The Sidewalks of Hudson: The Mayor Speaks

As background for the following statement from Mayor Joseph Ferris, this Gossips post from February 2026 is recommended: "Money for Sidewalks." There is also this one, from August 2025: "Governmental Dysfunction."

In recent weeks, critics of Mayor Ferris have made reference to his decision not to pursue a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) which had been initiated during the previous administration. In his statement, Ferris responds to that criticism and defends his decision.

No one disagrees that Hudson sidewalks need improvement. This is why the City instituted a Sidewalk Improvement District.

In recent days and weeks, my decision in January to withdraw a sidewalk grant application has become news. I believe it is important to set the record straight in regard to the purported zero-match Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for ADA sidewalk improvements that I withdrew after taking office.

It was never free money from the State. The proposed $2 million dollar project would have required $1 million in matching funds from Hudson – a fact that the previous administration knew.

Documentation that demonstrated the City could and would allocate these funds was never submitted because those funds did not exist.

The City’s pre-application read that “The total preliminary project cost is estimated to be $2,005,500 with $1,005,500 from the City's Sidewalk Improvement District (SID) revenue fund and municipal capital reserves.”

The City of Hudson does not have a municipal capital reserve.

The State flagged that the proposed CDBG budget included parking lot repaving that did not appear to relate to ADA compliance. They further made clear that “maintenance items such as general re-paving would not be included in the CDBG share of the project.” The grant consultants guiding the City at the time warned that the lack of formal documentation meant the State would likely eliminate Hudson from consideration.

I was only made aware of this proposed grant application after taking office by the State and the grant consultants. With the City on the hook for more than a million dollars if awarded the grant and a plan the State had serious concerns about, I made the decision to withdraw this ‘plan of a plan’ application.

I remain committed to the work of improving our sidewalks. I’m just as committed to not saddling our city and taxpayers with a hefty bill and no way to pay for it. 

The Pitfalls of Virtual Meetings

Sometimes, when the audio on Zoom or Teams is particularly bad, I turn on the "live caption" function to help me decipher what's being said. I did so tonight for the meeting of the Hudson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. The results were not helpful, but they certainly were entertaining. The live caption was less able to interpret what was being said than I was--hilariously so. Among the most memorable transcription fails was John Madeo of Mountco mentioning the "Zombie Board of Appeals" and HHA executive director Jeffrey Dodson making the statement, "I'm not taking sex meat." It's obvious that Madeo actually said "Zoning Board of Appeals." I have no idea what Dodson's actual words were.

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ZBA Meeting Canceled

Tonight's meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was to feature a public hearing on the area variances required for the Hudson Housing Authority to construct a block of four three-story townhouses at the corner of Columbia and North Second streets, but the meeting has been canceled for want of a quorum. It is not known if the hearing has been postponed until next month's ZBA meeting, or if it will be rescheduled.

Tonight on the Waterfront

The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS) will be participating in this week's Waterfront Wednesdays event.

Attendees at tonight's Waterfront Wednesday can contribute to a community art project inspired by the lighthouse and share their memories, reflections, and hopes for the future of the lighthouse. Those who participate will receive a limited edition Hudson-Athens Lighthouse button.

Also, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., tour boats will depart for the lighthouse every 20 minutes, providing plenty of opportunities to experience this beloved landmark close up. 

Another Reason to Stay Indoors

The temperatures are expected to be a bit lower today than they were yesterday, but there's a new reason to stay indoors with all the doors and windows closed: air quality. 

ABC News reported this morning that there are more than 830 wildfires burning in Canada and more than a dozen in northern Minnesota near the border, and the smoke from those fires is now descending on an area from the Midwest to New England, and that includes the Hudson Valley. A Gossips reader reported, "I'm watching with alarm this morning as the air outside my window turns a sickly yellow." 

The maps below, reproduced from the ABC News report, show the situation at 9:00 a.m. today and the prediction for 2:00 p.m. this afternoon. 

As the maps show, things are expected to get worse for us this afternoon. Information about how to cope with the situation can be found here.

"Say It Ain't So, Joe": The Mayor Responds

The featured story in today's Register-Star is Mayor Joseph Ferris's response to criticism for extending the contract to sell the property on Mill Street. Ferris claims, as he has before, that he was advised to take the action he did, without the knowledge or consent of the Common Council, by city attorney Andrew Howard.

