Hudson voters go to the polls Monday

Hudson voters will decide whether to adopt create a Community Preservation Act fund, which would would be used to preserve open space and historic sites and to create affordable housing and recreational facilities.
(Globe staff photo by Justine Hunt)

HUDSON

Voters in Hudson on Monday will decide the make-up of the town’s Board of Selectmen and Planning Board and whether to finally adopt the Community Preservation Act.

Selectmen Santino Parente and Carl Leeber are being challenged in their bids for reelection to their three-year seats by Cipriano Pinto, who is currently one of the town’s three constables. James Vereault and Stewart Rappaport, meanwhile, are competing to serve one year left of a three-year term on the Planning Board, a vacancy created when Sante Parente died in January.

Voters also will also be asked for the second time to approve a town CPA fund, which would be used to preserve open space and historic sites and to create affordable housing and recreational facilities. It would be funded by a one percent surcharge on property taxes.

Unlike in most towns, however, Hudson homeowners wouldn't see any change in their tax bills for five years, because the town plans to use the proceeds of a $2.75 million land sale to offset the cost to residents. Without that money the CPA would cost the average homeowner $36. The measure was approved at November town meeting.

A three-percent CPA surcharge was shot down at the polls by less than 100 votes in 2002 after being approved at the fall town meeting.

-- Jennifer Rosinski