At a glance
The Conservation Advisory Council met on Wednesday, June 4, 2026. The council celebrated completing their Climate Smart Communities application, submitted in May with over 120 points (potentially up to 200), expecting to hear results in July. Members reported that 202 seedlings were planted at the dog park and 46 at Oakdale Lake, with excellent survival rates. They discussed ongoing work on a tree ordinance and green infrastructure sidewalk specifications with Earth Law, planned a four-season photo contest, and explored placement options for an Eastern White Pine in the cemetery.
Opening and Membership Updates
The council accepted minutes, discussed membership changes, and addressed board composition.
Key points
- Michael Harris resigned, needs to send official email to the county clerk
- Andrew plans a soft comeback, still being CCed on emails for background
- Hillary and Ben expressed interest in joining the council
Climate Smart Communities Application
The council celebrated completing their Climate Smart application and discussed next steps.
Key points
- Application submitted since last meeting, council needed 120 points and submitted over that amount (potentially approaching 200 points)
- Tara (previous coordinator) is out, Haley returning in a week or two
- Results expected in July, possible silver certification submission in January 2027 if council continues follow-up work
- Clarification needed on how to add points beyond bronze level
- July: Results and meeting with Haley
- January 2027: Potential silver certification submission
County Climate Action Task Force
A member reported issues with official documentation for county participation.
Key points
- County Climate Action Task Force still lacks required documentation from Hudson as of last meeting
- Resolution needs to be sent to Don Meltz
- Member has been attending Zoom meetings informally
- Documentation issue to be resolved by forwarding signed resolution
Seedling Plantings Report
Successful planting project with excellent survival rates and ongoing maintenance plans.
Key points
- 135 poles and 202 plants planted at the dog park
- 46 plants at Oakdale Lake
- Remaining plants went to Ken at Kite's Nest for care
- About 10 plants out of 202 have not sprouted yet (mostly northern bayberries), very high survival rate for bare root plants
- Working with DPW on mowing and weed whacking, watering equipment being borrowed
- Three gator bags damaged, possibly by weed whacking, need five more for eight new trees (cost approximately $30 each)
- Mulch needed to protect plants and improve aesthetics, estimated at a few hundred dollars
- Small storage container wanted for watering equipment at dog park
- Mulch for plantings (few hundred dollars)
- Five gator bags (approximately $150)
- Small storage container (if budget allows)
Council exploring whether costs can come from DEC grant budget or CAC budget
Light Bulbs and EV Charging Stations
Updates on LED light bulb distribution and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Key points
- Light bulbs still available, another distribution round planned for next week
- EV charging contract awarded to a vendor (name unclear in transcript)
- Next step: vendor gets on National Grid wait list for electrical connection
- Level two chargers planned for location across from Amtrak station (three stations, six ports)
- Level three chargers likely not happening due to high electricity costs and time-of-day pricing issues experienced in Philmont
- Two handicapped accessible spots included in Amtrak station plan
- City Hall charging stations: working on new invoice without sales tax for warranty contract to replace damaged stations
Level three charging stations dropped from plans after Philmont reported very high electricity bills due to surge pricing and time-of-day issues
Tree Ordinance and Earth Law Engagement
Council discussed reengaging with Earth Law on tree ordinance and sidewalk specifications.
Key points
- Member chatting with Daniel and emailed Nathan for context and history on council's prior tree ordinance work
- Email sent to Laura at Earth Law to reconnect and provide update
- With Climate Smart work complete, council can dedicate more resources to tree ordinance
- Seeking one or two additional people to help with the work
- Hillary and Ben mentioned as potential new members interested in joining
Sidewalk Specifications and Green Infrastructure
Discussion of developing environmentally friendly sidewalk standards for the city.
Key points
- Council considering recommending amendment to city code for sidewalk design
- Current code specifies cement, proposal would integrate green infrastructure (bioswales, catchments, other techniques)
- Sidewalk specs seen as easier to solve than tree ordinance initially
- Plan to reach out to Earth Law for recommendations and examples from other towns
- Would establish baseline specifications for sidewalk redesign projects
- Could include tree cutouts designed to accept stormwater runoff from street
Reach out to Earth Law to ask for recommendations on environmentally friendly sidewalk specifications, especially examples from nearby towns
Tree Planting Lists and Website Updates
Council identified need to update city website with correct native tree planting list.
