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T H E F O G H O R N
F I S H E R S I S L A N D ’ S M O N T H L Y C O M M U N I T Y C A L E N D A R
Fishers Island Liquors
Drink ‘n Vessel ~ beginning late June 2007 ~
New Local Ownership *****Extended Summer Hours
Join us for the Grand Opening!
Featuring Raffles, Cocktail Seminars, Wine
Tastings & More!
Stay Tuned for More Details!
New on The Village Green:
Open Letter to Residents of Fishers Island
The medical practice of Dr. Maria Frank, as part of Sound Medical Associates of Groton, has been providing care to island residents for the past 10 months. As many of you are well aware, there have been issues in obtaining approved physician status for Dr. Frank with all the major insurance carriers. We apologize for any inconven-ience that you may have experienced as a result of the lengthy credentialing process.
While the credentialing process is long to begin with, the time to credential Dr. Frank was extended even further due to the unusual location and type of practice. In other words, the insurance companies had to make exceptions to their rules to cre-dential Dr. Frank and we have worked very diligently to follow through and appeal credentialing decisions.
We are also pleased to report that Dr. Frank is fully credentialed as a primary care/general practitioner with the following insurance companies.
Currently Approved: Effective Date: • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield 05/25/2007 • HealthNet 01/04/2007 • United Healthcare 05/01/2007 • Oxford Health Plans 05/01/2007 • Medicare 07/01/2006 • NEHCA/HMC 07/01/2006 • PHCS 04/01/2007 • Multiplan 07/01/2006 • Pioneer 06/01/2006
Additional Insurance Companies:
• Patients with Aetna health insurance can see Dr. Frank and bills will be submit-ted with Dr. Frank listed as the providing physician along with a notation that she is covering for Dr. Patel (Groton office internist). Efforts are still underway to appeal Aetna’s credentialing decision regarding Dr. Frank.
• The Empire Plan, which is administered by United Healthcare for physician visits, requires separate credentialing of Dr. Frank. Please note that the Empire Plan is a State of New York sponsored health insurance program for municipal and state workers, and they require all physician credentialing be completed by the Department of Civil Services staff in Albany New York. The process is a lengthy one and we do not have an estimate as to when we will receive approval.
Another point to clarify is that since Dr. Frank’s arrival, NO Fishers Island pa-tients have been sent to collections for unpaid patient balances, and there are no plans to send anyone to collections for claims that were the result of credentialing delays.
For future communications regarding billing questions, please contact Maggie Stewart in the Billing Office located in Groton. Her phone number is 860.445.6252.
Thank you for your understanding and continued use of Sound Medical Associates. Sincerely, The Island Health Project and Sound Medical Associates
Island Community Board Updates:
The biggest news from the ICB now is the new online calendar. www.fishersisland.net has added a community calendar that you can scroll though and view the nest three months worth of events. The ICB would like to encourage anyone with dates and activities that they would like to see posted to email [email protected] with the info. You can also sign up for their email list on the fishnet site, or by emailing Mere. Lastly, the hours of op-eration on the back of this issue are updated and have been checked with all the places of business, so these ARE the RIGHT hours!!! Some may change in July, look for your next Fog Horn to have those too!
The Hamlet Study is now the Strategic Plan and is coming along wonderfully. There will be a public meeting to gain consensus and support for the goals and objectives being outlined on July 13th at the Union Chapel at 5:00pm. Everyone is invited to come and hear about the plan, your support is very important!! ICB Minutes page 8
Page 2 T H E F O G H O R N
L E T T E R T O T H E E D I T O R
Fog Horn
And Fishers Island Community,
I would simply like to thank everyone who helps me beautify the transfer station every spring. Thank you for the constant gift of plants to plant at the transfer station, the pots, the different planters and for all the advise I get or seek, for as the gardens grow so does my knowledge of how to maintain there beauty by the wisdom of others. The Transfer Station would not be as beautiful during the spring and summer if it was not for the help of all of you. I would also like to thank all the people who have helped me take care of Feral Cats; either with donations of food or by open-ing their homes and hearts to one of many kittens that I have domesticated. I have domesticated about 10 kittens and found homes for them. Their new homes range from here on the island to Beverly Hills to 5th Ave in NYC. Once again Thank you from the deepest of my heart for your help it is most appreci-ated and always welcomed…
Sincerely,
Tathiana Lema
Fishers Island is having its own little baby boom and we are happy to welcome the latest member to the boom!
