Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. © Copyright 2017 Co-op City Times
Vol. 52 No. 42
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Riverbay Hurricane Relief Drive Enters Final Phase BY BRANDON ORTIZ
Riverbay’s commitment to giving back to others should come as no surprise. For the past few weeks, Riverbay has set up collection boxes across Co-op City in an effort to collect supplies for victims of the devastating hurricanes that have ravaged the Caribbean and parts of the southern US. The request to initiate a donation drive came from various eager shareholders who approached Riverbay Board President Linda Berk with the idea. Since last week, using the space in the Bartow bingo hall, volunteers have generously given their time to organize and box all the supplies that have been donated. Riverbay staff have been checking the various donation bins around Co-op City twice a day and bringing the supplies to the bingo hall,
Halloween 2017
Young volunteers began designing and building the 2017 Haunted House this week which will open to the public next Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29 to give everyone a “good scare” this Halloween. In addition to the Haunted House, there will also be a Costume Dance Party and Carnival which will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26, 6-9 p.m. in the Dreiser Auditorium. Photo by Brandon Ortiz
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Board Unanimously Approves Contract for New Energy Manager BY BILL STUTTIG
Community volunteers have begun to box the donated items and prepare them for transport next Saturday, October 28. Photo by Rozaan Boone
per Riverbay Executive General Manager Cary Smith III. With the collection drive having ended this Wednesday, October 18, some volunteers have been sorting and organizing the last of the donated supplies while others have begun to box the items for pick up and shipping. Reginald Fleming, a Co-op City resident since 1996, volunteered time several days this week. “I just retired in January and I have the time. People are in dire need and there’s nothing better, this is a privilege to help them,” he said. “I came because I couldn’t make it out to Texas or Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, but I wanted to still help,” said Jermaine Antonetty, 20, a life-long resident of Building 3B. “So I said, ‘let me come to the Bingo Hall and support my community’s effort to help those people since I can’t be there physically’.” (Continued on page 15)
November Ballot Includes Three Proposals Regarding The NYS Constitution
Last week, the Riverbay Board of Directors unanimously approved the terms of a contract with a new energy management services provider to coordinate Riverbay’s fuel management and purchases and oversee and manage the Riverbay Power Plant’s participation in the demand response and standby programs with Con Edison and NYISO (New York Independent System Operator), the state’s power grid manager. By a vote of 15 to 0, the Board awarded the new contract to Direct Energy, described as a major participant in the retail and wholesale energy markets and a leading gas marketer and supplier for the mid-Atlantic and New England regions. According to Riverbay’s Director of Utility Assets Anthony Ligato, the Direct Energy contract with Riverbay is for two years with Riverbay holding an option for a third year. It is anticipated that the new contract will take effect on December 1st, Mr. Ligato said. The Board’s unanimous approval of the new energy management service provider brings to a successful conclusion a more than year–long process through which Riverbay management, under the direction of Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer, Mr. Ligato and the Director of Internal Audit Averil James-Bonnette worked to research and reach a variety of energy suppliers, brokers and independent energy consultants in (Continued on page 4)
Coffee With A Cop
BY ROZAAN BOONE
In this year’s General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 7, NewYorkers will elect their representatives for a number of city-wide offices, including mayor, public advocate, comptroller and the New York City Council. In addition, they will vote on three proposals on changes to the state constitution. By now, eligible voters in your households should have received their Voter Guide, which is prepared by the New York City (Continued on page 4)
Riverbay Recovers $8.6M In Cogen Plant Construction Lawsuit BY JIM ROBERTS
Riverbay has won an $8.6 million settlement in a long-standing, hard-fought legal dispute over the cost to complete construction of the cogeneration facility at the Co-op City Power Plant. Riverbay was represented in the dispute by General Counsel Jeffrey Buss of Smith Buss & Jacobs. The cogeneration project contractor, Fresh Meadow Mechanical Construction Company, had sought $19.5 million in damages from Riverbay, claiming that Riverbay wrongfully terminated its construction contract. As part of the settlement, all $19.5 million in claims against Riverbay were dismissed with prejudice, meaning that the legal matters are now settled. (Continued on page 2)
Riverbay’s Public Safety officers held the latest in series of informal “Coffee with a Cop” sessions yesterday morning at the Einstein Community Center in Section 5. Chief Frank Apollo started the concept last summer as a way to give community residents a chance to talk to their officers in an informal, conversational setting. Approximately a dozen residents took advantage of the opportunity yesterday to share information with the officers and enjoy a nice cup of coffee with pastries. (Above) Section 5 residents Joyce Wilson and Janin Williams with Chief Frank Apollo and the Section 5 officers. Photo by Bill Stuttig