Voters in Hudson discussed and debated a citizen petition warrant article related to an infrastructure study last Saturday, during the annual Deliberative Session.
Going into the Deliberative Session the warrant article stated:
“Shall the town of Hudson vote to fund a comprehensive infrastructure study, approved in the 2024 election, to be conducted independently by a qualified third-party contractor not affiliated with the Town of Hudson or the Nashua Regional Planning Commission? This study will assess the impact of ongoing and future development on the Town’s infrastructure, services, and facilities with funding to come from the June 30 fund balance available for transfer on July 1, and no additional taxation required.
The study will include the following components:
- Comprehensive Traffic Study: Evaluate current traffic conditions and forecast future traffic patterns, including all developments currently under construction or approved for construction.
- Emergency Services Review: Assess the staffing, equipment, and training needs of the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments based on anticipated demands from new developments.
- Impact on Schools: Examine the effects of high-density housing and other developments on the town’s school system, including enrollment projections and capacity needs.
- Sewer and Water Infrastructure: Determine current and future sewer and water infrastructure needs based on projected growth.
- Review of Impact Fees: Reassess the town’s current impact fees for developers in light of the findings from this study to ensure they cover the costs of supporting new developments. Results will guide updates to the Town Master Plan, zoning ordinances, land use regulations, and budget planning for town services. The study is estimated to cost $250,000 – $500,000. This article provides the funding needed to proceed with the project as approved by voters in 2024.”
The Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 not to recommend the warrant article.
The person who submitted the warrant article was not able to make the Deliberative session, Town Moderator Paul Inderbitzen said.
“I have to say right now this is not a moneyed article,” Inderbitzen said.
Board of Selectmen Chair Bob Guessferd said that they need to move forward in “some way, shape, or form,” but noted there was no appropriation as part of the warrant article.
One amendment was successful in removing the sentence at the end that states “This article provides the funding needed to proceed with the project as approved by voters in 2024.”
Another successful amendment was to remove the language stating:
“With funding to come from the June 30 fund balance available for transfer on July 1, and no additional taxation required.”
The final successful amendment was to change the word “fund” to “support.”
The warrant article now states:
“Shall the town of Hudson vote to support a comprehensive infrastructure study, approved in the 2024 election, to be conducted independently by a qualified third-party contractor not affiliated with the Town of Hudson or the Nashua Regional Planning Commission? This study will assess the impact of ongoing and future development on the Town’s infrastructure, services, and facilities. The study will include the following components:
- Comprehensive Traffic Study: Evaluate current traffic conditions and forecast future traffic patterns, including all developments currently under construction or approved for construction.
- Emergency Services Review: Assess the staffing, equipment, and training needs of the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments based on anticipated demands from new developments.
- Impact on Schools: Examine the effects of high-density housing and other developments on the town’s school system, including enrollment projections and capacity needs.
- Sewer and Water Infrastructure: Determine current and future sewer and water infrastructure needs based on projected growth.
- Review of Impact Fees: Reassess the town’s current impact fees for developers in light of the findings from this study to ensure they cover the costs of supporting new developments. Results will guide updates to the Town Master Plan, zoning ordinances, land use regulations, and budget planning for town services. The study is estimated to cost $250,000 – $500,000.”