Town Mum on New Chief Issue, Garbage Concerns Remain

Harrison residents looking to discuss the vacant police chief position in the Harrison Police Department went home without many answers Thursday night.

Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh announced from the onset that the issue would not be discussed publicly, in any form, during the meeting.

"There will be no comments tonight whatsoever about the selection of the police chief," said Walsh. "Absolutely none from anybody."

The announcement was met with some resistance.  One resident loudly questioned free speech, but was eventually silenced by several pounds from Walsh's gavel.

Walsh said the town board will use a private executive session to discuss when the interview process for the position will begin. There was no further public discussion of that controversial issue during the meeting.

Another issue on the minds of Harrison residents has been a change in the garbage pickup process. Earlier this year the town made a change that forced some residents to bring garbage to a public street who had previously been allowed to leave garbage closer to their homes.

Some residents have voiced concerns that garbage is now being spilled into the streets.

"The garbage men themselves have been told that they need to be more careful with the garbage cans and put them back so that they don't roll around," said Walsh.

Walsh showed the public a magazine article portraying six celebrities bringing garbage from their homes to a curbside receptacle.  The article, entitled "Stars Get Trashed," had been posted on a wall in the Harrison Sanitation Department.

"We are not the only ones," Walsh said. "It's all over the country regardless of where you are."

In resistance to the change, Harrison resident Pat Miele is passing around a petition to bring back the old method of garbage pickup. He said he is concerned about garbage finding its way into the streets of Harrison. He also said that garbage cans are now in the streets and he worries about causing damage to passing cars as well as his cans.

He displayed a picture of his garbage can that he said has been in use since 1955.

"That thing is in pretty good shape," Miele said. "We'll see how long it lasts now."

OTHER MEETING NOTES:

Harrison has changed the maximum fine for residents who spill leaves onto the road from receptacles on the curb from $500 to $50.  The change was a result of several citations that the board felt were too harsh.

The American Cancer Society is inviting the Harrison Community to join them for "Relay for Life," an overnight event celebrating those who have lost their lives to cancer.  The event will take place at the White Plains High School track on June 18.  For more information residents are encouraged to call Nicole Gauthier at 914-397-8844.

The Harrison Town Board approved a request by Douglas Schwartz on behalf of the Westchester Triathlon Committee for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to hold its 26th annual race on September 19.  The race will pass through Harrison.  The town also waived fees for the race.