In his response, Ferris makes a rather grievous error, claiming that the original contract set the closing date "on or about" May 3, so the contract had not actually expired when it was amended on May 20. The following is quoted from the Register-Star article:

"In no way did the closing date for the sale lapse," Ferris said. "(May 3, 2026) was an 'on or about' closing date (in the contract between Kearney and the city), and we, as in city were, and continue to, await the court's decision. . . ."

In fact, the contract of sale, which was executed on May 3, 2023, does not say "on or about"; it says "on or before" (boldface added). The difference between "about" and "before" is significant.

The article has not yet been posted online. When it is, Gossips will provide the link.

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Update: Here's the link to the article: "Mayor responds to Mill Street criticism."

About Tonight's Planning Board Meeting

Tonight's Planning Board meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. instead of the usual 6:00 p.m. The extra half-hour at the beginning of the meeting is for the purpose of discussing the proposed clarification to Section 325-17.1 of the city code. This clarifying amendment was sent to the city and the county planning boards, as a matter of course, for a recommendation, a recommendation that is in no way binding on the Common Council.

One wonders why this proposed clarification is causing so much uncertainty and angst. It actually seems pretty straightforward. The zoning in the city's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), which was adopted by the Common Council in November 2011, designates the dock operation as a nonconforming use. The reason for making the dock operation a nonconforming use was to prevent the expansion or intensification of the dock operations beyond what existed in November 2011, when the zoning was put in place, to ensure that whatever went on at the dock could coexist with the use of the adjacent park and the public and private investment happening in proximity to the dock. 

During the five years the LWRP was being developed and finally adopted (2006-2011), O&G Industries, headquartered in Connecticut, in an agreement with St. Lawrence/Holcim, was hauling aggregate from the quarry to the river to be loaded on barges at the dock. According to the code, the activity at the dock that existed in 2011 was not to be expanded or intensified. When A. Colarusso & Sons purchased the property from St. Lawrence/Holcim in 2014, the LWPR zoning and its restrictions were in place. Unfortunately, no one thought to document and memorialize the level of activity that existed at the dock or the number of trucks traveling between the quarry and the dock in 2011. 

Earlier this year, Donna Streitz did the hard work of investigating and piecing together available information to determine what the level of activity was in 2011--the level that, according to the code, "shall not be enlarged, extended, or placed on a different portion of the lot or parcel of land occupied by such use on the effective date of this chapter, nor shall any external evidence of such use be increased by any means whatsoever." Streitz's findings are the basis for the proposed amendment to clarify Section 325-17.1.

This isn't the first time problems have arisen because an initial set of data had not been established in 2011. In 2017, Colarusso widened its road through South Bay, from Route 9G to the dock. At the time, the question was raised if the widened road encroached on the Recreational Conservation (R-C) District. The question could not be answered because the actual width of the Core Riverfront (C-R) District, as it extends through South Bay, had never been established. It was simply a green line on the zoning map. There was no way to determine where the C-R District ended and the R-C District began in the protected wetland that was once South Bay.     

The proposed amendment to Section 325-17.1 is an opportunity to clarify the intent of the zoning by establishing a baseline for activity at the dock, to ensure that the LWRP vision for the waterfront--a vision that restricted the existing industrial use and balanced it with the recreational and nonindustrial uses developing around it--could be realized.

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Hot Days Ahead

Near record high temperatures are predicted for tomorrow, and Wednesday and Thursday won't be much better. Given that forecast, City Hall has issued the following statement:

In anticipation of dangerous heat levels over the next several days, the Hudson Cooling Station will be open Tuesday, July 14, through Thursday, July 16, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. The Cooling Station is in the community space at the Central Fire Station, located at 77 North 7th Street (please use the Washington Street entrance). Cold water will be available in the refrigerator and restrooms will be open.

Please stay cool, safe, and hydrated!

The statement doesn't mention it, but Gossips has confirmed that dogs will be allowed at the cooling station.

"Say It Ain't So, Joe"

Hudson Common Sense Editors today published an open letter to Mayor Joseph Ferris about his decision to extend the contract for the sale of the parcel on Mill Street without the knowledge of the Common Council or the community. To read that letter, click here.

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

It's mid-July, and as we move deeper into summer, here is what's happening.

