Triangle Neighborhood Association Meeting

Monday, June 5, 2006

 

        A meeting of the Triangle Neighborhood Association was held on Monday, June 5, 2006 at Warner Elementary School in the library.  A summary of the presentations made and the discussions held at the meeting follows:

 

 

1.                  Howard Sholl, TNA President, began the meeting at 7:02PM.  There were 17 persons present at the start of the meeting.   Four persons joined after meeting started.  A sign-up sheet was moved about those present.

 

2.                  Howard addressed the group:

·        The Association will probably sponsor a candidates’ forum in preparation for upcoming elections. [Primary Elections: Tuesday, September 12, 2006; General Elections: Tuesday, November 7, 2006]

·        Senator Harris B. McDowell and Representative Dennis Williams have opponents in the upcoming primary election.

·        The Triangle Neighborhood Association newly elected officers and board members were introduced.

·        Captain Michael Maggitti will join the meeting later.

 

3.                  Norm Griffiths, Councilman for the Second District, addressed the group:

·        The City is winding down the budget season.

·        One councilman submitted his own budget to City Council for consideration, after the normal process had been completed.  His budget contains additional funding for youth projects.  This new budget proposal was voted out of committee.

·        The Fiscal Year 2007 planning was done in light of the expected Fiscal Year 2006 budget outcomes.

·        We must keep in mind that it is up to the Mayor to implement the budget.

·        The victims of the floods at Crestview and Compton were housed at the William H. Anderson Recreation Center.

·        The Department of Parks and Recreation will not have the Anderson Recreation center available for normal use  anytime soon.

·        Councilman Brown introduced legislation on false alarms. It proposes to levy a fee for false alarms.  For example, the third false alarm within a twelve month time period would result in  a $100 fine.  The sixth false alarm would have a fee of $ 600.  False alarms are a drain on the city’s resources.

·        Clifford Brown Jazz presentation is being held at Rodney Square tonight.

·        The fifth and sixth districts of the city have a subcommittee, which spots vacant houses.  The Triangle Neighborhood Association may wish to start such a subcommittee.

·        Storm water utility – We pay water and sewer bills.  The amount of the bill is tied to the water coming into the residence or business.  The owners of parking lots are not charged for the water flowing off their properties into the sewers.  The sewer part of the bill will increase fifteen percent on July 1; however, after January 1 the sewer part will decline fifty percent.  Larger buildings will see an increased cost.

·        The recent rains brought flooding in the basements of our area.

·        There was a theft of official blue shirts from a Licensing and Inspections car.   In your homes, be sure to ask to see an ID from anyone who presents himself/herself as a city employee.

·        Issues relating to zoning calls for a process involving the community.  After a zoning presentation to a neighborhood group, a straw vote is taken to get the pulse of the neighborhood.  In many instances, a letter from the local councilman is requested.  Listen to all proposals, so the consultation process can take place.

·        The City will notify the residents of houses in the vicinity of a proposed zoning variance.

·        Observation from the floor: There is a vacant house at 2002 N. Franklin.  It is owned by Carolyn Williams, who has purchased another property.   Should she be allowed to purchase an additional home?  No answer provided.

·        Observation from the floor: Mr. Bernstein’s house at 1901 N. Franklin Street is vacant. It is directly across from the Law Firm. His son comes back and forth from Long Island to take care of the property.  Answer: Perhaps, the house is tied up in an estate question.

 

4.                  Captain Michael Maggitti addressed the group:

·        There is a new format for the reporting of crimes.  Copies were distributed to the group.

·        On the crime report, Grid 401 is associated with the Triangle Neighborhood.

·        There was a stabbing in the 1900 block of Baynard Blvd.  The incident is related to a squatter who was living in a vacant house.  He was associated with an attempted robbery near 20th and Baynard.  He has been arrested and is charged with murder (another crime) and the stabbing.

·        The presence of squatters in vacant house can be a cause of fires.

·        The tire slashings have stopped.

·        Be careful of anyone presenting himself/herself as a representative from Licenses and Inspections. Challenge everyone to produce an ID.

