While the neighbors seek redress for noise and purloined parking spaces, the baths at Pocketbook Hudson are the subject of an article in Vogue: "This Airy New Bathhouse Is a Steam Dream in a Restored Hudson Factory."
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Word from Facebook
Minutes ago, the news was shared on Facebook by Brian D. Decker, Jr., and Unfiltered Hudson NY Community Board that the stretch of Harry Howard Avenue which has been closed since March 16 is now open!
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| Photo: Brian D. Decker, Jr.|Facebook |
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
New Mascot for C-GCC
What readers may or may not know is that the mascot of Columbia-Greene Community College has been a very angry-looking Rip Van Winkle. Ten years ago, in a competition among SUNY colleges known as "Mascot Madness," Rip made it to the Final Four.
Today, Rip was retired, replaced by a new mascot--a black bear known as "The Guardian."
The new mascot is "the result of a deliberate process that was student-first, representing the spirit of both Columbia and Greene counties." Caitlin Twomey, assistant dean of students who led the process, explained, "This mascot is more than just for athletics. It is something that represents our community. It represents the new wave of college, our region, and our counties into one fun, physical form. The Guardian is here to protect our students."
News from Last Night's Council Meeting
Gossips predicted that disgruntled neighbors of Pocketbook Hudson and supporters of honorarily naming City Hall Place for centenarian Lou Brenner would show up en masse at last night's Common Council meeting, but neither happened.
Regarding the proposed honorary naming, Council president Margaret Morris noted that, according to the law (Chapter 267 of the city code), if the honoree is a living person, the dedication requires the unanimous support of the Common Council. Since two members of the Council were absent--Gary Purnhagen (First Ward) and Jennifer Belton (Fourth Ward)--unanimous support could not be achieved. Consequently, the vote was postponed until the Council's May meeting.
Regarding Pocketbook Hudson, only one of the neighbors was present at the meeting. In his comments to the Council, he admitted that most people did not have complaints about noise, but the sound of the hotel's mechanicals and the restaurant's exhaust fans could be heard in his backyard and in the backyards of his neighbors. Morris told him, "We've gotten your email, we've gotten your petition. This is not something we can resolve here." The petition, signed mostly by residents of Washington Street, can be found here.
Sean Roland, one of the partners in Pocketbook Hudson, was also present at the meeting, explaining he was there to make sure the Council had the letter he had submitted in response to the petition. That letter can be found here. Roland made reference to the project's review by the Planning Board in 2021, maintaining they had done everything requested of them. "We're doing our best," he told the Council.
There have been questions about the project's conformance with what was specified in the Planning Board's site plan approval. That document can be found here. Morris suggested that the complaints about Pocketbook Hudson should be brought to the Planning Board. (Only one person serving on the Planning Board today--Eugene Shetsky--was on the Planning Board in 2021 when the project was reviewed and granted site plan approval.) Ken Dow, counsel to the Council, advised, "It's in the hands of code enforcement."
The struggle between a new commercial enterprise and near its neighbors calls to mind what happened in 2013 when Zak Pelaccio opened Fish & Game at 13 South Third Street (now the location of Feast & Floret). To help recall that time, there is this post from February 2013: "Where There's Smoke . . . ."
Where to Catch the Bus
If you are planning to attend the Hudson Children's Book Festival at Columbia-Greene Community College or Frederic Church's 200th Birthday Party at Olana on Saturday, you can take the shuttle bus from several points in Hudson. The shuttle will be making a continuous loop from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Sidewalk News
If you have replaced or repaired your sidewalks within the past ten years and want credit for it, the following announcement from the mayor's office will be of interest.
Sidewalk Improvement District Fee Credit Applications for work previously done by property owners to repair or replace damaged sidewalk are due to the Mayor's office by May 15, 2026. (Email to mayoralaide@cityofhudson.org.) The credit application can be found on the Public Works Board page under Sidewalk Improvement District. To learn more about the Sidewalk Improvement District, please click here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Tiffany Martin at (518) 828-7217 option 2.
