The Gossips of Rivertown

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health released its numbers earlier today. Since yesterday, there have been 13 new cases of COVID-19. The number of new cases being reported today is 2 more than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 11 county residents have recovered from the virus. There are 2 more county residents hospitalized with COVID-19 today than yesterday, but the number in the ICU remains the same. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since October 5.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 17 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 5,366, and the number of active cases was 70. There were 232 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 3 were hospitalized, and 0 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths in Columbia County attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 103.

It Happened Today

Today, Promenade Hill was officially reopened with a ceremonial ribbon cutting that followed a series of comments by folks in city and state government and from the Starr Whitehouse, the landscape architects who designed the new plaza.

Photo: Sarah Sterling

And this is the view, denied to us for the past seventeen months, that was restored to us at last today.

Photo: Sarah Sterling

Every Half-Century or so in Hudson

Today at 4:00 p.m. there is to be a ribbon cutting to reopen access to Promenade Hill after seventeen months of construction on the redesigned plaza.

Yesterday, Bruce Mitchinson sent me this newspaper clipping from November 13, 1975, showing the ribbon cutting that marked the reopening of Promenade Hill after the destruction and redevelopment that was Urban Renewal in Hudson.

Make Your Plan to Vote

Election Day is two weeks away, on Tuesday, November 8, but early voting begins this Saturday, October 29. Early voting takes place at 401 State Street in Hudson and the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building at 3211 Church Street in Valatie. Here is the schedule for early voting.

Saturday, October 29, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 30, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, October 31, noon to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, November 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, November 2, noon to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 3, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, November 4, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, November 5, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday, October 24, 2022

Fatal Dumpster Accident in Long Alley

Gossips received this press release from the Hudson Police Department.

On Monday, October 24, 2022, at approximately 11:21 a.m., the Hudson Police Department (HPD) received a call from Columbia County 911 reporting that the Greenport Rescue Squad (GRS) was dispatched to the area of the 200 block of Long Alley in the City of Hudson for a report of a dumpster that had fallen on top of a man at that location.

All available HPD units responded to the scene to assist Greenport Rescue Squad. Officer Kevin Keyser and GRS attempted lifesaving measurers, including CPR, without any success. The victim, an employee of the disposal company, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives spoke to witnesses, and it appears the dumpster dropped onto the victim while it was being lowered from a truck. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified of the work accident.

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since Thursday, October 20, there have been 45 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 7 more than on Thursday, from which it can be inferred that, since Thursday, 38 county residents have recovered from the virus. There are 3 more county residents hospitalized today than on Thursday, but the number in the ICU remains the same. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since October 5.

A year ago, October 24 was a Sunday, and the CCDOH did not report COVID numbers. On the previous day, Saturday, October 23, the CCDOH reported 9 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 5,349, and the number of active cases was 85. There were 259 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 3 were hospitalized, and 0 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Columbia County at this time last year was 103.

Colonial New York as a Model for Our Nation

On Thursday, October 27, the History Room at the Hudson Area Library and the Jacob Leisler Institute for Early New York History present a special in-person talk with Patricia Bonomi about colonial era New York. The event takes place at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the library, 51 North Fifth Street.

Colonial New York contributed vitally to the formation of the United States, as did New England or the colonial South, although historians have been slow to acknowledge those contributions. The discussion will highlight the special significance of New York’s religious and racial diversity, its unique geography, and its tumultuous politics.

Patricia U. Bonomi is Professor Emerita at New York University, where she taught American history for twenty-seven years, specializing in the colonial and early national periods. She is a Guggenheim Fellow and a Fellow of the Seminar on Early American History & Culture at Columbia University, where she earned her Ph.D. in 1970. Her books include A Factious People: Politics and Society in Colonial New York; Under the Cope of Heaven: Religion, Society, and Politics in Colonial America; and The Lord Cornbury Scandal: The Politics of Reputation in British America.

The Jacob Leisler Library Lectures are made possible in part through the generous support of the Van Dyke Family Foundation and Hudson River Bank and Trust.

Meeting of Interest in Stuyvesant

Last month, it was expected that the Stuyvesant Zoning Board of Appeals would be voting on a proposal to construct twenty "agro-tourism cabins," along with other tourist amenities, on a farm on Sharptown Ridge. That didn't happen. Instead, ZBA chair Margaret Pino announced that the ZBA was in the process of crafting their response to the application. It is now expected that response and the ZBA's determination will be made known at this month's ZBA meeting, which takes place on Wednesday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. at Stuyvesant Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive in Stuyvesant.