Key points
- Currently only non-native tree list found on city website
- Need to locate and post native tree list for residents looking for planting guidance
- Member to follow up with Hillary and potentially Brett for the native list
- Tree recommendations referenced on council's tree form
Community Solar and Attorney Follow-up
Brief check-in on community solar project status.
Key points
- No response yet from city attorney Ken on earlier inquiry
- Member reached out to Brad from Power Markets (who proposed community solar project and met with mayor and council) for additional resources
- Original email sent May 18th, no response as of meeting
Four-Season Photo Contest
Planning for a four-season tree photography contest with community engagement.
Key points
- Member reached out to Fireman's Hall about hosting, contact seemed excited but has not followed up yet
- Contest will feature trees in all four seasons
- Plan includes posters, social media promotion, prizes for adults and kids, refreshments
- Budget discussion needed with Paula from DEC about funding (posters, prizes, event costs)
- Photos to be judged by council members
- Display locations discussed: Fireman's Museum (wall space available), city hall, local shops, county climate carnival
- Countywide climate meeting planned for mid-October as potential display venue
- Follow up with Fireman's Hall contact
- Check with Paula about DEC budget availability
- Create promotional materials
- Finalize judging criteria and prizes
Eastern White Pine Placement
Discussion of where to plant the Eastern White Pine currently in a member's care.
Key points
- Tree currently being cared for by Sam in their yard
- Lloyd recommended cemetery as a location with space and protection
- Council leaning away from replanting on Promenade Hill due to vulnerability (would be a sitting duck)
- Caging option discussed but council tired of everything being in cages
- White pines prefer to be in groves when young and somewhat sheltered
- Cemetery options: near entrance where other trees exist, or in old cemetery where white pines already grow
- Dog park and Oakdale also considered but may lack nearby white pines for shelter
- Hillary working with Rob Perry on separate memorial tree placement
Cemetery Landscaping and Grounds Cover
Broader conversation about reducing mowing needs in cemetery through plantings and alternative ground cover.
Key points
- City spends at least half a million dollars annually maintaining grass, cemetery mowed multiple times per week
- Crypts built into hillside banks are hardest areas to mow
- Long-term vision: replant cemetery with ground cover or no-mow grass varieties (clover mentioned)
- Could phase approach: start with crypts and difficult areas
- Potential for larger trees and shrubs as well
- Heathers and heaths discussed as non-native but climate-appropriate options from Scotland, not typically aggressive
- Aaron created beautiful entrance planting at cemetery, could serve as model
- Council in conversation with Rob Perry about areas DPW doesn't want to mow
- Member mentioned unmarked area in cemetery back where primarily women and poor people were buried without markers, would like acknowledgment there
Replanting the entire cemetery would be a huge project. Council discussed phased approach starting with areas most difficult to mow.
Member mentioned finding grant information while researching cemetery projects
Mayor's Rain Garden Request and Next Meeting
Mayor asked about rain gardens and wants to meet with council.
Key points
- Mayor emailed about rain gardens, looking at potential sites
- Members sent informational replies about green infrastructure and rain gardens
- Mayor also interested in discussing recycling bins and another issue (Altera energy service, details unclear)
- Mayor asked to hold off on Altera energy service topic until next month
- Council planning to invite mayor to next meeting for first 15 minutes to discuss rain gardens, recycling, and Altera
- Rain gardens connect to sidewalk green infrastructure conversation
Mayor to join for discussion of rain gardens, recycling, and Altera energy service
Grant Support and Upcoming Events
Letter of support request and upcoming community events.
Key points
- Kite's Nest Regen Teens applied for DEC grant for youth environmental leadership and education program
- Requested CAC letter of support, have draft letter, no deadline specified
- Past projects include pollinator meadow
- Council agreed to provide letter of support
- Aaron had her baby a couple days ago
- Climate Ready event tomorrow (June 5) 6–8 p.m. at library with Shinnecock people, educational munch and learn about historic flooding information
- Greenport flooding issue: area near synagogue leading to Livingston Parkway floods, concern about land purchase and tree removal potentially worsening flooding
- Planning board meeting same time as Climate Ready event, residents encouraged to come early if possible
- Mayor attending Climate Ready event, Mama's Biscuits providing food
- Spiral House Park Summer Solstice Carnival June 20, 2–6 p.m. (unfortunately same afternoon as Pride Parade)
- June 5, 6–8 p.m.: Climate Ready event at library
- June 20, 2–6 p.m.: Summer Solstice Carnival at Spiral House Park (after Pride Parade)
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.