Comet Spring Newsletter 2016

8/19/2019 Comet Spring Newsletter 2016

1/8

Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together

COMETNewsletter · Spring 2016

If you see something, say something!

Counter Terrorism Hotline

1-888-692-7233 or 1-888-NY-SAFE

If you see something, send something.

Go to the APP Store, type in "see send".

You can attach photos or send information.

Water, Water Everywhere! Communities are being impacted by water main breaks and ponding conditions

Elmhurst residents in and around the vicinity of Kneeland Avenue (see photo on le � ) and residents in the

Wineld secon of Woodside near 51st Avenue (see photo on the right) are concerned about their sewers

and water mains.

Photo by John Scha ff er Photo by Dick Gundlach

Should we all be

concerned about whatis happening under

our streets?


2/8

Pg. 2 Spring 2016 COMET

61st Street/Flushing Avenue - If you look closely at the mound

of snow you'll see a car is parked under the mound. Whoever

shoveled the spot buried the car that took the spot...

Photo by Teresa Marrero

CSX overpass at Grand Avenue and 74th Street in Elmhurst.

Photo by Richie Polgar

Maspeth Plateau - the person who shoveled out this spot

wanted to send a clear message to any would-be parker. At

least he/she didn't wait for someone to park and then bury thevehicle! Photo by Mike Fordunski

Parking Wars Snow Removal Update

We’re all too familiar with the lack of parking spaces in our

community and the fact that parking goes from bad to worse

during a snowstorm. If we were to take a vote, our guess is that

the community would be split as to whether or not drivers have

the right to claim a spot once they shovel it out or whether

anyone has a right to park in the spot regardless of who shoveled

it out.

We were very pleased with the snow and ice removal eff ort

throughout our area. We didn’t have to call Council Membe

Crowley or Council Member Dromm’s offi ce with numerou

overpasses that were unpassable. Woodside folks were able to

cross the overpass on 65th Place, Maspeth residents were able to

cross the Long Island Expressway overpasses on Grand Avenue a

well has Hamilton Place, and Elmhurst residents could navigatethe overpass on Grand Avenue at Calamus Avenue. We did have

a couple of glitches that we called into our Council Members

offi ces.

61st Street at Grand Avenue in Maspeth.

Photo by Teresa Marrero


3/8

COMET Spring 2016 Pg. 3

Water Main Break Causes Concern

Manhole Explosions Spark Concern in Elmhurst Gorsline Street at 51st Avenue and Manilla Street at Kneeland Avenue

At about 6:00 pm on Tuesday, February 9th, Elmhurst resident

Phil Wong noced the lights were ickering in his house. He

reached out to his neighbor John Schaff er who stepped outside

and could smell smoke that he believed was coming from an

electrical source. Shortly a�erward he heard a re truck with

its lights on drive up the street. Within minutes of their arrival

they heard the explosion. Shortly a�er the explosion a ulity pole

went on re.

One neighbor states she called Con Edison to inquire about why

her lights were ickering but they were not very helpful. She

walked to 51st Avenue and saw two manhole covers with smoke

billowing out and saw a manhole cover explode from beneath a

car.

The end result was that 51st Avenue and Manilla Street had

to be closed down completely, cars were going in all diff erent

direcons not knowing which block they could turn down to getout to 51st Avenue, and some of the residents lost electricity on

one or more oors of their homes. Time Warner and RCN was on

site doing rewiring and four Con Edison trucks were on site trying

to address the problem. Luckily no one was injured.

We reached out to Council Member Daniel Dromm’s offi ce who

then contacted the Offi ce of Emergency Management (OEM) to

determine what caused the blast.

On February 16th, a week a�er the

manhole explosions, residents had to

contend with a sinkhole on Kneeland

Avenue between Hillyer and Ireland

Streets that turned out to be a water

main break. The Department of

Environmental Protecon told one

of the residents that water had been

running from this main for quite

some me.Several days later, water

was seen running beneath a manholecover on Ireland Street at Kneeland

Avenue. We once again reached out

to Councilman Dromm’s offi ce as wel

as the Mayor’s offi ce asking that they

conduct an invesgaon to determine

why these problems are aff ecng this

parcular part of Elmhurst.

We cannot stress the importance of calling 311 and reporng

problems and get the agency to invesgate. Make sure you

keep a record of the 311 complaint numbers.

Phil Wong standing near a manhole

that exploded. We don't know where

the bus's bumper landed!

A u� lity pole that went on re.

Photos by John Scha ff er


4/8


Ponding Condition on 72nd Street

and 51st Avenue in Win

eld

Comet’s Vice President Dick Gundlach has had an ongoing concernabout the ponding condion at the intersecon of 72nd Street

and 51st Avenue. Dick lives in the Wineld secon of Woodside

that is located at the boom of the steep hill in Maspeth. When

it rains heavily the water ows down the hill so fast the catch

basins become overloaded and the water oods the streets and

at mes goes into the local businesses and homes of residents.