Ms. Kloe Aowyn Scroxton was born on May 31st 2007 and weighed 6lbs 3.3oz. She was 18 inches long!
She is the daughter of Darcie and Derek Scroxton and the new sister of Izabel! Her Aunt Alison at the Post Office is very happy to have a new niece and sent us these great photos of her and even one of older sister Izabel enjoying a swim with Dad for a little time together while adjusting to the new housemate!
Congratulations to the entire Scroxton family!
N E W A R R I V A L ! ! ! !
Madeleine Rafferty of Fisher’s Island, N.Y., graduated from the Foxcroft School May 25, at the
School’s 93rd commencement. She was one of 52 students from 14 states, four foreign countries
and the District of Columbia, awarded diplomas by Head of School Mary Louise Leipheimer.
Rafferty, who plans to attend the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland, in the fall,
served as senior class vice-president. As a dormitory prefect and as co-head of the Athletic As-
sociation. She was involved in a number of other clubs and organizations, as well.
In her junior year, Rafferty won the Mildred Greble Davis Prize, the oldest and most cherished of
awards for 11th grade students. That prize, given in memory of Mildred Greble Davis, is pre-
sented to the girl in the junior class who has best lived up to Miss Greble’s standard: “Loyal to
the Royal in Thyself.”
She is the daughter of Christopher and Sara Rafferty of Fishers Island.
G R A D U A T I O N !
Don’t Forget:
Household Waste Collection Day is Saturday July 28th from 8:00am-11:00am at the Transfer Station. Car batteries and propane tanks are NOT accepted on this collection day.
Jazz Improvisation Workshop for all Instrumentalist. Ability to play scales is required, reading music is not. Union Chapel July 22nd
from 1:00-3:00pm followed by:
5:00pm. Island Concerts: Jeff Barnhardt Jazz Group. Celebrating the life of Sheldon Meyer. At the Union Chapel. Ticket information
Page 3 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3
Free to a Good Home
Coco: Female, 11 mths
FINY: Female, 9 mths
Lulu: Female, 11 mths
All 3 cats were feral born on Fishers Island. I took them in as kittens and domesticated them. All 3 cats have been tested for feline diseases and all tested negative. All 3 cats have been properly vaccinated. They have their Rabies shots up to date as well. They have also been Spayed. They are litter box trained.
Coco was born on Peninsula road. She is a bit shy but once given the chance loves to be petted and craves attention at her own time. Does well with other cats.
Finy was born at the Transfer Station and raised by me. She is a bit shy as well, but warms up quickly. Once she trusts you, she can not get enough human affection. Loves to be cradle and petted. Does well with other cats and children.
Lulu was born at the Transfer Station as well. I grabbed her at the age of 4 months old because I thought her markings are beautiful. Very unique. She also loves and constantly craves human affection. Loves to be petted. Does well with other cats. Does well with dogs if slowly introduced.
Copies of Veterinary records will be supplied. If interested Please Contact Tathiana:
788-5515 or 788-5570
Community Center construction begins
Construction, or rather demolition, for the new Community Center in the Fort Building #98 has begun. Following formal approval of the lease from FIDCo. and the awarding of the contract to Z and S Contracting by the Board of Directors of The Fishers Island Commu-nity Center, Inc., the first step of the project began last Wednesday, June 13, with the removal of the small amounts of asbestos from the structure.
On Monday, June 18, the demolition contractor began the job of turning the building into an empty shell. This will involve removing all interior walls, some of which are three bricks thick, and everything else that has been added over the years. This part of the rehabilitation will take two to three weeks.
An exact time-line for the Center’s construction is still under development, John Spofford, President of F.I.C.C., Inc., said that an opening by Easter of 2008 should be an achievable goal.
We will have regular updates on the progress of the Center.
