Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

As the weather grows colder and more autumnal, here is what's happening.

• This week, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) continues its budget workshops. On Monday, October 16, the BEA meets at 2:30 p.m. to consider non-departmental expenses. The workshop takes place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• Also on Monday, October 16, the Hudson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners holds its monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. At the last meeting, HHA's development partner promised to return in October with the completed preliminary plan, which will be submitted to the state, for new construction to replace Bliss Towers, and the board will be asked to vote on approving it. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person in the Community Room at Bliss Towers, 41 North Second Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.  

• On Tuesday, October 17, the Common Council holds its regular monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. So far, the agenda for the meeting does not include anything particularly noteworthy, but that could change. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• On Wednesday, October 18, the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meets at 9:30 a.m. Among the items on the agenda is the sale of 51.5 acres of land on North Second Street to the Columbia Land Conservancy. The parcel, which is primarily a tidal wetland, extends east from the river, runs along the north side of the Hudson Dog Park, and continues across the street to abut Charles Williams Park. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at 1 City Centre, Suite 301, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

• At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, the Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to hold its monthly meeting. No agenda is as yet available for the meeting, which takes place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• On Friday, October 20, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) holds a budget workshop on revenue at 2:30 p.m. The workshop is in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• On Saturday, October 21, there will be a Halloween Dog Parade & Costume Contest to benefit AnimalKind. Dogs and their humans gather at Promenade Hill Park at 11:30 a.m. The parade down Front Street to Henry Hudson Riverfront Park begins at noon.

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Coming to a Train Station Near You

Yesterday, USA Today reported about new trains with "world-class accommodations" that are being built by Amtrak: "Amtrak unveils new fleet of Airo trains and the 14 routes they will serve." According to the report, the new trains "can operate at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour . . . and provide spacious interiors, panoramic windows, plenty of legroom, double and single seats, dedicated outlets, USB ports and onboard Wi-Fi."

Photo courtesy Amtrak

Photo courtesy Amtrak

The Airo trains are expected to debut in 2026 on fourteen Amtrak routes, among them Empire Service from New York City to Niagara Falls, which passes through Hudson.

Every Building Has a History

This house at 739 Columbia Street is undergoing a major restoration/renovation, and in the process, the current owner has uncovered some interesting information about its history, which has been shared at Historic Preservation Commission meetings.

In an early presentation to the HPC, the applicant revealed that the building had been moved to its current location from someplace on State Street in the 1920s. Yesterday, the applicant returned to the HPC seeking an amendment to the certificate appropriateness already granted. Approval was sought to raise the gabled roof 24 inches.

In the process of making the case for the change, the applicant shared this photograph of the house as it was soon after it was moved to the site in the 1920s. The photo shows that the gabled roof was added to the original building.

Of equal interest in the picture is the building that is its focus, which bears a sign that reads "Hudson Dress Co." As Gossips discovered at few years ago, the Hudson Dress Co. was founded in 1919 by Isadore Krupnik in the "old Traver Mill building" on Diamond Street. When the picture below was taken, the company was known as Krupnik & Jitomir Hudson Dress Co.

The ghost of the sign can still be seen on the building, which is now the location of Kasuri. 

In 1922, the Hudson Dress Company moved to a location farther up Columbia Street, to the building across an alley from 739 Columbia Street, which was the original St. Charles Hotel. 

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Update on the Apartments of Distinction

At the end of this morning's meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission, the situation at 501 Union Street was discussed briefly.

When the topic came up, Phil Forman, who chairs the HPC, dismissed it, saying, "That's in Craig's hands," referring to code enforcement officer Craig Haigh. On September 8, Haigh told Walter Chatham, the architect for the project, "You are noncompliant. All work must cease until this is resolved." "This" was the application of limewash when the certificate of appropriateness specifically stated: "Original patina of brick shall be maintained."