·        Every year there are scam artists who want to redo a driveway with left over asphalt or who want to fix a roof.  Be on guard for fraud.

·        Fentanyl drug abuse cases have trailed off.  It appears that the drug is out of circulation.

·        The two police officers assigned to the Triangle Neighborhood area, Chris and Shawn, have been pulling over cars with loud radios.  Most of the offenders are from outside of the city.

·        Observation from the floor:  Loud radios from the high school boys can be heard at the stop sign at 22nd and Broom Street at dismissal time.

·        In the future, we may see web based reporting of crimes and nuisances.

·        Police officer Spearman broke his ankle coming off a bike while on patrol.

·        The next Police Academy class with start in September.  The city currently has 280 police officers.

·        Observation from the floor: A dummy package was stolen from a house in 1800 block of N. Monroe. 

·        There is a good deal of pedestrian traffic in the Triangle Neighborhood.

·        The Police Athletic League (PAL) basketball team went to the finals, and will go to the national competition.  The 3707 N. Market Street PAL needs volunteers.

·        There are several festivals coming to the City: Clifford Brown Jazz festival, the Greek Festival and the St. Anthony Festa.

 

5.                  Norm Griffiths addressed the group again:

·        City college scholarships applications are available.   There must be proof that the recipient will be or is attending college to be awarded the funds.  This year additional monies are available.  The student must live in the district to be eligible for a particular councilperson’s allotment.

 

6.                  Meg Hudson addressed the group:

·        On Saturday, September 9, 2006, there will be a neighborhood garage sale.  The date coincides with the Brandywine Arts Festival.  Help is needed to coordinate and advertise. If interested, call 594-0892 or email Meg at  meghudson@aol.com  There will be a notice in the newsletter.

 

7.                  Father Dalton addressed the group:

·        Salesianum School has purchased the house at 2012 N. Broom Street.

·        The school would like to use the house for Development Office that is a fundraising office.

·        A flier was distributed to all those present, which provided a description of the intended use.   A chart showing how each resident in the adjacent houses has been informed of the intended use was on the reverse side of the flier.

·        A few questions were raised from the floor. 

·        There would be five or six employees using the offices.

·        A straw vote was taken.  21 were in favor of the intended use.  No one was opposed, and there was one abstention.

·        Howard, as President, will write a letter to the Zoning Administrator.  He will poll those members of the TNA Board in advance of sending the letter.

 

8.                  Kathy Flynn addressed the group:

·        Volunteers are needed to mulch the TNA community garden near the Augustine Cut-off.   Three or four people are needed.

·        TNA may consider adding plantings.

·        $500 was used as start up money for the community garden.

 

9.                  Observations from the floor:

·        There was a mudslide near the railroad bridge on 18th Street.  Response: It was suggested that Bud Freel be informed.

·        There are fewer mailboxes in the neighborhood.  It was suggested that a complaint be registered at the Edgemoor Post Office.  Another individual suggested calling the Post Master General’s office.  A letter from TNA on the Association’s stationary would be helpful.

·        Please register with the police complaints about the baseball players who are parking in driveways.

 

10.              Frank Joyce addressed the group:

·        He enjoyed his time as a member of the TNA Board.

·        He has retained the responsibility for coordinating the block captains.

·        Watch for new people moving into the neighborhood, and welcome them.

 

11.              Howard Sholl addressed the group:

·        There is a list of members of the TNA.

·        There are 133 members of the Association’s yahoo mail group; however, there are some duplicates.

·        Six hundred TNA newsletters are printed.  Two persons indicated that they have not received newsletters.

·        The Newsletter can be found in digital form in the TNA yahoo file folder.

·        A Happy Hour is being planned.

 

12.              Tom Baker addressed the group:

·        Police will respond to calls made to 654-5151.

·        There is a $ 40 fine levied on any vehicle parked within three feet on either side of a driveway.

 

13.              Pat Joyce mentioned a coughing spat she experienced after working on the neighborhood trash pickup.  

·        Construction waste should not be placed out for the community trash pickup.

 

14.              The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 11, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the Warner Elementary School Library.

 

Compiled by

Fr. J. Dalton

June 12, 2006