At a glance
Hudson's Common Council held its informal meeting on March 16, 2026. The council reviewed committee reports, passed a resolution supporting the Columbia County Recreation Center, and introduced changes to the short-term rental law requiring local contact persons. Council President Morris addressed a February 20 parking lot accident after council member Jason Hadad raised concerns about the incident and its handling. No votes were taken on resolutions, all items were laid on the table for the next regular meeting.
Roll Call and Committee Reports Overview
The council convened at 6 p.m. with seven members present and two absent. Finance committee had no meeting to report, so other committees presented highlights from the past month.
Key points
- Council members Hadad, Council Member, Moranti, Cousin, Bolo, Belton, and Foster were present
- Council members Roberts and Ron were absent (not excused)
- Finance committee had no meeting since the last session
- All department reports were posted ahead of the meeting
Public Safety Committee Report and Residential Parking Permits
The Public Safety Committee reported low activity for the month. Four community members requested discussion of residential parking permits for the commercial district (Warren Street), which the committee is working on.
Key points
- Police department monthly report showed low activity levels
- Four residents raised the issue of residential parking permits for Warren Street
- Committee discussed the request but did not reach a decision
- Language relating to parking permits may be ready by next month
Committee will develop language for residential parking permits on Warren Street before the next meeting
Infrastructure Committee: Wastewater Plant and Park Staffing
The Infrastructure Committee heard about a $350,000 wastewater treatment plant repair project and learned that the parks department will have two employees this summer instead of three, which may affect mowing schedules.
Key points
- Rob North presented on a $350,000 repair project at the wastewater treatment plant, expected in the next year
- Parks department will have two employees this summer instead of three
- Reduced staffing could impact the frequency of mowing
- A resident raised concerns about pedestrian safety at the Fairview and Green Street crosswalk
- The crosswalk landing point kept getting pushed away from the corner during construction, making pedestrians less protected
- Committee discussed timing adjustments to give pedestrians a head start
The transcript was garbled on the exact name of the person who presented, rendered as 'North.'
Infrastructure Committee: Glenwood Boulevard and Capital Projects
Residents complained about asphalt quality on Glenwood Boulevard, a bike and school bus route. A council member is brainstorming capital projects and gathering information from engineers.
Key points
- Multiple complaints about poor asphalt quality on the sides of Glenwood Boulevard
- Glenwood is designated as a bike boulevard and school bus route
- A council member is developing ideas for capital projects with input from engineers
Youth and Senior Services Committee Report
The Youth and Senior Services Committee reported on programming at both facilities. The senior center is considering a survey to assess transportation barriers, and the youth center had a successful basketball program and opened during school break.
Key points
- Senior center programming from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is mostly run by the town, including meals
- Hudson offers one program at the senior center, a Zumba class on a drop-in basis
- A survey will be sent to seniors at Bliss Towers and Province Point to gauge interest in transportation to the senior center
- Youth department basketball program ended two weeks ago and was successful
- Calvin (youth director) is discussing reinstatement of the assistant director position with the mayor
- Youth center opened during school break for activities and a field trip to a museum, a change from past practice of closing
- Youth center now has a contingency plan to use the firehouse for grab-and-go programming if heating issues recur
Transportation survey will be sent to senior residents at Bliss Towers and Province Point
Legal Committee: Short-Term Rentals and Dock Code
The Legal Committee reviewed two issues: short-term rental regulations and a proposed change to dock usage code from 2011. The committee recommends not extending the 60-day rental limit but adding a requirement for a local contact person.
Key points
- Committee discussed short-term rental language for residents who live in Hudson at least 50 days and rent out homes for up to 60 days
- Michelle Tullo provided data showing only 13 registered residents used this provision in the past year
- Most renters used the provision for 15 to 30 days, consistent with vacation rentals
- Committee recommends keeping the 60-day limit and requiring a local contact person
- A proposed code revision about dock usage definitions (dating to 2011) is still in committee
- Concerns raised by lawyers for Caruso need to be resolved before moving forward on dock code
Short-term rental local law amendment will be introduced later in this meeting
Resolution Honoring Hudson Blue Hawks Basketball Team
The council introduced a resolution honoring the Hudson Blue Hawks varsity boys basketball team for winning the Patroon Conference and advancing to the state final four. The team will be invited to receive the resolution at the next meeting.
