Harrison Holds Special Mayor & Council Meeting Amidst Resident Concern

The Town of Harrison Mayor & Council has scheduled a Special Meeting for Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 6:15 p.m., after cancelling its Regular meeting last Tuesday, April 16, 2024.  The meeting is set to take place in the Mayor’s Conference Room on the third floor of the Harrison Town Hall at 318 Harrison Avenue. Of interest, the meeting has not yet been listed on the official Town of Harrison website calendar.

Through the decades, the Mayor & Council were held in the Mayor & Council Chambers on the 2^nd Floor which was specifically designed for Mayor &Council meetings and is much larger and more elegant space compared to the utilitarian conference room designated for smaller gatherings. The smaller size of the Mayor’s Conference Room poses significant concerns for social distancing, a practice still valued by many residents who prefer to maintain space from others during public gatherings.

Town of Harrison Mayor & Council Chambers

The public will have the opportunity to participate actively in the meeting. Attendees need to arrive on time, as meetings of the Town of Harrison Mayor & Council are known for their brevity and minimal discussion on agenda items. A public session will be announced during which residents and visitors alike can voice their concerns or suggestions. Each speaker will be allowed a 5-minute period, which the Mayor has the discretion to extend. If only ten residents attend the Mayor & Council meeting, it will have to be moved to the Mayor & Council chambers on the 2^nd Floor. That in itself will speak volumes for our democracy.

This meeting comes on the heels of a community discussion held by the Harrison Police Department on April 16, 2024, at the Cobalt building. The issues raised during this non-publicized event, particularly those related to administration, have stirred local interest, and if residents attend and ask questions and make suggestions that would be a good follow-up to the Harrison Police Community event.  Residents from the Steeworks, Vermella Harrison, The Wyldes, and the Cobalt apartment complexes are particularly encouraged to attend.

Though the Harrison Town Hall is only a 6-minute drive or a 20-minute walk (.9 miles) from the Cobalt building, the impact of even a moderate community turnout could be significant. Engaging in this local governmental process could lead to substantive changes and improvements in Harrison, reflecting the community's active role in shaping its governance.

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