HPC historian Paul Barrett pointed out that the chimneys had been limewashed after a stop work order had been imposed on all work except for that involved in the storefront. Haigh then said that he was probably going to issue a "stop everything" order and went on to say, "Now, it's going to be a legal action." HPC member John Schobel concurred, saying, "It's important that nothing else be done." 

It will be interesting to see how the situation is resolved. Gossips has it on good authority that any method that would be effective in removing the limewash would also remove the outer surface of the brick, causing irreparable damage.

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A Behind the Scenes Story

Next Friday, the long awaited, greatly anticipated R.B. Schlather production of George Frideric Handel's opera Rodelinda opens at Hudson Hall. An interesting detail of the production is that the set for the opera was built by Consigli Construction, the general contractor that completed the final phase of the $8.5 million restoration of Hudson Hall in 2017. 

Anyone familiar with the building and its long history appreciates the remarkable job Consigli did in restoring the building's Performance Hall. Since completing the restoration, Consigli has remained a steadfast supporter of Hudson Hall. Faced with having to build a set for Rodelinda, the first traditional set to be built on the stage of Hudson Hall since the restoration, executive director Tambra Dillon mentioned the challenge to Consigli, and they responded by offering not only to help but to donate both their time and the materials. 

So, instead of working on building or restoring a major multi-million dollar project, a small Consigli crew has been working at Hudson Hall, constructing an opera set, which includes building a beautiful 10-foot table, strong enough to hold an opera singer! It is a rare thing when a company that completes $1 billion of work each year steps up to lend a hand to a regional theater. Even Scott Cruikshank, Consigli project executive, rolled up his sleeves and strapped on his tool belt to help.

Consigli Construction's Danielle Millett painting a table for Rodelinda

Left to right: Sage Carter, Hudson Hall general manager; Scott Cruikshank, Consigli project executive; Tambra Dillon, Hudson Hall executive director 

Dillon commented, "For Hudson Hall, Consigli is The Dream Team. When we dreamed of returning New York State's oldest surviving theater to community use, not only did Consigli do a stunning restoration, but they completed the project ahead of time. Then, Consigli was the first to invest in Hudson Hall's historic tax credits and has always stepped up to show their support. But never in our wildest dreams did we imagine Consigli would be so generous as to build us a beautiful set for our upcoming production of Rodelinda. We are so grateful to the entire Consigli crew for their skills, generosity, and commitment to supporting the community."

In related news, R.B. Schlather, producer and director of Rodelinda spoke with Sarah LaDuke about the opera and the production this morning on WAMC's Roundtable. That conversation can be heard here.

There will be six performances of Rodelinda, the first on Friday, October 20, and the final performance on Sunday, October 29. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

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Everything We've Always Hoped For

At the informal Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Sean Roland, Caitlin Baiada, and Gabriel Katz, who together make up the CGS Group, presented their proposal for the Dunn warehouse. As Gossips has reported, theirs is the proposal, submitted in response to an RFP issued in April, that the DRI committee has chosen.  

The proposed plan follows fairly closely what was Option 2 in the Dunn Warehouse Adaptive Reuse Redevelopment Analysis and Master Plan done by Saratoga Associates back in 2015. There would be two commercial spaces, available for lease to waterfront-related businesses, and a food and beverage space, for a casual restaurant or concession, in the north section of the building, and an events space, available to rent for private events "and at a steeply discounted rate for community or municipal events." There is an element, however, in the CGS Group plan that was not part of the Saratoga Associates plan: an outdoor pool, open to Hudson residents, with sliding scale memberships.

Over the years, I've been party to a number of public forums convened to discuss the community's vision for the Dunn warehouse, even conducting one in 2016 during the short-lived revival of the Waterfront Advisory Steering Committee, and I can safely say that the proposal from the CGS Group satisfies what has been the community vision for the building in the past. We'll see if the vision has changed in the past eight or so years. One of the things the group is planning to do in the ninety-day due diligence period they are proposing is to conduct community visioning/focus groups. 

In the plan being proposed, CGS Group would not purchase the building. Rather the City of Hudson would retain ownership. 

