Bats In August; Purple Hearts; E-Z Pass: Harrison Mayor

From Mayor Ron Belmont

Although we recognized Harrison’s Purple Heart recipients at this year’s Memorial Day Ceremony, we are still taking names. If you know of a Purple Heart recipient, living or deceased, please contact my office. Harrison residents, who have been awarded a Purple Heart, will be acknowledged.

I’m sure I speak for our entire community when I express my gratitude to those who gave their lives or were wounded in combat defending the freedoms that we all enjoy.

Once again, I am happy to announce that SafeWise has released its annual 50 Safest Cities in New York Report and the Town/Village of Harrison ranked #8 this year! SafeWise is an independent review site that rates home security systems. Harrison has many wonderful features and being ranked as one of the safest communities in the state is an achievement we should all be very proud of.

In the past, my office has been contacted by the Westchester County Health Department to inform us that August is the month in which there are an increased numbers of Westchester residents reporting that bats have infiltrated their homes. Several years ago, a few Westchester residents were given a routine, preventative rabies treatment because they did not keep the bat, for testing purposes, after being exposed. According to the Health Commissioner, the bats that are tested are usually not rabid therefore the treatment protocol is avoided. Rabies is often fatal so, if the bat is unavailable for testing, the rabies shots will, in all likelihood, be administered to those who have been exposed.

It’s critical to understand the importance of bat containment and treatment. If there’s a chance that a person or pet in your home has been in contact with a bat, contain the bat and call the County Health Department at 914-995-5800 to arrange for the bat to be tested for rabies.

Recently, our region has been under a heat advisory and I would like to remind residents of several ways to remain safe as temperatures soar. If possible, remain in doors and drink plenty of water. Keep blinds closed and shades drawn. If you do go outside, wear loose, light weight clothing. It is very important that you do not leave anyone, including pets, in a parked car, even for a short period of time. I encourage all Harrison residents to check on elderly neighbors, relatives and friends to make sure that they are safe and comfortable.

In closing, I would like to remind residents that the Town/Village ofHarrison has an agreement with the NY State Thruway Authority to sell E-Z Pass “On-the-Go” tags in our Town Clerk’s Office. Residents can purchase a prepackaged account kit, mount the tag in the vehicle and register the tag within 48 hours. For more information on this simple process, call the Town Clerk’s office at 670-3030.

The next “Lunch with the Mayor” is on Friday, August 17th and I will be at the West Harrison Pool Complex in West Harrison. I will be at this location from 12:30 to 1:30 and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.