ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 371, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: 631-788-7990
Email: finy.southold@gmail.com
ICB March 2025 Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
5:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Agenda March 12, 2025
Louisa Evans: Southold Update
Brad Burnham: Solar Update
April White: Island Alert System
Bonnie Benkard: Library
Total Participants: 70
ICB Representatives: John McGillian (President), George de Menil (Vice President), Staley Sednaoui (Vice President), April White (Year-Round), Richard Miller (Seasonal), Linda Mrowka (Year-Round).
Southold Report and Infrastructure Updates – Louisa Evans
Regarding the sea wall repair, Louisa Evans reported that the title report is still pending, and is necessary for convening stakeholders about the seawall. She highlighted plans for infrastructure improvements, specifically sidewalk renovations and drainage projects scheduled for 2025. Additionally, she urged participants to visit the southholdzoningupdate.com website to review a preliminary zoning update report that was recently uploaded.
John McGillian asked Louisa Evans about the progress on the Coast Guard station and police barracks, noting a lack of updates. Louisa mentioned that the town engineer, Michael Collins, has not made progress on the police barracks despite budget approval and concerns about the building’s condition. Additionally, discussions regarding a management agreement between the ferry district and the Town Board have stalled.
Update on Pickett Landfill Solar Project – Brad Burnham
Brad Burnham discussed the initiative to transform the Pickett Landfill into a solar energy source, which is expected to provide 25% of the island’s power. The project involves a $3 million investment from Pickett Power LLC, with a lease signed and permitting processes underway. Collaboration with the Fishers Island Electric Corporation is essential for interconnection and power purchase agreements. Brad explored the relationship between solar generation peaks and electricity demand on the island, suggesting that battery storage could help reduce costs. John McGillian inquired about the impact on electric car companies and subsea cable plans, while Brad emphasized the need for redundancy in the grid. They also mentioned the electric company’s plans to increase cable voltage and energize the older cable for backup.
Brad confirmed that the Pickett Power’s website is live. He then introduced Travis Garcelon to the audience. Travis discussed his experience with renewable energy and his work on a solar array at his home and his plans to spend more time on Fishers Island.
Update on Union Chapel and Silver Lake Cam – Mere Doyen
Meredith Doyen shared details about Union Chapel’s support for Silver Lake Camp, a longstanding partnership that has been ongoing for over thirty years. On April 6th, the camp’s director will give a presentation during the church service. Doyen emphasized that the camp is open to all children in New England, not just those from the island. She encouraged community members to attend and learn about funding opportunities available for campers.
Island-Wide Notification System Proposal – April White
April White discussed the development of an island-wide notification system, One Call Now, which would disseminate non-emergency information to residents. This system is intended to improve communication during utility outages and other local issues, reducing misinformation and reliance on traditional methods. The proposal includes a cost estimate of approximately $3,400 per year for unlimited messaging to 3,600 contacts.
Library Updates and Community Engagement – Bonnie Benkard
Bonnie Benkard updated the community on the library’s activities, thanking donors and voters for their continued support. She mentioned the successful wine-tasting event and introduced Tracy Pisano, the interim program manager, who has enhanced the library’s programming. Upcoming events include a “Save the Bees” initiative and ongoing book club. Bonnie shared that the library is preparing a survey to collect community input on programs and scheduling preferences. She emphasized the library’s extensive resources, including digital materials and career tools, and announced plans to hire a part-time community librarian to improve outreach and program offerings. This new role aims to support both seasonal and year-round community members. Bonnie explained that the library relies on a mix of funding, with a significant portion coming from town taxes, but faces rising expenses. She highlighted the need for a new role to support the library’s operations, especially in light of staffing changes.
With no further business, John closed the meeting just before 6:00 PM.
