What It's Like To Be Mayor

On New Year's Day Joan Walsh was sworn in for her second term as mayor of Harrison.

"It was a particularly fulfilling election" Walsh said.  "I ran on my first-term record, and overcame, what statistics showed, was a local anti-incumbent tide, and an anti-Democrat tide, to be re-elected. I'm very proud of that".

Walsh spends 70-80 hours per week in her role. The position has an annual salary of $155,000. Joan gave back 10% of that salary this year, and $12,000 last year, to help with budget cuts.

On a typical day, the Mayor is on her home computer, with tea and toast, at 7.30 a.m., starting work. She is in her office at Town Hall by 9.30am, and often works past 6 p.m. Two nights a week Walsh has meetings which frequently last until 10.30 p.m. On weekends the Mayor attends everything from community events, to volunteer meetings, to funerals and wakes for Harrison residents.

Walsh has instituted a department head meeting every two weeks, where managers discuss what is happening in their departments with each other. The Mayor walks through Town Hall several times a week, to touch base with everyone working there, and to hear what is going on. Twice a month she chairs the Town Board meetings, which are open to residents for public comment.

Mayor Walsh has an 'open door policy', and her days are filled with staff and residents stopping by her office. She also receives approximately 40 e-mails from residents daily. Many of these e-mails are currently about the new trash collection regulations, the 12.8% tax increase, and asking why the town doesn't have FIOS, now that Cablevision has taken HGTV and the Food Network off their lineup.

"The e-mails and calls cover a great range of subjects relating to what is happening that day in the community. I learn a great deal that way."

Walsh's proudest achievement to date, is a signed agreement with  Westchester county that allows Harrison to join their ultra-violet water treatment plant.

"It will save residents about 90 million dollars," she said.

She said she is also proud of "stopping the flow of red ink", by reviewing every purchase order for every department, and implementing strict spending restrictions.

"Over $1 million was saved this way in 2009," Walsh said.

In this mayoral term, Walsh said she wants to see the Master Plan finished, the water filtration issue completed, the MTA construction project started, and the town back on a good financial footing. All of these projects are underway and need to be completed.

The position of mayor is never without difficulties, and Walsh's toughest issue was the Facebook matter last year.

"We deal with challenging issues every day. That issue was personally the most difficult, because of the unnecessary venom that caused it."

Asked if those issues result in sleepless nights, Walsh laughed.

"Not at all. On the rare times I can't put it behind me, I have a double shot of Drambuie with heavy cream  and go to bed. The next day I'm ready to go again."

Once a month she meets with mayors of other towns, at the Westchester Putnam Association of Town Supervisors. They exchange information about what their towns are doing, the issues they are facing, and discuss solutions.

"It's a great venue for both venting, and getting practical support".

In terms of personal support, Walsh said her family has been her greatest support system.

"I couldn't do this without them," she said.

Jack, her husband of 52 years, acts as her sounding board. Douglas, her oldest son, spends time with Jack and fills in to accompany him to things the Mayor can no longer attend. Mathew, her youngest son, has taken on the role of "house husband"; calling the plumber when necessary and taking care of day-to-day matters on the home front.

With her heavy schedule of town duties, it means a lot less time at home.

"I typically have dinner with my husband only twice a week. One of those times is Friday night, which we try to set aside for 'date night'".

The pair has four grown children and two grandchildren. With her limited personal time, the Mayor tells a funny story of scheduling difficulties.

"My granddaughter, Rachel, is often in school plays. In one very busy period, Jack and I set aside the time to drive out to New Jersey to see her perform in her first high school play. Due to town duties we were running late, and the production was already underway, so we couldn't sit with her parents. We looked everywhere for Rachel. She wasn't to be seen. Afterwards, we asked her parents what happened, and were told that she had been on stage  the whole time. She was a building pillar and had been covered in a sheet! From then on we instituted a rule that we only attend performances where she has at least three words!"

At 75, Walsh has no plans to retire.

"I get a lot of pleasure from this job. There is great satisfaction in being in the center of the action, of raising and solving issues that need attention, of being of service to the community, and in making a difference. As long as I enjoy what I'm doing, I won't retire. And I'm still enjoying it all immensely."