Friday, October 26, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
October 6, 2007 Minutes
The October 6, 2007 meeting started off with a welcome from Vice President Kisha Sigler and an introduction of the block association officers and attendees.
Committee updates:
On behalf of the Garden Committee, Toya reported that it continues to be open for use by the residents of the block. Anyone interested in obtaining a key to the garden should contact Michael at 209 Madison. Members have already planted many vegetables and flowers and will commence work on preparing the garden for the winter. One attendee suggested that we obtain red mulch to cover the garden for the winter. An attendee asked if money will be received for the required winter maintenance work. Please note that the garden has received a $500 grant for general use. Toya will reapply for the Citizens for NYC grant for 2008, an amount which ranges from $500-1500 per year.
The Public Safety Committee reported that crime is up overall due mainly to a rise in car theft. Shootings are down. Officer Lyons has offered to attend a future block association meeting to address any issues and to answer any questions. The Committee also requests that one additional person attend the Precinct Council monthly meetings. You would attend three meetings a year (the last Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30pm), alternating with Kisha and Maliza. Dinner is served at the end of the meeting. Please let Kisha or Maliza know if you are interested.
The Finance Committee presented a spreadsheet with our current financial status. After the expenditures from the meet and greet, the block party, office and garden supplies we still have $999.39 in the bank. This surplus is due to the block's fundraising efforts and members' contributions. Yeah!! There was a vote allowing the block association to send a card and token of condolences to Ms. Ward's family. There will be a vote at a future meeting for automating the process of getting funds in the event of a passing. The amount proposed was $25 per passing.
The Youth Committee will continue its efforts to engage our youth to create a youth newsletter. An attendee suggested that these contributions be in the form of a youth page within the block association's current newsletter instead of a separate newsletter. This concluded the committee updates.
At the prior meeting, Bed Stuy's Project Re-Generation provided a 30 day trial at no cost to the Madison Street 3 block association. This free trial has now expired and attendees expressed interest in continuing the service. Toya mentioned that further discussions are needed regarding continuing the service for the 4-5 unoccupied homes on the block. We will vote on this at a future meeting. The monthly fee for this service starts at $85 for trash removal, front yard, sidewalk and gutter cleaning 3 days a week, and increases if you require snow removal, recycling, backyard or basement services. Project Regeneration is an organization teaching financial literacy to area kids. The kids make some money cleaning up in front of area homes, and then Project Regeneration helps them organize and learn how to manage the money they make. More information can be found at www.pr-g.org.
In old business: (1) mailboxes in front of 180 madison. Rachel will repaint them herself since no one from the city has responded to her inquiries. (2) Toya has requested that you contact her if you have any information on the owners of the unoccupied houses. The Block Association is working with the city to make sure that these spaces do not get out of hand (e.g. young people in and out, illegal activity...). You can reach Toya at madisonstreet3@gmail.com. (3) The trees in front of 186-188 Madison create a haven for illegal adn boisterous activity. One attendee said that he will look into getting the trees trimmed. (4) In order to get the attention of the owners of vacant premises, an attendee suggested that we call 311 to have the city issue summons' for the litter in front of vacant premises. (5) Finally, if you have any entries for the newsletter, please contact Michael (209 Madison) or Maliza (184 Madison).
In new business: (1) The block association will look into obtaining a garbage can outside of the community garden. We will need a volunteer to empty it on garbage days. (2) The association will work with community Board 3 to get a sanitation representative out to meet with us to discuss our sanitation concerns. This meeting will be during the week at the YMCA. Please note that an attendee has noticed sanitation inspections as late as 7:30 pm the day before garbage pickup. (3) Sanitation will give out compost on October 26th in Staten Island. Each borough has a different date, so consult their website www.nyccompost.org for more composting dates. (4) On Monday, October 22, at 7pm the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will provide general information at the YMCA regarding gardening and composting. (5) Attendees would like to put together a Halloween party for the kids on October 31, 2007 from 6:30-8:00pm in the community garden. Attendees volunteered to provide candy and decorations to Maliza at 184 Madison after 6:30 pm, October 27th. A vote was taken and the block association will donate $50 for this event. (6) An attendee has noticed things disappearing out of his backyard. Please do not "borrow" items without first requesting permission of the owner. (7) A 10-week course in home maintenance at 1012 Gates Avenue Thursdays 6-9pm has proven to be invaluable to some attendees. It costs $150. Call 718 732-8026 or consult www.nhsnyc.org for course schedule and availability.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm.
Committee updates:
On behalf of the Garden Committee, Toya reported that it continues to be open for use by the residents of the block. Anyone interested in obtaining a key to the garden should contact Michael at 209 Madison. Members have already planted many vegetables and flowers and will commence work on preparing the garden for the winter. One attendee suggested that we obtain red mulch to cover the garden for the winter. An attendee asked if money will be received for the required winter maintenance work. Please note that the garden has received a $500 grant for general use. Toya will reapply for the Citizens for NYC grant for 2008, an amount which ranges from $500-1500 per year.
