COMET

Newsletter Spring 2014

Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together

LIE at Mazeau Street

Residents continue to express concern about the dangerous conditions created by massive tractor trailer trucks that park at the 69th Street exit ramp of the Long Island Expressway at Mazeau Street. Department of Transportations Queens Borough Commissioner Dalila Hall is looking at options that would deter truckers who want to rest from using this spot.

Were hoping the agency comes up with a solution quickly before a major accident occurs.

Photo by Linda Daquaro

311 Glitches Footbridges and Overpasses

overpass that wasnt shoveled. DOT shoveled one side of the 55th Avenue footbridge but we think this was fine because it allowed for a safe crossing and a huge improvement from prior years. Hopefully these concerns will be resolved by next winter and they will be done without us having to call every time it snows. Council Members Crowley and Dromm are actively looking into resolving these issues so residents dont encounter these problems in the future when they call 311. In the meantime, if you have a problem reporting any problem to 311, please reach out to your council member or community board and they will contact the agency for you. If a problem with 311 isnt identified, it will never be resolved.

LIRR overpass at Grand &Calamus Avenues.

Another 311 Glitch

Maspeth Block Captain Richie Polgar called 311 to report a large Ryder truck parked on the Queens Midtown Expressway between 73rd Place and 74th Street. 311 had no such location in their system. Hopefully Council Member Crowleys office will be able to resolve this issue when she addresses the bridge issue. We had a similar problem with 911 at the Queens Midtown Expressway at 69th Street. We were told the system was updated and we shouldnt have problems in the future. 911 and 311 are separate and handled by two different agencies. In the future well have to make sure both systems are updated if any other problems are identified.

55th Avenue Footbridge before & after The snowstorms this winter created dangerous conditions for residents who rely on footbridges and overpasses to get to work, school or stores. We soon found out that reporting these problems to 311 was impossible unless the bridge or overpass has a name.Many may wonder how Sanitation can plow and salt an overpass but not the sidewalk. The answer is that the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) is in charge of sidewalks and footbridges, such as the one on 55th Avenue. We reached out to Michael Mallon at Council Member Daniel Dromms office to let him know about 311s response to our request to shovel and salt the 55th Avenue footbridge in Elmhurst as well as the railroad overpass on Grand Avenue at Calamus Avenue which wasnt shoveled or salted either. We then called Roman Paprocki at Council Member Crowleys office to let him know about the icy conditions on the overpasses at Grand Avenue as well as Hamilton Place. These overpasses were in the same condition as the one in Elmhurst. We want to thank Roman and Michael for following up on these issues for us. As the overpasses were getting shoveled, a new problem cropped up. We subsequently found out that DOT was only shoveling one side of the overpasses which forced people to cross Grand Avenue if they were on the side of the
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Parking Garage at Former St. Johns Hospital Site

We are asking residents to exercise caution when walking past the St. Johns Hospital garage on Hoffman Drive especially at night. It appears that sometimes it is left open and other times closed. This was brought to our attention by a member who stated residents can hear screams at night. We believe it might be youth. Council Member Dromms office said they will try to reach out to the current owner to make sure the gates are down and the 110th Precinct said they will monitor the location. Photos by Geraldine Walsh

52-29 84th Street

We dont know if there was yet another 311 glitch, but after several months and no action by the Department of Buildings, Comet President Roe Daraio reached out to Kenneth Lazar at the agency. To our surprise, he said they never received any complaints but took immediate action and sent an inspector to the location. Upon inspection on January 9th, the inspector found: The cellar windows broken and open The first floor access door open. The inside of the building vacant and unguarded allowing unauthorized access. Mr. Lazar stated that an Unsafe Buildings (UB) violation was issued and it would be necessary for a Department of Buildings attorney to go to court and get a judges order to seal the building. The bad news is that he said that this could take up to three months. The 110th Precinct has promised to continue monitoring the location and Council Member Dromms office is helping us with the follow-up. We want to thank Mr. Lazar for looking into this promptly. If anyone sees a problem such as this, call 311 and follow up with your local precinct and elected officials to insure the situation is rectified.

