Middle of November. I am delighted to be back at my desk. Thank you to all who sent their wishes. The combination of personal support with modern medical science is really quite astonishing. For current events:
1. TEP: The foremost hot issue is the issuance of retroactive and extremely high Tax Equivalency Payment ("TEP") bills by ESDC to the three remaining Mitchell-Lama buildings. RIOC and DHCR have been working with the owners and tenant groups to preserve the stock of affordable housing, and this action by ESDC seems counterproductive. The Commissioner of Housing is well aware of the problem and is in touch with the Governor’s office to try to rationalize the differing approaches. The Island’s elected representatives, Assemblymember Kellner and Councilmember Lappin, have also weighed in on the matter. RIOC remains committed to the principles of the GDP. More to follow.
2. Blackwell House: The construction fence is down and this historic restoration is again on full display. Interior renovation and programming remains to be accomplished. The Island has a treasure. Everyone should be encouraged to admire and protect it.
3. Steam Plant-Cogeneration study: The NYSERDA contract has been fully executed and the study, expected to take about 4-6 months, is underway.
4. Southtown: The construction continues apace on buildings 5 and 6. Great to watch for all of us amateur sidewalk superintendents.
5. Tram: We are proceeding with the planning for the modernization of the Tram and have met with the Port Authority, among others, to benefit from their contracting experience in developing the Airtrain.
6. Senior Swim: Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to attract enough participants to keep the program going. So, until enough seniors can get together who want to swim, we are reluctantly closing it down.
7. Tree Lighting: November 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Blackwell House. Come all ye faithful.
8. Street Lighting: The hard core of non-working lights continues to be a problem on which RIOC is working. Con Edison is difficult to get and hold their attention.
9. Board of Directors Meeting: Because of the low number of items on the November agenda, we are going to skip it and schedule a Board meeting for December 20 at 9:30 a.m. instead.