About Community Boards

What is a Community Board?

Community Boards are local representative bodies. There are 59 throughout the city. Each Board consists of up to 50 unsalaried members appointed by the Borough President with half nominated by City Council Members of the Board District. Board Members are selected from among active, involved people of each community with an effort made to assure that every neighborhood is represented. Members of the Board must reside in or have a significant interest (work in, own property) in the community. Community Board 2 represents the following areas of Staten Island: Arrochar, Bloomfield, Bulls Head, Chelsea, Dongan Hills, Egbertville, Emerson Hill, Grant City, Grasmere, High Rock, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Ocean Breeze, Old Town, Richmondtown, South Beach, Todt Hill and Travis.

What does a Community Board do?

Handles complaints and requests related to services provided by the City agencies in the community
Works with City agencies to plan local projects and monitors delivery of City services to the district.
Assess the needs of these neighborhoods and make recommendations in the City's Capital and Expense budget process to address them.
Reviews proposed Zoning changes and other land use matters in the District. Any change in or variance from the Zoning Resolution must come before the Board for its opinion. Community Boards must be consulted on placement of most municipal facilities in the community and on other land issues.
Processes applications for street activities and special events in the community.
In general, acts as the community's liaison with City agencies.

How can I participate in the activities of Community Board?

Community Board 2 generally meets on the third Tuesday of each month, except during the summer. At these meetings, members address items of concern to the community board. Decisions are basically advisory. All board meetings are open to the public. The public is allowed to speak during the Public Session portion of the meeting. In addition, Community Board 2 frequently calls public hearings on the City's budget, land use issues, and any other issue of concern or interest to enable the District's Communities to express their opinions.

A meeting notice and calendar are emailed to the Board's members monthly. Anyone may sign up to join the Board's mailing to receive notification of all monthly meetings.

How can I join a Community Board Committee?

The Board encourages non-Board members to apply to join Board committees. All non-Board members of committees may not vote on any issue discussed at the committee meeting; however, only Board members may vote at the regular monthly meetings. The Board's Committees are: Aging, Environmental Protection, Health, Land Use, Parks, Traffic and Transportation & Public Service, and Youth Services Committee.

What kind of complaints can be referred to the Community Board?

Any complaint that involves a City Agency can be referred to the Board.
Examples are:

Abandoned/derelict vehicles
Building or housing code violations
Clogged catch basins
Garbage collection and street sweeping
Park maintenance
Potholes and broken sidewalks
Social services problems
Street lights out
Missing or damaged traffic signs
Street tree replacements
Zoning violations

What do I do if I have a service complaint or request?

By order of the Mayor of the City of New York in 2003, most service complaints and requests must be made first by calling 311, the City's Citizen Service Center. An operator will supply you with a service request number to use as a follow-up reference.

If you are unable to resolve your complaint or have your request fulfilled, you may contact the Community Board to assist you. Call us at 718-317-3235 with your complaint/request, the 311 complaint/request number and the date on which you submitted it. We will do our best to expedite a response from the appropriate agency.

The Community Board plays an important role in key decisions that the city makes, but many people are still not aware of and have not benefited from, their presence. We urge you to learn how your Community Board can serve you. Be the eyes and ears for your local community: if you see a problem that involves a City service, please call us at 718-317-3235.