Our Hudson Waterfront and the Dock

Last week, the Register-Star published an article by Spenser Walsh about a proposed amendment for clarification to Section 325-17.1 of the city code: "Hudson resident proposes law to limit Colarusso dock operations." The article contained misinformation and errors, only two of which have been acknowledged in an afternote. Donna Streitz, the Hudson resident referenced in the article's headline, has written a letter to the editor of the Register-Star--her second--to correct the inaccuracies in the article. At Streitz's request, I publish the letter below lest the Register-Star declines to publish it.

Dear Register-Star Editor,

I am writing to correct several factual inaccuracies in the Register-Star's 2/20/26 article Hudson resident proposes law to limit Colarusso dock operations. I'm disappointed that you saw it only fit to correct two inaccuracies, as per your Editor's Note posted at the bottom of that article on 2/27/26.

For the record, my previous request for corrections submitted to you on 2/23/26 follows. I respectfully request that you publish this Letter to the Editor.

To begin, the title of the article implies that the proposed law targets a specific owner. It does not. The clarification concerns the dock and its permitted uses, regardless of ownership, Similarly, Our Hudson Waterfront's advocacy regarding the haul road and dock permits was centered on compliance with zoning and environmental requirements, not on the identity of the owner.

Second, I am not the "founder" of Our Hudson Waterfront (OHW). I have been a member since its formation in 2019 and currently serve as its lead.

Third, OHW has not opposed the issuance of a conditional use permit for the dock. Rather, the group has consistently advocated that any dock permit approval comply fully with all applicable provisions of the City Zoning Code--including protections for public health, safety, and welfare, and the prohibition against intensifying industrial activity beyond the level lawfully existing in 2011 under § 325-17.1.D.

Fourth, while the article correctly states that the annual limit is "5,382 truck round trips," it may help readers to understand what that means in practical terms. A "round trip" represents one truck delivering a load and returning. In total, 5,382 round trips amount to 10,764 individual truck trips (to and from the dock) each year.

Fifth, the article states that the permit grants Colarusso a maximum of 284 daily truck round trips (142 truck loads delivered). This is incorrect. The Planning Board imposed no limits on truck volume in the dock conditional use permit. The 284 daily round-trip limit applies to the previously approved haul road permit.

Finally, the claim that the Board placed a "host of noise- and pollution-monitoring conditions" is inaccurate. Despite public requests for air-quality and noise measuring and monitoring, the permit requires none. While it includes limited mitigation measures aimed at reducing noise and dust, it contains no provisions for measurement, monitoring, reporting, or objective verification of compliance.

Accurate public reporting on matters affecting Hudson residents is essential. I appreciate the opportunity to correct the record.

Respectfully,

Donna Streitz

Hudson Resident