By Dakota Antelman, Contributing Writer
Hudson – Citizens will address decreased revenues from last year and vote on an article allowing Hudson to collect companies’ proposals to build a cell tower at Gates Pond among other things at Hudson’s special town meeting Wednesday, Nov. 22.
The town of Hudson released the meeting warrant on Oct. 26, listing 17 articles to be decided. The meeting itself will take place on Monday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m., at Hudson High School, 69 Brigham St.
Article 1 proposes moving $587,803 from the town’s available funds to pay for roadway construction and repairs.
Article 2 proposes reducing the town’s budget by roughly $400,000 after this summer’s drought and subsequent water usage ban decreased the town’s water and sewer service revenue.
Articles 3 and 4 move funds from various town accounts in order to lower amount of money “appropriated from the tax rate.”
Article 5 would appropriate roughly $55,000 to offset the cost of the joint dispatch services of the fire and police departments. That comes after the two departments moved into their new headquarters off Cox St. earlier this year.
Article 6 would appropriate $200,000 to minimize the Fiscal Year 2018 tax levy, while Article 7 would establish a “revolving fund account” for the Hudson Farmers Market as it already prepares for its second year of operation next summer.
Articles 8, 9 and 10 would designate money to improve Hudson’s infrastructure, with 8 and 9 addressing the water system and 10 addressing Hudson’s cemeteries.
Article 11 would pay a currently unpaid $3,740.87 bill to McGregor & Legere, P.C..McGregor & Legere, P.C currently represents Hudson during its negotiations with Eversource Energy over a controversial proposed power line project.
Article 12 would authorize the school committee to enter into a new five year contract for transportation.
Article 13 would authorize the use of a total of $100,000 to expand the Sauta Cornfield Parking Lot and to conduct an inventory and survey for the Hudson Historical Commission.
Article 14 would allow the town to sign a Tax Increment Financing Agreement with CPI Radant Technologies Division.
Article 15 addresses the issue of a cell tower near the Gates Pond reservoir. If passed, the article would allow the town to request proposals from telecommunications companies asking to lease portions of the land from Hudson. Though Hudson owns Gates Pond and the land around it, that plot is located within the borders of Berlin, meaning companies would need the permission of Berlin’s town government before proceeding with any projects.
Articles 16 and 17 would both amend zoning laws. Article 16 would add a “Retirement Community Overlay District” to an area near Murphy Road. Article 17 would expand an existing commercial district to encompass a home next to a Dunkin Donuts on Washington Street.
The Hudson Finance Committee reviewed and recommended all 17 articles for the town meeting. Though unanimous in their support of some articles, the committee did only narrowly endorse article 17, voting 5-2-1 in its favor.
The town invites all registered voters to participate in the meeting.
To view the full warrant, visit http://www.townofhudson.org/Public_Documents/HudsonMA_BBoard/025AC7F8-000F8513