• On Monday, July 13, the Common Council Code and Infrastructure Committee 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, July 14, at 4:00 p.m., Mayor Joseph Ferris holds a public hearing on the proposed law regarding videoconferencing for public meetings. The hearing takes place in person only at City Hall. 
• At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, the Planning Board holds a public hearing on the proposal to redevelop the former John L. Edwards School as apartments for seniors. 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.

Correction: The Planning Board meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. not 6:00 p.m. The first half hour of the meeting will be devoted to helping members of the Planning Board understand the intent and impact of the proposed clarification of city code Section 325-17.1.

• On Wednesday, July 15, the Hudson Housing Authority meets at 5:00 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person in the Community Room at Bliss Towers and on Teams. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, the Zoning Board of Appeals holds its monthly meeting. No agenda for the meeting is as yet available, but it is expected the meeting will include a public hearing on the area variances needed by the Hudson Housing Authority to build four three-story townhouses containing six dwelling units at the corner of Columbia and North Second streets. The meeting takes place in person only at City Hall.

South elevation--Columbia Street

West elevation--North Second Street

• On Wednesday, July 15, Waterfront Wednesdays features Brasskill and Natural Dye Workshop with Fixit Picnic. The event runs from 4:00 p.m. until sunset. The performance begins at 6:00 p.m.

• On Thursday, July 16, The Olana Partnership continues its free Third Thursday Outdoor Evenings series from 5:oo to 7:00 p.m. Visitors can enjoy free access to the landscape and the historic house. At 6:00 p.m., singer-songwriter Mario Rincon presents music inspired by the sounds of Andalusia and Appalachia against the backdrop of Olana's breathtaking views. Refreshments will be available for purchase from Via Ravioli. A free shuttle from the Hudson Area Library to Olana will be available from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. For more information click here.

• On Saturday, July 18, the first of two Project Restore Hudson Valley sessions takes place in Hudson. The second session is scheduled for August 1. The sessions run from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., with lunch provided. The topics for the first session are Climate Change and Solutions, Energy Transition, and Materials Matter. For more information and to register, click here. The location will be revealed upon registration.

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News of the Robert Jenkins House

In this semiquincentennial year, there was welcome news about the Hendrick Hudson Chapter House, with its ties to the American Revolution and the earliest days of Hudson. A press release issued by the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution follows:

The Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has successfully concluded a restoration that was funded in large part by a $496,775 matching grant from the federal Department of Interior, National Park Service. The grant itself was funded through the Historic Preservation Fund and the Save America's Treasures grant program, and it funded 50 percent of several major rehabilitation projects of the 1811 Historic Robert Jenkins House at 113 Warren Street in Hudson, NY. 

The nearly $500,000 grant was matched by generous donations by chapter members as well as local institutions including the HRBT Foundation, the William G Pomeroy Foundation, and the Bank of Greene County. Many neighbors, city and county, many local businesses, and visitors from all over the country were very generous donors as well. In June, a significant donation of $15,000 was received from the Home for the Aged, to be used exclusively to achieve accessibility at the chapter house.

The Home for the Aged was founded in 1883 with its purpose being "the providing of a suitable home for and proper care, support and maintenance of aged and indigent men and women in the said County of Columbia." It is a privately endowed institution that for well over 100 years maintained a stately home in Hudson at Union and Seventh streets. Currently, the foundation provides support for senior citizens in Columbia County.  

Restoration projects at the Robert Jenkins House that have been concluded include a stunning new slate roof, new gutters, and repaired masonry on the house's east and west parapets. Now finishing up is a new electrical system on the first floor, which required a demolition of outdated 20th century finishes in its basement, revealing the house's 1811 fireplace with beehive oven and wood box.

The chapter is now beginning repair work to exterior doors at the rear of the house. Those restored doors will lead to a thoughtfully designed accessible entrance, including a historically compatible, curved, ADA-compliant access ramp and expanded landing areas which include a handsome patio of stone pavers. The design prioritizes what will be a new and important entry to the chapter house, which is surrounded by a lovely backyard that has been a focus of the chapter's attention in recent years.

