Meet the Candidates

Phil Trendell

Age: 42

Occupation: Supply chain executive and small business owner

Dan White

Age: 42

Occupation: National partnerships manager at ICF

Dan White, appointed to Hudson City Council in 2025 following the resignation of President Chris Foster, will defend his seat against newcomer Phil Trendell. Following are questions posed to the candidates by Hudson Life. Responses were limited to 275 words and are unedited.

In your view, what is the single biggest challenge currently facing Ward 2 constituents, and what specific legislative or budgetary steps will you take on city council to address it?

Trendell: Each neighborhood in Ward 2 has its own unique challenges and priorities, so I don’t believe there is a single issue that defines every constituent. I do believe, however, that one of our biggest opportunities is ensuring Ward 2 has a strong, vocal leader who thinks independently. Someone that listens to residents, asks tough questions and can see the big picture. It’s important to make sure that city spending reflects the priorities of our residents and that major projects are evaluated based on both costs and benefits. I will advocate for responsible infrastructure investment and transparent budgeting that clearly communicates how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

White: The biggest challenge I hear from Ward 2 residents is reliable infrastructure – particularly stormwater management and electric reliability. I will continue working with city staff and FirstEnergy to identify the root causes of recurring issues. We have already begun working on identified solutions that started in the Terex/Bridgewater area. We are working to implement another solution for the Towbridge and Shires areas. They have always had power outages, and it’s time to work on a long-term solution.

What specific sidewalk, crosswalk or trail expansion projects in Ward 2 do you consider top priorities to improve safety and walkability for families and seniors?

Trendell: Hudson already has a connectivity project list with 33 identified items and an estimated total cost of approximately $56 million. The Barlow Road sidewalk is currently at the top of that list, with an estimated cost of $2.4 million, and I believe connecting to the southwest neighborhoods should remain a priority.

At the same time, I believe we need to reimagine what we mean by “connectivity.” We should look for creative, cost-effective solutions that improve safety and access without assuming that every connectivity problem requires a traditional sidewalk or trail project.

White: My top priority is the Barlow Road connection from Lincoln Boulevard to Nicholson Drive, which I have advocated for since joining council. I also support addressing other critical gaps that connect neighborhoods to existing sidewalks, trails, parks and schools. I recognize that implementing the full Connectivity Plan citywide is a significant financial challenge, and we need to think outside the box about how we fund and accelerate these improvements. That could include phasing projects, pursuing grants, coordinating with other infrastructure work and identifying creative, lower-cost solutions. My goal is to make meaningful progress while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

With the city actively shaping the concept plan for Clinton Crossing, what do you view as the ideal balance of public green space, civic amenities and commercial or residential development for that property?

Trendell: The City of Hudson Charter specifically requires a comprehensive plan to be updated every 10 years and is represented by a broad group of residents. The 2024 Comp Plan already provides a framework for this property with roughly 75% being public/semi-public and 25% being medium-density residential. While the Comp Plan is intended to serve as a framework, it’s important that we don’t deviate significantly from the plan, otherwise, it will nullify the entire purpose of that process.

White: I believe the current approach to Clinton Crossing is smart. We should gather meaningful public input and work with an outside developer to shape a concept before entering the formal bid process. I would prioritize substantial public green space, community gathering areas and civic amenities that give residents a reason to visit the property. Any commercial or residential development should be appropriately scaled, complement Hudson’s character and help make the overall project financially viable. The goal is to create something residents want while developing a concept that a qualified developer will actually want to build.

Photo caption: Dan White.