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HARRISON, N.Y. - Harrison will turn a page in its history book Thursday night when its newest town/village board meets under the direction of Mayor Ron Belmont.
Belmont will take the mayoral seat for the first time to begin what he has called a "long process to bring Harrison back to prominence."
"Harrison faces real challenges," Belmont said as he accepted the position Sunday in a swearing-in ceremony. "Longtime Harrison residents are losing confidence and moving away."
Joining Belmont for the first board meeting of 2012 will be new Town Clerk Jacqueline Greer, former mayor and now Council member Steven Malfitano and reelected Council member Fred Sciliano. The new faces complete a total GOP-based board after Democrats Joan Walsh, the former mayor and Patrick Vetere, the former council member, were ousted in last November's election.
The board meeting's agenda includes several resolutions for 2012 to reappoint many positions the town has withheld in recent years. There will also be an acceptance of $125 in donations to the town's food pantry and several service agreements for the new year to various Harrison organizations.
While there aren't any projected hot items for debate on Thursday's agenda, Belmont and his team said they were ready to face the tough issues as they unfold throughout the next several years.
"The board and I understand the severity of these problems," Belmont said. "I can assure you that we will tackle them with an open mind and a clear heart. These challenges will not be met easily, nor in a short span of time. But I am confident that they will be met."
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