Of Interest

The Planning Board has so far received ninety-five letters about Colarusso and the conditional use permit for its dock operations. They all can be found here. Everyone should spend some time browsing the letters to get a sense of what the people of Hudson have to say about industrial activity at the waterfront.

The information provided by Ken Dow is particularly important, and one hopes the current Planning Board pays attention to what he has to say. The first paragraph of Dow's letter to the Planning Board explains why his words should be heeded.

I was the City Attorney for the City of Hudson at the time when Colarusso carried out the dock bulkhead work that led to Colarusso’s application for a Conditional Use Permit for its dock and the Planning Board’s review. I was closely involved with the enforcement that led to such application and the commencement of the Planning Board’s review, and I litigated on behalf of the Planning Board to successfully defend the Planning Board against Colarusso’s first Article 78 proceeding in 2017. I am deeply familiar with the origin of this matter, the applicable law, and the scope of the review that the Planning Board undertook and must continue to undertake.

The rest of the letter and the evidence and documentation Dow provides can be found here. 

Another letter of interest is from Betsy Gramkow. Gramkow was appointed to the Planning Board in January 2018. In February 2020, she became the chair of the Planning Board, and served as chair until she resigned in June 2021. The following is quoted from her letter to the Planning Board. The boldface is found in the original.

I understand firsthand the complexity of balancing economic development with the community’s vision, legal responsibilities, and environmental stewardship. Today, I urge you to exercise the full extent of your authority in placing strong, enforceable conditions on all activity at the waterfront property owned by A. Colarusso & Son, particularly their use of the gravel dock. 

The waterfront is one of Hudson’s most sensitive and valuable assets. For decades, the community has worked toward realizing a future for this area that prioritizes public access, ecological resilience, and a mix of appropriate uses that reflect Hudson’s unique character. The continuation or expansion of industrial operations at the Colarusso dock—absent meaningful conditions—would risk undermining those long-held goals. 

Your review is not merely a procedural formality. It is your duty to assess impacts on traffic, noise, public safety, climate, infrastructure, and long-term land use compatibility. It is within your authority, and in fact it is your obligation, to condition any approval with mitigation measures that meaningfully protect the public interest. . . .

Approving any industrial activity without rigorous conditions is not neutral; it is a decision with long-lasting consequences for the city’s waterfront, economy, and quality of life. 

Hudson has spent decades charting a more inclusive and sustainable future for its waterfront. 

I ask that you defend that vision with vigilance, independence, and courage. 

Gramkow's entire letter can be found here.

The Planning Board is accepting written comments on the Colarusso's conditional use permit until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30. Comments should be submitted to lfenoff@cityofhudson.org.