NEXT
CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING
March 28, 2013
7:30 PM
AT THE
American Legion Hall
President’s Message
The Rapid Repair Program in Broad Channel is winding down and while it certainly began with tremendous problems it developed into a very useful program which assisted over 450 homeowners in installing free oil burners, oil tanks, baseboard and electrical service repairs and upgrades. The program changed for the better due directly to the input that this community presented at the December Civic Meeting when the head of the Rapid Repair program for NYC heard directly from residents on the problems they were encountering. Kathryn Mallon, head of the program, fired the old contractors and brought in new ones. In addition she moved Broad Channel up to an immediate priority dismissing the former policy that saw only high density areas recognized for that status.. In the end the program assisted many of our residents in returning to their homes and was overall well received.
Speaking to the issue of our community being heard, it is safe to say that all of our elected officials heard loud and clear, at the last civic meeting, of the growing concern that our residents have in regards to the Biggert/Waters Flood insurance reform lawand the huge premium increases we will see in our flood insurance rates. Assemblyman Goldfeder, State Senator Joe Addabbo, and Councilman Eric Ulrich all joined the community in calling for revisions to this law. Congressman Meeks, who was so disturbed by what his representative had reported back after the meeting, moved to immediately collaborate with Congressman Grim (R-SI) and Congressman Engel (D-SI) to introduce a bill that would address the premium increases by spreading out the first years scheduled 20% increase over four years, 5% each year. We applaud the congressman for acting on this critical issue and we hope that all federal representatives in the coastal states will join together to not only reduce the premium increases moving forward but to reinstate the previous provision that allowed for homes to maintain those insurance rates when they are sold. This provision was removed in the current law and will have a huge impact on the property values of all homes in the affected area---an area that has greatly increased in size due to the recently released FEMA flood maps. This will take a great effort as the insurance law was only passed last year and funding is in short supply, but we need to continue to speak out on this and our hope lies in the fact that this law effects millions of coastal residents who will be likewise shocked as they learn the implications of this ill-conceived legilsation.
That same Civic meeting saw an in depth discussion of the recently released FEMA flood maps. This town has gone on record as opposed to the maps in the elevations that they call for in Broad Channel, the new Base Flood Elevation Level, as well as the “V” zone designation that has been assigned to most Broad Channel Homes. Both of these issues have huge ramifications in premiums, construction costs, and construction methods and have been designated with absolutely no consideration to either the impacts or the realistic risk that this neighborhood faces. Rather than accurately define the threat of a “100 year” event, as they are mandated, FEMA has incorrectly sought to set the bar for an event that would in some cases exceed that of Sandy --a storm that the Army Corp of Engineers has designated a 250 year event. All the while failing to understand that- every foot increase in elevation creates construction nightmares, i.e. inability to create staircases to access these heights, as well as that a V zone designation (meaning a home will see three foot waves in a storm) is without historical or scientific basis in this area and will create undue and unnecessary hardship on homeowners. The next phase of the map process will be in June when the maps will be updated based on further reviews by FEMA. We will be following the process closely and hope to see these changes reflected in the final maps.
March 6th saw the grand Re-Opening of the Broad Channel Library and the event saw a big turnout of residents, school children, Library officials and elected officials. The Broad Channel Library was the first storm damaged library to reopen and as it is a central meeting and focus point for our town it was great day and hopefully is sign of this town’s renaissance!
Quote of the Month:
“The Government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem”
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Mundy Jr.
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