Cost Concerns Spark Defense of Robinson Pond Water Article

The January Public Hearing saw the Hudson Budget debate on Article 9, which would fund improvements to Robinson Pond. Immediately, its $500,000 price tag drew criticism.
“We’re approaching a tax increase of this point in the $.60 range already,” said Jasper, who worried the project was too much of a burden for the upcoming year. “I think this should be seen as a lower priority. This is not something many people in town are going to take advantage of.”
Town Engineer Elvis Dhima urged Jasper to “reconsider his position.”
“The Town of Hudson is a community subject to the MS4 Permit, which is a federal permit and right now we’re in compliance. Part of the federal permit requires that we provide improvements to our watershed and water bodies.”
He worried delaying improvements to Robinson Pond could negatively impact their compliance with the MS4.
“These two projects being presented to you tonight have a dual function. The first is recreational, but the second portion of it are two projects that are going to help us with the water quality of Robinson Pond,” said Dhima. “If we’re not in compliance with the MS4 federal permit, you might lose the ability to pursue any other federal grants. They’ll flag us as a community, not in compliance.”
The Town Engineer emphasized that the flag risked threatening grants for “police, fire, engineering and public works.” The two projects include a boat launch and improvements to the beach, which will hopefully reduce runoff into Robinson Pond. Town officials have filed for a statewide grant to offset part of the cost.
“So, we’re being held hostage by the federal government if we want their dollars in the future if we don’t pass this?” asked Committee Vice-Chair Kim Rice. “I don’t like that.”
Dhima clarified the federal government did not care which projects were used for the grants, so long as Hudson remained in compliance with permit requirements. He added that there was a plan to fully open Robinson Pond with a higher entrance fee to non-residents to help offset costs with future revenue.
“How often was Robinson Pond open last summer?” asked Rice. “I seem to remember there was algae bloom after algae bloom after algae bloom.”
Without needed improvements, Rice was told the Pond was rarely open to the public due to health concerns.
“Right now, Robinson Pond is an asset that’s not being maintained, there’s no money into it and therefore you can’t use it. It’s reflected in how you can’t use it, basically being closed all the time,” argued Dhima. “The intent is, to do some improvements to up the water quality with through some of the projects you’re going to put in and start utilizing it.”
Currently, Robinson Pond does not have a Capital Reserve Fund to cover large-scale projects.
“I urge the public to really look at this and understand there are multi-pronged issues around this particular warrant article,” said Selectman Liaison Heidi Jakoby. “Water flows through everywhere. I think this is a win-win for water quality, for the reasons Mr. Dhima stated, but also for residents to have a viable place to swim, to boat, to kayak, and to canoe that is safe and accessible.”
Jasper remained concerned, noting the water quality issue had been a problem at Robinson Pond for decades, and wondered if beach improvements would be enough to solve the problem.
“I’m very concerned that, at the end of the day, we will not get the results we want,” he warned, citing surrounding homes with older septic systems as a possible contributor to the algae blooms.
The Budget Committee narrowly voted to recommend Article 9 to voters

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