Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. © Copyright 2016 Co-op City Times
Vol. 51 No. 31
Saturday, July 30, 2016
25¢
Cogen plant earns extra revenue, helps keep power on in New York City BY JIM ROBERTS
Eight straight days of ninety-plus degree temperatures is a “heat wave” by anybody’s definition. Thanks, in part, to Co-op City, the Bronx and all of New York City kept the air conditioners humming and the lights on this week during the extra demand for power. The Riverbay cogeneration plant, a participant in Con Edison’s “Demand Response Program,” along with Co-op City residents, were able to contribute 12
megawatts of additional electricity to Con Ed to help meet the extra demand for power during the hours between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday while still meeting the needs of Co-op City residents and earning significant revenues for Riverbay. “The participation of Riverbay’s cogen facility in this program is an important resource for the stability of the Con Ed grid,” said Anthony Ligato, Riverbay’s Senior Director, Utility Assets.
Residents urged to not unplug washing machines BY BRANDON ORTIZ
Riverbay Director of Elevator Services and Special Projects Joe Boiko urges residents not to unplug washing machines, as this has been causing disruptions with the discounted washes on Tuesdays and Thursdays that save $.25 per wash. “There are two onsite mechanics ready to help during the weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and one on duty during the weekends,” Boiko said. “Residents are urged not to try and fix the machines themselves, rather call the onsite mechanic.” Boiko advises that if a resident should find that a machine has stopped working or is not working properly, they should call Coinmach (800-734-8851) on weekdays. On weekends, residents can call emergency maintenance (718-320-3300).
However, if the situation should require immediate response, residents should unplug the machine and leave the cord visible so that whoever responds to the situation can know that the machine has to be reset. Otherwise, the computer system resets itself, which erases any memory for having discounted washes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If the responder is able to see that a machine has been unplugged, they are able to put the discounts back into place. Residents who lose money due to a faulty machine are asked to look for the CVA Credit Machine located in every building which will allow residents to obtain instant credit for any monies lost, Boiko said. Once there, residents should look for the three-digit CVA code number as seen on the small machine on the wall (Continued on page 9)
Debs Place & Dreiser Loop bus stop closing temporarily The MTA bus stop at the corner of Dreiser Loop and Debs Place alongside the shopping center will be closed from Aug. 1 to Sept. 16 for repairs to the sidewalk and curb, and reconstruction of the parapet of an adjacent building. During construction, shareholders should use the bus stop in front of garage #2 at Dreiser Loop and Co-op City Blvd. or Dreiser Loop in front of the nail salon. The bus routes affected are Bx23, Bx30 and Bx38. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Co-op City grandmother warns neighbors about “family in jail” scam BY ROZAAN BOONE
A Co-op City grandmother reported this week that last Saturday morning at approximately 7:15 a.m., she was contacted by phone at her home by two young men, one of whom claimed to be her grandson and the other, his friend. They said that her grandson was in jail because of a fight. The person impersonating the grandson said that he was in jail because of an altercation with another young man and that he needed $3,500 to avoid being locked up with the general population over the weekend. The grandson’s friend said that he was willing to put up $1,500. The total
amount was $5,000 and all that was needed was for $3,500 to be brought to a Brooklyn, NY address. The friend added that his uncle worked at the jail and, with the money, could make sure that the grandson would not be in jail overnight. When asked where the altercation took place, the grandmother was told in Newark, NJ. She then told the two young men that she would go to the jail herself, but the friend interjected saying that would jeopardize his uncle’s job. With the young men still on the line, a call was made to the grandson’s cell (Continued on page 3)
“The Power Plant staff responded extremely well and our performance was outstanding. We worked very well with Con Ed to respond to this emergency heat wave condition and we met all our commitments without any problems.” Under the Demand Side Management Program that Riverbay participates in with Con Edison, Riverbay is paid approximately $1.5 million annually for just having capacity available. When called upon to deliver power during these periods, Riverbay is paid approximately $10,000 per hour. Con Ed’s weather forecast for this past week predicted an emergency power situation and informed Riverbay 24 hours in advance that the cogen plant (Continued on page 2)
Domestic violence calls bring fast response from Public Safety BY JIM ROBERTS
Domestic violence calls can be some of the most dangerous operations that police officers conduct. Entering into a volatile situation with all parties on edge requires decisive action and a cool head to calm the situation. “Domestic violence issues are not very predictable when you get there because you don’t know which way they’re going to go,” said Captain James Keappock of (Continued on page 2)
Happy 104th Birthday, Ms. Signore!
Ms. Louise Signore was surrounded by her Co-op City neighbors and the staff at the JASA Bartow Center yesterday as she celebrated her 104th birthday. She is photographed here with Daniella Breton, program director at JASA Co-op City Senior Services. (See more photos on page 4) Photo by Brandon Ortiz