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Politics & Government

Hudson Common Council Holds Annual Reorganization Meeting

John Hoggatt, Rich Vanselow and Randy Morrissette recited the oath of office. Lori Bernard retained her seat as council president.

The held its annual reorganization meeting Tuesday, April 19, 2011, in the council chamber at  to welcome the newly elected council members and allow Mayor Alan Burchill to appoint people to various committees, boards and commissions. 

City Clerk Nancy Korson administered the oath of office to District 1 Alderman Randy Morrissette, District 5 Alderman John Hoggatt and District 6 Alderman Rich Vanselow. The three aldermen were elected in the . 

The council voted 5-1 to elect District 3 Alderperson Lori Bernard to another term as council president. Morrissette cast the dissenting vote.

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After the council quickly voted to approve all his appointment recommendations, Burchill said, "I'm pretty excited about the coming year for our council. It will be a year like we've never seen before. We have many difficult challenges and opportunities."

Burchill laid out his goals and objectives for the year, which include doing the "heavy lifting" at the committee level rather than the city council level, taking a more long-term approach with two- to three-year plans, and concentrating on major issues facing the city while allowing the city staff to run their departments. 

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"As we start the new council year, I'd like to thank our employees who have done a terriffic job serving the citizens of our city," Burchill said. "With the uncertainty of what's going on in Madison, our employees can feel confident that they will be treated fairly in these tough economic times."

He also told the council that the members must continue to treat each other with respect and make an effort to understand others' points of view.

Burchill also addressed the relationships the city has with the governments of the surrounding municipalities.

"We must continue to work together and share costs for our taxes to be contained," Burchill said. "The library agreement, the fire agreement and the EMS agreement are all examples of us working together to do a better job for our citizens."

Burchill wrapped up his comments with a promise to the city's residents.

"Hudson is an outstanding community in which to live and work," Burch said. "We have great schools, public parks and recreational opportunities, and we will continue to work hard to provide city services in a fair and effective manner."

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The council unanimously approved the following mayoral appointments to standing city committees:

Finance Committee
Alan Burchill (chairman)
Lori Bernard
Randy Morrissette
Rich Vanselow 

Public Safety Committee
Mary Yacoub (chairman)
John Hoggatt
Lee Wyland

Public Works Committee
Lori Bernard (charman)
Randy Morrissette
Rich Vanselow

Burchill made the following appointments to boards and commissions. The appointments were unanimously approved by the council:

Plan Commission
Mary Yacoub 

Community Access Board
John Hoggatt

St. Croix EMS Commission 
Lori Bernard

Hudson Area Joint Library
Rich Vanselow

Park Board
Lee Wyland

Joint Fire Board
Lee Wyland 

Burchill appointed the following aldermanic liaisons, which the council unanimously approved:

Tourism Bureau
Randy Morrissette

Public Utility Commission
John Hoggatt

Hudson School District
Lori Bernard

The council unanimously approved the following citizen appointments put forth by Burchill:

Hudson/North Hudson Community Access Board (three-year term)
Elizabeth McCormick 

Board of Zoning Appeals (three-year term)
Gordon Conard
Peter Post (first alternate)

Plan Commission (three-year term)
Fred Yoerg

Police and Fire Commission (five-year term)
Tom Redner 

Advisory Joint Fire Board (annual appointment)
DuWayne Bakke

In addition, as mayor and council president, Burchill and Bernard will serve a year on the Intergovernmental Advisory Council.

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Other council news:

  • The council voted 6-0 to approve an application for a Class B beer license from May 1, 2011 to Oct. 31, 2011, for the concession building at .
  • The council voted 6-0 to approve two regular applications for operator's licenses.
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