By David Fassler, Community Reporter
Hudson – Voters turned down a request at the Nov. 21 Special Town Meeting to extend the town's commercial district. The measure was on the warrant via a petitioned article.
Thomas DiPersio is not a resident of Hudson, but he does operate a business, Thomas Land Surveyors and Engineering Consultants at 265 Washington Street.
“We are asking voters to extend the commercial district to include us,” he said. “We live on Route 85, we pay commercial taxes, myself and my wife are from Hudson, and one son still resides in Hudson.”
“Our growth as a small business here in town is restricted by the zoning laws,” he added. “We are asking the voters to extend the commercial district to include us.”
Lynn Vanstone, 10 Vernon Drive, asked, “What is the purpose of changing the zoning if there is nothing planned? We just found out about this today, we were not notified, my neighbor who was notified in the petition had no idea this was taking place tonight.”
DiPersio said that he did attempt to do an outreach about a year and a half ago to residents near the area where the proposed changes would have taken place.
Allison Hay, 11 Maxwell Circle said, “Placing just two properties on the Town Warrant is spot zoning and I urge the Hudson residents not to approve spot zoning. When it's changed to commercial, it opens up a lot of future commercial development.”
“I's hoping the town can get behind a small business,” DiPersio said. “We are paying commercial tax rate for use on this property.”
After a standing teller count, the measure was voted down 54-52. Those opposed included selectmen Charles McGourty and James Vereault.