Hudson Park Neighborhood Association
October 17, 2007
Israel A.M.E. Church
I. Introductions
A. Marina Marcou-O’Malley, Rich Azzegardi, Chris Higgins,
Scott Jarzombek, Grace Gibson, Donald Wardle, Barbara
Shema, David Stasenko, Naomi Wimberly-Hartman,
Matthew Moulin, JoAnne Dolan, Edward Smart, Bradley
Glass, Dino Kakani, Paul Miller, Richard Conti, Phil
Champs, Matt Montesano, Bill Jones, Brian Levine
B. Officer’s Present: Roger Bearden, Ellen Picotte, Bryan
Marcou-O’Malley
II. Announcements
A. Neighborhood Association Party Dec. 19 at Tess’ Lark
Tavern
B. H/PNA Winter Brunch Sunday January 27 10:00 a.m. –
12:00 p.m. at the Senior Services Center
III.Neighborhood Business
A. Dino for property at 298 Lark St.
1. has applied for conversion of the building to an
organic juice, salad and tea bar.
2. non-alcoholic
3. 1st fl. Is 800 sq. ft.
4. Neighborhood Assoc. had said yes previously
B. Hudson Fashion Cleaners (Naomi and Matthew)
1. located at 278 Hudson
2. read letter from parents, no plan on building yet
3. they are seeking input as to what might be needed by
neighborhood residents
4. have cleaned out 99% of building which had been of
concern to residents
C. Feedback on 298 Lark
1. Dino’s property, technically the first fl. Is a basement,
so no zoning appeal is necessary
2. National Grid lists the property as basement and first
floor as well, confirming
3. Upstairs (1st fl.) will be available for food co-op,
classes, etc…
D. Feedback on 278 Hudson
1. e-mail with comments or suggestions to
codesandzoning@yahoo.com
E. Richard Berkely is not only Codes and Zoning Cmte.
Chair but also seeking business recruitment ideas for the
Lark St. BID.
IV.
Public Safety
A. Albany Police Department (APD)
1. Police Dept. will do free security screening of your
home, get in touch with Matt Montesano
2. Beat cops are walking normal hours between 6 p.m.
and 2 a.m.
3. those committing violent robberies have not been
caught but the robberies have ceased
4. several attempted car larcenies  do not leave
valuables out in your car
5. APD will do free car seat installations for children, call
Matt Montesano to schedule
B. Albany Fire Department (AFD)
1. Vacant and Abandoned Building Plan
a) 402 Madison is in final stages of collapse
b) Plan is being made to communicate list to
neighborhood
c) It is still unknown if the hydrant at 230 Myrtle is
working
C. Common Council Report – Richard Conti
1. proposed budget includes a 25% increase in the
parking fee
2. raises permit fees 25% too
3. there is a $12 million gap between expenditures and
revenues
a) $1 million made up with fee and fine increase
b) $2 million with a property tax increase
c) $8 million paid for out of reserve funds
d) $1 million paid for in a one-shot that cannot yet be
identified
4. no expenditure cuts
5. there is a down the road issue with the landfill
6. state aid payments start to decline in 2010
7. the budget contains a built in employee costs
8. Richard Conti thinks it is a poor budget
9. There is a hearing on November 5 where you can voice
concern
10.
there are long term concerns
11. Roger Bearden proposed an idea to tax vacant
buildings at a higher level
12. a motion was made by Brian Marcou-O’Malley to
oppose the parking fine increase. It was seconded by
Brian Levine and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
V. Codes and Zoning
A. 404 Madison
1. Bagely spoke and apologized for not oming before the
BZA hearing
2. He is planning on resubmitting the application and
hopes the H/PNA will reconsider its position
3. He was told to contact Richard Berkely, Chair of
Zoning Cmte. When he know where he is going
procedurally
B. 275 Lark St., Hollywood Café
1. shortly after a meeting with Neighborhood
Association, the attorney for Hollywood sent letter asking
for the hearing to be adjourned
2. trying to determine where they stand and what they
need to do
VI.
Approval of minutes
A. It was noted that Matt Montesano, Lt. Jones and Tracy
Condon were present
B. Reverend Smart moved for acceptance, Marina MarcouO’Malley seconded, unanimous voice vote
VII. Adjournment