The storm heading our way is being described as a nor'easter and a blockbuster. As we all wait for what we hope is this winter's swan song, City Hall has issued the following announcements.
All Non-Essential City of Hudson Departments and Buildings Closed Monday, February 23rd
Due to anticipated heavy snowfall and dangerous road conditions tonight into tomorrow, all non-essential City of Hudson departments and buildings will be closed on Monday, February 23rd.
NOTE: It was been confirmed that trash pickup will take place tomorrow, February 23, as normally scheduled.
City of Hudson Parking and Shoveling Rules for the Upcoming Storm
With a significant amount of snow expected tonight into tomorrow, and in recognition of the State of Emergency declared by Governor Hochul that remains in effect until Tuesday, please prepare for plowing tonight and tomorrow, with snow removal to follow (details of removal to be provided once the snow event ends and needs are assessed).
By 11:59 p.m. tonight, where alternate side parking is normally in effect, all cars are to be parked on the ODD side of the street. Tomorrow, Monday the 23rd, all cars subject to alternate side parking should be parked on the EVEN side of the street by 11:59 p.m.
The storm is expected to end at 5:00 p.m. Monday. Per City of Hudson code, Warren Street sidewalks are to be shoveled by 5:00 a.m. Tuesday and sidewalks on all other streets by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. Also per City code, please shovel snow to the curb and not into the street.
🚨 It's 19:40, hours before a 10inch plus snow storm hits the area... more severe to the South, but who knows.
ReplyDeleteHudson residents might wonder:
1. Will there be a trash pick up tomorrow?
2. Has Columbia County NY issued a no travel advisory?
3. Where do I park?
4. What about the schools?
Let's review the ROI of our taxes:
- City of Hudson website front page notice: clear guidance on parking, City Hall being closed, clear note that once storm ends and needs can be assessed, there will be another update:
https://www.hudsonny.gov/news_detail_T10_R775.php
Missing information: will trash be picked up?
(Yes, Gossips confirmed this manually and notified her readers, but an A+ DPW would proactively communicate it, how else will Tom DePietro and other people who refuse to read Gossips know?)
Grade: B+
Notes: Much better than before (no need to follow the mayor's personal FB page).
Better grade would require a non-partisan City Hall email newsletter and optional opt-in text/sms notification, like other cities, with a single update from all departments where applicable.
Granted... the new administration is still in transition... let's check back next storm.
HCSD website (https://www.hudsoncsd.org)
Clear guidance with 11 words.
But below the fold.
Good to know that the $60m budget means there is a nice Canva or Adobe graphic.
~~~
Let's look at the County: https://www.columbiacountyny.com/
No update from Matt Murell except to say the offices will be opening 2 hours later.
Obviously Sheriff Jackie is on it and no doubt monitoring the public safety situation and staff deputies in case of any road emergencies... but compare Murell's missing missive to Dutchess County:
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Executive/Winter-Storm-February-2026.htm
Sue Serino does not play around.
She runs a tight ship as a County Executive.
Can we make Holly Tanner our Sue Serino?
Both are married mothers with local roots/upbringing, and private as well as public leadership experience... wins elections decisively and do not miss deadlines.
Imagine County Executive Holly, Sheriff Jackie, Chief Mishanda... all supremely competent and bi-partisan... they would be ready for any storm or drama.
And yet... here we are with Matt Murell... zero visible leadership, and Sam Hodge distracting the Dems this week with an Assembly primary when the County should have had a County Executive in place by now; either through bi-partisan lawmaking or a County-wide petition.
Thanks Sam...
I am not quite sure I fully understand the criticism of the county. They did announce the one change tomorrow. Since there's no travel ban in Columbia County, what else should they be announcing?
DeleteHi Max -
DeleteThe point: Who is in charge?
Columba County's comms and leadership is not as sharp as Dutchess County's, yet we pay the same rate of tax. Why?
Columbia County has its own separate Emergency Management Office... we pay for it and they just completed a multi-year overhaul with state funding, and they have been a lot less communicative of hazard mitigation plans compared to other counties and states (compare their websites, and this is not the Sheriff's fault). They have primary URLs, from public facing surfaces, that lead to 404s etc.
Back to this storm, even if the decision was to not elevate to a travel ban (vs. an advisory) because the storm is likely to miss us, the County leadership could simply communicate that, and the reasoning, and reassure taxpayers that someone is:
A) in charge
B) monitoring the situation.
C) while New York City is closing bridges, and Albany/Hochul issued multi-county emergency orders (including for Columbia) and moved hardware around, no major disruption is expected in Columbia County, so enjoy snow day kids!
Unlike in MA you can't really abolish County government in NYS...it is hardcoded into the state constitution, so if you have to have one, and pay for it, you might as well have a good one.
Of the 5 remaining Counties in New York state with a "traditional legislative board system" like Columbia County, vs. a County Executive, or an appointed single administrator, Columbia County is much more populous, complex, and has a budget ~$100m greater than the next closest legislative board system county.
The others counties are places like Hamilton County with 5k people and no traffic lights.
Anyway, this won't be that big a storm... but imagine if there was actually a crises, a chemical spill, a localized terror event etc. Will they be ready? Or will the State just take over and then we spent all this money for nothing.
Max, to put this in perspective for an EU citizen... Columbia County and the few standalone police departments in the area... spend more on public safety per year than the country of Lichtenstein OR the City/County that is the Vatican?
Is it too much to ask for good public communication?
Hence connecting these points, with the failure of Sam Hodge to politely and diplomatically work with the GOP Supervisors to get a County Administrator that reports to the 23 person Board of Supervisors, or to effect a County Executive via a ballot box measure.
Maybe this is just normal in New York?
To spend so much money, on so many politicians and entities, and get so relatively little ROI?