March 1, 2009 (Harrison NJ) It's official.  The www.HarrisonNJonline.com website uncovered by one of our readers is the town's new official website.  The town's official web address hasn't changed ( www.TownofHarrison.com ) but the content has been updated.  KOTW notes that there is no link to prior or future meeting agendas but what can one expect from the McDonough administration that is proud of a  record number of last minute Special Meetings to pass substantial ordinances.  The most recent Special Meeting held on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 was centered around allowing the Town of Harrison to bond an additional $8,500,000.00 for Infrastructure Improvements for developer Harrison Commons, LLC and CJUF II Harrison Phase I Urban Renewal, LLC, a subsidiary of Canyon Johnson Urban Fund.  The developer is constructing two mixed use buildings consisting of approximately 477 residential units and 35,000 square feet of street level retail space.  Under the current economic crisis, it is not clear whether there is a need for any further housing but so long as the developers are using taxpayer money they will continue to spend.

The special meeting also passed a resolution dealing with a revised financial agreement between the Town of Harrison and developer Advance at Harrison Urban Renewal I, LLC. which dealt with prior tax abatements given to the developer and the priority of the town's lien on the property.  Advance is suppose to build 583 residential rental apartments, 300 room hotel, 595 residential condo and 457,100 square fee of commercial space.  The special meeting also allowed the developer to put in temporary blacktop sidewalks, temporary lights rather than the required permanent sidewalks and lighting previously required by the planning board and mayor and council.  Temporary usually becomes permanent.  Why should the developers be allowed to put in temporary sidewalks and lighting.  Would a regular property owner get the right to put in a temporary blacktop sidewalk?  We think not.  The McDonough Administration continues to bend over (backwards?) for the developers while taxpayers continue to see increased property taxes while the developers get tax abatements.

The town's new website has an Announcement section but there is no information in the section as of today.  Along South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd., electronic and regular signage announced that there will be no metered parking effective March 9, 2009 for street improvements.  There is no information on the town's website.  How long will the town not receive revenue from the meters along Rodgers Blvd?  When will construction be conducted?  At night? During the day?  During rush hour?  How much will it cost the Town of Harrison in terms of police overtime?  Whose paying for the overtime? How long will the construction project last?  PSE&G is also installing new utility poles from Rodgers Blvd towards the new Red Bull stadium.  With such a modern stadium you would think that they would have run underground cable.  Another detail that the McDonough Administration forgot to ask for in their negotiations with the MetroStar owners predecessors to the Red Bulls?

For those interested in reading the February 24, 2009 Town of Harrison's meeting agenda you can do so by clicking here. You need an updated version of Acrobat Reader to download the file.