ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 464, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: 631-788-7990
Email: ficommunityboard@gmail.com
ICB July Meeting
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
5:30pm
Community Center Multi-Purpose Room
Attendance 25
ICB Representatives Present: Tom O’ Neil (President), Willard Soper (Treasurer), Candace Whitman (Year-Round), Mere Doyen (Island Liaison), Meg Atkin (Year-Round), Nate Malinowski (Year-Round), Christian Arsenault (School), Chris Finan (Utility Company), Geb Cook (Ferry District), Jeanie Cook (Community Center), Louisa Evans (Ex Officio), John McGillian (FIDCO)
Public Present: Ken Edwards, Tim Patterson, Ellen Harvey, Bob Evans, Jim Reid, Tom Siebens, Todd Williams, George Conant, Peter Burr
On-Call: Dicky Riegel (Seasonal), Tom Sargent (Conservancy), Philip Weymouth
Staff: Zack Hoch (Secretary)
Absent: Tom Sargent (Conservancy), Greg Thibodeau (Fire District), Marc Rubenstein (IHP), Matt Edwards (Walsh Park), David Burnham (Waste Management)
Approve June Minutes
Tom O’ Neil motioned to approve the ICB June meeting minutes written by Zack Hoch. The Board seconded and the minutes passed unanimously.
Governance
Dicky Riegel reminded that ICB elections are the 3rd week in August. President Tom O’ Neil is at the end of his 2nd term. The ICB has formed a nominating committee seeking 1 seasonal rep to replace Tom. The election is for a new seasonal board representative, not for a new President. Nate Malinowski and Willard Soper are at the end of their 1st term, but are expected to stay on for their 2nd term. Dicky hopes to get a notice online to spread the word and find qualified individuals. Interested persons should contact Dicky, or Tom O’ Neil.
Tom asks how annual island elections could become more unified to create better awareness. It is problematic to get voting monitors for multiple elections and people are unsure of the voting requirements. Representatives must review the voting laws. Mere Doyen suggested the ICB could help organize island elections and always hold elections in the same location, the Community Center.
Dicky stated it would not be a problem to change the ICB election date.
Southold Day
Southold Day, previously known as Town Father’s Day is Wednesday, August 7th. At the meeting Southold will present the Town Comprehensive Plan. The plan is now available online http://www.southoldtownny.gov/123/Comprehensive-Plan. Paper copies will we be made available next week at the Town Clerk’s office, Town Planning office and all five libraries (Mattituck Laurel, Cutchogue New Suffolk, Southold, Floyd Memorial (Greenport), and Fishers Island). There will be two opportunities for public comment. The Planning Board public hearing is Monday, July 29th at the Southold Town Hall and then the Town Board public hearing is planned tentatively for late summer/early fall 2019.
The Comprehensive Plan will be posted on fishersisland.net. Community members are strongly encouraged to read it and plan questions. Questions for Southold should be sent to Mere Doyen or Louisa Evans. Mere will channel all comments to Southold. Louisa says the Town Board would be happy to answer specific questions. ICB will create a brief version of the plan, which will be easier for the public to understand. Questions or comments must be submitted within the next two weeks.
Community members are also asking to contact the DMV about making a visit to Fishers Island.
Infrastructure Forum
Tom O’ Neil insists ICB synergize infrastructure projects. Mere Doyen and Louisa Evans will help to make these contacts happen. Tom Siebens stated that the Water Company and Fire Commissioners plan to meet Monday, July 15th to discuss fire protection and water distribution.
Middle Farms Pond
Tom Siebens reported that the Water Company is talking with its insurers about limited recreation use on Middle Farms Pond. There is still no boating permitted on the pond; due to the risk of invasive aquatic life from boat hulls; the community does not have the resources to police boat cleanliness. Tom also noted that water is being illegally pumped from the pond, lowering the water level, causing algae blooms, and killing marine life. The water quality worsens if water levels are lower and algae blooms occur. Water levels must be kept up.
Treasurer’s Report
Willard Soper stated there is approximately $2,500 in the ICB account and it is time to initiate the Fund Drive. ICB will repeat the box-holder mailing from last year and also print an additional 100 copies. The goal is to raise about $6,000 to cover annual expenses. Willard reminds all members, representatives and organizations to contribute annually.
Suggestions include setting a date to when membership fees are due, alerting people of the last time they donated, and to add a date on the donation envelopes as to how long the contribution is valid. Contributions are not mandated because participation is priority while contribution is secondary. People can contact Willard or Zack to learn when they last made a contribution.
Community Center
New soft netting has been installed atop the fencing by the basketball court parking to provide protection for parked cars.
Adjourned 6:30pm
Next ICB meeting is scheduled for Tuesday August 13, 5:30PM in the Community Center multi-purpose room.
