Harrison REVIEW THE
August 12, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 33 | www.harrisonreview.com
Harrison considers joining EMS consortium By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer
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Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was joined by local officials, medical professionals and family of the late Joe Acocella at a press conference to call for more organ donors. Acocella lost his life in 2011 while waiting for a kidney transplant. For story, see page 5. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
DiNapoli: Mid-Hudson region economy shows strength By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant The mid-Hudson region is showing economic strength following the recession, but its high cost of living and doing business could obstruct future growth, according to an economic profile released by the Office of the New York State Comptroller. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a released statement that while the region’s closeness to New York City has
helped the economy, it “needs to carefully manage its ongoing need for services and infrastructure improvements given the already high cost of living.” The mid-Hudson region is made up of the counties of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan, with a total of 198 municipalities. The biggest highlight of the report is the annual regionwide unemployment rate dropping from 7.6 percent in 2012 to 4.7
percent in 2015. Further, according to the state Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for June 2016 has improved with the mid-Hudson region’s rate averaging out to just below 4 percent, which is lower than the state’s 4.7 percent for the same month. Major employers in the region include health care and social assistance, government, hospitality and retail. Attracting other industries, such as biotechnology, entertainment and tourism, is also
being encouraged as a way to take advantage of the region’s infrastructure and workforce. One way Westchester is attracting the biotechnology industry is with the construction of a $1.2 billion biotech and medical office complex on undeveloped land in Valhalla, which would also include a hotel and stores. The development is estimated to create 4,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent ECONOMY continued on page 10
The town/village of Harrison is considering merging its emergency medical services with those of the neighboring municipalities of Rye, Port Chester and Rye Brook. The three communities, which all border Harrison to the east, operate out of one station and use two ambulances, according to the corps’ website. The unit is comprised of 45 members, including 16 volunteers. Harrison EMS currently utilizes four ambulances and employs about 60 EMTs and paramedics, most of whom are employed on a parttime basis. Councilman Joe Stout, a Democrat, said although the communities involved are considering the move, no decisions have been made. He added that if Harrison’s EMS does join forces with the other communities, it is likely that the station in Harrison will remain open. “I think we need to look at all the options to keep a local ambulance service in town,” he said. The potential merger comes after a dispute between EMS and the town board earlier this year which largely concerned alleged poor management structure and misuse of funds by the EMS. On March 31, Harrison EMS announced that it would have to discontinue services after not receiving its usual quarterly stipend of $137,500 from the town. At the time, Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, claimed the town had stopped funding EMS due to mismanagement by the
EMS chief and board. The town has since dispersed several monthly payments of $45,833, and town officials said they would continue to operate the EMS program on a monthto-month basis until further notice. According to Al Mignone, chairman of the EMS, the town is currently up to date with its payments to the organization. Mignone said the EMS board has attempted to restructure its ranks and create better communication between the town and EMS since the fallout back in March. “We’re working on the corps and trying to downsize a little bit to try to streamline the process,” he said. But Mignone also stressed that the EMS would try not to cut operating staff, as the last quarter of the year is often the busiest season for medical emergencies. Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano said that Harrison would not incur any additional cost if it were to join the consortium; however, the department would be required to use its own equipment and staff, but would adopt the group’s management structure. Serrano added that before adopting Harrison into the group, the Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS board must first ensure that the group will not see any additional costs of its own or weaken its level of service. Mignone said he supports joining forces with Rye-Port EMS continued on page 7
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