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Minutes of the General Membership Meeting of the Westmoreland Association
March 17, 2008
The meeting was called to order
at 8:05 P.M. by President Walter Mugdan. A motion was made, seconded and
unanimously adopted to waive reading of the minutes. (Mr. Mugdan noted that the
minutes were available for review on the Westmoreland website.) Treasurer Gary
Savage gave the Treasurer’s Report indicating that the balance-on-hand was
$17,008.74 as of March 17, 2007. A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s
report. The motion was seconded and the report was unanimously approved.
John Costanza has resigned from the Westmoreland Association Board of Directors.
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously adopted to thank John for his many
years of dedicated service to the community.
Mr. Mugdan then announced the nominees for Officers and Board members for
2008-2009: Officers: Walter Mugdan (President), Sheldon Rosenblum (Vice
President), Gary Savage (Treasurer), Charles Manna (Secretary). Board Members:
Kathleen Beckett, Thomas Dent, David Diaz (new nominee), Franklin Lloyd, Peter
Reinharz, Robert Timmerman, Philip Toscano. A motion was made to accept the
entire slate of officers and directors. The motion was seconded and passed
unanimously.
Old Business:
• Reconstruction of sewers and water mains in parts of the neighborhood is
nearing completion. The “under pavement” has been completed on the streets and
the final layer will be added later this spring. Unfortunately, the contractor
broke his promise to keep the granite block curbing where it was undamaged. All
the new curbing is concrete. Since Westmoreland is not labeled a “Historic
District,” we have no recourse. Also the scope of the job did not include
replacing sidewalks. Homeowners who believe the contractor damaged their
sidewalks (or other parts of their property) will have to file a claim for
damages. It was suggested the Homeowners call 3-1-1 to initiate the claims
process.
• LIRR Train Whistle discussion.
New federal government regulations that became effective several years ago
require trains approaching grade crossings to blow their whistles in a
particular pattern, at a specified volume, and for a particular length of time.
The loud and long whistling at the Little Neck grade crossing is extremely
irritating to nearby residents. The regulations provide that a “quiet zone” can
be established if certain safety measures are adopted. Two alternative proposed
measures were discussed at the previous meeting One proposal involves
installation of four (“quad”). Currently it is the only proposal supported by
the NYCDOT, but there is not sufficient funding available to proceed with this
proposal. The LIRR estimated the cost at $800,000, a figure that some of our
members consider to be significantly inflated. The second is the CB-11 divided
roadway proposal. This involves, among other elements, median dividers on Little
Neck Parkway and reconfiguration of the LIRR parking lot to relocate the
entrance/exit from LNP to 39th Road; it was estimated this proposal would cost
about $100,000 to $150,000. Congressman Gary Ackerman earmarked about $225,000
in the federal budget for addressing the grade crossing problem. City Councilman
Avella is expected to earmark a similar amount in the upcoming City budget. (See
Minutes of November, 2007 meeting for a more detailed description of both
proposals.)
At the November, 2007 meeting the Westmoreland Association membership voted to
support the quad gate proposal, because of concerns that the median divider
proposal would result in increased traffic in our community.
At the March, 2008 meeting Christine Hatami reported on a “hybrid” or three-gate
proposal. This would involve two full gates on the north side and a median
divider on the south side. A motion was made to maintain support of the original
plan (the Quad Gates). The motion was seconded and passed.
New Business
• The Douglaston / Little Neck Historical Society’s annual meeting is Sunday
April 13, 2008 in the parlor room of the Douglaston Community Church. Dr.
Jeffrey Roessler will conduct a talk on neighborhood preservation.
• Police revealed that the murder that occurred the evening of December 25, 2007
in the playground across the street from PS 94 was a “hit” that was intended to
eliminate a witness to a crime. Several individuals have been arrested for the
murder, and police indicated the case against them is very strong.
• The Lawn Litter Law was passed. If a sign is on the front lawn forbidding
circulars, the people who distribute them will have to comply.
• Expansion of the Little Neck Library onto the adjacent lot is still being
considered.
The next meeting is May 19, 2008.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Charles Manna, Secretary
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