Special Meeting on Friday

At the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, it seemed a vote on the settlement agreement with the Galvan Foundation and Galvan Civic I was to be postponed until the Council's November meeting. Today, it was announced that the issue will taken up at a special meeting to be held on Friday, October 28, at 6:00 p.m. The notice of the special meeting indicates its purpose is "to discuss the Galvan litigation with our attorney in an executive session." The litigation has to do with property tax exemption sought for 614-620 Columbia Street (the former Community Theater building) and 612 Columbia Street (the house just west of the theater building). Although much of the meeting will not be open to the public, it will be a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

In this week, the final week of October and the penultimate week of daylight saving time, there's not much happening.

On Monday, October 24, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA)--the mayor, the Council president, and the city treasurer--holds a budget workshop at 2:30 p.m. The meeting takes place in person only at City Hall.
On Tuesday, October 25, there is a ribbon cutting at 4:00 p.m. to mark the official opening of the newly redesigned entrance plaza at Promenade Hill.

On Wednesday, October 26, the BEA holds a budget workshop at 2:30 p.m. in person only at City Hall.
At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, the Common Council Technology Committee holds its monthly meeting. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
On Friday, October 28, the Historic Preservation Commission meets at 10:00 a.m. The meeting includes a public hearing on the proposed restoration of the former Crescent Garage, 750-752 Warren Street. The meeting will be a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

On 2:30 p.m. on Friday, October 28, the BEA holds another budget workshop in person only at City Hall.

A Preview of Promenade Hill

On our late afternoon walk today, Joey and I ventured down to Promenade Hill. The new plaza won't officially be open until Tuesday, when there will be a ribbon cutting at 4:00 p.m., but there was a big gap in the fence, big enough for a dog and a human to pass through easily, and so we did. Here are some views of the plaza from the inside.

Spooky Events in Historic Places

There are several opportunities to get in the mood for Halloween even before the witching day itself. On Tuesday, October 25, Columbia County hosts master storyteller Jonathan Kruk at Clarkson Chapel, 3691 Route 9G in Clermont.

At 5:00 p.m., Kruk presents an entertaining, interactive show of "Spooky Stories" intended for children, and at 7:00 p.m., Kruk performs Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Admission is free. Refreshments will be available. RSVP to Shari Franks at shari.franks@columbiacountyny.com.

On Saturday, October 29, and Sunday, October 30, the Clermont State Historic Site presents "Legends by Candlelight Ghost Encounters."

Visitors will begin their night of spooky entertainment enjoying a bonfire with marshmallows. They will then be whisked off on a walking tour to meet the ghosts of Clermont. Those participating should wear comfortable shoes, be dressed for the weather, and be ready for an adventure!

There will be three ghostly encounters each night, at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 p.m. Advanced tickets are required for the spooky adventure. No walk-ins will be permitted. For more information and to secure tickets, call 518 537-4240.

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Restored Access to SASS

In an article published on Wednesday in the Register-Star, it was announced that Promenade Hill, with its newly redesigned plaza entrance, will reopen on Tuesday, October 25: "Promenade Hill Park set to reopen on Oct. 25."

The park is reopening just in time for folks to catch some fall color in the Scenic Areas of Statewide Significance visible from the promenade, but the reopening seems to be happening quietly without any ceremony or hoopla.

If it's ceremony and hoopla you seek, albeit on a small scale, head down to the Hudson Dog Park the next day at around 5 o'clock. There denizens of the dog park will be celebrating the third anniversary of that park's opening on October 26, 2019, with the unveiling of a new sign.

Update: Gossips has gotten word that there will be ceremony and hoopla at the reopening of Promenade Hill. A ribbon cutting is planned to take place at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25

Veni, Vidi, Perdidi

Last year, the Historic Preservation Commission had to deal with the removal of the panes of colored glass that for well more than a century had surrounded the shop windows at 508 Warren Street.

The alterations to the storefront had been made without a certificate of appropriateness from the HPC. In defending his actions, the owner of the building claimed the glass that had been removed was not stained glass but rather colored glass and some of it wasn't glass at all but rather vinyl. The storefront was to be a clothing store, Loup, and the owner argued, "It is prohibitive for us to do business with a kaleidoscope of color coming in." And thus, Warren Street lost a significant piece of its historic character.

