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Hudson Arts and Framing on Main Street sold
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Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
Hudson schools to ask for Prop. 2 ½ override of $3.3 million
Vol. 50 | No. 52 | December 27, 2024
Marlborough High students to perform in Tournament of Roses Parade By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer HUDSON – Hudson Public Schools’ number for a Proposition 2 ½ override is $3.3 million. School leaders said this figure came after an effort to cut $1.1 million from the 2026 fiscal year budget. On Dec. 17, Superintendent Brian Reagan said the projected budget gap started at $4.4 million. This was a result of a combination of a 51% increase in the transportation contract, a 24% increase in out-of-district tuition and personnel expense increases of 3% to 3.5%. These budget drivers are outpacing the town appropriation of a 2.5% increase over the 2025 fiscal year funding, he said. Although they are working with a collaborative, he said, “We are a bit worried about out of district transportation, which is a little less within our control.” With collaborative support, they can share transportation services, he said. He said that personnel represent 85% of the school district budget, and they are seeing a 3.5% increase due to cost-of-living adjustments and teachers moving up salary steps within the budget. “All this leads to the need to ask the residents to consider a Proposition 2 1/2 override in May of 2025,” said Reagan. To this end, he said the district committed to reducing the budget by $1.1 million. This process took several months and resulted in the reduction of two buses to a net decrease of $200,000 and the elimination of 12 full-time Prop. 2 ½ | 9
MARLBOROUGH – Five Marlborough High School students will kick off the new year at the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. Allison Ryan, Riley Michaels, Lalli Pylore, Giada Young and Megan Fanelli will perform as part of the New England Honor Band, comprising of more than 300 members from the six New England states. According to Young, a senior who plays the sousaphone, the students first heard about the band through Angie Crockwell, who directs
Allison Ryan, Riley Michaels, Lalli Pylore, Giada Young and Megan Fanelli. They will be performing with the New England Honor Band in the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Maureen Sullivan)
the orchestra and string ensemble. Crockwell learned about the honor band while performing in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade. The five students were nominated by MHS Director of Bands James Verdone. “I am very proud of our students for their
continued growth and dedication to excellence,” said Verdone. “This opportunity is a culmination of years of hard work.” Ryan is a junior who plays the trombone; Tournament of Roses | 14
Hudson adopts residential tax rate of $13.89 By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer HUDSON – The Select Board continued to adopt a split tax rate for Hudson during its Dec. 16 meeting. For the 2025 fiscal year, the residential tax rate will be $13.89 for every thousand dollars of property value, while the commercial, industrial
and personal property tax rate will be $27.13. This was determined by a vote for a 0.896 minimum residential factor and a $10 excess levy capacity. Board of Assessors Chair Christine Griffin said the minimum residential factor is the shift in the tax rate calculation, and the tax levy is the actual amount that will be needed to be able to Tax rate | 10
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