Happy Holidays From CB6
Regardless of which holiday(s) you celebrate this time of year, CB6 wishes you a happy holiday season. We hope that it is a time of rest, relaxation, and good health, even during these still-unusual pandemic times.
There are several opportunities to celebrate the holidays in our district this year, including:
- Nightly Metropolitan Synagogue Hanukkah Menorah Lighting – Nightly at 5:15 PM until Friday, December 3rd at Park Avenue & East 35th Street (at the median)
- Sutton Area Community Annual Christmas Tree Lighting – Wednesday, December 1st from 5:45 PM to 6:30 PM at the 57th Street cul-de-sac (Sutton Place and 57th Street)
- Murray Hill Neighborhood Association lighting of 8th Hanukkah Menorah candle – Sunday, December 5th at 5:15 PM at the Metropolitan Synagogue menorah at 35th Street and Park Avenue and following that, the Chabad of Midtown menorah at 38th Street and Park Avenue
- Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association and East End Temple lighting of the 8th Hanukkah Menorah candle – Sunday, December 5th at 5:15 PM in Stuyvesant Square Park
- Murray Hill Neighborhood Association lighting of holiday trees – Sunday, December 5th at 5:45 PM in front of the Church of Our Saviour at 38th Street and Park Avenue
- Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association Tree Lighting Ceremony – Sunday, December 12th at 6 PM in Stuyvesant Square Park
- Sutton Place Parks Conservancy Carols and Candlelight – Sunday, December 19th from 4:30 PM to 5 PM at Sutton Place Park at East 57th Street
- Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association Caroling in the Park Event – Friday, December 24th at 5 PM
DOT and DCP Seek Input on Open Restaurants
Discussion on Single-Payer Health Care in New York
Discussion on Single-Payer Health Care in New YorkOn Thursday, December 9th the CB6 Health & Human Services Committee will hold a discussion on bringing universal health care to New York through the New York Health Act, which is in the New York State Legislature. There will be a presentation on the legislation, followed by an opportunity for Health & Human Services Committee members and members of the public alike to make comments and ask questions about this bill.
The meeting will take place on Zoom at 6:30 PM on December 9th. You can register for the meeting below.
| Register Here |
CB6 in the Community
From left to right: Brendan Birth (CB6 Asst. District Manager), Kavitha Mathew (Land Use & Waterfront Committee Co-Vice Chair), Wells Megalli (Land Use & Waterfront Committee Co-Vice Chair), Sandy McKee (Land Use & Waterfront Committee Chair), and Alexandra Crawford (CB6 Community Associate)
Earlier this week, CB6 members and staff toured a segment of Project Area 2 of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) with the NYC Department of Design and Construction as well as HNTB/LiRo (the project contractor). We saw the progress being made with ESCR, the work they are currently doing, as well as the work that still needs to be done, in person.
To learn more about the current ESCR work, visit the CB6 Work Notices page or the ESCR project website.
Curbside Composting Returns to Our District
In last month’s newsletter, we reported that the start of curbside composting for our district had been postponed due to unvaccinated Department of Sanitation employees being placed on leave. As the agency makes progress on that front, curbside composting will be resuming next week, during the first full week of December!
If your building is not yet signed up for curbside composting, click here to sign up or learn more.
A couple months ago, CB6 became aware of a sinkhole located in the bus lane at East 39th Street and 1st Avenue. The sinkhole caved in beneath the surface and there were visible cracks on the surface around the hole. The sinkhole posed a potential hazard to buses that drove over the hole in the bus lane. CB6 worked with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to repair the sinkhole. As of this week, we can confirm that the sinkhole at this location has been fixed.
CB6 is here to help. If you spot a sinkhole in our district, contact help@cbsix.org, call (212) 319-3750, or fill out our Get Help form, and we will coordinate with DOT to have the site inspected and the sinkhole repaired.
Community Updates
- Department of Sanitation Hiring Emergency Snow Laborers: The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is hiring paid emergency snow laborers to help DSNY clear snow from step streets, crosswalks and fire hydrants after winter storms. Learn more details here.
- Upcoming DCWP Hearing on Proposed Rule Regarding Third-Party Delivery Apps: The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will be holding a hearing on December 23rd on proposed rules to implement new legislation regarding third-party food delivery services and third-party courier services. Learn more about the hearing here.
