April 2023

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:

About PBNYC

9. Closing remarks

Larry Jayson closed the meeting by saying:

“We have defined what a community is—past, present and future. We nurture and care for our community in hopes that this will continue.”