Public Works News

The report presented each month to the Common Council Public Works Committee by DPW superintendent Rob Perry is always detailed and illustrated, and last night's report, delivered just before the deluge began that flooded streets and overwhelmed the sewer system in many parts of the city, was no exception. Gossips recounts here only the highlights.

Even though the residents of Hudson have been dutifully observing the alternate side of the street parking regulations (and getting ticketed if we don't), the street sweeper, whose early-morning ministrations are the reason for the rules, has been out of commission for months--kaput, not working, not out there in the wee hours cleaning the streets. That will all change today, when the City's brand-new street sweeper is expected to be delivered. Perry warns that for the first few days, the sweeper will be operating during regular daytime hours--when there are cars moving on the street and parked on both sides--while the operators of the sweeper get accustomed to the new machine before returning to the customary early-morning run--when the streets are for the most part deserted.

Perry also reported that in year four of her campaign to "refurbish" Santa's Village (known to some as "Santa's slum"), which gets hauled out and displayed in the Public Square every holiday season, Ellen Thurston may finally achieve her long-sought goal. Thurston has recruited Abel Ramirez and Gia Albergo-Delmar to design and oversee the renovation and enhancements, and the Galvan Foundation has offered the use of the former Van Kleeck garage as "Santa's workshop" for what is hoped will be a picturesque "refitting" of these allegedly beloved little buildings.

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