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Hudson Council directs staff to advertise for Ward 2 vacancy as special-election option remains on table
Summary
After debate over charter timelines and whether to appoint or hold a special election, Hudson City Council voted to direct staff to advertise the Ward 2 council vacancy and accept applications for interviews, aiming to complete the process within the charter’s 60-day window.
Councilors on the Hudson City Council voted on Nov. 18 to direct city staff to advertise and accept applications for the Ward 2 council vacancy, with a plan to interview candidates and consider nominations before the charter deadline.
During the regular meeting, Mayor read the charter provision (article 3, section 3.11) that requires council to fill vacancies within 60 days of resignation, a clock that began Nov. 5. Several councilors said they preferred to let residents apply and for council to vet applicants rather than immediately appoint an interim member. “We have to give them the opportunity,” the mayor said, asking staff to proceed with a public application process.
Councilor Kowalski stated the majority’s preference for advertising and an expedited timeline so the new incoming council members can review candidates: “My preference is to advertise the Ward 2 vacancy, begin accepting applications, set up an aggressive timeline for interviewing those applicants so that the new council can fully vet all applicants,” she said.
City staff told council they were prepared to post the notice the following day and accept applications for about one week, with an executive-session review and interviews tentatively scheduled for Dec. 2; staff confirmed applications could be collected and screened within that schedule. City Manager Thomas J. Sheridan told council, “We prepared everything. We’re ready to go.”
Some councilors urged caution and said the voters’ preference for an election should be considered. Councilor Sutton said his preference remained to send the vacancy to Ward 2 voters, noting that past practice and the charter sometimes favor elections for vacancies. The city solicitor explained that if council does not appoint within the charter deadlines, the city would be required to initiate the special-election process and follow the county election calendar for certification and scheduling.
Outcome and next steps: A majority of the council (at least three members) verbally supported advertising the vacancy and proceeding with the application-and-interview approach. Staff indicated the posting could go live the next day, with a one-week application window and interviews in early December. Council also asked staff to return with a formal timeline and any cost estimates for a potential special election, should appointment fail or council choose not to appoint.
