Hudson City Council Meeting and Workshop - November 25, 2025

The Hudson City Council met on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 7:30 PM in Town Hall for a regular council meeting followed by a workshop. The meeting began with the swearing-in of two new at-large councilmembers (Amanda Weinstein and Samantha D'Eramo), the election of a Council President, and the approval of a consent agenda. Key legislative actions included postponing a zoning district ordinance, lowering the speed limit on Hines Hill Road, adopting the Five-Year Plan 2026-2030, approving the 2026 budget, authorizing a settlement agreement with Beaver Excavating, and advancing a library levy to the ballot. The workshop discussed the 2026 meeting calendar, annual purchasing resolutions, and the inclusive playground project.

Consent Calendar

• 25-0134: Motion to acknowledge timely receipt of October 2025 Monthly Financial Report (approved unanimously).
• 25-175: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids for the Stow Road Sidewalk Project (5’ concrete sidewalk along west side of Stow Road between SR 303 and Ravenna Street) (approved unanimously).
• 25-176: Resolution authorizing bids for interior renovation of the Fire and EMS Building and construction of a detached garage at 40 S. Oviatt Street, with emergency clause (approved unanimously).
• 25-177: Ordinance amending the City’s pay range structure for non-bargaining unit employees (3% increase over 2025 pay ranges) and pay range assignment schedule, with emergency clause (approved unanimously).
• 25-178: Ordinance creating a Fire Station Renovation Fund (Fund 421) to track funding and costs (approved unanimously).
• 25-179: Resolution authorizing a professional services contract with GPD Group for an Arc Flash Study of Hudson Public Power’s substations and distribution system (5-year cycle) (approved unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sarah Norman (2212 Edgeview Dr.): Expressed thanks to outgoing councilmembers Karen Heater and Chris Foster, highlighting their calm leadership and service to the community. Congratulated new councilmembers.
• Lisa Radigan (84 Stratford Road): Congratulated Dr. Weinstein and Ms. D'Eramo, praising their dedication to service and cooperation.
• James Field (2700 Parkside Dr.): Thanked outgoing councilmembers including Nicole Kowalski, noted community support for the Soccer4All program for special needs children, and expressed optimism about the new council.
• Megan Higgins (6387 Forest Edge Dr.): Stated hopes that the new leadership will work together for the betterment of the community, referencing her advocacy for an inclusive playground and calling for respectful discourse.

Discussion Items

• Election of Council President (unexpired term): Mayor Anzevino explained that with five seated members (due to vacancies and pending recount), a majority of three votes was needed. Councilmember D'Eramo nominated Dr. Michael Bird; seconded by Councilmember Goetz. Dr. Bird accepted. Vote: 4-1 (Sutton dissenting). Dr. Bird was elected President of Council for the unexpired term.
• 25-146 (Zoning District 11): Ordinance to establish Zoning District 11 along South Darrow Road Corridor (third reading). Staff requested postponement to February 17, 2026. Motion by Goetz, seconded by Bird. Vote: 5-0 to postpone.
• 25-163 (Hines Hill Road Speed Limit): Ordinance to lower speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph on Hines Hill Road from western corporation line to Prospect Street, with emergency clause (third reading). Councilmember Goetz supported, citing deer danger. Council President Bird noted travel time would increase by 32 seconds and risk of serious injury in car-bike accidents would reduce by 50%. Vote: 4-1 (Sutton dissenting). Emergency clause failed (needed 5 votes), so the ordinance will take effect with a 30-day pause.
• 25-164 (Five-Year Plan 2026-2030): Resolution adopting in concept the City's Five-Year Plan (third reading). Council President Bird noted it facilitates financial planning but can be modified later. Motion by Goetz to adopt as amended with the revised final draft dated November 25, 2025. Vote: 5-0.
• 25-165 (2026 Budget Appropriations): Ordinance making appropriations for fiscal year 2026 (third reading). Vote: 5-0.
• 25-166 (Settlement Agreement with Beaver Excavating): Resolution authorizing City Manager to enter into a settlement allowing Beaver Excavating to use parcel 3009781 as a temporary construction yard until July 5, 2026 (end of lease), with liquidated damages and site restoration. City Solicitor Pitchford explained the city acquired the parcel assuming the lease terms. Vote: 4-1 (Sutton dissenting).
• 25-169 (City Manager Employment Contract): Resolution regarding retroactive amendment to City Manager Thomas Sheridan’s contract (third reading). Postponed to December 16, 2025, on motion by Bird, seconded by Goetz. Vote: 5-0.
• 25-170 (Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Plaque): Resolution authorizing installation of a plaque commemorating President-Elect Lincoln’s train stop in Hudson on February 15, 1861, at the site of the former depot (third reading). Vote: 5-0.
• 25-173 (Clerk Pro Tempore): Ordinance creating the role of Clerk of Council Pro Tempore (second reading). No vote; forwarded to December 2 meeting.
• 25-180 (Library Tax Levy): Resolution submitting to voters a renewal of an existing 2.9 mill levy and an increase of 0.6 mill (total 3.5 mills) for the Hudson Library and Historical Society, to be placed on the May 5, 2026 ballot for five years (first reading). No vote; forwarded to December 2 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Elected: Dr. Michael Bird as Council President for the unexpired term (vote 4-1).
• Postponed: Zoning District 11 (25-146) to February 17, 2026 (5-0).
• Adopted with amendment: Hines Hill Road speed limit reduction to 35 mph (4-1); emergency clause removed, 30-day effective delay.
• Adopted: Five-Year Plan 2026-2030 (25-164) as amended (5-0).
• Adopted: 2026 Budget Appropriations (25-165) (5-0).
• Approved: Settlement agreement with Beaver Excavating (25-166) (4-1).
• Postponed: City Manager contract amendment (25-169) to December 16, 2025 (5-0).
• Approved: Abraham Lincoln plaque (25-170) (5-0).
• Workshop decisions: Forwarded to December 2, 2025 meeting: 2026 Council Meeting Schedule (with revisions to August recess), annual resolutions for internet auction of surplus property (25-181), permission to bid and use cooperative purchasing (25-182), public utility/Velocity Broadband purchases (25-183), and inclusive playground construction and reimbursement agreement with Hudson Community Foundation (25-184). Also forwarded Ordinance 25-173 (Clerk Pro Tempore) and Resolution 25-180 (library levy) for second reading.