New Recreation Superintendent Calls Job an 'Ultimate Goal'

Gerry Salvo was in middle school, playing sports on some of the very fields he now overseas, when he says he first decided that he wanted to become the superintendent of Harrison's recreation department.

A Masters Degree in recreation administration and nine years working for the department later, Salvo, now 35, has made his dream a reality.

"This is an opportunity I wanted for a very long time," Salvo said. "I worked hard, and my goal was always to one day become the recreation supervisor in the Town of Harrison."

As supervisor, Salvo will be responsible for a wide variety of programs, from youth sports to senior activities, in Harrison, West Harrison and Purchase. He will oversee a budget of approximately $3 million and make $89,000 per year.

The department has been run by supervisor candidate Ronald Belmont for 25 years before his official retirement last fall. Belmont has stayed with the department as a consultant since his retirement, and will help with the transition until the end of the year.

"He's great, he's a great leader and he did so much for the town recreation-wise," Salvo said of his former boss. "Hopefully I can start filling his shoes—he does a lot."

Long-term goals for the department include replacing the Solazzo Center downtown with a new building, something that has been put off for years because of financial constraints.

"The Salazzo Center has been restored, but it is what it is, it's very old," Salvo said. "It would be great to have a new facility."

The promotion is a big step for Salvo, who has lived in Harrison since second grade. The new superintendent said the community takes a lot of pride in his department and it has long been his goal to make sure that continues.

"This is what I always wanted," Salvo said. "My ultimate goal was to become superintendent of recreation here."