Commenting on the proposal at the meeting on Tuesday, Councilmember Margaret Morris (First Ward), who served on the committee making the recommendation, said the proposal "showed a great understanding of the integration of the building and the waterfront." City treasurer Heather Campbell, who also served on the review committee, said she was convinced this was the best option, adding that she thought the group "truly understands how the building should benefit the community."

The entire presentation of the proposal for the Dunn warehouse can be seen in the Zoom recording of the meeting, beginning at 1:35:30. 

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Mark Your Calendars

At its meeting tonight, the Planning Board scheduled a special meeting to take place on Thursday, October 26, at 4:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the public comments received regarding the proposed Colarusso haul road. 

 

A Fundraising Auction Worthy of Note

Gossips doesn't often post about fundraisers (the notable exception being fundraising efforts to benefit the Hudson Dog Park), but there is one fundraiser going on right now that is, in my opinion, too brilliant to ignore. It is happening right now for the benefit of The Flow Chart Foundation, the not-for-profit that "explores poetry and the interrelationships of various art forms as guided by the legacy of American poet John Ashbery."

John Ashbery, Muzzle, c. 1972, Tibor de Nagy

What some may not know is that John Ashbery created collages throughout his life. This article, which appeared in Artsy in October 2017, talks about Ashbery's collages and their relationship to his poetry: "Why Famous American Poet John Ashbery Made Hundreds of Collages." 

Over the years, Ashbery collected an abundance of material for his collages, much of which was never used. So The Flow Chart Foundation had the ingenious idea of giving some of Ashbery's collage materials to some of their favorite artists and poets to make into new artworks that would be auctioned to support the foundation.  

John Ashbery, A Dream of Heroes, 2015, Tibor de Nagy

The collages in the auction are the work of Polly Apfelbaum, Susan Bee, Star Black, Todd Colby, Brandon Downing, Julie Evans, Lucio Pozzi, Rachel Blau DuPlessis, Ben Gocker, Elizabeth Hazan, Wayne Koestenbaum, Joyce Kozloff, Richard Kraft, Jeffery Lependorf, Guy Maddin, Debra Pearlman, Archie Rand, Frank Tartaglione, and Stephen Westfall. The work of many of the artists who have created collages sells for thousands of dollars, so the auction is a chance to acquire a fine piece of art as well as bits of Ashbery ephemera. To view all the collages and to make a bid, visit the auction site.  

There will be an artist reception and viewing of all the works on Saturday, October 21, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Flow Chart Space, 348 Warren Street. Click here to RSVP for this event.

Happening Tonight in the Public Square

 

On the Streets of Our City

The Hudson Police Department issued the following press release this morning regarding an attack that took place last Thursday evening on the 200 block of Warren Street.

On Thursday, October 5, 2023, the Hudson Police Department arrested 34-year-old Michelle L. Moskaluk of Hudson, NY. Moskaluk was arrested for the following: Robbery 1st Degree w/dangerous instrument, a class B felony; Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, a class D felony; and Menacing 2nd Degree, a class A misdemeanor.

On Thursday, October 5, 2023, at approximately 6:02 p.m., the Hudson Police Department received a call from a local business on the 200 block of Warren Street. The caller reported Moskaluk was outside on the street chasing and attacking people with a weapon that appeared to be a broom or a stick.

Officer Foutch responded immediately in the area of the call. The Officer witnessed Michelle Moskaluk chasing a disabled elderly female with what appeared to be a large stick. He then observed Moskaluk swinging that same item at the elderly female several times. Moskaluk fled the area upon observing Police presence.

The female victim reported to police Moskaluk attacked her and pushed her to the ground. Moskaluk then stole $100.00 from the victim’s purse and fled the scene. The female victim declined any medical treatment at the time of the incident.

HPD Patrols were able to locate Moskaluk a short time later in the Seventh Street Park. She was arrested and transported to HPD for processing and arraignment.

Moskaluk was arraigned in the City of Hudson Court in front of Judge Connor. Moskaluk was remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash / $10,000 bond or $20,000 partially secured bond. Moskaluk is scheduled back to court on October 10, 2023, at 9 a.m. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today, October 11, 2023.

