Councilman James Doran Takes Mayor's Seat at Mayor & Council Meeting

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Harrison Mayor & Council convened a special meeting after the originally scheduled meeting of March 4, 2025, was moved up. The meeting took place in the small Mayor’s Conference Room on the third floor of Town Hall, even though the larger, traditionally used Mayor & Council Chambers was available. The reason behind this choice was not explicitly explained at the start of the meeting, and many were left wondering about the decision to forgo the spacious chamber for a smaller, less accommodating space.

During the meeting, the Council conducted routine business, including approving resolutions on property tax appeals and the 2025 Temporary Municipal Budget Appropriations. However, the absence of Mayor James Fife was noticeable, and no specific reason was provided at the beginning of the meeting. When questioned by a member of the public during the public session, it was revealed that Mayor Fife had simply been unable to attend, and his absence was not due to illness. Councilman James Doran, representing the Fourth Ward, sat in as the acting Mayor for the evening, with assistance from the Town Clerk.

Property Tax Appeals and Budget Approvals

One of the major agenda items involved the approval of property tax appeals. The first appeal, for 311 North 3rd Street—a 13-unit apartment building—sought a reduction in property assessment from $1,159,800 to $959,800 for the 2024 tax year. Despite the Tax Assessor's recommendation for approval, the Council opted to table the resolution, requesting additional information.

The second appeal involved the mixed-use property at 210-216 South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd, home to the Crown Bank. The resolution proposed a reduction in property assessments for the years 2021 through 2023, from $1,125,200 to $700,000. However, Councilman Lawrence Bennett raised concerns, stating that the value of the lots occupied by the Crown Bank appeared to be higher than the proposed assessment. Again, the Council decided to table the matter for further review.

The third property tax appeal, for the Hampton Inn property at 100 Passaic Avenue, saw the largest reduction. The proposed reduction dropped the property’s assessed value from $24,664,000 in 2020 to $15,298,400 by 2024, a nearly $9.4 million decrease. No discussion or questions were raised during the meeting regarding this appeal, and the specifics of the negotiations between the Town and Excel Holdings 11 LLC, the owner of the Hampton Inn, remain unclear.

The meeting also included the passing of a resolution not previously listed on the agenda. The new ordinance amends the Town's Civil Service employee structure to include a new position: Assistant Director of Redevelopment. This position will have a starting salary of $30,000 and could reach a maximum of $117,527 by 2028. Details on this ordinance were provided only after the meeting, following an inquiry from the public.

The Role of Public Participation

While the business of the evening was routine, the public's involvement in recent Mayor & Council meetings has been increasingly impactful. Over the past few months, residents have taken the opportunity to ask questions, offer suggestions, and request improvements to local infrastructure, services, and quality of life. Many of these discussions have led to positive changes in the community, emphasizing the importance of public engagement in local governance.

The residents of Harrison must continue attending meetings, reviewing the agendas in advance, and holding their elected officials accountable. By asking thoughtful questions and raising concerns, the public ensures that the Mayor & Council remain responsive to the needs of the community. After all, the decisions made at these meetings ultimately affect the lives of Harrison residents, making active participation vital to the ongoing improvement of the town.

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