Jeanette Wolfberg is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Hudson Common Council voted October 18 to delay giving the Galvan Foundation a tax break to restore the former Community Theatre. The Galvan Foundation submitted its application for the tax exemption late, so an assessor turned down the exemption request. It turned out that the late submission was legally insufficient for denial, and Galvan challenged the rejection. While Common Council President Tom DePietro warned on October 18, the council has very little authority to block the exemption, and the full council agreed to delay voting on the tax break until November 15. “They failed to file the application on time. Why should we speed it up?” said Alderperson Dominic Merante. “The attorneys should explain to us why it’s nonprofit,” said Alderperson Margaret Morris. “Galvan has a tendency to sit on non-profits,” said Alderperson Mohammed Rony. “Buy it, take it off the tax rolls, and do nothing for five to ten years.” Galvan plans to restore the theater for stage performances and events. The frame building adjacent to the old theater would lodge traveling performers and contain facilities like dressing rooms, said Richard Scalera, former Hudson mayor and current Fifth Ward Supervisor. He is a member of the Galvan Housing Resources board. “The building is an absolute eyesore for our community and for visitors to it,” said Alderperson Vicky Daskaloudi. “I hope the developer makes good on the promise.” Since Galvan purchased the building, signs of work on it have sporadically appeared and in the past year, the theater underwent asbestos abatement. Note: DePietro is a WGXC on-air volunteer. Read more in The Columbia Paper.