Deja Vu All Over Again
The residents of the neighborhood surrounding Pocketbook Hudson are requesting a resident parking permit system to discourage patrons and guests of the hotel, restaurant, and bath from parking on the street in front of their homes. Those who have lived in Hudson for a while will recall that this is not the first time the idea of restricting onstreet parking to residents only has been proposed.
In June 2o14, Mayor William Hallenbeck proposed resident parking permits for the area immediately around the hospital. In the usual course of things, the proposal went to the Common Council Legal Committee to be turned into a law. Wanting to avoid simply exporting the problem from the immediate area of the hospital to an adjacent area, the Legal Committee, after considerable study, expanded the boundaries of the parking permit area to include everything within two blocks in every direction of the hospital. Hallenbeck complained that the Legal Committee had turned his proposal "into a monster." Opponents called the expanded area "humongous."
Back in 2014, people living on McKinstry Place and Rossman Avenue were having problems with hospital workers taking their onstreet parking spaces. Despite the hospital having a multilevel parking garage, hospital employees were choosing to park on the street to avoid having to pay to park in the parking garage.
The Common Council voted to enact the law in March 2015. It was a narrow victory: 1,104 votes in favor; 924 opposed. (This was back in the day of the weighted vote.) Hallenbeck vetoed the law, and because there were not sufficient votes to override a mayoral veto, the issue was not pursued. Hallenbeck then called for a resident parking policy that applied to the entire city, but that proposal was not taken up by the Council.
It will be interesting to see if, eleven years later, the idea of resident parking permits enjoys any greater support and success.
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Monday, April 27, 2026
Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome
As it enters its second year, Hudson Paws hopes to increase the number of dogs rescued and expand its foster network, as well as strengthening partnerships with regional shelters and animal control agencies, expanding its education and outreach programs, and increasing access to resources that support both dogs and the people who care for them. For information about adoptable dogs and ways to support Hudson Paws Dog Rescue, visit HudsonPaws.org.
Report of an Incident at HCSD
The following press release was issued by the Hudson Police Department today.
The City of Hudson Police Department is actively investigating a child abuse allegation involving an incident that occurred on April 1, 2026, at M.C. Smith Elementary School.
The case began after a child abuse hotline referral was received and forwarded to investigators, prompting a formal review into allegations involving a 7-year-old student with special needs and a one-on-one school aide. School administrators reported conducting internal interviews shortly after the incident and later coordinating with human resources and legal counsel before notifying authorities.
Detectives interviewed multiple school staff members who were present during the incident. Statements obtained during the investigation included allegations that the aide physically grabbed the student by the face and struck her head against a wall during the incident.
Detectives later interviewed the aide, identified as Virginia S. Pitcher of Hillsdale, New York. During that interview, Pitcher admitted to pushing the student and grabbing her facial area, stating she was attempting to stop the child from pulling her hair and biting her.
Following the investigation, Pitcher was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child under New York Penal Law 260.10, a Class A misdemeanor.
On April 23, 2026, Pitcher was arrested by the HPD Detective Division. She was processed and issued an appearance ticket.
She is scheduled to appear in Hudson City Court on April 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
The City of Hudson Police Department continues to review the case as part of its ongoing investigation.
The department also received assistance from the Columbia County District Attorney's Office, whose support in securing legal process and assisting with subpoenas helped facilitate the investigation.
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead
In this week, the April, cruelest month, ends and the lusty month of May begins. As we move deeper into spring, here is what's happening.
- On Monday, April 27, the Public Works Board meets at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Teams. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
- On Tuesday, April 28, the Common Council holds its regular monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. It is expected that people from the neighborhood around Pocketbook Hudson and supporters of the honorary naming of City Hall Place "Lou Brenner Way" will be at the meeting to voice their grievances and make their case. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Teams. Click here for the link to join the meeting remotely.
- On Friday, May 1, the summer suspension of alternate side of the street parking on weekends begins at midnight. On Friday, when you park you car for the night, you can park on either side of the street.