The Hudson Police Department recognizes that Moskaluk is a troubled individual in need of assistance; however, we urge the community to use caution if approached by her. Her attacks are usually unprovoked and unpredictable, and after she has solicited for money or drugs.

During the past six months, Moskaluk has been arrested by the Hudson Police Department nine different times on multiple criminal charges; these do not include several non-custodial arrests and offenses that occurred during the same time frame or any other Police agency arrests.

April 24, 2023--Torturing an animal, Menacing 3rd Degree, and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors.

April 25, 2023--Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree and resisting arrest, class A misdemeanors

April 25, 2023--Tampering with physical evidence a class E felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th Degree a class A misdemeanor.

May 22, 2023--Attempted Assault 3rd Degree, criminal trespass 3rd degree, and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors.

August 21, 2023--Criminal trespass 3rd degree, class A misdemeanor.

August 22, 2023--Criminal trespass 3rd degree, class A misdemeanor

August 22, 2023--Criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th degree, class A misdemeanor

September 7, 2023--Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, a class A misdemeanor

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

The temperatures have dropped, and it is now definitely autumn. As we pull our sweaters out of storage, here is what's happening.

• Tuesday, October 10, is the last day to submit written comments to the Planning Board regarding the Colarusso application for a conditional use permit for their proposed paved, two-lane haul road through South Bay. The deadline for submitting written comments is the end of the business day--in other words, 5:00 p.m. The names and email addresses of the members of the Planning Board can be found here.

• Also on Tuesday, October 10, the Common Council holds a special meeting at 5:45 p.m. to consider a resolution authorizing an additional service agreement for continued development of the ADA feasibility study for the Oakdale beach house. According to the resolution, after completion of the original feasibility study, "Youth Department leadership and the Mayor's office have determined that three of the four schematic options must be further refined before presenting the study and its recommendations to the Common Council and the public." This further refinement is going to cost $14,500. The special meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Link here to join the meeting remotely.

• At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, the Common Council holds its informal meeting. One of the highlights of the meeting will be a presentation by CGS Group of what they are proposing for the adaptive reuse of the Dunn warehouse. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

• On Wednesday, October 11, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) continues its budget workshops. At 2:30 p.m., the Police Department presents its proposed budget; at 3:3o p.m., Michelle Tullo, Housing Justice Director, presents her proposed budget. The workshops take place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, the Planning Board holds its monthly meeting. The agenda, which can be found here, includes the new location of Lil' Deb's Oasis, the subdivision proposed for Hudson Avenue, the amendments to the site plan for the proposed Galvan hotel at Fourth and Warren streets, and Phase 2 of what is proposed for Return Brewing. The agenda does not include Colarusso. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

• On Thursday, October 12, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) continues its budget workshops. At 3:00 p.m., the Senior Center presents its proposed budget; at 3:30 p.m., the treasurer's office presents its proposed budget; at 4:00 p.m., the BEA considers the Planning Board's budget. The workshops take place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• On Friday, October 13, the Historic Preservation Commission meets at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

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Take Part in an Online Town Hall

The Hudson Sloop Club is gathering ideas for the Hudson Public Pier, located near the gazebo in Henry Hudson Riverfront Park.

Toward this end, FutureHudson has put together an online town hall that allows participants to share their ideas and vote on their neighbors' ideas "to make the Hudson Public Pier a place you want to be." Click here to participate. The town hall is open until Sunday, October 15.

The Deadline Approaches

Last Wednesday, after a little more than two hours, the Planning Board closed the public hearing for oral comment on Colarusso's application for a conditional use permit for its proposed paved, two-lane haul road through South Bay but kept the hearing open for written comments for ten business days. This means that written comments on the proposal can be submitted to the members of the Planning Board until the close of business (which Gossips takes to be 5:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, October 10. The names and email addresses of the Planning Board members can be found here.