This year, the owner of the building was once again before the HPC, once again seeking a certificate of appropriateness for work he had already done on the building. This time, it was installing awnings.

This morning, a reader alerted me that the building is now for sale, listed on Zillow for $1.875 million.

Friday, October 21, 2022

A Footnote to the Sidewalk Discussion

At the Legal Committee meeting on Wednesday, the question was raised about materials for sidewalks acceptable to the Department of Justice. The possibilities being discussed were concrete and the more historic slate and brick. What wasn't mentioned and shouldn't be considered acceptable by anyone was asphalt. Still this sidewalk "improvement" was done just recently in front of a house at the corner of Green Street and Fairview Avenue.

Photo: Bill Huston

The asphalt sidewalk is very unsightly, and one has to wonder why it was done at all. In this Google capture of the house from July 2022, the sidewalk does not appear to be in such bad shape. Joey and I encounter much worse on our daily walks around town.

Update: Peter Bujanow, Commissioner of Public Works, has informed me that the asphalt sidewalk "is part of the 'Fairview & Green Intersection Improvements Project'--Necessary but temporary construction work/excavation to access necessary infrastructure." This is the project that was supposed to be funded by the host community benefit agreement with Stewart's, to compensate the City for changing its zoning to accommodate Stewart's expansion plans, but ended up with a price tag of $139,565 more than the $200,000 the City received from Stewart's.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been 12 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is the same as yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 12 county residents have recovered from the virus. The number of county residents hospitalized and in the ICU remains the same as yesterday. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since October 5.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 12 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 5,307, and the number of active cases was 85. There were 201 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 6 were hospitalized, and 2 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths in Columbia County attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 103.

A New Plan for Sidewalks

Last night, the Legal Committee continued its pursuit of a solution to the problem of defective, hazardous, and missing sidewalks. Councilmember Margaret Morris (First Ward), who chairs the committee, had intended the committee look at sidewalk legislation in place in the cities of Ithaca, Cortland, and Mechanicville and consider how the models might work in Hudson, but after a brief discussion of how it is done elsewhere, Councilmember Ryan Wallace (Third Ward) proposed that Hudson follow the example of Albany, which, in Wallace's words, "is taking the bull by the horns and solving this."

Last week, the Times Union reported that the City of Albany was preparing to invest $20 million to make its sidewalks ADA compliant: "Albany developing a plan to fix its 282 miles of sidewalk." Wallace estimated that, if $20 million would fix 282 miles of sidewalk in Albany, $5 million would be sufficient for Hudson. (In 2018, DPW superintendent Rob Perry estimated that Hudson has 133,000 linear feet of sidewalk, which is just a little more than 25 miles.) Ryan proposed that the City issue bonds to fund the project. He argued that the City's failure, for decades, to enforce the code regarding sidewalks was the reason the sidewalks were now in such bad shape, and therefore it was the responsibility of the City to correct the situation.

Wallace's idea got support from councilmembers Art Frick (First Ward) and Mohammed Rony (Second Ward) and also from Council president Tom DePietro, who noted that the City has a triple A rating in the bond market. Morris, however, said she was not completely on board with the notion that, because the City failed in enforcing the code regarding sidewalks, the City is responsible to correct deficient sidewalks.

There are currently three plans being pursued to address the sidewalks, each focused on a different part of the city.

The Connectivity Project funded by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant awarded back in 2017 includes the sidewalks below Second Street. At last report, the money allocated for the project, from the $10 million grant, is not expected to be enough to replace all the sidewalks in the BRIDGE District but only to repair or replace sidewalks as needed.
The City is seeking $5 million in Congressionally Directed Funds to make sidewalk repairs in the parts of the city included in the sidewalk audit undertaken in October 2020. The sidewalks included are:

Warren Street from Third Street to Seventh Street
Seventh Street from Union Street to Washington Street
North Fifth Street from Warren Street to Prospect Street
North Sixth Street from Warren Street to Prospect Street
South Third Street from Union Street to Warren Street

Now it is being suggested that the City issue bonds for $5 million to repair the sidewalks not included in the other two plans.

Even after the Council has figured out a way to pay for repairing and/or replacing the sidewalks, there are still problems to be resolved. Peter Bujanow, Commissioner of Public Works, brought up one of them at last night's meeting. The current code requires new sidewalks to be several inches higher than the existing sidewalks, creating new hazards for people in wheelchairs, pushing strollers, with walkers, or simply walking unassisted.

