Mayors Corner – Mayor Jeffrey L. Anzevino

Back to School & City Leases

Schools are back in session, and you may have noticed that the city has re-painted various road markings to help more clearly identify school zones, edge lines, crosswalks and stop bars, etc. In addition, the first few weeks of school had portable, electronic “Your Speed” indicator signs located along a few of our busy roads that feed both vehicle and pedestrian traffic to and around our numerous school buildings. Another feature that was installed during the last school season was a few additional RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons). These flashing yellow lights are activated by a pedestrian whenever they are looking to cross a road that does not have a signalized crossing. As a motorist, please be alert when driving within our city and please yield to pedestrians when they are looking to use a crosswalk both with and without an RRFB.  As a pedestrian, please wait for vehicles to stop before entering the crosswalk.

With school back in session, there will be an increased level of activity around our city and school buildings, not just during school hours but also before and after school for various activities, such as HCER before and after care, practices and scheduled games for various sporting events as well as meetings for many clubs and community activities.

Please slow down, be safe and be kind.

In regard to lease agreements between the city of Hudson and third-party individuals or organizations, I do want to provide some basic details and updates. Almost two years ago – on Nov. 12, 2022 – city council passed new legislation to provide guidelines for the use and/or rental of space at City Hall and at or upon other city property. Prior to this legislation, there were various agreements in place with no standardization nor consistency and in some cases incomplete documentation of liability. To which, some entities decided that they would relocate or utilize a home office, other entities signed a new, standard lease agreement while some were still yet to be determined. One recent example is the Visitors Center as operated by the Destination Hudson non-profit 501(c)3.

After a recent workshop discussion with city council, the board of directors of Destination Hudson have notified the city that they would like to invite the city of Hudson to discuss ways in which Destination Hudson may continue its mission following the April 2025 expiration of the current (10-year, $50 per year) lease for space in Town Hall. I have publicly stated that I am in favor of the Visitors Center remaining on the first floor of Town Hall and working to find a solution that can not only secure the benefits that the Visitors Center currently provides to both residents and guests but to also look at options to sustain those services for many years to come.

I look forward to adding value to the upcoming discussions and working collaboratively to find a solution that is a potential win-win.

Cheers and Salute. ∞