Photo: Our Hudson Waterfront

Photo: Linda Mussmann

If you missed the public hearing, which took place on Wednesday, September 27, Lance Wheeler's video of the hearing can be viewed here. The Zoom recording of the hearing is available here.

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Open Studio Hudson This Weekend

Open Studio Hudson returns this weekend for its fourth year of showcasing local artists in our community. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, October 7, 8, and 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, Hudson artists welcome collectors, neighbors, and curators to their private studios for behind-the-scenes, unfiltered conversations about process and purpose.

Galleries and curators provide a vital service, but many artists do not have professional representation. Open Studio Hudson 2023 (OSH 2023) is an all-inclusive exhibition encouraging more freedom and authenticity without being juried. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour of artist's studios, choosing from a wide range of creative disciplines and techniques, most within an easily walkable area.

Click here to learn about the thirty-four artists participating in OSH 2023. Click here to download the map of the studio sites.

Reporting What We Already Know

Today, the Albany Business Review published an article titled "The Albany region neighborhoods where home prices have risen the most." The article is accompanied by this photograph, showing commercial buildings in the 400 block of Warren Street.

Photo: Donna Abbott-Vlahos | Albany Business Review

The article begins: "At this point, it's no surprise to anyone that home prices have gone up, up and up over the past few years. . . . What might surprise, though, are the neighborhoods where home prices have risen the most locally." It goes on to present a chart of the top fifteen locations, identified by zip code. The top location is 12307, Schenectady, where the median home price has increased 117.71 percent since 2018--from $61,055 in 2018 to $132,921 in 2023. The second highest in 12534, Hudson, where the median home price has increased 84.57 percent since 2018--from $210,720 in 2018 to $388,916 in 2023. Next on the list is 12414, Catskill, where the median home price has increased 78.25 percent since 2018--from $172,615 in 2018 to $307,694 in 2023.

The zip code 12534 takes in a much larger area than just the two square miles that are the City of Hudson. It would be interesting to know what the numbers are for the city alone, where one gets the impression the median home price these days is approaching $1 million.

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Blessing of the Animals

Today is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and also World Animal Day. Yesterday, Gossips announced that the Blessing of the Animals, which takes place every year at Christ Church Episcopal on the Saturday nearest the Feast Day of St. Francis, will not be happening this year. I learned today, however, that the companion animals of Hudson need not go unblessed this year. On Saturday, October 7, at noon, Father Anthony Barratt will be blessing the animals at St. Mary's Catholic Church, at the corner of East Allen and East Court streets.

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HCSD Cancels Remainder of Football Season

This outcome seemed predictable last week when the Hudson High School football game in Glens Falls was canceled "due to Hudson not having the required number of eligible players." The same thing had happened last year. This morning, the Hudson City School District announced the cancellation of the remainder of the varsity football season in the following press release. 

After serious deliberation, the Hudson City School District and athletic department have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the 2023-24 varsity football season due to the lack of eligible participants not meeting the requirement of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

We understand the frustration that may be generated from his action. However, it's important to note that this is the option the district and athletic department selected due to extenuating circumstances.

The decision stems from not meeting the requirement of 16 players dressed to play, disciplinary ineligibility and consideration for the opposing school districts that were scheduled to be played against so they have ample time to find a replacement game. 

"We as a district feel deeply for our courageous student-athletes who gave their all this season, those who are ready and able to play and their faithful fans who were looking forward to the return of Bluehawk football this season," Superintendent Dr. Juliette Pennyman said. "This difficult decision will be immediately followed by consideration of next steps for the program."

Considering Friday, October 6 was intended to be the varsity football team's Homecoming game, the District has been able to move the modified football game to this slot at 7 p.m., as the Bluehawks host Chatham. The senior student-athletes on the varsity team will be recognized during this game. The varsity cheerleading team will also support the modified football team during this game. The Hudson Senior High School's American Sign Language Class will sign the National Anthem to kick off the game.

