Uncertainty Surround Harrison ReOrganization Meeting & Council Vacancy

The Town of Harrison faces a notable disruption in its annual political routine as the Mayor & Council meeting slated for Tuesday, January 7, 2024, has been unexpectedly canceled. This development casts uncertainty on scheduling the Mayor & Council Reorganization meeting, a cornerstone event traditionally held at the beginning of January to comply with New Jersey state law.

Previously, the Reorganization meeting was mandated to occur on New Year’s Day. However, state legislation adjustments have allowed municipalities to conduct these meetings within the first week of January. The reasons behind the cancellation and the rescheduling of this critical meeting remain unclear, leaving residents awaiting further communication from town officials.

Residents can attend other upcoming meetings in place of the Harrison Mayor & Council meeting. The Harrison Redevelopment Agency is set to meet on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 1 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room at Town Hall, while the Zoning Board of Adjustment plans its Reorganization meeting for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., both crucial gatherings in the town's governance. Mayor Fife is also the Chairman of the Harrison Redevelopment Agency.

Councilman Michael Dolaghan Retires

Adding to the town’s political uncertainty, Fourth Ward Councilman Michael Dolaghan resigned effective November 1, 2024, stepping down from his dual roles in the Harrison Public School system as Supervisor of Maintenance and Director of Facilities. This resignation opened up a vacancy on the Council that has yet to be addressed publicly in terms of succession.

The issue of filling Councilman Dolaghan’s seat was brought to the fore during a public session of a special Zoom meeting of the Mayor & Council on Monday, December 30, 2024. However, an inquiry regarding the status of the vacant seat was met with a sharp rebuke from the Town Clerk, indicating that the session was not the appropriate time for posing questions directly to Mayor James Fife. The Mayor himself provided no definitive answer, leaving the matter unresolved and the constituents of the Fourth Ward in a state of representation limbo. The last time we checked, the Harrison Mayor & Council Public Session, is exactly the time to ask questions and make statements.  The latter right is an important part of our democracy.

As Harrison moves into 2025 with pending administrative meetings and an unfilled council seat, the community looks to its leaders for clarity and direction during this period of governmental flux. Residents remain hopeful that the upcoming meetings will not only address these administrative necessities but also provide transparent solutions to the current gaps in local governance.

Join the conversation on our Community Discussion Board. If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s free—be part of the discussion today!