Hudson City Council faced intense debate Tuesday night before ultimately approving eight charter amendment proposals for the November ballot, but not before a rare procedural move forced council to reconsider its initial vote.
The contentious issue arose when Councilwoman Nicole V. Kowalski cast the lone dissenting vote against placing the 2025 Charter Review Commission’s recommendations before voters. Her “no” vote prevented the legislation from achieving the unanimous approval needed for emergency passage, which would have allowed the city to submit the amendments to the Board of Elections on Wednesday.
City Solicitor Marshal Pitchford warned that missing the submission deadline could expose the city to potential lawsuits, as the charter mandates council place citizen-proposed amendments on the ballot. The legal pressure prompted Councilman Skylar J. Sutton to make a motion to reconsider, with Council President Christopher W. Foster calling Kowalski’s opposition “malfeasance.”
“Anyone voting against this is actually violating their oath of office and violating the charter of the city of Hudson,” Sutton declared.
After tense exchanges where Kowalski accused colleagues of “bullying,” she ultimately abstained on the second vote. Under state law, abstentions count as votes with the majority, allowing the amendments to pass with emergency language intact.
The eight ballot measures include proposals for term limits on elected officials, combining various boards and commissions, and restrictions on library tax levy authority. Kowalski specifically criticized the library provision, saying it targets public libraries “the way we’re seeing on a state and national level.”
Earlier in the meeting, council held a public hearing on proposed regulations for boarding kennels and veterinary facilities. Three residents spoke against the current 500-foot setback requirement, arguing it’s insufficient to address noise and traffic concerns. Elisa Poche of Hunting Hollow Drive called for greater distance requirements, while Jamie Dalton suggested setbacks of up to 2,000 feet for larger facilities.
Council also approved continuing Hudson’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area downtown for another five years, allowing alcoholic beverages in specified public areas.
In workshop discussion, council supported moving forward with a military tribute banner program honoring Hudson veterans and active-duty service members. The “Hudson’s Hometown Heroes” initiative would display banners along Veterans Way and South Main Street during Memorial Day and Veterans Day periods.
Council will take up the animal facility ordinance for final passage August 19, along with several other items delayed due to next week’s council recess.