Monthly Minutes - May 2008

Public Portion top

The Chairman inquired if anyone from the public sought recognition. Hearing none, a motion was made by Mafalda DiMango to close the public portion of the meeting. Seconded by Frank Segreto. Unanimously adopted.

Minutes top

A motion was made by John Raffaele to accept the minutes of the April 10, 2008 meeting. Seconded by Jerry Chiapetta. Unanimously adopted.

Moment Of Silence top

Mr. Guarinello requested a moment of silence for Michele Bertuna, father of board member Gerry Bertuna.

Chairman's Report top

The Chairman advised that those wishing to pay their respects to the Bertuna family could do so this evening at Torregrossa, 1309 79th Street from 7PM - 9 PM. The funeral mass will be held tomorrow morning at St. Athanasius at 9:45 AM.

Mr. Guarinello congratulated Michael Giovanelli from the 62nd Precinct on his promotion to Captain.

The Chairman discussed a major issue effecting providers of summer camp programs. The Department of Education is now requiring that the provider pay opening fees, which is impossible since there are not adequate monies to operate the summer programs.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to call upon the Department of Education and the Department of Youth and Community Development to maintain the funding for the opening fees for summer youth programs. Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa. 27 in favor, 2 abstentions. Motion carried.

Award Ceremony top

Mr. Guarinello announced that on April 12, 2008, Community Board 11 sponsored the 2008 Great American Clean Up in Bensonhurst. This clean up focused on the removal of the illegal "moving flyers" posted on public utility poles within our community.

The Chairman urged residents to adopt utility poles on their block and to rip off these flyers as soon as they are posted. He stated that he hopes that other community districts implement this strategy in an effort to rid our neighborhoods of this blight.

The Chairman personally thanked Assemblyman Peter Abbate, the members of Boy Scout Troop 20, and the NIA for their participation in the clean up.

Mr. Guarinello presented Certificate of Appreciation Awards for their participation in the clean up to: PO Steve Agosta, Steven Agro, Shanora Arnold, Evan Block, Michael Bove, Theresa Cardazone, Susan Czarnecki, Elaine Delaney, Matthew Delaney, Patrick Delaney, APO Marc Katcher, Eileen LaRuffa, Man Wai Lau, Matthew Lugo, Frank Maddalena, Charles Michaels, Jimmy Morales, ADI Gary Nalick, Shane O'Toole, Roxie Pavia, Kimjberly Samoleski, PO Jim Sporacio, Andrew Santano, Lucille Santano and APO John Senia

Mr. Guarinello presented a special recognition to Assemblyman Peter Abbate for his participation in the clean up and for apprehending flyers later that evening from an individual who was in the process of posting them in our community.

Assemblyman Abbate top

Assemblyman Abbate advised that after participating in the clean up, he toured the community to observe the cleaned areas. As he was approaching 78th Street, he caught an individual in the process of posting flyers. The Assemblyman confiscated the flyers and his duct tape, which he presented to the Chairman.

The Assemblyman advised that the State has passed a balanced budget. He further advised that a bill was signed into law which he and Senator Golden sponsored which calls for additional penalties for anyone who assaults a senior citizen.

Assemblyman Abbate advised that locally PS 229 is undergoing expansion, as well as PS 163, which is scheduled to begin in the near future, and street pruning has been undertaken from 14th Avenue to 20th Avenue. In addition, the Assemblyman has written to the Mayor requesting a new precinct house for the 62nd.

Assemblyman Abbate made a presentation of $2,000 to Community Board 11. The Assemblyman, to compensate for budget reductions imposed on the Community Board from the City, secured these monies from the State Budget.

Mr. Guarinello and Marnee Elias-Pavia thanked the Assemblyman for his support.

