Morris Park Community Association February Meeting

 

Morris Park Community Association February Meeting

By Robert Press

It was a jam packed MPCA meeting with the Bronx Commissioner of DEP, Propel NY Energy, the local assemblyman, a representative from Congressman Ritchie Torres, and the NYPD 49th Precinct Community Affairs officer who brought two members of the Q-Team. 

First up were the police officers as Community Affairs Detective Hall explained that the Q-Team are Quality of Life officers who handle 311 calls. Officer Fernandez and Officer Gil explained their duties, and took some questions before going back on their tours. Next was Assemblyman John Zaccaro who said he just got in from Albany. He mentioned that he is now on the Assembly Housing Committee, while mentioning a free tax and free food giveaway he is hosting. When asked about The mayor being in Albany asking for funding, the assemblyman said he is not on the committee the mayor went before. To a question on mail service the representative from Congressman Torres office said that the Postal Service doesn't talk to the congressman's office.

The first presentation was from Bronx Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Effie Ardizzone on Downspouts. They lead from the roof to the sewer system which is being overloaded with the stronger storms and over development. DEP does not want the water to go into the sewer system, but into yards, and in the past gave out rain barrels to hold the excess water to be used to water gardens or wash cars, easing sewer overflows. Effie also went over Winter 101, where the DEP recommends to keep pipes from freezing to run your faucets to keep the flow of water flowing. She also said if water in a pipe freezes, use a hair dryer or heater, but never an open flame that can set off an explosion, even in water pipes. On social media DEP is listed as NYC water with other tips.  

Last up was Jose Rodriguez from Propel NY Energy who had a powerpoint project update of what Propel NY is, and where they are in their solution to the growing energy needs of the metro NYC area including Long Island. Mr. Rodriguez said Propel NY is not a battery storage, not an offshore wind project, not tied to any one generation source,  or permitted through the RAPID ACT. He said Propel NY is a core infrastructure for all generation sources, an underground electric transmission project, a project that benefits local areas and state, and is permitted through NYS Article VII. 

It was also mentioned that eighty percent of the aging infrastructure transmission was built before 1980. That it is estimated to be a fifty to ninety percent increase in demand in the next twenty years. Increased dependency on electrical devices, whereas Long Island leads New York in EV car ownership. In answering a question if Propel NY Energy was going to increase the amount of electricity, the answer was that it was not going to produce new energy, but redistribute the current electricity to where it was needed. 

49th Precinct Community Affairs Detective Hall speaks as Q-Team officers Fernandez and Gill are standing next to a seated Assemblyman John Zaccaro.

Assemblyman John Zaccaro addresses the audience.

(R - L) Bronx DEP Commissioner Effie Ardizzone, MPCA officer Lori Peterson, MPCA officer Patti Marinello, and MPCA President Al D'Angelo.