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Minutes of the General Membership Meeting of the Westmoreland Association
November 21, 2011

Officers Present:
President – Walter Mugdan
Secretary – Charles Manna 

Officers Absent:
Treasurer -- Gary Savage

 President Walter Mugdan called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M.  A motion was made, seconded and unanimously adopted to waive reading of the minutes.   (Mr. Mugdan noted that the minutes were available for review on the Westmoreland website.)   In Treasurer Gary Savage’s absence, the President gave the Treasurer’s Report (previously prepared by Mr. Savage) indicating that the balance-on-hand was $18,133.42 as of November 21, 2011.  A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report.  The motion was seconded and the report was unanimously approved. 

Also present:

·         Lauren Evans, reporter, from the news web site, Patch.com
·        John Mulvey, Deputy Director of Communications for Daniel J. Halloran III – NYC Council Member, 19^th District, Queens
·        Susan Seinfeld, Community Board 11 District Manager
·         Maureen McCarthy, NYC DOT Queens Borough Commissioner.
·        Interested residents of the surrounding community.

 Old Business –  

Commissioner Maureen McCarthy answered questions regarding local citizen’s concerns regarding the updated Long Island Rail Road crossing – i.e., the traffic control on Little Neck Parkway is still dysfunctional.  Walter Mugdan gave a brief review of the history of the LIRR grade crossing at the Little Neck Station.  He also provided a schematic to illustrate the location and layout of the streets and barriers in the area.  Walter also reminded the audience of Westmoreland residents, other local residents and officials what concerns have already been expressed.  Among them are:

• Traffic Flow -  vehicles moving North on Little Neck Parkway cannot turn left into Sandhill Road.  They have to proceed towards 35^th Ave and do a U-turn.
• The result is that some drivers make an illegal turn onto Sandhill Road by cutting in front of the island.
• Cars can get trapped on the tracks because the same island blocks cars from moving around other vehicles that have stopped just north of the tracks to discharge passengers.
• Even though there are two lanes going south-bound on Little Neck Parkway traffic can still be blocked by cars that stop to pick up passengers in the right lane and cars that are trying to turn left onto Station Road (39th Ave) from the left lane.

 One benefit from the updating is that the parking lot at the train station is configured better.  However, some suggested that the lot should be reconfigured again to allow cars to come in and discharge passengers and then leave.  The configuration of the lot is under the control of the MTA, so the officials present have no say about such changes.  In addition, the station is used and licensed as a taxi stand for Ollie’s car service.  They use that area as a permanent waiting area for cars that are dispatched into the surrounding towns.

 The Commissioner spoke.  She said that the quiet zone has been a success and that some of the additions, the flexible bollards and the concrete islands were installed to satisfy the Federal requirements needed to stop the loud train whistles.  Sandhill Road is private and the DOT has no control over access and use of the street.  She said that the police have not been encouraged to enforce the no-stopping signs at the station because most users are local residents.

A question and answer session followed:
1.    Q – we don’t believe that the people who are driving to the station and are illegally discharging passengers are local residents.  Please enforce the no stopping rules.
2.  Q - Can we extend the sidewalk on the north side of the station? A- that would require removal of a large tree just beyond.  If/when the tree dies it could be done.
3.  Q - Why was the island built on Little Neck Parkway north of the tracks? A– To fulfill the Federal Railroad Commission’s requirements for a quiet zone.
4.  Q - The island curbing is too high for emergency equipment.  Can it be lowered?  A – Commissioner McCarthy will look into it.
5.  Q – can the DOT create a one-way street going only West on 39^th Ave between Westmoreland and Little Neck Pkwy?  That would stop vehicles from blocking South-bound traffic during rush hour. A – Commissioner McCarthy will look into it.
6.  Q – can U-turns be prohibited until further north on Little Neck Parkway (north of the station) where the road is wider?  A – Commissioner McCarthy will look into it.
7.  Q - When can we expect a response?  A – in about six months

Walter Mugdan thanked the commissioner for taking the time to listen to the residents’ concerns.  He announced that the public session was over and the rest of the evening would be devoted to Westmoreland Homeowners Association business only.  He thanked those from outside the Westmoreland area for attending, and invited them to leave.

  New Business – 

The following events will be taking place:

·         The 2011 Long Island Influenza Symposium – Saturday, December 3^rd.  In addition to learning how to plan and protect people from infection, flu shots will be provided by a certified CVS pharmacist.  The location is Applied Science Foundation for Homeland Security Lecture Hall, 510 Grumman Road West, Bethpage, NY 11714.

·         Free Mammograms – sponsored by Daniel Halloran – December 17, 2011, 9 AM to 4 PM.  Call the office for an appointment (718-631-6703).

·          Anti-Forclosure Seminar – Saturday, December 10 from 10 AM to 12 Noon.  At the Poppenhusen Institute located at 144-04 14th Road in College Point. 

·         Seminar on Grant for Community Improvement.  Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 6-7 PM at the Queens Borough Hall.  Located at 120-55 Queens Blvd.  Call Wilfredo Florintine at 212-822-9580

 Our remaining meetings during 2011-2012 will be held on March 19, 2012; and May 21, 2012. 

 The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.

                                                                         Respectfully submitted

                                                                         Charles Manna, Secretary

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