The Hudson Board of Selectmen worked through a lengthy list of personnel decisions during its Aug. 18 meeting, approving several hires, promotions, and administrative directives that will shape staffing across multiple departments heading into the fall. Most of the actions were taken during the Board’s nonpublic session and later announced when Selectmen returned to public session, reflecting a busy period of internal restructuring and departmental needs.
One of the first approvals was the hiring of LeeAnne Mead as a fulltime dispatcher. Mead will begin at Step 1, earning $25.93 per hour, with an official start date of Aug. 17, 2026, in accordance with the HPA/HPEA contract. The hiring came at the recommendation of the Police Chief, who noted the department’s ongoing need for trained dispatch staff as call volumes continue to rise.
Selectmen also approved the promotion of Valerie Marquez, who will move from Water Clerk to Administrative Aide II, effective Aug. 12, 2026. Marquez will begin at Step 10, following a joint recommendation from the Town Administrator and the Development Services Director. The promotion fills a key administrative role within Development Services, which has seen increased workload tied to permitting, inspections, and land-use updates.
The most significant personnel move was the hiring of Ben Whittam-Gradert as Hudson’s new Zoning Administrator, effective Aug. 12, 2026. Whittam-Gradert will start at Step 1 of the Hudson Police, Fire, and Town Supervisors Association salary schedule, with an annual salary of $100,494, and will undergo a six month performance review. The position has been vacant for several months, and Development Services Director recommended Whittam-Gradert as the candidate best suited to manage zoning enforcement, land-use compliance, and the increasing volume of development activity in town.
In addition to filling the Zoning Administrator role, Selectmen authorized the Development Services Director to advertise the Associate Planner position both internally and externally. The move signals the department’s intent to expand planning capacity as Hudson continues updating its land-use code and preparing for longterm growth.
During the nonpublic session, the Board also voted to direct the Town Administrator to establish salaries for nonunion personnel as part of the FY 2028 budget process. Those salaries will be presented and discussed during budget deliberations, with further action governed by Policy COM001, which outlines procedures for salaries and wages. The directive ensures that nonunion compensation will be reviewed systematically rather than addressed piecemeal.
All personnel actions taken in nonpublic session were unanimously approved.
When the Board returned to public session, members voted 4-1 to cancel the scheduled Aug. 25 meeting. Selectman Heidi Jakoby cast the lone dissenting vote, though no extended discussion accompanied the decision.
Later in the meeting, Jakoby used her liaison report to remind residents about upcoming public meetings on the landuse code update, encouraging broad community participation. She noted that residents will have three opportunities to attend:
- Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 – 10:30 a.m. at the Rodgers Memorial Library
- Thursday, Aug. 27, 6 -8 p.m. at Friendly Red’s Tavern in the Vanderbilt Room
- Tuesday, Sept. 1, 6 – 8 p.m. at TBones
Jakoby added that a QR code is available online for residents seeking more information.
The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.