Photo by Richie Polgar

Last fall we were advised that the home at 52-29 84th Street was abandoned. Mail and fliers were strewn all over the ground, windows were broken and graffiti vandals defaced the building all the way up to the roof. Youth were coming and going via the railroad tracks at the rear of the building. Needless to say, this was a big concern for us particularly since its across the street from St. Adalbert and because we have had some sexual assaults in past months in the area. We brought this problem to the attention of the 110th Precinct who stated they would report the problem and have their Conditions Team monitor the location. Comet Vice President Richie Doyle stated that he reported the problem to 311.

Proliferation of Graffiti in Maspeth, Elmhurst, Winfield!!

This building has been an eyesore for years. Comet member Ed Misiura has reported this problem over and over and nothing is done. Many other sites in Elmhurst have also been reported and havent been cleaned up. Lets hope that Council Member Dromm and the 110th Precinct can help address these locations this spring. Maspeth and Winfield have been hit hard this winter as well. Dozens of sites that were previously cleaned have now been scribbled on by vandals. Theres a lot of work to be done. If you know of a building, light pole, underpass, etc. that needs cleaning, please report it to 311!!
Photo by Richie Polgar
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Safer Crossing on Grand Avenue/69th Place in Maspeth

Photo by Linda Daquaro Photo by Linda Daquaro

Community Traffic Suggestions Nancy Carbone, our Transportation Committee Chairperson, met with members of the committee prior to the meeting with Assembly Member Markey and Commissioner Hall. The group made some proposals which DOT will look into. Some of the suggestions were:

After an Elmhurst woman was killed crossing Grand Avenue at 69th Place in Maspeth, NYC DOT has been working on implementing traffic measures that will hopefully save lives. The measures include signage, painted roadway markings and a strip with bollards down the middle of Grand Avenue to deter motorists from making illegal left-hand turns from 69th Place onto Grand Avenue. Although most residents are optimistic about the changes, some wonder how oversized tractor trailers will be able to turn from 69th Place onto Grand Avenue. They say the trucks have a difficult time making a legal right-hand turn without the bollards and fear the only other recourse for the trucker is to back down 69th Place to the service road. Lets hope the truckers will learn to avoid this block and turn from the service road onto Grand Avenue instead. DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Dalila Hall stated at a meeting held at Maspeth Town Hall with Assembly Member Marge Markey, Roman Paprocki from Council Member Crowley, the 104th Precinct and several community activists that additional changes will be made, if necessary. David Daraio, President of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce, mentioned a concern about the bollards interfering with our Memorial Day Parade and street fairs. Commissioner Hall stated the bollards could be removed for these events.
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Consider a left-turn signal on Grand Avenue eastbound at 69th Street for motorists heading northbound on 69th Street. Consider a left-turn signal on southbound 69th Street at Grand Avenue turning onto Grand Avenue eastbound from in front of Maspeth Federal. Consider a left-turn signal at Grand Avenue and 69th Lane allowing motorists heading eastbound on Grand Avenue to turn onto 69th Lane. Consider a right-turn signal at Grand Avenue eastbound at Queens Midtown Expressway (corner of Duane Reade) to facilitate pedestrian crossing.

Photo by Geraldine Walsh

Grand Avenue at Mazeau Street

This photo was taken by Block Captain Linda Daquaro on February 25th. As you can see from the clock on Garlinger Triangle it was 8:30 pm. She said this huge tour bus came down Grand Avenue, turned onto Mazeau Street and then attempted to make a sharp left-turn onto 57th Avenue. As he was turning, the driver ripped up a bollard on the triangle. DOT Commissioner Hall reached out to Parks Department and asked that it be repaired. Its scary to think that the driver of this bus didnt know he couldnt make the turn. Think about it, he drives people around every day!!