The Public Safety Committee reported that crime is up overall due mainly to a rise in car theft. Shootings are down. Officer Lyons has offered to attend a future block association meeting to address any issues and to answer any questions. The Committee also requests that one additional person attend the Precinct Council monthly meetings. You would attend three meetings a year (the last Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30pm), alternating with Kisha and Maliza. Dinner is served at the end of the meeting. Please let Kisha or Maliza know if you are interested.
The Finance Committee presented a spreadsheet with our current financial status. After the expenditures from the meet and greet, the block party, office and garden supplies we still have $999.39 in the bank. This surplus is due to the block's fundraising efforts and members' contributions. Yeah!! There was a vote allowing the block association to send a card and token of condolences to Ms. Ward's family. There will be a vote at a future meeting for automating the process of getting funds in the event of a passing. The amount proposed was $25 per passing.
The Youth Committee will continue its efforts to engage our youth to create a youth newsletter. An attendee suggested that these contributions be in the form of a youth page within the block association's current newsletter instead of a separate newsletter. This concluded the committee updates.
At the prior meeting, Bed Stuy's Project Re-Generation provided a 30 day trial at no cost to the Madison Street 3 block association. This free trial has now expired and attendees expressed interest in continuing the service. Toya mentioned that further discussions are needed regarding continuing the service for the 4-5 unoccupied homes on the block. We will vote on this at a future meeting. The monthly fee for this service starts at $85 for trash removal, front yard, sidewalk and gutter cleaning 3 days a week, and increases if you require snow removal, recycling, backyard or basement services. Project Regeneration is an organization teaching financial literacy to area kids. The kids make some money cleaning up in front of area homes, and then Project Regeneration helps them organize and learn how to manage the money they make. More information can be found at www.pr-g.org.
In old business: (1) mailboxes in front of 180 madison. Rachel will repaint them herself since no one from the city has responded to her inquiries. (2) Toya has requested that you contact her if you have any information on the owners of the unoccupied houses. The Block Association is working with the city to make sure that these spaces do not get out of hand (e.g. young people in and out, illegal activity...). You can reach Toya at madisonstreet3@gmail.com. (3) The trees in front of 186-188 Madison create a haven for illegal adn boisterous activity. One attendee said that he will look into getting the trees trimmed. (4) In order to get the attention of the owners of vacant premises, an attendee suggested that we call 311 to have the city issue summons' for the litter in front of vacant premises. (5) Finally, if you have any entries for the newsletter, please contact Michael (209 Madison) or Maliza (184 Madison).
In new business: (1) The block association will look into obtaining a garbage can outside of the community garden. We will need a volunteer to empty it on garbage days. (2) The association will work with community Board 3 to get a sanitation representative out to meet with us to discuss our sanitation concerns. This meeting will be during the week at the YMCA. Please note that an attendee has noticed sanitation inspections as late as 7:30 pm the day before garbage pickup. (3) Sanitation will give out compost on October 26th in Staten Island. Each borough has a different date, so consult their website www.nyccompost.org for more composting dates. (4) On Monday, October 22, at 7pm the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will provide general information at the YMCA regarding gardening and composting. (5) Attendees would like to put together a Halloween party for the kids on October 31, 2007 from 6:30-8:00pm in the community garden. Attendees volunteered to provide candy and decorations to Maliza at 184 Madison after 6:30 pm, October 27th. A vote was taken and the block association will donate $50 for this event. (6) An attendee has noticed things disappearing out of his backyard. Please do not "borrow" items without first requesting permission of the owner. (7) A 10-week course in home maintenance at 1012 Gates Avenue Thursdays 6-9pm has proven to be invaluable to some attendees. It costs $150. Call 718 732-8026 or consult www.nhsnyc.org for course schedule and availability.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Presentation!
PLEASE JOIN THE MEMBERS OF MADISON STREET 3 BLOCK ASSOCIATION FOR AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN
WHEN: MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007, 7 – 8 PM
WHERE: BEDFORD STUYVESANT YMCA, 1121 BEDFORD AVENUE
WHY: TO LEARN ABOUT COMMUNITY GARDENING AND COMPOSTING
Upcoming Events
Wednesday October 31, 2007 Halloween Party and Candy Give
6:30 – 8:00 PM Away at Stars of Hope Community Garden @ 213 Madison Street
Saturday November 3, 2007 Monthly Block Association Meeting
6:30 – 8:00 PM Meeting at the Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA @ 1121 Bedford Avenue
WHEN: MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007, 7 – 8 PM
WHERE: BEDFORD STUYVESANT YMCA, 1121 BEDFORD AVENUE
WHY: TO LEARN ABOUT COMMUNITY GARDENING AND COMPOSTING
Upcoming Events
Wednesday October 31, 2007 Halloween Party and Candy Give
6:30 – 8:00 PM Away at Stars of Hope Community Garden @ 213 Madison Street
Saturday November 3, 2007 Monthly Block Association Meeting
6:30 – 8:00 PM Meeting at the Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA @ 1121 Bedford Avenue
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