Page 4 T H E F O G H O R N
N A M E T H A T B O A T ! ! ! T H E V E R D I C T
Despite the promise to print all the names, The Harbor Committee needed to do some editing to keep this list family friendly and neighborly. Thank you for all your suggestions, they were great!
The name will be: HARBOR HONEY
Committee Considerations: family friendly, nothing of a mean spirited tone and sounds good over the radio/hailer.
Fishers Island Theme:
Peequot Peaquot Discharge Island People’s Pee Island Relief
Septic Isle South Dump -linger
Mid Dump-ling Munnapoopit
Nautical Theme:
Waste Naut Bateau de Mer
Black Water Ship The Dirty Boat
Pumping Ship Pumper
Poop Deck Head Waiter
Heading Out Launch # 2
Port o’Pump Brown Furno
The Waste Not Brown Barge
How Now Brown Scow Outboard Outhouse
The Brown Submarine
Other:
Waste Works Spoiled Rotten
Rare Collections Fully Loaded
Just Listed Deliverance
The Fan Scooper
Regularity Anal Retentive
Fortitude Think Tank
Eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwww The Terminator
Thyme Out Farethewell
Shameless Enufs Enuf
Swoosh UPOARS
Yellow Submarine Bildgemaster 2000
The Cover Up The Sound Saver
Motor Rooter Rose
Fishers Island Recycled Drinking Water Project
It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish
Bathroom Humor:
Turd Tanker Number One & Number Two
Vessel de Feces Floater Boater
Turd Buster Pooper Scoope
Pee Pee La Pew Water Honey Dumper
Porter Potty Pump and Dump
Loaves & Pees Fecal Ferry
DumpSeaDoDo Poo-Poo Ka-Ka
Intestinal Fortitude Stercoraceous
Retentive Sue Ager
Stinker Pot au Miel
Pooh Bear You’re in the Honey
The Plunger The Flusher
Purple PeePee Eater SS Pooper Pumper
Sea Johnny Run The Loo
Charmin Got to Go
Baby Ruth MV Defecator
Pee View Pea View
Honey Wagon 1+2=No Sea
Sea Johnny The One That Got Away
Dump n Pump Just Dump n Pump
And so it goes... It Was This Big
Pumpadump Corn-eyed Peanut-toothed Eel
Fecal Flotilla You Dump, We Pump
Discharge Dreams Stinky Steamer
Carpe Doody Skidmark Schooner
The Race Poop Septic Suzie
The Colonic The Chocolate Chug Boat
Poop Sloop Terd Herder
Hershey Hoover Dingleberry Ferry
Cont. Page 5
Page 5 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3
Harbor Honey Dipper Ship Happens
Poopy Loopy Poop Ship
Pooper Scooper The Dung Boat
Pump the Crap Could Be A Stinker
The Brownie The Poop Sloop
The Dung Collector Sucker
Stinker Big Load
Guey Gooey
Johhny Harbor Honey
THE COMMUNITY CENTER ANNOUNCES:
THE FIRST (MAYBE ANNUAL) TAG SALE
SATURDAY, JUNE 30TH 12:00 – 4:00
(RAINDATE SATURDAY, JULY 7th)
WHERE? THE FIELD ACROSS FROM THE BALL DIAMOND
This is your chance! Get rid of all clutter in your life and make money doing it!
Clean out your attic and basement, grab all the junk in your garage and bring it along to sell.
You may either: Rent space from us @$25.00 a “Block” and up. You do your own selling and keep the proceeds.
Not here on the 30th? Or not interested in doing your own selling? Bring your stuff along to a drop-off point the week before,
clearly price-tagged and we will sell your goods for you. The proceeds will go to the Community Center Endowment Fund,
and you will receive a tax deduction!
Vendor spaces MUST be pre-reserved!
FOOD FOR SALE TOO!
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE
CONTACT SARA McLEAN 788.7650
N A M E T H A T B O A T , C O N T I N U E D
One of the great things about Fishers Island is the way we do Holidays. IPP takes the cake on this with all their fun activities and the Easter Egg hunt is a spe-cial one. They dye like, thousands of eggs, literally THOUSANDS and “hide” them all over the Village Green. These are real eggs, I know because I have eaten them thanks to the generosity of one egg hunter a couple years ago. They are great for hunting and eating!