Chapter Regent Virginia Martin said, "It would be difficult to overstate the importance of these beautifully executed restoration projects, or of the project for accessibility that we are now embarking on. The Federal-style Robert Jenkins House is arguably Hudson’s most iconic and historic residential structure. Built in 1811, the interior was gently remodeled in 1900, and it remains remarkably untouched since that time. The house sits on the most beautiful and historic block in Hudson, in the Front Street-Parade Hill-Lower Warren Street Historic District. Its size and imposing roof parapets are striking, distinctive, and visible from blocks away."

She continued, "The house has among the most prominent lineage in the City, as it was built by the son of a Proprietor. The Proprietors founded the city in 1785 after moving their families and whaling business from Nantucket, where the British were harassing them, to what was then Claverack Landing. They created a city, named it Hudson, and established a thriving whaling economy that we remember and celebrate now."

Chapter membership is determined that the beautiful house be made accessible to everyone for their enjoyment--be they visitors interested in touring the house and its museum and genealogical and historical library, or people interested in attending its public programs, or the chapter's own members.

The Robert Jenkins House was gifted to the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 1900 by the granddaughter of Robert Jenkins, who herself had been born in the house in 1833. The purpose then was to establish it as a focal point for city residents, which continues to be a goal of the chapter.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), founded in 1890, is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. There are currently about 190,000 members in chapters in all 50 states and abroad. The Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the NSDAR, founded in 1895 and chartered in 1896, currently has 130 members and meets in the historic Robert Jenkins House, which it owns.

DAR members trace their lineage back to a patriot in the American Revolution--whether serving as soldier, shopkeeper, or seamstress. The organization welcomes eligible women without regard to race, creed, or religion. It is one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country.

The chapter and the chapter house can be accessed at hudson-dar.org, facebook.com/HudsonDAR, instagram.com/robertjenkinshouse, hendrickhudsonchapterdar@gmail.com, and (518) 828-9764.

For more information on the completed restoration project or the accessibility project just beginning, please contact chapter regent Virginia Martin at (518) 828-9764 or hendrickhudsonchapterdar@gmail.com. For questions regarding the Save America's Treasures grant program, or to comment on this or any other proposed Historic Preservation Fund grant project, please contact the State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants Division, National Park Service, at (202) 354-2020 or stlpg@nps.gov.

Another Change

On Friday, the Historic Preservation Commission granted a certificate of appropriateness for a new sign at 35 South Third Street.

What had been Wylde, a cafe, wine bar, and community space, is now GoodBoyBob, a specialty coffee roaster currently with two locations in California: Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach.

Banque on Pause

Trixie's List shared the news today. Banque is closing for the summer. 

The following is quoted from the statement published on Trixie's List: 

Like many hospitality businesses, we have faced ongoing staffing challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to deliver the level of quality, hospitality, and experience that has always been at the heart of Banque. Rather than compromise those standards, we believe it is the right time to step back, regroup, and thoughtfully consider what comes next.

This is not necessarily goodbye. We remain deeply committed to the vision behind Banque and are exploring what the next chapter may look like. While we don’t yet know exactly what form that will take, we are excited by the possibilities and look forward to sharing more when the time is right.

Hudson Dog Park Give and Take

This weekend, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, the Hudson Dog Park is having a Give and Take fundraiser.

An assortment of gently used (and never used) dog gear and toys--some of it shown in the photo above--will be displayed at the dog park. Take what you want and pay what you will. Payments can be made by PayPal, Venmo, and debit or credit card using a QR code provided, so don't forget to bring your phone.

Come to the Hudson Dog Park this weekend. Pick up some gear for your dog or some fun stuff (there's a lion mane, and Halloween is not that far off) and show your support for the dog park. Help keep the fences mended and the poop bag dispensers filled!

Road Closure on Thursday

City Hall has issued the following advisory:

For the safety of bikers participating in the Bike Rodeo tomorrow [Thursday, July 9], Glenwood Blvd will be closed between Parkwood Blvd and the entrance to Oakdale between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Please plan accordingly. Please spread the word and if you're free tomorrow evening, stop over!

Chicken Law Redux

In 2o13, an effort to change the city code to allow people to raise chickens in Hudson failed when Mayor William Hallenback vetoed it, and there were not enough votes on the Common Council to override a mayoral veto. 

In 2020. a renewed effort to permit raising chicken in Hudson was successful. The proposed law was approved by the Common Council with a vote of 7 to 4, and Mayor Kamal Johnson did not veto it. The law, which is now part of the city code, specifies that keeping chickens requires a conditional use permit from the Planning Board. Gossips is a pretty diligent follower of the Planning Board, and to Gossips' recollection the Planning Board has only granted three conditional use permits for raising chickens.

