ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 464, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: 631-788-7990
Email: ficommunityboard@gmail.com
ICB November 2020 Annual Meeting
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
5:00pm
Zoom Meeting
Total Participants: 78
The ICB meets monthly in a public forum with the community to review and discuss Island priorities. Minutes of monthly ICB meetings are posted on the ICB website.
ICB Representatives: Willard Soper (President), Candace Whitman (Vice President), Dicky Riegel (Treasurer – Seasonal), Meg Atkin (Year-Round), George de Menil (Seasonal), Nate Malinowski (Year-Round)
Willard: Minutes of October 13th meeting approved.
Dicky Riegel: Treasurer’s Report: Checking balance $6,169.00; Pay Pal balance $999. A couple of contributions have been received, and I’d like to thank everyone who contributes or has contributed; your support is appreciated.
Motion to pay secretary MaryBeth Guimaraes $1,100.28 — work and expenses for the months of September and October 2020. Motion passed. (Thank you.)
Chris Ingram/IHP: No new COVID cases have been reported, following the one case connected with the Oyster farm, and no further cases developed. Currently following two “contacts-of-contacts” cases connected to FI School; they are quarantining and chances of infection are remote, but we are being cautious. We encourage you to be extremely cautious regarding Thanksgiving social contact. If you will be with family members with whom you haven’t regularly socialized, testing and quarantining are mandatory. Chris, IHP and Mecky Kuijpers are available to answer questions, clarify protocols and procedures, etc.
Willard: Chris has posted a letter on fishnet updating guidelines for families/friends visiting Fishers during Thanksgiving holiday. There is also a link to NYS.gov for statewide protocols and for those coming to NY from other states. CVS.com website is also booking COVID tests at some pharmacies.
Geb Cook/FI Ferry Dist: Munnatawket is the only boat in service; heaviest passenger trips are the 7 am leaving NL and the 4:45 leaving FI, where there are 60+ passengers including students teachers, day workers. The “School” section is curtained off and restricted to students and teachers on the 7 and 4:45 boats. Ferry is cleaned twice a day, and “fogged” once a day. Masks are required for passengers and crew 100% of the time on the ferry. Passengers are encouraged to stay in cars. Holiday ferry schedule has been posted. Financial situation is better than expected due to diligent work by the Finance Committee and Management. Questions/comments may be directed to info@fiferry.com or directly to Geb.
Willard: Is there a link on the ferry website for the off-season census?
Geb: There are signs at the ferry office and there will be a banner up on the reservation site.
Christian Arsenault/FI School: There have been no positive COVID cases among students and staff at FIS since opening day, Sept. 1. FIS is taking every precaution to keep everyone safe and healthy, and, so far have been successful with no lost school days. Grateful to IHP, ICB for information and support.
School capital improvement project referendum vote is scheduled for Dec 1st, 2-8 pm, at the Community Center. Chris showed mailer being sent to Island community that gives an overview of the project and includes timeline. Christian is happy to answer any questions; reach out to him directly.
Willard—Committee Updates:
- Walsh Park (for Matt Edwards): All paperwork is complete for the C of O for Walsh Park/Ferry District apartments; it is expected to be signed early next week.
- Coyotes: They are present on the Island, and there have been some unfortunate situations involving small pets. Jane Ahrens has posted a notice on fishnet with thorough information and behavioral guidelines regarding coyotes. Questions may be directed to Tom Sargent, FI Conservancy; Tom has said that the coyotes have been on Fishers for many years, and provide some control of the rodent population/problem. If the coyotes become more of a threat, the issue will be addressed.
- Road repairs: Willard has been in contact with Vinny Orlando at Town of Southold regarding road repairs—what’s been done and what is planned going forward; waiting for a response.
- Seagrass Coalition—Candy Whitman: Seagrass is a precious resource and habitat to many marine animals, reduces shoreline erosion, and stores carbon. Webinars were conducted during the summer and questionnaires distributed seeking ways to preserve the seagrass. Candy shared some graphics from the software program – SeaSketch — that is being used to study the best methods for preserving and encouraging the growth of seagrass in our area. More webinars are planned for early December.
Q & A: 1) Sidewalk repairs? Willard: Sidewalk repairs are separate from road repairs; plans have been approved and bids due in Jan/Feb with April/May timeframe for repairs to begin.
2) COVID testing? Chris Ingram: It is taking longer to get test results—can be up to five days; plan to allow that time before seeing people or coming/going from FI. Willard added that the FI Fire Dept, per Paul Giles, has secured two EMTs who will be available during the Thanksgiving holiday. 3) Question regarding building plans for the Fire Department Building? Paul Giles: Architect plans are in hand and it is hoped to get the project out for bid within the month; more information will be available shortly. 4) To Paul: Will there be a referendum for the Fire Dept building renovation? Paul: Yes, there absolutely will be, as soon as we have an accepted bid.
5) IHP Sympton Tracking survey: if not on the Island, do we continue to complete the survey?
Willard: If off-Island, unsubscribe to survey (there is a tab at the bottom of the survey page).
Re-up when/if you return to the Island.
Willard: Please be very vigilant during the next few weeks; stay safe and healthy.
