The Hudson Board of Selectmen has formally approved the lease agreement that will govern operations at the Hudson Dog Park, marking the final step in transitioning the facility to management by the newly formed Friends of Hudson Dog Park, Inc. The vote came during the Board’s most recent meeting, following months of work to establish a long term structure for oversight, maintenance, and insurance.
Town Administrator Roy Sorenson reminded the Board that the town had already entered into a memorandum of understanding with the nonprofit group, which has since completed all requirements set by the town. “As the Board’s well aware, we entered into an MOU with the group, which is a fully legal nonprofit,” Sorenson said. “The dog park, as we all know, is open.”
Sorenson explained that the lease had been reviewed and revised by legal counsel and includes a three year term with the possibility of an additional three years. However, only the first year is guaranteed unless voters approve a warrant article to extend the full term. “What the Board’s approving tonight is the agreement in principle with the understanding there’s only one year guaranteed,” Sorenson said. He added that the nonprofit is fully aware of the requirement. “If it fails, the Board of Selectmen can have the authority to extend it one year, every year, as much as you need to or as much as you feel that they’re following the agreement.”
A key component of the lease is the requirement that the Friends of Hudson Dog Park provide annual proof of insurance. Sorenson emphasized that this is nonnegotiable. “They will be responsible to provide their insurance coverage every year. That’s a nonstarter. If they can’t provide that, then the dog park is closed immediately,” he said. “I know their group’s worked hard, so kudos to them. And they’re in a good place right now.”
Selectman Heidi Jakoby praised the work that went into the agreement. “I just want to say that I really appreciate all the hard work,” she said. “I think this lease really speaks to all the concerns that this Board had, and it’s very well done. And I’ve heard nothing but good things.”
Board Chair Dillon Dumont acknowledged that the temporary closure of the dog park earlier this year had frustrated some residents, but said the new agreement puts the facility on a stronger footing. “Hopefully everybody’s a little optimistic with how things move forward, getting the dog park open, and then getting this agreement, which I think will ultimately benefit both parties versus what was in place over there, which was virtually nothing,” he said.
Dumont also noted the unusually quick turnaround for a municipal process of this scale. “Government actually moved relatively fast this time around,” he said. “Normally you don’t see that. It’s normally a couple years as you watch things kind of play out. But over a couple months, we were able to get this all in place. And I commend all sides, staff and Friends of Hudson Dog Park.”
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the lease agreement.