Some folks have had to install sump pumps.

If you look at the photos you can see that the water is ponding

around the catch basins and that is why the problem was reported

to the Department of Environmental Protecon through 311

and subsequently to Community Board 2 and Council Member

Crowley when the condion was not addressed.

We are all hopeful that the Calamus Avenue Sewer Project

will alleviate the ooding problem in the area. However, if the

catch basins are clogged, as in this case, ooding will persist.

Dick will connue working with Community Board 2 and the

offi ce of Council Member Crowley to get the Department of

Environmental Protecon to address the condion. The best way

to get the job done would be to restrict parking so the agency

can do their work. We’re hopeful the problem will be resolved in

the near future.

New Signage at RustStreet at Maspeth Avenue

New signage was installed at

the intersecon of Rust Street

at Maspeth Avenue to help

alleviate accidents involving

vehicles crossing the tracks.

The signs were posted in both

direcons and trains will now

have to stop at this crossover.Chrisna Wilkinson, who

took the photo, noced the

“No Turn” sign for motorists

had been knocked down. She

reported this condion to 311

and the problem has been

reced.

If you see damaged or missing signage, call 311.

A u lity pole that went on re.

Photos by Dick Gundlach

Photo by Chris na Wilkinson


5/8

COMET Spring 2016 Pg. 5

Where are the Traf c Lanes? Sharp-eyed Comet member Richie Polgar was quick to noce

the yellow paint depicng the traffi c lanes is gone and creang a

hazard for drivers on the LIE service road. This is another prime

example of a problem that can be called into 311. If you see

something, please report it!!

Richie has been working with the offi ce of Council Member

Crowley and the 104th Precinct to have the lanes restored.

Captain Mark Wachter, 104th Precinct, had a meeng with theDepartment of Transportaon and they stated the painng of the

lines will be done in the spring.

Consequences of WaterRun-Off

Regardless of whether you live at the top of the hill or the

boom and regardless of whether you live in Maspeth,

Elmhurst, Woodside or Middle Village and surrounding

communies, we all pay the price if the excess water runoff

from roo�ops, streets, driveways and sidewalks contributes

to Combined Sewer Overow which results in water backupsin our homes.

You Can HelpBioswales are being placed in some locaons throughout

our community to help with water run-off . However we

all need to do our share to curtail water from our property

owing into the sewers. If you don’t want to bother with

grass, trees or shrubs, please make sure any solid surface

you install is porous to help absorb the water. Going “green”

is the best choice!!

Maspeth’s 69th Street“Parking Lot” Restored to

Open Space

A vacant piece of property located on 69th Street and 52nd Drive

was called to our aenon by a nearby resident who stated that

it had been paved over and was being used as a parking lot. We

checked the Department of Buildings website and found out tha

it had already been reported. A number of violaons were issued

and according to a Buildings Department permit that was posted

on the fence, the property owner was required to remove the

concrete, plant grass and remove the illegal curb cut.

When we passed by to take a photo, we saw the concrete was

removed except for about a three foot concrete “frame” around

the property. We assume this meets Department of Buildings

approval.

If you look at the top photo you can see the property is sloped

towards 69th Street and water owing off the lot would run

down 69th Street into the Wineld secon of Woodside tha

is prone to ooding. Several years ago when we experienced a

heavy rainfall, we received calls from residents telling us that

manhole covers on 69th Street at the boom of the hill were

actually oang because the sewers couldn’t take the water run

off . As a result, not only did water ood the streets but it also

backed up into people’s basements.

Before

A er

Example of a bioswale

Photo by Richie Polgar


6/8


Ponding Condition on 52nd Avenue in Elmhurst

This is a prime example of a ponding condion that needs to be

addressed by the Department of Transportaon.

Comet Treasurer Geraldine Walsh called this problem on 52nd

Avenue into 311 in December. She noced it a�er her street was

paved.

If you see problems such as this, call 311. If it ’s not addressed in

a mely fashion, call your City Council representave with the

complaint number.

Block Captain Richie Polgar

takes noce of problems in

the community and reports

them. If eyesores like this

are not taken care of, it will

look like we don’t care about

our neighborhood. If you

see graffi , trash or another

problem, take a minute andreport it to 311.

Photos by Richie Polgar

Empty Building on Grand

Avenue in Elmhurst The vacant building at 84-52 Grand Avenue has been an eyesore

for many years and community residents queson whether o

not the building is safe. We reached out to the Department o

Buildings and Council Member Daniel Dromm’s offi ce and asked

them to invesgate. The building has now been sealed but the

eyesore remains. We are working with the Councilman’s offi ce to

determine what can be done to restore this building and would

be thrilled to see a business move in downstairs and give an

opportunity to tenants to live upstairs.