Gossips has been carping about this problem with the code since 2012, but in ten years' time, no action has been taken to amend the code to prevent the problem from being created in places where it previously did not exist.

Matt McGhee brought up another problem: places in the city, usually in historic districts, where the original bluestone sidewalks still exist.

Wallace opined, "I don't agree with the idea that original slate should be torn up to replace it with concrete." Bujanow wondered, "When we have a historic sidewalk, how does DOJ [Department of Justice] look at that?" Ronald Kopnicki asked, "Does the DOJ require a particular material?" Morris volunteered to take the question about historic sidewalks to Michael Hofmann, the mayor's aide, who is the City's ADA coordinator.

Update: Ryan Wallace has informed me that he made his recommendation for solving the sidewalk problem in an email to members of the Legal Committee "weeks before" the article about the Albany plan appeared in the Times Union.

What's Planned for Charles Williams Park

At the Common Council meeting on Tuesday night, before voting on a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a grant agreement with the Eutopia Foundation for $350,000 to fund the project, the Council heard a presentation on the changes that are planned for Charles Williams Park. The focus is on five elements: (1) a redesigned Play Zone with a whale-shaped water feature;

(2) an Active Zone, of which a basketball court is the centerpiece;

(3) a redesigned Central Gathering Area, which will include chess tables;

(4) a Fitness Zone, where the $30,000 Fitness Court will be located;

and (5) a wheelchair accessible Circulation path around the park.

The following image shows how all the elements fit together.

Given the recent experience with the entrance to Promenade Hill, when the money from the Downtown Redevelopment Initiative (DRI) grant proved not to be enough to realize the improvements planned, councilmembers asked what would happen if the $350,000 grant from the Eutopia Foundation proved to be insufficient. They were told that additional funding would be sought from sources other than the City.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been 10 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 3 fewer than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 13 county residents have recovered from the virus. There is 1 fewer county resident hospitalized today than yesterday, but the number in the ICU remains the same. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since Wednesday, October 5.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 18 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 5,295, and the number of active cases was 79. There were 191 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 6 were hospitalized, and 2 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Columbia County at this time last year was 103.

The Council and Galvan

As predicted, a resolution was introduced at last night's Common Council meeting authorizing a settlement with the Galvan Initiatives Foundation and Galvan Civic I in an Article 7 proceeding against the City. After asking for an introduction of the resolution, Council president Tom DePietro explained that Galvan's request for tax exempt status for 614-620 Columbia Street (the former Community Theater building) and 612 Columbia Street (the house just west of the theater building) had been denied by the city assessor because the application had been submitted late. As a consequence, Galvan sued the City because late submission is not grounds for denying tax exemption.

DePietro went on to say of the action the Council was being asked to take, "It seems complex, but it's not. . . . This has nothing to do with whether you or I like or dislike the Galvan Foundation. It's a legal matter that is really kind of out of our hands." Crystal Peck, counsel to the Council, then explained that the properties were both owned by a nonprofit and to be used for nonprofit purposes, and hence were eligible to be exempt from property taxes. She told the Council that three different city attorneys--Victoria Polidoro, Andy Howard, and Cheryl Roberts--had looked at this and made the determination that the properties should be granted tax exemption. The Council, however, was not ready to pass the resolution.

Councilmember Margaret Morris (First Ward) wanted more information about the rationale for taking the properties off the tax rolls. She was particularly concerned about the future use of the house at 612 Columbia Street. Galvan has presented a site plan to the Planning Board that separates the house from its backyard. The backyard will be the location of mechanicals and dumpsters for the theater, but the intended use of the house has not been clarified.

Councilmember Dominic Merante (Fifth Ward) questioned why Galvan had paid no taxes on the property prior to applying for a nonprofit exemption. He too expressed concern about the use of 612 Columbia Street. Merante moved to table the resolution. The motion was seconded by Morris.

Councilmember Mohammed Rony (Second Ward) reminded the Council that the Galvan Foundation "has a tendency of sitting on properties. They purchase it, and they take it off the tax rolls saying that they're going to put it into a nonprofit use, and then they sit on it for five or ten years."

When the Council voted on tabling the resolution, nine councilmembers voted aye, Ryan Wallace (Third Ward) abstained, without explaining why, and DePietro voted no.

