The incumbent Harrison Town Supervisor Rich Dionisio will be allowed to assume office on Jan. 1, following an initial decision by a state appellate judge today.

Independent candidate and former town supervisor Ron Belmont, who waged a write-in campaign, had challenged a lower court ruling that certified Dionisio the winner of the November election.

Belmont ultimately finished with more votes than Dionisio but a judge disqualified Belmont after determining he already served the maximum number of years under the town's 2022 term limit law.

Democratic candidate Mark Jaffe's request for an immediate special election between him and Dionisio was also denied.

As early as next week, an appellate panel of judges will hear both appeals and could either vote to side with the lower court or reverse the decision.