Appointments, 2026 Preliminary Budget Discussed at Harrison Board Meeting
By Stephen E. Lipken
Harrison Mayor Richard Dionisio convened the Wednesday, December 10th Board meeting, beginning with appointments of Vincenzo Aprea and Patricia A. O’Callaghan to the Planning Board; Kim Ryan to the Zoning Board of Appeals; and Anthony Guglielmo to Planning Board of Appeals.
Other personnel actions include probational appointment of Laura Short to Senior Office Assistant—Automated Systems; transfer of Roseann Porto, Office Assistant-Automated from Building Department to Bureau of Fire Prevention. Authorization to accept the retirement of Recreation Department employee Dorothy Klein and appointment of Andrew Spatz to Zoning Board of Appeals. Authorization to accept retirement of Robert Siragusa from the Department of Public Works (DPW) Parks Division; probational appointment of Edward J. Ladin to the position of Fire Inspector at annual salary of $125,000 and appointing Thomas Foristel as Interim Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Under Actions and Resolutions, Library Director Galina Chernykh requested holding the Taste of Harrison community event, sponsored by Harrison Public Library Foundation on May 17, 2026. Superintendent of Recreation, Gerry Salvo requested accepting a $25,000 donation for the Summer Concert Series from an anonymous donor.
The Proposed 2026 Budget was approved by Roll Call Vote. Use of Fund Balance: $1,400,000; Total Revenues, $76,717,502. Town/Village Tax Rate by Entity: School Tax Rate, $1,009.539783 (71%); County Tax Rate: $281.880044 (20%); Town/Village Tax Rate: $126.665987 (9%); Total: $1,418.085814.
In Village Board Business, Village Engineer Michael Amodeo requested awarding the Fremont Street Municpal Parking Lot Project bid to Tony Casale, Inc. at cost not to exceed $2,306,000.
The project will create additional parking for downtown visitors, and connect Halstead, Harrison Avenues and Fremont Street. Combined lot area will provide a total of 66 public parking stalls, including four stalls for Electric Vehicle Charging, new LED lighting and parklets at Halstead and Harrison Avenue entryways.