Despite all the outrage and indignation expressed on Facebook, tonight's special meeting of the Common Council went forward without incident and was over in about ten minutes.
Although there were four resolutions on the agenda for the meeting, Council president Tom DePietro started with the second one, the resolution authorizing entering into a contract with A. Colarusso & Sons for the construction of the new Ferry Street Bridge. Every member of the Council present--in the room or on Zoom--voted in favor except for Vicky Daskaloudi (Fifth Ward) and Margaret Morris (First Ward). Before casting her vote, Morris stated that she believed it was in the best interest of the city to rebid the project, and she would feel that way if the roles were reversed and Colarusso been the one that made the omission and withdrew their bid. The resolution passed with eight votes in favor and two against.
The resolution authorizing the issuance of serial bonds to finance the new bridge passed with ten affirmative votes. DePietro clarified that the bonds are necessary because, although the bridge is being financed with state and federal funds, the City does not get the money up front. The City is reimbursed after the money has been spent. When the City is reimbursed, the bonds will be paid off.
The resolution to enter into a contract with Rise & Run Permaculture to plant trees for this year's Autumn Arbor Day also passed with ten affirmative votes.
Lance Wheeler's video of the meeting can be viewed here.
COPYRIGHT 2023 CAROLE OSTERINK
We live in a town where our local government is happy to do business and hand out commemorative plaques to a company that has already filed two lawsuits against our Planning Board. And our citizens are bearing the cost of defending against those lawsuits. WTF????
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Colarusso, the gravel company who call themselves a "heavy highway contractor," has ever actually built a bridge on their own. It does say on their website they build bridges (though without any examples), but when did they become expert steel fabricators?
ReplyDeleteRemember, Colarusso repaved south 3rd street in 2017, it soon started to fail, and last year DPW finally started repairing the mess -- at taxpayers' expense, of course. The 2 blocks of street will need more repair next year and beyond as it continues to fail.
Bill, you should do a little research. You would be amazed at what they are capable of. They do not just haul dirt. May I ask what Colarusso has done to you personally to warrant so much hatred?
DeleteIt's hard to imagine a more wrong-headed outcome from this meeting. It's also hard to imagine any other local town---Rhinebeck, Germantown, Chatham, Kinderhook---putting up with this never ending, existential mess in Hudson. Every place has its problems, sure, but Hudson is suffering from two life-threatening cancers at the same time: Galvan from the inside, and Colarusso from without. Why can't the Council stand up for its citizens, actually do something useful once in a while, and stop play acting? (Forget the mayor.) It doesn't have to be like this! Planning Board---take notice, do your due diligence, and Do the Right Thing!!!
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