At a glance
The Conservation Advisory Council met to hear updates on major water quality work at Oakdale Lake and discuss ongoing environmental projects across Hudson. Friends of Hudson Youth presented their third successive $200,000 DEC grant for lake remediation, including targeted dredging, algae control, and citizen science monitoring. The council also addressed membership losses, worked through climate smart community certification deadlines, and confronted vandalism at Promenade Hill where a ceremonially planted tree was destroyed. The group continues juggling multiple initiatives including tree planting, light bulb exchanges, and climate resilience work while navigating staff capacity constraints.
Administrative Business and Membership Updates
The council approved minutes from the previous meeting and announced the resignation of two members, Andrew and Michael Hare, leaving the body at five of nine possible seats. Discussion confirmed holding off on a climate smart subcommittee meeting until after current certification work is complete.
Key points
- Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously
- Two members resigned: Andrew and Michael Hare, reducing the council to five of nine possible seats
- The council is actively seeking new members to fill vacancies
- Climate smart subcommittee will meet after completing the current round of required certification items
- Tara is reviewing all planned climate smart action items this week before a Monday follow-up meeting
Oakdale Lake Water Quality Project: Phase Three Launch
Peter Frank and Kate Coulson from Friends of Hudson Youth presented the third phase of water quality work at Oakdale Lake, funded by a new $200,000 DEC climate justice grant. The presentation covered four years of monitoring, modeling, and light-touch mitigation measures, and outlined aggressive new interventions including targeted dredging.
Key points
- Friends of Oakdale Lake merged with Friends of Hudson Youth last year and received a third successive DEC climate justice grant totaling $200,000 for the next two years
- Phase one (2020-2022) and phase two (2023-2025) established comprehensive baseline water quality data through citizen science monitoring and predictive modeling
- The lake is eutrophic with high phosphorus levels, leading to excessive algae growth, oxygen depletion, and harmful algal blooms (HABs)
- Mitigation measures to date include bottom aeration, targeted aquatic vegetation harvesting, and algicide applications using newer technology
- Phase three will implement targeted sediment dredging at the beach area (fall 2026), add a surface aerator, continue SAV removal, and expand youth engagement
- Despite lower phosphorus levels in 2023-2024, a harmful algal bloom still closed the beach in 2024, highlighting the complexity of the feedback loop
- Ongoing citizen science training occurs mid-to-late June each summer, with volunteers collecting water samples three to four times over the season
This project integrates science and community monitoring to support adaptive management of Oakdale Lake as a shared public resource. Friends of Hudson Youth is also leading native plantings along Sixth Street and restoration work inside a deer exclosure to buffer runoff into the lake.
Citizen science training and monitoring begins mid-to-late June. Contact Friends of Hudson Youth to volunteer. Dredging will occur in fall 2026 after permitting is complete.
An unconfined aquifer under Oakdale Lake may carry phosphorus from historical farming or other sources. Some storm water pipes at the top of the spring show elevated phosphorus levels but have not been fully investigated. These connections remain a black box in the project.
Friends of Hudson Youth Additional Conservation Projects
Peter Frank described other environmental initiatives led by Friends of Hudson Youth, including a 350-foot native plant hedgerow along Sixth Street, youth work weeks restoring understory vegetation inside a deer exclosure, and trail repairs at Oakdale Park completed by Hudson High students.
Key points
- A 350-foot native pollinator-friendly hedgerow is being installed along the guardrail on Sixth Street using seedlings from DEC and larger plants from Farmers Point Farming
- Youth work weeks with Greener Pathways removed invasive species and planted about 100 trees and shrubs inside a one-third-acre deer exclosure surrounding a ravine with runoff into the lake
- Six teams from Hudson High School, along with three youth workers, repaired trails and a bridge, installed a new retaining wall, and stripped bark from felled trees to create log infrastructure
- Volunteers are needed for weeding and watering the new plantings from last year and this year
Friends of Hudson Youth is recruiting volunteers to help with weeding and watering new plantings along Sixth Street and inside the deer exclosure at Oakdale Park.
Climate Smart Communities Certification Push
The council is racing toward a May 22 deadline to submit climate smart community certification to New York State. A meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11, at 5:00 PM to finalize action items after Tara reviews all planned submissions.
Key points
- Tara is reviewing all planned climate smart action items this week and will identify remaining requirements on Monday
- The council secured 30 points from the mandatory climate smart task force and submitted those items
- Members are working on additional action items individually to meet the 200-point threshold
- A subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11, at 5:00 PM to finalize submissions before the May 22 deadline
- The council discussed continuing to submit 10 to 20 points annually after certification to maintain a cushion
- Monday, May 11, 5:00 PM: Subcommittee meeting to finalize climate smart submissions
- Thursday, May 22: Deadline for climate smart community certification submission to New York State
Light Bulb Exchange and Distribution
With Andrew's resignation, the remaining LED light bulbs from the exchange program are now with the chair. Some were distributed at the farmers market, and the council plans to continue giveaways at the five planned distribution points.