- FAIRER (Fines and Interest Reduction Enabling Recovery) Program for Environmental Control Board (ECB) Judgements: The City of New York now has a temporary program which enables you to pay a reduced amount for eligible Environmental Control Board judgments. If you have unpaid ECB judgements that are eligible for this program, you may be able to save up to 75% and have the penalties and interest associated with your judgements waived. Learn more about the program here.
- Public Hearing on Open Restaurant Outdoor Heating Expenses Reimbursement: At 11:00 AM on January 6, 2022, the NYC Department of Small Business Services will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule to add a reimbursement to fund certain outdoor heating expenses incurred by food service establishments. The hearing will happen by video conference. For more information on the hearing and on how to join it, please visit the notice for the hearing.
New York State Independent Redistricting Commission Statewide Final Public Hearing
On Sunday, December 5th at 2 PM, the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission (
NYIRC) will conduct its final public hearing in the redistricting process. It is an opportunity to give feedback on redistricting. Sign up to submit comments through the NYIRC meetings page. NYIRC cannot guarantee that any comments submitted after December 6th will be considered as part of the line-drawing process.
Also note that on Monday, January 3rd, 2022 at 11 AM, NYIRC will hold its final public meeting, at which there will be a vote on the final map proposal and a vote to send the final map proposal and reports to the legislature. That meeting will be streamed on https://www.nyirc.gov/
Survey of New Yorkers Living on the Street
On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will conduct its Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). This helps to provide the estimate of New Yorkers sleeping unsheltered on the streets that helps the City determine how to best allocate resources in support of New 
Yorkers in need.
In order to conduct this survey, DHS needs help to canvass parks, subways, and other public spaces to estimate the number of people who are living on the street. Volunteers are needed on January 25th from approximately 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. Visit the website page for HOPE 2022 to learn more or to register.
Though some events are still online, there are still plenty of community events you can participate in, including:
- Blood Drive Hosted by the New York Blood Center and MTA/Metro-North Railroad – Friday, December 3rd from 9 AM to 6 PM at the Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall
- CityLaw Breakfast: Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney Elect – Friday, December 3rd from 9 AM to 10 AM
- The New York Public Library, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center: Social Security Benefits for People with Disabilities – December 7th from 12 PM to 1:30 PM
- NYU Langone Heart Health Lecture: Tips to Avoid Anxiety and Depression over the Holidays – Tuesday, December 14th from 5 PM to 6 PM
We update our community events page regularly and list any events that may be of interest to residents of Manhattan Community District 6.
Visit our community events page regularly!
It’s Heat Season. Here are Some Helpful Reminders from the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development
Heat season is underway. What this means is that your landlord has requirements on how warm to keep your building.
Day
During the day, if the temperature is below 55 degrees, then your building is required to have indoor temperatures minimally at 68 degrees.
Night
At night, your building is required to have a minimum indoor temperature of 62 degrees. Note that unlike during the day, there is no outside temperature requirement for maintaining this temperature at night.
What to do if your building does not meet temperature requirements
If you have issues with heat in your building, you should first be in contact with your building’s property management (the building owner, managing agent, or superintendent). If service is not restored after contact with your building’s management, call 311, visit 311 online, or use the 311Mobile app (on Android or iOS devices). Hearing-impaired tenants can file complaints through Touchtone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (212) 504-4115.
If you see no improvements after contacting your building’s management and 311, please reach out to CB6 by calling (212) 319-3750, emailing help@cbsix.org, or filling out our get help form. Make sure to have your 311 number on you when contacting CB6.
Rat Management Tips
Earlier last month, CB6 and Council Member Carlina Rivera co-sponsored a Rat Academy training held by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
If you missed the Rat Academy, there are still resources that you and/or your building can consult as resources and tips for rat abatement:
- Pest Management Tips for Building Residents (a document that explains how tenants can play a role in rat abatement)
- Preventing Rats on Your Property (a guide that explains how property owners and tenants alike can play a role in rat abatement)
To submit any questions, comments, feedback, and/or rodent complaints, email ratportal@health.nyc.gov.
