Monthly Minutes - April 2009

Public Portion top

Pete McCarthy, President of the Dyker Heights Athletic Association advised that since 1998, the Association has provided organized sports programs to the children of the community. Their home field is the Victor Allegretti Ball Field located at Shore Parkway and Bay 16th Street.

Mr. McCarthy reported that on Saturday mornings, a considerable amount of time is spent cleaning up dog waste and beer bottles on the ball field. He suggested the closing of 3 entrances to the ball field, which would leave Bay 16th Street as the only means of access. It is his feeling that dog walkers would see the signs posted on the Bay 16th Street entrance that states that dogs are prohibited on the field. Additionally there is broken fencing along the perimeter of the park that he would like to repair at the organization's expense.

Jonathan Yedin, representing Congressman McMahon, advised that the District Office is located at 8505 Fourth Avenue. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM, and can be contacted at 718-630-5277.

Mr. Yedin announced that the Congressman is holding a Foreclosure Prevention Forum on Monday, April 6th at 7 PM, at Fort Hamilton High School. He further advised that Congressman McMahon sits on the Transportation Committee, and is focusing on the Shore Parkway project, as well as ferry service from the 59th Street pier.

Ken Lazar, representing the Department of Buildings, advised from March 25 through June 1st, the Department of Buildings is conducting, "No-Penalty Retaining Wall Inspections". Anyone interested can contact 311 to request an inspection.

Michael Sciaraffo, representing Council Member Gentile, thanked everyone for his or her expressions of sympathy on death of the Councilman's mother.

He additionally advised that there are petitions available for those in opposition to the dredging of Gravesend Bay for the purpose of the proposed Southwest Brooklyn Marine Transfer Station.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Mafalda DiMango to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Laurie Windsor. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes top

A motion was made by Jerry Chiapetta to adopt the minutes of the March 12, 2009 meeting. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Moment Of Silence top

The Chairman requested a moment of silence for Bob Buonvino, founder of Friends of Historic New Utrecht and member of Community Board 10; Theresa Gentile, mother of Council Member Gentile; Rossina Naccarato, mother of Frank Naccarato, and Tzvi Mordechai Felder, father of Council Member Simcha Felder.

Chairman'sreport top

Mr. Guarinello advised that the wake for Frank Naccaratto's mother is this evening at Torregrossa from 7PM - 9 PM, and mass is tomorrow at Regina Pacis at 10:30 AM.

The Chairman appointed the following members to serve on the 2009 - 2010 Nominating Committee: Vincent Nativo, Chairman; Bart Allegretti, Al Campanelli, Dr. Joe Caruana and Richard DiNapoli.

The Chairman discussed the proposed MTA mobility tax. This payroll tax, if approved, would cause a devastating financial burden on school districts, non-profits, and businesses.

He further stated that in these difficult economic times, school districts and non-profits couldn't sustain any additional taxes without detrimental effects on the communities, which they serve.

Frank Segreto made a motion to notify the State Legislature that Community Board 11 is opposed to the proposed MTA mobility tax. This payroll tax, if approved by the legislature, would impose a devastating burden on school districts and non-profits. Seconded by Man Wai Lau. Unanimously adopted.

The Chairman advised that Senator Golden is hosting an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 5th from 2 PM - 4 PM at Bensonhurst Park. There will be music and prizes for the children.

Assemblyman Abbate top

The Assemblyman reported that he has been working diligently on the budget. When the process began, there was a 17 million dollar budget gap. New York State received $7 billion dollars in stimulus funds, which helped close the gap. The budget includes $5.1 billion dollars in proposed cuts, and $5 .2 billion dollars in newly imposed taxes.

Assemblyman Abbate gave an overview on the increase on personal income taxes, and restorations to programs and projects.

District Manager'sreport top

Marnee Elias-Pavia addressed the issue that was raised at the public portion of the meeting regarding the Victor Allegretti ball fields. She advised that she, and Eileen LaRuffa, Chair of the Parks Committee, met with Mr. McCarthy and others for an onsite meeting at the park to review the issues. In response to those issues, Katy Rosa of the Parks Department was contacted and has been very responsive. The K-9 Unit has been actively monitoring the area. The 62nd Precinct will monitor the area in the evenings.

