Belmont Continues Preparations Before Taking Office

Harrison’s next mayor/supervisor is happy to be on this side of the election.

“Campaigning is a grueling process and I’m feeling a mix of exhaustion and elation," said Mayor/Supervisor-Elect Ronald Belmont. "I’m just happy to be on this end of it all.” 

Belmont, in November, said he is continuing to keep busy during his time before taking office. There is no overlap between administrations and no transition period, so when Walsh’s term ends on in January Belmont will immediately step into office.

Belmont is using the remaining weeks before then to prepare for the job ahead, continuing to focus on the issues he says are going to be crucial during his first few months in office.

“I want to hit the ground running and I’m very aware that there is a lot to do,” he said.

Belmont’s first priority is to get an understanding of the budget he will inherit. Our budget system has incoming mayors inheriting a budget set by the previous administration in December. That budget—once adopted—cannot be changed.

Belmont is concerned that the proposed budget is too restrictive and he and his team are trying to work out what they will be able to do within those restrictions. He has said in he will watch the current budget process closely, and that intent has not changed.

“Our first issue is to look at whether the budget is realistic,” Belmont said. “There are certain budget issues that are puzzling and we are trying to get a handle on what they will mean for the town and how they can best be handled.” 

Belmont is aware that his team ran on a ticket of change and he wants to deliver. He is spending time talking with department heads to determine what can be done within the budget restrictions and how they can best move forward.

“We ran on a platform of ‘bringing Harrison back’ and we don’t want that compromised by an austerity budget,” he said.

Belmont is meeting weekly with his newly elected team and a legally required quorum to discuss these budget issues.

“We will keep those meetings going right through the first of the year,” he said.

Belmont said the budget will strongly influence the union negotiations that have been ongoing for years with little recent progress. He said gaining some momentum with those discussions will be critical once he takes office.

“I intend to take an active role in those negotiations, but am aware that many of the issues are predicated on our budget," he said. "I have to get a handle on the budget first and move forward from there.” 

After the budget, Belmont’s next priority will be flooding.

“I will be walking all the major flood areas in town next week to see the areas first-hand,” he said.

Belmont believes the only way to solve the flood issues is a joint town and county effort.

“We need to work with Mamaroneck, Rye and the county as a team to solve this," he said. "This is a major issue for each community and we will literally sink or swim on this as a team. We need to work together closely until it’s fully solved."

Belmont's platform also included rejuvenation of the downtown area, revitalization of the town’s image and increasing the appeal of the town and in turn its property values.

He said he is also learning the magnitude of the position he will soon hold and what that will mean for himself and his family.

“Residents come up and pat me on the back and wish me good luck then quickly follow it up by saying their street needs to be paved and their street lights need to be fixed," he said. "I realize that this job is a 24-hour, seven days a week job and that my life and my family’s life is going to be different.” 

The Belmont family has a tradition of meeting around the table each night for a family dinner, but that has already become difficult as we get closer to January.

“We are now having trouble scheduling even one dinner around my town commitments,” Belmont said, adding that his enthusiasm remains undimmed despite this and the overwhelming scope of the job before him.

“I feel great and excited. I don’t know what is around the corner and I have some nervous anticipation as a result," he said. "But I’m excited. I really want to do well for Harrison and make a difference.”