[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ast week, the town board passed a law that will permit the nonprofit organization, Energize NY, to fund the installation of solar panels, energy-efficient windows and other energy-saving systems for commercial and nonprofit entities in the town/village of Harrison. Seventeen of our neighboring municipalities have joined this initiative as a way to provide energy efficiency to older buildings with deferred maintenance concerns. This project will be a benefit to many of our local establishments, and I’m glad that the improvements will allow for a substantial savings in energy costs.
Our municipal infrastructure continues to improve, and I anticipate that Halstead Avenue will be resurfaced in the near future. As part of the upgrade, trees will be removed and replaced with specimens that are consistent with those already planted in town. The older trees will be removed, as they have outgrown the area in which they were originally planted. Some have grown into overhead utility wires, creating problems when we have inclement weather. Root beds have erupted, causing sidewalk defects which, in turn, create trip and fall hazards. I look forward to the enhancement of one of our main thoroughfares and am pleased that the streetscape will be greatly improved.
Congratulations to all the local students who participated in the documentary film making camp held at the Harrison Public Library this summer. The workshop was designed to inspire young filmmakers and focused on the importance of storytelling. I was honored to attend the screening last week and was very impressed with the high quality of the films and the attention paid to technique. It was especially nice to see a documentary on the history of Harrison. Once again, our library has provided a wonderfully creative and educational opportunity and I hope this workshop becomes an annual event.
Recently, Con Edison contacted my office, encouraging customers to use energy wisely and save money as hot weather continues to envelop the Northeast. Customers are advised to follow these money-saving conservation tips:
- Set your air conditioning to the highest comfortable temperature. Each time you lower the
thermostat by 1 degree, it drives up your bill by 6 percent. When the AC is running, close doors to keep cool air in and hot air out. Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Even when using AC, use ceiling and other fans to provide additional cooling and better circulation. Turn off AC units, lights and other appliances when not at home, and use a timer or smart technology to turn on your air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Keep AC filters clean.
- Con Edison offers a variety of energy-efficiency programs for this summer. The Smart
AC Program connects customers with smart technology to control their room air conditioners from their computer or mobile device. Learn more by visiting conedsmartac.com.
In closing, the town board recently passed a resolution to amend a local law which will prohibit the sale of commercially bred dogs and cats. Unlike private breeders, puppy mills are commercial dog breeding facilities that often sell puppies to pet stores. In many cases, animal health and well-being is either disregarded or compromised. The adoption of stricter laws will not only protect the animals, but may also protect the consumer from having to contend with a pet’s latent health issues.
