Residents Rally for Stop Sign. Is NYCDOT Listening?
A rally of concerned parents and local residents was held on Monday, August 16th at 69th Place and 60th Avenue. Over 100 residents expressed their outrage over the dangerous speeding conditions and lack of adequate traffic controls along this very treacherous road.For years residents on the block have been asking for an All-Way Stop at that intersection. Each time they were denied by the NYC Department of Transportation.
In recent years, there have been several car accidents along this stretch of roadway on 69th Place between Caldwell Avenue and Eliot Avenue. As recent as January 1998, a 14-year-old boy, who lives on this block, was a victim of a hit-and-run accident while trying to cross this very busy and very dangerous street. The street is also used by motorists as a detour from 69th Street which is one block away, sending as many as over 450 cars down 69th Place, a residential block, in a one-hour time period!
Due to the lack of traffic-, control at 69th Place and 60th Avenue, motorists are able to speed down a very long 6 block stretch of roadway that slopes, causing blind spots, from Caldwell Avenue to Eliot Avenue without regard to the residents, large amount of children who live and play on this long stretch of roadway and other motorists.
The rally was attended by State Senator Serf Maltese, Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz and Assemblywoman Marge Markey. Representatives from the Juniper Park Civic, COMET and Maspeth People’s Civic were among the protesters along with concerned and outraged residents.
The rally was organized by Ellen Giordano, and local community activist Lori Phelan. Both believe strongly in securing the traffic control necessary to make our community streets safer to walk and drive down along with preventing future life threatening injuries. At press time DOT has promised to study the problem. Although they have studied the problem many times before, this time we think they got the message.
Good work Ellen and Lori and all the concerned residents!

New Sanitation Department Guidelines for Disposal of Appliances Containing CFC Gas

Before discarding a refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, water cooler, dehumidifier, or other appliances containing CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) gas, residents must first call the Sanitation Action Center to schedule an appointment. The night before your scheduled appointment, place the items at the curb for Department processing. Sanitation personnel will remove the CFC gas from the items and tag them. The tag indicates that the items are CFC free. Tagged items will then be collected during the week by a recycling collection truck. (Please note: For safety reasons, the law requires that (doors be removed from refrigerators and freezers.)
To schedule an appointment, call (212) 219-8090 from 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.
The Department of Sanitation, in compliance with a Federal mandate, must remove CFC gas from appliances before collecting them for disposal.

What is CFC Gas?
CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) gas, also known as Freon, is used as a refrigerant in appliances. When improperly disposed, it damages the ozone layer of the atmosphere which protects the earth from solar ultraviolet radiation.
REMEMBER: All other metal bulk items (made of at least 50% metal) are recyclable and should be placed at the curb for collection the night before your regular Recycling Day. Non-metal bulk items should be placed at the curb for collection the night before your regular garbage collection day.
If you have any questions about CFC gas removal your, garbage or recycling collection schedule, free self-help bulk disposal, or other Sanitation issues, please call the Sanitation Action Center at (212) 219-8090. Or visit their website at www.ci.nyc.ny.us/strongest.