In September, at the first budget workshop held by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, Haigh requested a 40 percent increase in his department's budget, which would bring it to $234,335. Part of that increase was a $10,000 raise in his salary. Haigh told the BEA, "If I were employed by the state, that would be my salary." He also indicated that he had applied for state jobs, and were he to be offered one, he would take it. The 2026 budget does not include the increases in the Code Enforcement Office budget that Haigh sought, and what he said might happen has happened.
In a city that takes pride in its historic architecture, Haigh is to be commended for his willingness to work with the Historic Preservation Commission. His approach to historic preservation and the HPC was a welcome change from the previous code enforcement officer, who never attended HPC meetings, issued demolition permits without certificates of appropriateness from the HPC, and allowed projects that significantly altered historic buildings to bypass the HPC altogether. In contrast, Haigh has faithfully attended HPC meetings and maintained a good working relationship with the HPC.
Phil Forman, who has chaired the HPC since 2017, said this of Haigh and his work with the commission:
Craig was my partner, friend, and mentor in making preservation a reality in Hudson. We worked together for ten years and hundreds of projects. We shared the conviction that problems are there to be solved and government is about service to the community. I will miss working with him but am grateful for the gift of having done so.
On a personal note, from The Gossips of Rivertown, Haigh was always responsive whenever I contacted him with concerns about activity in historic districts and questions about ongoing projects.
Haigh said at the HPC meeting this morning that it was the goal to have a new code enforcement officer in place before he left in early February.
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Craig is a good guy and anyone who had the chance to work with him would probably say he’s a straight shooter, and that his office was overwhelmed. We definitely need to better fund code enforcement. It really does the job of two departments: code enforcement and dept of buildings—three if you include all the fire code stuff that a separate fire marshal would handle. A lot of people, especially one person, would like to point out that Hudson lacks literal code enforcement, and that’s true in many ways. But I think Craig’s office had to focus on safety and keeping up with all the permitting, rather than ticketing people for not mowing their lawn, etc. A well funded office could do more, and raise revenue. That and a better planning board will help bring housing and economic growth. That’s the path forward. Best wishes to Craig in whatever he does next.
ReplyDeleteBesides running an uphill battle as CEO for many years, Craig has been a volunteer fireman, having risen to the rank of Chief, for the better part of his life. Hudson has been made better because of Craig.
ReplyDeleteI’d heard this was coming, but am sorry to see Craig Haigh go from this position. While working on our building over the years, Haigh was often a grounding and reassuring presence in chaotic, disorganized, or even scary situations. He could at times be tough and by the book, but was always fair, honest, direct, happily communicated when available, and did what he said he would. It was clear visiting their office (in its many iterations) and just living in Hudson, that they were overwhelmed in some ways. When I heard recent talk about the Code Office requesting more funding and staff, his operation was a case where I thought that made perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great loss to the City of Hudson. It was very short-sighted of the BEA to not honor Craig Haigh's request for a raise. The Code Enforcement department is not only the busiest of all the city departments it actually create revenue.
ReplyDeleteThis comes as the city is in a housing crisis, there is a need for renovating old, and building new housing and as the HHA is creating plans for new buildings; we need the experience and local knowledge that Craig brings to bear. It should not be a "thankless" job.
PLEASE, make the man an offer today, we will scrape the funds together somehow. When you do the right thing, things have a way of working out.
Hilary Hillman
1st Ward
A City Hall that does not properly value, appreciate, staff, support or fund its code enforcement office is going nowhere except possibly backwards. I don't think Craig ever had a full-time worker helping him out. Fewer inspections equals more fires, more garbage in the alleys, more rotting houses with some needing to be demolished.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this city always so short on funds? Something is wrong.
Rob Perry's salary is close to twice that of Craig's. That alone is reason enough for skedaddling.
Mayor Ferris' chalkboard of TO DO's just got a little more crowded.
Craig was good, by the book, always fair in my construction dealings with him. The inspector before him was good too, with a different approach. It's a good local job, with no commute. I'm sure someone will step up to fill Craig's most capable shoes.
ReplyDeleteThank you Craig for all of the ways that you have protected our city while helping it to grow-you will be sorely missed . Thanks also to your over-worked assistants.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the denial of a budget increase,
This is another example of failed leadership; one of many in the past four years. Moving forward, Mayor Ferris and Council President Morris will hopefully work to keep the Code office supplied with what they need to do the increasingly difficult job of overseeing rational growth in a historic town with a brilliant future. Those who don’t deal with the Code office on a regular basis know how hard they work and how much help they need to deal with a growing workload .