Consult the video of the council meeting.

Good evening, and welcome to the regular Council meeting of Tuesday, March 24, 2026, held in person and online.

I note that quorum has been reached and declare the meeting open.

Please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live. While I will provide my opening remarks in English, you are welcome to address me in French or English, and I will respond in the language of your choice. If at any point you would like a response translated, simply raise your hand.

Veuillez noter que cette séance est enregistrée et diffusée en direct. Bien que je fasse mes remarques d’ouverture en anglais, vous êtes invités à vous adresser à moi en français ou en anglais, et je vous répondrai dans la langue de votre choix. Si, à un moment donné, vous souhaitez qu’une réponse soit traduite, il vous suffira de lever la main.

On Saturday, Hudson celebrated St. Patrick’s Day the way this town does it best — with a parade, with colour, with neighbours out on the street choosing to be together despite the cold and the snow underfoot. None of that happens without a lot of invisible work. I want to thank our staff, the Soulanges Irish Society, the volunteers, and the merchants along the route who showed up early and stayed late. What looks effortless from the sidewalk never is.

On Wednesday, March 18th, our Assistant Town Clerk signed the formal transfer of title of Sandy Beach to the Town. For several people in this room and in this community, this represents the culmination of two decades of ardent activism, engagement, and determination. When asked how this feels, my only answer is: overwhelming. In 2021, hearing how successive councils had given increasing and clear development rights to this land, I had lost the certainty that we could save it all. This is land that generations of Hudson residents have walked and cherished for many years and generations. Now it is formally and undeniably ours, to be held in the public trust, protected in perpetual conservation.

Interestingly, we now find ourselves before yet another significant decision. The owner of the private lot at 2 Royalview — at the far end of Sandy Beach — has received an accepted purchase offer. As the Town holds a registered right of first refusal on this lot, the right has been triggered and we have 60 days to match the accepted offer price of $1.3 million. We are currently conducting an internal assessment of the land’s value, our financial capacity, and how this acquisition would affect our capital program and reserves. No decision has been made. We are handling this file with care and attention, doing the validations and assessments it deserves. The Town has until May 1st, 2026 to decide. Council has asked that we take the next few weeks to assess, and bring a final decision to our next Council meeting on April 28th.

This past Friday marked the opening of the two-week candidate filing period for the by-election taking place on the first Sunday of May. I encourage anyone considering stepping forward to do so as democracy thrives best when it is contrasted and remains deeply engaged, in keeping with Hudson’s distinctive quality of place and community.

This evening, I am pleased to recognize Karine McDonald, our Treasurer and Director of Finance, who recently earned the Certified Municipal Officer (CMO) designation — a rigorous professional credential that reflects both personal dedication and the depth of expertise we are fortunate to have at Town Hall.

I also wish to highlight the quality work that takes place between meetings. Our Ad Hoc Horticulture Committee has been actively shaping how Hudson cares for its green spaces and seasonal plantings. Our Economic Development Committee is equally in motion, preparing the groundwork for greater vibrancy in our streets and venues throughout the year, and not just in the warmer seasons. I am grateful for the passion, commitment, and depth of knowledge that our residents, business owners, and non-profit organizers bring to the table. We are fortunate to have such a vibrant and participatory community.

On tonight’s agenda: as part of our ongoing capital program, under item 8.4, Council will be asked to award a contract for an external Project Manager to oversee the planning and construction of our municipal buildings, following a public tender process. We will also be awarding contracts for the repair of the pedestrian bridge at Jack Layton Park — replacing decayed wood planks and beams on the western section — and for maintenance work at the community pool, including a permanent shading structure and a fresh coat of paint. Both will be completed before the season opens.

Coming up:

• District 2 residents are invited to a neighbourhood meeting this Monday, March 30th, here at Town Hall at 7pm, with Councillor Matt Stenberg.
• Coffee with the Mayor is next Saturday, March 28th, from 10am to noon at Halcro Cottage, 539 Main Road. The agenda is set by residents in attendance. You’re welcome to drop in, though please note that walk-ins are added to the end of the agenda.

Community events:

• Wednesday, March 25th — Seniors Movie Morning, 10am to noon at the Community Centre. This month’s feature is Driving Miss Daisy. Free, drop-in, and always a good morning.
• Friday, March 27th — Teen Night: Glow in the Dark Camp Games.
• Saturday, April 4th — Hudson Easter Party, 9:30am to 1pm. Pony carousel rides, Easter egg hunts in four waves, the Hudson Forest Play workshop, and a beading workshop introduction with Yanonhchia — two sessions, 15 spots each, registration required. The morning closes with a grand chocolate draw at 12:45pm.
• Monday April 20 to Sunday April 26 – Hudson Film Festival

Full details for these and other activities are available on the Town’s website.
Moving on now to this evening’s agenda.