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Although neighbors and city officials are unsure of exactly when the boulder first appeared on 44 St, it has been there since before the first of the year. Jutting out length-wise from the Easter curb of 44 St just north of the intersection, the boulder blocked traffic only slightly more than a typical parked car.

According to the Mayor’s office, the boulder was excavated during emergency sewer work by Maspeth Construction. A number of boulders were excavated during the work, but this particular one was simply too big to be removed, and was left at the intersection.

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Another more minor problem that the boulder has created is that it has been marked with graffiti. One side of the boulder said in green writing, “paddy rock,” while another side was covered in an illegible white scrawl. A large orange road barrier was place in front of the rock to increase its visibility and prevent cars from slamming into it at night.

But with city officials still weighing whether to approve the project, outraged residents and community leaders are doing everything in their power to stop it.

On Tuesday, nearly three dozen opponents crammed into a Board of Standards and Appeals hearing room in Manhattan to protest T-Mobile’s plan, which would place a 27-foot-tall wireless transmitter disguised as a flagpole atop a two-story home.

Rising more than 50 feet above ground level, the American flag-topped tower would “close a gap” in wireless service, according to T-Mobile spokesman Wayne Leuck. The tower would measure 36 inches in diameter — far wider than a typical flagpole, critics noted — and would be illuminated by at least two spotlights installed on the roof.

Critics say the tower will look “absolutely hideous” amid the neighborhood’s low-rise residential landscape. “It’s a matter of aesthetics,” said Assemblywoman Marge Markey, who has repeatedly urged T-Mobile to relocate the planned tower to one of Maspeth’s more remote industrial corners.

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BBA President Judy Limpert said she noticed it had disappeared Saturday after seeing it at 41-16 Bell Blvd. just the day before. The small building sits across from a small Northfork Bank office and alongside the Bayside Long Island Railroad station

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Limpert said the all-white resin figures were not particularly heavy, but had cost about $250.

Although she said the association would buy another display if necessary, the BBA head said she still held out hope the perpetrators would simply return the item.

“If the reason for taking it was some kind of political statement, then we’re willing to talk,” she said.

Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) renewed efforts last month to convince the DOE to permit nativity displays alongside the menorah and star and crescent in schools for holiday displays; current DOE policy bars the appearance of deities in schools.

Formed a few weeks ago on the social networking site Facebook, the Save Astoria group urges members — about 150 as of late Thursday — to prevent the hipsters from turning churches and cafes into “wasteful art exhibits.”

Its five organizers, all former or current students at Fordham University, note Greeks’ history of banding together and becoming “a formidable force” during tough times. They ask followers to support only Greek businesses.

“Invite all your friends and bring public attention to this issue before it is too late!” plead the group leaders, who didn’t return e-mails and phone calls seeking comment.

“I guess they have a problem with people who go out and free ourselves with our music,” snarled David Guevara, 18, of Astoria, who sings and plays guitar in a rock band.

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For Jared Koeppel, manager of the Guitar Center at Northern Blvd. and 48th St., the emergence of a hipster base in Astoria has been a godsend.