Key points
- Blue Hawks won the Patroon Conference championship
- Team is advancing to the state final four
- Resolution honors the hard work of players and coaches
- Resolution mentions the pipeline from youth programming through high school sports
- Team will be invited to attend the next meeting to receive the resolution
Vote on resolution and presentation to the team at the next regular meeting
Budget Transfers and Encumbrances
City Comptroller Heather explained budget encumbrances, which carry 2025 commitments into the 2026 budget. These include purchase orders not yet fulfilled and donations or grants that must roll forward.
Key points
- Encumbrances move committed 2025 funds into 2026 when purchases or services span year-end
- Two main categories: unfulfilled purchase orders and committed grants or donations
- After March, departments can no longer charge expenses back to the prior year
- Friends of Hudson (FOHI) donations are a large portion of encumbrances
- Donations are committed funds and cannot fall to general fund balance, they must roll forward
- Dive team and fire department donations also included
Year-End Budget Transfers and Fire Department Card Access System
The council reviewed year-end budget transfers from hospital and medical insurance lines. A budget amendment for a $350,000 card access system replacement at the fire department was introduced because the current system is incompatible with new operating systems.
Key points
- Year-end transfers balanced areas needing additional funds by drawing from hospital and medical insurance lines
- Fire department needs to replace its card access system
- Current system is not compatible with the new operating system
- Budget amendment for 2026 budget covers the replacement cost
The transcript rendered the replacement cost as '$350,000' but this may be approximate or garbled
Columbia County Recreation Center Project
Police Chief Franklin presented a proposal for a Columbia County Recreation Center, a multi-generational hub for youth and senior programming. The council voted unanimously to support a letter backing the federal funding request.
Key points
- Chief Franklin and Sheriff Salvatore are leading the project in its early stages
- Josh Riley's office has a community funding grant opportunity with a short application window
- Proposal envisions a multi-generational facility with programming and mentorship
- The center would serve all of Columbia County, not just Hudson
- Project would encompass the youth center, expanding rather than replacing it
- Chief Franklin met with FOHI and youth director Calvin to discuss the vision
- Funding is federal, must be selected by Representative Riley's office to move forward
- Council voted 7-0 to support the letter of support
Representative Riley's office will decide which projects to advocate for in Washington
This is a very preliminary proposal with a three-day application window. Community-wide discussion has not yet occurred.
Short-Term Rental Local Law Amendment
The council introduced a local law amendment requiring all short-term rentals to designate a local contact person and provide contact information to the police department and code enforcement. The law applies to both property owners with STR units and residents renting out their entire homes for up to 60 days.
Key points
- Amendment adds local contact requirement to all short-term rental circumstances
- Applies to STR units on properties and to whole-home rentals under the 60-day provision
- Contact information must be provided to Hudson Police Department and code enforcement office
- Property owners living on-site can be their own local contact
- People renting out their homes while away must designate someone local
- City website will be updated to list Michelle Tullo as the contact for STR compliance issues
- Public hearing required, likely to be held by the mayor's office
- One community member who uses the 60-day provision submitted written communication
Public hearing will be scheduled, most likely by the mayor's office
Discussion of Full-Time vs. Part-Time Resident Definitions
A council member raised concerns about the lack of clear definitions in the STR law for full-time versus part-time residents. The law has different restrictions for each category but no definition of when someone switches from part-time to full-time.
Key points
- Part-time residents must live in Hudson at least 50 days to use the 60-day rental provision
- Full-time residents face fewer restrictions but there is no definition of full-time residency
- Unclear whether someone who takes a summer off qualifies as full-time or part-time
- The distinction matters because the law treats the two categories differently
- Council acknowledged the law has problems and may need broader revisions eventually
- Clear consensus that a local contact requirement is needed regardless
The short-term rental law does not define when a resident is considered full-time versus part-time, creating ambiguity
Council Member Statement on President Morris's Accident
Council member Jason Hadad made a statement about Council President Morris's February 20 parking lot accident, describing the incident and his disappointment with her initial account. He said the matter now lies with President Morris.
