First Meeting - Thursday May 21st ~ 7 PM

In true Brooklyn form, the meeting didn't start until 7:30. We discussed the Landmarks Commission for a bit while waiting for people to arrive. We started with introductions while Tokumbo (311) passed out nametags.

Meeting was attended by Phil (307), Sabrina (304), Matt (304), Jack (306), Donald (300), Sheethal (311), Tokumbo (311), Nancy (310), Rodney (310) and Ezra (310) (for a couple minutes he threatened to squirt us with the hose ;)  Carol (299), Denis (281), Hugo (281), Joy (309) and Candice (309) expressed interest but could not join us.

We discussed having meetings at the church or rotating between neighbors once a month. It was decided we all want to check out each other's pads so we would rotate.

Ideas for the Block Association -

(Please comment below the post on which activity you would like to champion.  First come first served.)

Tree guards - Cumberland Block association between Dekalb and Lafayette got uniform tree guards.  I will contact them.  I also found out that donating to New York Tree Trust can apparently get the city to put them in but I didn't find anymore info on the Parks Department website.

Neighborhood Watch - do something about people urinating on the block, drinking, etc., break-ins on Cumberland and gunpoint break-in on Washington Park. Find out what a block watch entails like signs for block watch. Police Department is starting a watch program again.

Stoop Sale - block wide on a Brooklyn Flea day

Street Repaving - ask through community board, DOT, Sanitation. Perhaps the block association and individuals should file complaints. More about this to follow

Block Party - Last weekend in August or September, Look into getting a permit from the Parks Department
Police will put up a barricade (and a bouncy castle!), look for vendors to sponsor

Church on Greene Ave - figure out a way to encourage them to do something with it. Tokumbo (311) contacted Leticia James but no action yet. Possibly notify the buildings department. Rats are a problem, etc.

Street triangles - between Hansen Place and Fulton St. Ask the DOT

Street cleaning - Suspended for 6-8 weeks in Fort Greene. See info here. Look into rallying for Permit Parking

Parking Garage across from 311 - No Parking sign looks like graffiti. Work with John to put up a nicer looking sign

Contractor recommendations - Compile an neighbor approved list and possibly get block association discounts for promoting their businesses

Fort Greene Association - Let them know about our block association to get updates about the neighborhood and a designation on their website

Other News -

Brooklyn Botanical Garden Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest - Sheethal entered us this year. Judging starts June 15 and ends in late July. I will keep you all posted on our entry!

Block wide planting - Email Sheethal for a free tree from the Arbor Day Foundation if you would like one to plant in front of your house. I'll place the order this week because soon it will be too hot to transplant young trees.

Do Not Place Unsolicited Advertising Materials on this Property sign - get yours from Marcus Attorneys at 13 Greene Ave

Community Board No 2 meetings - We will post info for upcoming meetings on our blog.

Looking forward to getting started!  Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm!

Notes: Sheethal