeper and Storm Avenue Parking
Lloyd asked about the new street sweeper and raised a concern from a constituent on Storm Avenue between Aken and Fairview, where no houses have street addresses. Perry said DPW will post signs for parking bans.
Key points
- New street sweeper is coming, funded by CHIPS money
- Storm Avenue between Aken and Fairview has no houses with street addresses, creating confusion about parking bans
- DPW wasn't aware of the issue until snow removal, when cars didn't move
- Perry will post signs designating parking ban days so the street can be swept
- One side will have no parking on Fridays to match the boulevard schedule
Public Comment: Dwan on Crosswalk Timing and Parks Volunteers
Dwan suggested that pedestrian signals should activate before the green light to give drivers time to see people crossing. She also proposed organizing volunteer efforts to help with park maintenance.
Key points
- Dwan suggested pedestrian walk signals should start before the green light, as done in some other cities, to improve safety
- Lippman agreed to ask engineers if that's possible at Fairview and Green
- Dwan proposed volunteer programs for park maintenance, drawing on her experience in another city
- She described organizing volunteers, businesses, and equipment like excavators for heavy park work
- Perry and Lippman clarified that routine mowing and maintenance is hard to volunteer, but beautification efforts like planting bulbs are welcome
- Existing groups in Hudson already coordinate some volunteer park work
Public Comment: Bill on South Third Street Subbase Failure
Bill raised a long-standing issue with South Third Street between Allen and Warren, where the road was paved in 2017 over a known bad subbase. He asked what repairs are planned and criticized the 2017 decision.
Key points
- South Third Street was repaved in 2017 as part of CHIPS, but Perry and the contractor knew the concrete subbase was faulty
- Perry explained at a 2022 meeting that they didn't have budget or materials for full reconstruction at the time
- Patches have been applied three times in the last six to eight months, continuing to fail
- Deflector tests were done over a year ago, which led to the decision to close the route to trucks
- Bill asked how much the repairs cost and what will happen in 2026
- Perry said DPW is working block by block toward Warren and that the project is expensive
- Perry noted resurfacing and reconstruction are different contracts with different specs
Perry explained that a resurfacing contract is different from a reconstruction contract. In 2017, DPW loaded the road with heavy material and it held for years, but the bad subbase is now causing repeated failures.
Seventh Street and Parkplace One-Way Proposal
Lippman described a proposal to make Seventh Street and Parkplace one-way streets in opposite directions, which would eliminate some traffic conflicts and support Friends of the Public Square plans to expand sidewalks.
Key points
- Friends of the Public Square is exploring phase two sidewalk expansion around the park
- One idea is to make Seventh Street one-way and Parkplace one-way in the opposite direction
- This would continue the pattern of alternating one-way streets going up the hill
- Benefits include eliminating conflicts at Parkplace and Warren when trucks turn
- Trucks going south on Seventh would have a light to turn left, reducing tight corner issues
- Lippman is working with an engineering company to see if it's feasible
- Could also include traffic calming measures like bulbouts
This proposal ties into Friends of the Public Square efforts to improve the park perimeter and pedestrian experience.
Traffic Studies for Columbia and Hospital Triangle
Lippman is pursuing a phase one engineering study of the Columbia Street and hospital triangle intersection, as well as the triangle at State, Green, and Columbia. The goal is to simplify intersections and improve safety.
Key points
- Phase one study will investigate the Columbia Turnpike, Prospect Avenue, and hospital triangle intersection
- Also studying the triangle at State, Green, and Columbia (Olympic monument area)
- One recommendation from a prior study was to remove the triangle entirely, making it a single intersection
- Cars would bear right into the intersection and then turn left to continue toward Scalys
- This simplifies traffic flow and prioritizes pedestrians over cars
- Research shows the intersection volume likely meets the threshold for a traffic light
- Triangles in general prioritize cars and suffer from design issues
Earlier in the meeting, Perry reported a crash at this intersection. Lippman's study aims to address long-standing safety concerns.
Centerline Striping Proposal
Lippman is exploring adding centerlines to busy collector streets like Columbia, State, and Green. This would clarify lanes but also require enforcing parking rules more strictly.
Key points
- Collector streets have more than 6,000 vehicles per day
- Columbia, State, and Green are wide streets that could benefit from centerlines
- Centerlines would reduce confusion and rear-end collisions on poorly lit streets
- Adding paint means following the rules of paint, which could lead to more tickets for loading and unloading
- Lippman has photos of three cars that were rear-ended while parked due to lane confusion
- Proposal is still in early stages, committee will discuss further
Adjournment
With no further business, the committee adjourned.
Key points
- No additional questions or comments from committee or public
- Motion to adjourn made and seconded
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:23 p.m.
About this page
FUTURE HUDSON is an experiment in civic engagement: every public meeting of the City of Hudson since January 2026, transcribed and made readable, so any resident can follow what the city is deciding without attending every meeting. This page covers one meeting; see the full archive.
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