- On Saturday, May 2, it is the 15th Annual Hudson Children's Book Festival. The event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Columbia-Greene Community College.
- On Saturday, May 2, The Olana Partnership hosts a party to celebrate Frederic Church's 200th birthday. The festivities begin at noon at the Olana Site Historic Site. For details of the celebration, click here or scroll down to the next post.
Happening Next Saturday
On Saturday, May 2. the The Olana Partnership invites the public to celebrate the 200th birthday 0f Frederic Church with an afternoon of art, music, and nature activities at the Olana State Historic Site.
The event kicks off at noon with the unveiling at the Frederic Church Center for Art and Landscape of a special 200th birthday gift from The Olana Partnership to Olana.
Beginning at 1:00 p.m., there will be live music, reflecting the global influences that shaped Church's artistic vision, on the East Lawn.
- At 1:30 p.m.--Mariachi Music by Trovodores de América
- At 2:30 p.m.--Middle Eastern Music by El Asdiqaa
- At 3:30 p.m.--Ecuadorian Folk Music and Dancing by Andes Manta
Throughout the afternoon, there will be many activities for all ages and interests.
- Free access to Olana's historic interiors and free landscape tours
- Art and nature activities for all ages offered by 4-H, Cornell Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners, Hawthorne Valley, and The Sylvia Center
- Refreshments for purchase by local food vendors
- Visits with friendly farm animals
- Free photobooth
- Free giveaways, from Stewart's Ice Cream, Bjorn Qorn, and Hudson Valley Seed Co.
The birthday celebration is part of the broader Frederic Church 200 initiative, a year-long commemoration that offers a comprehensive reappraisal of Church as a prominent public figure concerned with the key issues of the 19th century, from new scientific thinking to slavery and the preservation of green spaces for the public good.
For those planning to attend the Hudson Children's Book Festival, which is happening on Saturday, May 2, nearby at Columbia-Greene Community College: Olana will be a stop on the free shuttle from Hudson.
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Get Ready for Change
It's likely everyone in Hudson received one of these cards today--the ones the Board of Elections sends out to confirm that registered voters are still residing at the addresses on record. Of interest on the card is this information, printed in red in the yellow box:
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New Members for the HTF Board
- Tray Tepper, who operates the bagel shop Circles in The Spark of Hudson building at Fifth and Union streets
- Kelly Crimmins, the owner of Big Towel Spa, whose portable saunas used to winter at Oakdale Lake
- Serria McGriff, who is a senior counselor at Mental Health America
The candidates' letters of interest can be found here.
It was reported that Randall Martin, former First Ward supervisor and former member of the Planning Board, had expressed a desire to join the Housing Trust Fund Board but has not yet submitted a letter of interest.
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Friday, April 24, 2026
All Is Not Well in the Neighborhood
Everyone I know who has dined or attended an event at Pocketbook Hudson has had nothing but good things to say about it. The same cannot be said about the people who live in the neighborhood immediately surrounding the repurposed factory building which describes itself as "not just a hotel destination but a living, breathing place for care, creativity, and transformation." The neighbors complain about constant noise from the mechanicals situated on the roof and about patrons parking on the street and taking up their parking spaces.
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| Photo: Boutique Hotelier |
The neighbors' complaints are the subject of an article that appeared this afternoon in the Register-Star: "Hudson residents say Pocketbook hotel 'diminishing our quality of life.'" The neighbors are expected to attend the Common Council meeting en masse next Tuesday to demand the City take action to redress their grievances.
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The Naming of Streets
Since the 200 block of Warren Street was honorarily named for Jake and Barbara Walthour in 2024, there have been a couple more proposals for honorary street naming: a stretch of South Front Street for longtime DPW superintendent Charlie Butterworth, and the 500 block of Warren Street for former father-and-son mayors Fred Wheeler and Sam Wheeler. Typically, the Common Council passes the resolutions without objection or much discussion. Not so the latest proposal.
