Minutes of Community Board 8 Board Meeting held on October 17, 2007 at the Hillcrest Jewish Center, 183-02
Union Turnpike, Flushing, N.Y.
Attendance:
Board Members Present: Richard Amron, Jagir Singh Bains, Carolyn Baker-Brown, Dr. Allen J. Bennett,
Maurice Braithwaite, Susan D. Cleary, Kenneth David Cohen, Maria DeInnocentiis, Bernard Diamond, Patricia
Dolan, Mary Maggio Fischer, Florence Fisher, Kevin Forrestal, James Gallagher, Jr., Deepmalya Ghosh, Marc A.
Haken, Robert Harris, Steven Konigsberg, Mark J. Lefkof, Mitch Lisker, Agatha E. Michael, Jesse Rosenbaum,
Annie Salvatore, Anna Sawchuk, Seymour Schwartz, Michael F. Sidell, Harbachan Singh, Norma Stegmaier,
Bernard Sydnor, Martha Taylor, Robert Van Pelt, Alvin Warshaviak, Stanley Weinblatt, Sylvia Weprin, Albert
Willingham.
Absent: Dilafroz Ahmed, Allen Eisenstein, Carolann Foley, Howard A. Fried, Joshua Glikman, Tami Hirsch,
Janet Kramer, Martha Levine, Frank Magri, Simon Pelman, Frances Peterson, Charlton Rhee, and Jacob Weinberg.
Others Present: Valli Cook representing Queens College, Leah Carter representing Councilman James Gennaro,
Marva Kalish representing Assemblyman Mark Weprin, Bruce Eiber representing Councilman David Weprin,
Selvena N. Brooks representing Senator Malcolm A. Smith, District Manager Marie Adam-Ovide and Barbara
McKeon, CB8 Staff.
Call to Order:
Chairman Alvin Warshaviak called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Public Participation:
Sean Fleming resides on Highland Avenue in Jamaica Estates. He and his wife live right next door to the proposed
St. John’s University dorms. He believes these dorms will ruin his block. He doesn’t believe a word of what the
administration at St. John’s is promising in regard to parking and the dorms being a safe and peaceful neighbor. He
urged the Community Board to help him. He invited everyone to a demonstration on Saturday, October 20, at 8:00
a.m. at the St. John’s University Campus.
Chairman Warshaviak reiterated that Community Board 8 has taken a position, unanimously, against the
proposed St. John’s 485-bed dormitory. We are doing whatever we can possibly do to stop this from happening.
Ana Landrone stated that our community, consisting of single family homes, is not an appropriate setting for the
proposed 485 dormitory. Our community would like to know what actual support will Community Board 8 give us
and how will you help us in action?
Salute to the Flag:
Chairman Warshaviak led the salute to the flag.
Approval of Minutes:
Mark J. Lefkof made a motion to approve the minutes of September 19, 2007, seconded by Dr. Allen Bennett.
Board Members who approved the minutes: Richard Amron, Jagir Singh Bains, Carolyn Baker-Brown, Dr. Allen J.
Bennett, Maurice Braithwaite, Susan D. Cleary, Maria DeInnocentiis, Bernard Diamond, Patricia Dolan, Mary
Maggio Fischer, Florence Fisher, Kevin Forrestal, James Gallagher, Jr., Deepmalya Ghosh, Marc A. Haken, Robert
Harris, Steven Konigsberg, Mark J. Lefkof, Agatha E. Michael, Annie Salvatore, Anna Sawchuk, Seymour
Schwartz, Michael F. Sidell, Harbachan Singh, Norma Stegmaier, Bernard Sydnor, Martha Taylor, Robert Van
Pelt, Alvin Warshaviak, Stanley Weinblatt and Sylvia Weprin.
Count in favor:
31
Opposed:
0
Abstained:
0
Chairman’s Report
 Chairman Warshaviak announced the proposed 2008 meeting schedule for Community Board 8. He asked
all Board Members to review and advise District Manager Marie Adam-Ovide of any recommended
changes by October 31, 2007.

CB8 has received some responses back from elected officials, civic groups and religious leaders asking for
endorsements on a letter that will be sent to Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressing our alarm and anger at a
trend of recent occurrences in our community. However, we now would like to receive responses back
from everyone else. We are asking for follow-up telephone calls made by all the Board Members. Each
Board Member will be making approximately ten calls either to an elected official, civic group or religious
leader. District Manager Marie Adam-Ovide will instruct Board Members who they will be calling.

