COMET

Newsletter Winter 2011

Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together

Cleanup of Tree Pits Along Grand Avenue

Kudos to Comet member Linda Daquaro for coming up with the idea to clean the tree pits along Grand Avenue between 64th and 72nd Streets in Maspeth. Rather than complain, she brought the idea up at our meeting and we thought it was great. We united with the Maspeth Chamber, Maspeth Town Hall and Council Member Crowleys office and now the tree pits are clean for the holiday season.

Shown in the picture are Linda Daquaro and Fame Diners George Kantlis. The Fame Diner supplied the volunteers with coffee and hot chocolate. Thank you, George.

Some pictured in the photo are Roe Daraio, Moira McDermott, Linda Daquaro, Lucille Winsko, Mike Harte and Rosalie Greer.

The photos were taken by Shirley Warren.

By Nick Pennachio
Hurricane IRENE has proven that New York City has underestimated the destruction of unmaintained trees in our City. A large part of the damage to our homes, streets and power lines falling was due to City trees that have not been pruned, removed, or maintained for many years due to lack of funds allocated for this purpose. For many years the Department of Parks has been limited to maintaining trees, their reason being no funds for this purpose. Yet the Mayors goal has been to plant a million new trees in the City, without considering the state of old, diseased existing trees which should be removed. The priority should be maintenance not planting new trees. On Monday, August 26th, 311 advised callers that Department of Parks was not taking any 311 reports. The primary agency for this storm with all the damage and power outages was not taking 311 calls. The Department of Parks again played ostrich to the damage caused by old and defective trees, and opted not to take 311 calls. The Mayor has to recognize that the tree problem is at a dangerous level in Queens. There are hundreds of trees that need pruning or removal. During storms they fall, destroy homes, cars and are deadly when they fall on people. A concerted effort must be made to care for existing trees instead of concentrating on planting a million new ones. Our priority should be to save lives, homes and prevent power failures. Department of Parks budget must be realistic to do their job and prevent future damage similar to damage caused by IRENE.

Editorial

Tree Dilemma in West Maspeth

As you can see from this picture, a Comet member on 57th Road in west Maspeth has a good reason to be concerned that the tree adjacent to his home will cause property damage or hurt someone if there are high winds, snow or an ice storm. This problem has been reported to 311 as well as the office of Council Member Elizabeth Crowley. He was told by 311 that theres a 7-year waiting list for tree pruning. Trees are a great asset to our communities as well as the entire City of New York. They clean our air, help keep us cool during hot weather and increase property values. However, it is important that they receive proper care or they can be a danger to property as well as someones life. Trees need pruning to remove dead branches as well as allow air flow to help prevent them from falling. Raised sidewalks also need to be addressed. Call 311 to report these conditions.

Photo by Joe Pittelli. Pg. 2 Winter 2011 COMET

Department of Sanitation Regulations DepartmentofSanitationRegulations

Snow and Ice Removal Improper Use of SnowandIceRemoval DSNY Litter Baskets

Pleasebeawarethateveryowner,lessee,tenant,occupant,orotherperson having charge of any lot or building must clean snow and/or ice from the sidewalkwithin4hoursafterthesnowhasstoppedfalling,orby11:00am Please be aware that ifthesnowhasstoppedfallingafter9:00amthepreviousevening.Snow every owner, lessee, mayNOTbethrownintothestreet. tenant, occupant, or oth er person having charge Ifthesnoworicebecomesfrozensohardthatitcannotberemoved,the of any lot or building sidewalkmaybestrewnwithashes,sand,sawdust,orsimilarsuitablema must clean snow and/ terialwithinthesametimelimits.Thesidewalkmustbethoroughlycleaned or ice from the sidewalk assoonastheweatherpermits.Fine:$100$1501stOffense;$150$3502nd within 4 hours after the Of fense;$250$3503rdandsubsequentoffenses. snow has stopped fall ing, or by 11:00 am if the snow has stopped falling after 9:00 am the previous evening. Snow mayUnauthorizedRemovalofRefuse NOT be thrown into the street. Wevebeenhearingsomanycomplaintsaboutbottlepeoplegoingthroughrecyclableseitheron If the snow or ice becomes frozen so hard privatepropertyoratthecurb,wethoughtyoudgetachuckleafterreadingthisSanitationregula Sanitation litter baskets are designed for use that it cannot be removed, the sidewalk may be tion: by pedestrians. They are intended as containstrewn with ashes, sand, sawdust, or similar suit able material within the same time limits. The ers for pedestrian trash, such as candy wrapNoone,otherthananauthorizedemployeeoragentofDSNY,shalldisturborremoveashes,gar pers, cigarette packages, fruit skins and similar sidewalk must be thoroughly cleaned as soon as bage,refuse(includingrecycling)orrubbishplacedwithinthestooplineorinfrontofhousesforre light refuse. Litter baskets may NOT be used the weather permits. movalbyhouseholders,tenantsoroccupants.16118(7)(B).Fine:$100$300 for disposal of household refuse, for the disposal Fine: $100-$150-1st Offense; of sweepings, or for the disposal of commercial refuse by storekeepers. Persons picking $150-$350-2nd Offense; ImproperUseofDSNYLitterBaskets up dog feces CAN use these receptacles, providing the $250-$350 3rd and subsequent offenses. feces are properly wrapped. Sanitation litter baskets are designed for use by pedestrians. candy wrappers, cigarette packages, fruit skins and similar Weve been hearing so many complaints about Litter baskets may NOT be used for disposal of light refuse. $250-2nd Offense; $300- 3rd and Subsequent Offenses. bottle people going through recyclables either householdrefuse,forthedisposalofsweepings,orforthedis on private property or at the curb, we thought posal of commercial refuse by storekeepers. Persons picking This unsightly mess is a trash can on Mazeau youd get a chuckle after reading this up dog feces CAN use these receptacles, providing the feces Sanitation Street and Grand Avenue. Conditions such as regulation: are properly wrapped. 16120(e). Fine: $1001st Offense; nd this exist all along Grand Avenue. Please, $2502 Offense;$3003rdandSubsequentOffenses. folks, No one, other than an authorized employee or lets keep our commercial strip clean! Dont us agent of DSNY, shall disturb or remove ashes, the litter baskets for your personal trash! ThisunsightlymessisatrashcanonMazeauStreetandGrand garbage, refuse (including recycling) Avenue.ConditionssuchasthisexistallalongGrandAvenue. or rubbish placed within the stoop line or in frontPlease,folks,letskeepourcommercial stripclean! Dontus of houses thelitterbasketsforyourpersonaltrash!PhotobyShirleyWarren. for removal by householders, tenants or occupants. 16-118(7)(B). Fine: $100-$300
Photo by Shirley Warren.

