ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 371, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Email: ficommunityboard@gmail.com
ICB May 2024 Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
5:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Total Participants:
Agenda July 9, 2024
Beth Cashel: Southold and Zoning Update
Geb Cook: Ferry District – Coast Guard House
Nate Malinowski – Lighthouse Works
Diane Baker & Kapri Thomas – IHP
Elisabeth McCance – Museum
Russ Piper – Harbor Master Report
ICB Representatives: John McGillian, President (Seasonal); Staley Sednaoui, Vice President, (Year-Round); George de Menil, Vice President, (Seasonal): April White (Year-Round); Richard Miller (Seasonal); Linda Mrowka (Year-Round).
John McGillian opened the meeting, welcomed everyone, and the minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Nate Malinowski – Lighthouse Works
Nate Malinowski expressed gratitude for the support LW has received from the community and outlined the organization’s recent achievements, including winning a national endowment grant, reorganizing staff to prioritize impact on the island, providing healthcare packages to staff, and securing a residential facility on Fishers Island. He also mentioned the upcoming fellowship program and the success of past fellows. Nate provided updates on Lighthouse Works’ recent public art commission, upcoming events, and visiting artists program, highlighted an upcoming conversation between Tommy Doyen and artist Mako Fukuyama, a performance by the Knights featuring renowned clarinetist Keenan As, and an exhibition and conversation with former fellow Merrick Goma and Fishers Island’s Adrian Broom.
Staley Sednaoui – Town Report and Zoning Update
In place of Louisa Evans and Beth Cashel, Staley delivered a comprehensive town report, covering issues such as street lights, DMV operations, street paving, police arrangements, zoning committee activities, waste management events, and upcoming ICB elections. Richard Miller supplemented the report by emphasizing the zoning committee’s efforts in zoning cleanup and the ongoing focus on employee and year-round housing.
Tom Siebens – FI Utility Power Outage Update
Tom Siebens discussed the recent power outage, attributing it to a failure in an arrestor and the subsequent tripping of an automated recloser. He highlighted the importance of modernizing the distribution network to prevent such incidents and mentioned ongoing efforts to work with consulting engineers on an engineering study and modernization plan approved by the Public Service Commission. Staley also expresses gratitude on behalf of the Community Center for the Utility Company’s prompt response in restoring power.
Geb Cook – Ferry District Coast Guard Property and Ferry Commissioner Responsibilities
Geb Cook updated the group on the ongoing GSA auction for the Coast Guard property and the recent change in zoning to Marine One. The conversation then turned to the responsibilities of a ferry commissioner, with Geb explaining the requirement of property ownership to be considered for ferry commissioner. He stated that the Ferry had tried to change this rule with the State because of the need for more commissioner candidates, but the legislature hadn’t approved it.
Diane Baker and Kapri Thomas – IHP
Diane provided an update on the doctor’s office summer hours, the availability of urgent medical care, and the 9-1-1 call service. Diane also informed us about physical therapy appointments at the Community Center and addressed the progress made for year-round residents seeking medical services in Connecticut, emphasizing the need for patient involvement in the process. Kapri Thomas addressed the recent requirement for a burial transit document for transporting deceased individuals out of state. She stressed the importance of completing a biographical data sheet, which contains essential questions for the death certificate and the burial transit document. They urge all adults on Fishers Island to complete the document as soon as possible to ensure smooth processing.
Elizabeth McCance – Museum
Elizabeth McCance provided a comprehensive update on the activities of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum and Land Trust. She discusses the success of past programs, joint programs with other organizations, and ongoing nature walks. She highlighted the current and upcoming exhibits, emphasizing the free offerings to the community and the need for support through membership.
Elizabeth shared comprehensive updates on the land trust, highlighting the maintenance of nature trails, restoration projects, the Fishers Island Treasure Hunt, and the museum’s modernization with Apple Pay and credit card acceptance. She also mentioned upcoming studies for rare plant species and the distribution of mammals on land trust properties, the involvement of a youth crew in invasive species removal, and the museum’s collaboration with the Waste Management District for the coastal path project.
The scheduled update from the Harbor Master didn’t happen and will be postponed.
With a little time left, John asked for questions. With no questions, he adjourned the meeting.