At the informal Council meeting on Monday, a resolution was introduced for the honorary naming of City Hall Place "Lou Brenner Way" for the oldest living retired member of the Hudson Police Department. Brenner, who served as a police officer in Hudson from 1952 to 1972, celebrated his 100th birthday on March 21.
City Hall Place was presumably chosen because, for ten of the twenty years Brenner served as a police officer, the police department was headquartered in City Hall, the building we now know as Hudson Hall. (City Hall moved to 520 Warren Street in 1962.)
When the resolution came before the Council on Monday, Councilmember Dominic Merante (Fifth Ward) expressed the opinion that a proclamation, declaring a "Lou Brenner Day," giving him the key to the City, and making him a part of the Common Council contingent in the Flag Day parade would be a more appropriate way to honor Brenner. Merante alluded to the criteria for honorary street naming set forth in Chapter 267 of the city code:
(1) The honoree must have made a demonstrable and significant positive impact on the community or contributed to the cultural, economic, educational, intellectual, political or scientific vitality of the community or have made an extraordinary contribution in service of humanity.
(2) The honoree must be a natural person, and no living individual shall be the subject of a proposed dedication, except by unanimous consent of the Common Council.
Merante questioned if longevity should qualify someone for the honor of having a street named for them.
Council president Margaret Morris maintained that the proposal was in conformance with the law as it was passed, and it was not the Council's job to decide what would be more appropriate. She noted that the Council was under no obligation to pass the resolution and advised if there were objections members should not vote in favor of it. The Council will votes on the resolution on Tuesday, April 28.
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Thursday, April 23, 2026
Supply Influences Cost
Not long ago, a reader sent me the link to this article that appeared on Vox: "How Austin's stunning drop in rents explains housing in America." The reader introduced it by saying, "The article supports the notion that the ONLY way to bring down housing costs is to build more housing of all types."
In Austin, Texas, rents have dropped by 6 percent over the past year. The Austin area's median rent is now $1,274. For the past decade, Austin has taken a very YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) approach to building new housing, doing a lot of the same things that have been done or talked about here in Hudson: eliminating parking requirements, allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), updating the zoning codes. The article explores the degree to which those policy changes are responsible for Austin's success in bringing down the cost of housing but ultimately comes to this simple conclusion: Supply influences cost. You need a sufficient supply of housing in order for housing to be affordable.
The article inspired me to take a look at the fate of the housing projects that have been proposed in Hudson over the past six years, from the time Kamal Johnson took office as mayor of Hudson with a seemingly aggressive agenda to provide affordable housing in Hudson.
The first project, which we were led to believe had been worked out in collaboration with the Galvan Foundation even before Johnson took office, was the Depot District, a two-building, mixed-income "neighborhood" on North Seventh Street.
Five years later, only one of the two buildings has been completed, and there is little hope the other ever will be. (Plans for the second building were abandoned because the three houses on site, one with historic significance, were demolished before financing for new construction was secured, thus rendering the project ineligible for state funding.) Of the 64 apartments available in the building that has been completed, it seems only 17 are occupied. The income constraints make it difficult to find qualified tenants for the remaining apartments.
In early 2022, another plan emerged, this one initiated by the City of Hudson in the form of a committee made up of the mayor (Johnson), the mayor's aide (Michael Hofmann), Council president (Tom DePietro), a councilmember (Art Frick), and Housing Justice Director Michelle Tullo. This project, which involved building various types of housing on city-owned land, had three parts: an attached pair of houses on Rossman Avenue; a pair of apartment buildings on Mill Street; and an apartment building at the corner of State Street and North Fourth.
Early on, the plan to build houses on Rossman Avenue was abandoned because of problems with the site; the controversial Mill Street Lofts proposal is tied up in court; and nothing has been heard of the project proposed for State and Fourth streets for more than a year.