Key points
- Andrew resigned and transferred all remaining light bulbs to the chair, who also received the rest from Aaron
- The council has boxes of LED bulbs left to distribute at five planned distribution points
- Some light bulbs were given away at the farmers market, and more distributions are planned
Environmental Justice Grant Application Submitted
The council submitted an application to NYSERDA for a $75,000 environmental justice grant. Common Council approved the city planning office to administer the project if awarded. The timeline extends into 2028.
Key points
- Common Council approved the planning office to be the grant administrator and implement the project
- The application was submitted to NYSERDA for a $75,000 environmental justice grant
- Approval and project implementation may not occur until 2028
Arbor Day and Tree Planting Postponed to Fall
With Andrew's departure, the council lacks capacity to manage spring tree plantings and will postpone all Arbor Day activities to fall 2026. The group has encumbered funds from last year and a contractor ready, but implementation is on hold.
Key points
- Spring tree plantings and Arbor Day activities are postponed to fall 2026 due to staff capacity constraints after Andrew's resignation
- The council has encumbered funds from last year and a contractor in place but cannot move forward now
- The chair will forward Andrew's email download to interested council members to review next steps
The council is down two members and juggling multiple urgent projects. Spring tree plantings are postponed until fall when the group has bandwidth to coordinate with the contractor.
Community Solar Program Approval Process
A representative from a community solar program appeared before Common Council requesting a letter on city letterhead endorsing the program for residents. Council members and the city attorney had questions about whether this is appropriate, and the CAC discussed providing examples from other cities to clarify the process.
Key points
- A community solar representative (Brad) asked the city to issue a letter on city letterhead endorsing the program for residents
- Common Council and the city attorney had questions about whether this is standard practice
- Other municipalities have issued similar letters, and the CAC will provide examples to the city attorney
- The program is free and saves residents 10 percent on energy bills, with no cost to the city
- The CAC will send a letter to Common Council and the city attorney explaining the program and providing precedent examples
Community solar programs align with climate smart community goals and can provide points toward certification.
Harry Howard Tree Grant and Watering Bag Replacement
The council confirmed the Harry Howard tree grant is on track but discovered that DPW threw out degraded tree watering bags. The group will check if any grant funds remain to purchase new bags for newly planted trees.
Key points
- The Harry Howard tree grant is proceeding, but DPW disposed of degraded tree watering bags
- New bags are needed for eight newly planted trees to meet grant specifications requiring watering for three years
- There may be around $2,700 remaining in the grant budget that could be used to purchase replacement bags
- The chair will confirm if grant funds are still available and submit invoices if needed
DEC Seedling Pickup and Planting Plans
The council will pick up DEC seedlings on the morning of May 15 and plant them on Saturday, May 17. Rob Perry requested delivery to the DPW yard. The group discussed whether to plant in the cemetery if vandalism at Promenade Hill is a concern.
Key points
- DEC seedling pickup is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, May 15
- Planting is planned for Saturday, May 17 (the 16th was initially suggested but confirmed as the 17th)
- Rob Perry requested seedlings be delivered to the DPW yard
- The council discussed potentially planting seedlings in the cemetery to avoid vandalism concerns at other sites
- A site walkthrough with Rob Perry is still needed to finalize planting locations
- Thursday, May 15: Morning pickup of DEC seedlings at DPW yard
- Saturday, May 17: Planting day (exact locations to be confirmed)
The cemetery has significant deer browsing. If bare-root seedlings are planted there, they may face heavy pressure from deer unless planted inside exclosures.
Tree Vandalism at Promenade Hill
A white pine tree planted ceremonially in fall 2025 as part of the Erie Canal anniversary celebration was vandalized and thrown over the edge of Promenade Hill. The tree was found dead among trash below. Rob Perry confirmed DPW did not remove it and noted ongoing vandalism issues at Promenade Hill, including picnic tables and boat float break-ins.
Key points
- A white pine tree planted in fall 2025 as part of the Erie Canal 200th anniversary was pulled out and thrown over the edge of Promenade Hill
- The tree was found dead below the hill among trash, and the hole had been smoothed over
- Rob Perry confirmed DPW did not remove the tree and observed it had been vandalized
- Perry noted that picnic tables used to be placed at Promenade Hill but were also thrown over the edge, so DPW stopped putting them there
- Recent vandalism also includes someone breaking into and damaging the boat float
- The council discussed installing security cameras to deter future vandalism
Promenade Hill has a history of vandalism, including picnic tables and now trees being thrown over the edge. Security cameras may be needed to address the issue.
Memorial Tree Planting Proposal for Cedar Park Cemetery
Hillary proposed a program to allow residents to sponsor memorial trees in Cedar Park Cemetery, particularly in areas unsuitable for burials but appropriate for tree growth. The proposal includes creating a master plan for tree species and locations, pre-approving planting sites, and generating modest revenue to offset cemetery maintenance costs.
