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RT09082016

14 times • SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com Taxes, transit and homeowner issues top the September Ridgewood Property Owners meeting increase in a long time this year. Also during the meeting, one resident asked about the status of the reconstruction plans for the M and L trains. The MTA announced last year that it needed to do reconstruction work on two sections of the elevated M line between Middle Village and Bushwick. The first phase, a two-month rehabilitation of the bridge over rail yards near Metropolitan Avenue, will shut down all service between Middle Village-Metropolitan Avenue and Myrtle Avenue. The second phase will focus on reconstructing the viaduct connecting the M line to the J and Z line in Bushwick. That 10-month project will leave only shuttle service between Middle Village-Metropolitan Avenue and Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues where riders can access the L train. That work is due to be completed before the MTA embarks on an 18-month-long project to reconstruct the Canarsie tubes, which carry the L train under the East River. The tunnels were devastated by flooding in Hurricane Sandy in 2012. That work will lead to the complete shutdown of L service between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Mary Ellen Borello of the RPOCA said she didn’t have a specific timeline on the projects, but assured residents that they will not be happening simultaneously. “They won’t be simultaneous,” she said. “The M work will go first and the L work is slated until 2019.” Photo: Domenick Rafter/RIDGEWOOD TIMES Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association President Paul Kerzner addresses the crowd. DENTAL CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY Santa LoCascio, D.D.S.,P.C. PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL & PERSONALIZED CARE $99 $99 Like Us On Facebook Our Complete Dental Cleaning (Includes X-ray, Exam & Cleaning) Any Filling, Extraction or Emergency Visit WE ALSO ACCEPT MOST INSURANCES! 70-16 FRESH POND RD., RIDGEWOOD, NEW YORK 718-628-6588 Do you have diabetes? 20% of diabetics will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Have you had your feet checked lately 718-NEW-FEET 6 3 9 - 3 3 3 8 By Domenick Rafter editorial@ridgewoodtimes.com @RidgewoodTimes September’s meeting of the Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association (RPOCA) meeting on Thursday, Sept. 1, at I.S. 93 focused on issues related to property taxes and public transportation. The civic group’s president, Paul Kerzner, entertained questions from the attendees on rising property taxes and water rates and the upcoming work that will shut down both of the neighborhood’s subway lines for extended periods of time. The session featured representatives from various city service agencies who directly addressed concerns from local residents on matters related to property taxes, water, sanitation and other matters. A first-time attendee to the meeting asked Kerzner about rising water rates and property taxes. “This group a few decades ago fought for the 5 percent cap on property taxes that we got,” Kerzner explained. “We would have liked a smaller cap, maybe two and a half percent, but there is no support He added that the real issue with property taxes comes from the values of the property. “It’s not the rates that hit us here in Ridgewood,” Kerzner said. “It’s the assessments, which in my opinion are way too high for this community.” He said that if there was an opportunity to fight for another tax cap or a new way to assess values, the RPOCA would take a lead role. Kerzner also added that water rates, though they’ve risen substantially in past years, saw the lowest Cleaning & Maintenance Where perfection is not an accident! 718-894-0400 Magic Touch Cleaning & Maintenance provides for that.” quality service to all customers. No jobs are too big or too small. Commercial and Residential Cleaning and Maintenance Specialists in cleaning all types of awnings and canopies. SERVICES INCLUDE: •Sidewalk Restoration •Gum Removal •Vinyl Floors Stripping •Vinyl Floors Waxing •Tile Floor Restoration •Grout Restoration •Graffiti Removal •Window Cleaning •Bird (Pigeon) Control •Construction Clean-up •House Detailing •Office Cleaning •Light Bulb Maintenance •Power Washing •Carpet Cleaning •Property Maintenance •Parking Lot Maintenance •Snow Plowing Ask for our Specials on Office Cleaning. ****10% Discount with this ad**** 60-68 Metropolitan ave., ridgewood, nY She added that the MTA will hold a meeting on Sept. 15 at the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, where the projects will be outlined with timelines. “Everyone should attend that meeting,” Kerzner said.


RT09082016
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