Nominating Committee top

Richard DiNapoli, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented the following slate of officers for the 2008-2009 term:

Chairman William R. Guarinello
1st Vice Chair - Shirley Fineman
2nd Vice Chair - Corrado Manfredi
Secretary - Frank Segreto
Treasurer - Louisa Verito

Sixty Second Precent top

Police Officer Steve Agosta, of the 62nd Precinct Community Affairs Office, advised that on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 the Police Department will be registering cell phones, I-pods and Portable Playstations on 80th Street between 16th and 17th Avenues from 9AM - 4PM.

District Manager's Report top

Marnee Elias-Pavia, Assistant District Manager, personally thanked all those that participated in the 2008 Great American Clean Up in Bensonhurst held on April 12, 2008.

The Assistant District Manager advised that Community Board 11 recently received two applications that were filed with the Board of Standards and Appeals. The first application is an extension of term for a period of five (5) years for the existing McDonalds Restaurant located at 2411 86th Street. The second application is for 6701 Bay Parkway, which is seeking permission to complete construction beyond the June 23, 2007, two (2) year anniversary date of the Bensonhurst Zoning change.

The Planning and Zoning Committee will be scheduling a public hearing for the June meeting.

The Board was advised that there was a multi-agency meeting in response to the Board's resolution adopted on April 10, 2008, calling for the relocation of the trailers on Bay 14th Street and Shore Parkway, that are being utilized by the Department of Environmental Protection, for the Avenue V Pump Station Force Main Upgrade.

The Department of Parks and the Department of Transportation, as well as other agencies present, have agreed that the trailers can be relocated to Shore Parkway and the 17th Avenue pedestrian overpass. We are awaiting permits from the Department of Transportation.

Ms. Elias-Pavia advised that notification was received from Columbus Construction, the contractor for the 20th Avenue bridge, that they are scheduled to remove the remaining portion of the bridge. The work is scheduled for the weekends of May 17th and May 31st. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be maintained.

The Assistant District Manager advised that due to postal rate increases and budgetary reductions, Community Board 11 would no longer send meeting notices to people that do not attend our meetings. In addition, anyone interested in receiving electronic notices should contact the office for inclusion to our list.

Ms. Elias-Pavia announced that the Letter Carriers Food Drive will be held on May 10, 2008. Those interested in making a donation should put non-perishable food in a bag by your mailbox. The Post Office will collect the food and deliver it to a local food bank.

A motion was made by John Raffaele to adjourn. Seconded by Frank Segreto. Unanimously adopted.

Attendance top

Present
• Al Campanelli
• Angelo Siciliano
• Bart Allegretti
• Dr. Joe Caruana
• Eileen LaRuffa
• Frank Segreto
• Jerry Chiapetta
• Joe DiSanto
• John Raffaele
• Kalman Tabak
• Leonard Beninson
• Leone Demolfetto
• Louis Crispiano
• Mafalda DiMango
• Man Wai Lau
• Maria Campanella
• Msgr. David Cassato
• Nicholas Miraglia
• Rabbi Gary Pollack
• Raymond Mollica
• Richard DiNapoli
• Rosa Casella
• Rosalee Manitta
• Ross Brady
• Sarra Fronshtein
• Stan Roher
• Tom Colasanto
• Vincent Nativo

Absent
• Angel Geraldi
• Anthony Mallozzi
• Antonio Troia
• David Gordon
• Don Clark
• Ella Nigro
• Frank Naccaratto
• Jack Hazan
• Peter Mugavero
• William Hongach

Excused
• Albert Milone
• Anthony Neglia
• Barbara Parisi
• Camillo Messina
• Corrado Manfredi
• Gerald Bertuna
• Louisa Verito
• Shirley Fineman

Guests
• Assemblyman Peter Abbate
• Jimmy Morales
• P.O. Stephen Agosta (62nd Pct.)
• P.O. Carmelo Vendra (62nd Pct.)
• Adeline Michaels (Concerned Citizens of Bensonhurst)
• Charles Michaels (Concerned Citizens of Bensonhurst)
• Elliott Kramer (CM Recchia)
• Lucreta Regina-Potter (Republican District Leader 49th AD)
• Sunshine Adder (Healthcare Education Project)
• Andrew Santano
• Lucille Santano