BRENDA O’FARRELL
The 1019 Report
After the protests and weeks of acrimonious debate on social media, after the ribbons were tied to trees and hedges to highlight which would be removed, after false accusations of purposely misleading information being put forward were flung, after arguments for and against the plan were outlined, and after more than 100 people showed up at Monday evening’s special meeting in Hudson, with one resident pleading with members of the town’s council to examine their conscience, Hudson Mayor Chloe Hutchison cast a tie-breaking vote and approved a $3.65-million contract to rebuild and widen Lakeview Street, a crumbling 900 metres of road, adding a cycling and pedestrian path along its length.
It was a result that did not come as a surprise, prompting most of those in attendance to get up and leave, some uttering, “Shame.” And, “Shame on you,” as they walked out of the meeting.
“I am sorry that you are feeling such distress which, from my standpoint, seems to have been generated by several owners who do not seem to accept that they are occupying public property, and this for their private use and enjoyment,” Hutchison said at the start of the meeting as she acknowledged the residents who opposed her position in support of the project.
“I continue to feel that this is a valuable structuring infrastructure project that will bring added value to the town while making the most of a federal subsidy that enables the town to redo the foundations of this structuring infrastructure,” Hutchison explained before the vote.
Her comments were met with grumbles from the crowd.
Lakeview resident David Smith, one of many who took to the microphone during the meeting’s question period before the vote, describe the plan for Lakeview as a “path of destruction,” and pleaded with council.
“Before you vote tonight, take a step back with this,” Smith urged council members. “If you have any misgivings of whether this is the democratic will of the people,” he said, pleading councillors to reconsider.
In the end, three councillors – Douglas Smith, Benoit Blais and Reid Thompson – voted against the plan that will see the width of Lakeview double with the addition of a path and a required drainage strip to meet provincial norms. The plan would necessitate the removal of 18 trees and several hedges. It would also reduce the area between several houses and the edge of the built area of the street.
“It was a really hard one for me,” said Thompson in an interview after the meeting, as he explained why he voted against the project. “It did not have a majority buy-in,” he explained, adding it was not in keeping with what he described as the “look and feel” of Hudson.
“We could have explored a scaled-back option,” he said.
“This project does not belong here,” said Blais in an interview before the meeting as he explained his opposition to the plan.
That sentiment was echoed by another resident who pleaded with council.
“It is not commensurate with the charm and esthetic of Hudson,” said Niki Paquin. “Can we not amend this so it’s more Hudson?”
“As announced,” Hutchison explained, “we are offering to work with each property owner along the length of the project to better personalize the integration of the project.”
This offer includes the town’s commitment to install 90 trees along the street once the roadwork is completed.
However, at least one resident said his attempts to have town officials explain how the plan will affect the driveway access to his property have left him in the dark.
“People are very angry,” said Lakeview resident Gilles Stratti in an interview yesterday morning.
In an email Stratti continued: “My wife and I are crushed this morning, and licking our wounds. It hurts because everything the new Lakeview Blvd. is, is what we chose not to live with in our lives. But the battle is not over.”
What the residents will do now is not clear, Stratti said.
According to Iain Dalgarno, Hudson’s director of public works, excavation along Lakeview is expected to begin in three to four weeks, and last about 15 weeks.