As many of you know, many school districts state and nationwide have seen declines in participation in all sports, particularly football with recent health studies. Hudson City School District is proud to also offer golf and soccer for boys varsity sports during the fall season, as well as many extracurricular clubs to participate in.

Dunn Warehouse Update

Last Friday, Gossips wondered in a post what was happening with the Dunn warehouse. An RFP for its redevelopment and adaptive reuse had been issued in April, and proposals were received in early June, but months have passed, and there was no word about the proposals received.

The post inspired an answer from mayor's aide Michael Hofmann, who provided the information that the DRI Committee had reviewed the proposals and is making a recommendation to the Common Council. The committee is recommending the proposal presented by CGS Group, a partnership of Caitlin Baiada, Gabriel Katz, and Sean Roland, all three of whom are involved in the adaptive reuse of the Pocketbook Factory and two of whom are partners in the purchase of The Wick Hotel. CGS Group will be making a presentation to the Common Council next week at the informal meeting, which is happening on Tuesday, October 10.

The DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) Committee ceased holding its meetings in public three years ago. At that time, the committee was made up of the mayor, the mayor's aide, the city attorney, the Common Council president, the city treasurer, and the commissioner and the superintendent of Public Works. It is not known if all the people who now hold these positions are still serving on the committee, but one person has been added since 2020: Margaret Morris, the councilmember who represents the First Ward.

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Unsettling News

This afternoon, Gossips received the following press release from the Hudson Police Department, regarding a home invasion that occurred sometime this past weekend. The press release indicates the incident occurred on Friday, September 30, but since Friday was September 29, and September 30 was Saturday, it is not clear on which day the incident actually occurred.

On Friday, September 30, 2023, the Hudson Police Department arrested 31-year-old Matthew J. McNamara of Walden, NY. McNamara was arrested for the following: Burglary 2nd Degree, a class C Felony; Assault 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief 4th Degree, and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a child, all Class A misdemeanors.

On Friday, September 30, 2023, at approximately 10:02 p.m., the Hudson Police Department received a 911 call from the Greene County 911 center. 911 reported a subject just called 911 who reported some kind of altercation in the area of 15 South Front Street (Hudson Terrace Apartments / HTA).

HPD Patrol Units responded immediately to the area. Patrols spoke with the female victim at the scene. The victim reported she was home at her apartment with her young children and a friend. They then heard a knock at the door, and the suspect forcibly entered inside her apartment. The victim and family reported to Police they never saw McNamara before tonight and that he was a complete stranger. Once inside, McNamara began smashing property inside the apartment and attacking the victim physically. McNamara attempted to drag the female victim outside. The victim’s 14-year-old son was able to protect his mother and offend off the attacker with a baseball bat.

McNamara was transported by the Greenport Rescue squad to the Columbia Memorial Health hospital for his injuries he sustained. HPD arrested McNamara after he left the hospital. The victim’s injuries during the attack were non-life-threatening, and no medical attention was needed. HPD Detectives also assisted in this felony investigation.

McNamara found himself in the City of Hudson after the Amtrak Police requested that he be removed from the Amtrak train. McNamara was removed from the train approximately 45 minutes prior to the home invasion incident.

Matthew J. McNamara was arraigned before the Honorable Judge Cheryl Roberts in the Hudson City Court. McNamara was remanded to the Columbia County Jail, in lieu of $5,000.00 cash, $20,000 bond, or $20,000 partial security. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 3, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

No Blessing This Year

October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. In a tradition that has gone on for as long as I can remember, Christ Church Episcopal has a Blessing of the Animals on the Saturday nearest the saint's day. This year, it would have been this coming Saturday, October 7. 

The Blessing of the Animals 2008 

Sadly, the Blessing of the Animals at Christ Church will not be happening this year. Two funerals for church parishioners, taking place on Saturday, have made it necessary to cancel the church's annual Blessing of the Animals this year.

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

It's October. The week ahead promises one sunny day and many budget workshops.

