Queens Gazette

Community News



DSNY Waste Drop Off Sites to Reopen

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced last week that its Special Waste Drop-Off Sites throughout the five booughs will reopen on July 10th.

“Commonly-used household products can be harmful to you, our Sanitation workers and the environment,” DSNY officials said. “Help keep New York City healthy, safe and clean by following the law and safely disposing of these products at a Special Waste Drop-Off Center.”

The centers are open each Saturday and the last Friday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., DSNY officials said.

For information on which products you can bring and directions to the Queens drop off site, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/safedisposal.

You can also drop off harmful household products including solvents, automotive flammables and electronics, at our Safe Disposal Events, officials said. DSNY hosts three conveniently located events in Queens each year.

DSNY Safe Disposal Events will return in the fall of 2021.

To learn what products you can bring to the events and check event schedules, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/safedisposal or follow the Department of Sanitation on social media.

“Join DSNY to help safely dispose of your harmful household products,” officials said.

 

Queens Library Branches to Reopen in July

The city’s public library branches will turn a page on the COVID-19 pandemic in July, when remaining available branch locations will reopen to serve readers, researchers and library geeks at the same full-service capacity as before the pandemic, officials said.

“Patrons will be able to use computers inside library branches, outdoors, in the lobbies and on steps leading to our front doors, library officials said. “People will be able to browse our shelves and linger as long as they like. This is a significant milestone in our city’s recovery.”

 

Library branches worked throughout the month of June to restore most of their pre-pandemic services, including untimed browsing, computer use, laptop loans and indoor classes, officials said. Some library branches will offer outdoor programs for the remainder of the summer.

Hours of operation may vary depending on the number of returning employees at library branches.

Face masks or other facial coverings will be required for all unvaccinated people and will be optional for all others.

 

Apply Now for Summer Youth Jobs

There’s no time like the present for young New Yorkers to apply for summer jobs through the city Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD).

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is currently accepting applications from New Yorkers 14-to-24-years-old for six-week entry level positions around the five boroughs.

For information on the program or to apply, call 311 or visit: www.nyc.syep.com.

The annual program was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

 

FAA Postpones AirTrain OK

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials have postponed a final decision on the agency’s $2 billion LaGuardia AirTrain project, after local legislators and community organizations questioned the findings of a recently completed environmental review.

Early construction was slated to begin in June on the proposed 1.5-mile rail line linking LaGuardia Airport to the MTA No. 7 train and the Long Island RailRoad at Willets Point.

Concerns were raised after private talks between the FAA and the Port Authority revealed that the FAA questioned whether an environmental review sponsored by the Port Authority was completely impartial and thorough.

FAA officials aim to address the concerns before the agency approves the project, sponsored by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “We are working to answer additional questions from members of the New York Congressional delegation and other community groups,” an FAA spokesperson said. “The FAA expects to issue a decision soon.

“In general, screening criteria are not uniformly applied to the alternatives,” the spokesperson said, referring to other transportation modes and concepts suggested to get people to the airport. “Issues are made to be insurmountable for certain alternatives, yet the same issues for the preferred alternative seem to be glossed over.”

The Port Authority said the AirTrain, first proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2015, was the only project of the 47 ideas studied in the environmental review, that met with full approval. FAA officials said the rail line would make travel time between LaGuardia Airport and Manhattan a “reliable 30-minute commute.”

It is unclear how much the delay would affect the project timeline. Early construction, such as utility work, was expected to begin this month and the bulk of the project construction is slated to begin in April 2022.

 

Shortened Council Stints

Candidates vying for a seat on the City Council in this year’s November election are seeking a two-year term, rather than the four-year term normally served by councilmembers.

The change is due to a provision in the City Charter related to the recent U.S. Census, which mandates that City Council terms are reduced once every 20 years to coincide with the redrawing of council districts.

The provision for a two-year term was installed to allow candidates to challenge incumbents based on the new districts.

City Council candidates who win in November will, therefore, be required to run again in 2023 in order to hold onto their seat.

Races for normal, four-year council terms will resume in 2025.

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