The NST PAC Committee hosts seminar
The Migdal/
HADASSAH
Board is
grateful to donors
for their enthusiastic
response to
the Chai Appeal in
honor of Israel’s 70th
Birthday. Migdal Members
and other Towers residents
contributed generously
to benefit Hadassah's
cutting edge medical
research into
several diseases
and conditions.
IT’S NOT TOO
LATE TO HELP!
Donations can still be
made. For information
call Zona Schreiber at (718)
423-2353.
STORY & PHOTO
BY STEPHEN VRATTOS
Residents gathered in Towers
on the Green Monday evening,
September 17, for an
enlightening seminar, which filled
the room, despite competition
from several social club meetings
and VIP Room entertainment.
Hosted by the North Shore Towers
Political Action Committee
(PAC), the event convened a panel
of experts to discuss proposals for
land use in our surrounding communities,
as well as discuss co-op
and condo taxes and abatements.
Subcommittee Chair Vicki Mazel
presided; only fitting as her son,
attorney Geoffrey Mazel, was a
featured guest on a roster which
included New York City Councilmember
Barry Grodenchik and
Chairperson Community Board
#13, Richard Hellenbrecht.
“Fortunately, there are no land
use issues here at North Shore
Towers,” Grodenchik began, before
addressing the ongoing concerns
with the 53 acres up for redevelopment
at nearby Creedmoor
Psychiatric Center. He assured the
assembled that counter to continuing
rumors of homeless shelters,
prisons and hi-rise buildings being
under consideration for the huge
parcel of land, there is “nothing
currently on the table.”
The structures which sit on the
site have long-since been sealed
up, having fallen into disrepair
years ago. Plus, anyone interested
in using the land on which these
buildings sit would face a tremendous
financial burden from
their dismantling, due to the use
of asbestos and lead paint in their
construction decades ago, and the
onerous task of properly containing
these and other hazardous materials
with any demolition, as well
as the red tape involved in getting
permits and approvals. “When the
state owns the land, they can override
local zoning,” Grodenchik cautioned,
before reassuring, “Officials
here are very vigilant about what
goes on.”
Of greater concern is the proposed
redevelopment of Belmont
Park into an entertainment complex,
which would house the New
York Islanders professional hockey
team and host huge arena events,
such as concerts. “As someone
who’s grown up in Queens, I
know there’s only one way to
get to Belmont, the Cross-Island
(Parkway),” Grodenchik noted,
when explaining the nightmarish
traffic problems which will arise
from the proposed construction.
“We would need Long Island
Railroad service at minimum.”
Attorney Mazel, who specializes
in co-op and condo cases, recounted
a recent situation with Bay Terrace.
Seven of the nine co-op buildings,
which comprise the decades-old
complex reside on land it does not
own and the 100-year Land-Use
lease was set to expire. Though
originally built on unwanted swampland,
the site’s worth is stratospheric
today with thousands of residents
facing displacement should the
owner decide to sell to a developer.
Fortunately, Mazel and his team, and
area authorities worked toward the
co-op’s purchasing the land, putting
the issue to rest.
Mazel then spoke of the unfair tax
assessment of co-ops and condos.
“Taxes are normally determined by
looking at “comparables,” similar
homes in the area, extrapolating
(l. to r.) New York City Councilmember Barry Grodenchik;
Chairperson Community Board #13, Richard Hellenbrecht; PAC
Subcommittee Chairperson, Vicki Mazel; Glen Oaks Village President,
Bob Friedrich; and Attorney Geoffrey Mazel
a figure from such” he explained.
“But theirs is nothing like North
Shore Towers.” According to
Mazel, the state feeds information
about NST and other co-ops/condo
into a computer, which spits out
a rate. “It’s basically a made-up
number.”
Nearly 50% of residents’ maintenance
fees at NST go toward
taxes, with an estimated increase
of 3.6 million in the next few years.
Unlike gas prices, which fluctuate
with global value, real estate taxes
are permanent. And whereas there
is a tax cap on the annual increase
of real estate taxes for other types
NORTH SHORE TOWERS
CANDIDATES NIGHT DEBATE
FORUM
By Felice Hannah, Chairperson,
North Shore Towers Political
TAffairs Committee he Political Affairs
Committee is
hos t ing a
Debate Forum for
federal, state and
local candidates
who will appear
on the general
election ballot
Tuesday, November
6, 2018.
candidates from all
of buildings, there is no cap on
co-ops and condos of over nine
units, giving officials free reign to
raise taxes unfettered, a cash cow
State and local officials have relied
upon in their annual budget without
incentive to change.
During the ensuing QA period,
one NST resident suggested co-ops
create a war chest to sue the state,
asking Mazel why a lawsuit hasn’t
manifested yet. Mazel cited the difficulty
in finding legal representation
with the niche expertise needed
to address such an action, but
agreed it may be the only recourse
for co-ops and condos to take.
parties appearing on the general
election ballot will be invited to
attend.
Residents will hear from the
Candidates as they respond to
questions from expert Moderators.
Each Candidate will be provided
time to explain how they
intend to work for
you and get things
done!
GET OUT
TO VOTE!
Voting is more
than an exercise
it is a right
and absolute
responsibility of
each of us.
THANK YOU!
Alert! Alert! Alert!
COME OUT AND HEAR THE CANDIDATES
North Shore Towers Movie Theater
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 7–10 p.m.
October 2018 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 3