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Hudson council president challenges claims about Charter Review process; councilor disputes being 'vilified'
Summary
Council President Foster said erroneous information about the Charter Review Committee was shared at a recent EAC meeting and asked staff to circulate correct guidance; Councilor Kowalski said she did not make the statements attributed to her and objected to Foster playing a clip and singling her out.
At the Sept. 2 meeting of the Hudson City Council, Council President Foster raised concerns about misinformation presented at a recent Environmental Awareness Committee meeting regarding the Charter Review Committee and asked staff to ensure accurate information is provided to committees ahead of meetings.
"There is no point at which city council can put its finger on the scale and modify the initiatives that are decided on by the Charter Review Committee," Foster said while describing the scope of council authority and introducing a short recorded clip he said showed erroneous information. He asked staff to make sure accurate procedural information about nominations and ballot submission is disseminated to committees.
Councilor Kowalski asked for clarification and then objected to the implication she had advocated council intervention. "I never said that I wanted council to make those changes," Kowalski said, adding that she was confused and felt the clip and comments were an attempt to "vilify" her in public. The exchange included repeated requests that staff provide clarification to the Environmental Awareness Committee and that committee chairs receive correct procedural guidance.
The discussion focused on process, not on specific charter amendments. Foster said council's formal role is limited to appointing members to the Charter Review Committee and forwarding that committee's recommendations to the ballot; council may choose to propose competing amendments but that is a separate action.
Council asked staff to provide clear, written guidance to the Environmental Awareness Committee and other boards and commissions about the limits of council authority related to charter initiatives.
