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Hudson – Hudson will be holding its Annual Town Election Monday, May 12. Two candidates – incumbent Christopher P. Yates and Scott R. Duplisea – will be running for one spot on the Board of Selectmen for a three-year term.
Here, in their own words, are short biographies and answers to two questions.
?Scott R. Duplisea – I'se lived in Hudson for 51 years. My mom, Phyllis, was a teacher at St. Luke's Preschool, and my dad, Alan, was a salesman. I graduated from Hudson High School (HHS) in 1978, and I's married to Laura (Cardoso) Duplisea. My daughters, Marisa and Alexa, are products of Hudson schools like me. I work as a metals control/construction inspector for Massachusetts Department of Transportation. I'se been elected to the Hudson Housing Authority for the past 21 years. I's an HHS Booster member, past president and current board member of Hudson Youth Soccer, past vice president of Hudson Youth Baseball/Softball and a previous HHS JV soccer and basketball coach.
?Christopher Yates – I served on the Hudson School Committee for 10 years and am a present first-term member of the Hudson Board of Selectmen. I am a graduate of Hudson High School, Assumption College, and the Quinnipiac University School of Law. I am married to Erin Jameson Yates. We have three young school-aged children, Ryan, Cameron and Kennedy. I served as a coach for Hudson Youth Baseball and am presently a coach and board member for Hudson Youth Football. I am a local business owner and an independent voice that will advocate for all residents of Hudson.
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What specific career or personal experience in your past do you feel prepares you for this position and why?
? Duplisea – My election as chairman nine times by my Hudson Housing Authority colleagues, my years of coaching and refereeing high school sports, my hands-on management in Hudson's Youth Soccer and Baseball/Softball organizations and my ability to build consensus have taught me the value of strong, positive leadership that emphasizes inclusion and collaboration to promote the best outcomes for our town. I's a forward thinker who welcomes challenges and I have a deep and abiding commitment to Hudson that will guide every decision I make. Hudson has been good to me and my family; now I want to give more back serving everyone.
??? Yates – I know how municipal governance works. My 13 years as an elected public official, (10 years on the Hudson School Committee, three years on the Hudson Board of Selectmen), my 12 years as small business owner (attorney) in downtown Hudson with six employees on payroll, my budgeting experience, my education, Juris Doctor and BA in accounting, my wife and three children, and my youth sports coaching experience – each of these parts of my life make me very suited for the position.
??? What do you think is the most significant problem facing your community? What do you think should be done short-term and long-term to change it?
??? Duplisea – Short term, the closure of the Intel plant will result in the loss of jobs, trade to local businesses, and revenue from taxes, and various utility charges. All will negatively impact local residents.
Long term, we face unfunded post-employment benefits of $55MM, a road repair backlog of $25MM, and an aging utility infrastructure. We need parking solutions for downtown, and must insure a supply of affordable housing while preserving disappearing open space. We need business and industry for jobs and low taxes, and we need great schools to keep Hudson a desirable place for young families to locate.
??? Yates – The number one significant problem is the condition of town assets, whether it is human resource assets such as adequate firefighter staffing levels, the condition of buildings and infrastructure, such as the condition of the police headquarters, condition of the DPW headquarters, and the condition of the water treatment infrastructure, condition of roads and bridges, and lack of downtown parking. These are all critical and need attention. The most important near-term solution was our recent hire of a quality executive assistant who has the finance background and can focus with the Board of Selectmen on all of these issues.
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