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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Suzanne Dvells, Member of the Public
1:50:05
·
147 sec
Suzanne Dvells, representing homeowners and renters near Curtis High School on Staten Island, opposes extended after-hours use of the school's athletic facilities due to ongoing issues with current operations. While supporting expanded community access to DOE facilities in general, she cites concerns about excessive noise, traffic, environmental impact, and non-compliance with city regulations.
- The community has been denied access to school facilities, while a non-profit youth football league uses the field without proper amenities.
- Current usage generates excessive traffic, noise, and environmental concerns, with operations lasting up to 14 hours daily.
- The school has not addressed illegal parking issues or demonstrated compliance with DOE regulations and city ordinances.
Suzanne Dvells
1:50:05
Good afternoon.
1:50:06
My name is Suzanne DeVelles.
1:50:08
I represent a diverse group of homeowners and renters who live adjacent to the Curtis High School athletic field on Staten Island.
1:50:17
While we very strongly support expanded community access to Department of Education facilities, particularly in designated disadvantaged and environmental justice areas such as ours.
1:50:31
We must oppose Curtis High School as a candidate for extended after hours use of its athletics facilities.
1:50:40
Our civic association has repeatedly approached the principal and athletics director requesting limited access to the track, the indoor pool, and gymnasium only to be told that PSAL usage has maximized their capacity.
1:50:59
Yet a non profit youth football league regularly uses the athletic field without access to essential amenities such as toilets, dressing rooms, proper parking, and designated gathering areas.
1:51:14
During summer and fall, the facility operates for approximately fourteen hours daily, generating excessive traffic using noncompliant stadium lighting, constant crowds, announcements, and music using amplified sound that exceed city code limits.
1:51:38
Frequently, vehicles idle for extended periods, raising environmental and health concerns.
1:51:44
And despite our reports, the NYPD one two o has not addressed illegal parking that impedes emergency vehicles and disrupts MTA bus service.
1:51:57
DOE district thirty one has suggested that we must accept these disruptions as an inherent risk of residing adjacent to a school.
1:52:07
Meanwhile, Curtis High School has not demonstrated compliance with Department of Education regulations or New York City ordinances.
1:52:16
We cannot support expanded use of this facility until Curtis High School demonstrates its ability to manage its current operations in a manner that respects the surrounding neighborhood and addresses these ongoing concerns.
1:52:31
Thank you very much.