Harrison Redevelopment Agency Meet Mon. Nov. 25, '24 EPA Not On Agenda

The Harrison Redevelopment Agency (HRA) is scheduled to hold a public meeting on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 1 p.m. on the third floor of Harrison Town Hall, located at 318 Harrison Avenue, Harrison NJ. The meeting will take place in the Mayor's Conference Room. Among the key items on the agenda are the adoption of the agency’s annual budget, the reappointment of Gregory Kowalski as Executive Director, and the implementation of rules and regulations for Fiscal Year 2025 to maintain decorum during meetings.

Agenda Highlights

Annual Budget Adoption

The HRA plans to adopt its annual budget; however, the budget document has not been included in the agenda package posted to the town’s official website, leaving some residents seeking more transparency.

Executive Director Reappointment

A resolution to reappoint Gregory Kowalski as Executive Director will also be considered. Kowalski has served in this capacity for decades, overseeing redevelopment initiatives across Harrison.

Rules and Regulations for Fiscal Year 2025

The proposed rules aim to enforce order and decorum among commissioners, agency staff, and members of the public during HRA meetings. These guidelines also define the authority of Chairman James Fife, who serves concurrently as Harrison’s mayor. Below are key sections of the resolution:

Rules of Conduct for Fiscal Year 2025

For Commissioners

• Commissioners must maintain order during meetings, avoiding disruptive conversations or interruptions.
• They must notify the Chairman if they need to leave their seats.
• Robert's Rules of Order will govern all meetings.

For Members of the Public

• Public participation is limited to five minutes per speaker during the designated public comment portion.
• Speakers must identify themselves by name and address and are expected to maintain decorum. Disorderly behavior, such as shouting or profanity, is prohibited.
• Disruptive individuals may be muted, removed from remote meetings, or escorted out of in-person meetings by the Sergeant at Arms (a member of the Harrison Police Department).

Authority of the Chairman

Chairman James Fife holds the authority to:

• Warn and, if necessary, remove individuals who disrupt meetings.
• Direct responses to public comments, either personally or via agency staff.
• Suspend participation for individuals causing repeated disruptions.

HRA Commissioners and Their Roles

The following individuals serve as commissioners on the Harrison Redevelopment Agency:

• James Fife (Chairman)
• Jesus Carrion
• Daniel Choffo
• Raymond Lucas
• Miguel Simoes
• Harold Stahl:

Meeting Dates 2025

During the November 25 meeting, the Harrison Redevelopment Agency will also finalize and adopt its regular meeting schedule for the 2025 calendar year. The HRA meetings are set to take place on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, with some exceptions due to holidays or other scheduling conflicts. Meetings will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room located on the third floor of Harrison Town Hall, located at 318 Harrison Avenue. The confirmed dates are as follows:

• January: 13, 27
• February: 10, 24
• March: 10, 24
• April: 14, 28
• May: 12, 28 (Wednesday)
• June: 9, 25 (Wednesday)
• July: 14, 28
• August: 11, 25
• September: 8, 22
• October: 15 (Wednesday), 27
• November: 10, 24
• December: 8, 22

The schedule aligns with the Open Public Meetings Act, ensuring proper public notice and accessibility for all sessions. Meeting agendas will be posted in advance on the Town of Harrison website and available at the agency's office before the start of each meeting. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend these sessions to stay informed about redevelopment efforts and other agency activities shaping the community.

EPA’s Plan For Toxic Sludge Plant

The Harrison Redevelopment Agency has NOT discussed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to place an Open Air Toxic Sludge Plant at the PSE&G  property on South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. between the Jackson Street Bridge (Cape May Street) to the Harrison PATH Station. 

In addition to the sludge plant, EPA will also use the property as a Staging Area for construction materials, equipment, fill material, and other yet-to-be-announced items.  EPA stated that despite a plan developed by Occidental Chemical the specific plan of operation will be determined by the Contractor who is awarded the contract for the project. So exactly what is going to happen at the PSE&G property is unknown beyond an Open Pit Toxic Dioxin Sludge Plant.

The EPA held a community meeting in Harrison at the end of August 2024.  EPA’s Project Manager Alice Yeh stated that EPA would hold an additional meeting in Harrison as well as one in Kearny.  To date, no additional meeting has been scheduled.  Mayor Fife stated at the November 19, 2024, Mayor & Council meeting that he had not been contacted by EPA’s project manager about an additional Harrison EPA meeting.

The video of the August 2024 meeting is available here.  Mayor Fife stated publically at the August 2024 EPA Community meeting that he was going to hold meetings to hear out residents on the use of the PSE&G property by EPA but when someone stated he canceled meetings, Mayor Fife stated that “he was supporting EPA”. How the long-time Chairman of Harrison and its Mayor can support EPA’s plan that will derail, for at least 10 to a recently stated 15 to 20 years, a Green Space / Park, Community Center, and a Drop-Off/ Turn-Around Area for the latter and the PATH Station leaves one speechless and wondering what would motivate such approval.

Other Must Read Articles:

Concealment, The Truth & Lies About EPA's Toxic Sludge Plant in Harrison NJ

Short Noticed EPA Zoom & In-Person Meetings Thurs. Sept.12 & 19th 2024

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