Minutes of May 16, 2026 General Membership Meeting of the Westmoreland Association

 

Officers Present

President - Walter Mugdan

Vice President – Victor Dadras

Secretary – Charles Manna

Treasurer – Gary Savage

 

Board Members Present

Peter Reinharz

 

Officials Present

None

 

President Walter Mugdan called the meeting to order at 4:05 P.M. 

 

Reading of the minutes was waived; Mr. Mugdan noted that the minutes are available for review on the Westmoreland website.

 

Gary Savage presented the Treasurer’s Report in advance.  Gary Savage provided a treasury report, noting that dues for 2025 are ahead of last year's pace. The balance-on-hand as of May 16, 2026, was $20,334.00.  Currently, $14000 of the total are in DCs.  They have not reached maturity.  So, accrued interest is not included in this report.  In 2026, so far, there are 49 active households (approximately 7.9% of the 330 households in the Westmoreland community) who have paid dues. There were no questions, and the report was accepted.

 

Old Business:

 

Zoning/ City of Yes update:

The courts so far have been supportive of the new regulations.  Decisions in Fall 2025 rejected the challenges to --

• Changes in the NYC charter; and

• City of Yes changes in Zoning rules

 

An individual who supports our efforts to overturn these rulings has announced a fund raiser where he will match donations up to $10,000.  Pursuing the appeals process will be cheaper than the original court proceedings.  However, the cost of printing the large administrative record is very high.  Individual contributions will be greatly appreciated.  It is getting harder to raise money through the plaintiff organizations, but individual contributions will be sought.  To contribute, go to the Queens Civic Congress website  here: http://www.qcc.nyc/  Then scroll down and click on “GO FUND ME.”

 

Walter reminded us that our protective covenants already prohibit some of the changes to property uses included in the City of Yes new zoning rules.  That is why it is paramount that we continue to enforce them.  Currently, two houses in the Westmoreland neighborhood are in violation of Covenant #13 prohibiting fences within 20 feet of the front property line.  It is essential that we work to have these corrected.  We cannot allow precedents that could endanger court rulings if and when we take a property owner to court.

 

Reminder: The covenants include important rules that include limitations on:

• Fences

• Building Setbacks

• Where businesses are allowed

 

The owners of the two properties the fence violations have responded to our warnings positively in writing.  We will monitor them to make sure that they remove the violations in a timely manner.  If they don’t, we will have to pursue legal action.

 

One of the homes is on Morgan Street in the long block north of Northern Blvd.  The other is on Little Neck Parkway between 43rd and 44th Avenues.

 

There is a third house on 44 Ave where a fence appears to be slightly closer than 20 feet to the front line (though it is difficult to know exactly where the front line is located).  However, historic aerial photography shows that this fence has been in the same location for at least 25 years, and possibly somewhat longer, so no further action on our part will be appropriate.

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Walter asks all of us to be sure to monitor the neighborhood for violations of the covenant.  It is more important than ever to keep ahead of any possible issues.

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Reminder about Covenant Restrictions on Commercial Activity – Only certain areas within our neighborhood may be used for business purposes.  This includes 39th Ave across from the Long Island Railroad, Little Neck Parkway from 44th Ave to Northern Blvd and along Northern Blvd.  (See: https://www.westmorelandassn.org/map and https://www.westmorelandassn.org/covenants .

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Douglaston and Little Neck Historical Society.  Peter Reinharz (its President) reported the Society produced a special 12-page newsletter in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  It includes an article about Frances Lewis, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence; and about an ancestor of Association Board member John Duane, who served as the first elected Mayor of New York City after independence was gained. 

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Spring Cleanup – the 9th Annual Spring Cleanup of Glenwood Landing Park at Glenwood and 39th Ave, happened on April 4, 2026.  About 20 volunteers participated.

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New Business

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Update on Crime Statistics -  The NYC Police Department publishes periodic crime statistics for both violent crime and lessor offences.  The statistics show that the crime in our 111th Precinct is very low, especially when compared to the rest of the city.  The current statistics also show improvement over past years.  For instance, Major Crime is down 24% compared to a year ago; and down 78% compared to 31 years ago.

Note: weekly, monthly and year-to-date crime statistics for the NYPD 111th Precinct are available at: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/111th-precinct.page

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Update on BESS  (Battery Energy Storage Systems) – At a previous meeting, our group discussed the proposed installation of a new BESS facility to be located south of Northern Blvd and west of Browvale Lane.  Walter explaining that it's being developed by private companies in partnership with Con Ed for energy storage purposes, particularly to enable quick response to high demand times.  Walter noted that while the facility would be small, it's part of a broader trend of BESS development in the city and beyond. Update: There is state legislation pending to restrict locations of these facilities to non-residential areas.  Both NYC and NYS administrations are encouraging the installation of these facilities.

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Announcements

• May 16 – Electronic Recycling, textile recycling, and paper shredding will be at the parking lot St. Anastasia Church.

• May 25 – The Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade – our organization will participate in the event as always.  All are welcome to join us as we march.  Meet by 2 PM near the Starbucks at 55 Northern Blvd.

 

Our next meeting will take place outdoors at Glenwood Landing Park (Glenwood and 39th Road) on Saturday, September 19, 2026, starting at 4 PM.  Come a little earlier to greet your neighbors and share some light refreshments.  The November 16 and March 15 meetings will take place on Zoom.