This year the hunt was a good day, a little cool, but fun all the same. There were eggs for
everyone and an egg toss too. Here are some photos submitted by Molly Burr for your viewing pleas-ure! I am glad she took these, as my new son was a little too small this year, but next year we will be out there with the best of them!
The kids love this event and if their families like egg salad as much as some of us do, they are pretty happy with the egg hunt too! I had a conversation with Bob Wall once and he recalled doing the egg hunt
when he was a kid, I for one, look forward to getting hunting some eggs next year and for years to come. Thanks to IPP for keeping this fun tradition going! -Mere
I P P E A S T E R E G G H U N T , C H I L L Y A N D E G G - T A S T I C !
Page 6 T H E F O G H O R N
P L A Y M A T E S O F T H E M O N T H
Gus Kinsolving’s daughter, Isabelle, as many of you know, is campaigning to represent the U.S.A. in sailing in the 470's in the 2008 Olympics in China. She went to the 2004 Olympics in Athens and place 5th with her former teammate. Now she has a new skipper, they've only sailed together since last year, and have only recently left their jobs to compete and practice full time. Coming in 3rd out of 68 boats is amazing. The Olympic trials are in Oct. of this year and only the top female team will go in the 470's. It will be an interesting story to follow. Isabelle sends out updates to a mailing list she has been growing and the Fog Horn will be keeping up with her and giving monthly updates to follow her progress! Our thanks to Sharon Patterson for keeping us updated thus far!
For complete scores, please visit the regatta website: http://hyeres.ffvoile.net/results/470w.htm
Their website has lots of good info also, so check it out: www.470TeamUSA.com
And to contact Isabelle or her teammate, you can write them at: [email protected] [email protected]
Page 7 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3
<—- Sydney came to live with Wayne, Jamie, Amber and Lydia Doucette a few months ago and has been a welcomed arrival. She is from the fame breeder as Bacus, last issue’s playmate and they are good friends even now and have
surely comforted each other since there move form their birth home. Pictured on the right is Cloe and her new sister Sydney playing the good girl for their Mom, Jamie.
This is Stream! —-> She is the new sister of Brook, one of our original Playmates. Brook lives with
Mike and Judy Imbriglio and she has been an only child for a couple years. She welcomes Stream, who is younger and ready to play all the time, but admits that Stream makes her feel a little old. As even the very active Brook must work to keep up with this young pup! Judi likes the
“Benji” look that Stream sports and Mike surly will enjoy teaching the new one to ride in his van!
I S A B E L L E K I N S O L V I N G , S A I L I N G T O W A R D S T H E O L Y M P I C S A G A I N !
Call to Order –John Spofford
John welcomed everyone and Mere took roll call. John asked to add an Utilco update at the beginning. He said that the ICB Memorial Day meeting will be at the School on the 26th at 4:00pm and that he will try to get the Conservancy to change their time slot. He quickly reported that the Community Center is moving along well and the Town Planning Board is approving the plans on Mon-day and the ICC is still working to get the rest of the $, they have 3.1 Million already. They should start demo at 98 in 2-3 weeks. He also mentioned that the report Mere and Nate Gray wrote for the Island Institute about the Fishers Island fellowship had been pub-lished and is available at the Museum, Island Office and Library. [Also Available online on the Island Institute website or by going to http://www.islandinstitute.org/story.asp?id=71 ]
Utility Co. Update:
Bill Ridgeway reported that they have polls sending sig-nals to Groton and everything is going well at the four spots they are testing at. We should have wireless internet by the summer on the Island with little antenna place at your house you will get from the Utilco.
Ferry Update:
Chippy started by reading a statement that the FIFD had prepared for release.
He said they did not use this because the Day printed an article about this before they could get this out or respond and they see no need to issue it now.
- The Fishers Island Ferry District has settled a case filed by the U.S Attorney for Connecticut against the M/V Race Point and M/V Munnatawket under the Rivers and Harbors Act. The case was settled without a trial of the allegations of the complaint, and the parties have avoided the need to litigate the disputed claims.
- The complaint alleged that between 2000 and 2004, sewage releases occurred from ferries operating between New London and Fishers Island.