Letter of Support on Assembly Bill 3926 and Senate Bill 2045 – Legislation requiring that the MTA
provide adequate means for disabled individuals to cross the border between Nassau and Queens Counties
and travel up to five miles within the neighboring county. Chairman Warshaviak asked for a show of hands
to vote in favor of a letter of support. 34 Board Members agreed on the letter of support in favor of
endorsing Assembly Bill 3926 and Senate Bill 2045. Board Members Marc A. Haken, Pat Dolan, Bernard
Diamond and Kevin Forrestal feel this is a vital service which MTA needs to provide to seriously disabled
seniors. Board Member Stanley Weinblatt disagreed and feels realistically this will not work. The MTA
cannot meet the demands for all five boroughs. Mr. Weinblatt wishes it was possible; however, he doesn’t
think it is at all feasible.

Letter of Support to oppose congestion pricing – Community Board 8 voted to oppose the Mayor’s
proposal for congestion pricing as a means to reduce traffic in the Manhattan central business district.
Chairman Warshaviak asked for a show of hands to vote on opposing the congestion pricing. It was
unanimous to send a letter of support opposing the Mayor’s proposal. It was recommended that the letter
of support be more inclusive.
District Manager’s Report.
 A written report was distributed.
 Good news! City Council passed Local Law 31. Department of Sanitation has tagged over 300 clothing
bins in Queens. These bins will be removed after 30 days unless the owners remove them themselves.
Starting November 1, 2007, the 311 Infoline will begin taking such complaints.
 The Department of Sanitation will start collecting fall leaves on Sunday, November 18 and Sunday,
December 2nd. The leaves must be either in a brown paper bag or in an unlined container. Leaves in plastic
bags will not be collected. Homeowners may put the leaves out starting Thursday night for collection on
Sunday.
 There is also a drop-off site in Queens for items such as fluorescent lights and paint cans. It is located at
30th Avenue bet. 121st Street and 122nd Street. It is open every Saturday from 7am to 3pm except the last
Saturday of the month. The site is open the last Sunday of the month for those who are Sabbath observant.
 Reminder: There will be a Public Hearing on October 23, 2007 regarding the Briarwood Proposed
Rezoning at 7:30 pm at the Parsons Beacon located at 158-40 76th Road. Immediately following the public
hearing, there will be a Zoning Committee meeting. Representatives from City Planning will give a
presentation on the Yards Text Amendment and the Street Tree Planting Text Amendment.
Committee Reports:
A. Parks Committee – Sylvia Weprin
Last week, the Parks Committee met with the Department of Parks and Recreation.
 Pruning of trees has been changed from 10 years to 7 years.
 There is increased funding for stump removals and emergency tree removal.
 Several construction projects at Cunningham Park were discussed.
 Convert Hoover Playground concrete field to a Little League Baseball field.
 Relandscape Hoover/Manton Playground.
 A lot of work is being done at Captain Tilley Park. They want to get the Jamaica High School’s
Ecology Parks Foundation involved.
 Extend Briarwood Mall (Promenade)
 Refurbish landscaping at Haym Solomon Triangle into a Green Street
 Build a “bird blind to observe” in a natural area of Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
B. FY 2009 Budget Priorities – Deepmalya Ghosh
Chair Deepmalya Ghosh explained to the Community Board that on Thursday, October 11, Area Chairs
met for the FY 2009 Capital and Expense Budget Priorities.
 It is Deepmalya’s first year as Budget Director. He was quite impressed with each of the Area
Chair’s causes on the project items.
 Mark J. Lefkof made a motion to accept the FY 2009 Capital Budget Priorities.
 Maria DeInnocentiis, Area #6 Chair, suggested that since there are only 39 items, she would like to
see added as Item #40: Reopen previous DEP studies to address flooding problems on Utopia
Parkway from Union Turnpike to Long Island Expressway and Fresh Meadows Lane from 69th
Avenue to Long Island Expressway. Chairman Warshaviak agrees this item should be included.
 Kevin Forrestal has concerns with Item #1: Install storm sewers on Hillside Ave. from Francis
Lewis Blvd. to Queens Blvd. If a sewer is put in, there is nothing to connect it to.
Martha Taylor feels this is DEP’s problem and leave it to them to take care of it.
Vote: FY2009 Capital Budget Priorities:
32
in favor
3
opposed
0
abstained
Board Members who voted in favor: Richard Amron, Jagir Singh Bains, Carolyn Baker-Brown, Dr.
