Last night's informal meeting of the Common Council lasted for not much longer than half an hour, but a few things happened during that time that merit reporting about.
In preparation for voting to enact the law regulating short term rentals in Hudson, Jeff Baker, counsel to the Council, walked the aldermen through Parts 2 and 3 of the full Environmental Assessment Form. When Council president Tom DePietro questioned the need to do this, Baker responded, "We're doing it in case someone sues us on this . . . as evidence we have taken a hard look." Baker went on to say, "The resolution shows we've gone through the process and reasserts our ability to do this." The resolution Baker referred to--a resolution to make a negative declaration regarding the action--was then introduced. The resolution will be voted on at the Council's regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 17.
At a time when our restaurants are facing a long winter, and takeout will be a huge factor in their ability to survive, it seems an inappropriate time to impose regulations on the containers they use. Perhaps instead the people of Hudson should be encouraged to make those "surprisingly sturdy" plastic containers not single use. I recall an article not long ago in the Epicurious newsletter extolling the virtues of plastic deli containers for storing things in the kitchen. More than one of those "surprisingly sturdy" takeout containers Wolff mentioned are now in my refrigerator, storing things that might instead be in plastic bags or plastic wrap.
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It's clear that Ms. Wolfe is either flat-out against Hudson's local businesses or can't think more than 1 or 2 steps ahead. Gossips is absolutely correct that this is not the time to meddle in small business economics. If she wants to have a positive impact on life in the city (a conclusion that seems unsupported by the evidence) she should consider doing her job as alderwoman and trying to help these small businesses how they're going to survive the coming winter.
ReplyDeleteI think both. She has repeatedly expressed views and adopted positions that are opposed to businesses doing well, and has also proposed rules (see hiring restrictions on the proposed hotel on Union St.) that she has not thought through and is unable to answer basic questions about how these rules would be applied.
DeleteMs. Wolfe is on record saying that she would prefer all businesses on Warren Street close. All she does is turn citizens against each other and work against Hudson's growth. She is a disgrace along with most of the council.
DeleteTrue there is lots of other work to do, but reducing plastic use is a good thing. The problem is if all plastic is not reduced at the source, people end up replacing one plastic for another. Eliminate plastic shopping bags, people who used them for garbage buy plastic garbage bags to replace them. Eliminate these containers, people buy tupperware, plastic wrap and use those instead. You can save your yogurt containers and use them for food storage, but after a while, they pile up, there is no end to the plastic. It is a hard thing to control locally, but you have to start somewhere. If you give people the option to take a bag, they will take it, the only way to stop that is to eliminate them altogether.
DeleteHas Merante figured out or found out from DPW how much it will cost to replace the city's 30mph signs with 25 mph signs and add 25 mph signs where needed? Yes, the speed limit should be lowered, but it's not that simple, especially during a fiscal crisis -- if the Mayor won't allow a hefty expenditure to do this, why bother wasting time getting it done?
ReplyDeleteIf the speed limit were to be reduced to 25 mph (which would be admirable), the DPW would be biggest offender - not just the Hudson city trucks, but also DPW employees speeding on N 2nd and N Front Streets on their way to and from work.
ReplyDelete-Jerome Riviere
Agreed, Jerome, and HPD is guilty as well. Yesterday at 6th & State I watched a HPD patrol vehicle with male driver approach the stop sign on State much too fast, slow down a bit, not stop (not even close), with NO BLINKER or lights flashing or siren and take a quick left onto 6th. He was not off to a situation. Just driving recklessly and carelessly as I often see them do. There should be no surprise that there are so many accidents in this town, with so many drivers holding phones, and general BAD, DISRESPECTFUL and DANGEROUS driving. Those in power allow it, and do it themselves. It's a joke to hear City Hall talk about safe streets or try to actually do anything about it.
DeleteWe are awash in plastic. Period. Some restaurants have been switching to waxed cardboard for sometime now. As well as eliminating straws. Her intent is spot on but unfortunate during this difficult economic time. I would think paper containers may be cheaper and that's to be researched. Meantime, the bulk of plastic containers can be reused at home, in the kitchen and elsewhere. Otherwise there's recycling, though it's a mystery if they actually are. The long view, old destructive habits must be shown the door.
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