- The settlement includes payment of a civil penalty and interest totaling two-hundred thousand dollars.
- Since 2004, the Ferry District has documented each shipment of sewage from its vessels to sewage treatment plants. Since 2005, all sewage from the ferries has been directed to the landside sewer sys-tem connection at the ferry terminal in New London.
- The Ferry District has taken measures to ensure that ferry operations comply with environmental laws, including the use of it environmental management plan addressing various aspects of ferry operations.
- There will be no interruption or modifications of normal vessel operating schedules.
- No admission of wrongdoing or violations of laws were made in settlement of the case. Nevertheless, The Ferry District publicly renews its commitment to its passengers and the community to ensure the protection of the environmental quality in its operations.
FIFD will pay $50,000 per year for 4 years. This fine was negotiated down by the FIFD with the court from a $500,000 fine; this fine will end the case and the investigation. He explained that the recent tax increase was to pay for a FIFD oversight in identifying a short-term, $1.5 mil-lion bond from the NL terminal project. This was a short term bond out of the $4.5 million bond. The increase was to pay off this short-term debt at a lower rate than transferring it to long-term debt. This tax will hopefully be reduced as we get that paid off. On the new ticketing system, it is run-ning OK. Leaving is easier now and we are still working on it. Year-rounder’s still are going at ½ price. We spend $250,000/year sending them at ½ prices.
Q: Can you give an explanation of what went wrong to the FI people?
A: The Valves were left open, it had always been done, and we were unaware of it. Mark Easter was responsible for this and he went to jail for it. We wish he hadn’t done it. Now there are no connections from the discharge valves to the holding tanks anymore at all, it is removed differently at the terminal in NL.
Q: Is there any public apology issued to those affected?
A: To my knowledge there has been no effect. We had an expert come out and he said that with the most sophisticated instruments on the east coast he could not have detected this dumping. Mark Easter apologized to the commissioners at a meeting.
I C B A P R I L M I N U T E S
Page 8 T H E F O G H O R N
Fishers Island Development Corpora-tion
Kathy Parsons
Fishers Island Ferry District Chippy duPont
Fishers Island Fire District
Fishers Island School Board Karla Heath
Fishers Island Utility Company John Spofford –representing
Island Health Project Susie Ferguson
Waste Management Mike Imbriglio
Walsh Park Benevolent Association Frank Burr
Seasonal Representative Tom O’Neil
Seasonal Representative Bill Ridgway
Seasonal Representative
Year-round Representative Patty Faulkner
Year-round Representative Judi Imbriglio
Year-round Representative John Spofford
Comment: I recommend that FIFD take an ad out in the Day to apologize.
A: there was no effect.
Comment: A lot of lobstermen would disagree with you.
A: All I can say is that it has been corrected.
Comment: That is not apologizing.
A: That is not apologizing.
Q: Why would an experienced captain do this?
A: I don’t know, it happens a lot.
Q: Was there not a budget item for septic pump out?
A: We pay bills, not investigate budget. We don’t look closely at each bill that comes in and this issue was never on out radar screen. It should have been, it is now.
Q: didn’t the new building plans have a place for disposal?
A: Sure, that should have put this issue on our radar screen, but it didn’t. We had other distractions, like funding the project and we all have regular ‘real’ jobs and other things we do. We rely on the captain and managers for these details.
Q: Will the winter ferries have fresh water running in the bathrooms?
A: They should be now.
Comment: It is routinely off.
A: As far as I know it is on all the time unless it freezes, it will do that. It is not a routine policy to have the water off; the ferries are drained down every night and fired back up in the AM.
Q: With all the new people working on the boats, why don’t they have name tags/badges? Homeland security doesn’t require that?
A: All employees go through background checks. We tried giving them all uniforms with their names on them, but they get covered up by coats in the winter and with turnover, it is a waste to put names on the uniforms. We haven’t’ gotten to the stage of badges yet.
Q: You have lost three captains in the last year, are you hiring new people?
A: We are training and hiring now, we just got a new captain.
Q: Reservations online? Can you buy just a reservation and have a book of tickets in the car and be able to just pull up?
