New Set-Out Times for Trash, Recycling, and Compost as of Now
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is changing the usual time for placing trash, recycling and compost out at the curb for collection. The new set-out times (effective April 1, 2023) are designed with the intention of helping to keep city streets clean and reduce food sources for rats.
Under the new rules, residential buildings would have up to three options. Each option would decrease the amount of time items are left on the curb:
- Place items out after 6 PM in a secure container (bundled cardboard can also be placed next to the container), or
- Place items out after 8 PM if putting bags directly on the curb, or
- If a building has nine or more residential units, the property owner may opt in to a 4 AM to 7 AM set-out window instead.
- The opt-in period would run for the month of January each year, allowing DSNY to design quick and efficient routes that take effect April 1.
Reporting Illicit Cannabis Shops
As you may know, legal cannabis shops have started to open in New York State (including New York City). However, with the few legal shops that have opened, many illegal shops have also opened.
State and local government are working to address the problem of illicit cannabis shops. The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) encourages New Yorkers to report any suspected illicit shops. You can easily do this by contacting info@ocm.ny.gov. All you need to do is provide the address of the shop, and they will investigate. When you do this, please also CC help@cbsix.org, so that CB6 can keep abreast of the shops that our reported by our district’s residents. Do not, under any circumstances, put yourself in danger by confronting a shop owner or by doing information gathering.
If OCM finds that the shop is illicit, they will send the shop owner a cease and desist letter. If the shop operator ignores the letter, then they will be banned from seeking a proper cannabis license in the future.
Mayor Seeks to Modernize NYC’s Zoning Rules
The Mayor’s City of Yes initiative seeks to modernize and rationalize zoning rules to help the City recover more quickly from the pandemic, to create a greener city, to support small business growth, and to incentivize the creation of housing, at all levels, in all New York City neighborhoods. There are three proposed zoning text amendments that would be part of this initiative:Zoning for Carbon Neutrality aims to modernize the zoning regulations in support of the City’s climate goals. The changes would focus on supporting a renewable energy grid, making our buildings clean and efficient, support for electric vehicle charging and micro-mobility options, and reducing waste and storm water.
Zoning for Economic Opportunity is focused on providing small businesses with the flexibility needed to for them to change and grow, especially as the city recovers from COVID-19. The proposals would remove unnecessary and outdated limitations on small businesses and ensure that our storefronts are occupied, and our neighborhoods remain lively spaces.
Zoning for Housing Opportunity is a direct response to our City’s housing crisis. This seeks to ensure that every neighborhood does its part to help meet housing needs and provide equitable access to housing for all New Yorkers.
To learn more about City of Yes, visit DCP’s website here. Flyers describing the proposals are directly available here.
CB6 passed a resolution on the proposed text amendments at its January committee meeting, and the resolution was ratified at its February Full Board meeting. You can find the resolution here.
There were two recent information sessions on the City of Yes proposals, on March 20th and 28th:
- See the video from the March 20th information session here.
- See the video from the March 28th information session here.
Upcoming Meetings
Our upcoming meetings in the next several days include a Transportation Committee meeting tonight and an Environment & Parks Committee meeting tomorrow night. You can find information on these meetings and others by visiting the CB6 website, which you can do by clicking on the button below. Please make sure to check our website regularly, as meeting agendas are subject to change.
Learn More About Upcoming Meetings
Social Security Benefits: What Every Woman Should Know
March was Women’s History Month–an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women. Social Security provides vital benefits and financial protection for women.
Nearly 55% of the people receiving Social Security benefits are women. Today, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nation’s history.
Women also have longer average life expectancies than men and tend to live more years in retirement. This means women have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. It’s important for women to plan early and wisely for retirement.
The online booklet, Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know found at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10127.pdf, provides detailed information about how life events can affect a woman’s Social Security retirement benefits. These events may include marriage, death of a spouse, divorce, self-employment, and other life or career changes.
Your earnings history will determine future benefits, so the Social Security Administration encourages you to verify that the information in your record is correct. You can create a personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to review your full earnings history. You can also view your Social Security Statement using your personal my Social Security account, to get estimates of future benefits and other important planning information.
If you find an error in your earnings record, it is important to get it corrected so you receive the benefits you earned when you retire. The Social Security Administration’s publication, How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10081.pdf, provides you with details on how to make a correction.
Learn about how Social Security benefits women at www.ssa.gov/people/women. Please share this information with your loved ones.
File Your Taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep
If you earned $80,000 or less in 2022, file for FREE with an IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer.
Click on the image above to learn more about NYC Free Tax Prep.