Photo: The Humane Society of the United States

At the Common Council Safety Committee on Monday, Code Enforce Officer Nick Fox reported there had been complaints about roosters crowing and rats, and he suggested the chicken law should be reviewed. He said that the person with the offending rooster was unaware that the law banned roosters. Someone at the meeting said the law did not address rats, and Council president Margaret Morris said the Legal Committee would look into amending the law as needed.

The law as it stands addresses both roosters and rats. Section 70-17.C of the code states unequivocally: "No more than five female chickens shall be allowed per lot. Roosters shall not be permitted." Section 70-17.I states in part: "All such enclosures and coops shall be properly cleaned and maintained and shall be constructed of materials and in a manner designed to prevent predators, rodents and other vermin from entering into or remaining therein."

It's possible the language of the law could be amended to make the language relating to rats more obvious and direct, but Gossips recalls that, back in 2013, in a discussion of the proposed law, Cheryl Roberts, who was then city attorney, declared unequivocally: "If you have chickens, you have rats." Roberts knew whereof she spoke. She kept chickens at her home in Austerlitz.

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News of the Public Square

The following press release was issued this afternoon by Friends of the Public Square.

Friends of the Public Square (FOPS) and the City of Hudson are pleased to announce that new bids are being solicited for the first stage of renovating the Seventh Street Park. The revised bid documents, prepared by Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects & Planners, cover improvements that will cost around the $1 million in funds that FOPS has raised to date. 

Requests for Information will be due on July 31, and bids will be due on August 11, 2026. A committee that includes New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and Hudson Mayor Joe Ferris will select the winning bidder in August.  

Once a bid is accepted, groundbreaking in the park can happen in Fall 2026. FOPS co-chair Katherine Kanaga said, “We are thrilled that we now have the pieces in place to break ground this year. Hudson, more than ever, deserves a beautiful oasis in the heart of its business district.” 

The $1 million to pay for this first phase comes from a $500,000 matching grant OPRHP and grants from Spark of Hudson and grants initiated by Assembly Member Didi Barrett and Senator Michelle Hinchey. It does not include a federal grant of $250,000 obtained for the park by Representative Josh Riley. This additional funding, once it is received, will be used for a new fountain at the square’s center.  

"Hudson's original gathering place is one step closer to once again becoming a public space for everyone," said Hudson Mayor Joseph Ferris. "The release of the construction bid for phase one of restoration work for the Seventh Street Park means shovels will soon be in the ground. This will bring an expanded plaza, new open seating area and lighting, restored pathways and a new location for the veterans memorial that provides it the greater place of prominence it deserves. Today's milestone is the result of a true team effort. Representative Josh Riley, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assembly Member Didi Barrett and their offices have done incredible work securing crucial grant funding. New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have been an essential partner in this project as have the community partners who have provided generous support. And none of this would have been possible without the tireless work and unflagging commitment shown by the Friends of the Public Square team." 

Happening This Sunday

One of the best places to be on the river without actually being on a boat is the clubhouse of the Hudson Power Boat Association. Its location at the water's edge makes perfect sense given that the building started out as the ticket office and waiting room for the Hudson River Day Line and the Hudson Athens ferry.

People who are not members of the Hudson Power Boat Association rarely have the chance to hang out in the clubhouse, but this Sunday, Historic Hudson offers the opportunity to spend some time in the historic building and enjoy being on the river.

On Sunday, July 12, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Historic Hudson begins the observance of its 30th anniversary with a Summer Friend Raiser at the Hudson Power Boat Association. There will be light fare and a cash bar and a chance to meet the folks from Historic Hudson and learn about the organization's past and future. The event is free and open to all. 

RSVP at information@historichudson.org.

Looking Ahead to August

On the first weekend of August, the Hudson Film Festival returns for its fourth season of showcasing diverse and award-winning films. The 2026 lineup expands programming for youth education, short films, events, and special presentations, with a total of twenty-five films and a presentation of preserved video art from XFR Collective's "Monday/Wednesday/Friday" archival tape collection (1980-1985). The festival returns to venue partners Hudson Hall, Time & Space Limited, Basilica Hudson, and The Spark of Hudson, along with screening technical partner Story Screen. In 2026, there are also new venue partners: Community Theater and Avalon Lounge in Catskill.