A: Not now, we may get there, but now you have to go into the office and get your ticket (trade your reservation for a ticket) for boarding. We are working on commuter books too this way. Adjustments will be made to this system as we go along.
Q: How do we know what lane to go to?
A: There should be someone there to tell you, now that person comes on at 7am. Eventually, we hope to have a sign, but it is hard because of the positioning of the two different boats and how we need you to line up for each one differently.
Q: How do you get a reservation for times when you don’t know what boat you come over on, but want a reservation for a certain time to leave? -Online
A: This should be fixed now on the website where you can buy a reservation just to leave FI.
Q: What do we do with old tickets?
A: Take them to Tom and Nina to swap them. Also, when you buy a book of tickets, the cover will be ripped off for our inventory.
Q: Will you consider a “family ID card” for year-rounders with kids who can’t keep up with their cards very well.
A: I don’t know
Comment: It seems to me that only year-round people are getting scanned when boarding. I rode all week and only saw them scan year-round folks.
A: It should be random, we don’t have to scan everyone, and they just pick a few.
Q: Who is operations manager?
A: Steve is Marine manager, although he is not at Mark’s salary as he is not as senior, Mark Easter is administrative and Tom Doherty if the office manager.
Q: Why does Mark still have a job?
A: He does not have his old job; he is now Chief Purser at half his former salary. He does get overtime for administrative work he does. He did this kind of work before the case and is the most qualified. We are working on a new position description for administration and we will advertise and hire. So far we have needed him because we could not do without him at the time.
Page 9 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3
Q: Is there a budget we can see with a breakdown of budget and expenses, as tax payers?
A: We go though it, charters are stuffed into regular operations and we have all the numbers. Tom has the numbers at the office.
Q: Can we get a copy and what are the legal fees for now?
A: We have budgeted for $75,000 and yes, you can come get a copy of the budget from Tom at the office.
Q: Where do you go for help on the boat now and after it docks, have you noticed the deliberators are locked up in the pursuers’ office on the boat?
A: The deliberators will be moved and there are crew members all around, so look for them.
Q: Are the crew trained in first aid? A: Yes
Q: Was the fine for the dumping covered by any insurance?
A: No, fines are not covered, it is a federal fine.
Q: How will you pay the fines?
A: The fine is a separate issue from the tax increase. The $200,000 will be paid as $50,000/year for the next 4 years by the ferry district. Taxes and fares pay for the bond issue. We try to balance taxes and fares.
Q: Total financial damage to the FIFD?
A: I have not totaled that up, shouldn’t say for sure. I will have that information at the May meeting.
Q: Was the tax increase 40 %?
A: Yes, and that was it.
Q: Do you have an unusually high turnover rate with crew on the ferries?
A: No, not unusual. They move on sometimes.
Q: Is the NL project done? Budget?
A: The construction cost came in under budget and the inspections, over. The total is on budget; we are done building and not done pay-ing yet. The CT D.O.T. owes us our reimbursable funds and we ended up getting 6 Million from the federal government. 80% of the costs were covered by grants and such.
Q: Why don’t you feel you should release that press release and/or an apology to the FI taxpayers? And is this case over?
A: It is not completely over until the judge signs off on it for good, this closes the matter. Our first check for the fine was dated March 1st, 2007. We didn’t have a chance to comment to the NL Day before they printed their article.
Q: Would you attitude about an apology change after the judge signs of on everything? Might you consider more public communications then?
A: We will discuss this at a meeting and talk to the lawyers. I know this is hard to hear, you may consider running for commissioner if you like and you can apologize. We do get pounded on a lot and I understand your position, but we too are in a very difficult position.
Paul Giles: We have to do what our lawyers tell us to do and this is ultimately what is best for the FIFD and the taxpayers here. When and if we are told we can release a statement we will. We want to when we can, but for now we have to do as we are instructed. We would love to be able to do more, but we are working for the tax district ultimately, you must understand that.
Q: What would you have spent on pump-out if you had done it properly?
A: About $25,000 for the four years. Now, our costs are $0 because we are tied into the NL sewer system. This construction cost money, but there is no monthly charge.