During this same period, there have been a couple of projects proposed by small local developers. The first was the "subdivision" to be called "Gifford Place" proposed by Walter Chatham for the vacant land on the west side of Hudson Avenue, across the street from the Little League field. It involved a total of sixteen new homes--eight townhouses in two blocks of four, and eight freestanding houses on a private street.
The Planning Board's review of the project dragged on for more than two years, from June 2022 to September 2024. Chatham told Gossips the site plan review cost $43,500 in fees paid to the Planning Board's engineering consultant alone, an amount that was roughly twice what was paid to the project's own engineer. It has been more than a year since the Planning Board granted preliminary approval of the project, and to Gossips' knowledge no work has yet commenced, but the project has not been abandoned.
The experience before the Planning Board was similar for the pair of apartment buildings proposed for Fairview Avenue between Glenwood and Parkwood boulevards.
The project was before the Planning Board for two years--from June 2023 until May 2025--before it was granted site plan approval with a long list of conditions. A year into the review, the Planning Board took the unusual course of creating a three-person subcommittee to study the project. The subcommittee came back with a number of requests, one of which was to reduce the number of apartments by half.
The demolition of the buildings on the site happened in January, but so far no further work has begun, inspiring rumors that the project had been abandoned. Gossips has it on good authority that the work required to meet the various conditions of the site plan approval is moving forward, and the project has not been abandoned.
The City has been awarded a grant to revise its zoning code. When that process begins, there will no doubt be a lot of talk about making changes to make it easier to build new housing in Hudson. The experience of the past six years shows that the zoning code, despite its many problems, is not the impediment some think it is. Let's review.
- 75 potential dwelling units at 75 North Seventh Street were lost because the developer (Galvan) ignored the rules
- 94 potential dwelling units (70 at Mill Street Lofts and 24 at State Street Lofts) are in limbo because the City ignored the law and its own covenants and the developer (Kearney) proposed buildings inappropriate for the sites
- 42 potential dwelling units (16 at Hudson Avenue and 26 on Fairview Avenue) are uncertain because the Planning Board did not review the proposals in the timely and professional manner
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Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Returning to the Superintendent Search
It appears the superintendent search is a bit behind schedule. Review of applications and candidate screening and selection of semifinalists was part of Phase 2, to be completed in late February to March.
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HHA and the Planning Board
Spenser Walsh has an article today in the Register-Star about the Planning Board review of the project being proposed by the Hudson Housing Authority: "Hudson Planning Board working on approval for Bliss Towers project." The article does not include much information that has not already been reported by Gossips, but one of the images used to illustrate the article shows that one of the renderings of the project has been updated. The presentation visuals submitted on March 10 included a rendering that showed State Street "pedestrianized," but a subsequent rendering, posted to the Planning Board portal on March 24, has been revised to eliminate the "plaza" and show State Street marked for parking on each side.
Madeo told the HHA board that he expected there would be a special meeting of the Planning Board, focusing only on the HHA project, in the second or third week in May. He opined that they were "in pretty good shape with the Planning Board" and predicted they would have approval of the project by July.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The Outcome of the BOE Meeting
The board unanimously opted for the plan that increased the tax levy by 5.8 percent, which is the maximum allowed. Had they chosen to go with the 6.94 percent increase, it would have required 60 percent approval from the voters.
But closing the $2.58 million budget gap recently discovered and attributed to using financial planning software incorrectly for the past ten years does not come without sacrifice. Interim superintendent Brian Bailey outlined those sacrifices. Twenty-seven positions will be cut--six fewer than originally proposed.
The cuts to instructional and support staff are not quite as deep as originally proposed. The new proposal cuts two fewer teachers and four fewer aides.
The proposal also reduces by half the number of "executive level" positions in the Central Office.
The proposal also involves having a single principal of the junior and senior high schools rather than two, although there would still be two assistant principals, one for the junior high and one for the high school.
The videorecording of tonight's BOE meeting can be viewed here. The public hearing on the budget happens on Tuesday, May 5. The budget vote and BOE election will take place on Tuesday, May 19.