Allen J. Bennett, Maurice Braithwaite, Susan D. Cleary, Kenneth David Cohen, Maria DeInnocentiis,
Bernard Diamond, Mary Maggio Fischer, Florence Fisher, Kevin Forrestal, James Gallagher, Jr.,
Deepmalya Ghosh, Marc A. Haken, Robert Harris, Steven Konigsberg, Mark J. Lefkof, Agatha E. Michael,
Jesse Rosenbaum, Annie Salvatore, Anna Sawchuk, Seymour Schwartz, Michael F. Sidell, Harbachan
Singh, Bernard Sydnor, Martha Taylor, Robert Van Pelt, Alvin Warshaviak, Stanley Weinblatt, Sylvia
Weprin and Albert Willingham.
Board Members who were opposed: Patricia Dolan, Mitch Lisker and Norma Stegmaier.
FY2009 Expense Budget Priorities.
 Marc A. Haken made a motion to accept the FY2009 Expense Budget Priorities, seconded by
Jesse Rosenbaum.
 Mr. Haken questioned whether the 107th Precinct requires additional personnel?
Mr. Warshaviak stated that we have one of the safest precincts and additional officers are always
needed.
 Marie DeInnocentiis mentioned that the Area Chairs voted unanimously to keep additional
personnel at the 107th Precinct as Item #1.
 Deepmalya Ghosh also mentioned that safety and youth should be at the very top of the list.
Vote: FY2009 Expense Budget Priorities:
34 in favor
1
opposed
0
abstained
Board Members who voted in favor: Richard Amron, Jagir Singh Bains, Carolyn Baker-Brown, Dr.
Allen J. Bennett, Maurice Braithwaite, Kenneth David Cohen, Maria DeInnocentiis, Bernard Diamond,
Patricia Dolan, Mary Maggio Fischer, Florence Fisher, Kevin Forrestal, James Gallagher, Jr., Deepmalya
Ghosh, Marc A. Haken, Robert Harris, Steven Konigsberg, Mark J. Lefkof, Mitch Lisker, Agatha E.
Michael, Jesse Rosenbaum, Annie Salvatore, Anna Sawchuk, Seymour Schwartz, Michael F. Sidell,
Harbachan Singh, Norma Stegmaier, Bernard Sydnor, Martha Taylor, Robert Van Pelt, Alvin Warshaviak,
Stanley Weinblatt, Sylvia Weprin, Albert Willingham.
Board Member who was opposed: Susan D. Cleary
C. BSA No. 209-07 BZ, The Summit School (187-30 Grand Central Parkway) – Mark J. Lefkof
This application is filed pursuant to Sec. 72-21 of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, to
request a bulk variance for the subject premises. A bulk variance is required as the proposed floor area is in
excess of the permitted allowable floor area for the R1-2 zone as per section 24-11 ZR and increases the
degree of non-compliance. The proposed enlargement of the existing school is not permitted obstruction in
the required front yard as per section 24-33 (a) ZR. The proposed front yard is contrary to section 24-34
ZR.
 A public hearing was held on October 9, 2007, Co-Chaired by Mark J. Lefkof and Steve
Konigsberg. There were 7 Board Members present.
 The Summit School is a non-profit entity that serves the needs of children with learning and
adjustment problems.
 This application seeks an extension of the building. The Summit School wants to extend out and
build it up two stories in order to make more space.
 They currently have 11 classrooms and 2 ancillary rooms. Two of the rooms that will actually be
built will be classrooms bringing it to a total of 13 classrooms.
 School administrators have taken the position that it will not accept any increase in student
population.
 At the public hearing it was unanimous to approve this variance.
 Three individuals from the community did speak up and did have issues. It was recommended that
these neighbors should speak to the school administration to try to resolve the issues.
 Marc A. Haken made a motion to approve BSA No. 209-07 BZ, seconded by Michael Sidell.
Board Meeting Vote:
35
in favor 0
opposed
0
abstained
Board Members who voted in favor: Richard Amron, Jagir Singh Bains, Carolyn Baker-Brown, Dr.
Allen J. Bennett, Maurice Braithwaite, Susan D. Cleary, Kenneth David Cohen, Maria DeInnocentiis,
Bernard Diamond, Patricia Dolan, Mary Maggio Fischer, Florence Fisher, Kevin Forrestal, James
Gallagher, Jr., Deepmalya Ghosh, Marc A. Haken, Robert Harris, Steven Konigsberg, Mark J. Lefkof,
Mitch Lisker, Agatha E. Michael, Jesse Rosenbaum, Annie Salvatore, Anna Sawchuk, Seymour Schwartz,
Michael F. Sidell, Harbachan Singh, Norma Stegmaier, Bernard Sydnor, Martha Taylor, Robert Van Pelt,
Alvin Warshaviak, Stanley Weinblatt, Sylvia Weprin, Albert Willingham.
Adjournment
This Board Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Barbara McKeon – CB8 Staff Member
October 18, 2007