Monthly Minutes - June 2010

Public Portion top

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Bart Allegretti to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Gerald Bertuna. Unanimously adopted.

Pledge Of Allegiance top

The meeting of Community Board 11 was opened with Paul DiSpirito having the honor of leading the pledge.

Minutes top

Frank Segreto made a motion to adopt the minutes of the May 13, 2010 meeting. Seconded by Barbara Parisi. Unanimously adopted.

Award Presentation top

The Chairman, on behalf of Community Board 11, presented Certificates of Appreciation to the 62nd Precinct Explorers for their participation in It's My Park Day, a cleanup project that was held in Bensonhurst Park on May 15th.

The recipients were Mohamed Badran, Orlando Delaguila, Christina Gardini, Anthony Gecevice, Aarone Hare, John Leidner, Philip Ramos and Nick Sanchez.

Chairman's Report top

The Chairman welcomed and introduced the newly appointed board members: Matthew Bromme, Yoketing Eng, Tim Law, Vito Martinelli and Vito Marangelli.

Mr. Guarinello thanked Paul DiSpirito, a member of Community Board 11, as well as the proprietor of Leone's for donating this evening's collation.

The Chairman announced that Senator Golden will be holding a town hall meeting at Saint Finbar's on Tuesday, June 29th at 7PM.

Election Of Officers top

At the May 13, 2010 meeting, the Nominating Committee presented the following slate of officers for the 2010/2011 term:

Chairman - William R. Guarinello
1st Vice Chair - Frank Segreto
2nd Vice Chair - Shirley Fineman
Secretary - Man Wai Lau
Treasurer - Nicholas Miraglia

The Chairman inquired if there were any nominations from the floor. Hearing none, a motion was made by Joe DiSanto to accept the slate of officers presented by the Nominating Committee. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Assemblyman Abbate top

The Assemblyman advised that the state budget should be in place within the next 2 weeks. He stated that the budget process was extremely difficult because of the 9.2 billion dollar deficit and the cuts that have to be made. The legislature is trying to eliminate waste and not make such extreme cuts that could eliminate important programs.

Mr. Law inquired what percentage of cuts would be made to education. The Assemblyman advised that the Mayor proposed over a billion dollars in cuts. The Assembly version of the budget restored $600 million and the Senate made no restorations.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia reported that Community Board 11 received notification that the Department of Transportation is in the process of designing bicycle facilities for Bay Ridge Parkway between Shore Road and Bay Parkway. Installation of these facilities are currently scheduled for October 2010.

The District Manager advised that according to the 62nd Precinct, from 1996 to present, there were 1268 accidents on Bay Ridge Parkway between 14th Avenue and Bay Parkway. She further stated that Bay Parkway is a local truck route and has been a top priority on this board's capital budget recommendations for safety improvements.

After brief discussion on the issue, a motion was made by Gerald Bertuna to oppose the bicycle facilities for Bay Ridge Parkway between 14th Avenue and Bay Parkway. Seconded by Mafalda DiMango. Unanimously adopted.

The District Manager discussed the misuse of corner litter baskets with the placement of household and commercial garbage. The result is overflowing garbage that is unsightly, attracts rodents, and emanates foul odors especially during the summer months. She further advised that it is her understanding that due to budget reductions the collections of the corner litter baskets has been reduced, resulting in garbage sitting in our streets.

Joe DiSanto made a motion, requesting the Department of Sanitation remove the corner litter baskets within the confines of Community Board 11, until the agency's budget can accommodate dedicated litter basket trucks in our community. Seconded by Bart Allegretti. Unanimously adopted.

Marnee Elias-Pavia advised that tomorrow, Holy Family Home will hold a mural unveiling. The murals painted by local students and teachers from Community School District 20 are of neighborhoods that depict the name of the units.

The Chairman and District Manager thanked the administrators and staff of Holy Family Home for their hospitality in hosting Community Board 11's monthly meetings.

Perfect Attendance Awards top

Alice Wong, representing Borough President Marty Markowitz, distributed perfect attendance awards for 2009-2010.

Alice Wong announced that the Borough President will be holding a Town Hall Meeting regarding the effect of MTA service cuts to the senior and disabled population. The meeting will be held this Monday at 6PM at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Congressman Nadler top

Maya Kremer, representing Congressman Nadler, reported that Congressman Nadler introduced the Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2010 in order to stop preventable injuries, accidents, and deaths caused by lack of public access to critical consumer information. The bill restores public accountability in our judicial system by ensuring that public health and safety are properly taken into account when decisions are made about keeping information concerning public health or safety issues discovered in litigation secret.

She further advised that the Congressman issued a statement on the attempt by the 'Freedom Flotilla' to break Israel's blockade of Gaza.

A motion was made by Barbara Parisi to adjourn. Seconded by Louis Crispiano. Unanimously adopted.

Meeting adjourned.

Attendance top

Present
• Bart Allegretti
• Gerald Bertuna
• Ross Brady
• Matt Bromme
• Maria Campanella
• Al Campanelli
• Dr. Joseph Caruana
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Tom Colosanto
• Louis Crispiano
• Salvatore D'Alessio
• Mafalda DiMango
• Joseph DiSanto
• Paul DiSpirito
• Yoketing Eng
• Charles Farrauto
• Anthony Favale
• Shirley Fineman
• William Guarinello
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Man Wai Lau
• Tim Law
• Rosalee Manitta
• Albert Milone
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Raymond Mollica
• Vincent Nativo
• Barbara Parisi
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Stanley Roher
• Frank Segreto
• Antonio Troia
• Laurie Windsor

Absent
• Leonard Beninson
• Donald Clark
• Sarra Fronshtein
• Kevin Ly
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Corrado Manfredi
• Camillo Messina
• Ella Nigro
• James Orlando

Excused
• Rosa Casella
• John Garvey
• Barbara Parisi
• John Raffaele

Guests
• Assemblyman Peter Abbate
• Councilmember Domenic M Recchia Jr.
• Elizabeth Ridler - Brooklyn Public Library
• Dyker Branch
• Rakhi Bhattacharya - Brooklyn Public Library
• Highlawn Branch
• Louise Martini- Senator Martin Golden
• Melissa Batha - Congressman Michael McMahon
• Maya Kremer - Congressman Nadler
• Ken Lazar - NYC Department of Buildings
• Ken Scianna
• Rose Scianna
• Jake Oliver - Councilman David G. Greenfield
• David Ng
• Police Officer Stephen Agosta - 62nd Precinct
• Alice Wong - Brooklyn Borough President's Office