Hudson council amends appointment resolution to exclude fire chief after public comment

The Hudson City Council voted to amend Resolution 3422 to remove the appointment of the fire chief and proceed with the police chief reappointment alone, following a public comment that urged the council not to reappoint the police chief.

Ernie Holmes, speaking during the public-comment period, criticized the police chief’s conduct and said the chief had failed a required light test multiple times, telling the council, “I don't think he ought to be here.” Holmes asked the council to consider the chief’s background before approving appointments.

Councilmembers debated procedure and whether personnel concerns would preclude a standard reappointment. Multiple members described the reappointment process as a routine biennial formality and said any personnel investigation would be a separate proceeding. Councilmember Marcus moved the amendment to remove the fire chief’s appointment so the council could act only on the police chief; the motion received a first and second and was carried under a simple-majority rule.

Members noted the city attorney was not present to answer legal questions about personnel process and that any formal personnel review would follow separate personnel procedures if warranted. The council did not take further personnel action during the meeting.

The amendment to Resolution 3422 passed; the council provided no additional detail about further investigatory steps at the meeting. The council adjourned with the item concluded for this session; members said they would pursue any additional information about personnel matters outside the appointment vote.