Hudson to hold Town Meeting
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Hudson - Registered voters in Hudson are invited to attend the Special Town Meeting scheduled for Monday Nov. 19 in the auditorium of Hudson High School on Brigham Street. The semi-annual meeting, which will follow the regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen meeting, will be an opportunity for the community to review and vote on nine proposed articles.

Article 9 of the Town Meeting Warrant is the addition of an Anti Blight and Nuisance bylaw. The bylaw, which was proposed at Town Meeting May 7, was the subject of a lively debate at that time, with some residents raising concerns that the law was in response to complaints about one particular individual in town.

The issue is being revisited in response to the frequent complaints that the town receives.

Executive Assistant Paul Blazer said that the bylaw was adapted from Marlborough's Anti Blight and Nuisance laws.

"We get complaints all the time about the state of residents' properties," Blaze said. "We have no authority to do anything."

The five-page proposed bylaw outlines specific regulations of what constitutes blight or nuisance property issues. It cites specific examples of "hazard," "dilapidated" and "nuisance," among others.

The article also outlines the penalties, which start with a warning and move to monetary fines.

The enforcing authority for the proposed bylaw will be the town building inspector, the Board of Health inspector, the fire chief and any other town employees approved to enforce the bylaws.

Article 3 addresses the school budget. The budget currently has a deficit of more than $180,000 due to the decrease in the amount allocated by the governor's budget. The budget contingency agreement made between Blazer and the former Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sheldon Berman determined that the town would split the surplus or deficit within a budget. Therefore, the deficit will result in both the school reducing the budget by $91, 477 and the town giving the school an additional $91,477 from the town budget.

In Article 4, the Senior Center, which recently received a grant for the architectural plans to expand the center, is asking for authorization to borrow $4.43 million. The money will be used to fund the design, rehabilitation, construction, equipment and furnishing of the existing Senior Center on Church Street to a 14,000-squarefoot facility.

Other articles that are subject to debate and vote are: Article 1, Chapter 90 roadway funds; Article 2 supplemental, appropriation for Department of Public Works expenses; Article 5, rescission of a bond authorization; Article 6, acceptance of Chapter 43D of the Massachusetts General Laws; Article 7, amending general bylaws to expand the Historical District; and Article 8, amending the general bylaws regarding rabies.

Town Clerk Joan Wordell said that there has been increase in the number of people registering to vote over the past few weeks. To get more information about the articles, stop by the Town Hall and pick up a Town Meeting Warrant or visit the web site at www. townofhudson.org.