Meeting Reminder
Today at 6 p.m., at the Hudson Area Library, 51 North Fifth Street, Mayor Tiffany Martin Hamilton will hold the first "open State of the City discussion." Members of the Hudson community are invited to bring to the meeting their questions, comments, and suggestions, with this caveat: "We respectfully request that any issues raised be presented along with at least one proposed solution--this will both provide an opportunity for positive dialogue and offer the city fresh perspectives on some long-standing issues."
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"We respectfully request that any issues raised be presented along with at least one proposed solution...
ReplyDeletePublic Trust Lands withheld, is a betrayal of that trust.
Reestablish the historic use of shore.
Here's an issue to consider and a proposed solution...
ReplyDeleteIssue: Should the City of Hudson take down the "No Trespassing" signs and restore access to the Furgary Boat Club"?
Proposed solution: Take down the "No Trespassing" signs and restore access to the shacks, on two conditions: 1) the members of Furgary agree to pay a nominal amount of rent to the City for the use of this city-owned land; and 2) require the boat club to open membership to all residents of Hudson unconditionally.
The City holds title "in trust" for public use. To promote navigation, for fishing, recreation and commerce. Furgary did all three.
DeleteOur civil servants should have worked to promote MORE of the historical use not different use. Furthermore there is no such thing as a grant for non use.
Forget about the past. Let's focus on the present. Everyone who lives in Hudson should have equal access to the water. The area where the shacks are located is presently fenced off and posted with "no trespassing"signs, so nobody has access to the bay. No one should have the exclusive right to use the land occupied by the shacks. So, I recommend that the fence should be taken down, the "no trespassing" signs removed, and anyone who wants to walk to the river to reach the shoreline of the North Bay should be premitted to do so freely without obstruction. The shacks can remain, but the people who claim to "own" them should be required to pay rent to the City, upgrade and maintain the structures, obtain liability insurance, and share the facilities with all residents who are interested in using this part of the shoreline. This can be a "win win" situation for everybody, if people are willing to compromise and share the bay. The land in question belongs to everyone, not just a few people who are members of the so-called "Furgary Boat Club."
DeleteJust like power boat?
Delete"Everyone who lives in Hudson should have equal access to the water."
DeleteWhy is there a private boat club in the middle of Hudsons waterfront then ?
You said a lot in there, but I fundamentally agree with you.
DeleteIt's the leasing details which get a bit tricky, but that is all.
So I'll just say that I agree with this comment.
Hey VM, the HPBA bought its three parcels from previous owners, one of whom was the Hudson Development Corporation (HDC).
DeleteThe HDC-owned parcel could trace its private ownership back to the original underwater grant to the City Proprietors in 1785.
I always hear it said that back in the 1980s "nobody wanted to own the waterfront."
Well, someone obviously did.
As you say, the HPBA sits in the middle of everything, but the club owns its section of the riverfront, and that's that.
That's why City residents ought to lower their expectations of what our waterfront program can deliver, rather than overcompensate for this disappointment by expecting too much of some other part of the waterfront, such as North Bay.
The HPBA isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Short of taking the club through eminent domain, we must accept its ownership and adopt a more reasonable outlook overall.
On the other hand, it's another good example to reflect on the necessity and existence of the non-public HDC ...
Forget the past?
ReplyDeleteThe Furgary grew when fishermen gathered at the river during the depression to feed their families.
The shacks are there because of the fishermen, not the other way around.
Those who forget the past...
i've never had a key, don't belong to "Furgary", never claimed ownership of anything and always had access to all the boathouses at the North Dock for fifty nine years. the LWRP comes along and now i've lost three.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, there is no such thing as the "Furgary Boat Club." It is imaginary. I guess someone dreamed up the idea in an attempt to legitimize the selfish occupation of the shoreline by a handful of individuals.
ReplyDeleteNice try. A handful of volunteers serving hundreds (like Mike and his son Eddie) without regards to cost is anything but selfishness.
ReplyDeleteWho are you now serving?
cement 40%, powerboat 50%, Spirit 5%, NY State, 4%, one hundred years of locals hunting and fishing 1%, selfish.
ReplyDeleteBased on what I've learned in this conversation, I hope Mayor Hamilton can figure out a way to restore access to the shacks to the folks who used them. The people who use them obviously care about the North Bay and deserve to have access to it.
ReplyDeleteA welcome clarification. Thanks.
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