Wallace then urged that the Council have a special meeting to take up the issue again, suggesting that if the Council didn't act soon, it could put Galvan's $900,000 Empire State Development Grant in jeopardy. It was decided, however, not to have a special meeting but to take up the issue at the Council's November meeting, when the lawyers would be present to explain further their rationale.

Before the Council moved on, former Fourth Ward alderman John Rosenthal spoke, reminding the current Council of the "litigious nature of the Galvan organizations." He told the Council, "They threatened to sue me, in my capacity as a public official, for asking questions regarding due diligence about their operations." Rosenthal continued: "Given that . . . we're dealing with a billion dollar, essentially, property owner who has a nonprofit set up essentially so he doesn't have to leverage any of his money toward the real cost of these developments. It's one thing if we're talking about public housing. It's another thing if we're talking about a community theater, whatever that is, and there are some legitimate questions here." Rosenthal asserted, "Given that Eric Galloway and his entities repeatedly grieved, through the assessor's office, a fair taxation for the properties he owns in his for-profit capacity, I think it is just outrageous that, yet again, this organization that's supposed to be trying to help the city is trying to sue us."

After Rosenthal spoke, DePietro, who earlier described Galvan as "a developer who owns a significant part of the city and whose intentions are not always clear," cautioned: "As a Council, we have to be very careful about how we deal with the many entities that go under the name of Galvan. It's a legal stew of confusion for us." To which Rosenthal interjected, "By design."

The videorecording of the meeting can be found here. The discussion of the settlement begins at about 29:49.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

While Most of Hudson Was Sleeping

Gossips just received this press release from the Hudson Police Department.

On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Hudson City Police Department arrested 37-year-old Arley L. Dahlberg, an inmate at the Hudson Correctional Facility.

On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at around 1:26 a.m., the HPD patrol observed a white SUV traveling east on Union Street traveling at a high rate of speed. The operator drove through a red light at Union and 5th Street. The vehicle was stopped by patrols at North 6th and Warren Street. It was determined that the vehicle, a white 2017 Audi Q5, had just been stolen from the 400 block of Union Street. Patrols learned that Dahlberg had an active arrest warrant from the Hudson Correctional Facility for absconding from their temporary release program. Absconding is a class E felony under NYS penal law. Dahlberg was arrested by HPD and transported to the Hudson Police Department for processing and arraignment. At the time of the arrest, Dahlberg was found to be in possession of crack cocaine.

Dahlberg [was] charged with Grand Larceny 3rd (Stolen Vehicle) a class D felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree a class A misdemeanor and was arraigned before Judge Connor. He is to return to Hudson City Court on October 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.

The New York State Correctional Division picked Dahlberg up from the Hudson Police Department and transported him to the Coxsackie Facility.

“This was a good example of proactive policing by our night shift uniform patrol.” Chief

HPD is also investigating whether Dahlberg was involved in the attempted burglary of a N. 5th Street residence that occurred just before this incident. If you have any information to share please reach out to the Hudson Detectives Division at 518 828 3388.

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been 16 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 8 more than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 8 county residents have recovered from the virus. The number of county residents hospitalized with COVID-19 and in the ICU remains the same today as yesterday. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since Wednesday, October 5.

A year ago today, October 18 was a Monday, the CCDOH reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 since the previous Saturday. The total number of cases was 5,277, and the number of active cases was 72. There were 172 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 5 were hospitalized, and 1 was in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the county at this time last year was 103.

Progress for HHA Development

At last night's meeting of the Hudson Housing Authority (HHA) Board of Commissioners, the four commissioners present--Revonda Smith, Claire Cousin, Rebecca Wolff, and Nick Zachos--voted unanimously to enter into an option agreement for three parcels owned by Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency (HCDPA). The three parcels are 202-206 Columbia Street, what remains of the community garden at the corner of Columbia and Second; 2-4 Warren Street, now an urban renewal era park known fondly to some as "Promenade Prospect Park"; and 2 to 14 State Street, the land on the north side of the street from Front Street east to the park across the street from Bliss Towers.

The option agreement is for one year with the right to renew the agreement for an additional two years. HHA will pay a $25,000 fee to HCDPA for each year the option is in effect, and payments will be applied to the purchase price of whatever parcels they decide to use.

The parcels will be offered to potential development partners in the RFP (request for proposals), and the developers will decide which parcels to propose for development. The goal is to build replacement housing so HHA will be able to demolish its existing properties, Bliss Towers and Columbia Apartments. Jeffrey Dodson, executive director of HHA, promised the RFP would be ready to be released as soon as possible.

