Christopher Schaefer 4 Congress.Com

Very large and deep pothole in front of 76 Second Street. This has been cold-patched numerous times, such repairs lasting a few days, at most. Needs more cold patch--and need repaving of this block of Second Street next spring.

When recycling was rolled out, it actually was profitable for the city to sell recyclable materials. HOWEVER, the New York Times article linked below suggests that, with the steep decline in oil prices, it no longer is profitable: “Despite decades of exhortations and mandates, it’s still typically more expensive for municipalities to recycle household waste than to send it to a landfill” [or trash-to-energy plant].
The article also provides evidence that, at least currently, recycling contributes little to reducing carbon emissions: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/opinion/sunday/the-reign-of-recycling.html?_r=2
MOVING BEYOND THE THEORETICAL, what is OUR current cost-to-expense data for New Haven’s Public Works? Will the city currently save money by processing everything as trash?
If this currently is the case, I’m NOT suggesting that we do away with recycling, since it ‘possibly’ will be profitable in the future. However, I assume taxpayers would like to know if our tax dollars are being wasted for a “cause” that has no current benefit—financially or environmentally.
Could Public Works please provide a breakdown:
• current cost to dispose of trash,
• current cost to dispose of recyclables (including extra personnel needed).
Thanks.
Christopher Schaefer

Storm drain nearest fire hydrant, at intersection of Greenwich Ave. & Second Street is completely clogged. (Nearest address = 375 Greenwich Ave.) As you can see in attached photo, drain across street works fine; also drain hidden by garbage toters on left of photo (at 86 Second St.) works fine.
During heavy downpours, this intersection completely floods because of this one non-functioning drain next to fire hydrant. When water finally clears, there is nothing on the catch basin grate, and the catch basin does not have much junk in it
--so the clog is INSIDE the sewer pipe.
In the past, the clog has been located approximately under the manhole in the Second Street crosswalk:
i.e. the pipe that goes between the drain near the fire hydrant at 375 Greenwich and the drain in front of 86 Second Street (hidden by the toters in photo).

2 tires & a child-size mattress have been dumped on the curb: First St. near Greenwich Av

A deer carcass is partially blocking a lane on the Boulevard, near the intersection of Adeline Street.

A large branch was knocked down by a truck a week ago, then moved to the tree strip.
Now ADDITIONAL branches, etc. have been added, creating a huge pile that threatens to cover the corner fire hydrant.
Needs to be removed ASAP

A pile of furniture has been dumped on the tree strip @ 333 Howard, corner of 1st St.

A truck knocked a large branch off a tree and into the street at the corner of Greenwich Ave. & Second Street. It has been removed from the street, cut up and placed in a pile on the curb strip in front of 375 Greenwich Ave. City needs to remove this.

Driveway apron on Second Street SIDE of 370 Greenwich Ave, i.e. in the Second Street dead-end, has been lifted by the roots of a street-tree. Resident seriously damaged her car the first time she used the driveway. It also is a tripping hazard.