 

Minutes prepared by Charles Manna

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Minutes of March 16, 2026 General Membership Meeting of the Westmoreland Association

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Officers Present

President - Walter Mugdan

Secretary – Charles Manna

Treasurer – Gary Savage

 

Board Members Present

Peter Reinharz

Jess Bravo

John Duane

Arasu Jambukeswaran

Peter Reinharz

Phil Toscano

Namshik Yoon

 

Officials Present

None

 

President Walter Mugdan called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. 

 

Reading of the minutes was waived; Mr. Mugdan noted that the minutes are available for review on the Westmoreland website.

 

Gary Savage presented the Treasurer’s Report in advance.  Gary Savage provided a treasury report, noting that dues for 2025 are ahead of last year's pace. The balance-on-hand as of March 16, 2026, was $19,639.86.  In 2026, so far, there are 26 active households (approximately 7.9% of the 330 households in the Westmoreland community) who have paid dues. There were no questions, and the report was accepted.

 

New Business:

 

Election of Officers and Board.  Walter read the names of the candidates:

Officers: Walter Mugdan, President; Victor Dadras, Vice President; Gary Savage, Treasurer; Charles Manna, Secretary

Directors: John Duane; Arasu Jambukeswaran; Peter Reinharz; Philip Toscano; Namshik Yoon

A vote of the members present was taken, and the slate was approved unanimously.

 

Speed Humps – were replaced on Morgan and other streets in the neighborhood to complete the repaving work.

Motion Made and passed – To ask NYC DOT to install additional speed humps on Westmoreland Street between 41st Drive and Northern Blvd. Friendly amendment was offered and accepted to extend the range on Westmoreland north of 41st Drive. Motion passed unanimously.  [Walter Mugdan subsequently submitted the request to NYC DOT.]

 

Potholes: The NYC DOT is leading a concerted effort to fill in the extraordinary number of potholes throughout the city.  Northern Blvd in Douglaston is particularly hard hit.

 

Douglaston and Little Neck Historical Society.  Peter Reinharz (its President) reported the Society is producing a special 12-page newsletter.  It will include an article about Frances Lewis, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, and an ancestor of Association Board member John Duane.  It will be devoted to the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

 

Spring Cleanup – the 9th Annual Spring Cleanup of Glenwood Landing Park at Glenwood and 39th Ave, is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 10 AM to noon. Free pizza lunch for all volunteers.

 

Old Business

 

Update on the Battery Storage Facility – At the last meeting, our group discussed the installation of a new battery power station.  It would be located near Benjamin Moore, with Walter explaining that it's being developed by private companies in partnership with Con Ed for energy storage purposes, particularly to support future offshore wind energy projects. Walter noted that while the facility would be small, it's part of a broader trend of battery storage development in the city, and he agreed to investigate what specialized training and equipment Engine 313 might need to handle potential lithium-ion battery fires. – Update: There is state legislation pending to restrict locations of these facilities.  Both NYC and NYS administrations are encouraging the installation of these facilities.

 

Reminder about Covenant Restrictions on Commercial Activity – Only certain areas within our neighborhood can be commercialized.  This includes 39th Ave across from the Long Island Railroad, Little Neck Parkway from 44th Ave to Northern Blvd and Northern Blvd.  If a property has an active medical office, it can be sold as such.  If the subsequent owners discontinue the use of the property as a medial office, then it cannot be sold as such in the future.

 

Crime. – Our precinct, the 111th, is the largest by area in the city.  It is also one of the safest.  Car vandalism is a recurring issue, as well as occasional home break-ins.  Last year’s task force seems to have been successful in reducing these crimes.

Note: weekly, monthly and annual crime statistics for the NYPD 111th Precinct are available at: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/111th-precinct.page

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Woman’s Shelter – Update – There have been no complaints.  There are approximately seventy-five residents.  In the past year, there has been a complete turnover.  The staff has been able to place residents in permeant settings.  Volunteers have taken the residents for walks in the neighborhood and through Udall’s Cove.

 

City Zoning and Legal Updates.  Once again, the meeting discussed the “City of Yes” zoning changes and related legal challenges. The lawsuit filed against the City of Yes rules was unsuccessful. The lawsuit challenging the NYC Charter amendments (Propositions 2, 3 and 4 in the November 2025 election) was also unsuccessful.  Appeals of both decisions are being considered.

 

Announcements

• April 17 – Free mammogram at the YMCA

• April 25 - Saturday – 57th Annual Shoreline, Wetlands and Woodlands Cleanup of the Udalls Cove Preservation Committee.  Meet at 10 AM next to Aurora Pond on the Back Road between Douglaston and Little Neck.  Free picnic lunch for all volunteers.

• May 2 – Jane’s Walk – Tour of Tudor houses throughout Douglas Manor.

• May 16 – Electronic Recycling, textile recycling, and paper shredding will be at the parking lot St. Anastasia Church.

• May 25 – The Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade – our organization will participate in the event as always.  All are welcome to join us as we march.  Meet by 2 PM near the Starbucks at 50 Northern Blvd.

 

Our next meeting will take place outdoors at Glenwood Landing Park (Glenwood and 39th Road) on Saturday, May 16, 2026, starting at 4 PM.  Come a little earlier to greet your neighbors and share some light refreshments.  RAIN DATE: Sunday, May 17 at 4 PM. If the meeting is postponed from May 16, an announcement will be made by May 15 via email and Facebook.

 

Minutes prepared by Charles Manna

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