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Minutes of the General Membership Meeting of the Westmoreland Association

May 19, 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.
Representing the 111th Police Precinct – Inspector Jason Huerta and Detective Neil Blainey

President Walter Mugdan called the meeting to order at 8:00 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 $19,859.39 as of May 19, 2014.  A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report.  The motion was seconded and the report was unanimously approved. 

Old Business –
Was temporarily put aside in order to start the meeting with the Police representatives.

NEW Business
Inspector Jason Huerta attended the meeting with Detective Neil Blainey, the Community Relations officer.  The first topic of conversation was the increase of identity theft by the use of ATM “skimming” devices.  These are miniature cameras and recorders that track the ATM card and the PIN number that is entered at the cash machines and the LIRR ticket machines.  It is recommended that when you use a machine, be careful about how the PIN is entered.  Be sure that you shield the keypad with your hand to prevent a hidden camera from recording the activity.  Also, enter the bank with another card, if possible.  TD Bank requires a police report before it will reimburse for loss. 

Several perpetrators have been arrested in Brooklyn so far.

There have been several telephone scams in the area.  Criminals pretend to be from Con Ed or the telephone company, or say they have your relative in custody in a foreign jail.  They all demand immediate payment with credit card.

Burglaries are way down.  The gang(s) that were operating in the area last year have been apprehended.

Prostitution is in the upswing in the stores along Northern Blvd in our area.  So far, arrests have been made in Little Neck in the building across from Stop and Shop above Julian Nails.  Also 255-08 Northern Blvd. (however, the Association's Secretary who prepared these minutes has recently witnessed suspicious activity there). 

Police have been using an elevated stand called SkyWatch to deter crime.

Question:  How can we get vagrant cars removed from our streets?

Answer:  If a car has not moved in seven days, call 311.  The police will mark the tires and see if the car is not being moved.  After seven more days, the car will be towed.  Officer Heurta encourages the use of 311.  He will use the referral as a way to follow-up.

There have been reports of young girls being followed to and from PS 94 and Middle School 67.

Old Business –
Admiral Park – The flag pole – Assemblyman Bronstein requested that it be replaced.  It was broken during hurricane Sandy.

Community Board 11 voted to oppose legalization of the use of basements as apartments.  This is not only dangerous for the prospective tenants, but would downgrade the neighborhood.

Installation of the new water main is due to be completed by the end of June.

There is a hearing scheduled by the Town of North Hempstead planning department to consider a variance request that would allow a house on Nassau Road to expand beyond the limit allowed by zoning. The owner wants to add to the second story of the house, but it would add too many square feet.

3 Nassau Road – owner installed a fence between his home and 5 Nassau Road.  It extends closer than 20' of the front line, the maximum permitted under Westmoreland area protective covenants.  The Association has tried to communicate with the owner by mail, so far without satisfactory response.

Peter Reinharz reported that there is a new law, the “Non-Profit Revitalization” Act, that states, in part, that a not-for-profit corporation must have a policy against conflicts of interest by board members.  Board members must disclose any relationship with property belonging to  the association, contractors hired by the corporation, etc.  The Attorney General will be given more authority to regulate not-for-profits.  The Westmoreland Association Board of Directors has adopted a conforming policy. 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM. 

                                                            Respectfully submitted

                                                            Charles Manna, Secretary
 
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