ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 371, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: 631-788-7990
Email: finy.southold@gmail.com
ICB December 2024 Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, December 10th, 2024
5:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Total Participants: 63
ICB Representatives: John McGillain (President), George de Menil (Vice President), Staley Sednaoui (Vice President), April White (Year-Round), Richard Miller (Seasonal), Linda Mrowka (Year-Round).
MINUTES
John McGillian opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.
Please note there was no ICB meeting in November 2024.
Update on Zoning and DMV Issues
Elizabeth Cashel discussed the ongoing zoning process for Fishers Island, highlighting the importance of public feedback during the review period from January to March. Despite significant state investment, she also reported that the DMV project is stalled because the town board has decided not to fund staffing for the DMV. Efforts are being made to find alternative solutions.
School Construction Update
Christian Arsenault shared that the winter concert has been moved to Friday because of adverse weather conditions. He reported that the school construction project is running about a month behind schedule, with completion now expected in February. Despite this delay, he expressed satisfaction with the progress and the collaboration with Mattern Construction, highlighting minimal disruption to the school environment.
Updates on Carta Electric Homes and Funding Opportunities
John McGillian introduced and welcomed Julie Liu, of Centsible Homes, and founder of Carta Electric Homes, founded to empower homeowners to upgrade their homes to the comfort, health, and safety of an all-electric home today, while ensuring the value of their homes for tomorrow.
Julie Liu provided an overview of Carta Electric Homes, which focuses on helping families and small businesses access state incentives for energy improvements. She mentioned successful collaborations with the Walsh Park community to enroll in income-eligible programs and the range of subsidies available, which can vary significantly. There was a discussion of the requirement in some instances to disconnect the oil furnace in order to obtain some funding.
Julie Liu provided insights into the income eligibility for assistance programs on Fishers Island, suggesting that 20 to 50 families might qualify. She highlighted the challenges of working in a high-cost area and explained how her organization manages to provide cost-effective services while ensuring quality. Liu also mentioned the importance of engaging with families to understand their specific needs and how funding sources can be matched to those needs.
Speaking for Walsh Park, David Congdon emphasized the importance of Julie’s role in securing government funding for energy-related home improvements. He described a specific project involving a six-unit building that currently relies on an outdated oil furnace, proposing a transition to a heat pump system for better heating and cooling. The project also includes necessary upgrades to insulation and electrical infrastructure.
Julie Liu outlined the opportunity for a public-private partnership to improve utility infrastructure on Fisher’s Island, noting the availability of public funding. George de Menil praised Julie’s dedication and her ability to connect with public funders, while John McGillian echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for her expertise.
Progress on Utility Infrastructure and Electric Cable Management
Tom Siebens highlighted the successful implementation of the Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which has enhanced the ability to identify power outages and surges. He noted the team’s efforts to resolve power distribution issues on the island, resulting in significant cost savings. Additionally, he mentioned the urgency of securing a second marine cable due to upcoming construction by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Tom Siebens confirmed that rates will remain unchanged for the next year. Staley Sednaoui inquired about the removal of nonprofits from Class One fees and whether churches would also be affected, with Tom stating he would need to follow up on the latter. Additionally, Staley asked about a recent PSC ruling on utility cost allocations (re: the Gloaming), specifically its retroactive nature. Tom replied that every project will be looked at on a case by case basis.
Drawing questions from the chat box, a discussion on the Town Garage followed. The town garage on Transfer Station Road is in disrepair and is owned by the town, with plans to relocate and rebuild it as discussed by Elizabeth Cashel in previous meetings. There is ongoing confusion regarding the road’s ownership, which is not managed by the town and perhaps managed by the Ferry District. David Congdon, a newly elected commissioner to the Ferry District, confirmed he lacks detailed knowledge about the road’s condition but will seek further information.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM.
