Summer 2022 Newsletter

BFHA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2022-2023

President Liz Nacinovich
Immediate Past President  Kevin Morris
Vice President  Janet McCreesh
Vice President Diane Arfsten
Treasurer  Karen Barbieri
Recording Secretary Erin Carrozzo
Corresponding Secretary Kurt Nickel
Member  Anne Marie Devlin
Member  Frances Buckley
Member George Zbravos

Dear Members,

Summer is here! It is a great time to enjoy all that our beautiful neighborhood, and city, have to offer. Take a leisurely stroll through our historic Broadway-Flushing community and marvel at the beautiful gardens that are now in full bloom! Congratulations to the 10 homes that were chosen this year as the recipients of our annual Garden Awards. You will be able to identify them by the BFHA garden flag each homeowner received at our Spring General Membership Meeting. The lucky winners also received a certificate of appreciation as well as an annual plant courtesy of AB Garden Center.

Thank you to all our neighbors who work so hard to keep our neighborhood so beautiful!

On your walk, stop at the southeast corner of 163rd Street and 33rd Avenue and admire the brand new street sign honoring our founders, Marge and Nick Ferrigno, that was unveiled at a ceremony last month. For more information see the story below.

Our new board was installed by unanimous vote at the Spring GM meeting. The BFHA would like to welcome to our new board members George Zbravos and Frances Buckley. We look forward to working with them to continue our mission to keep our neighborhood beautiful and vibrant for years to come. If you would like more information on how to join our board, please send an email to info@broadwayflushing.org. If you have already paid your yearly dues, thanks for your support. If you have not paid your dues, please do so today either through this link Broadway-Flushing membership application or via the mail by sending a $25 check to:

Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 580024
Flushing, NY 11358

There is strength in numbers!!

Although the board of the BFHA will continue to monitor neighborhood issues behind the scenes, this is our last newsletter until the fall. Please remember that the BFHA is always here for you to voice your concerns. Simply send an email with all the pertinent information to President@BroadwayFlushing.org and Info@BroadwayFlushing.org. We will ensure that the proper authorities are notified. Be sure to alert us to any 311 complaints that you have lodged by supplying us with the complaint number. As always evidence is key, so be sure to include any pictures you may have.

Sincerely,
Liz Nacinovich
31st President

SAVE THE DATE

Our October General Membership Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday,October 26, 2022, 7:30 PM at St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy. Our featured guest will be Assemblyman Ed Braunstein and we are hoping to have our Neighborhood Coordination Officers and the new commander of the 109th Precinct, Inspector

Hall. As always, it will be a night chock full of important information as well as a chance to mingle with old and new friends over light refreshments.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

2022 Spring Garden Award Winners

Congratulations to our neighbors at the following addresses who were this year’s garden awards recipients:

33-25 156 Street – 33-30 165 Street
33-38 156 Street – 32-24 167 Street
33-14 157 Street – 33-54 167 Street
33-14 158 Street – 32-04 168 Street
32-27 164 Street – 35-18 170 Street

For a slideshow of all of these beautiful homes check out the link at

Broadway-Flushing Spring Gardens 2022 Slideshow

Our Spring General Membership Meeting was held at St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy on Thursday, May 26. It was a very informative meeting featuring local elected officials, a land use expert and a vibrant social hour where neighbors were able to catch up with each other over a cup of coffee and some homemade cookies.

Senator Liu alerted attendees to the redistricting that has been drawn as per the recent census. The 11th district experienced large population growth which necessitated redrawing the district lines and making Broadway-Flushing part of the new 16th district.

Council Member Vickie Paladino updated the membership on the status of the capital improvement projects in the area. All of the new area water main and sewer work has been completed. The roadways are now being restored and are expected to be completed in late summer/early fall. She explained that DDC is responsible for repairing any damage to private property related to the construction and that homeowners should reach out to her office if they need assistance. Ms. Paladino explained that work will begin on Bowne Park’s Lake on July 1, 2022 and she is planning a town hall meeting with the Commissioner of Parks and the DEP that will be held in mid-July.

Finally, Urban Planning / Historic Preservation Consultant Planner, Paul Graziano, gave an informative presentation on the history of zoning in our neighborhood and past failed efforts to obtain landmark status. He is working to create a new type of protection for the community, known as a Design District. This type of district would give the community more input on development. Mr. Graziano also urged people to call the FDNY if an illegal conversion of a home is suspected.

FERRIGNO PLACE STREET RENAMING

Members of the BFHA gathered together on a delightful spring day for a beautiful tribute to our founders, Majorie and Nicholas Ferrigno when a new street sign was unveiled on the SE corner of 33rd Avenue and 163rd Street renaming the street Ferrigno Place!

We were joined by Representative Grace Meng, former City Councilman Paul Vallone, current Council Member Vickie Paladino, NYS Senator John Liu, Assemblyman Ed Braunstein and Assemblyman Ron Kim. They each recounted stories of Marjorie and Nick’s dedication to the Broadway Flushing community. Past BFHA presidents and the current president, Liz Nacinovich, spoke of the Ferrignos’ foresight to form our Association to ensure the viability of our lovely, leafy neighborhood for decades to come. Ferrigno family members gave the crowd insight to the amazing accomplishments of the couple just before the new sign was revealed to the delight of all in attendance. Thanks to former BFHA board member Maria Becce and current board member Diane Arfsten for their hard work in making this wonderful and fitting tribute a reality. It was a great day for the BFHA and our membership, as well as the entire Broadway Flushing community!

LEGAL UPDATE

By unanimous consent, the BFHA has decided to retain the law services of Marc Bresky of the Bresky Law Firm effective immediately. He has many years of experience representing neighboring civics and neighborhood associations with deed restrictions and he is currently working on the cases that we have pending in Supreme Court of NY.

109 PRECINCT BUILD THE BLOCK MEETING UPDATE

We recently attended the 109th Precinct, Sector D, Build the Block Meeting hosted by our NCOs Petronzio and Lisi. Here is an overview:

• They have begun using the Sales Force App to track noise complaints which they believe are originating at local parks.
• Noise complaints can be filed through the 311 system or you can alert the NCOs directly at the following: NCO Petronzio Michael.Petronzio@nypd.org cell: 929-383-4567 NCO Lisi Andrew.Lisi@nypd.org cell: 929-428-6738.
• Also use these forms of communication to alert the NCOs of dirt bikes and ATVS.
• The Parks Deparment has installed locks on gates at some parks to try to stem the activity.
• There is currently no pattern of burglaries in the sector, but residents are reminded to lock all doors and windows when they leave the residence, including 2nd floor windows.
• Lock car doors and do not leave valuables in your car.
• If you would like a crime prevention survey of your residence or tips to prevent catalytic converter theft call Officer Mark Burger at 917-863-2815 to schedule a visit. His email is MarkBurger@NYPD.org
• Report suspicious activity such as idling cars.
• The next Build the Block meeting is tentatively scheduled for September27, 2022

AVIATION NOISE UPDATE

If you have noticed increased air traffic roaring overhead at all times of the day and night, you are not alone. It is vitally important that all members of our community make their voices heard on this issue since it is becoming a huge quality of life issue in our neighborhood. To that end, we would ask that you sign up for a free account at airnoise.io. This app makes it very easy to file a complaint whenever you experience the problem. We would also like to hear from you with your thoughts on this topic. Please send a 1-2 sentence on the negative impacts that the increased airplane noise has on your life to us via email at President@BroadwayFlushing.org . We will be compiling your complaints to present to the appropriate authorities at an upcoming hearing.