The Weekly Digest

What happened.The Common Council will vote June 23 on a contract with Columbia County Real Property Tax Service to conduct a citywide property tax reassessment. The last reassessment was in 2018-2019. State funding is available for cities that commit to a four-year reassessment cycle: $5 per parcel in reassessment years, $2 per parcel between. Several council members urged the city to move up in the county's queue and consider codifying regular reassessments to avoid political delays. One noted that legal fees from welcome stranger lawsuits far exceed the cost of regular reassessments.

Where it’s headed.Council votes June 23 on the reassessment contract. Timing is delayed because the county tax service has other municipalities booked ahead of Hudson.

What happened.The major combined sewer overflow separation project on Columbia Street is about 95 percent designed and will be submitted to the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Environmental Facilities Corporation for review. The review will take a couple of months. Construction will require closing blocks of Columbia Street, with DPW working to keep truck detours on the eastern truck route rather than through residential streets. The project will require excavations 8 feet wider than originally planned, with catch basins 12 feet deep instead of 4 feet. New sewer structures will be 8 to 9 feet in diameter to accommodate 48-inch pipe. Some city water mains that conflict with the new sewer will be moved as part of the project at no additional cost to the city.

Where it’s headed.DEC and EFC review over the next couple of months, then the city finalizes local traffic management, sidewalk restoration, and winter shutdown decisions.

What happened.The developer who bought city property on Mill Street missed the May 3 closing date and is now in default. A resident asked the Council to review the contract, noting that the January 2023 legislative resolution tied the sale of Mill Street, State Street, and Rossman Avenue properties together. The developer received state funding for Mill Street in March 2025 but has made no progress on the State Street project (21 units, daycare, business incubator) or the Rossman townhomes since then. The Council president said the topic will be on the July agenda for discussion and the city attorney will brief the Council. One member expressed regret over the original resolution and suggested the Council discuss whether the situation has changed since 2023.

Where it’s headed.Council to discuss the contract and its options at the July meeting after a briefing from the city attorney.

What happened.Youth camp has 145 kids registered as of June 3, up from about 135 at this time last year. Anyone applying now goes on a wait list, which is managed during the first week or two of camp by calling families of no-shows. The department hired seven part-time staff rolling over from the regular program and eight new part-time hires from over 50 applicants. The fishing derby returns June 27 at Oakdale Park, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., for ages 5 to 14. The event is free and sponsored by the Warthower Memorial Fund. Prizes include bikes, tablets, gift cards, t-shirts, food, and drinks. Trout will be stocked in the lake close to the event date to prevent early fishing.

Where it’s headed.Fishing derby on Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakdale Park.

What happened.The Planning Board received a referral from Common Council requesting a recommendation on proposed amendments to code section 325-171-D, which governs conditional dock operations in the waterfront district. The proposed changes would add specific parameters: 10,000 truck round trips and 275,000 tons of material. The amendment incorporates the 10 conditions of approval the Planning Board previously imposed on the Caruso project and is connected to ongoing litigation. Board members expressed confusion about what the proposal actually changes compared to the previous approval and requested a side-by-side comparison. The board decided to schedule a special workshop meeting before July 14 to have city representatives explain the proposed amendment in detail before making a recommendation.

Where it’s headed.Special workshop meeting between now and July 14 to discuss the proposed amendments with city representatives. The board must make a recommendation by July 14.

Disclosure: This digest is published by me, Peter Spear, and I am a member of the Hudson Planning Board.

What happened.The Conservation Advisory Council submitted its Climate Smart Communities application in May with over 120 points, potentially approaching 200. The council needed 120 points for bronze certification. Results are expected in July. If the council continues follow-up work, a silver certification submission is possible in January 2027. The council also reported that 202 seedlings were planted at the dog park and 46 at Oakdale Lake, with excellent survival rates. About 10 plants out of 202 have not sprouted yet, mostly northern bayberries. The council is working with DPW on mowing and weed whacking around the plantings and needs mulch to protect plants and improve aesthetics.

Where it’s headed.Climate Smart Communities results expected in July. Potential silver certification submission in January 2027.