Temporary Water Bill Amnesty
- As New York City recovers from the pandemic, DEP is offering this limited one-time amnesty with up to 100% interest forgiveness for all delinquent customers. If you owe water and wastewater charges, you may be eligible for this amnesty offer.
- To confirm your eligibility, see your available options and receive amnesty immediately, use the Amnesty Look Up Tool.
- If your remaining delinquent balance is greater than $500, you will be required to enter into a new payment agreement with DEP upon request.
- Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this one-time amnesty program before it ends on April 30th.
- For questions or concerns, please see their FAQ’s.
Click on the image above for more information.
Passover Safety Tips
Passover is an important time of family gatherings, special foods, and traditions. During the eight-day celebration, many rituals are observed that include candles, more cooking in the kitchen and hot water. This can increase the risk of fires and fire-related injuries. Be sure to take extra precautions during this time. Here are some safety tips to follow, courtesy of FDNY:
Candle Safety:
- Keep candles at least 4-feet away from curtains from curtains, draperies, blinds and bedding.
- Keep candles out of reach of small children and pets.
- Ensure all candles are extinguished before an adult leaves the room.
- Create a kid –free zone of at least 3-feet from the front of the stove and away from the Pesach kettle/pot.
- Use oven mitts or pot holders when handling hot or boiling water.
- In the case of a burn, treat burns immediately with cool running water and seek medical attention.
- Never use an appliance with a damaged cord. Be sure that your electrical cords or appliances have the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Mark. The UL mark shows that the product has been safety tested.
Community Updates
- East Side Tree Bed Survey: Council Member Carlina Rivera’s office is looking for volunteers to assist with surveying the tree beds in Council District 2! Volunteers will survey: whether the tree is there, concerns about health, is there a tree guard, are there rat burrows, is there litter, and is there signage. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here. You may contact Eddie Amador at eamador@council.nyc.gov with any questions.
- Application Deadline Extended for Summer Youth Employment Program: The deadline has been extended to April 14th for the Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). SYEP is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer. Participants have the opportunity to explore their interests and career pathways, develop workplace skills, and engage in learning experiences that help develop their social, civic, and leadership skills. To apply, visit nyc.gov/syep. Employers can also apply to hire NYC youth through SYEP.
- Comptroller Survey for Older New Yorkers: Comptroller Brad Lander has published a questionnaire seeking input from Aging New Yorkers on the state of City services, in the hopes they can find and detail where gaps may lie. So, if you are an older New Yorker, please take the survey by going to www.comptroller.nyc.gov/AgingNYSurvey.
- Apply for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities through NYC Housing Connect
Visit our community events page regularly!
Attendees will learn how to play an active role in caring for our city’s street trees, also known as our “Urban Forest.” Learn about tree bed clean up and soil cultivation, watering, mulching and gardening. Adults and kids welcome!
Click on the image above to register.
New Wave Pier Dog Run Looking for Volunteers!
Spring is here and our furry friends are ready to run, and shed their winter coat. The New Wave Pier Dog Run, located on the East River Esplanade between East 36th Street and East 41st Street, needs some volunteers to help keep it clean! Please sign up.
They’re looking for a few volunteers who can spend a few moments of their time to help maintain the dog run. Responsibilities include:
- Check the gates are closing properly or needs adjustment
- Refill the doggy dispensers
- Clear any neglected mess
- Help sweep the area clean
- Attend update calls with the Alliance for Kips Bay team on any outstanding items
Greening and Cleaning in Murray Hill
The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association is doing Spring Greening & Cleaning throughout Murray Hill and St. Vartan Park.
Meet in St. Vartan Park (36th Street & 1st Avenue entrance) on Saturdays at 9am in April. Volunteers are advised to dress for the occasion, as they will supply the bags and grabbers.
Here are the April dates:
- April 8
- April 15
- April 22 (Earth Day celebration in St. Vartan Park)
Additionally, please email greenandclean@murrayhillnyc.org if you are interested in the following activities this season:
- Volunteering for Earth Day; assist with clean-up organization and kids activities
- Free Citizens Pruner class: Get a license with Trees New York to prune for the Murray Hill community
- Volunteering to water trees this summer: Adopt A Tree program assistance
- Participate on a committee for ‘Beautifying Your Tree Bed’ campaign; a new program to beautify tree beds with plants and flowers
NYC Department of Transportation Open Streets Application
Check Out the CB6 Website!
Your one-stop-shop for all things CB6: including board resolutions, YouTube videos of past meetings, a database of meeting minutes, information on streetwork notices in the district, and more! Visit our website by clicking on the button below.