Intense Lights in Winfield

Photos by Dick Gundlach

Comet Vice President Dick Gundlach, who lives in the Winfield section of Woodside, took these photos from his bedroom window. The blinding intense white lights are by the LIRR tracks at the end of 73rd Place off 51st Avenue. He said hes not sure if they belong to the LIRR or the area adjacent to the tracks which is used to store approximately 100 trucks. Regardless, the bright and intrusive lights illuminating the surrounding neighborhood, which also includes Elmhurst, affect the quality of life for those there. We will try to find out who owns these lights and perhaps get them to focus them downward.

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108th Precinct News!

Captain Brian Hennessy, 108th Precinct, created a new conditions team that began Tuesday, March 11th. He said that each officer would be specifically assigned as a contact for each community within the command. Our officer is PO John Miszuk. Captain Hennessy said he worked with PO Miszuk when he was assigned as a rookie impact officer in Jackson Heights. He told us hes a hard worker. Comet met with him and discussed Winfield quality of life issues. Great idea, Captain Hennessy!!!

Livery Parking Enforcement

In late February, Comet President Roe Daraio and member Tom Porembski met with 108th Community Affairs Officer Luis Diaz on 70th Street and 48th Avenue to watch the 108ths enforcement efforts to address the livery parking problem around St. Marys and the surrounding streets. The enforcement went quickly and we dont have to tell you the owner of all the liveries was not happy! Some of these dilapidated liveries had broken axles and broken windows among other issues. Within a short period of time nine vehicles were towed or flat bedded away. Captain Hennessy has promised to continue the enforcement, which should be much easier now that we have PO Miszuk from the Conditions Team assigned to our area.

Commuter Van Summonsing

pickups in our area continues. These photos were taken on 69th Place between 52nd Avenue and 52nd Drive. Were hoping NYC TLC can train their officers and have them return for another operation. We thank Captain Hennessy for his efforts!!

The morning of the livery tow operation, Captain Hennessy arranged for NYC Taxi & Limousine to coordinate enforcement to summons illegal commuter van activity in our area. Unfortunately, this operation didnt go as smoothly as the tow operation. The 108th Precinct cannot write summonses for this activity and the TLC Enforcement personnel who showed up apparently didnt know how to write them. After a little pressure, we finally convinced them to issue summonses for picking up on bus routes. A total of six summonses were issued. Unfortunately, the illegal commuter van
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SAVE THE DATEs!!

Earth Day Event

Saturday, April 26th, Maspeth Federal Parking lot at 69th Street Grand Avenue The event will run from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Comet will join Maspeth Federal Savings, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley and the NYPD. Paper shredding truck will be on hand to shred important documents that you no longer need Electronics truck will take computers and other electronics that need disposal. VIN Etch your car and save money on your theft insurance. You can register your electronics as well as your bikes to help recover them if theyre stolen. DSNY will provide information about their new organics collection program.

Maspeth Memorial Day Parade

Sunday, May 25th at 1:00 pm Starts at 72nd Place/Grand Avenue Comet will be marching in case you would like to join us!!

Meetings are held at the Bethzatha Church of God, 85-20 57th Avenue, Elmhurst. 7:00 pm. Parking is available. Monday, April 7th Monday, May 5th, Monday, June 2nd

COMET MEETINGS - 2014

Newsletter Committee
Newsletter Committee: Mike Fordunski, Dick Gundlach, Christina Wilkinson, Richie Polgar, Linda Daquaro, Tom Porembski, Geraldine Walsh, Roe Daraio, Maspeth Press

A Special Thank You!

This newsletter is made possible by funding from Council Members Elizabeth Crowley, Daniel Dromm, Karen Koslowitz and Jimmy Van Bramer through the Department of Youth and Community Development.

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COMET
Newsletter Spring 2014

Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together

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