Theyareintendedascontainersforpedestriantrash,suchas Unauthorized Removal of Refuse 16-120(e). Fine: $100-1st Offense;

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Dial 511 Hotline to get Bus, Train Info

The MTA has now condensed what used to be 117 separate public phone numbers to the 511 hotline. You can call 511 for information about roads, bridges, traffic, congestion, ferries and public transportation run by other agencies. The 511 gateway can give you schedules, Metro Card, rail ticket, or bridge and tunnel tolls as well as lost and found, ticket refunds and group travel. Because of the high volume of calls, Access-A-Ride customers should continue to use their existing phone numbers: 1-877-337-2017 or 1-718-393-4999. You can visit the website at www.511NY.org

What a Disgrace!

Intersection of Queens Boulevard and 69th Street is Slated for Improvement

Photo by Christina Wilkinson.

Photo by Dick Gundlach.

Comet member Christina Wilkinson witnessed a huge out of state tractor trailer illegally driving on 59 Drive between 59th and 60th Streets in Maspeth. It slammed into a poor little tree on 59th Drive. Luckily she was able to get a picture and video of the tractor trailer backing out of the street. By the way, this happened as children were coming out of PS 153! We will definitely be pushing to get more truck enforcement in our area to keep them off our narrow streets. These trucks cause pollution, create dangerous conditions and damage City as well as personal property. Please make sure your house numbers are clearly visible from the street. This will improve response time should you have a fire, medical or police emergency. In case you havent noticed, some homes have no address visible at all!

Beginning mid-October, NYC DOT will be extending five existing median tips on Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, three in the west and two in the east crosswalks. They also will be widening an existing median in the east crosswalk to reduce pedestrian crossing distance and create a safer crossing.

