Editor's Notebook: What To Expect At Thursday's Town Board Meeting

Although the Town and Village Board meeting set for Thursday night has a relatively simple agenda, it is sure to be a lively one.

One public hearing is on the agenda, one that was pushed back from the previous Town Board meeting, and it's very likely that residents will be there to voice their opinions on the police chief selection process.

A public hearing is expected to reconvene regarding JRA Properties and Briga Enterprises's petition to change a zoning ordinance regarding height requirements for certain lots in a flood zone.

The hearing was supposed to be held at the last board meeting, but was pushed back because town officials were still waiting on paperwork from the town's Planning Department.

The developers have been at  standstill waiting for a change in the zoning and can't construct any property until the change is apprived.

A lawyer representing JRA Properties and Briga Enterprises, said that this matter has been in limbo for at least six months and asked the board to act as quickly as possible on the matter.

While not on the agenda, it's very likely the selection of Harrison's next police chief will come up in conversation, as information from all three candidates up for chief was due Thursday.

Supervisor Joan Walsh has previously stated she wants to see each candidate's five and 10-year vision for the department, as well as their qualifications.

Capt. Anthony Marraccini, who is currently serving as Acting Chief, is a candidate, and Lts. Lawrence Marshall and Douglas Buschel are also in the running.

The search process for the new chief has recently come under fire as Deborah Notkin, a democratic leader, recently wrote a letter to "The Harrison Report," questioning whether board member Marlane Amelio should be involved in the selection because she is related to Marraccini through marriage.

Marraccini fired back with his own letter, saying that Notkin is holding a grudge against him for an underage party he broke up at her home several years ago.

In addition to some members of the public requesting Amelio remove herself from the process, Walsh's  invitation for public comment have incensed others. Residents attending the meeting tonight can surely expect some discussion, from the crowd or the board, on who should ethically be involved in the chief selection process.

Several purchases an expenditures are on the agenda for approval, such as training for School Resource Officer Alexandra Graminga and Building Inspector Robert FitzSimmons, however these are items already budgeted for.

If any requests are to be denied, they are likely to be for items that are not listed as "budgeted," such as tuition coverage for various police officers at nearby institutions of higher learning.

Thursday's meeting will get started at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

The Town Board will meet Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.