The festival runs from Thursday, August 6, through Sunday, August 8. Special events include the Opening Night Party on Thursday, August 6, at Basilica Hudson, and parties on Friday, August 7, at Avalon Lounge and on Saturday, August 8, at Basilica Hudson. 

Visit hudsonfilmfestival.org for a complete schedule of screenings and events and to purchase tickets.

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

With the Fourth of July behind us, here's what is happening in this post-holiday week.

• On Monday, July 6, the Common Council Safety Committee (Police and Fire) 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, July 7, the Conservation Advisory Council 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.
• On Wednesday, July 8, the Housing Trust Fund Board meets at 5:30 p.m. It's been three months since the board has met, and this will be the first meeting since new members were named to the board. 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 Wednesday, July 8, the seven-week run of Waterfront Wednesdays begins at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. The event, which features boating excursions, live entertainment, fishing lessons for kids, and food vendors, happens from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.

• On Thursday, July 9, the Common Council Legal Committee meets at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is a hybrid, taking place in person at City Hall and on Teams. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

Update: The Legal Committee meeting has been canceled.

• On Friday, July 10, 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.
• Also on Friday, July 10, Hudson Development Corporation, in collaboration with Story Screen, presents Community Movie Night at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. The movie to be shown is the 1976 remake of King Kong, starring Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, and Jessica Lange. There will be free popcorn as well as food and drink offered by local vendors. The festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. The movie will be screened at 8:00 p.m. For more information, click here.

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News of the Day

The following was reported an hour ago on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Facebook page:

Clearwater was removed from the Sail4th 250 Parade of Sail by the USCG and escorted out of the Exclusion Zone by the US Coast Guard, US Navy, and NYPD.

Captain Rory Kane inquired why, and was informed the removal was due to the presence of banners reading: "Save the Clean Water Act" and "Indigenous Rights, Racial Justice, Climate Solutions."

A representative from Sail4th 250 informed the Captain the decision was "above them."

The sloop has a long and storied history of using the mains'l to share messages of hope and advocacy.

The Clearwater will continue sailing south of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge until 3 p.m. and has 29 passengers and 19 crew aboard. . . .

Addendum: By comparison, Newsweek and other sources are reporting that a large group of masked members of Patriot Front, a white nationalist organization, marched through Washington, D.C., today, reportedly calling for the expulsion of immigrants.

Photo: Occupy Demorcrats | Facebook

They paraded through the streets unimpeded by the police. The Newsweek article includes the following quote from a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department: "MPD recognizes the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views and remains committed to maintaining public safety and security for DC residents and visitors."

Update: You can read a fuller account of what happened to Clearwater in the Highlands Current: "Coast Guard Expels Clearwater from July 4th Flotilla."

July 4, 2026

On this the 250th anniversary of the creation of our country, I share the link to a post by Michael Saltz: "We the People." It is recommended reading.

Photo from Anthony Garand vid Unsplash

A Primer on PILOTs

On Wednesday, the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency published a new information packet about PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes) and other tax abatements: Applying for Economic Development Incentives: A Business Applicant's Guide. The publication is meant for businesses looking to locate in Columbia County, but the information it contains is helpful for anyone wanting to understand the process.

Housing Issue in Philmont

This evening, Gossips received the following press release from the Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC) regarding an apartment building on Main Street in Philmont known as Richardson Hall. The building is/was owned by the Galvan Foundation and is presumably one of the properties in Columbia County being conveyed to Bard College. 

The Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC) is calling for immediate action after learning that Richardson Hall, a Galvan/Bard housing project in Philmont long known as senior housing, has been evacuated.

Residents, many of whom are seniors and people with disabilities, have now been placed at the Churchtown Firehouse. For years, residents have complained about conditions at Richardson Hall, just as many tenants across Columbia County have complained about having to rent from Galvan-controlled housing.

This crisis did not happen overnight. The evacuation of Richardson Hall raises serious questions about Galvan's responsibility, but it also raises questions about Columbia County's role, oversight, and absence when it comes to housing.

