From the Mayor's Desk

The following is an opinion piece written by Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh:

Fireworks

It wouldn't seem like the Fourth of July without them.

Building on the tradition begun by Roy Aletti of Harrison Paint and Supply,  Harrison will again have fireworks for this Fourth of July weekend.  Come join us on Saturday night, July 3, at the intersection of Halstead and Oakland Avenues, next to the Harrison Shopping Center.  Come early, to socialize as well as get a good place to park.  The fireworks are set for about 9:30 p.m.  (Rain date:  Monday, July 5)

Because of the fiscal constraints for the town this year, it was not possible for the town to fund this event.  However, due to the generosity of 17 business owners, organizations and some individuals here in Harrison, we can all have a wonderful evening.  These generous donors are:

• Harrison Paint Supply, Powell's Clam Bar & Catering and Harrison Beverage Center
• Ken Fusco Contracting, Harrison Police Association and Harrison Fire Department
• Al Dente Restaurant, Pedigree Ski Shop, Pizza 2000 and Emilio's Restaurant
• Bonistall Electric, Pete Navarro Landscaping and Matrix Security Systems, Inc.
• Spatz Family, David Cristiano, Harrison Children Learning Center, Curtis Reid and VFW

PLUS:   a number of individuals.

Thank you to all of you!

Important Information: Coyotes

Yes, they are around, in many areas of Harrison as well as elsewhere, including near my home for the last 10 years or so. There was an incident this week when a child was attacked in Rye, and again Tuesday night another child was attacked, this time near the intersection of North Street and Theodore Fremd. Police of both communities are searching but, unfortunately, they are difficult to find, much less trap. Chief Marraccini told me that a coyote was seen on Harrison Avenue Tuesday night near the Balmoral Kennels, and another one on Muchmore Road. When I spoke to some naturalist, I was told that the place where they are seen is seldom where their den is, that they cover a wide area during any given day, and they do travel during the daytime as well as nighttime. One animal seen on Avery Court was reported as having a coat that is "patchy" but, again, I have been told that is probably "mange," not an indication of rabies. Nevertheless, we have asked the police officers to keep a sharp lookout when on patrol.

Do keep an eye on your children. And, if you see a coyote, think how to describe it: color, size, running or walking, etc. then phone Police Headquarters: 967-5111, ext 1.

As we learn more, I will keep you informed.

The Future of the Tappan Zee Bridge

On June 28, I attended an open house held by the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) at the Westchester Marriott Hotel.  It was very crowded, as everyone who lives near the bridge, and those of us who live along Interstate-287, sought to learn the latest plans of this Tappan Zee Bridge/1-287 corridor project. This was the fifth of such meetings that I have attended.

Briefly, the decisions to be made are:

1. How to reconstruct, or repair, the Bridge
2. How to move traffic more efficiently along the roadway between Suffern, the bridge and Port Chester.  

Decisions about the Bridge have to be made soon as it is now in need of constant repair. It had not been built for the volume of traffic that it now carries.

There are three versions of the new Bridge, all including either light rail or busses.  Busses seem to be the favored alternative, going from Suffern in the west to Port Chester in the east. Of interest to us, in addition to stops in White Plains at the railroad station and other places, two bus stops are planned in Harrison.  One is planned for the intersection with White Plains Avenue, and the other near the intersection with the Hutch.  My question always is:  Where will those taking the bus park their cars?  Although it is anticipated that most riders will come from Rockland County, there will be those who wish to go to the Palisades Mall – or who knows where.  One answer has been they will rent space in the parking lot of the former General Foods building on North Street.  But who knows if there will be room there when needed.  The other suggestion is to use the parking lots of the office parks along Westchester Avenue.  There – you run into zoning regulations…we mandate a certain number of spaces for various square footages of office space.  Since the present proposed completion date of the new bridge is 2017, and completion of the roadway improvements is estimated for 2047, we have time to get these questions answered.

Interesting Information:

The Tappan-Zee Bridge opened in 1955, shortly before I-287 was completed.  Currently 140,000 vehicles cross it every day, up to 170,000 on high-traffic days, far more than was contemplated back when the Bridge was first planned. The actual structure of the bridge needs constant repair due to weight, winter salting, and water conditions.

The roadbed of the current Bridge is 139 feet above the water at its highest point.  The new Bridge will have a distance of 155 feet from roadbed to water.  That is the distance of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.  In comparison, the George Washington Bridge is 212 feet above the water.

The current estimated cost of the new bridge is $6 billion, and the accompanying infrastructure is $16 billion.  Scary numbers, but I doubt many of us will be here in 2047 so I am not worrying yet.  And, in any event, during the next 20 years or so, we all know that there will be many changes.

For more detailed information, please go to TZBSITE.COM.  The Gannett newspaper of June 29 also has detailed information. Plus, I was given the CD which had been prepared for the Press and will try to have it shown on Channel 75, immediately following the next town board meeting.

Harrison Children's Center

Congratulations to the Harrison Children's Center on their 35th anniversary. Once a single center in the Mintzer Center, it is now a full-scale organization with programs tailored for the needs of every child, adding another all-day center in All-Saints Church and after School Programs in Parsons, Preston and Harrison Avenue Schools. Lucky children to have such a fine start in life.