From the Mayor's Desk: Water, New Store and More Construction

The following is a weekly column written in its entirety by Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh:

Water Restrictions

Water restrictions are still in effect due to the recent heat wave.  It is not the lack of water in the reservoirs, but the rate at which the pumps can re-fill those water tanks that sit so high in the air. If the tanks are not full enough, the water pressure going into the pipe to your house and mine may not be sufficient. That can result in so-called "dirty water" which has particles in it.  Not what we would want to drink. 

So, please:

• Water lawns and gardens on odd-even days, according to your house number. Run the dishwasher and laundry between 9AM and 4 PM or after 10PM.   
• Heaviest usage is between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. so please be particularly thrifty between those hours. 

A little effort on the part of each of us will benefit all of us this summer. Thank you. 

CVS on Halstead Avenue Now Open

It has taken many months, but the CVS on Halstead Avenue finally opened on Sunday, July 25. The official Grand Opening will be sometime in August – but the store is open for your business right now. Hours are 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. Do stop in and take a look. I understand there are many Opening Specials. But – at the same time - don't forget the merchants who have been serving us for many years.  We want ALL our merchants to prosper! 

Fence Installation on Westchester Avenue Westbound to Begin Within Two Weeks.

 As part of the reconstruction of I-287, it had initially been proposed to erect one of those concrete 20-foot walls on Westchester Avenue in West Harrison, between Columbus Avenue and Anderson Hill Road. These walls are generally immediately adjacent to the highway, but in this instance would have been far above the highway as Interstate 287 is depressed in this area. The reaction of the community was "No! – it would be like a prison wall!" 

 After several neighborhood meetings, the state Department of Transportation agreed to install an 8-foot cedar fence instead of the concrete 20-foot wall, in place of the existing but rotted fence.

Installation of that fence is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks.

The Next Phase of the Improvements to I - 287

The plans for the next phase of the re-construction of I - 287 are already approved, but the timetable has not been released. Much of it will be "more of the same," with lane closures, road barriers, repaving and bridge re-construction.  Of particular interest to West Harrison residents will be the re-building of the White Plains Avenue bridge. Although a start date has not been set, it is estimated that it will take about two years. It is planned that two lanes on this bridge will be open at all times, going away from West Harrison. The entrance into the area will be by the Anderson Hill Road bridge. The timing of the traffic lights will be altered so cars won't have to wait forever at each light.  Eventually, motorists going into White Plains from I - 287 will use a new roadway which will go under the White Plains Avenue bridge, reducing the traffic through that intersection by about 75 percent.  So there will be a "plus" as well as a "minus" to this next phase.

Do You Want to Advertise?

Within the next several weeks, a booklet will be published about our town, to tell everyone how wonderful we are, and the many good features we have. It is half public-relations and half things for our residents to know about government functions, such as how to get a building permit and when one is needed.

There is also a section on our schools, with the many programs and successes that they have achieved.  You may remember the one that was published during the previous administration – it was dark red with a running horse on the cover.

It is being published free of charge to us, but supported by ads from businesses in town. More than 40 of our people have already taken ads.

If you would like to be part of this effort, phone "Jerry" at 210-681-3088.  A half age is $500, a quarter page is $350 and a business card is $200.  A minimum of 2,500 of these booklets will be printed and distributed free to residents and real estate sales people, with copies to all advertisers.  Let people know who and where you are!