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Council discusses one-time senior gutter-cleaning service as low-cost add-on to senior snowplow program
Summary
Council reviewed a proposal, modeled on neighboring Macedonia’s program, to offer a one-time fall gutter-cleaning service for qualifying seniors; several councilors urged deferring new service commitments while financial priorities are assessed.
Councilors discussed a mayor-and-councilor-sponsored proposal to pilot a one-time fall gutter-cleaning program for eligible seniors modeled on an existing Macedonia program. Mayor Molnar and Councilor Byrd said the neighboring city’s program pays $70 per home and the service in Hudson could be administered similar to the senior snowplow pilot using a contractor voucher or eligibility list.
"It's a 1 time thing . . . Macedonia is paying $70 per home. So, as a rough, you know, cost, if you look at a hundred homes, you're talking $7,000," Councilor Byrd said, adding that eligibility could follow the existing senior snowplow criteria (homestead exemption, age 65 or older or disabled.)
Kevin (Public Works) described the snowplow program administration: contractors bid the work, residents were sent coupons to request service, and the city handled billing and random inspections. "We had a pretty successful pilot," Kevin said, noting the voucher system required limited staff time.
Several councilors said the proposal was modest in cost but recommended pausing or deferring new program commitments until the council resolves higher-priority budget concerns arising from the five-year-plan update. Councilor Sutton said gutter cleaning was a property-maintenance issue rather than an immediate safety expense, while Councilor Berg and others noted that preventing ladder falls could also reduce emergency calls. No formal action was taken; staff will return with a scope and cost estimate if council wishes to pursue the pilot.
