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Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together

COMET Newsletter Fall 2017

Calamus
Avenue
Nightmare
The three-year long combined sewer reconstruction
nightmare on Calamus Avenue may be coming to an
end but it doesnt mean its over for the Woodside
homeowners who have to fight to be reimbursed by
the contractor who they claim damaged their property.
Under the contract, the City is not liable for damages.
The contract also states the contractor will pay for
damages in their front yards but doesnt mention
damages to their foundations and cracked walls inside
their homes which some folks allege occurred during
the construction. The residents have not ruled out a
lawsuit if the damages are not repaired.

See page 6

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MTA No Express Bus Service Warranted for Maspeth
On March 28, 2017, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley reached out minutes. He stated that the Q18 is at capacity during morning rush hours
to the MTA requesting express bus service for Maspeth. The agency and many folks cant get on the bus. He said some Woodside people
gave several reasons why we dont need an express bus. One reason have given up and now take the long walk to the #7 train. Mike also
was the lack of access to the HOV lane and another excuse was that it mentioned that although the Q58 runs frequently, it is known to be one
would lengthen travel times on existing routes. The closing statement of the slowest bus routes in the city. As for the Q67, he said the service
in the agencys July 10th letter said Moreover, Maspeth already has is erratic.
ample bus-to-subway connections to Manhattan; therefore, we cannot
add express bus service to the Maspeth community at this time. They In a follow up phone conversation, City Council Member Elizabeth
enclosed the following report card for our buses. Crowley spoke with Vice President of Government Relations Robert
Marino, Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations
REPORT CARD FOR BUSES SERVICING MASPETH Luke DePalma, and MTA Bus Company representative David Moss. They
stated that Express Bus Service is a highly subsidized service that was
Q18 6.5 mph
At 8,665 riders per day, the Q18 ranks 34th in ridership out of 82 inherited by the MTA in 2005, replacing private bus companies.
Queens routes. This represents a 1.6% decrease in ridership since 2010.
The MTA is in the process of re-organizing express bus operations in New
Q39 8.0 mph York City to match service levels with demand. Express bus ridership is
At 5,503 riders per day, the Q39 ranks 56th in ridership out of 82
Queens routes. This represents a 16.1% decrease in ridership since 2010. declining city wide except in Staten Island. The MTA does not want to
add stops to existing express bus lines because this would increase travel
Q47 7.0 mph time and decrease reliability for riders further east in Queens.
At 7,680 riders per day, the Q47 ranks 39th in ridership out of 82
Queens routes. This represents a 4.2% decrease in ridership since 2010.
A new route may be possible in the future if their review of express
Q58 6.7 mph bus lines frees up equipment and resources. In the meantime, the MTA
At 29,027 riders per day, the Q58 ranks 1st in ridership out of 82 is open to working with the community on ideas to improve local bus
Queens routes. This represents a 7.9% increase in ridership since 2010. service.
Q59 6.7 mph
At 6,844 riders per day, the Q59 ranks 44th in ridership out of 82 COMET Proposes an Express Bus Route to Service
Queens routes. This represents a 0.8% increase in ridership since 2010.
Maspeth, Winfield/Woodside & Elmhurst
Q67 9.0 mph
At 2,848 riders per day, the Q47 ranks 74th in ridership out of 82 The folks in Winfield/Woodside oftentimes cant get on the overcrowded
Queens routes. This represents a 10.9% increase in ridership since 2010.
Q18. The Elmhurst community is experiencing an explosion of new high
B57 5.7 mph rise residential buildings cropping up along Queens Boulevard. Our
At 7,072 riders per day, the B57 ranks 33rd in ridership out of 55 Brooklyn buses are overcrowded and so are the trains.
routes. This represents a 27.3% increase in ridership since 2010.
We reached out to Council Member Daniel Dromm and asked if he
Council Member Crowley responded to the agencys letter and stated would support an express bus that would service his residents. He fully
that the MTA could work with NYS DOT to work on a second access point supported the idea.
for express buses to enter the HOV lane when entering Maspeth. She
suggested implementing a new express bus route. She reminded the The route we suggest would begin on 65th Place at 50th Avenue, travel
agency how some buses, such as the Q39 and Q58 are filled to capacity up 65th Place with a stop on the Plateau, a stop on Grand Avenue at
during rush hours and the Q47 has been on a three-year detour during 69th Street, a stop at Grand Avenue at 84th Street and a final stop at
the Calamus Avenue sewer reconstruction. She also stated that the Q67 Grand Avenue and Queens Boulevard. The bus could then get on the
has sporadic service. Lastly she stated, Finally you must consider that HOV lane at Woodhaven Boulevard.
not one of the buses listed has an average speed over 9 mph according
to the Bus Turnaround Coalition and it takes Maspeth residents about
40 minutes to get to work according to census data. While Maspeth
Crowley & Dromm Will Continue to Work for
has ample transportation on paper, commuting is not ideal for many of Improved Transportation Options
the residents that rely on local bus service. You should identify ways to
speed up local bus service and re-examine the possibility of express bus The Council Member Crowley is working with the MTA to get more data
service for Maspeth. on bus service and Council Member Daniel Dromm will also be working
to improve public transportation to help offset the overcrowding on the
COMET VP Mike Fordunski read the agencys response and said that 40 trains and increased development in his district.
minutes is the OPTIMAL time to get to work, but many days the trip is
longer. Although the #7 train is less than 2 miles from his house, the
weekday morning trip to the 61st Street station averages about 20