Key points
- Hadad learned of the accident on February 23 and called President Morris
- Morris initially told him it was a minor tap, she was fine, and had given insurance information
- Video later appeared on social media showing different events
- Hadad said the video showed Morris dismissing the shopkeeper, delaying police, and not immediately sharing insurance information
- The mayor asked Morris for an explanation, Hadad expected an apology
- Hadad said he felt he was being asked to believe something different from what he saw in the videos
- He stated the incident has been a professional distraction and a personal conflict
Council President Morris's Statement on the Accident
Council President Morris read a statement explaining that on February 20 her car slid on ice in a Warren Street parking lot and tapped a building. She said she saw no damage to her car or the building initially, left the scene when the encounter became confrontational, and returned when police arrived. She cooperated fully and her insurance claim is in process.
Key points
- On February 20, Morris was pulling into a parking space when her car slid on ice
- The left front of her car tapped the building in front of her
- She inspected and saw no damage to her car, believed she had not damaged the building
- Building owners pointed to an issue on the wall and said she had damaged it
- Morris said the encounter became uncomfortable and confrontational
- She removed herself from the situation, leaving her car in place until police arrived
- Police arrived a few minutes later, not several hours later
- She cooperated fully, providing license and documents, and gave her phone number to the building owner
- She did not identify herself as an elected official or ask for special treatment
- She submitted an insurance claim as soon as the incident report was available
- Morris apologized for causing concern in the community by avoiding confrontation
- She does not post on or respond to social media and considers the matter private
Public Comment on Budget Encumbrances and Senior Center Donation
A community member asked about a $91,000 encumbrance for senior center grants and donations. City Comptroller Heather explained it was a single large bequest from someone who left money to the senior center and other Hudson entities. The funds will offset most senior center costs in 2026.
Key points
- A single donation of over $80,000 was made to the senior center in 2025
- The donor was a former senior center participant who left the money in her will
- She also left money to other entities in Hudson
- Most of the donation was not spent in 2025, so it rolled forward to 2026
- The Board of Estimate and Apportionment decided to use these funds to offset most senior center operating costs in 2026
- Little of the donation is expected to remain at the end of 2026
Public Comment on Council Member Residency
A caller raised concerns about a council member's residency, alleging that the member purchased a home in Greenport nearly 10 years ago but claims to live on Columbia Street. The caller questioned whether the member actually resides in Hudson and suggested the council investigate.
Key points
- Caller stated that in May 2016, a council member and another person purchased a house at 46 Greenacres Road in Greenport
- The house has a Hudson mailing address but is physically in the town of Greenport, about three-quarters of a mile from the city border
- Caller alleges the council member claims to live on Columbia Street but the car is regularly parked at the Greenport address
- Caller asked if the council believes the member sleeps in Hudson and lives in the ward they represent
- Council discussed where to direct residency questions, mentioning the Board of Elections as the appropriate venue
The council member in question was not present at this meeting
Council did not have an immediate answer on the process for investigating residency questions but suggested the Board of Elections
Adjournment and Final Comments
The meeting concluded with a brief exchange about public comment and allegations of following people home. The council president moved to adjourn without allowing further discussion of personal matters.
Key points
- A council member raised concerns that a community member has been following people home
- Council president stated she is the target of this behavior
- President declined to allow further discussion of personal allegations without the accused person present
- Motion to adjourn was made and seconded
- Meeting adjourned
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.
How it was made
The meeting video was transcribed automatically; the transcript was then organized into sections and summarized. The raw transcript is above, every claim can be checked against it.
What to be skeptical of
The transcript is automated and contains speech-recognition errors; names and numbers may be wrong. This page has not been reviewed by a human. Nothing here is an official record, the city's official minutes are authoritative.