Notes from W55BA Meeting, September 13

West 55th Street Block Association
Notes from General Meeting, September 13, 2011
340 West 55th Social Room
14 attendees

The meeting began at 7:05 PM and ended at 7:50 PM.
• Idling tour buses: Christine Berthet from Chekpeds (www.chekpeds.com) presented their group’s proposal for more parking for tour buses. Currently the buses idle on the streets of our neighborhood, adding to the pollution. This group has identified three sites for parking that would take those buses off the street. They asked us to sign a letter in support of their initiative, and individuals did so.
• Flags at the Vitamin Shoppe: We will find out the regulations regarding this, email an update to the BA, and alert residents if there is action to take.
• Falling tree branches: The Parks Department promised they would take care of it. [Note: they have since come and cleaned up dead limbs from several trees.] Gale Brewer got in touch with them when she saw that it was an item on our agenda—thank her if you see her!
• New tree guards: Obtained three at a good discount. One advantage is that they are modular—if one side breaks, it can be replaced. We’re asking some buildings and businesses for donations, and applying for a grant.
• Fall cleanup: Oct 15 for W 56 and Oct 22 for W 55. We’ll take out plants, clean the beds, and plant more bulbs.
• Fundraising: Our goal again is $20,000, and the fall fundraising campaign has begun. We have been approved to receive a $2000 grant from the Lily Auchincloss Foundation (www.lilyauch.org), and are applying for other grants as well.
• Bulletin board: We’d like a block bulletin board where we can post information. Possible sites are outside walls of new CitiBank or Hale & Hearty. Seeking grants for this too.
• Charley K and Sandra D. presented us with a banner with the Block Association’s name that was created in a town in Tanzania.
• Tee shirt designs and photos for postcards are invited. A calendar might be a nice possibility at some point as well.
• Shortage of litter baskets since hurricane, especially between the Westerly and Daily Soup. Christine or Carl will contact the Sanitation Dept.
• We’d like someone to take responsibility for the Halloween Pet Parade. Could keep it simpler, with no contest—just parade around.
• Complaint that the B&B can be noisy in the middle of the night. The manager, Katrina, will address it with visitors.

Note taker: Lisa P.