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Community Meeting on Meeker Ave. Contaminants - Thursday

Via Mike Schade: schadeyacres@gmail.com

Important Community Meeting: DEC/DOH Public Meeting to Discuss Meeker Ave. Plumes Contamination in Greenpoint

When: Thursday February 4th - 7:00pm - 9:30pm (note - DEC is also havening an availability session the same day from 3:00pm - 5:00pm)

Where: St. Cecilia's Auditorium - 24 North Henry St. Brooklyn, NY (Greenpoint)

Background:

DEC and DOH will be offering sub-slab/indoor air sampling free of charge to residences in selected zones of the contamination area -- the sampling will be conducted in February and March 2010. Based on the results of the sampling - DEC and DOH will determine if mitigation systems are needed, which would be offered free of charge.

The NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has identified several plumes of chlorinated solvents (TCE & PCE) in the soils and groundwater beneath Greenpoint and East Williamsburg. These plumes are collectively referred to by DEC as the "Meeker Ave. Plume". The plumes are the result of decades of dumping and irresponsible manufacturing practices by historic and contemporary drycleaning and metalworking businesses. Testing conducted by DEC has confirmed that hazardous vapors from the Meeker Ave. contaminant plumes are intruding into residential properties in the area.

Home owners and businesses in the vicinity of the plumes are encouraged to contact DEC to have their property tested for vapor intrusion free of charge. To set up an appointment to have your home or business tested please contact Dawn Hettrick at the NYS Dept. of Health (DOH), (800) 458-1158 x27860. If a vapor intrusion problem is identified, DOH will install a mitigation system at no cost to the property owner.

Hazardous vapor intusion from the Meeker Ave. plumes is a substantial threat to human health. Fortunately, a properly installed and maintained mitigation system can eliminate the threat of hazardous vapor intrusion, protecting residents and employees from the impacts of future exposures.

Why Should I Get My Home Tested?

DEC has identified toxic chemicals in Greenpoint and E. Williamsburg soils and groundwater that could potentially migrate into homes and businesses through a process known as "vapor intrusion". Some of these chemicals are toxic and have been linked to cancer and other serious health problems. It's important to get your property tested to determine whether or not chemicals are migrating into your home, so that DEC and DOH can take appropriate action to prevent this from occuring. Note that just because you live above the plumes, it doesn't necessarily mean chemicals are migrating into your home. Getting your home tested can offer you peace of mind by determining whether or not your home is safe from TCE and PCE vapor intrusion. Testing is free and confidential. If your home is deterimined to have elevated levels of chemicals of concern, DEC and DOH will install a mitigation system free of charge to reduce your exposure and protect your home.

How Do I Get My Home Tested?
The NYS Dept. of Health and NYS Dept. of Environmental Conversation are offering free indoor and subslab air-sampling in certain areas above the Meeker Ave. Plumes. To set up an appointment to have your home or business tested please contact Dawn Hettrick at the NYS Dept. of Health, (800) 458-1158 x27860.

If a vapor intrusion problem is identified, DOH will install a mitigation system at no cost to the property owner. These mitigation systems, known as sub-slab depressurization systems, are designed to withdraw air from beneath your home's foundation. This prevents toxic soil vapors from entering homes and can help protect your family's health. They're widely used to prevent radon gas from entering structures in areas where radon gas is naturally occurring. If offered, the system will be installed free of charge.

Tenants, Want Your Building to Get Tested?
If you're a tenant, talk to your landlord about the contamination and encourage him/her to get their property tested. If they are unwilling, contact Dawn Hettrick at the NYS Dept. of Health, (800) 458-1158 x27860, to discuss your concerns.

Learn more -- http://www.newtowncreekalliance.org/meeker.htm

Affordable Housing Forum: Saturday April 25th

Saturday, April 25th, 2009
10 am-4:30 pm
Boricua College, Northside Campus,
186 North 6th Street (between Bedford & Driggs)

Speakers, Workshops, Community Resources & Food!

Come hear community leaders speak about the future of your neighborhood (and the history too!)

• Forming tenants associations
• Rent over-charges for stabilized units
• Legal issues
• Maintenance and services
• Loft issues
• Stories from the neighborhood
• Literature and hand-outs available
• Some sessions in Spanish and Polish

UPDATE: SCHEDULE FOR CONFERENCE HAS BEEN RELEASED

Sponsored by the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Tenant Anti-Displacement Collaborative

• Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG)
• People's Firehouse
• Los Sures
• St Nicholas NPC
• Churches United
• Brooklyn Legal Services Corp A
• North Brooklyn Development Corp

With generous support of many local businesses

Coverage of NAG Town Hall meeting last week

The Greenpoint Star: NAG Groups Making Positive Changes

Greenpoint Gazette: NAG Gets Organized

Williamsburg Courier story is not online.

