November 4, 2009

Leafing

I've been trying to find out whether the City will be picking up leaves for the compost program this year. Does anyone know?

November 3, 2009

Illegal Dumping, Drugs, Rats

We are having a continuous problem with a small secluded block at the end of our street: Gregory Place between Butler and Baltic, this is right behind the Key Food on 5th Avenue. This is probably one of very few blocks in Park Slope that is quiet, secluded and non-residential, but it is adjacent right next to our block, so whatever happens there affects all of us and we have to walk past it to get to our houses.

The block is suffering from constant illegal dumping, people doing drugs, soliciting sex, dumping human and dog excrement, and all kinds of other illegal activity. I've tried calling 311 several times in regards to this and nothing came out of it. I am not sure how this situation can be resolved: it is just very unsafe on many levels. Having video cameras to catch illegal dumpers would help, but we do not know where to start to get help.

Any advice/ideas from brownstoner readers will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Air Quality Assessment

Thank you to all who helped us recently with asbestos-related questions. Unfortunately, we did not get the house we were hoping to buy, so we are going to plan B, which is to switch our basement-level tv room into a toddler's bedroom.

So here's our dilemma: We have allergies in our family and the basement feels ok but a bit musty perhaps. We'd like to get someone to come and "test the air quality" if such a person/thing exists.

We're also thinking about an air purifier/filter/HEPA device like the rabbit air. Pricey. Is it worth it?

Does anyone have any suggestions, BTDT, or recommendations for making this renovated basement level as clean as possible? People or processes to consider?

(A bit more info: The tv room where our toddler will be sleeping has a full-sized door that leads only to a skylight hatch that can be propped open. This is the only source of air in the basement level.)

Many thanks!

October 14, 2009

Seeking Safe Home for Toxic Goop

I've collected half a dozen cans of awful stuff like old paint, charcoal starter (we don't use it anymore), and assorted very toxic chemicals. CANNOT find anything on NYC.gov or 311 about recycling hazardous chemical waste safely; there are E-waste pickups, but this ain't that. Nassau County does 1 toxic-chem drop-off site a month, but it seems absurd to burn gas going out to Hempstead to ditch a shopping bag full of crud. Any suggestions? Otherwise, it's going into the dumpster that's parked out front on unrelated business!

October 6, 2009

Fighting ECB ticket

So, we got our first ECB ticket, for putting out trash that had 5 or more recyclables/bottles contained inside. I know this can't be right because (1) the ticket is timed at 7:58 a.m. and our sanitation guys are done on the street by 7:30 and (2) we put out black garbage bags that are tied tightly and religiously separate recyclables from trash. We live on a busy street so it's definitely possible that pedestrians are just putting their empty soda cans or bottles right on top of the trash bags. Is this worth fighting? it's not a lot of money, but since I didn't do anything wrong, I'd like to fight it if I have more than a snowball's chance in hell in winning. Thanks

September 23, 2009

Asbestos Removal Question

We are hoping to close soon on a south slope two-family. during the inspection it was discovered that the pipes in the basement are all wrapped in asbestos. the seller has agreed to remove/abate and pay for it, but doesn't want to do it until after the tenants move out, which is 60 days, right around the closing.

Does anyone have any advice or companies I could call myself to see if this is indeed a harmful process or if it could be completed while tenants are still occupying the building?

Any advice is much appreciated.

September 15, 2009

Living Near the Gowanus

I really like the smaller brownstones on 1st and 2nd St between Hoyt and Bond. I am concerned about being so close to the canal though. Any thoughts on health issues, Superfund, Toll Brothers, property value, etc.?

Energy Audits

And what's the average cost of the audit? (ConEd and National Grid don't seem to be doing them for free any more...) Has anyone used any of the contractors recommended on NYSERDA (the state energy research authority)? The Brooklyn list is at http://www.getenergysmart.org/Resources/FindPartner.aspx?t=4 . Or have their own recommendations for someone to do an energy audit?

September 8, 2009

Mold? HELP...

I am (anxiously) seeking a trusted person/company to advise on a possible mold issue. I have two small kids so hoping to get someone whose work has been quick and thorough. Thanks.

September 3, 2009

A Fig Grows in Brooklyn

So it turns out that there is a fig tree growing in my backyard (I moved in over the summer so didn't realize it until this week!) --

Any good Fig recipes??

Forum: Environmental