• On Monday, October 2, at 2:30 p.m., the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) reviews the proposed budget for the Department of Public Works. The workshop takes place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• On Tuesday, October 3, at 2:30 p.m., the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) reviews the proposed budget for the Youth Department. The workshop takes place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• At 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, Mayor Kamal Johnson holds a public hearing on the law granting amnesty to people with unpaid parking tickets. The hearing takes place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• At 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, the Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency (HCDPA) holds its monthly meeting. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• Also on Tuesday, October 3, the Conservation Advisory Council holds its monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. No agenda is available for the meeting, but it is likely to include discussion of plans for Arbor Day 2023. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely. 
• On Wednesday, October 4, the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA) holds its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. It is expected that the agenda for the meeting will include the application for the transfer of the PILOT agreement for The Wick Hotel to its prospective new owners. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at 1 City Centre, Suite 301, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

Update: The Hudson IDA meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 18, at 9:30 a.m.

Correction: I was reminded this morning that the PILOT agreement with The Wick was made at the time the Hudson IDA was being resuscitated after years of inactivity, and the agreement was actually made with the Columbia County IDA. Hence the decision made by the county IDA, on September 11, to transfer the existing agreement to the new owners is all that is needed to allow the agreement to continue.  

• At 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) reviews the proposed budgets for the Cemetery and Water and Sewer departments. The workshop takes place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• Also on Wednesday, October 4, the Common Council Legal Committee meets at 6:00 p.m. At its last meeting, the Legal Committee was working on revisions to the City's vacancy law and the law banning formula businesses. It is expected this discussion will continue at this meeting, which is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

• On Thursday, October 5, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (BEA) reviews the proposed budgets of the Assessor's Office at 2:30 p.m., the Conservation Advisory Council at 3:00 p.m., and the Legal Department at 3:30 p.m. The budget workshops take place in person only at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street.
• At 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, the Common Council ad hoc Truck Route Committee holds its monthly meeting. The committee will continue its exploration of how Hudson can eliminate trucks passing through the city on their way to other destinations. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at the Central Fire Station, 77 North Seventh Street, and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

Update: The meeting of the Truck Route committee has been canceled.

• Also at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, the History Room at the Hudson Area Library and the Jacob Leisler Institute for Early New York History host a talk by Heidi Hill, historic site manager of Crailo and Schuyler Mansion, called "The Stories We Share: How interpretations of the past have impact." The talk will detail how historic sites have, for the past twenty years, been at the forefront of interpreting a more inclusive history. The event takes place in the Community Room at the library, 51 North Fifth Street. Click here for more information.  

Photo: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site

COPYRIGHT 2023 CAROLE OSTERINK

Adding Insult to Injury

On September 8, the Historic Preservation Commission discussed an unexpected development at 501 Union Street. Despite the fact that the certificate of appropriateness expressly stated the "original patina of brick shall be maintained," the building had been sprayed with solution of lime and water to "even out the appearance of the brick," because "the client [i.e., Eric Galloway] thought it looked terrible" in its natural state. At the September 8 meeting, Craig Haigh, code enforcement officer, told Walter Chatham, the architect for the project, "You are noncompliant. All work must cease until this is resolved." He conceded, however, that work on the storefront could proceed because it had been approved by the certificate of appropriateness.

The next day, workers were observed spraying water on the brick, apparently in an effort to remove the limewash, but their efforts had little effect.

Although Chatham attended the HPC meeting on September 22 on Zoom, the building was not discussed at that meeting. If the noncompliant status of the building was resolved, the resolution wasn't reached in a public meeting, and the resolution was not made public. It is interesting to note that, although the building had been limewashed, the recently rebuilt chimneys continued to be natural red brick.

Today, I decided to check up on the building. The storefront has been completed, in conformance with the plans that were presented to the HPC, but, much to my surprise, the pristine brick of the rebuilt chimneys has been limewashed, too. The chimneys now look as dreadful as the rest of the building.

Limewash on the chimneys pretty much signals that this is the appearance of the building we're going to have to live with. There are, however, shutters still to come.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CAROLE OSTERINK