ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 371, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: 631-788-7990
Email: finy.southold@gmail.com
ICB Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 5:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Total Participants: 50
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).
Agenda for May 13
Billy Bloethe – Village Market Update
Kate Stevens – Southold Update
Elisabeth Parker – IPP Update
Officer William Brewer – Police Update (unavailable to attend)
Diane Baker – IHP Update (unable to attend)
Minutes:
John McGillian opened the meeting and thanked everyone for participating.
Billy Bloethe – Update on Village Market
Bill reported the Market had a busy winter with lots of infrastructure breaks and lots of upgrades.
The Market is starting a little café (a simpler news café) with simple food, breakfast sandwiches, regular coffee and a good selection of the basics. This is in addition to the hot sandwiches and lunch specials they offer. They have had a little bit of a staffing issues as the J-1 visas are a little slow. Many workers are coming from Turkey and they are in school a little later. (Alliance Abroad is the company the Market uses.) Store hours remain M-S 7-1, and 3-5 and are still closed on Sundays. When asked about inflation, Billy says they use 25 different distributors, and costs are all mirrored up to fuel, which adds extra costs onto goods and fluctuate every week. In addition to serving customers, the Market provides dinners for about 15 seniors every Friday, and they do this in conjunction with Islanders for Islanders.
Kate Stevens – Update on Southold
Kates@southoldtownny.gov 631-948-2434
Kate reported that on April 30, we had meetings on island with board members from the town focusing on emergency preparedness, infrastructure, water, open space, and the ferry. We also had a community lunch at the Community Center attended by about 45 people. Kate thanked the CC for hosting and Steve Schongar and her husband Paul for their tremendous help in making it a success. Attending from the Town was Al Krupski, Brian Nealy, Dan Goodwin, and Gus Klavas. They arrived at 9:30 on a police boat. On the topic of emergency preparedness, they met with Fire Chief Chris Aiello, paramedic Rod Rodriguez, head of EMTs Patty Walker, Christian Arsenault from the school, and Jane Ahrens from FishersIsland.net. They addressed using the school as a shelter and designating the EMS as an essential service. Kate noted the quote: “In a storm, we are what we have.” On the topic of infrastructure, they met with Armanda Pereira, Jay Cushing, and Chad Mrowka from the Utility and discussed the upgrades to our services that are required and the related funding challenges. They met with many stakeholders (Harbor Committee, Conservancy, and Eel Grass Coalition) to share concerns and commonalities about open space, water quality, habitat, and preserving sea grass. Water connects all the organizations and issues.
Kate noted that everyone thinks that we have an endless supply of water from some magic aquifer. In reality, we are susceptible to drought, contaminants, and anything coming into our groundwater. She also noted there’s a new irrigation code in the town, designed to mitigate the water loss during the summer. She noted that 70% of water is used for irrigation and 50% of that is wasted. Conservation is required. These meetings were followed by a great lunch at the Community Center where there was conversation about the ratio between what we send over in dollars vs. what we get back in services, road conditions, AADUs, the Police barracks and the sewer system, which is on the list to replace the pumps and generator this year. Kate reported there is money allocated for planning of the barracks renovation, but not any allocated for the
renovation of it. The Town officials then met with two ferry commissioners to talk about the new ramp (the southernmost ramp in Silver Eel Cove) that needs to be bonded to be replaced. They also talked about the new boat and its financing/funding. Kate noted that Senator Palumbo has put in a request for funding for the ferry. No one is quite sure how this came about, but Kate noted that Geb Cook came to a town meeting work session and lobbied for the need, which generated a newspaper article and, perhaps, resulted in state attention.
Kate mentioned that the town zoning is pivoting from an overall look to looking at it in layers and chunks to make it more manageable. On June 11, 2026 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM, there will be a Zoom meeting to discuss the restructuring. On the topic of the DMV, Kate has reached out to Assemblyman Tommy Schiavoni and is trying to reel him back into the discussion. She mentioned that housing was not talked about on April 30th because it’s too big, and Kate and Linda Mrowka (WP) are talking about how to get some town reps over here to talk about housing. Perhaps it will be connected into the zoning update.
George de Menil – Commenting on IHP
Diane Baker was not available to give an update on IHP; however, George shared with the community his disappointment about not only the loss of Chris Ingram and Kapri Thomas from the island, but the way in which they are leaving. He said this is not the way we behave as a community and it saddened him greatly. He believes the doctor on the island is probably the most important person on the island and Chris served us well for fifteen years. It disappointed and saddened George to think he was leaving under a dark cloud and any acrimony. Sarah Porter wholeheartedly agreed and thanked George for speaking up.
John McGillian tried to announce the update by Police Officer William Brewer – Southold Police, but Officer Brewer wasn’t on the call.
Elisabeth Parker – Update on IPP
Elisabeth reported that Kat McCall is returning for her 5th summer as director of IPP program which runs from July 6 to August 8th. The counselors are all hired and registration is now open.
In honor of the 250th year, the IPP parade will be extra special on Sunday, July 5th , kicking off from the Theater at 11:30 AM, with kids on bikes, led by the Ancient Mariners Fife and Drum Corps. Karl Ericksen will help organize a car or float parade. Elisabeth thanked the Fire department, who’s been our partner in this event for many years. There will be the usual cookout on the lawn, but IPP is paying for entire community cookout. There will be a pie eating contest and other fun things. IPP will host the Craft Fairs on July 11 and August 8th as well as the cardboard boat regatta on July 22nd at Dock Beach. There will be a kickball party at the ball field on July 20th, another free event for the whole community. IPP is running a CPR class on July 2nd led by Jess Hall. Also, the Museum is going to be having an exhibit of 30 years of Sarah Upson’s murals created with IPP children. No house and garden tour this year. Elisabeth thanked everyone for their support of IPP.
With no other business, John asked is anyone had any questions or comments. What followed was a brief discussion of Chris Ingram and Kapri Thomas’ departure from IHP between George de Menil, Sarah Porter, and Barbie Riegel, with Richard Miller and Lisa Ireland adding comments.
Linda Mrowka reminded everyone that on Tuesday, May 19th from 2:00 – 8:00 PM is the Fishers Island School vote, where the budget and two board seats will be voted upon. The four candidates are Nikole Aiello, Beth Cashel, Rosanna Anderson, and Crystal Wood. Those who are registered to vote on Fishers are able to vote in this election.
With no further questions or business, John adjourned the meeting around 6:00 PM.
ICB Meeting 11MAR26 video recording:
ICB Monthly Meeting with speakers from the IHP, ICB, tax districts, utility co., and other community organizations from time to time. The goal is to keep the community updated on the Island’s general activity and any news updates related to the Island.