Key points
- Hillary and Carol visited Cedar Park Cemetery and identified numerous potential planting sites, especially in areas unsuitable for burials
- The proposal is to create a memorial tree program where residents can sponsor trees in honor of deceased loved ones
- The program would require a master plan identifying pre-approved sites, appropriate tree species, and plot boundaries for each sponsor
- Revenue from tree sponsorships could help offset cemetery maintenance costs
- The first tree would honor Elsa, a founding member of the Conservation Advisory Council and a landscape architect who worked on many city projects
- The council agreed to add this proposal to the agenda and discuss it with Rob Perry and DPW
The chair will add the proposal to the agenda and speak with Rob Perry about feasibility. A master plan identifying pre-approved sites and tree species will need to be developed.
Elsa was a founding member of the Conservation Advisory Council and a landscape architect who worked on many projects in Hudson. A serviceberry tree will be planted in her honor as the first memorial tree in the cemetery.
Aaron's Planting Work at Cemetery Entrance
Aaron, who recently left the council, continues to water and maintain plantings at the Cedar Park Cemetery entrance, which are thriving. A replacement waterer will be needed soon as Aaron is about to have a baby.
Key points
- Aaron, who left the council, is still watering plantings at the cemetery entrance
- The plantings look great and are thriving
- Aaron is about to have a baby, so the council will need a replacement waterer soon
Street Tree Request on Robinson Street
A property owner at 237 Robinson Street requested approval to plant a tree in an existing hole where a previous tree died. The owner chose a Japanese tree lilac or serviceberry from the city's approved list. The council debated the list and decided to approve only the native serviceberry, recommending the city update its approved tree species list to prioritize native species.
Key points
- A property owner at 237 Robinson Street requested approval to plant a tree in an existing hole where a previous tree died
- The owner chose a Japanese tree lilac (first choice) or serviceberry (second choice) from the city's approved tree species list
- The council debated whether non-native species like Japanese tree lilac and ginkgo should remain on the approved list
- Council members agreed native species should be prioritized because they support local insect life and ecosystems better than non-native species
- The council approved the serviceberry (a native species) and will work to update the city's approved tree list to emphasize native species
- There may be two versions of the approved tree list on the city website, and the council will review both
The council approved a serviceberry tree for the property owner to plant. Rob Perry will conduct a dig-safe check before planting.
The council discussed updating the city's approved street tree list to prioritize native species, which provide better ecological benefits for local insects and wildlife.
FEMA Resilience Grant and Community Engagement
The FEMA resilience grant project is kicking into gear, with a presentation event planned for the first week of June at the library. The council is working to recruit survey participants and coordinate with Calvin from the youth center on a meet-and-greet event.
Key points
- The FEMA resilience grant is moving forward with a presentation event planned for the first week of June at the library
- The event will cover city activities to prepare for climate change and disasters, and provide information to residents
- The council is working with Calvin from the youth center on a meet-and-greet event to recruit survey participants
- The chair has been tabling at the farmers market and will continue outreach at the library to encourage residents to complete the survey
- Whitney Wilkins from Perfect 10 is helping coordinate the project, but both she and the chair are stretched thin
A community presentation about the FEMA resilience grant is planned for the first week of June at the Hudson library. The council is recruiting volunteers to help with outreach and poster distribution.
New Member Introduction and Recruitment
Eli, a Hudson resident interested in conservation work, attended the meeting and expressed interest in joining the council. The council explained the application process and the nature of the work.
Key points
- Eli, a Hudson resident and neighbor of Hillary, attended the meeting to learn about the council
- Eli enjoys Oakdale Park and does garbage foraging around the city
- The council explained the application process: send a letter of interest to the chair, the council votes to approve, then Common Council approves, and the new member takes an oath
- Council members meet once a month for an hour and take on individual projects throughout the month
- The council has five of nine possible seats filled and is actively recruiting new members
Interested residents can send a letter of interest to rich@cityofhudson.org. The council votes to approve, then Common Council votes, and the new member takes an oath.
Recycling Bins for City Hall and Future Climate Smart Submissions
The council discussed a proposal to install recycling bins in city hall, which would earn climate smart points but won't be completed in time for the May 22 deadline. The group will ask Tara about the timeline for future submissions and plan to submit 10 to 20 points annually after certification.
Key points
- The council previously discussed installing recycling bins in city hall as a climate smart action item
- The project won't be completed in time for the May 22 certification deadline but could be submitted in a future round
- The mayor supports the project, which requires a simple executive order or policy update
- The council plans to ask Tara about the cadence for future climate smart submissions after the initial certification
- The goal is to continuously submit 10 to 20 points annually to maintain a cushion and avoid scrambling to meet future deadlines
The council will ask Tara about the timeline and process for submitting additional climate smart points after the initial certification. The goal is to submit 10 to 20 points annually.
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.
About coverage of this body
Meetings of the Conservation Advisory are uploaded to the city YouTube channel by members on a best-effort basis (not by the city audiovisual coordinator, who posts only the Common Council family, Planning Board, and HCDPA). If a meeting of this body is missing from the archive, it usually means the recording was not uploaded. See the archive index for the full coverage note.