Important Reminder

Pg. 4 Winter 2011 COMET

Rim/Tire Thieves Apprehended in Maspeth

While on routine patrol on Tuesday, October and Grand Avenue which was occupied by the Rim/TireThievesApprehendedinMa 25th, Lieutenant Hellmer and PO Swistun who crooks. Upon approach of the vehicle, two lug are assigned to the 104th Precinct wrenches and a screw driver were WhileonroutinepatrolonTuesday,October25th, late tour affected the arrest of two observed on the back seat. A show tun who are assigned to the 104th Precinct late males at 2:08 am. One of the males up was conducted with the witmalesat2:08am.Oneofthemaleslivesinthe9 lives in the 90th Precinct in Brookness who identified the two males otherlivesinthe83rdPrecinctinBrooklyn.They lyn and the other lives in the 83rd as the ones seen removing the lug GrandAveinMaspethforattemptedGrandLarce Precinct in Brooklyn. They were nuts on the Cadillac. A search of arrested at 59 Street and Grand the Infinitys trunk resulted in the These perpe tratorswereobservedbyawitnessremovinglug Ave in Maspeth for attempted recovery of a floor jack, a concrete lacEscaladeinthevicinityof58thPlaceandMaspethAvenue.Whenconfro Grand Larceny of automobile rims and tires. cinder block, and sockets designed to remove fledinablackvehiclewithaspoilerandtintedwindows.POSwistuninitiated stripped lug nuts and/or wheel locks. at 59 Street and Grand Avenue which was occupied by the crooks. Upon a These perpetrators were observed by a witwrenchesandascrewdriverwereobservedonthebackseat.Ashowup ness removing lug nuts from the wheels of a We want to commend the witness for calling whoidentifiedthetwomalesastheonesseenremovingthelugnutsonth Cadillac Escalade in the vicinity of 58th Place 911 and stepping up to identify these men and ity'strunkresultedintherecoveryofafloorjack,aconcretecinderblock, and Maspeth Avenue. When confronted by the thank the 104th Precinct for their quick response. strippedlugnutsand/orwheellocks. witness the subjects fled in a black vehicle with Please folks, if you see something, call 911 like a spoiler and tinted windows. PO Swistun initithis witness did. Dont let these thieves think they Wewanttocommendthewitnessforcalling911andsteppinguptoidentif ated the stop of a black 2004 Infinity at 59 Street can get away with crime in our neighborhood! Precinctfortheirquickresponse.Pleasefolks,ifyouseesomething,call91 thesethievesthinktheycangetawaywithcrimeinourneighborhood!
Support the Businesses that Care About Maspeth

Special Thanks to our SupporttheBusinessesthatCareAboutM Community Volunteers

Who Helped with who Special thanks to Maspeth Chamber volunteersthe rolled up their sleeve Grand Avenue Clean Up alongGrandAvenueordonatedservicestohelp Special thanks pethChamberPresidentMichaelTerryalsohelpe Eileen Reilly, to Maspeth Cham Executive Director of Maspeth Town Hall for ber volunteers who MichaelTerry,MTPAdvisors helping to coordinate the event. rolled up their sleeves MaryannaZero,HomeHuntersRealEstate and helped clean the tree JimOKane,OKaneRealty AmeriCorps volunteers and participants. pits along Grand Avenue or JoeA.Papavero,PapaveroFuneralHome donated services to help make our JoeB.Papavero,PapaveroFuneralHome Moira McDermott, event a success. Maspeth Chamber President GeorgeKantlis,FameRestaurant Council Member Crowleys office who helped Michael Terry also helped coordinate the event. MaspethFederal coordinate the event. Michael Terry, MTP Advisors SpecialThankstoourComm Maryanna Zero, Home Hunters Real Estate C.O.M.E.T. members who signed in: WhoHelpedwiththeGrandAvenueCleanU Jim OKane, OKane Realty Michael Harte, Rosalie Greer, Joe A. Papavero, Papavero Funeral Home Lucille Winsko, Joseph Pittelli, Joe B. Papavero, Papavero Funeral Home EileenReilly,ExecutiveDirectorofMaspethTownHallforhelpingtocoordin Shannon Connors, John Connors, George Kantlis AmeriCorpsvolunteersandparticipants. Warren, Roe Daraio. Linda Daquaro, Shirley Fame Restaurant MoiraMcDermott,CouncilMemberCrowleysofficewhohelpedcoordinate C.O.M.E.T. members who signed in: Michael Harte, Rosalie Greer, Lucille W Maspeth Federal Savings Bank We cant forget all the Maspeth residents Connors,JohnConnors,LindaDaquaro,ShirleyWarren,RoeDaraio. who took the time to pitch in! WecantforgetalltheMaspethresidentswhotookthetimetopitchin!
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Photos courtesy of Shirley Warren and Moira McDermott

Cleanup of Grand Avenue Tree Pits

Pg. 6 Winter 2011 COMET

Police report statistics at Comet Meetings

The 104th, 108th, and 110th precinct all sent representatives to our fall Comet meeting to give us our crime statistics. Captain Michael Cody, 104th Precinct and Roe Daraio are shown at left , and Captain Donald Powers, 108th Precinct is pictured at the right. Executive Officer of the 110th Precinct Captain Conforti also attended.

To find out more about C.O.M.E.T. check out our website at

www.cometcivic.com

COMET MEETINGS
Our meetings are held on the first Monday of every month except for January, July and August. The meetings are held at the Bethzatha Church of God, 85-20 57th Avenue. Meetings start at 7:00 pm. Directions to the meeting can be found on our website, www.cometcivic.com . We will hold additional meetings to alert residents about a project or problem in their area and will translate our fliers into different languages, if necessary. Our meetings are open to everyone. Meet and speak with representatives of the 104th, 108th and 110th Precinctsthey attend all meetings.

Newsletter Committee:
Michael Fordunski, Roe Daraio, Christina Wilkinson, Maspeth Press This newsletter is made possible by funding from Council Members Elizabeth Crowley, Karen Koslowitz and Jimmy Van Bramer through the Department of Youth and Community Development.

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C.O.M.E.T., INC

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COMET
Newsletter Winter 2011

Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together

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