D’Eramo recuses herself from settlement vote; Hudson buys back portion of former YDC property

by Judy Stringer

Oct. 20 city council meeting

Hudson City Council At-Large member Samatha D’Eramo announced she will recuse herself from any further official discussions or voting related to the proposed settlement between the city of Hudson and developers of the planned Canterbury Meadows neighborhood.

The recusal followed social media posts noting that D’Eramo’s brother is an attorney at Tucker Ellis, the law firm representing the developers. At the Oct. 20 meeting, D’Eramo said her brother works in a different department at the firm, and she had disclosed that information to the city solicitor. The decision to recuse herself, she explained, “is intended to avoid any potential concerns and prevent this issue from becoming a continued source of personal and political attacks.”

“I take my responsibility as a member of council very seriously, and I will continue to serve with transparency, integrity, civility and respect, even when faced with criticism,” D’Eramo said.

City council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of land back from Summit County, reopening the possibility of a park and trail project that had long been anticipated by nearby residents.

Assistant City Manager Brian Griffith said the county had retained an interest in a portion of the former YDC property north of Hines Hill Road when the city originally acquired the full parcel. Summit County had planned to build a park and trailhead there, but the project did not move forward. The county later asked Hudson to buy the land back at its original $434,343 purchase price. The two parties later agreed on the lower sum of $217,000, which Hudson will pay in two installments.

Council members welcomed the agreement, citing the potential to expand Maple Grove Park and build a trail. They noted that making the property an official park will require a separate city council vote after the purchase.

A decision on a new “No Turn On Red” sign for the intersection of state Route 303 and Hayden Parkway was put on hold. The sign would restrict red-light turns for drivers traveling westbound on 303 and turning right onto Hayden.

Council member Skylar Sutton suggested the restriction should apply only during school hours, arguing that a year-round, 24-hour rule was excessive when there is little pedestrian traffic at that corner during summer. Council member Patricia Goetz worried drivers might overlook a time-limited restriction and favored keeping it in effect at all times.

The item is slated for a vote on Nov. 10.

Council passed seven ordinances related to issuance of municipal bonds totaling nearly $54 million. The bonds fund downtown property acquisition, a salt storage and bus facility, a new public works building, broadband expansion, Fire/EMS renovations and a utility metering project.