Miss Anything? This Week in Review

This week we heard a response from Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh to the criticism she has received regarding the new police consultant position, reported on a court ruling on a church owned property on Mamaroneck Avenue and found out details about a now approved commercial building coming to Halstead Avenue.

Last week, Walsh shot back at those who now stand against the police consultant that was approved by the Harrison Town Board in late March. The position has been threatened by the union that represents the Harrison Police and has taken on criticism from Councilwoman Marlene Amelio, who spoke out against the position, saying that after reviewing the facts she can no longer support it.

Walsh said that the position was not proposed by her and that she still stands by the need for it. She added that the position is comparable to many private sector companies who hire outside help during times of significant change.

Late last week a White Plains judge ruled in favor of the Straight Gate Church's proposal to keep land on Mamaroneck Avenue away from foreclosure, allowing the church to keep ownership of the land until it is able to sell. The judge's ruling went against a motion by the Hudson Valley Bank to foreclose on the property.

The church will now have the opportunity to sell the land that was once purchased for a failed development project.

A new project has been approved for development on Halstead Avenue. The project will bring 10 apartments and three store fronts to a lot at 249 Halstead Avenue that currently sits vacant. 

The project was not approved without some resistance, residents on Fremont Street, the road behind the property, voiced concerns that the back side entrance to the property breaks zoning laws and will decrease their property values. The board approved the new project unanimously after hearing those concerns.

In school news, the award winning Harrison Percussion Band played a concert on Monday night. Harrison patch reporter Suzanne Rothberg had that story.

Two Harrison students were also honored at a banquet in Tarrytown this week. Matthew Jacobson and Alison Nathanson from Harrison High School were honored as the school's valedictorian and salutatorian.

The new dog park in Veterans Park will open early next month. Harrison Town Clerk Joseph Acocella outlined some of the laws required for entry, including a $20 per-dog annual fee. The park will be open from dawn until dusk and is expected to be a nice addition to the Harrison community.

You can check out this week's police blotter here.

In sports news, the Harrison softball team lost its very first game of the season this week, falling 1 - 0 to Roy C. Ketchum. But the team rebounded with a playoff victory on Friday night. The baseball team is still alive in the Section 1 playoffs as well, knocking off Tappan Zee 12 - 0 on Saturday afternoon.

We also named three players from the girls lacrosse team as our athletes of the week. The defensive players anchored the back end of a team that had an impressive season before losing early in the playoffs.

There is still time to share your holiday weekend plans with us by participating in this week's Harrison poll. We will have those results, as well as everything else in Harrison news next week. Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend!