CB 6 chairman Joseph Hennessy tell residents at its last meeting that DEP cancelled their scheduled appearance to discuss flooding problems that occur in Forest Hills when a storm passes through. Forum Newsgroup photo by Luis Gronda.
Forest Hills residents and members of Community Board 6 who were looking to have another discussion on the flooding issue in that neighborhood were disappointed to find out that the city agency involved with that turned out to be a no-show.
On the agenda at CB6’s meeting last Wednesday was a public hearing on the flooding situation that has many in Forest Hills frustrated.
Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) were supposed to attend the board’s meeting, but CB 6 President Joseph Hennessy announced to the crowd that the city agency called at the last minute to inform them that they would not be attending the meeting.
“DEP opted out,” Hennessy said. “That’s disappointing.”
Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) organized a public forum late last month to discuss with DEP what could be done about the flooding in that area when it rains. Although many ideas were discussed, residents were ultimately left unhappy with what came out of that meeting.
J.R. Nocerino, a representative from Koslowitz’s office who attended the CB 6 meeting, said that the councilwoman wrote a statement to thank residents who attended the public hearing and to say what will be done in the future regarding the flooding.
“I certainly share your frustrations at the lack of clear answers from the DEP and I am steadfast in my efforts to improve the situation,” she said in the statement. “Fixing a sewer system whose infrastructure is more prepared for the climate and weather patterns of 100 years ago is no easy task for any elected official.”
She went on to say in the letter that she will work with other local politicians and agencies on some short-term solutions while they work on a long-term fix for the problem. She wrote that she has asked DEP to look into solutions including cleaning catch basins and checking sewer lines for damage.
Hennessey said that they would invite DEP again to attend one of their meetings in the upcoming months.
CB 6 also announced that they will have presentations from both the Queensway and from the people who want to revive the Long Island Rail Road line that used to run through Queens at their November meeting.
There has been much discussion about what to do with the abandoned rail line and those presentations will be another in a line of talks about what should be done with that land.
By Luis Gronda
