Dennis Gaffney

  • Vacant Lots Archived
    254 256, and 258 Livingston. - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood
    Person who called/stopped in: Willie Jackson Organization: Resident 262 Livingston Ave (near intersection of Lark St.) Phone number: 518-463-2376 Message: I called Willie today to confirm that he would like DGS to clean up the vacant lot directly behind 21 Lark Street (on Livingston Street). He said that the City has cleaned it up before but it has been 3-4 years. The owner says the city owns Person who called/stopped in: Willie Jackson Organization: Resident 262 Livingston Ave (near intersection of Lark St.) Phone number: 518-463-2376 Message: I called Willie today to confirm that he would like DGS to clean up the vacant lot directly behind 21 Lark Street (on Livingston Street). He said that the City has cleaned it up before but it has been 3-4 years. The owner says the city owns 254, 256, and 258 Livingston.
  • Other Archived
  • Trash Pick-Up Archived
    Patricia Davis called with the complaint that her trash is not being picked pu properly--trash is being left in the bin. She says that this has happened for 3 weeks in a row, and she was told DGS would send someone over to re-empty it yesterday, April 25, but it didn't happen. She just wants her trash bin emptied each week.
  • 604 Providence - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood
    Eva,

    I would like to call your attention to the City Code (see attached) that requires garbage cans that are“durable,” “watertight,“ and have “tight-fitting covers.” The Code states that each unit have a receptacle to contain “ALL garbage and rubbish.” The Code also calls for “Adequate sanitary facilities.” Check the photos I have sent to the City over the past few years and note that nothing has changed.

    The Code requirements have never been met in the last several years at 604 Providence St. My point is that the City tells the violator to correct the situation and then is satisfied with landlord having the garbage picked up, the same garbage cans placed in a neat row, and the violations begin again with the next over stuffed can, the next hungry animal or the next strong wind to upset the cans. This is where the City is not enforcing the CODE.

    I see no reason why we must live with the neighbor’s garbage continually being scattered on our property and in the neighborhood. This only encourages moving to the suburbs.

    Tom Jaras

    From: Eva Petkanas
    Sent: Monday, March 21, 2016 9:14 AM
    To: mailto:tfjaras@gmail.com
    Subject: RE: Trash Probem Continues (resent with photo)

    Tom,

    Thank you for your consistent attention to this property. We are aware of the issue and our supervisors have been posting notices of violation for the specific codes the property owner is violating.

    The City code does not require any particular size of receptacles or secure covers for trash receptacles so we cannot require the property owner provide these things. We have posted the property for trash in public view, and owners get five days to respond to that according to City code. We will continue to bill and fine this owner when postings expire.

    Sincerely,

    Eva Petkanas
    Community Relations Coordinator
    Department of General Services
    518-434-5822


    From: Tom Jaras [mailto:tfjaras@gmail.com]
    Sent: Friday, March 18, 2016 2:14 PM
    To: Mayor Sheehan; Jacqueline Beattie
    Cc: Penna (neighbors) Anne & Dan
    Subject: Trash Probem Continues (resent with photo)

    On Wednesday 3/16, I reported a continuous trash problem at 604 Providence St. The city inspector responded the next day 3/17, phoned the absentee landlord telling him to clean up the area and secure proper garbage cans with secure lids. Later that day the landlord responded by having the garbage returned to the cans and rearranged the trash items in the back yard. The attached photo show these same garbage cans again spilled over this morning with the contents again spilling into my yard. This is a repeat of the same dance between me, the city and the absentee landlord for the last several years. The city responds but does not fix the problem.

    Is it possible for the City to enforce the City Code and have the landlord install adequate size receptacles with attached lids? What exists today is a waste of city manpower having to respond neighborhood complaints, a waste of my time, an unhealthy environment, a degrading of another Albany neighborhood and an landlord who does care.

    I am asking for a meaningful response.