"Residents should not have to wait until a building is evacuated before their complaints are taken seriously," said Shirle Cross, Co-Founder and Board Chair of HCHC. "These are seniors and people with disabilities. They deserved safe, stable, accessible housing long before they were forced into an emergency shelter situation."

HCHC has attempted to reach out to Galvan regarding these concerns. We have also regularly asked our state partners to hold a public town hall meeting with the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) so tenants and community members can speak directly about unsafe housing, tenant protections, housing discrimination, and the lack of accountability in Columbia County.

The evacuation of Richardson Hall shows exactly why that kind of public meeting is urgently needed.

"We need more than private conversations and closed-door decisions," said Shirle Cross. "Residents deserve answers. The public deserves answers. Galvan must be held accountable, and Columbia County must explain where it has been."

HCHC is calling on the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, state officials, federal officils, and housing agencies to act immediately.

We are demanding:

• Safe and accessible temporary housing for all displaced Richardson Hall residents.
• A clear plan for permanent housing that does not further harm or displace residents.
• A public review of Galvan's role in the conditions at Richardson Hall.
• A public explanation from Columbia County about what oversight took place and what complaints were received.
• A review of the County's fair housing responsibilities, including the role of the Fair Housing Officer.
• A public town hall with NYS DHCR and state partners focused on unsafe housing, tenant protections, fair housing, and accountability.
• Protection for residents from retaliation for speaking out.

Columbia County cannot continue to be absent when it comes to housing, especially when seniors, people with disabilities, low-income tenants, and other vulnerable residents are the ones being harmed.

From an HCHC lens, housing is not just about buildings. Housing is about health, safety, dignity, civil rights, and whether people can remain in their communities without being ignored or pushed aside.

"The County must stop acting like housing is someone else's problem," said Shirle Cross. "When seniors and people with disabilities end up in a firehouse because their building has been evacuated, that is not only a landlord problem. That is a public failure."

HCHC stands with the residents of Richardson Hall and calls for immediate action, public accountability, and long-term housing solutions rooted in fairness, safety, and dignity.

The press release does not explain why the tenants were evacuated or what problems existed in the building prior to today, but given that we are in the middle of a heat wave, it's not unreasonable to suspect that a failure of the air-conditioning system necessitated moving the tenants to the Churchtown Firehouse.

UPDATE: According to an article that appeared in the Register-Star today, July 3, what forced people to evacuate Richardson Hall yesterday was a water main break: "Philmont water main break forces dozens of seniors from homes."

News from City Hall

Presumably City Hall is open and functioning today, but it will be closed again tomorrow, as will the Code Enforcement Office at the Central Fire Station. Here's the word.

All City offices will be closed Friday, July 3rd, in observance of Independence Day. We wish you a very happy and safe holiday weekend!

Cidiot Guide to Columbia County

Mat Zucker just released a new episode of his popular podcast Cidiot. Titled "Summer Like a Local," it's intended for visitors to Columbia County (Zucker partnered with Columbia County Tourism on this episode), but it's is also a useful reminder to us locals of all the amazing things life in Columbia County provides. 

Read about the new episode here: "Cidiot Podcast Partners with Columbia Tourism Board for Summer Visitors." Listen to the new episode here.

Mill Street Neighborhood Responds

Last week, it was revealed that, unbeknownst to the Common Council and to the public in general, Mayor Joseph Ferris amended the terms of the agreement to sell two City-owned parcels to Kearney Realty & Development Group. According to the original agreement, the closing needed to take place on or before May 3, 2026. The amendment to the agreement, signed on May 20, 2026, changes the date of closing from a fixed date to an open-ended one: "thirty (30) days after the Seller has discontinued all pending actions/proceedings relating to the ability of the Seller to convey title to the Property."

As soon as the information about the amendment went public at the Common Council meeting last Tuesday, Ferris issued a statement explaining why this action was taken. Gossips has published that statement twice, here and here. 

Today, the residents of Mill Street issued their own statement, responding to Ferris. The statement, which was published on the Mill Street Neighborhood website, is reproduced below.

Late last week, Mayor Ferris gave a statement explaining his decision to extend the City’s contract with the Kearney Group. Our neighborhood would like to respond to falsehoods in his statement and set a few facts straight about our litigation. 

