Town Clerk Retires; Presentations by NYS Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblyman Chris Burdick
By Stephen E. Lipken
Harrison Town Supervisor Richard Dionisio opened the July 1st Town Board meeting, with presentations by NYS Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblyman Chris Burdick.
Mayer said money was increased for Aid and Incentive for Municipalities (AIM) Police, Fire and Sanitation; Harrison will get a small amount. “We are fighting for more State Aid; otherwise, the burden is shifted to property taxpayers.
“Regarding School Aid, we were able to get 2% more for each School District; Fiscal Aid was up 2%. Universal School Meals, free breakfast and lunch is being provided for every child, regardless of income. Every school is eligible; the State is making up for what federal does not cover.
“There is a cell phone ban for every school in the State, ‘from bell to bell.’ However, the Office can be contacted for emergencies.
“One thing I have worked hard on this year is dealing with our EMS crisis. EMS units were not considered as essential as Police and Fire. Working with Assemblyman Steve Otis, I have passed a Bill overhauling how EMS works.
“We reinstituted the Hotel Tax and require that non-public schools have Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s). We extended laws against bullying to non-public schools.
“We established centers for dyslexia and dysgraphia and discussed water safety. We passed a very strong Bill to get State Aid for non-profits and are leading the fight to reject the Con Edison rate increase. We reduced the MTA Payroll Tax for non-major companies.”
Assemblyman Chris Burdick mentioned a $2.6 million dollar grant for the Brentwood Brook Flood Restoration Project.
“The Veterans Exemption has not been enacted but the Middle-Class Tax is the lowest in 70 years,” Burdick stated. “We increased the Governor’s flood control funding from $400 million to $425 million. A $500 million grant funds the Clean Water Infrastructure Program. The Governor said that there will be $250 million for electric school buses and electric vehicle charging stations,” Burdick concluded.
Under Personnel, Town Clerk Jackie Greer gave notice of her retirement, effective August 1st; her last working day was July 31st. Greer noted that Harrison has been her home for 62 years and plans to relocate “down South, hoping for a calmer and simpler way of life.”