    Tom Jaras
    610 Providence St.
    489-6174
  • Vacant Lots Archived
    411 Second Ave. Albany - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood
    Rayshama Cleveland is upset that the man who lives next door to her (she lives at 413 Second Ave. and the lot is at 411 Second Ave.) has a vacant lot and is parking 3-4 taxi cabs there every evening. The man who is parking the cars there lives at 13 Beekman. the lot is also full of trash and needs to be cleaned up. Has called codes for parking in the lot but nothing has been done.
  • Tree Issues Archived

    HI Tom:

    A tree at 22 Maple Ave. has a city tree that needs trimming. The contact is John Spencer: 526-5381. This one should be a priority.

    Let me know how it shakes out.

    Dennis Gaffney
    Communications Coordinator
    Office of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan
    518-434-5076 (office)/518-281-7252 (cell)

  • Cortland And N. Allen - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood

    Hi Bill:

    A pastor David Cuke called from the Capital City Church (845-750-8623). He wanted to talk about the cardboard no parking signs that are up along Cortland for about a block that have eliminated about 10 spaces there. Although the church has a parking lot, he says they don’t have enough spots. What are the plans on that strip? He’d like his folks to be able to park there again. I’m putting this in SeeClickFix as well to track it. His phone is 845-750-8623.

    Let me know what the story is Bill.

    Thanks,

    Dennis

  • Street Repair Archived
    7 Birch Hill Road - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood
    Sent a letter received on April 1 asking that the City pave Birchhill Rd.
    Also sent correspondence with Dan Mirabile who said that the road is private and he was referring it to John Reilly;
    Dennis responded to the lerrer writer and forwarded it to John Reilly on 4.11
  • Made suggestions about the proposed bike trail and riverfront in a letter
    Dennis responded on 4.11 in an email from the mayor
    4.11--Dennis also asked that the Kate Lawrence to write a response
  • Other Archived
    Swinburne Park - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood

    Woman asking about the SYEP for her daughter

    Lillie McLaughlin's Response

    The Summer Youth Employment Program registration period has closed. There were 3 registrations sessions in March and the 4th and final one was Saturday, April 2nd. We are no longer accepting applications.

    However, we do have a waitlist. There is no guarantee that we will be using the waitlist or, if we do, that we would be able to reach your child. We will not know if any job opportunities are available until late June.

    To participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program, a youth must be 14 years of age or older, a resident of the city of Albany and a student at a middle or high school in the Albany City School District.

    If you would like your daughter placed on the waitlist, we will need her name, age, address, school and a contact number. If we are should have a job opportunity, we will contact her and she can complete and application and submit her documentation at that time.

  • FYI Jonathan--

    Dennis Gaffney
    Communications Coordinator
    Office of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan
    518-434-5076 (office)/518-281-7252 (cell)

    From: intern
    Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 2:08 PM
    To: Mayor Sheehan
    Subject: Phone Message

    Person who called/stopped in:
    Organization:
    Phone number:
    Message: Constituent called with a suggestion that the city office by Hoffman park bring back recycling bins, which they used to have a few years ago for city residents to use

  • Other Archived
    Walter Pelton Organization: Resident Phone Number: - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood

    Message: Walter thinks there is a lead water service pipe leading to his house and was wondering if the city has a program to remove and replace these type of pipes.

    518-449-5901

    Asked Joe Coffey About it

  • Trash Pick-Up Archived
    Wants a reclycling bin at Hoffman Park
  • Person who called/stopped in: Barbara Andrews
    Organization: Constituent
    Phone number: 518-426-7208 (Home)
    Message: Barbara was upset with the lack of plows/ snow removal today from the City of Albany. She “did not see one plow/sand truck” on her way to work this morning. She lives on Marwood and works in Menands. She called earlier today complaining about the roads (she spoke with Sam who she said was very nice). About an hour and a half after that call her daughter had gotten into an accident on Whitehall. Her daughter was ok but she was still very upset about the street conditions. She would like someone to acknowledge her complaint and at the very least leave a message at her home phone.

