Triangle Neighborhood Association

June 2, 2008

 

1.                              The regular meeting of the Triangle Neighborhood Association was held on   Monday, June 2, 2008 in the Salesianum School Library.  It began at 7:07 PM.  There were 34 persons present.

 

2.                              Howard Sholl, President of TNA, started the meeting.  He addressed the group:

·        Candidates for municipal office will be recognized as attending the meeting, but no campaigning will be permitted.

·        Norman Griffiths, councilman representing of the city’s Second District, is present.

·        Operation Clean Sweep took place on May 10.  All went well.

·        The TNA community garden received new mulch, which has added to the overall pleasant appearance.

·        Instant Ticketing will be enforced.  Putting trash out early can result in a ticket.

·        Reminder: Monday is recycling day.  Yard waste is to be put in separate bags, in the expectation of a separate pick-up.

·        The problem house on North Franklin Street has been sold.  It will be rehabbed.

·        The crime statistics report is available.

 

3.                              Captain Harris of the Wilmington Police Department addressed the group:

·        Applications for the Citizens Police Academy scheduled for September 3 through December 3 are available.  They are an orange color.

·        There as been the expected spike in criminal mischief.  Some forms are the uses of BB guns and paint balls.

·        The community police officers will return this week.   The summer schedule is coverage Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2 PM through 6 AM.

·        The police have been using a “jump out” tactic to discourage crime on street corners.

·        The Greek Festival is scheduled for June 3 to 6, 2008.

·        The Italian Festival will be held June 8 to 15, 2008.

·        Jazz Festival will be held on June 15 through 22 at Rodney Square and other venues. See the website in the June TNA Newsletter.

·        Terry Apartments has had some inside crime issues.

·        New residents:  There have been a number of cars driving the wrong way on 22nd Street, both day and night.  This illegal driving pattern causes troubles.

·        There was an expressed willingness to purchase two cameras and place photos on the web site.  The placement of photos may be judged to be illegal.

·        Request from the floor:  Tell me about Neighborhood Watch.  In response, Tim Sharpe gave a sketch of the TNA process.

·        Observation from the floor:  Individuals new to the neighborhood have been burning in pits.  This practice of burning in the open is against the law, and it is inconsiderate of neighbors.

·        Observation from the floor: We live on 19th Street across from the school’s loading dock.  The trash dumpsters have been making noise early in the morning.

·        Observation from the floor:  A large number of small dogs have been causing a disturbance.  Captain Responded: SPCA can cite the owners for noise.

·        Retort from the floor: Dog owner purchased these dogs for protection.  The dogs bark only when someone provokes them.  I own the dogs, and they do not cause serious difficulties.

 

4.                              Howard turned to the election of TNA officers.

·        The slate of officers for 2008-2009 appeared in the June 2008 TNA Newsletter.  The slate was presented as follows:

o       President -                    Howard Sholl

o       Vice President -            Tom Baker

o       Secretary:                     Fr. James Dalton

o       Treasurer -                   Gregory J. Panik

o       Directors -                    John C. Collins,

                                          Concetta LaMarca,

                                          Frank McKelvey

                                          Lee McKelvey

                                          Anita Neubauer

                                          J. J. Nuttall

                                          Tim Sharpe

                                          Suzanne Tuthill

·        A motion was made to accept the slate, and was passed.

·        The motion passed.

 

5.                              Howard addressed the group and indicated that there were two variance requests.

·        The first case involves 515 West 18th Street.

o       The property is currently a doctor’s office, Brandywine Center for Wellness.  There is an apartment.

o       The owner is Dr. Salvatore Muleh, MD, and the real estate agent is Roger Landolt. (Both were present for the meeting.)

·        Mr. Landolt addressed the group.

o       Dr. Muleh has been a good neighbor since 1985.

o       He wanted to know the type of tenant the community would find appropriate.   By understanding the appropriate tenant, he could begin to advertise the property.

o       He listed some professional occupations for the community to consider: accountant, lawyer, architect, computer trainer, financial services, and interior decorator.

o       He described the marketing of the residence as a “Catch-22” situation.  Dr. Muleh would want to move quickly, once a possible tenant is identified.

·        After some discussion, the group voiced its reluctance to give a blank check.

·        Norm Griffiths suggested that Mr. Landolt work toward getting a contingent contract, then come back to TNA for a vote of confidence.  In the event that a possible tenant is obtained during the summer, the TNA Board could review the appropriateness of the tenant.

·        It was noted from the floor that at the meeting in June 2007 the possibility of a variance for the residence was reviewed.  It was surprising that one year later the TNA is presented with the same issue.

·        The second case involves the building of a Grotto at Salesianum School.

·        Fr. Dalton, Salesianum School President, described the project.

·        It would be a religious shrine on the school’s property, and will be visible as one enters the school’s parking lot at the Broom Street residence.

·        The variance would allow the Grotto to be closer the school’s boundary with I-95. A sketch of the Grotto was presented.

·        The Association had no reservations about the project.

 

6.                              Howard recognized two other candidates for municipal office who were present:

·        Michele Griffiths (seeking to be the representative of the Second District),

·        Bud Freel (seeking to be re-elected as Councilman–at-large)

 

7.                              Norm Griffiths, Councilman of the Second District, addressed the group:

·        Scholarships are available through the city by district.  Presently, ten scholarships are in  process

·        Liens on properties are reviewed at all variance hearings.

·        Be sure that taxes are withheld by your employer, if you live in the city.  One working in another municipality is not excused from Wilmington city taxes.

·        Baynard Stadiums’ field will be named for Al Cartwright, who is 91 and lives in Maryland.  He was instrumental in the creation of the conferences for high school athletics.

·        The City of Wilmington passed its budget.  The State of Delaware has until June 30 to pass its budget.  The State will need to make some accommodations to cover a projected shortfall.

 

8.                              Bud Freel, Councilman-at-large, addressed the group:

·        The process of condemning 800 W. 22nd Street residence has been moved forward.  Three lien holders are to be paid, and the City expects clear title in two weeks.  There will be a period of twenty-four months for the rehabilitation of the property to take place.

·        The property at 2002 N. Franklin Street has been sold, and rehabilitation is expected.

 

9.                              John Rago, Mayor’s Office, requested that individuals continue to email him about property issues.

 

10.                          Howard announced that he had copies of the trash schedule, applications for the Citizens Police Academy and crime statistics.

 

11.                          Lee McKelvey offered some words of appreciation to those who were instrumental in the 2007-2008 TNA year.  Some of the important issues included: Prestige Academy, air handlers and problematic properties.

 

12.                          As a note, the group was told that Prestige Academy will locate at the PAL Center at 32nd and Market Street.

 

13.                          Concetta LaMarca announced that the membership list is completed.

 

14.                          Howard mentioned that he hopes to bring a candidate’s forum to the Association before September 9.

 

15.                          Finally, Howard requested that all recently elected members of the TNA Board meet to decide the date of the next Board meeting.

 

16.                          The meeting ended at 8:35 PM.