Plans for the Hudson Manor senior apartments in Freehold Borough took shape in the 1970s when local leaders decided that older adults in the community needed affordable housing. The building recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. MARK ROSMAN/STAFF A barbecue pig roast, a DJ playing tunes from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, refreshments, and a room dressed up in dazzling decor made for a memorable way to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Hudson Manor in Freehold Borough on Sept. 11.
Residents and guests marked the special occasion at the residence for senior citizens.
The property on which Hudson Manor was constructed was previously the site of the Hudson Street School.
In attendance were representatives of the Freehold Borough Senior Citizens Housing Corporation-Hudson Manor, the Borough Council, and Coughlin Management Company, which operates the apartment building.
The meal was prepared by caterer Latif Crudup of Neptune, who grew up in Freehold Borough and attended the Hudson Street School.
“This is like coming home,” he said.
Remarks were offered by Councilman Ron Griffiths, who is president of the Freehold Borough Senior Citizens Housing Corporation Hudson Manor, Mayor Nolan Higgins and former Mayor Roger Kane.
Richard O’Connor, who was the borough attorney during the time Hudson Manor was created, was also in attendance.
Dan Coughlin, the president of the Coughlin Management Company, provided a history of Hudson Manor, which opened in 1979. He noted improvements that have been made over the decades and the accolades the senior residence has received from the state.
“The idea was to be one of the best, if not the best, affordable senior residence in the state,” he said.
Dan said his mother, Marianne Coughlin, who owns the management company, pursued a mission to always treat Hudson Manor’s residents with respect and to treat them the way they wanted their own parents to be treated, “as though they were family.”
Also on hand for the celebration were Amy Coughlin, the site manager of Hudson Manor; her husband, Ed Coughlin Jr., the superintendent of all seven of the management company’s properties; Charlene Mc- Donagh, the social service coordinator for Hudson Manor; Lauretta Palumbo, a bus driver who works at Hudson Manor; and Kathy Shults, who works with residents on recertification.
Marianne Coughlin said she was “very grateful to have spent my life doing something like this.”
“My heart is here,” she said.
Amy Coughlin said the facility and its residents are a part of her life.
“I love coming to work every day,” she said. “It is never boring and always a lot of fun.”
Addressing the residents, Coughlin said, “I love you all and I hope you are happy living here.” Kane, who was Freehold Borough’s mayor when the facility was developed and served as a Hudson Manor board member for more than 20 years, said there was a need for housing for seniors who were living on a fixed income.
“It has worked out as beautifully as we thought it would and has served its purpose,” Kane said, adding that Coughlin Management has done a tremendous job running the building.
Kane acknowledged the contributions that were made by the late Jimmy Higgins, who was a member of the original Hudson Manor board. A granite memorial on the property refers to Hudson Manor as “The Home That Jimmy Built.”
Numerous improvements have been made at Hudson Manor over the years, including the installation of security cameras for the parking lot and common areas, the hiring of a security company that staffs the building, the addition of a store and a café, renovated hallways, an updated media room, and more.
“Without the foresight of Mayor Roger Kane and Richard O’Connor, this building would not be here,” Griffiths said. Mayor Nolan Higgins said it was a pleasure to celebrate the anniversary.
“It seems a short time ago that construction was started on the site of the Hudson Street School and the neighboring properties. For more than 35 years, Hudson Manor has been a fantastic home for our seniors.
“A very dedicated staff has maintained and upgraded the residence and provided services to our senior residents. Through storms and Hurricane Sandy, the residents were always safe and knew their neighbors and staff were there if needed.”