Orangetown Discusses Honoring Former Fire Chief

Nearly lost in the debate over Orangetown Commons Tuesday, the Orangetown Town Board also continued its discussion of naming a sectoin of Blaisdell Road for Bill Harris.

Harris was a member of the Pearl River Fire Department for 40 years before his death from a heart attack in 2008.

Harris played a key role in getting affordable housing for emergency service volunteers. The housing is located on the section of Blaisdell Road.

"I think naming it Bill Harris Way would be appropriate for all he did for our community and to get the volunteer fire housing on Blaisdell," said Orangetown Councilman Denis Troy.

Mary Cardenas, executive director of the Orangetown Museum and Archives, expressed concern of a change to the museum's address at Tuesday's meeting. She said that new stationary and business cards would be a significant cut into her budget.

Councilwoman Nancy Low-Hogan asked Cardenas to look into exactly how much that would cost the museum.

"I think it would be minimal, but I respect Mary Cardenas's opinion because she does a lot of research for us and does a great job," Troy said.

The board also discussed community funding projects, which will come in around $45,000. These are smaller grants given to many local organizations.

"The community funding budget when I came in was $65,000. Now it is down to about $43,000," Troy said. "This may go down again. In terms of what we give, they are worthwhile."

"Out of a $65 million budget, we're talking sometihng like $45,000 to 25 organizations," Councilman Michael Maturo said. "I don't think that is excessive at all."

The board did vote for a measure that will bring money in to the town. The five-year deal with MetroPCS will bring the town $125,000, plus a signing bonus.  The board members congratulated Deputy Town Attorney Teresa Kenny for her work on the deal.