Williamsburg Walks 2009 Information Meeting

GIVE YOUR OPINION & GET INVOLVED

Join NAG and the L Magazine at

WILLIAMSBURG WALKS 2009 INFORMATION MEETING
Monday, April 27, 7:00pm
Swinging Sixties Senior Center
211 Ainslie Street @ Manhattan Ave (Map)

L Magazine and Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG) are partnering this year to organize the 2009 Williamsburg Walks. Last year's event was in many regards a success thanks to the support of the driving forces of the community.

The 2009 Williamsburg Walks is going to build on last year's success and celebrate the community on a sunny pedestrian Bedford Avenue. The event will be taking place every Saturday in June and July - starting June 6th - from noon to 9 pm.

This year, we are hoping to make the event even more enjoyable for the residents, merchants, and visitors of North Brooklyn. We realize from the feedback collected in 2008 that there is room for improvement. This is why we invite you to join us so you can give your opinion and share your concerns.

Williamsburg Walks are also a great opportunity to actively support the community. Come and learn about the many volunteer opportunities.

Questions?
Contact the NAG office at 718-384-2248 or williamsburgwalks@gmail.com

NAG Town Hall: Thu March 26th 7:00pm

It's time for YOU to get involved!

Join Long-Time & New Residents at a

NAG Town Hall Meeting

Thursday, March 26, 7:00pm

Stop Subway & Bus Cuts

Fight for New Parks

Save Our Affordable Housing

Make Streets Safer for Everyone

Keep Our Neighborhood Diverse

Location: Swinging Sixties Senior Center
211 Ainslie Street @ Manhattan Ave (Map)

Find out more about NAG's 2009 organizing agenda for
affordable housing, open space, better transportation
and preserving our unique community.

Questions?
Contact the NAG office at 718-384-2248 or info@nag-brooklyn.org

Upcoming NAG Events

North Brooklyn story project
Wed 3/11, 7pm NAG office (101 Kent Ave @ N 8th St.)

Transportation organizing group
Thu 3/12, 7pm NAG office

Open space planning meeting
Thu 3/19, 7pm Greenpoint Reformed Church (136 Milton St. b/t Franklin and Manhattan)

Guerilla gardening work session
Sat 3/21, 3pm NAG office

Organizing Agenda Town Hall #2
Thu 3/26, 7pm place TBD

Reclaim Open Spaces With NAG Monday, February 9th

The NAG Open Space Community Committee Meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, February 9th at 7pm. The meeting will be at 179 Green Street between McGuinness and Manhattan in Greenpoint


Meeting agenda to include location and planning for future open spaces in South and East Williamsburg, seeding and gardening initiatives throughout North Brooklyn, further development of the open space website uniting park, park groups, programs, amenity lists and more!

Photo by mercurialn via flickr (creative commons license)

Join us to Launch NAG's 2009 Organizing Agenda

Working Meeting
This Thursday, December 4th at 7pm

Holy Ghost Ukranian Church Basement
160 North 5th Street (between Driggs and Bedford)

We will implement this agenda starting with a working meeting the evening of December 4, 2008. At this meeting we will break into four issue groups (affordable housing, open space/waterfront, transportation, and quality of life/community character) each of which will identify the aspects of the issues they want to work on. These issue groups will report back at a general meeting in February/March about their progress in beginning a campaign.

More information about the 2009 Organizing Agenda

Transportation Meeting Monday, Nov 24th

It seems like having a Town Hall Meeting is the thing to do these days! Come and tell your elected officials what your transportation needs are on Monday, Nov 24th, then join NAG to take action on Thu, Dec 4th for our follow up to our meeting last month (details TBA shortly).

Pollution Under East Greenpoint Meeting Wednesday Nov 12

For those unaware of the Meeker Ave solvent plume and live or work in the eastern edge of Greenpoint east of McGolrick Park, this meeting would definitely be of interest to you. Note that this is a different issue than the underground Exxon oil spill.

The NY State Dept of Environmental Conservation and the NY State Dept of Health are holding an "availability session" regarding the Meeker Ave. Contaminant Plumes. For more information regarding the Meeker Ave. Contaminant Plumes visit the NCA website. To download the DEC/DOH fact sheet regarding the Meeker Ave. Contaminant Plumes and the upcoming "availability session" click here (PDF). To view and contribute to an interactive online map detailing the Meeker Ave. Contaminant Plumes visit HabitatMap.

Where:
St. Cecilia's School
1 Monitor St., Brooklyn, NY (MAP)

When:
Wednesday, November 12th from 2:00pm - 5:00pm & 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Why:
"Representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) will be on hand to answer questions about the site and the recent investigation results, and to provide one-on-one meetings to discuss an individual property owner's sampling results. Those living in the vicinity of the Meeker Avenue Plume Trackdown site are encouraged to attend."

