63 • TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 RPOCA Gets Insight From Home Building Expert On Smoke Detectors such as the University of Texas A&M. “The unfortunate thing is that we don’t know that they failed until after we’re dead,” he added. He pointed to a recent fatal fire in Vermont in which four children died from smoke inhalation—but firefighters found that the ionization smoke detector never activated. Ionization smoke detectors typically contain a radioactive isotope—usually americium-241— placed between two electrically charged plates. When smoke or heat enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of the radioactive ions and triggers the alarm. Even though the devices are known to be unreliable, Ubell stated, companies continue to sell ionization detectors due to liability issues, as a sudden, mass recall would likely trigger lawsuits from fire victims. Instead, he noted, the ionization detectors are being slowly phased out and replaced by photoelectric detectors, which use a light source and a sensing chamber that activates when smoke enters the device and changes the direction of the light. These devices, Ubell said, are known to pick up a smoldering fire 30 minutes faster than ionization detectors, which tend to activate only when a full flame is present. In tests, photoelectric detectors were found to be nearly 100 percent effective in picking up fires and not prone to nuisance tripping. Photoelectric detectors tend to be more expensive than ionization detectors, but Ubell observed the enhanced security and reliability provided by the photoelectric detectors is worth the additional expense to homeowners. Ubell advised residents to have a smoke detector in each bedroom and other rooms where someone may fall asleep, such as a living room or den. Paul Kerzner, RPOCA counsel and former president, stated the organization would reach out to a vendor about purchasing a number of photoelectric detectors for civic members at a group discount. Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors also have flaws, Ubell noted. The detectors are designed to trigger when the concentration of carbon monoxide in a room reaches 70 parts per million (ppm) in an hour—but a person may be fatally poisoned if exposed to CO levels of 60 ppm for five hours or longer. Enhanced carbon monoxide detectors, which can pick up CO levels as low as 10 ppm, are available from Internet vendors, but tend to cost several hundred dollars, Ubell noted. While residents should have some type of carbon monoxide detector, Ubell stated they can best protect themselves from poisoning by ensuring gas-burning appliances such as stoves and burners are in proper working order. The devices should emit blue flames; if the flame is any other color, shut it off and contact a professional to have it repaired. The next Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 1, at 7 p.m. at the Ridgewood Older Adult Center, located on 70th Avenue off of Forest Avenue. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 20- Larry Ubell (at right) of Accurate Home Inspectors was welcomed by Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association President Charles Ober to the group’s Apr. 3 meeting. (photo: Robert Pozarycki) Four Lose Seats In Community Board 5 Shakeup Expressway and Woodhaven Boulevard in Middle Village also lies in Board 5’s confines. “Pursuant to Chapter 70, Section 2800 of the New York City Charter, my total number of board appointments had to be reduced from 44 to 39 members to accurately reflect the 76.96 percent of Community Board 5 that includes Council District 30,” Crowley explained. As noted in the City Charter, community board members are “appointed by the borough president for staggered terms of two years, at least one-half of whom shall be appointed from nominees of the council members elected from council districts which include any part of the community district.” New and veteran community board members are appointed and reappointed every April. The City Planning Commission determines the number of community board seats per council district based on “the proportion of the community district’s population represented by each council member.” With a maximum of 50 members on a community board, the remaining 11 Board 5 seats are allocated to residents in either Reynoso’s or Koslowitz’s districts. According to a source familiar with the situation, 10 seats are in Reynoso’s district. The board had been one short of a full 50 members since June 2013, when Ridgewood’s Ann Maggio died following an illness. Board 5 received at least one new appointee: Henry Cross of Ridgewood, who was recommended by Reynoso. His appointment, combined with the aforementioned vacancies, brings Board 5’s roster up to 44 members. “After the new district lines came into effect in January 2014, Council District 30 residents were overrepresented on Community Board 5,” Crowley added. “I thank the past board members for their years of dedication and service to our community.” A spokesperson for Queens Borough President Melinda Katz declined to comment to the Times Newsweekly on the community board appointment process. