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Minutes of the General Membership Meeting of the Westmoreland Association
March 24, 2014
Officers Present
President � Walter Mugdan
Treasurer � Gary Savage
Secretary � Charles Manna
Board Members Present
Victor Dadras
David Diaz
Peter Reinharz
Bob Timmerman
Officials Present
Steve Masillo � Aide to Assemblyman Edward Bronstein.
President Walter Mugdan called the meeting to order at 8:05 P.M. 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.) Gary Savage gave the Treasurer�s Report indicating that the
balance-on-hand was $18,850.92 as of November 24, 2013. A motion was made to
accept the Treasurer�s report. The motion was seconded and the report was
unanimously approved.
Old Business �
Regarding the enforcement of the covenants by the NYC Department of Buildings,
the Westmoreland Homeowners Association continued to press for the passage of
legislation to require the New York City Department of Buildings to flag the
existence of covenants attached to our deeds in the DOB database. We met in
September with the other Ricker-Finlay communities in Queens (Douglas Manor and
Broadway-Flushing). We wrote to the then candidates running for local offices to
find out if they would support us. Peter Vallone, now our City Councilman, said
that he would support such legislation. State Sen. Avella and State Assemblyman
Braunstein have since proposed legislation in Albany. Steve Masillo reported
that the legislation is in committee.
Questions: If the
legislation passes, and a circumstance arises when the Buildings Dep�t. fails to
make note of a covenant (or erroneously concludes it does not apply), can we
still enforce?
Answer: We believe so, but Walter Mugdan will follow up. [Walter subsequently
corresponded with Sen. Avella and Assemblyman Braunstein recommending � in an
excess of caution � that language be added to the bill clarifying explicitly
that we can enforce the covenants ourselves regardless of what the City
Buildings Department does or does not do. Sen. Avella replied that he would make
that change to the bill.]
Traffic in the neighborhood remains a concern. The Association wrote to the New
York State Department of Transportation requesting that speed bumps be installed
on Glenwood between 41st Drive and Northern Boulevard to slow traffic.
Assemblyman Braunstein supported this endeavor in a letter to the City
Transportation Department. DOT replied that at least one speed bump will be
installed when funds are available. The Association thanks Senator Braunstein
for his support.
NEW Business
Westmoreland Homeowner Association elections
The Current Roster of Board Members was re-elected.
The Current Roster of Executive Officers was re-elected.
Paul Vallone � Newly elected City Council Member representing our district, will
host a meeting with civic association leader on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.
Councilman Vallone sent a questionnaire to us. It is designed to allow us to
identify for him the issues that are of most importance to us. We will identify
for him as our highest priority the above-referenced legislation regarding our
covenants, and we will attach to the survey his letter (while a candidate)
endorsing our suggestion.
In addition, we will identify various parking-related issues as a matter of
concern. These include better enforcement of the maximum 7-day parking rule;
creation of a no parking period of several hours at least once a week; and
increasing the metered parking on Northern Blvd from one hour to two hours.
David Diaz said that there is a large RV that has been parked on 43rd Ave for
months. Others pointed out that it has moved on occasion so it is not in
violation.
Newly Elected Mayor Bill DeBlasio has reportedly advocated the legalization of
currently illegal basement apartments, and currently illegal two- and
three-family apartments in dwellings zoned for single family use, to provide
additional lodging as a way to alleviate the chronic low-cost housing problem.
The Association unanimously rejects this approach. It was pointed out that the
Fire Department and the Department of Buildings would likely oppose legalization
of such dangerous living quarters.
Victor Dadras expressed concern about the �down grading� of the shopping
district along Northern Blvd. He feels that the buildings in our neighborhood
that are in violation of the fifth covenant should be notified that they are in
violation. Covenant five states: �No lot or building the business sections shall
be used for any business which shall constitute a nuisance.� Motion made and
passed for the President to write a letter to the owner of the buildings that
are in violation of the covenant. This is particularly true of the video store
that has the mannequins in the front window dressed in a lascivious manner.
Community Board 11 � has new leadership. The District Manager is still Susan
Seinfeld.
Chairperson � Christine Haider (replacing Jerry Ianecce)
Vice Chairs � Laura James, Ocelia Claro, Eileen Muller
The Association notes with sadness the passing of Rod O�Connell. He managed
Bryce Rea Real Estate and was a long-time resident of Douglas Manor and had an
additional apartment in Manhattan.
Participatory Budgeting � Local municipal elected officials are
asking community leaders to suggest ideas for capital projects. People can
champion ideas and get them written up. All residents in a community will then
vote for their favorite. Last year, former Councilman Halloran set aside one
million dollars to fund fifteen projects. Unfortunately, the city council took
the money back after Halloran was arrested. Council Speaker Christine Quinn did
restore some of the funding to the designated projects. New Councilman Peter
Vallone may try to implement the Participatory Budgeting program again in the
coming fiscal year. Projects can budget up to one million dollars, but most
successful projects run in the $75K to $150K range.
Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade: Almost came to an
end this year when its board of directors suddenly decided to dissolve itself.
Fortunately, some of the directors and some other interested parties decided to
revive the organization right away. The result is that the parade is still on.
There is now a website called LNDMemorialDay.org. There is also a FaceBook Page
and a Twitter account. A meeting will be held on March 26, 2013 to plan the
parade.
45th Annual Udalls Cove Park Cleanup: Saturday, May 3, 2014 ��
volunteers needed. Meet at 10 AM near Aurora Pond (on Sandhill Road, a/k/a the
Back Road). Wear long pants and use sunscreen. Free picnic lunch for volunteers
after the cleanup.
David Diaz suggested that the Association put up signs in the neighborhood
asking people to clean up after their dogs.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Charles Manna, Secretary
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