The Newtown Creek Alliance is calling on the State to "take immediate action to protect human health and clean up the Meeker Ave. plumes" and is asking for them to quickly establish a testing and mitigation program.

Open Space Alliance Community Committee Meeting Nov 3

For those of you that are more locally-inclined than nationally and will be twiddling your thumbs on election eve, the much-anticipated "community committee" meeting of the Open Space Alliance will be held this coming Monday, Nov 3rd at 6:30pm at the Brooklyn Brewery (North 11th and Wythe Ave).

OSA is improving our existing parks and helping to develop new parks in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. We accomplish this by raising funds, linking community volunteers, and working in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

We are very excited to announce this meeting to form the Community Committee for the Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn! The purpose of this meeting is to formally introduce OSA to all interested community organizations and residents, and to hear your feedback about how to improve our parks through our partnership with the NYC Parks Department.

The meeting will be hosted by representatives from the GWAPP and NAG Boards. Tupper Thomas from the Prospect Park Alliance will provide insight from the 25 years of their Community Committee's operation. Steve Hindy will answer questions on behalf of the OSA Board. A beer reception will follow for the community to meet the rest of the Board Members of OSA.

More information is available at OSA's website.

Reminder: Contextual Rezoning of Greenpoint & Williamsburg Info Meeting Tonight and Tomorrow

The proposal covers approximately 175 blocks in Greenpoint and central Williamsburg. The Rezoning is meant to prevent new out-of-scale development by establishing height limits and to create opportunities for affordable housing through the inclusionary housing program.

There will be two meetings where Department of City Planning staff will present the zoning proposal and answer questions from the public.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 6:30 pm, held at Swinging 60's Senior Center--211 Ainslie Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211 (corner of Manhattan Avenue, Williamsburg).

Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 6:30pm, held at the Capital One Bank's downstairs meeting room (Greenpoint-Savings Bank Building)-- 807 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11222 (please use the Calyer Street side entrance, between Manhattan Avenue & Lorimer Street, Greenpoint).

Thank You

Thanks to the 100+ people who came to the town hall meeting Thursday! The event was made into a small miracle of civic dialogue because there was so much listening and patience--which is a rare thing these days.

We heard from Executive Director Peter Gillespie about the history of NAG and then testimony from several people about problems they have been experiencing with bike safety, with construction and quality-of-life, with transportation, and with affordable housing. Then we broke into small groups tasked with answering the question: "What three issues do you want to work with NAG on over the next year?" Then the groups reported back, and we finished with enough time to make it home or to a bar to watch the VP debate.

Here's what a couple people said to me after the meeting:

"It was pretty great listening to all of the residents in our group talk about their concerns for the neighborhood. In fact, it was empowering."

"I haven't seen a meeting get that range of age groups in a room since a Make the Road New York meeting."

Next steps
We hope to report back with an organizing agenda based on the dialogue shortly after the November election. We will follow up with a working meeting to get this initiative going.

Also if you have any photos, send them our way--our email is in the sidebar.

Coverage in the blogs
Williamsburg is Dead
Brooklyn 11211
Under the BQE


A special thanks to:

• Our new organizers--Allison, Alison, Wilneida, Gregor, Alexandra, and Emily--who got everyone to the event who got everyone to the event by tirelessly promoting it.
  
• Holy Ghost Ukranian Church for hosting the meeting and Ed Bartosiewicz who arranged for the space.
• Teddy's Bar & Grill for donating the sound system and Union Beer Distributors for printing the banner gratis.
  
• Our partners in the affordable housing collaborative who participated in the meeting-- David Pagan from Los Sures, Del and Doug Teague from the People's Firehouse.
• Our friends Dewey Thompson and Trina McKeever from GWAPP and Mike Hoffman from Newtown Barge Park Pals.
• The Greenline, the Greenpoint Reformed Church and all our blogger pals for helping to promote the event.
• And of course, our great board and hard-working staff (Peter, Michelle, and Ryan) who made sure the event ran smoothly.
  

Photos by Alexandra Sweet

Save October 2 for NAG's Town Hall Organizing Meeting

Our neighborhood is facing major challenges.

The L Train is crowded, the G never comes. We need more open space. We need more affordable housing. We need to keep our neighborhood unique.


You can be part of the solution. Join our chorus of old and new neighborhood voices at


NAG's Town Hall Organizing Meeting
Thursday, October 2, 2008, 7:00p

Holy Ghost Hall
160 N 5th Street (between Bedford and Driggs)

Photo Credit: Ken Stein (Top)