Pg. 2 Fall 2017 COMET


Maurice Avenue to Get
More Street Lamps
Last September we submitted a request to the Department of
Transportation (DOT) asking them to conduct a lighting survey on
Maurice Avenue between the LIE service road and 65th Place to
determine whether or not this strip meets the minimum lighting
requirements as mandated by the agency. The strip looked much darker
once the LED lighting was installed.

Queens DOT Deputy Commissioner Jason Banrey recently responded


stating that a survey of the area revealed the need for additional
lighting on the existing wood poles and that the installation will take
place during the third quarter of 2017.

This comes as welcome news since the improved lighting will make it
safer for the businesses, the folks who live in the area and those who
frequent Maurice Park.

55th Avenue Water Main Update


Council Member Dromms office has still not heard anything back from
the Department of Environmental Protections legal bureau concerning
the water main on 55th Avenue in Elmhurst in spite of them reaching
out to the agency several times to determine how residents can opt in
to the city maintaining the main sewer line.

In our spring newsletter we wrote about a surprising twist residents


faced when the water main burst on February 4th and the city advised
them that property owners were responsible for its repair although
other water mains throughout the city were repaired by the Department
of Environmental Protection. They were told that whoever lived on the
block many years ago when the sewer was installed opted not to become part of the citys system. As a result, homeowners have to bear the burden
of having it repaired. Repairing a water main is not covered under the insurance many folks have that covers their house connection.

Luckily a snowstorm was headed our way and thanks to pressure put on the agency from Councilman Dromms office, the agency repaired the water
main. It is still not known who will be responsible for paying for the repair and how residents can opt in to the citys infrastructure so this doesnt
happen again.

Well work with the Councilmans office to keep the pressure on and get an answer!!

More Inconvenience for


Effective August 1, 2017 and lasting through the end of September,
Q47 Bus Riders 2017 (approximately 8 weeks):

Photos by NYPD
Residents on Calamus Avenue have had no bus service for three years 1) The northbound Q47 stop at 69 St/49 Av will be temporarily
as a result of the sewer project that has taken longer than expected. discontinued. Customers will be directed to use the bus stop on
Now that Calamus Avenues construction is completed, work has begun 69 St/48 Av for the nearest available northbound Q47 service.
on 69th Street between Maurice and 47th Avenues. This work will now
affected the Q47 stops on 69th Street. Lets hope they stick to their 2) The southbound Q47 stop at 69 St/48 Av will be temporarily
schedule and restore the stops without any delays. discontinued. Customers will be directed to use the bus stop on
69 St/50 Av for the nearest available southbound Q47 service.

COMET Fall 2017 Pg. 3


Claremont Terrace Update
Council Member Dromm has been actively pursuing the 1 Claremont
Terrace site for use as a school. The abandoned building has become
a haven for drugs, graffiti vandals and homeless. For some reason the
School Construction Authority is dragging their feet even though they are
well aware that School District 24 is overcrowded and in need of more
schools. The increased construction of high-rise buildings will only bring
more children into the district who will need a seat. The Councilman has
promised to bring this issue higher up the ladder, if necessary, to insure
District 24 gets additional space for our children.