    Thanks,

    Matt

  • Other Archived
    Henry Johnson Blvd - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood

    Complimented the way an APD officer acted:

    Dear Mayor,

    I hope this correspondence finds you well. I am contacting you today to bring to your attention and City of Albany New York an unsung act of greatness ("the new definition")one of your City of Albany, N.Y., Police Officers recently imparted upon what is arguably the poorest of middle schools in the greater capitol region. He did not have to do this, clearly, as this required his traveling into Schenectady, New York. Notwithstanding, Officer Dudley went above and beyond the call duty as he took the ball and ran with it to obtain proper authority from his senior officers and police chief.

    Background: Several years ago I started a leadership mentor initiative that is comprise of several tenets of leadership, and subsequent pillars of strength they embody. We have recently learned students whom have participated in the initiative have benefited with remarkable improvement in NY State test scores year over year, improved academics, and were three times more likely to come to school when compared to their peers within he same school district attending other schools presently not participating in the initiative. Both collectively and in part these are significant student improvements, all noteworthy.

    However, equally notable is that which enables such transformational inspiration where and when it may matter the most, moreover, in the lives of underserved public school students, the poor, a population within our communities that may offer the greatest opportunity and potential for the Capitol Region to realize its potential. I will leave you with the unsolicited response from the school (FDR Elementary-Midddle School, Schenectady NY) principal, which sums up the significants of Officer Brandon Dudley's selfless efforts:

    Date: Feb 12, 2016

    To: John Matthew Douglas
    Regarding: iPressForward, LLC Mentor, Officer Brandon Dudley

    As the principal of FDR, I was so impressed with how welcoming these
    officers were to the other children in my school who approached them
    while they were waiting to speak with the 6th graders. Unfortunately, all
    too often, our students' view of law enforcement is jaded. These two
    gentlemen took the time to be positive with the children who spoke to them
    and were so kind that the children walked away with smiles on their faces.

    It's the little things we do that have a lasting impact.
    Thank-you John Matthew Douglas for bringing this incredible program to
    our school. Kathy Lupi and AmiJo Campbell raved about their experiences
    with you and Press Forward and now I know why. We appreciate you and all of the mentors who take the time to share their
    experiences with our students.

    In appreciation,
    Nora Cietek

    iPressForward, LLC mentorship initiative was never about the founder, me. It has always been will forever be about the underserved public school students it serves and, as important the profound difference a collective sum of diverse and selfless career professionals may inspire, essentially standing in the gap. They are professionals like Officer Dudley. Accordingly, and befittingly, I humbly request on behalf of the students of FDR Elementary School and future students who will be served by this initiative that special citation be considered and ultimately architected and awarded to this unsung hero within our midst, Officer Brandon Dudley, as his was a job above and beyond the call of duty and unquestionably a job well done! Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Please let me know whether you have any questions.

    My Very Best Always:

    JohnMatthew Douglas
    518-879-7793

    PS

    Photos Below:

  • North Pearl St. - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood
    Person who called/stopped in: Barbra Andrews
    Organization: Albany Resident
    Phone number: 518-426-7208
    Message: Barbra is very concerned with DGS’s snow removal efforts today. She lives in Albany N.Y and works in Menands on North Pearl St. She essentially has to drive through the center of the city to get to work and was absolutely horrified at the rate her car was slipping and sliding on the roads. She did not see one salt truck and called DGS to voice her concerns. They told her they were handling it and seemed nonchalant about the whole issue. She emphasized that Marwell and Lawn Avenue are a nightmare and at one point she pulled over to let trucks and cars go buy to track up some of the snow. She would like a call back the above number is her house phone, but she does not want a call from DGS they essentially pushed her to the side
  • Street Repair Archived
    Upset with Krumkill Rd.
  • 321 Hackett Blvd. - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood
    Paul Thornton said man is parked in his driveway.
  • Tree Issues Archived
    300 Orange St. - Buckingham Lake-Crestwood
    Tree has fallen down and is up against a vacant building next door. The tree needs to come down; it's dangerous for kids, and is an eyesore.
  • crosswalk down in front of 628 s. Pearl and in front of Center for the Disabled