44°
In an interview with Daily Voice, Harckham, D-North Salem, named the proposed police merger between Mount Kisco and the county, explaining that he would like to have a deal finalized. Under the proposal, Mount Kisco's local police would join the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, which would have a substation presence at the village's current police station. More details about the proposal are available here.
Harckham, discussing the merger, said there would be improved police coverage not only for Mount Kisco but for all of northern Westchester, citing the the physical presence that would occur.
Figuring out the civil service aspect is still ongoing, according to Harckham.
Another priority for Harckham is to get an artist-in-residence deal completed for the county-owned Merestead estate, which is in Bedford and is near the borders with Mount Kisco and New Castle. Under the proposed agreement, Copland House, which already uses the property for concerts, would invest in some of the upkeep and convert outbuildings into music studios. Under this arrangement, according to Harckham, the county would continue to give tours on the property and its parks department would continue to maintain nearby trails.
Harckham's third goal is to get safety measures finalized for retrofitting of a proposed rebuilding of the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation's fire tower, which was demolished.
The group Friends of Trailside Museum and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation has raised money and has put down a deposit on a replacement tower, Harckham explained, noting that the group is prepared to fully fund the project. The safety measures would need to be worked out with the administration of County Executive Rob Astorino and with the county's Department of Public Works, Harckham explained.
The reservation is in the towns of Pound Ridge and Lewisboro.
Harckham's legislative district includes Mount Kisco, Bedford, Pound Ridge, Lewisboro, North Salem and part of Somers.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Somers and receive free news updates.
