ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 464, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: 631-788-7990
Email: ficommunityboard@gmail.com
ICB January Meeting
Tuesday, January 8th, 2018
5:30pm
Community Center Multi-Purpose Room
Attendance 26
ICB Representatives Present: Mere Doyen (Island Liaison), Meg Atkin (Year-Round), Candace Whitman Year-Round), Geb Cook (Ferry District), Louisa Evans (Southold)
On Call: Tom O’ Neil (President), Willard Soper (Treasurer), Dicky Riegel (Seasonal), Elizabeth McCance (Museum), Jim Baker (Utility Company), Woody Collins, Ace Crary, Davis Clayson
Staff: Zack Hoch (Secretary)
Absent: Nate Malinowski (Year-Round), Chris Finan (Utility Company), Tom Sargent (Conservancy), Christian Arsenault (School), Matt Edwards (Walsh Park), Marc Rubenstein (IHP), Greg Thibodeau (Waste Management/Fire Department), John McGillian (FIDCO)
Public Present: Tim Patterson, Ken Edwards, Jim Reid, Chris Edwards, Michelle Klimczak, Sarah Malinowski, Sarah Porter, Bob Evans, Gordon Murphy, Ace Ahrens, Claudia Desimone
Approve December Minutes
Tom O’ Neil greeted all in attendance and on-call and motioned to approve the December minutes composed by Zack Hoch. The Board seconded and the minutes passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Tom O’ Neil stated there is approximately $4,300 in the ICB checking account. Tom reminds the Board to continue and improve solicitation and asks more island entities to contribute.
Waste Management
Willard Soper and Nate Malinowski intend to have their Final Report Summary for ICB Review of Waste Management Plan prepared for the February ICB meeting.
Tim Patterson stated Waste Management now is working to improve their railings around the pit areas because they are not up to standard. Waste Management is seeking to determine where money will come from to fund this project.
Sarah Malinowski congratulated Bob Evans and Dave Burnham for being elected to the Waste Management Board and thanks Greg Thibodeau for his time and efforts. Sarah stated their first meeting as a new board is forthcoming and Waste Management will have an update for ICB at the February meeting.
Southold
Mere Doyen reported the Fire Department recently acquired 4 new volunteers. The Fire Department is now required to take part in sexual harassment training and NY may mandate all entities to participate in the training. Mere suggests organizing an island-wide course via Skype or inviting an instructor to the island. Mere and Tom O’ Neil have been working on an Active Google Document to share calendar information.
Louisa Evans stated the rental permit law requires homeowners who rent their houses to get a rental permit. Applications for the permit will be available from the Town Building Department and likely the town website. The cost of the 2-year permit will be $200. To receive a permit, the homeowner must have a valid certificate of occupancy. Jim Reid stated this should be a hassle the first year only. People who are unsure if they have a CO should contact the Building Department. The deadline to apply for a CO is August 1st or fines could be assessed. The purpose of this is to assure all residential units have proper fire exits and alarms.
Louisa explained the town engineers managing the sidewalk project are waiting for the Utility Company engineers’ report on the water pipe project. Dicky Riegel asks how this process can be expedited. Jim Baker will speak with Chris Finan after the meeting concludes.
Candace Whitman has requested the double yellow line on the turn by the Red Barn Gallery be repainted and exclaimed that turn is dangerous. Geb mentioned the giant puddle area on the road to the Transfer Station. Louisa stated there are no annual road audits on Island and problematic areas should be photographed then emailed to Louisa so she can relay the information to highway superintendent Vinny Orlando. Louisa also mentioned the old Bakery building project is moving forward. The plan is to have a restaurant on the 1st floor and possibly two second-floor apartments.
Louisa expects to miss half the year’s ICB meetings due to schedule conflicts with Southold. Louisa, Tom and Mere will work to coordinate their monthly reports. Willard Soper reminds the Board and asks Mere to draft ICB’s 1st quarterly letter to Southold. The letter will be reviewed next meeting then sent out to mailing lists.
Utility Company
Jim Baker reported for the Utility Company and first thanked Ken Edwards and the Museum for moving the Osprey nest which was creeping over the electric wires. Ken answered the museum is happy to help and may be able to help with finances if the right opportunity arises. Ken asked if there is an available report on the water quality in Middle Farms Pond. Jim stated the water has been tested but they are waiting on the results from the DEC.
Jim reported that on February 26th a zoning meeting will be held for approval of the multi-family house in the Briar Patch location. Questions, recommendations, or concerns should be brought to the attention of the Utility Company as they want what is best for the community. Jim stated it would be great to get the project underway ASAP as the Utility Company looks to hire employees to live on Fishers Island but there currently is no where to put them. Jim hopes by fall 2019 the project will be underway. If the Briar Patch home is approved, the Utility Company property located on Central Ave that is currently used as an ‘on-call’ unit, could be reconverted into a family house.
The piping project will require help from the Fire Department. Mere Doyen suggests Paul Giles be the point of contact. Louisa recommends Chris Finan or a representative from the Utility Company attend Fire Department meetings.
Walsh Park
Matt Edwards reported via email that Walsh Park recently welcomed a new family to the island. The Aiello’s moved into a Madeline Avenue apartment from Westerly, RI. Chris Aiello works for Race Rock Garden and along with Chris’ wife Nikole, they also bring their 3 school-aged children.
Progress on the Ferry Building apartments continues. Walsh Park received their approval from the NYS DEC and the Suffolk County Board of Health approval is imminent. They are on the Zoning Board of Appeals calendar for March 14. If successful, all necessary permits will have been obtained and construction will begin April.
Walsh Park is working closely with the Water Company, Ferry District and other Hound Lane parties to possibly upgrade the public water supply to the ferry landing area. More details to come in February.
Ferry District
Geb Cook reported the Ferry District has recently discovered highway funds in excess of $500,000 that can be used on infrastructure projects. Some of this money must be spent by September 2019.
The Ferry District has put down a refundable deposit on a catamaran to be used as a small passenger ferry. The trip from New London to Fishers Island is approximately 25 minutes. A decision to move forward will be based on survey results, acceptable financing option, and Board approval.
Closing
Tom asks all Board members to think of priorities for 2019. Housing remains the top priority. Meg Atkin would like to get better cell phone signal on the island. Ken Edwards mentioned the school had been pushing to have a State Trooper on island year-round for the safety of the school kids. Karen Goodwin was heavily involved. Tom O’ Neil will write a letter of thanks. Jim Baker requests action initiatives be highlighted within the minutes so no priority is pushed to the back-burner.
Adjourned 6:35pm
The next ICB meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12th 5:30pm in the Community Center multi-purpose room.
