From The Desk of Mayor Walsh

The following is a weekly message from Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh:

Congratulations to all the 2010 Harrison High School graduates!

May your futures be bright, your dreams come true, and lasting happiness be yours.

Have you ever thought about:

Sprinkler Heads

Recently, a home here in town suffered major damage due to a malfunction of a sprinkler head. It is current state law that new homes, and those undergoing major remodeling, must install sprinkler systems in case there is a fire. For most homeowners, it is a case of install it, and then forget it. Dangerous, as this homeowner discovered. 

The sprinkler heads in a bathroom malfunctioned, and water sprayed all over that room for perhaps three hours before it was discovered. Major damage and thus major disruption. The house is uninhabitable and the family will be living in a hotel for months.

With sprinkler systems, an ounce of prevention is vital. Those sprinkler heads should be tested once a year. Do talk to your plumber. 

It would be prudent –wise -- if you have a central monitoring system for smoke detection and burglar alarms, that you have the "flow alarm" for your sprinkler system also monitored from that station.

Remodeling and Renovations

Again, someone was not thinking. Last week a house caught fire because the workmen had left rags soaked with stain under the deck. Finishing the deck was the last piece of a major renovation. The homeowners didn't know about the rags, and probably wouldn't have thought anything of it if they did. They had hired these contractors with the assumption that they were the experts and would know the right thing to do. Again, there was major damage, both fire and water. The owners are limited to using only half the house, but will probably also have to live elsewhere.

I don't know if the contractors were licensed and had insurance – but that is one of the questions that you should ask of any contractors or workmen you hire. 

Drive Carefully:

I was very surprised to learn yesterday that approximately once a month someone crashes into a fire hydrant in the area served by the Westchester Joint Water Works – Harrison plus the Town and Village of Mamaroneck.

A moment's inattention can be very costly. The bill I saw yesterday was for $11,689.56.  And that was just the new hydrant, plus installation and lost water.  Add to that the cost of repairs to your car, or the purchase of a new one – and it reinforces that it pays to "drive carefully!"

Brown Bags and Brush

REMINDER:  

Brush is collected the last week of every month - and the last week of June is next week! Bring your tied bundles to the curb starting Monday.

Thank you to everyone who is remembering that the brown bags are collected on either Thursday (above interstate 287) or Friday (below interstate 287), and bringing the bags to the curb those mornings.

I have been asked why people put them out earlier – on a Monday or Tuesday,  not keeping them close to the house/garage until collection day.

Most of us do our gardening on the weekends, and I realize that it is easier to get them to the curb when we finish weeding or mowing or whatever, but it does clutter the streetscape.  Notice as you drive around town how many bags are at the curb in the early days of the week.  I know it is an extra burden but, if possible, please don't put the bags at the curb until your collection day.  It will keep our town looking great.    

Thank you.

Editor's Note: This message was sent to Patch from Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh. It reflects solely her thoughts and opinions.