Council Member Shahana Hanifis partnering with Lower East Side Ecology, DSNY, Clean-up Kensington, and the Kensington Stewards to host a Kensington Sanitation Fair!
Drop off your e-waste and get your free composting bin for curbside composting at:
Kensington Plaza (Church Ave & Beverly Road) Sunday 10/15 10 am – 12pm.
Composting began on Oct 2nd for all Brooklyn residents!
Our meeting began using Zoom at 6:40pm. Larry Jayson presided over the meeting. We hope that the next meeting will be in person in the Flatbush Jewish Center.
We would like to see one or both or our Neighborhood Community Patrol (NCP) officers attend the next meeting to introduce themselves and share with us issues of concern with the Police in our neighborhood. One of the officers is Seargent Wing Chan whose email address is: wing.chan@nyp.org.
We would like to invite the District Manager of Community Board 12 (CB12) to attend the next meeting. We would also like to invite Ms. Deb Sheintoch of the New York Sanitation Department to discuss the revived Compost Collection program.
Larry reminded us of a time when we were part of NYP District 70 and the community officers were very responsive. Besides the turnover of NCP officers, our District (66) will also be changing Commanding Officers (CO). It was suggested that the responsiveness of the Police Department is enhanced when we attend more community meetings.
It was mentioned that the food store at 415 Church Ave. where various products of the store are still out blocking passageway of the sidewalk. We would like to continue to alert our local police officers and sanitation employees of this continued problem.
It was mentioned that the intersection of Church Ave. and Ocean Parkway; especially the entrance to the Prospect Expressway was still a serious hazard. Several suggestions have been made such as improved signage to increase the safety for pedestrians have been made but very little has been done to make improvements. It was acknowledged that this is a tough problem to solve.
Michael Rosenbluth updated us as to the status of the restructuring of the bus lines that is proposed by the New York Transit Authority. Some of the proposals include the removal or relocation of bus stops, the elimination of some bus lines and the re-routing of other bus lines. Examples of bus lines affected include: B1 B2,B3,B4, B16, b67, B68, B69 and B103. A positive proposal is the creation of B55 which would run locally from Church Ave. and McDonald to the JFK airport. Our Community Board (CB12) has not shared its concerns as much as other Community Boards. The plan is still in the proposal stage and concerned citizens should share their concerns with our local elected officials. A hard copy of the current plan is available in the Windsor Terrace Library.
Mr. Matt Malloy, a member of Councilwoman Shahana Hanif’s staff was recognized as an attendee of the meeting. His email is mmalloy@council.nyc.gov, if you wish to contact Councilwoman Hanif’s office.
These minutes of the ANA will be posted on our new website ANABrooklyn.org and on our Facebook page (Albemarle Neighborhood of Brooklyn).
We still do not know the status (rented or not) of the Rite Aid Store on E.3rd st and Church Ave.
It was noted that the “No Standing” sign at the southwest corner of Albemarle and East 5th Street is still in place in spite of the many complaints about it. It is still hoped that the sign will be removed.
Larry Jayson, President Jody Cook , Vice President Peter Gomori , Treasurer Jannette Katz-Gomori , Secretary
1. The Building of 5G Cell Towers
Meeting began with discussion regarding installation of square boxes on East 5th street near Church Ave and on East 2nd street near Church Ave. These boxes will be used to create additional 5G cell phone towers. There has been some resistance in other neighborhoods to the creation of these towers due to health concerns. Discussion can be researched under the title of Citibridge.
2. Graffiti on Vacant Rite Aid Store on Church Ave.
It was suggested that a mural painting be gotten for the wall on Rite Aid to discourage graffiti artists. Bob Elstein of Beautify Brooklyn could be contacted to help us find artists to paint a mural. White fence on East 2nd street and Church Ave is also peppered with graffiti.
3. Presentation by Michael Rosenbluth on the proposed Bus Redesign by the MTA.
Michael spoke at length about proposed changes to the Brooklyn Bus routes in the Kensington Neighborhood. Community board meetings were held in Brooklyn. Michael attended the local Community Board meeting along with Shahana Hanif and the office of Bob Carroll. Information on this redesign plan is on the website MTA. Info. Route changes include the B16 bus, B35 bus, B68 and B69 route. Proposal to curtail parts of the B103 route are currently be revisited.
An exciting plan would include a new B5XT crosstown limited bus to JFK airport leaving from Church Ave and McDonald Ave. Details regarding elimination of the Limited B35 bus, elimination of East 5 Street bus stops , no more express buses to Manhattan on weekends are some of the suggested changes.
More on this draft proposal can be gotten by clicking on MTA.info on the box on the left which has redesign plan and in person events to attend. Karma blog is another source of information. Time to speak out as concerned citizens.
4. Proposal for Grant for Clean-up on McDonald Ave
It was proposed that a grant be requested from Yvette Clark’s office to get a $10,000 grant for clean up of our neighborhood, specifically McDonald Ave . Albemarle Neighborhood Association is currently applying for 501C3 status as a non-profit organization which would make us eligible for these grants.
5. No Standing Sign
A no standing sign was removed this past year . It was located on East 5 street and Albemarle Ave. People got ticketed not being aware of this sign. Shahani Hanif was contacted and the sign was taken down in 24 hours.
6. Next Meeting of the Albemarle Neighborhood Association will take place on May 31, 2023
It will be the 50th Anniversary of the ANA. Plans are being made to get a permit for an outdoor meeting on Albemarle Road between East 4-East 5 street. An alternative spot might be in the community room of the Flatbush Jewish Center on East 5th street.
7. Announcements
Peter Gomori is awaiting notification regarding reinstallation of 501c/3 status from the IRS which will allow us to be a tax deductible nonprofit organization. Peter is grateful for accounting firm Scoty and Scott for facilitating this process.
Peter wants to recognize Carol Henning for creating our new ANA webpage and social media page anabrooklyn.org.
This upcoming Saturday is the beginning of April Poetry month. This Saturday, April 1st Jody Cook, with the Kensington Stewards will be holding a poetry event at the Windsor Terrace Library. Bob Elstein ,of Beautify Brooklyn will be attending. Please come.
In May Peter Gomori will continue to hold Personal Finance workshops sponsored by the Kensington Stewards at the Windsor Terrace Library.
8. Participatory Budgeting
Participating Budget Voting is being held this week We are in District 39. People can vote on line or in person at various sites in our neighborhood. Check the link on Participatory Budgeting for more information:
