Local government could be set to change with Warrant Article 32, which would have Hudson replace the elected position of Town Administrator with an appointed Town Manager. Under state law, the Board of Selectmen would choose a Town Manager based on specific experience and educational qualifications.
“I rise in opposition for Article 32,” said Budget Committee member, Shawn Jasper. “What you are doing, is you are creating an unelected head of government. Now, we went there before in the late 70s or 80s, and I know that was a lifetime ago, but human nature is the same, and the problems are likely to persist.”
He worried that an unelected officer would limit the access Hudson residents have to local government officials.
“This does not guarantee that we get some sort of super-human, I want to be able to vote for the five people and hold them accountable,” Jasper added.
There were mixed reactions to the proposal from members of the public.
“I’m not sure where I stand. Based on our population, are we in the right form of government, or is there a different form of government? Should we be a city? Should we have a Town Manager? A Town Administrator? All of that.” said Gary Gasdia of 4 McCann Road. “My concern is simply that we’re not doing the research to decide what’s best.”
Kevin Walsh of the Budget Committee worried that Article 32 had the potential to interact with Hudon in unexpected ways, as he noted that the 2025 budget is worded to include an assistant specifically for the Town Administrator.
“The devil is in the details, there’s a lot of things that need to be addressed in terms of how the Board of Selectmen want to see a Town Manager form of government evolve,” said Walsh.
He also called for an amendment to the Warrant Article to remove all references to an Administrator, although it failed.
“We had a study that the town bought and paid for in 2022, and in that study, it said we should shift to a Town Manager,” said Planning Board member, Victor Oates. “We continue to put forth studies and not actually follow through on them, and I don’t know why. Why did would we spend $14,000 on a study and not do anything in it? There’s not that person, educated, at the top, who has the background and experience to run the town of Hudson, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
If Article 32 passes, current Administrator, Steve Malizia, will take up the position of Town Manager until retirement.
Voting for the budget will occur on Tuesday, March 12. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Ward one voters have the Hudson Community Center as their polling place, while Ward two voters have Alvirne High School as their polling place.