Gridlock Alert Days are days that the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) designates as the busiest traffic days of the year. DOT advises that you take public transportation, walk, or bike to get around on these days.
These are the Gridlock Alert Days in December:
- Wednesday, December 1
- Thursday, December 2
- Friday, December 3
- Wednesday, December 8
- Thursday, December 9
- Wednesday, December 15
- Thursday, December 16
- Friday, December 17
- Wednesday, December 22
CB6 Office Closures this Month
- December 24th (Christmas Eve, in observance of Christmas Day)
- December 31st (New Year’s Eve, in observance of New Year’s Day)
Even though the CB6 office is closed on these days, 311 will still be available. Additionally, if you have a service request issue, you can still reach out to help@cbsix.org and we will follow up with you after our office reopens.
Alternate Side Parking will also be suspended on December 8th for Immaculate Conception, December 24th-25th for Christmas, and December 31st-January 1st for New Year’s.
Finally, there will be no collection of trash or recycling on December 25th or January 1st. If your collection day falls on those days, please check DSNY’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram), their press release page, or 311 for more information.
DCP Seeks Input for Urban Design Resource Being Created for and with Communities
DCP launched an interactive urban design website that will allow the public to give input on updating the Principles of Good Urban Design, a resource that communities can use to help advocate for their needs, both present and future ones. Please visit the interactive website in order to give your feedback!
Feedback will be accepted through the end of the calendar year. All feedback will help inform DCP’s update to their Principles of Good Urban Design, which will be released in early 2022.
Core Four COVID-19 Prevention Strategies:
- Stay home if sick, tested positive for COVID-19, recently traveled, or if you’ve been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- Wear a face covering when outside your home (whether indoors or outdoors).
- Keep six feet of distance from people who are not members of your household.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly.
Vaccine Information:
All New Yorkers 5 and older are eligible. However, please note that anyone between the ages of 12 and 17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only authorized for people ages 18 and older.
All New Yorkers 5 and older are eligible to get vaccinated at City-run walk-in vaccine sites. Go to on.nyc.gov/walkupvax to learn where you can get a walk-in vaccine.
Any New Yorker who wants an at-home vaccine can get one. You will have your choice of which vaccine you want (Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer). Fill out this form to request an in-home vaccination.
Some groups are eligible for a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna shot. You can read more information and see if you are eligible here.
All New Yorkers 18 and older are eligible for booster shots. Read more about the difference between getting a third dose and getting a booster shot here, and read more about booster shot eligibility on the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website.
Staff and patrons of indoor dining, indoor fitness, and indoor entertainment are required to show proof of having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Acceptable forms of proof include:
- Your physical vaccine card
- The State’s “Excelsior Pass” app
- The City’s new “COVID Safe” app, where you can store a picture of your vaccination card (download for iOS or Android devices
- Information from the NYC Health Department’s Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR), which collects New Yorkers’ vaccine records. There, you look up your vaccination record if you have lost your vaccine card. (They state that it’s impossible to get a replacement card at this time.)
Visit the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene’s website on vaccinations to get more information on the vaccines.
Click on the image below to find out where you can get a vaccine appointment.
Vaccine Myths and Facts:
Vaccination rates are higher in Community District 6 than in many other parts of the City. However, it is important that we know how to address vaccine hesitancy among our friends and neighbors, regardless of where they live. If you have a neighbor or friend who is hesitant about the vaccines, there are several resources that you can turn to so that you are well-informed about the vaccines yourself when talking with them:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s page on the myths and facts about the COVID-19 vaccines
- The New York State Department of Health’s Frequently Asked Questions page on the COVID-19 vaccines
- The NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene page on COVID-19 vaccine facts
Getting a COVID Test in Community District 6
New York City has a searchable map through which you can see where you can get a COVID test. Note that some of the testing sites on this map may charge for testing. You can view the map here.
If you want a free COVID test, NYC Health + Hospitals offers free testing at hospitals, health centers, and pop-up locations across the five boroughs, including at Bellevue Hospital, which is in Community District 6. No appointment is necessary! Find all NYC Health + Hospitals testing sites here.
Additionally, those who are 65 and older or are immunocompromised can schedule a free at-home COVID test. You can find more information about the program here.
