Smart Water Use; Library Festival: Harrison Mayor's Column

From Mayor Ron Belmont

Back by popular demand, the Harrison Public Library’s Play2Learn Festival is set for Saturday, September 8th, from 11 am to 3 pm at Ma Riis Park, in front of the Halperin Memorial Library. It’s free to the public and promises to delight children and parents while focusing on how play can be a learning process. This year, the award-winning extravaganza will have more hands-on activities, more entertainment, more refreshments, and more fun and prizes!

In late summer, many residents continue to experience increased water usage due to seasonal lawn irrigation systems. As a result, it is advisable that residents locate and repair leaks in homes, offices, buildings and irrigation systems. Leaks account for a vast amount of wasted water each year. Leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets and leaky valves are very common but are easy to correct. In addition to conserving water, these repairs can substantially reduce homeowner’s water bills. On a related note, automatic lawn sprinklers are a significant part of the Town’s peak water usage. By setting your automatic lawn sprinkler system to operate between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am, you can reduce the Town's demand for water during (early to mid morning) peak times. I am asking all residents to please do their best to maintain efficiency and to use water wisely.

Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending this year’s annual Senior Picnic in West Harrison. Although a bit warm, the weather cooperated and over 100 seniors enjoyed a day of fun and friendship. The menu included hamburgers and hot dogs as well as chicken cutlets, sausage and peppers, salads and more. It was a great success and I enjoyed seeing familiar friends and new faces at this highly anticipated yearly event.

The New York State budget bill passed in 2017, and revised in 2018, requires every County Executive to prepare a property tax savings plan for shared services among NY’s cities, towns and villages. Local governments are asked to find ways to reduce government operating costs and develop plans that will save property taxpayers money. In furtherance of this goal, I have joined Westchester County’s Shared Services Panel and will be working hard, with other local elected officials, in strategizing cost saving measures.

In closing, I would like to encourage all residents to take advantage of the many opportunities offered through our Recreation Department. Our Recreation Department is among the best in New York State, offering a wide variety of options for residents of all ages. These programs and activities promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity, for individuals as well as families, and all are welcome all to participate.

The next “Lunch with the Mayor” is on Friday, August 24 th and I will be at Porta Napoli, located at 261 Halstead Ave. in 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.