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Charter Change Revisited
A year ago, inspired by the Citizens' Initiative for Charter Change, the idea of revising the city charter, enacted in 1921 and amended in its entirety in 1973, was on everyone's mind.
Ferris was elected. Day One was 110 days ago, but so far nothing has been heard from the mayor about charter change. Last night at the informal meeting of the Common Council, however, Council president Margaret Morris announced that she was starting work on assembling a Charter Commission to consider charter revision. She is inviting anyone interested in serving on this group tasked with the serious work of studying the charter and recommending revision to send a letter of interest to councilpres@cityofhudson.org.
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Frederic Church and Olana in the NY Times
This year not only marks the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence, it also marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Edwin Church. This past Sunday, Church and Olana were the subjects of an article featured in a special Museums section of the New York Times: "Honoring Frederic Church: Beyond the Hudson River School." It is recommended reading.
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| Frederic Church, Our Banner in the Sky (1861) |
Additions to the Weekly Calendar
- Tonight, Tuesday, April 21, the HCSD Board of Education meets at 6:00 p.m. in the Hudson High School auditorium. The meeting is being described as a "Community Budget Workshop," and it is expected that the BOE will vote on a budget tonight. Tonight will reveal if the BOE will agree to pare down the exorbitant proposed $63.1 or try to get voters to approve a tax increase that exceeds 5.8 percent. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.
- Thursday, April 23, is Voter Registration Day in the Hudson City School District. If you live in the district and are not already registered to vote, you can do so in the Junior High School cafeteria from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on that day. Those wishing to register must bring photo I.D.
Monday, April 20, 2026
On Reopening Harry Howard
At the Common Council Code and Infrastructure Committee meeting last week, Rob Perry, superintendent of Public Works, reported on the status of the stretch of Harry Howard Avenue that's been closed since March 16.
Investigations discovered that a gasket about six feet below roadway had failed, and the water spraying out from the failed gasket had undermined the road, causing the pavement to crack. The failed gasket has now been replaced with a more robust one.
Rebuilding the roadway's substructure will be completed this week. Once that is done, they need to wait for the asphalt plant to open for the season before the road can be paved. According to Perry, that should happen in a couple of weeks. When the road has been repaved and the guardrails installed, the road will be reopened. Perry predicted that it would be a couple more weeks before Harry Howard Avenue can be reopened. As he told committee, "I said four to six weeks at the very beginning, and we're going to be four to six weeks."
Perry's report to the Code and Infrastructure Committee can be heard here, from 17:41 to 23:31.
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UPDATE: Here's a statement from the mayor's office on the subject, received this morning.
Tentative Timeline for Reopening of Harry Howard Avenue
We are nearing completion of repairs to Harry Howard Avenue. The road will be milled this Thursday, followed by paving and replacement of guardrails. Timelines can shift due to numerous factors. We anticipate the road to reopen by no later than May 15th.
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead
Last week, we got a taste of summer, but this week, we're plunged back into more typical April weather. While we put those Bermuda shorts and tank tops away for a few more weeks, here's what is happening.
- On Monday, April 20, at 5:30 p.m., the Common Council holds a public hearing on a very minor change to the short-term rental law. The proposed amendment does nothing more than require that all short-term rentals designate a local contact person and submit their contact information to the Hudson Police Department and the Code Enforcement Office. The hearing is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Teams. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
- Also on Monday, April 20, the Common Council holds its informal meeting. It is expected that, in addition to introducing various resolutions, the Council will discuss the amendment to clarify Section 325-17.1 of the city code. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Teams. Click here for the link to join the meeting remotely.
- On Wednesday, April 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Columbia County Housing Advisory Board hosts a Tenant Landlord Forum. The event takes place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
- On Thursday, April 23, the Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency (HCDPA) meets at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Teams. Click here for the link to join the meeting remotely.
