The Hudson Board of Selectmen worked through a full agenda of committee appointments and personnel actions during its most recent meeting, including several re-appointment, staffing changes within the Fire Department, and the appointment of a new Interim Town Clerk.
One of the first items presented to the Board was a request from David Shaw, who sought reappointment to the Municipal Utility Committee. Shaw was seeking to fill a one member vacancy set to expire on April 29. After a brief review, the Board unanimously approved his reappointment, extending his service on the committee through April 2029. Shaw has served on the committee for several years, and his reappointment ensures continuity as the group continues its work on water and sewer related matters.
Another reappointment on the agenda involved the Cable Utility Committee, where longtime volunteer Diane Cannava was up for another term. Cannava took a moment during the meeting to thank voters for their support of HCTV.
“I just want to thank the voters for voting 100% for HCTV. Thank you so much. Now we’re above water,” she said. “It’s real important.”
Selectman Heidi Jakoby praised Cannava’s ongoing commitment to the town’s cable and communications efforts.
“I always appreciate your commitment to HCTV and all that you do publicly for them, and how you share so many things from the community back into their website in so many different ways,” Jakoby said. “Thank you, and I’m honored to reappoint you.”
The Board unanimously approved Cannava’s reappointment, with her new term also set to expire in April 2029.
Personnel matters made up a significant portion of the meeting. The Board accepted the resignation notices of part-time provisional call firefighters Alex Bergeron and Caleb Lambert, both effective March 25, 2026, as recommended by the Fire Chief. The Board also approved the termination of two other part-time provisional call firefighters, Haley LaPlante and Jeremy Zelanes, effective the same date. No additional details were discussed publicly regarding the terminations.
In addition to separations, the Board approved two new hires within the Fire Department. Brittany Dionne was hired as an Administrative Aide II at a contracted rate of $24.48 per hour. The Board also approved the hiring of James Caron as a Building Inspector at a contracted rate of $29 per hour. Both positions are expected to support ongoing administrative and inspection needs within the department.
A major staffing change came with the resignation of Town Clerk Michelle Brewster, who recently accepted the newly created Human Resources Generalist position with the Town. Her resignation as Town Clerk was accepted effective immediately.
To ensure continuity of operations, the Board unanimously appointed Donna Melanson as Interim Town Clerk, also effective immediately. Melanson will receive a 5% hourly rate increase while serving in the interim role and will remain in the position until a new Town Clerk is appointed or elected.
The Board also authorized the Town Administrator to begin the posting and recruitment process for the Town Clerk position and to take any necessary administrative steps to support the Town Clerk and Tax Collector’s Office during the transition.