Environment

UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Bronx CB7 Mourns Past Members, How to Help Bronx Fire Victims & More

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx CB7 Mourns Passing of Former Members Bronx CB7 extends its most sincere condolences to the families of both Carmen Miranda, former CB7 Education Committee chair, and Jeffrey Hunter, former member of the Veterans Committee, on their recent passing. “We are heartbroken over the loss of two of our board members,” the board said in a joint statement. “The community has lost dedicated advocates and true community leaders. Carmen Miranda was a mother and activist who was invested in making sure the youth in our community had a voice; and Jeffrey Hunter was not only a Veteran but someone who continuously gave back to our community, and [was] a staunch


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Out & About: MLK Days of Action, Ballet Folklórico de México, Ballet for Kids & More!

EDITOR’S PICK Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernandez, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, will perform at The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 4 p.m. The company’s US tour in Fall 2018 was a coast-to-coast success, packing out houses across the country and receiving an enthusiastic response from audience members new and old. Founded in 1952 by dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico brings together the music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore from pre-Colombian civilizations through the modern era. For tickets, go to: https://mpv.tickets.com/?agency=LEHV_PL_MPV&orgid=54429&pid=8975819#/event/8975819.   EVENTS  Discover NYBG GLOW


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NYC Sanitation: Weekend & Holiday Services Update for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) shared its plans for the holiday weekend, which officials say may include snow/winter precipitation. As reported, some extreme weather is also forecast.   DSNY officials said the forecast is still changing a bit, but the department is monitoring it closely and preparing for potential snow. Spreaders and plows, they said, are ready to be deployed, if necessary. Regarding collection of trash, recycling, compost and trees, this will be ongoing on Friday and Saturday. The department plans to transition to snow operation Sunday, and continue that work Monday. Residents are reminded that Monday is


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UPDATE DOB Urges Precaution Amid Expected Rain & High Winds, NWS Issues Coastal Flooding Alert

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued a weather advisory on Friday, Jan. 14, advising that the New York City area may experience severe weather, including potential intermittent wind gusts of up to 50 MPH, starting Jan. 14, and continuing into Monday, Jan. 17. Accordingly, DOB is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment.   Department officials said they will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the department will take immediate enforcement action — issuing violations and Stop Work


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Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell Announces Rank Reinforcements to Curb Transit Crime

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Newly appointed Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced on Wednesday, Jan. 6, a set of what were described as new innovative deployment strategies to reimagine the NYPD’s safety coverage of the City’s subway system. The formal announcement was made during a press conference that day together with Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.   As of Jan. 2, 2022, year-to-date transit crimes across the City were up 800 percent, compared to the same period last year. In the Bronx, the year-to-date numbers remained stable as of Jan. 2, compared to the same date in 2021. However, Norwood


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Recycle Your Holiday Trees at NYC Parks’ MulchFest or Arrange for Bulk Pick-Up of Large, Artificial Trees

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  NYC Parks and NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) officials are encouraging New Yorkers to wrap up their holiday season by saying goodbye to their respective holiday trees during the annual Mulchfest, a New York City holiday tradition of recycling holiday trees.   Residents can put on their boots, haul their trees to a nearby Mulchfest drop-off location near them, between Saturday, Dec. 26, 2021 and Sunday, Jan 9, 2022. City workers will then chip the trees into wood chips for residents to take home and use to nourish trees, and make the City even greener.   More than 29,000


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Adams Reforms Process for Small Business Violations & DSNY Pilots New “Smart Bins”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed a “Small Business Forward” executive order on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to reform existing business regulations, with the aim of helping local businesses face fewer and what was described as “needless” fines and penalties.   The executive order builds upon Local Law 80, and calls on the City’s Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (CWP), and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to review business regulations with the goal of reducing fine schedules, and allowing


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DSNY Issues ‘Winter Operations Advisory’ for Monday, Jan. 3

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Due to the possibility of snow and, especially, ice accumulation, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) issued a Winter Operations Advisory for Monday, Jan. 3. Snow accumulation during the overnight hours is likely to be less than two inches in all parts of the city. However, given this weekend’s rain, the sudden drop in temperatures may lead to ice buildup on roadways. Department officials said the City’s salt spreaders are filled and will be active across the city beginning at 12:00 a.m., and if snow is heavier than anticipated, the department is prepared to deploy plows. All residents


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Bronx CB7 Prepares Budget for Fiscal Year 2023

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
July 1, 2022, will mark the start of another fiscal year for New York City government, designated as FY 2023 (FY23). Although still seven months away, community boards across the city have started the process of submitting their annual Capital and Expense Budget Requests which inform the borough president, city council, and mayor about the priorities in each community district. Officially known as the Statement of Community Needs and Community Board Budget Requests Fiscal Year 2023, the 37-page document identifies the most pressing concerns in each local community.   On Nov. 30, Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) voted on, and


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