Harrison Mayor & Council Meeting Set for Tues. September 17, 2024

The Town of Harrison has confirmed that the next Mayor & Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, with a scheduled start time of 6:15 p.m. The meeting will take place at Harrison Town Hall, located at 318 Harrison Avenue, either in the Third Floor Conference Room or the Second Floor Mayor & Council Chambers. 

This meeting offers a vital opportunity for community members to voice their concerns, ask questions, and raise pressing quality-of-life issues during the Public Session. One such issue that has drawn significant attention in recent weeks is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Open-Air Toxic Sludge Plant, debris, and staging area at the PSE&G property on South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard, which is located in a residential neighborhood.

In late August, a large number of concerned residents turned out to a community meeting with the EPA to oppose the project. Despite the outcry and the protections offered by New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Law, which aims to safeguard communities like Harrison from environmental hazards, the EPA indicated at a Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting on September 12, 2024, that it continues to push for the use of the site. 

At the August EPA community meeting, Harrison Mayor James Fife said he would hear out the residents of Harrison at a Mayor & Council meeting. Still, he then made a statement expressing his support for the proposed sludge plant. This stance came as a shock to many, as Mayor Fife also serves as the Chairman of the Harrison Redevelopment Agency, a position that holds significant influence over the town’s redevelopment zone. The Harrison Redevelopment Agency has eminent domain powers within the Harrison Redevelopment Zone, encompassing the PSE&G property. Mayor Fife has been denying for two years any knowledge of EPA’s plans despite making a statement on August 29, 2022, that indicated his complete knowledge of EPA’s plan. Complete details can be found through this link.

Residents and stakeholders concerned about the potential impact of the EPA’s project on their community are encouraged to attend the September 17th meeting and share their thoughts with the Mayor & Council during the Public Session. The ongoing debate underscores the importance of active community participation in shaping the future of Harrison and its quality of life. 

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