By Julie Erickson

Meeting attendees:

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Amanda Weinstein, newly elected at-large councilwoman, was sworn into office by her husband, former Hudson Councilman and current District 28 state Sen. Casey Weinstein.

Samantha D’Eramo was then administered the oath of office by Derek Hall, District 34 state representative.

The roll was called with a quorum declared for the meeting.

The minutes for the Nov. 18 combined meeting minutes for the Council meeting and workshop were approved, with an amendment that applications for vacant seats had until Nov. 26, 2025, to be submitted. The minutes passed by a majority with two abstentions.

Sarah Norman thanked outgoing council members Chris Foster and Karen Heater for their years of service to Hudson. Norman went on to state that both Heater and Foster, both lifetime residents of Hudson, shared a passion for Hudson. Norman complimented both Heater and Foster on their leadership and style, saying someone could disagree with them without being turned into an enemy who needed to be destroyed. At this point, the meeting had to be gaveled to order by the mayor, as Norman was heckled and booed aggressively by members in the audience. The mayor asked for civility and respect toward all in attendance and for the city of Hudson.

Lisa Radigan then congratulated Weinstein and D’Eramo and stated she was a neighbor of the Weinsteins. Based on her actions as a neighbor, she said she believes Weinstein will listen to all citizens and move the city forward. Radigan also shared about meeting D’Eramo and hearing of her house fire, as well as how touched she was by her story, and said that both new councilwomen will serve the city well.

James Field spoke about a group he works with called Soccer4All, a group for children with special needs, and that all candidates came out and supported this group. He said that it is community members coming together like that that is the true spirit of this community. He thanked Heater and Nicole Kowalski for their service and stated he feels confident of the future.

Megan Higgins and her daughter, Isabella, stood up at the podium. Higgins stated that she has worked closely with the city on development of the Inclusive Playground Project. She stated she feels very hopeful about the future, and she hopes all can work well together going forward.

Mayor Jeffrey Anzevino reviewed the process to fill the unexpired term of president of City Council; the unexpired term expires in December. Anzevino stated that, per the charter, any vacancy in the position of president of City Council shall be filled by a member elected by the majority members of council. D’Eramo nominated Michael Bird as interim president. With no other nominations made to fill the position, a vote was taken, and Bird was voted in as interim president. That passed four in favor, one against.

Bird welcomed the new members to council and encouraged them to focus on what is best for the city of Hudson.

Anzevino stated that much knowledge and experience left council; that said, as elected officials, they should be held to higher standards and their duty is to the community, with people over politics. That they can lead with civility and extend grace when appropriate, and they can choose to avoid division, but civility does not mean to look the other way and avoid accountability simply for the perception of peace. He asked all of Hudson to ask what they can do for the community. A letter was then read into the record from a Ward two resident requesting Will McGinley be appointed as the new Ward 2 representative, having already 43 percent of the vote from Ward 2 residents.

Home for the Holidays was Nov. 28. Nov. 29 was Small Business Saturday and residents were asked to shop locally. Pumpkin composting continued at City Hall through Dec. 1. The week of Dec. 1 is the last leaf pick up. The Scouts Christmas tree sale runs through Dec. 14.

25-0133: By Dec. 2, the members to the Volunteer Firefighters Dependents Fund Board must be appointed, with applications now being taken.

25-0134: A motion to acknowledge the timely receipt of the Oct. 25 financial report.

25-175: A resolution authorizing the city manager to take bids for the Stow Road sidewalk project.

25-176: This would authorize the advertisement, receipt of bids and award contracts for the interior renovation of the existing fire and EMS building, along with construction of an outbuilding for the existing fire and EMS building located at 40 S. Oviatt St.  

25-177: This ordinance would authorize an annual salary adjustment for the city’s non-bargaining unit employees.

25-178: This would establish a separate fund to track the funding and construction costs of the renovations at the fire/EMS station.

25-179: This would authorize the city manager to enter a professional contract with GPD Group for them to do an evaluation of the city' s power stations and distribution system or an arc study.

25-146: A proposed amendment to the Land Development Code to establish Zoning District 11 along the South Darrow Road Corridor. Third reading. Motion passed to delay vote until Feb. 17.

25-163: A plan to lower the speed limit along Hines Hill Road from 45 to 35, which was determined during the preliminary design of the Hines Hill bridge project. Third reading. Passed four in favor, one against. This then requires the 30-day emergency clause be removed.

25-164: This resolution adopted the city’s 5-year plan. Third reading. Patricia Goetz motioned to pass with revised language and it passed.

25-165: This ordinance established the city’s 2026 budget. Third reading. It passed five to zero.

25-166: A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a settlement agreement with Beaver Excavating regarding the use of parcel 3009781 as a temporary construction yard. Third reading. Passed four to one.

25-169: Action required pertaining to the city manager’s employment contract. An emergency third reading was declared with a motion to postpone until Dec. 16, 2025. Motion to postpone passed five to zero.

25-170: A resolution authorizing the installation of a plaque for President Abraham Lincoln’s train stop at the site of the former Hudson Railroad depot. Third reading. It passed five to zero.

25-173: An ordinance amending chapter 220 of the codified ordinances to create a “clerk pro tempore.” Second reading.

25-180: This legislation referred to the Hudson Library’s request for the renewal of the 2.9-mill levy and the increase of an additional 0.6 mill for a total of a 3.5-mill levy in excess of the 10-mill limitation, for the purpose of supporting the free public library. Scheduled for a second reading Dec. 2, 2025.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. with a workshop to be held after a short recess.