Mayor versus Common Council

On Tuesday, the Common Council passed a resolution expressing the opinion that the Mill Street parcel, the site of the proposed Mill Street Lofts, is municipal parkland and its conveyance for a nonpark use may constitute an alienation of parkland which requires specific authorization by the New York State legislature. 

Today, Mayor Joseph Ferris, who extended the agreement to sell the parcel to Kearney Realty & Development Group without the knowledge or authorization of the Common Council, issued this statement:

The Mill Street resolution sent to my desk earlier this week by the Common Council aligns a fellow lawsuit defendant with the party suing us.

The Common Council had been briefed by Planning Board and Corporation Counsel prior to Tuesday's vote on this matter. The vote goes against the guidance provided by our taxpayer-funded attorneys.

I believe the best course of action in regard to this lawsuit is to let the legal process play out in the courts. The resolution before me--regardless of the Council's semantic gymnastics--attempts to weigh in on a matter that is central to the lawsuit.

By the power vested in me by § C6-2 Approval of legislation; veto power of the Hudson City Charter, on this day, October 2, 2026, I veto Common Council Resolution No. 6 of September 29, 2026.

The same paragraph of the charter cited by the mayor indicates that the Council can override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds vote. On Tuesday, nine of the eleven members of the Council voted in support of the resolution, and two abstained.

News of Galvan and Bard

There are still many unanswered questions about the Galvan gift of Hudson properties to Bard College. Information is appearing incrementally. On September 29, Bard issued a press release regarding the future of services formerly provided by Galvan Housing Resources.

Bard College announced today a partnership with Hudson River Housing, Inc. (HRH) to affiliate in the administration of the work done by the Rural Preservation Company (RPC) formerly performed under Galvan Housing Resources. The Rural Preservation Company facilitates the Home Improvement Program, which provides financial assistance in the cost of home improvement for qualified residents, and the Home Ownership Protection Program. which helps homeowners prevent foreclosure. The RFC also provides a range of housing counseling and community preservation services to assist residents throughout the region. There are currently 59 Rural Preservation Companies operating throughout New York State, with one RPC operating per county. Given its 40 years of experience in preserving quality affordable housing, Hudson River Housing is the ideal partner in administering Columbia County's RPC. This partnership gives HRH, with its stellar reputation in community development and strong track record on housing security in Dutchess County, the opportunity to extend their longstanding, impactful work in housing protection in Columbia County.

Rural Preservation Companies (RPC) are community-based nonprofit organizations that utilize state and federal grants to provide a variety of housing assistance programs in rural communities, such as home improvement and rehabilitation, emergency repair grants, weatherization, housing counseling, first-time homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, community preservation.

The announcement builds on a landmark gift made to Bard in 2025 by Galvan Foundation, a longtime community development leader in Hudson. The gift, representing both organizations' commitment to advancing the common good, includes a large portfolio of affordable housing properties, mixed-income housing units, single-family homes, and reinvigorated commercial and public-use properties in Hudson.

"Galvan Foundation's gift provided Bard the opportunity to expand its commitment as a private institution serving the public good, and we are proud to now be able to continue this work through a collaborative partnership with Hudson River Housing," said Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Taun Toay. "Hudson River Housing has deep experience in the space and are the right partners to see through this commitment."

The complete press release, which includes a quote from Mayor Joseph Ferris, can be found here.