- Also on Thursday, April 23, at 6:00 p.m., the History Room at the Hudson Area Library and the Jacob Leisler Institute for the Study of Early New York History present Hudson Valley Food Riots & the American Revolution, a lecture by Thomas Wermuth. In the 1770s, while armies battled throughout New York, the Hudson Valley "home front" suffered food shortages, high costs, and price-gouging shopkeepers. Riotous crowds took matters into their own hands by participating in market seizures and price riots, even threatening to pull their support for the war. The event, which takes place in the Community Room at the Hudson Area Library, 51 North Fifth Street, is free and open to the public.
- On Friday, April 24, the Historic Preservation Commission meets at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Teams. Click here for the link to join the meeting remotely.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
About that $105,000 National Grid Bill
After that article was published (and Gossips posted the link to it), Rob Perry, Superintendent of Public Works, issued this statement about what happened and how it happened. The statement is shared here with his permission.
Street Lighting (5182.46) is the budgetary account for the 891 streetlights in the city, and it averaged $200,000/year before 2024. There were annual fluctuations with the lowest being $188,288 in 2016 and the highest being $208,058 in 2022. These variations were purely a matter of energy cost and any other charges approved by the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC).
Within the annual bill was $8,000 per month for "equipment lease." That was a charge that National Grid assessed the City for every arm, pole and light fixture. While National Grid owned everything, they would change bulbs, migrate arms & fixtures from old poles to new poles and also reattach arms & fixtures to new poles if one was broken by nature or accident. $8,000 per month (or $96,000 per year) would never go away, unless the City agreed to acquire all the assets.
Although several acquisition discussions took place from 2017 to 2023 at DPW & Finance committees of the Council, at full Council, and with every mayor, nothing moved forward until the City contracted with an agency of the State, the New York Power Authority (NYPA). With the assistance of NYPA, the City was able to purchase the Street Light assets from National Grid in May 2024. After acquisition, NYPA presented a contractor, Guth DeConzo, to perform two tasks:
- Task 1: install DISCONNECTS between the light fixture and the power supply from the pole. A requirement from National Grid, and
- Task 2: remove every High Pressure Sodium (HPS) fixture and replace with energy efficient LED fixture with Smart Nodes.
Guth DeConzo began this work in July 2024 and completed their work in December 2024.
Even though the City legally took ownership of the assets in May 2024, we were billed for the lease of assets for months after assuming ownership. Eventually we began to receive credits to reimburse those overcharges in 2024. Our 2024 invoices = $128,533.
The next and last step was for Guth DeConzo to prepare a quantitative report that identified the old and new condition of each fixture. That is, they had to detail all 891 fixtures by what the previous light fixture was, AND what the new fixture is. And National Grid had to amend their billing to represent the delta between old and new. Did this take 18 months from the date of transfer? Yes. But Guth DeConzo had to actually perform the work first (6 months), then audit and certify and submit. Then National Grid had to audit and certify, internally.
In the meantime, whatever happens in the nebulous realm of National Grid . . . invoices were generated, credits were issued and according to Grid . . . replacement invoices were sent, but none received.
The City and its leadership were well aware that our annual costs for street lighting would decrease at the close of this project. We knew the "lease price" would no longer apply. And we knew our energy costs would decrease as the average light was 150 watt HPS and was replaced by a 75 watt LED. What those exact numbers would be was a factor of National Grid rates that are approved by the PSC.
Meanwhile, we continued to receive energy bills for streetlights in 2025. Some had high balances and some had high credits. The City paid EXACTLY what balance was due. For 2025 that was just over $15,000. Was this amount reasonable? No. But we aren't in the habit of overpaying bills because we think it's too low. We wait for the vendor to correct their error.
The DPW 2026 Budget request for streetlights was $120,000. BEA [Board of Estimate and Apportionment] conversations are unknown to me, but at some point the budget was reduced to $30,000.
The resolution before the Council this month uses surplus funds in twelve (12) individual accounts to cover what is outstanding for 2025 charges. It also used Fund Balance to make the 2026 streetlight account "whole" for what we now believe are actual costs.
The resolution Perry references can be found here.
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