Politics & Government

Belmont Will Keep Busy in Weeks Before Taking Office

Harrison Mayor/Supervisor-Elect Ron Belmont (R) says he will be keeping a close eye on the town budget among other things leading up to his first term as mayor/supervisor.

Harrison's next mayor/supervisor isn't planning on taking it easy during the six weeks between now and the start of his first term in office.

A little more than a week after defeating incumbent Joan Walsh to take over the supervisor position, Belmont said he is closely watching the 2012 budget process while meeting with leaders from the departments he will soon manage. 

"I'm trying to meet with the department heads and trying to make sure that the budget that was proposed—the first draft of the budget that was proposed—is actually a realistic budget," Belmont said. "Not one just to stay under to 2 percent cap." 

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Walsh submitted her planned budget on Oct. 31, a week before the election. Belmont said he will look closely at the proposed budget before a public hearing to discuss the preliminary budget is held on Dec. 1. A final 2012 budget must be approved by Dec. 20.

Although the current town board will handle the 2012 budget, Belmont said it is critical that he be involved with the budget process because the one approved this year will be used in his first term in office.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also on the agenda, Belmont said, is a visit to some of Harrison's flood-prone areas to get a first-hand look at some of the trouble spots. Although he says he has been to the areas before, he wants to take a closer look before it gets to cold to see the water levels in these areas.

"I'm going to go there and look with a little more vigor," he said.

Belmont said he has already had two meetings with members of the 2012 town board. He said in January he will focus on town operations and ideas to create more cost-efficiency in the town's day-to-day operations. 

Overall, the mayor/supervisor-elect said he doesn't anticipate too many obstacles while transitioning into office.

"I've been in town hall for the last 25 years, so it shouldn't be that big a transition," he said. "It's not like I'm coming out of left field."


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