Amanda Purcell is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the public response to a proposed local law intended to reduce vacant properties in the city of Hudson could influence Mayor Rick Rector to either veto the measure or sign it into law. As approved by the Common Council July 17, the Vacant Buildings Registry would require property owners to register vacant homes and pay a fine for each year a property sits idle. The law defines a vacant building as one that is unoccupied, unsecured, unsafe or illegally occupied. According to the city, 280 commercial, industrial and residential properties currently fit that description. Owners would be required to register vacant properties no later than 30 days after the building becomes vacant, or 30 days after receiving a notice from the Code Enforcement Office. Rector said this week he will either sign or veto the measure based on public comment. “I have scheduled a hearing to hear public comments — their thoughts and opinions — and making comments before that meeting would not be appropriate,” Rector said. The mayor will hold a public hearing on the law, 3 p.m., Aug. 1, in council chambers at City Hall, 520 Warren Street. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.