Sidewalk Rules At SOPCAW

Ignazio Terranova (right) answers garbage disposal and recycling questions at the November South Ozone Park Civic Association West meeting. With snowstorms soon on their way, members of the South Ozone Park Civic Association West were informed of sidewalk-cleaning rules at the group's Tuesday, Nov. 18 session at St. Anthony of Padua's Church Rectory.

Homeowners at the meeting were advised by Department of Sanitation Citywide Community Affairs Officer Ignazio Terranova that they have four hours from the end of a blizzard to clear their walkstory ways or risk getting fined.

He also mentioned that sidewalks would not need to be shoveled until 11 a.m. the next day if the storm ends at 11 p.m. or later.

Terranova recommended that a wide-enough pathway be created in order to allow two people to walk through it side-by-side.

Residents were warned not to throw their snow in the middle of the street, since it would only be blown back by DSNY snowremoval trucks, in addition to it being a finable offense as well.

To ensure that agency employees are always on duty in the event of snowy weather, DSNY employees will reportedly be available for snow removal 24 hours a day until April.

On the subject of sidewalks in general, locals were reminded that during any non-snowy days, they would be responsible to keep their sidewalk pavements free and clear of debris from their property line to the curb, and 18 inches out into the street.

Recycling concerns

In response to SOPCAW Recording Secretary Inez Moscatiello's inquiry of when to use blue containers over green ones, the DSNY spokesman told her that metal, glass and plastic items should always be placed in blue containers or a plastic bag, while paper belongs in green containers or plastic bags.

SOPCAW President Anthony Gellineau asked Terranova what to do about neighbors who routinely drop off their garbage and recyclables in front of his property.

The civic president was instructed to immediately call 311 the next time it happens and provide agency representatives with a time frame of when the offense is taking place.

Contrary to popular belief among those in the audience, glass containers are recyclable, said Terranova, as long as they are not broken.

Attendees also learned that bottles are recyclable as well, as long as their necks are smaller than their base.

All non-soiled paper products and aluminum restaurant trays were included among recyclable items.

Containers that aren't empty or clean , he added, are considered to be "contaminated."

Trees and branches Terranova addressed Gellineau's uncertainty of how to dispose of bushes, trees, shrubs and branches by acknowledging that his agency is not responsible for the collection of organic products because of the existing infestation of the Asian longhorned beetle throughout the borough.

"Take the wood, tie it up, put in a bag and call 311. The Parks Department will pick it up and take it to a wood chipper," he stated.

He assured residents that their wood would be picked up promptly, and before the 90-day waiting period that most people anticipate.

The one exception that the DSNY makes regarding organic materials is the annual collection of Christmas trees since beetles aren't attracted to pine.

Starting on Jan. 2, 2009, Terranova said, specialized Sanitation trucks would be taking Christmas trees off the curb for a period of two weeks.

Abandoned vehicles and more

When addressing the issue of abandoned cars, Terranova said if the vehicles have license plates, they should be reported to the police. If the cars don't have plates, however, the DSNY would be responsible for taking them off the street.

Tree stump removals, he continued, are a part of the Department of Transportation's regular duties.

Terranova was also peppered with questions from homeowners worried about receiving fines for failing to keep their sidewalks clean, saying: "We expect you to clean as much as you possibly can. You can tell the difference between someone who's trying to be clean and someone who isn't."

Local gripes

Gellineau advised one complainant that he would try contacting the DOT regarding the poor street conditions existing on 128th Street between 133rd and 135th avenues.

The individual alerting everyone to the issue claimed that her son fell and is now forced to walk with a cane because of the street's current state of disrepair.

A homeowner facing foreclosure was instructed to call Rep. Gregory Meeks' office and find out about numerous seminars taking place on the topic.

The South Ozone Park Civic Association West regularly meets on the third Tuesday of the month at St. Anthony of Padua's Church Rectory, located at 133-25 128th St.