* Regular February 2010 Meeting

[JohnPinho]

The Regular February 2010 Meeting of the Mayor and Council will be held tomorrow Tuesday, February 2, 2010 starting at 6:30 p.m. with the Caucus (3rd Floor) and at 7:00 p.m. (2nd Floor) with the Regular Meeting. Both are open to the public.

The Agenda acknowledges the United Irish Grand Marshall for the 2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade, James Woods. Information on the annual United Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade is available on their website.

The Resolution recognizing James Woods states:

James ("Jim") Woods is a life-long resident of Harrison, where he attended the Harrison Public School System before attending Kean University.

He was appointed to the Harrison Fire Department in 1984 where he served as firefighter until 1998, when he was promoted to the rank of Captain and served as training officer and fire investigator. Jim's thirst for innovative and progressive techniques was a perfect fit for his role.

In 2005, Jim was promoted to Battalion Chief and assigned to his current position as a platoon commander. He also is on the staff of the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management, where he continues to work on a part time basis. Jim has been cited for valor and heroism several times throughout his career.

Jim has been married to his wife Kim for the past 24 years. They have two sons, Ryan age 20, who is currently a junior attending the University of Southern California, and Conor age 17, a senior attending Hudson County High Tech High School.

Jim's passion for his Irish heritage and love of Irish music inspired him to co-found the Hudson County Fire & Police Pipes and Drums, along with teaching his sons, who have been playing since the age of seven.

Jim attributes his Irish-American rearing, along with his three brothers and sister, to the many successes he has experienced throughout his life.

Other items on the Agenda are adoption of recommendations from the auditor. The list of recommendations are interesting but appear routine in nature. Some are surprising like the Town of Harrison does not have a General Ledger.

Also on the Agenda is the appointment of Harold Stahl to the Harrison Redevelopment Agency to fill the unexpired term of Peter Higgins, III. Stahl is a retired Fire Chief from City of Rahway. It is not clear who will undertake the responsibilities of being the Chairman of the Harrison Redevelopment Agency. Commisioner James Fife is a likely candidate although Mayor Raymond McDonough, who also sets on the Harrison Redevelopment Board, may want to assume the Chairmanship.

Lastly of note, is a refund of taxes to CJUF (Canyon Johnson Urban Fund) II Harrison Holdings which is the corporate name for the Harrison Commons partnership getting refunded overpayment of property taxes. The amounts are minor compared to the amount of funding provided Harrison Commons through infrastructure bonding you wonder if Harrison Commons is at all grateful for what the Mayor & Council have provided them with through the years. It is not clear whether the refunds are a result of the demolition of tax ratable buildings or if Harrison Commons made a clerical mistake and sent in double payments. The latter is not likely.

View the full article