About Hudson Alliance for Responsible Development

Hudson Alliance for Responsible Development (H.A.R.D.) believes our town’s true wealth lies in its unique rural character, natural beauty and sense of community. We love our Town!

Our Vision

Our vision is to develop our town long term in ways that preserve its rural character, open spaces, clear flowing waters, and clean air. We want to build a town for our kids and grandkids, something they can be proud of.

Our Mission

Our mission in the short term is to stop the Circumferential Highway, to optimize preservation of open space by proposing sustainable zoning regulations, purchase more land for conservation, promote safe and friendly pedestrian transportation, and minimize development that impacts water, air, wildlife and rural character. This will be realized through strong master planning, modernization of zoning codes, and strategic planning that considers both the short and long term impact by leaders with a vision.

Our Values

To provide reliable information, research and communication while being nonpartisan and evenhanded in our approach to issues.

What We Do

H.A.R.D. supports, encourages and advocates sustainable development and practices that protects our local green space and natural resources such as rivers, streams, vernal pools, ponds and lakes within our town. 

– We communicate with Federal, State, Municipal, and Local organizations, as well as Town Boards, Commissions, private developers and others to preserve these natural resources.

– We use organization and communication networks to achieve our mission in three areas; Development, Open Space, and Intermodal Transportation.

– We inform and educate about impending threats to the future of our community and works with others to encourage active participation to protect this land we all love.

– We rally community participation in important local issues related to the environment and development to strengthen the people’s voice in shaping our community.

How We’re Organized

H.A.R.D. is a small, all volunteer, not-for-profit, non-partisan organization established by citizens of Hudson.   We all have day jobs, families, and tons of other priorities to balance, but we are stepping up because we are passionate about our town and its future. We receive no government funding and no commercial backers. We are an issue advocacy group, and we do not endorse political candidates. The H.A.R.D. -Steering Committee (SC) meets monthly and sets the goals and actions of H.A.R.D. . The organization has no employees, and all members are unpaid volunteers.

The Steering Committee members serve on four permanent subcommittees: Open Space Protection, Residential/Commercial Development, Transportation/Roads, and Communications/Outreach/Education

Our History

Hudson Alliance for Responsible Development ( H.A.R.D. ) formed in 2019, when a group of concerned citizens organized a public meeting to inform residents about the plans for the Circumferential Highway (AKA Hudson Boulevard), which has been an issue facing our town since 1959. Many Hudson citizens have spoken out in opposition to the highway project, expressing concern over lack of planning in our town, and erosion of our Town’s rural character.  In addition, 2019 represented a positive year for wide public support for the preservation of open space, evident by the March Town Meeting 2019 when TWO warrant articles passed in support of land conservation efforts with overwhelming majority.

This momentum toward responsible growth made the founders realize that there was a need for a citizen group that would monitor and inform fellow citizens about planned developments and related issues in Hudson. As a result, H.A.R.D. was formed and its mission statement and by-laws were drawn up and adopted.

What You Can Do

H.A.R.D. welcomes the support of Hudson Residents and beyond, who support sustainable development and a better future for Hudson. Many hands make light work. Send us an email to hudsonalliancerd@gmail.com if you’d like to learn more or lend your expertise/passion to this important cause. You can also contact us through Facebook, “Hudson Alliance for Responsible Development”.