As a reminder, the Mill Street Lofts is a proposed apartment complex six times the size of our entire neighborhood. It would be built on public parkland, in violation of state law, on a parcel that regularly and severely floods. Those are only the headlines in a long list of design failures that our neighbors pointed out to the Planning Board and the Common Council for over a year. Both boards chose to ignore the red flags in order to push the project through at then-Mayor Kamal’s urging. The process was so clearly stacked that three of our own city representatives encouraged us to file a lawsuit. Mr. Ferris gave a written statement of support as we prepared to file the suit, joined us for a neighborhood organizing meeting, and publicly stated his opposition to the project on his campaign trail. 

But in his public statement last week, Mr. Ferris shows that not only has he reversed his opposition to the project, he is willing to collaborate with the developer behind closed doors and lie about it. 

Mr. Ferris’s statement includes the following falsehoods: 

“[I am] doing everything in my power to avoid unnecessary and expensive legal actions whose cost will be borne by the taxpayers.” 

“The contract closing date was not extended.” 

“The City of Hudson cannot unilaterally cancel the contract.” 

“Much of this was discussed at a March 6 meeting attended by myself, Council President Morris, Mill Street petitioners, and the respective legal representatives.” 

Let’s start with the Mayor’s statement about March 6th. On that date, our neighborhood enthusiastically offered to cooperate with the newly elected administration on settling the case, explicitly to stop wasting city funds. We asked that the new mayor recognize the 40 pages of municipal documents acknowledging the parcel as parkland, so as not to waste taxpayer dollars waiting for a judge to recognize what the city record already plainly shows. In that same meeting, we had our attorney explain that the City can choose to exit their contract with the Kearney group at any time, without penalty, and that city governments are very rarely held liable for doing so. 

The Mayor said all of two sentences in that meeting, namely, “I’m Joe Ferris the Mayor and I’m just here to listen,” and “Thank you everyone for your time.” It is a complete fabrication that anyone--our neighborhood, or Council President Morris--were clued in on the Mayor’s actual intention to singlehandedly extend the developer’s contract once it expired. No other strategies to resolve the case were offered. No one from City government responded to our settlement offer in any way. 

That alone should clarify that the Mayor is not “avoiding unnecessary and expensive legal actions.” In fact, the City’s next move after our meeting was to pursue an unnecessary additional legal step, a Motion to Dismiss, that delayed the judge’s ruling by months. This wasteful attempt to throw out our case was rejected by the judge on every point. (You can read the judge’s opinion here). 

When Mayor Ferris says, “the contract closing date was not extended,” is Mayor Ferris playing word games, or does he not understand the impact of the document he signed? The contract had a clear closing date (May 3rd, 2026), after which the City administration could exit or declare a default. Instead, he collaborated with the developer on an amendment that has no predictable end date at all. 

But the amendment does more damage than keeping the Mill Street Lofts project on lifeline. Mayor Ferris bargained away the City’s leverage over its real estate in exchange for nothing. The extension ignores that the Kearney Group completely abandoned work on the State Street apartments and Rossman Avenue townhouses that are bound up in the same contract and promised in their original proposal. He signed the amendment without any public process and kept it out of the public record until Council President Morris formally requested it 6 weeks later. When Carla Sadoff, candidate for 4th Ward supervisor, asked if he had amended the contract at his town hall on May 18th, he dodged the question and feigned ignorance. All this from the Mayor that ran on government transparency and accountability! 

There is one sentence in the Mayor’s statement that does ring true, and that is, “it was necessary to execute the amendment to maintain the status quo.” For over a year, the City has been indefinitely bound to an underperforming developer with a terrible plan for our neighborhood, with the City and the neighborhood footing legal bills while we wait for a judge to explain the obvious. Mayor Ferris is 100% correct that he took the action that would be most likely to maintain that status quo. 

Mayor Ferris: This is not what you were elected for. Your obligations are to your constituents and to legal process, not to protect the interests of an outside developer. We demand that you honor your campaign promises to our neighborhood to extract the City from this deeply flawed project, and terminate or relocate the Mill Street Lofts deal.

City Hall Closed Today

Gossips just received the following information:

City Hall has no internet access due to last night's storm. As a result, City employees cannot access any systems and there is no phone service. Given these limitations, City Hall will be closed today. City employees will be working from home to whatever extent possible given the ongoing power and internet outages. If you need to reach us immediately, please leave a voicemail for the appropriate person as each voicemail transcript is sent in real time via email to the recipient.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.