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 8- COMET Wary Of Rap Artist’s Knockdown Center Gig circulated a petition asking for signatures in opposition of the center’s liquor license application. In contrast to some of Crowley’s statements in support of the cultural and artistic elements of the center, Wilkinson echoed the concerns of other residents that feel if a liquor license is granted, Maspeth will have a full-blown nightclub in the neighborhood “This is not about us not supporting the arts,” Wilkinson said at Monday’s meeting, “but why do you need a liquor license to arts events?” Chief among their concerns are fear of drunken recklessness disturbing the quiet streets of Maspeth. Those opposed are also anxious that noise, lack of parking and consumption of illicit drugs will have a negative effect on the surrounding community. Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has stated her support for the arts and cultural aspects of the center, but has not taken a position on the liquor license or nightclub issues. Owners recently applied for both a liquor license and a public assembly permit. The assembly application asked for a 5,000 capacity space that would allow the venue to hold music shows and larger gatherings than Queens Community Board 5, which covers parts of Maspeth would like. The board opposes both the license and the permit, and drafted a letter last month to make their position clear. M.I.A., born Mathangi Arulpragasam, is a British recording artist and songwriter. Many of her songs and accompanying music videos feature political and social issues, leading to much of the divisiveness that has surrounded her career. A video released for the track “Born Free” in 2010, which showed explicit violence and military force was met with controversy and ultimately banned by Youtube in this country and the United Kingdom. She also courted controversy when she performed a song she cowrote with Madonna and Nicki Minaj at the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show. During the performance, instead of mumbling, or not saying an expletive word in the song, she raised her middle finger to the camera. The Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together civic association generally meets on the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. the Bethzatha Church of God, located at 85-20 57th Ave. in Elmhurst. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 10- Suspect Sought In Woodside Heist Various police units engaged in a search of the surrounding area for the suspect. Despite all efforts, it was noted, no immediate arrests were made. The NYPD Major Case Squad’s investigation into the robbery is ongoing, police said. Anyone with any information Public Hearing Sought On Shelter Plan body to coordinate a public hearing regarding the shelter proposal. The lawmakers stated they believe “that it is both appropriate and necessary to engage the community on this topic to obtain their input.” “We are urging the Department of Homeless Services and Samaritan Village to present their plan before Community Board 5, and consider any feedback provided by board members or the public as you deem appropriate,” according to the letter. “To ensure the utmost transparency, accountability and participation in this process, we also respectfully encourage Community Board 5 to provide a timeslot on an official public meeting agenda for the organizations to present their proposal.” Giordano told the Times Newsweekly the board is considering a number of dates on which the public hearing could be held, and possible venues near the Glendale site where it may be held. As previously reported, the DHS gave preliminary approval last December for the Samaritan Village plan, estimated to cost $27 million over the first five years of operation. The factory at 78-16 Cooper Ave.— which has reportedly gone unused for decades—would need to be extensively renovated in order to be made suitable for residential use. Opponents charged the project would be cost prohibitive for the city, as it would cost an estimated tens of millions to convert the former factory into a shelter. Others claimed the site itself, having been used for heavy industry previously, may be contaminated and require an extensive cleanup. Many local residents also expressed concerns that the shelter would increase strain on local infrastructure and schools. Last month, Hevesi wrote to Mayor Bill de Blasio and DHS Commissioner Gilbert Taylor asking them to suspend contract negotiations with Samaritan Village after an audit by State Comptroller Thomas Di Napoli uncovered questionable spending by the nonprofit. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 12- about the heist that could prove helpful is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-577- TIPS, by text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. All calls and messages will be kept confidential. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 12- Let Us Help Your Business Grow! Advertise In The Times Newsweekly! Call 1-718-821-7500 To Get A Quote!
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