Neighborhood Eyesores

Illegal Commercial Parking

Many residents have to contend with nding on-street parking

space in our area. Residents in west Maspeth were furious to

discover a huge commercial vehicle that parked overnight on

Grand Avenue at 58th Avenue. It was taking up about ve parking

spots!The problem was called into 311.

Commercial vehicles cannot park on residenal streets between

the hours of 9:00 pm and 5:00 am. If you have a problem such

as this, call it into 311.

Photo by Madeline Barrionuevo

Photo by Geraldine Walsh

Grand Avenue between

69th Street & 69th Place

Former St. John's Parking

garage on Ho ff man Drive

Grand Avenue at HamiltonPlace - now vacant building

Photos by

Geraldine Walsh


7/8

Report Plane Noise hp://www.planenoise.com/panynj/daPRAbr9/qs114wbt.php

Q47 Bus Detour Will Continue

to Affect Woodside ResidentsFolks are wondering why the Q47 bus isn’t back on its route even

though no work is being done. Community Board 5 was able to

get some answers to our ques�ons regarding the Calamus Avenue

sewer project which made it necessary to detour the Q47 bus.

We want to thank Community Board 5 for ge ng answers for us.

Response:

“The reason that the Q47 bus is s�ll not back to running along

Calamus Avenue is that the new sewer s�ll has to be installed

in Calamus Avenue. The contractor has installed water mains in

both Calamus Avenue and in 69th Street, but signicant sewer

work s�ll has to be performed in both of these streets. The

contractor has recently done a test pit in 69 Street, between

Queens Blvd. and 47 Avenue, related to problems with planned

sewer work in 69th Street. I am wai�ng to hear back from NYC

DDC regarding their plans to proceed with sewer work. Once all

sewer work is completed, both Calamus Avenue and 69th Street,

within the project limits, have to be resurfaced from curb to curb.Sorry for the delays.

DOT informed us today that the Q47 bus shelter (69th Street at

Gareld Avenue) was removed in August 2015, due to the major

capital project on 69th Street. The bus shelter will be reinstalled,

and is tenta�vely scheduled for April 2016.”

Comet Updates

To get the latest Comet and neighborhood news all in one place, join our Google Group “CometUpdates”.

If you do not already have a Google account, you can create one at: hps://accounts.google.com and then search and subscribe

to “CometUpdates” by entering your email address at hps://groups.google.com

Newsletter Committee

Mike Fordunski, Tom Porembski, Geraldine Walsh, Chris�na Wilkinson, Richie Polgar, Dick Gundlach,

Howard Moskowitz, Roe Daraio and Maspeth Press

Upcoming C.O.M.E.T. Meetings

St. Adalbert Parish Center, lower level, 52-40 84th Street, Elmhurst. Mee�ngs start at 7:00 pm and are open to all.

Check our website at www.cometcivic.com to see if a mee�ng is canceled due to inclement weather.

Monday, April 4th / Monday, May 2nd / Monday, June 6th

Special Thank You

This newsle er is made possible by funding from Council Members Elizabeth Crowley, Daniel Dromm and Jimmy Van

Bramer through the Department of Youth and Community Development. State funding was provided by Assembly

Member Marge Markey and will be used for gra ffi � removal and the Maspeth Memorial Day Parade.

Support your community!

COMET Dues for 2016 $10.00

Checks or money orders please

NAME

ADDRESS

EMAIL (op�onal)

Exis�ng Member New Member

Mail to: COMET

P.O. Box 780151

Maspeth, NY 11378

We needyour supportto continue

our efforts inthe community.


8/8

C.O.M.E.T., INCP.O.Box 780151

Maspeth, NY 11378

PRSRT STD

U.S.Postage

Paid

Flushing NY

Permit #1264

Please Deliver To:

Annual Earth Day Event Join Council Member Elizabeth Crowley,Maspeth Federal Savings, NYPD & CometSaturday, April 16th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Maspeth Federal Parking lot at 69th Street at Grand Avenue

PAPER SHREDDING

Your opportunity to safely dispose of valuable paperwork to avoid identy the

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

Dispose of your old TVs, computers, phones and other electronics

RAIN BARREL GIVEAWAY

Collect water for your plants and vegetables. Quan es limited!!

NYPD VIN ETCH PROGRAM

You may be eligible for a discount on your car the insurance!

REGISTRATION

The 104th& 108th Precincts will register your cell phones, iPads, tablets, cameras,

bicycles, etc. to help recover them if stolen. These are city-wide programs and

everyone is invited to take advantage of them.

Informaon available in English and Chinese concerning identy the� and the

city-wide graffi removal program

To nd out more about

C.O.M.E.T.check out our website at

www.cometcivic.com

P r i nt ed b y wwwMas pet h P r es s c om

Documents

Comet Spring Newsletter 2016