West Maspeth Commercial


Traffic & Parking
While parking is at a premium throughout our area, folks in west
Maspeth have the added problem of having to share on-street parking
with employees from the numerous businesses and factories in the
area as well as local auto repair shops storing vehicles that need to be
serviced on the street and taking up residential parking. This huge car
carrier was parked in the vicinity of 59th and Grand Avenue taking up
about three parking spaces!

If they are lucky enough to find a spot, there is the concern that a huge
tractor trailer will try to make a sharp turn and hit their parked car. This
tractor trailer is making a turn from Grand Avenue onto 58th Avenue!!

We are working with the 104th Precinct to have overnight commercial


parkers summonsed. The truck traffic has been a concern for years and
we are still trying to come up with a solution.

One-Way Studies Please make all the individuals aware that DOT has opened up several
studies for one-way conversions in this area. Here are the request
Underway in numbers:

Northern Maspeth DOT-340012-T3H9



One-Way conversion requested on 71st St from
53rd Avenue to Calamus Avenue
As we mentioned in our last newsletter, DOT-340016-H1X5 One-Way conversion requested on 72nd Street
numerous folks have been asking from Grand Avenue to Calamus Avenue
that our northern Maspeth streets be DOT-340017-J1R7 One-Way conversion requested on 72nd Place
converted into one-way. More and from Grand Avenue to Calamus Avenue
more vehicular traffic is impacting the DOT-340018-V4Z7 One-Way conversion requested on 73rd Street
residential streets and oversized school from Grand Avenue to Calamus Avenue
buses are using the narrow streets as a DOT-340019-B5D1 One-Way conversion requested on 74th Street
shortcut to local schools. Cars are being side-swiped, mirrors are being from Grand Avenue to Calamus Avenue
knocked off and snow plows have difficulty getting through with the
two-way traffic. This photo shows an accident that occurred on 72nd We were told that recommendation by the agency will not be made
Street this past March. DOT Queens Deputy Commissioner Jason Banrey until they assess the traffic this fall which increases greatly when schools
responded as follows: reopen and folks go back to work.

RE: Request for One Way Studies in Maspeth Area bounded by Grand It is likely at some point all these streets will be incorporated into one
Ave, Calamus Ave, 71 Street and 74 Street project number. We will continue to follow this issue closely.

Pg. 4 Fall 2017 COMET


Dirty Water Still a Problem.
What's Happening?
COMETs Vice President Dick Gundlach, who lives
on 72nd Street between 51st and Calamus Avenues
in Woodside, continues to deal with dirty water.
This photo shows the filter after only nine days! This
problem was brought to the attention of Council
Member Crowley, the Department of Environmental
Protection and the Department of Design and
Construction several months ago but obviously the
Upcoming 70th Street Sewer
condition has not been corrected. Council Member Reconstruction
Crowleys office is following up with the agency.
Folks on 70th Street may have seen utility companies digging up the
street to check the utility boxes, etc. They need to be sure the utility in
the street actually coincides with its location on the plans for the sewer

Dromm Conducts design. This project is slated to begin next summer around July 2018.
Before

Tree Survey in Elmhurst We are working to insure that property owners on 70th Street between
Calamus and 54th Avenues dont have to experience the extreme
property damage that occurred along Calamus Avenue. We are working
This summer, Council Member Dromm submitted to the Parks
on setting up a meeting with the agency and will invite homeowners to
Department a list of forestry issues in Elmhurst south of Queens
attend so they can see the sewer design first-hand and ask questions.
Boulevard. Such issues include empty tree pits, stumps, and damaged
and diseased trees. Members of COMET, Joanne Ferguson and Richie
Polgar, joined staff from Dromms office to conduct the block-by-block
survey. The Parks Department has committed to reviewing each site
and taking appropriate action, including replanting empty pits during
the spring and fall 2018 planting seasons. (The current waiting period
for a new tree in Queens is 12 to 18 months.) It remains to be seen
how many pits will remain empty because the Department deems them
inappropriate for replanting. After

