At a glance
The Common Council Services Committee met on June 4, 2026, covering senior services, youth programs, and summer camp planning. Senior services continues programming at the waterfront and senior center with no current issues reported. The Youth Department reported 145 camp registrations (up slightly from last year), hired 15 staff plus 8 summer positions from 50+ applicants, and announced the return of the fishing derby on June 27 at Oakdale Park with prizes including bikes and tablets. The committee discussed a community survey planned for July 16 at the Bliss Towers tenant-landlord event, fingerprinting procedures for youth staff, and safety concerns raised by a member of the public about Oakdale Park.
Roll Call and Senior Services Report
The committee convened with Lola, Jenny, and Dominic present (Gary absent for business). Senior services reported programming continues with waterfront aerobics twice weekly, Zoom yoga, upcoming movement classes, county programs, and board games at the senior center.
Key points
- Committee has quorum with three members present (Gary absent for outside business)
- Senior services still has no commissioner but programming continues
- Waterfront aerobics twice weekly is very popular
- Zoom yoga classes offered, committee questioned whether participants must log in from home or if technology is available at the senior center
- Movement classes starting at end of month
- Board games and county programming ongoing at senior center with no current problems or issues
The transcript does not clarify whether seniors must access Zoom yoga from home or if the senior center provides equipment and internet access for on-site participation. Committee member noted this could be a barrier.
Community Survey Planning
The committee discussed scheduling dates in June to conduct surveys at Providence House and attending the July 16 tenant-landlord event at Bliss Towers to reach residents.
Key points
- Committee members to email three June dates for surveying at Providence House
- July 16 tenant-landlord event at Bliss Towers runs 1-4 p.m., rain or shine
- Committee plans to attend for an hour or two to conduct surveys rather than door-to-door visits
- Event includes refreshments and music, expected to have good attendance
- Committee discussed providing list of senior programming to share with survey participants so people know what's available before making suggestions
Youth Department Overview and Staff Training
Youth Director Calvin presented the monthly report covering mandatory staff training, community cleanup participation, and programming updates including a field trip to the Pinkster Festival.
Key points
- All city employees completed mandatory sexual harassment and discrimination training with quiz requiring 80% score to pass
- Staff participated in community cleanup on May 21 with youth helping, followed by pizza
- Youth took field trip to Schuyler Mansion on May 23 for Pinkster celebration in collaboration with Operation Unite
- Pinkster Festival is one of New York's oldest African American celebrations, evolved from colonial Dutch holiday into festival of freedom and cultural preservation
- Art programming with Joan continues, current unit focuses on charcoal crayons and flower drawings with shading techniques
- Department values arts programming given budget cuts in school district
Summer Camp Registration and Staffing
As of June 3, camp has 145 registrations (10 more than this time last year). Anyone applying now goes on wait list, which is managed during first week or two of camp by calling families of no-shows.
Key points
- 145 kids registered for camp as of yesterday, compared to about 135 at this time last year
- Each pod capped at 60 kids, but no mandatory attendance policy so numbers fluctuate
- Wait list activated after capacity reached, managed by calling families of kids who don't show up in first weeks
- Committee suggested breaking camp into sessions to allow flexibility for families on vacation and let wait-listed kids attend specific weeks
- Seven part-time staff roll over into camp positions, eight additional summer hires from over 50 applicants
- Referred applicants who weren't hired to workforce development program at the college with Rebecca Prusser for other summer employment opportunities
- Four additional positions will be filled through workforce development pipeline
Mention was made that summer school may not be happening this year due to budget funding issues, which could affect camp numbers, but this has not been confirmed.
Swimming Lessons and Fees
Swimming lessons return for campers and the public, including baby and me classes. Fees are $25 for campers, $30 for city residents, $75 for non-residents.
Key points
- Swimming lessons offered for campers, public, and baby and me program
- Camper fee is $25
- City resident fee is $30, non-resident fee is $75
- Friends of Hudson Youth providing support (county typically contributes for transportation, not swim program)
- Lessons structured in sessions similar to camp sessions
- Committee member asked about county subsidy for swim program (typically for transportation, not lessons)
Fishing Derby Returns June 27
The fishing derby returns to Oakdale Park on Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., for ages 5 to 14, sponsored by the Warthower Memorial Fund with prizes including bikes, tablets, gift cards, t-shirts, food, and drinks.
Key points
- Fishing derby on Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakdale Park
- Free event for ages 5 to 14
- Sponsored by Warthower Memorial Fund
- Prizes include bikes, gift cards, tablets, t-shirts, food, and drinks
- Trout will be stocked in the lake close to event date to prevent early fishing
- Awards typically given for largest, heaviest, or longest fish
- Committee discussed whether to allow catch and keep or require catch and release (question raised but not resolved in transcript)
- Past practice was to close fishing for period before derby to let fish settle and prevent depletion, may post no-fishing signs
- Weather dependent, hoping for good conditions
The transcript does not resolve whether participants can keep fish or must release them. Director indicated he would look into this question.
