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Minutes of the General Membership Meeting of the Westmoreland Association
May 20, 2013
Officers Present:
President – Walter Mugdan
Vice President -- Sheldon Rosenblum
Treasurer – Gary Savage.
Board Members Present
Victor Dadras
David Diaz
Robert Timmerman
Phil Toscano
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 $18,883.03 as of May 20, 2013. A motion was made to accept
the Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded and the report was unanimously
approved.
Also present:
• Steve Masillo – from Senator Braunstein’s office
• Susan Seinfeld -- District Manager, Community Board 11
Guest Speakers:
• Captain Jason Huerta, Commanding Officer, 111th Precinct, NYPD
• Officer Gary Poggiali, Community Affairs Officer, 111th Precinct, NYPD
Captain Huerta and Officer Poggiali addressed the membership, discussing local
crime statistics and providing crime prevention suggestions. Burglary remains
the predominant criminal concern in our area. Major crimes were down 7% last
year in the precinct; all categories saw a reduction except burglaries and grand
larceny/auto. In the Westmoreland area there were no burglaries last year (there
was one just a week or two prior to this meeting). In a neighboring community,
homeowners walked in on a burglary in progress; two burglars were present and
showed what appeared to be a handgun (which is unusual for burglars -- most are
unarmed). The officers recommended good lighting around homes; be attentive to
your surroundings; and phone 911 if you see any suspicious individuals. Burglars
come from all over the city to this area, because it is an affluent area. Most
burglaries are in the daytime, when homeowners may be away at work or shopping;
but in this area is common for burglars to watch a house in the evenings until
the residents leave (e.g., for dinner or a movie). In another part of the
precinct there were an astounding 21 evening burglaries in one week between
November-December that followed this MO, presumably all by the same
individual(s). Burglars typically enter through a side or back door or window,
breaking in. Sometimes when there is a ladder in the garage or backyard, the
burglars may use it to access an upper story. The burglary problem is by no
means severe or out of control, but the police rely on residents' help in
monitoring suspicious activity. If you area away traveling, make sure your mail
is taken in, the lawn is mowed, and use timers on interior lights. Alarms deter
casual or random burglaries, not usually targeted burglaries. The main
objectives are jewelry, cash, TVs and computers. Bedrooms are an obvious target
for the burglars. Home safes are effective if sufficiently heavy and/or bolted
down. Captain Huerta described the precincts crime prevention and detection
efforts, including a Crime Prevention Officer (Luigi Gallano) who will come to
your house upon request to advise on safety improvements. Among other things,
the NYPD offers property etching, so your valuable property can be discreetly
marked with identifying information.
Audience questions asked what can be done about rising prostitution operating
from what are ostensibly massage parlors. Captain Huerta explained that these
are difficult busts to make. Undercover police must get proof of three
infractions before the business can be closed down (not just arrests of the
prostitutes made). Officer Poggiali called Mr. Mugdan later in the week to
report that he flagged the issue for the Vice Squad. Concern was expressed about
the recent advent of scantily clothed manikins in the window of the X-rated
video store on Northern Boulevard. Officer Poggiali subsequently reported to Mr.
Mugdan that Community Affairs Officer Conway visited the video store later in
the week. While the manikins are not illegal, Officer Conway asked that they be
removed (or more appropriately clothed) at least during the upcoming Memorial
Day Parade.
Audience members expressed concern about automobiles using the neighborhood as a
throughfare when seeking to avoid Northern Boulevard traffic, including speeding
on the area streets (see below for more on this). Audience members asked about
the construction at PS-94, and the potentially dangerous condition at the
intersection of 41st Drive and Little Neck Parkway with a construction trailer
behind curtained fencing obstructing the view of cars turning either way. The
suggestion was made to move the trailer further south. Officer Poggiali later
reported to Mr. Mugdan that he had spoken about this to a School Construction
Authority official suggested by Susan Seinfeld of CB-11.