Mazeau Street Accident


Someone passed along this photo of
an accident that occurred on Mazeau
Deadly Accident at LIE 69th
Street at 56th Drive in mid-August. We Street Exit
were told folks tend to run the Stop
sign and drive fast along the residential It was heartbreaking to hear a young man died as a result of driving
street. into an illegally parked truck at the 69th Street exit of the LIE. The
illegal parking has irked us for years and although the 104th Precinct
We passed the photo along to DOT and summonsed the trucks from time to time, the activity never ceased. We
we were told that they were looking actually reached out to DOT back in 2013 and had a photo of the illegal
at the streets in this area and would parking on the cover of our spring 2014 newsletter! Since the accident
consider the residents suggestion to truckers still park at the exit.
possibly install a speed bump in that
area. The Department of Transportation reinstalled the bollards after the
service road was repaved but more work needs to be done. Captain
If anyone has ideas about how to make our community safer, wed love Mastronardi, 104th Precinct, said that the NYPD has submitted some
to hear from you!! ideas to the agency. Lets hope the agency does some quick thinking
and puts safety measures into place that will rectify this problem once
and for all.

COMET Fall 2017 Pg. 5


fired off a letter to DDC voicing concern about allegations of significant
structural damage to the exterior of some homes, internal cracks inside
of some homes, extremely short or no notice relating to water delivery
service disruption and safety of the drinking water due to the use of
temporary red hoses that residents believe are unsuitable for potable
water transmission, and other issues.
Calamus Avenue Sewer
Reconstruction A Nightmare Safety of Residents Drinking Water

for Homeowners One sharp eyed resident noticed the contractor


using red flexible hoses to temporarily connect to
the homes and discovered it was not to be used
When the Calamus Avenue sewer reconstruction began in the fall of for drinking water. Another resident contacted the
2014, none of the homeowners realized how a project such as this could company and was told, None of our products we
affect the way they live. It would be impossible to describe what folks make is for drinking water. We dont make drinking
have endured so we are including photos that show some of the damage water hoses its for industrial and air use The
and the environment these residents were forced to live in for the past contractor has supposedly replaced the improper
three years. hoses but this issue is far from over.

Assemblyman Barnwell
and Council Member
Crowley have met with
the Department of Design
& Construction (DDC) on
several occasions, met with
residents and visited the site
to get a first-hand look at
the damage. After assessing
the damage they asked City
Comptroller Scott Stringer to
come to the site and witness
the destruction for himself.
He agreed there was a basis
for concern and immediately

Pg. 6 Fall 2017 COMET


Reading of the Declaration of Support your community!
Independence COMET Dues for 2018 $10.00
Checks or money orders please
On Friday, June 30th, Assemblyman
Brian Barnwell held a reading of
the Declaration of Independence NAME:
at Maspeth Memorial Plaza. School
children and community leaders
took turns reading a paragraph of ADDRESS:
the Declaration. There was a great
turnout and everyone was treated
to ice cream! Senator Addabbo stopped by to say hello to the crowd.

EMAIL (optional):

Existing Member New Member

Mail to: COMET


P.O. Box 780151
Maspeth, NY 11378

We need
your support
to continue
our efforts in
the community.

Report Plane Noise


http://www.planenoise.com/panynj/daPRAbr9/qs114wbt.php

C.O.M.E.T. Meetings
Please check our website at www.cometcivic.com for our upcoming meetings. All meetings are held at St. Adalbert's Parish Center

Newsletter Committee
Mike Fordunski, Tom Porembski, Richie Polgar, Christina Wilkinson, Geraldine Walsh, Howard Moskowitz, Teresa Marrero,
Lucille Winsko, Dick Gundlach, Roe Daraio, Maspeth Press

Special Thank You


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

COMET Fall 2017 Pg. 7


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P.O.Box 780151 U.S.Postage
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October 8th
12:00pm to 5:00pm
Grand Avenue Street Fair & Car Show ECCA

October 14th
Newsletter Spring 2012

10:00am to Noon
Join Assemblyman Brian Barnwell in a Principe (Maurice Park) cleanup

October 14th
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Maspeth Federal Savings, Recycle electronics, paper shred, pet adoption,
NYPD will VIN Etch your vehicle (you may save money on your theft
insurance) register phones and bicycles, crime prevention literature.

October 31st

Upcoming
2:00pm to 5:00pm
Maspeth Federal Savings Halloween event

October 31st

Events
7:00pm
Ragamuffin Parade Lions Club
Parade begins outside Mt. Olivet Cemetery,
65th Street/Grand Avenue

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