Ear to the Ground

On Wednesday, April 29, Operation Unite NY held its annual Hudson Youth Government Day at City Hall. Gossips has learned that, during the course of the day, Elena Mosley, founder and executive director of Operation Unite, announced she had a new associate director: former mayor Kamal Johnson. 

COPYRIGHT 2026 CAROLE OSTERINK

Moving Away from Fossil Fuels

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Common Council passed two resolutions having to do with EV chargers. The first resolution, which renews the City's contract for the existing EV chargers, was the impetus for a statement issued today by City Hall.

On Tuesday of this week, the Hudson Common Council voted in favor of a five-year renewal with Chargepoint for electric vehicle chargers in the city. Mayor Joseph Ferris approved the contract the following day.

In response to the news, City elected officials released the following statements:

Council President Margaret Morris:

Under Rich Volo's leadership of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC), the City continues to adopt climate smart initiatives and to pursue grant opportunities to support these initiatives. This five-year contract will ensure that the electric vehicle chargers installed through a grant secured by the CAC will continue to be available to residents.

Fourth Ward Councilmember & Conservation Advisory Council Chair Rich Volo:

In 2018, I secured $45,000 in grants for the electric vehicle charging stations behind City Hall. On many days, all ports are used. The new contract will also enable ongoing repairs. Together, the City's Conservation Advisory Council has been working with the Mayor's office on New York State's Climate Smart initiative actions, additional grant money, and street tree and seedling plantings.

Mayor Joseph Ferris:

The new electric vehicle charger contract is a win-win for the environment and the City's finances. It is a testament to what can be accomplished when the Mayor's Office and Common Council work together on creating a more eco-friendly city. The easier it is for people to charge electric vehicles, the more likely they are to make the switch from gas to electric. At the same time, this contract ensures that the two chargers that are currently broken will be replaced at no cost to the City. It is fitting that I was able to approve this five-year contract in the same month as Earth Day.

For more information about the Conservation Advisory Council and its work, please email Rich Volo at richvolo@cityofhudson.org.  

At the same meeting on April 28, the Common Council passed a second resolution having to do with EV chargers. This one selected a new vendor for EV chargers proposed to be installed in the City parking lot across the street from the train station and in the parking lot at the Hudson Dog Park.