ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 464, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: 631-788-7990 | Email: ficommunityboard@gmail.com
Island Community Board Meeting Minutes
July 10, 2017
Directors Present: Tom O’Neil (President), Willard Soper (Treasurer), Tim Patterson (Waste Management), Meg Atkin (Year-Round), Candy Whitman (Year-Round), Nate Malinowski (Year-Round), Matt Edwards (Walsh Park), Chris Finan (Utility Company), Elizabeth McCance (Museum)
Staff Present: Zack Hoch (Administer/Secretary)
Welcome
Tom O’Neil welcomed our special guest and town of Southold supervisor, Scott Russell. Tom spoke on each of the ICB’s top priorities including housing, health care, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and administrative leadership.
Scott Russell Speaks
Sidewalks
Scott stated that in 2009 a survey of the Fishers Island sidewalks had been presented and identified problems were highlighted on a visual map. This spring the ICB assembled a petition accumulating over 450 signatures and new photographs of the sidewalks in need of repair. Scott stated engineers will be coming to the island in a few weeks to analyze the sidewalks and determine cost and locations and created a budget. Scott believes he can put $250,000 in the budget each year for the next 6 years to make infrastructure repairs. Candy stated an island mason is willing to do the project which would save money and their bid was accepted. Scott agreed that makes sense and they can accept a local bidder. He will present the bid at the next annual meeting.
Salt Barn
Scott suggested it would cost approximately $150,000 to build a new salt barn on Fishers Island. All location ideas are being considered, but the salt barn must meet state and federal regulation and some ideas do not make sense. The current salt barn is 20×20 feet and 12 feet high. Candy Whitman asked if sand could be used as a replacement to salt, stating sand would be better for the environment. Scott stated sand is not effective and not a viable option. Willard Soper questioned if brine would be an effective replacement for salt since that solution is used in some northern states. Scott countered stating that would be a huge investment with high equipment costs and there is no money in the budget to experiment with. Scott is willing to propose a tentative budget stating 2018 project do not need to be paid for until 2019.
Administrative Leadership
Scott stated that a part-time administrator can go into the budget if the ICB can work with an existing civil service job description, and that the candidates meet civil service requirements. It makes sense if the administrator is on Fishers Island. Names of a possible administrator should be given to Scott Russell.
Healthcare
Candy and Willard inquired about possible ways to get a licensed therapist to the island. There is demand for both physical and mental health therapy and continuous problems with health insurance in Connecticut and transportation to New York. Scott said he will support all he can but Suffolk County has the final say on medical issues. Scott stated it is not helpful when random people from FI contact him about problems. Louisa Evans reiterated the goal is to funnel everything through the ICB and reminds the public to contact herself or a director from the ICB with concerning matters. All concerns and requests should be vetted and prioritized by the ICB and then the Fishers Island Town Justice should present to the Supervisor and Town Board.
Housing
A new proposal should allow for an employer to build affordable housing and select tenants, meaning affordable housing on Fishers Island would not be restricted to town residents. Scott expects the proposal to be accepted by late fall; stating people don’t come to the island for affordable housing, they need it to stay.
Environmental Stewardship
Tom O’Neil asked Scott about environmental programs beneficial to the island. Scott stated if the island came determine a want, the town can suggest a suitable program. The ICB and island residents must first identify areas needing attention. There is $1.2M in the budget that could go towards a program.
Approve Minutes
Tom O’ Neil motioned to approve the minutes from the last ICB meeting. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report/Fund Drive
Willard Soper stated there is $6,282 in the ICB checking account but a large payment (approximately half) is due to administration.
There is a communication problem with the fund drive resulting in confusion of ICB members. People only need to register one time. Once someone has registered they are eligible to vote for the ICB directors. The ICB hopes for annual contributions ($10 for individuals/$25 for families) which go towards communication and administration fees. Tom, Willard, Zack and Candy will man a table at the Arts & Crafts Fair to try to get people to register and donate. Tom suggested editing the website, adding an ‘Other’ box to click so members will have a choice to donate as much as they would like.
Election
Meg Atkin is the only ICB director up for re-election.
Adjourned 6:56pm.