And YOU can help make it happen.
Come to our first Greenspace Planting of the Season! On Fourth Street, between Greenwich Ave. and Howard Ave., this Thursday, June 4 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Meet your neighbors and help us continue to transform our neighborhood into one of the most beautiful areas in New Haven. Then enjoy free Ice Pops—for everyone who helps.
“The better you know your neighbors, the safer
your neighborhood becomes.”
Note: We DO plant in the rain, but NOT during thunder storms, to ensure safety. 
*To see photo albums of our planting sessions from LAST year go to http://seeclickfix.com/issues/1100813 and scroll down for links of Each Week.
>(Note that THIS year we meet on THURSDAYS./Este año nos reunimos los jueves.)
El Programa de Greenspace en tu vecindario: ¡Venga a nuestra primera plantación de la temporada! en Fourth Street entre Howard y Greenwich Ave, el jueves, 4 de junio, 6 PM-7:30 PM. Conozca a sus vecinos y ayúdanos a crear una de las más bellas zonas de New Haven. Habrá Ice Pops gratis—para todos los que ayudan.
 “Cuanto más conoces a tus vecinos, tu vecindario más seguro se convierte.”
Atención: Plantamos en la lluvia, pero NO trabajamos en las tormentas eléctricas, por nuestra seguridad. 
~~~Chris Schaefer, Your Neighborhood Master Gardener/
el jardinero maestro de tu vecindario
203-668-6348 schaeferchristopher@yahoo.com
***Plants are provided for FREE by Yale’s Urban Resources Initiative Greenspace program. For more info about this program go to http://www.environment.yale.edu/uri/programs/community-greenspace/

There is a nearly-dead Norway Maple in front of 72-74 Fourth Street. Resident-homeowner fears that this tree will fall on her home if it remains for another winter and/or hurricane season. (Hurricane season begins in June and typically revs up in August, so it would be great to get this removed ASAP. Thanks.)

Driver of sweeper number 131 just did a great job of the Second Street dead-end (behind Betsy Ross School). That area was not well-designed for street sweepers when the dead-end was created to build the school c. 15 years ago. So thanks for taking the extra time to get in there and clean up the mess.

2 computer monitors, rags, etc. dumped on sidewalk along RR wall on Hallock AVENUE, between First Street and Lamberton Street

Buildings left front soffit return (the overhang at top of left front corner of building, near roof) is in immediate danger of collapsing, due to repeated, shoddy repairs.
If it falls, it will land on the public sidewalk in front of the building.
And if someone is standing there when it falls, they will be injured—or killed.
Photo here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206666019112779.1073741870.1342249996&type=1&l=53ddbdfbae
(Album also includes photos and descriptions of numerous other safety hazards concerning this building.)
Building’s owner is Kirsten C. Hopes McFadden who lives at 67 Culver Lane, North Haven, CT 06473 and who is employed by the City of New Haven at a New Haven Public high school.

Building’s pipes burst last February.
Owner Kirsten C. Hopes McFadden who lives at 67 Culver Lane, North Haven, CT 06473 and who is employed by the City of New Haven at a New Haven Public high school, had pipes fixed and walls temporarily patched.
However, with warmer weather mold INSIDE walls and INSIDE ceilings is increasingly visible and has resulted in tenants moving out due to mold-related illness.
Inspector from Health Dept. needs to inspect this building ASAP before landlord is permitted to rent 2nd floor apartment to any new tenant. Photos and detailed descriptions here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206666019112779.1073741870.1342249996&type=1&l=53ddbdfbae
(Photo album shows not only the mold problem, but also numerous code violations and safety hazards.)

This dangerous, uninhabitable building at the corner of Second Street and Greenwich Ave is owned by
Kirsten C. Hopes McFadden who lives at 67 Culver Lane, North Haven, CT 06473 and who is employed by the City of New Haven at a New Haven Public high school.
In JUNE 2014 this owner was issued an order by LCI [Livable City Initiative] to make numerous repairs, after the 2nd floor tenant took the owner to Housing Court, due to owner’s persistent refusal to make repairs. Consequently, temporary repairs were made to the 2nd floor apartment; painting of the exterior was begun—but never completed.
THEN in Feb. 2015 the heating system failed, causing pipes to burst throughout the building. LCI issued another inspection report dated 02/23/2015 (Case # C-15-3774 ) which ordered numerous interior repairs
—NONE of which have been made, except the order to repair the heating system and leaking pipes.
Photos and DETAILED descriptions of just SOME of the NUMEROUS code violations, health and safety hazards inside AND outside this building can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206666019112779.1073741870.1342249996&type=1&l=53ddbdfbae

A sofa and chair have been placed on the sidewalk in front of the Galvin Park sign on First Street, near Greenwich Ave.

A sofa has been sitting on the curb-strip in front of 314 Howard Ave for several days. (Was placed there by tenants of 314.)

A bulk pile of furniture, garbage, etc. has been sitting in front of 417 Greenwich Ave. for over a week. Either the owner has not obtained a bulk pile permit or perhaps DID pay for such but put the mess out more than 24 hours before scheduled pickup.