Dodson, who became executive director in May, said of the agreement, which he called "a step in the process," "This is exciting, and this is one of the reasons I chose to come to Hudson." He told the commissioners he had in the past month visited the HUD field office in Buffalo and reported, "They have confidence in my leadership."

Of Interest on the Council Agenda for Tonight

At the informal meeting last week, Common Council president Tom DePietro noted there were not many resolutions to be introduced at that meeting, but there would be "quite a few next week." Some of the resolutions that will be introduced and voted on tonight are now available on the City of Hudson website. A couple of them are worthy of note.

There is a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a grant agreement with the Eutopia Foundation, the same group that has partnered with the Spark of Hudson to fund HudsonUP, the universal basic income pilot program. The grant is for $350,000 for "the restoration, enhancement, development and operation of Charles Williams Park." The possible projects to be funded include "the replacement, update, and refreshing of the park's seating, landscaping, playground equipment, basketball court, trash receptacles and plant care, and may include removal of extraneous structures or signs as mutually agreed between the City and the Eutopia Foundation."

The park was originally built with a $250,000 grant from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The grant was awarded in 2007, but work on the park did not begin until around 2009. It was finally declared "all built out and complete" in 2015.

Also of interest on tonight's agenda is a resolution authorizing a settlement with Galvan Initiatives Foundation and Galvan Civic I in an Article 7 proceeding. It seems Galvan's request for property tax exemption for 614-620 Columbia Street (the former Community Theatre building) and 612 Columbia Street (the house just west of the theater building) was denied by the city's assessor.

According to the resolution, the City and Galvan have agreed to settle the proceedings by deeming the two properties exempt from taxation. The resolution also indicates that Galvan has not paid property tax on the two parcels, together assessed for $1.375 million, since acquiring them in 2021.

Monday, October 17, 2022

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since Thursday, October 13, there have been 37 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 16 fewer than on Thursday, from which it can be inferred that, in the past four days, 53 county residents have recovered from the virus. The number of county residents hospitalized with COVID-19 and in the ICU has not changed since Thursday. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since Wednesday, October 5.

A year ago, October 17 was a Sunday, and the CCDOH did not report COVID numbers. On Saturday, October 16, the CCDOH reported 4 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 5,255, and the number of active cases was 78. There were 267 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 5 were hospitalized, and 1 was in the ICU. The total number of deaths in Columbia County attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 103.

Remembering Vincent Mulford

It's hard to imagine that it's been a year since Vince Mulford left us, but it has.

Photo shared on Facebook by Erika Clark

On Sunday, October 23, at 3:00 p.m., people will gather at 827 Union Street to share favorite memories and stories of Vince. If you plan to attend, you are asked to RSVP to mwprojects@aol.com by Thursday, October 20.

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

After a glorious autumn weekend, here's what's happening this week on the meeting front.

On Monday, October 17, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA)--the mayor, the Council president, and the city treasurer--meets at 2:30 p.m. to consider non-departmental expenses. The budget workshop takes place in person only at City Hall.
At 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 17, the Hudson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners holds its monthly meeting. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person in the Community Room at Bliss Towers and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
On Tuesday, October 18, the Common Council holds its regular monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. At the informal meeting last Wednesday, Council president Tom DePietro told the councilmembers there would be "quite a few" new resolutions introduced at this meeting. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
On Wednesday, October 19, the BEA holds a budget workshop to consider revenue at 2:30 p.m. The meeting takes place in person only at City Hall.
At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, the Zoning Board of Appeals holds its monthly meeting. The agenda for the meeting includes a public hearing on a proposal to remove an existing accessory building at 220 State Street and replace it with a single family residential structure with a carport, a proposal that requires area variances for lot width, side yard, and lot coverage. The meeting takes place in person only at City Hall.

Photo: Zillow

Also on Wednesday, October 19, the Legal Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. The Legal Committee was taken up the issue of sidewalks, and it appears from the documents on the agenda for this meeting that the committee will be exploring how other municipalities, in particular Ithaca, Cortland, and Mechanicville, deal with sidewalks. The meeting will be a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and in Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

On Friday, October 21, the BEA holds a budget workshop at 2:30 p.m. The specific topic of this workshop has not been revealed. The workshop takes place in person only at City Hall.