I would like to take this time to extend my warmest wishes for a prosperous and healthy new year. I hope you and your family had a happy and festive holiday. I want to thank you for all your support over the last year. The town board has achieved incredible things, so far, and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish, together, in 2018. As we begin the new year, I am happy to report that Harrison continues to build on the success of the last few years while keeping tax increases in check, sustaining a healthy reserve and maintaining all our basic municipal services. In addition to our improved bond rating from Moody’s, Harrison’s 2018 Budget was adopted and remains under Gov. Cuomo’s mandated tax cap. Advancing this positive trend is a priority and I look forward to the opportunities in the year ahead.
It gives me great pleasure to give a special thank you to all those who contributed to this year’s Holiday Project. Many residents, and their families, were treated to a Christmas basket filled with gifts and holiday cheer. The generosity and hard work of the project committee, and its team of volunteers, deserves acknowledgement and I am happy to recognize their efforts.
Within the next several days, Westchester Joint Water Works will start installing a 16-inch water main transmission line in our area. Affected roadways include the following: Macy Road, Sunnyside Avenue, Heineman Place, Calvert Street, Avondale Road to West Street, and Grove Street. There will be road closures and detours will be posted.
I am happy to report that four new police officers have joined the Harrison Police Department. The officers were sworn in at a Jan. 3, 2018 ceremony in Town Hall. The new officers will complete their training before receiving their assignments. I am completely confident that these new officers will carry out their duties in a professional manner and will be an asset to the town/village of Harrison.
Please be aware of the following sanitation notice: Christmas trees may be placed curbside, for pick-up, through Jan. 31. Please do not place trees in plastic bags. No holiday wreaths or roping will be collected.
As I am sure you are all well aware, flu season is underway. Recently, I have witnessed our local hospitals coping with the surge of patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The best protection may be to get the flu shot each year, as the vaccine effectively combats many flu strains. As we get through this season, please use the recommended steps to prevent the spread of germs associated with the flu: wash hands frequently and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Our library staff has been hard at work developing winter activities for all residents. The following January events promise to be informative and I hope residents will be able to take advantage of the following: Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m., Wellness Fair. The Harrison Public Library is partnering with the Rye YMCA and St. Vincent’s Hospital for an afternoon devoted to mental and physical health wellness.
Additional events include Monday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m., Talk: New Year Resolutions & How to Do Them Right; Tuesday, January 16, 23 and 30 at 1:30 p.m., Gentle Yoga Series; Thursday, Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m., Talk: Do You Have the Guts to Be Healthy; Jan. 27 at 2 p.m., Talk: On the Go Self Care; Sunday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m., Spark Joy! The KonMari Method Workshop.