Lt. Guerico of the 62nd Precinct addressed the Board. He advised that the precinct have increased enforcement of quality of life issues in the vicinity of the park. In the past week, there has been an arrest for marijuana, 4 criminal court summonses, and 13 stops.

The Lt. supported the closing of the multiple entranceways to the ball field, leaving only one entryway.

The District Manager advised that the Bocci area in the park is no longer being used for that purpose and the area will be opened.

Ms. Elias-Pavia advised that the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center was awarded funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to pilot test the newly developed guidebook entitled, A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities. They are seeking up to 10 communities or neighborhoods interested in making their environment safe for pedestrians and walkable to pilot test the Guide. Each selected site will be provided $2,000 for their participation, as well as technical assistance from pedestrian safety experts.

She advised that she plans on submitting an RFP for 86th Street, in particular the pedestrian ramp at the T-intersections.

The District Manager advised that this week Mayor Bloomberg announced the city selections for infrastructure projects that will benefit from federal transportation funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

As a result, existing projects in Community Board 11 that are "shovel ready" and not started due to a lack of city capital funding will now move forward.

The projects are:

The rehabilitation of the 15th Avenue Bridge over the Long Island Railroad (62nd Street)

The replacement of protective coating on the Bay 8th Street pedestrian bridge. Clarification is needed from the Department of Transportation on this project. There is no pedestrian bridge at Bay 8th Street.

The projects are estimated to be completed by the Fall of 2011.

Additionally, there will be a citywide sidewalk repair project, which will repair sidewalks damaged by curbside trees. The sidewalk repairs will be done at no cost to the homeowners. One, two, and three family homes occupied by the owner are eligible. $3.7 million dollars are funded for this project.

Ms. Elias-Pavia reported that she met with National Grid, who requested that the community be informed that they offer funding and rebates for energy efficiency projects. Incentives and grants are available. Info is available.

The Department of Consumer Affairs is pleased to announce the City's 2nd Annual Shred Fest event is scheduled for Sunday, May 3rd from 10 AM - 4PM Staples will be donating free personal shredders to the first 5 people to arrive with their papers to be shredded.

The District Manager advised that It's My Park! Day will be held on Saturday, May 16th at Bath Beach Park. Volunteers are needed to help clean and plant.

A motion was made by Bart Allegretti to adjourn. Seconded by Frank Segreto. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Jerry Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Maria Campanella
• Albert Campanelli
• Rosa Casella
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Thomas Colasanto
• Louis Crispiano
• Mafalda DiMango
• Richard DiNapoli
• Joseph DiSanto
• Paul DiSpirito
• Charles Farrauto
• Shirley Fineman
• William Guarinello
• Man Wai Lau
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Rosalee Manitta
• Albert Milone
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Raymond Mollica
• Vincent Nativo
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Stanley Roher
• Frank Segreto
• Laurie Windsor

Absent
• Steve Balasiano
• Iris Chiu
• Donald Clark
• Sarra Fronshtein
• David Gordon
• William Hongach
• Corrado Manfredi
• Camillo Messina
• Ella Nigro
• Kalman Talbak
• Antonio Troia

Excused
• Leonard Beninson
• Joseph Caruana
• Angel Geraldi
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Frank Naccarato
• Barbara Parisi
• John Raffaele
• Angelo Siciliano
• Louisa Verito

Guests
• Michael Brasky
• Jonathan Yedin - Congressman McMahon
• Katy Rosa - Department of Parks
• Ramona Pontone
• Kenneth Lazar - Department of Buildings
• Pete McCarthy
• Sandy Roher
• Angelo Russo
• Police Officer Steve Agosta - 62nd Precinct Community Affairs
• Lt. Guerico - 62nd Precinct
• Al Fazio - Assembly Member Abbate
• Lucretia Regina Potter - Republican District Leader - 49th AD