A member suggested that during the Memorial Day Parade, officers should be
posted at the Little Neck LIRR crossing and west on Sandhill Road to direct
traffic along that one-lane, two-way street. Many drivers use the
Douglaston/Little Neck back road to bypass Northern Boulevard when it is closed
for the parade. Captain Huerta explained that he did not have the manpower to do
this, because of the demands for strong police presence at the parade route.
Officer Poggiali subsequently advised Mr. Mugdan that he had contacted CERT
(Community Emergency Response Team, a volunteer organization) about doing the
traffic control on Sandhill Road.
A member expressed concern about excessive noise from dance parties at the
Armenian American Hall just north of the LIRR station. The officers explained
that he should call 311 when this happens. The precinct will send a car and ask
that the noise be reduced. Only if a second call comes in will the officers
issue a summons.
A member expressed concern about the intended new use for the former OTB parlor
on Little Neck Parkway and Northern Boulevard. It is to be a drop-off daycare
center. It is likely this will create traffic congestion by double parking while
parents drop off their children. The NYPD will pay attention to it when it
opens.
At the end of this session Mr. Mugdan thanked the officers for coming, and the
membership gave them a good round of applause.
Old Business –
Mr. Mugdan reported that, as authorized at the March 18 meeting, he had
submitted an application to the NYC Department of Transportation to make the
Westmoreland area a "Slow Zone" in which the speed limit would be 20 mph. Susan
Seinfeld indicated that the application might be denied because the area in
question is smaller than NYC DOT would prefer.
New Business –
Glenwood Road Speed Bumps: On May 6 Susan Seinfeld emailed Walter Mugdan to
advise that CB-11 had received approval from NYC DOT for installation of speed
humps on Glenwood Road between Northern Blvd. and 41st Drive. CB-11 polled by
mail the 31 residents on the street, receiving 13 replies -- 10 in favor, 3
against. CB-11 requested Westmoreland Association's reaction before it takes a
position. The matter was discussed. A motion was made and seconded to endorse
the proposed speed humps; the motion passed with only one vote opposed. Mr.
Mugdan later emailed Ms. Seinfeld advising of this outcome.
Scobee Diner Property: Sheldon Rosenblum attended a CB-11 Zoning Committee
meeting at which the developer's initial proposal was discussed. Mr. Rosenblum
secured copies of the plans and some supporting information including a summary
of the required economic analysis. The plan is for a bank on the first floor,
with a drive through window; ingress to the drivethrough and the 17-car parking
lot would be from Little Neck Parkway; egress to Northern Boulevard. On the
second floor would be a "community facility," most likely a doctor's office. The
plans were displayed and discussed by the membership, with input from Directors
Victor Dadras and Phil Toscano, both architects. Concerns about the plans were
discussed at some length. A motion was made, a friendly amendment was made, and
the amended motion was seconded. The motion called on the Association to express
concerns about the plan as proposed, primarily with respect to traffic-related
safety concerns about the drivethrough and egress onto Northern Blvd., but also
concern about the use of the property as a bank. This would create "dead"
evenings on this major intersection, with two banks, a child day care center,
and a funeral home on the four corners. It would be preferable to have a
restaurant or some other more active use for the Scobee property. In due course
the motion was voted on and passed, with two votes in opposition.
Memorial Day Parade: Mr. Mugdan invited all members and friends to join
Westmoreland Association as we march in the parade again. The parade steps off
at 2 PM on May 27. Westmoreland marchers should meet around 1:45 at the parking
lot of the Starbucks coffee shop just east of the City line on the north side of
Northern Boulevard. This is a way to honor our service men and women, and those
who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Unauthorized Cutting of Trees on Westmoreland Association Property: Mr. Mugdan
reported on this at the March, 2013 meeting. There was nothing to update during
the May meeting. After the May meeting, however, Mr. Mugdan spoke with the newly
appointed manager of the Westmoreland Coop Apartments. He was unfamiliar with
the issue. Mr. Mugdan gave him the background information and said that we were
still awaiting a response to our settlement proposal.
The schedule for our remaining meetings in 2013 is: September 16 and November
18. Please mark your calendars.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Walter Mugdan, President
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