Community Walk Bike Bus and Safety Discussion
A committee member raised the June 12 community walk and bike bus event (7-8 a.m.) as an opportunity for the Youth Department to participate and offer bike and scooter safety education, possibly with police or safety committee involvement and helmet donations or discounts from Berkshire Bikes.
Key points
- Hudson City School District organizing community walk and bike bus on June 12, 7-8 a.m.
- Berkshire Bike and Board offering free bike rentals, first come first serve
- Committee member suggested Youth Department participate and provide education on bike, scooter, and helmet safety
- Potential for police or safety committee involvement
- Possible helmet donations or discounts from Berkshire Bikes
- Youth Director will coordinate to see how department can support
Pond Maintenance and Oakdale Conditions
Non-toxic algicide was applied to the pond along with manual removal. Oakdale improvements include new sand, fence repairs planned with Roma Fence for the rink area, and volunteer landscaping efforts two weeks ago.
Key points
- Non-toxic algicide applied to pond with manual removal of algae and garbage
- Lake clear enough that people are already swimming
- Roma Fence will repair fencing around rink (top and bottom sections damaged by wear and people creating new entryways)
- New sand delivered
- Volunteer effort two weeks ago handled weeding and landscaping
- Beach hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
- During camp (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), beach opens to public after 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
- About 15 people on beach yesterday, numbers expected to increase with better weather
- Cold and rainy weather on opening day kept attendance low
Assistant Director Position Filled for Camp
A temporary assistant director for camp was hired: Marvel, a paraprofessional with Hudson City School District who has strong connections with local kids and brings teaching and parenting experience.
Key points
- Marvel hired as temporary assistant director for camp
- She is a paraprofessional currently with Hudson City School District
- Has worked at surrounding districts and has solid connections with many youth program kids
- Brings teaching attitude and maternal instinct as a parent
- Position fits within budget
- She is already coming in on her own to build rapport with kids before camp starts
- Having school district staff join programming seen as an asset
- With summer school potentially not happening due to budget funding, having her on team offers supplemental educational support
- Department planning to connect with another teacher from district for tutoring starting in September
Concessions and Meal Programs
Concessions during camp will offer prepackaged items like ice pops, Uncrustables, bottled juice, and soda. The school district partnership continues to provide free breakfast and lunch with a sharing table for unwanted items.
Key points
- Concessions available during camp only (not for public beach use)
- Medium level of service with prepackaged items: ice pops, Uncrustables, bottled juice, soda
- Partnership with school district continues for free breakfast and lunch during camp
- Staff training during orientation week includes documenting and tracking meals
- Sharing table designated for unwanted food items (apples, milk, etc.) that other campers can take
Fingerprinting and Background Check Procedures
All employees over 18 are fingerprinted through the criminal background check system, funded by a training line in the department budget. The process takes about two weeks, and clearance must come through before official hire.
Key points
- Everyone over 18 employed by Youth Department is fingerprinted
- Process conducted through CBC (criminal background check)
- Youth Director and secretary are the contact people who receive results
- Fee is approximately $90 per person, paid from training budget line
- Fingerprinting done at CBC in Coxsackie (some staff sent to Kingston)
- Results typically return in about two weeks using scanning technology (no more ink rolling)
- Clearance required before employee officially hired
- Seven part-time staff who roll over to camp already fingerprinted, CBC stays open continuously
- Eight additional summer hires are all high school students under 18, so fingerprinting not required by health department for that age group
- Procedure was reestablished in 2019
Public Comment on Oakdale Park Safety and Porta-Potty Location
A member of the public raised safety concerns about the Oakdale Park exit onto Sixth Street (no stop sign, steep hill with traffic) and questioned the porta-potty placement at the park entrance. The committee chair defended both, citing security and ADA access reasons for the porta-potty location.
Key points
- Commenter noted vehicles exiting Oakdale Park face no stop sign, stop line, or warning before entering Sixth Street at bottom of steep hill with bike and car traffic
- No signage coming down Sixth Street warns drivers of approaching public park or cars pulling out
- Committee chair countered that a blinking pedestrian light exists at the location
- Commenter questioned porta-potty placement directly at park entrance and exit, asking why it can't be relocated along the garage
- Committee chair explained porta-potty location chosen for security and because it's the flattest, most accessible area for wheelchairs (ADA compliance requires level ground)
- Commenter disagreed with rationale
A member of the public expressed concern about traffic safety at the Oakdale Park exit and entrance on Sixth Street, citing lack of signage and warnings for vehicles. The committee chair stated there is a pedestrian blinking light but did not commit to additional signage or traffic calming measures.
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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