Little Known Hudson Law

On Thursday, the recyclables are collected in many neighborhoods in Hudson, and this calls to mind an item I came upon recently in the city code: [Section 157-10] "No person shall engage in alley or rag picking, sorting or salvaging or otherwise scavenging in any container of garbage or refuse or refuse bundle or otherwise disturbing the contents thereof."

The reference to "rag picking" suggests that this item has been in the code for rather a long time, and perhaps it's time the prohibition is modified. Strictly interpreted, this item makes it illegal for enterprising people of straitened means to extract and redeem the deposit bottles that others have tossed in with the recyclables.