Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that lock boxes are now required for short-term rental units in the city of Hudson, but open fires are not allowed. On Aug. 3 the Hudson Common Council passed the two new rules. The new fire law says, “No person shall kindle, make or keep a fire in any yard, building, or other public or private space in the City unless in a smokeless container approved by such use by the manufacturer." The new rule also only allows dried, cut and split firewood, and requires all fires be supervised at all times. For the lock box rule, short-term renters must use certain city-approved brands, and then keys to the lock boxes are kept in each City of Hudson Fire Department vehicle, locked in a Knox key control unit. Mayor Kamal Johnson said, “Both of these laws are built around community safety.... The lockbox has allowed for the firefighters and emergency personnel to gain rapid entry into locked buildings. The open burn laws have needed to be updated for some years now, and this is also about safety and the welfare of the people in Hudson. This will make sure that we won’t have open fires that are dangerous to life and property.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.