8 • THE REVIEW • June 28 & July 5, 2019
Buchwald, Mayer secure Hotel Tax extension Congratulating our police and summer concerts State Assemblyman David Buchwald and State Sen. Shelley Mayer have won passage of legislation to extend the Harrison hotel occupancy tax for an additional three years. The bill grants Harrison the continued authority to impose a 3 percent daily room tax on hotel and motel rooms. This tax raises revenues to support municipal services and thereby reduces reliance on local property taxes. The legislation was requested on a unanimous
and bipartisan basis by the town/ village of Harrison. The tax raised an estimated $600,000 last year. “Hotel occupancy taxes help local governments like Harrison fund local services while lessening the impact on property taxpayers,” Buchwald said. “Working with my colleague in the State Senate, Senator Shelley Mayer, we secured passage of this legislation to continue this important revenue stream for Harrison.” Mayer added, “I am pleased
to work with Assemblyman David Buchwald to deliver for the Town/Village of Harrison and Harrison residents. The hotel tax is an important source of revenue for local governments, and it helps alleviate the pressure on local property taxpayers. We will continue to work with local governments to find innovative ways to fund critical services while protecting taxpayers.” The measure next goes to the governor’s office. (Submitted)
HEROIN from page 1
ly addressed with multifaceted approach,” Conway said. “Efforts which are directed at only a single aspect of the problem have been historically ineffective.”The successful rollout in Port Chester is just the beginning. The program will begin shortly in two other communities this summer. How does addiction diversion outreach work? Once user/buyers are identified in criminal investigations, the individuals are then approached by a team of law enforcement and social services professionals to inform them how they were identified (through legal surveillance) and offer them the option of treatment and support services in-
stead of arrest. As a collaborative County, local municipal and law enforcement effort, resources from many areas are brought together. In addition to staffing and manpower from the DA’s Office and local police, the Department of Health (DOH) provides the funding for the Peer staff person participating from Open Access, and DCMH provides the funding for the Crisis Stabilization Team. Additional staff and support comes from DCMH’s Opioid and Alcohol Unit, Adult Mental Health Unit, Lexington Center, PEOPLE-USA and numerous providers around Westchester who agree to make the needs of the identified individuals a priority. (Submitted)
police and the DA’s Office, resulted in the arrest of a dozen dealers, and, it also identified dozens of users during the surveillance period. In keeping with the district attorney’s desire to pursue alternatives to incarceration, he decided to offer the purchasers the opportunity to seek opioid treatment in lieu of being prosecuted for possession. As a result, at least 30 Port Chester users were either connected with, or reconnected with, support services including assessment, detox, inpatient and outpatient services almost immediately upon request. “The scourge of opioid addiction can only be effective-
HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont
I would like to offer my congratulations to the Harrison Police Department. The Department recently received re-accreditation by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services/ Law Enforcement Accreditation Program through June 2024, affirming that that the Department meets or exceeds best practices and the highest standards in law enforcement in New York. This designation confirms that the Police Department is effectively managed and continues to provide the highest quality of police service to our entire community. Several years ago, the town board made a decision to hire strategic specialists to handle grant writing for our municipality. I’m happy to report that Millennium Strategies has been successful in finding funds to finance important projects in Harrison. Sources of funding can come from federal, state and county grants as well as private foundations and charitable organizations. Competition is intense and there are limited amounts of grant dollars available. Millennium has met these complex challenges by securing millions of dollars for a wide range of projects that include the following: funding from the New York State Department of Transportation for new pedestrian accessibility and enhancement along Union Avenue; Ma Riis Park upgrades; the INCUBATOR from page 1
affordable, continuous water filters in the global effort to combat the world’s water crisis. Velotooler is a B2B software company that is streamlining the $35-plus billion bicycle industry by connecting bicycle manufacturers with local skilled service providers to deliver service at the consumer’s home. DF Media is an integrated media company, focused on creating authentic and high quality car-centric video content.
acquisition of a new split-body recycling truck; development of a drainage manual (establishes storm water control requirements for all new public and private development); library construction and programming; and security features in Town Hall. Commencing Monday, July 1, the following roadways will be rehabilitated using a process called Hot In-Place Asphalt Pavement Recycling: Quaker Lane (days 1 and 2), White Deer Lane (day 1), Shelley Lane (day 2), Stonewall Circle (day 3 through 5) and Rockwell Street (day 6). This is a method of applying heat to an asphalt pavement, blending the upper layer of the old pavement with additional materials and then compacting the blended materials back into place. Several weeks after completion of the work, the roadway will then receive two applications of microsurfacing to seal the surface and provide for a smoother wearing course. Contractors will start street sweeping in advance of work. Actual work days may change depending on weather. Intermittent detours and/or road closures can be expected during the performance of the work. As a reminder, holiday events are quickly approaching. The first concert, in our Summer Concert Series, is at 7 p.m. in West Harrison on Tuesday, July 2. On July 3, in downtown Harrison, Rock Steady will be the entertainment for the evening’s festivities beginning at 7:45 p.m. Fireworks will begin promptly at 9:15 p.m. at the Harrison Shopping Center (Halstead and Oakland avenues)
in downtown Harrison. On July 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be a 10th Anniversary Party at the West Harrison Pool Complex. Music, food and fun will be on hand! I look forward to these spectacular celebrations and hope to see you all there. Future July and August concerts begin at 7 p.m. Please visit our website at harrison-ny.gov for event locations and additional information. Please make note of the following sanitation schedule change: Thursday, July 4 is a holiday and offices will be closed for Independence Day. Thursday’s sanitation will be collected on Wednesday, July 3. There will be no Bulk Trash pick-up on Wednesday, July 3. The schedule for the rest of the week is unchanged. Now that summer is upon us, you may want to make plans for visiting our town pools. The 2019 pool schedule is listed on the town website at harrison-ny. gov (under Recreation). Both the West Harrison Pool Complex (9 Casarella Way, ph. 358-4333) and the Bernie Guanini Brentwood Pool and Park (Adelphi Avenue, ph. 751-8222) are currently opened. Guests may accompany ID card holders. For hours, fee schedules and additional information, please visit our website or call your neighborhood pool. The next “Lunch with the Mayor” is on Friday, July 5 and I will be at Vasi located at 181 Underhill Ave., in West Harrison. I will be at this location from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.
Blue Yonder Brands, Inc. is introducing a new line of uniquely sourced sparkling waters that are 100 percent extracted from real, water-rich organic fruit such as watermelons and oranges. Beyond Flowers and Food, Inc. is reinventing the way people support each other during life’s hardest moments, such as during an illness or after a death. “We are delighted at the tremendous turnout we had for the kickoff of the Element 46 Incubator. There was great deal of energy and excitement in the room among the men-
tors and investors who attended,” said Bridget Gibbons, county Director of Economic Development. “We are laser focused on attracting startups to Westchester and creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Element 46 will have a positive impact on economic growth in communities across the County by maximizing the success of emerging, startup companies.”Startups, mentors, service providers and co-working spaces interested in learning more about the Element 46 program, should visit the website at Element46.org. (Submitted)
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