George Esser: We do owe recognition of regret to the community, but this all came out of the blue. The bills are very irregular and I agree we should issue a statement/apology and we will when we can. We are willing to let the larger community know that we are willing to make repara-tions and will when we can.
Q: Will Mark come talk to us at a meeting?
A: Maybe, he has been at FIFD public meetings.
Q: Could the ICB take out an ad in the NL Day and apologize for this mess?
A: Would they want to? It is not the best idea to spread the responsibility.
Comment: The dumping has not helped my lobster business, people question the quality of my lobsters now, and there is a perception that they are “bad” lobsters. You don’t think that is reason enough to apologize?
Response: There are plenty of CT lobstermen who would beg to differ.
Comment: I am just saying that is has hurt my lobster business.
Response: I am sorry your business is lousy, do a better job.
John Spofford interjected to say that we need to get at this better, in a more positive way. By June 15th this should be ended, that would be a good goal. When all the legal end is final, we need to look at this one last time and put an end to the discussions.
Page 10 T H E F O G H O R N
Littering Signs/problem discussion: John mentioned that there has been an offer by the town to post signs about littering near the ferry. There has been some concern about the littering on FI that seems to continue unpunished or controlled. It was discussed that this should be dealt with without turning FI into a police state with too many signs and regulations posted. The topic of ‘Island Clean-up’ came up and it was discussed that the ICB should be doing it, as the FICA did in the past. That was a fun and successful event. The ball was dropped on that and should be picked up again.
School Update: Karla Heath reported that The Tremaine Foundation has granted the $ for the Schools Attuned Program and it will start on May 29, with a week in June (26th-29). There will be a public presentation with program developer on 26th of July. CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) has partnered with the school, naming them a ‘showcase school’. They will receive training by 2 professionals on software for student reading development. She said the play will be on May 18th &19th and they are doing “The Ugly Duckling” and act 2 of “The Importance of Ernest”. There are 14 students acting and 16 involved otherwise. The school is looking for a new math teacher because sadly, Dave Denison is retiring. They have a committee recommending one teacher out of 5 interviewed and 8 applications. This person is considering moving to FI. Karla also thanked Barry Bannister for treating Dan Gillan and 3 members of the golf team to a trip to GA to see practice sessions for the Masters Tournament. They were flown down Monday and returned Wednesday. They had a great time! Mr. Bannister said he was very proud to be an Alumni of such a wonder-ful and special school and that all Alums should do what they can for the school and the students.
IHP Report: Susie Ferguson reported that the new office is coming long great and is only a little behind; it should be operational by Memorial Day. They still need the CO from Southold and the town planning people just toured the building and made a few suggestions. The interior is coming along well, they ended up having to put some additional sprinklers systems in the attic which we had not planned on, so that slowed them down a bit. Dr. Frank seems well and happy. She joined the Fire Dept. and her office has been busy this winter. The Sea Stretcher runs are down a bit and this is likely because she can handle a lot more calls here because of her skills. Her school concerns seem to progressing and moving forward.
Q: What are the plans for the existing Dr. Office?
A: We are still working on that, I can not comment now, there should be a conclusion very soon we will announce.
Comment: The building is lovely and a very nice addition to the Island!
A: Thanks you, the credit goes to Allie Raridon and her abilities. She turned a prefab into something very special. Also, BD and Race Rock have done wonderful work.
FIDCO Question & Answers: Kathy Parsons called for any questions concerning the new policies and stickers for the East End.
Q: Could you go over the new rules?
A: We are asking you to remove all your old stickers if you can. It is confusing for the attendants at the gate. They should be in the upper right hand corner of your windshield, not on bumper. They are not to be removed until nest year. I apologize for what seems like a lot of rules; it is just that we have so many people breaking them. We are trying to make it safer up there for everyone.
Q: Road repaving?
A: We are hoping for 08. For now, we are looking into areas the need the most help and will be doing prep work to ready for 08.
Q: Would you consider one gratis sticker for each property owner on east end?
A: We are certainly discussing this and will continue to do so.
Q: How do we take care of FI with the changing dynamics? This is an ongoing issue and ties into everything.
Comment: I think sense of community should come from within and does not need to be enforced with lots of signs and rules. We need to stay away from a police state. The beach fires are a good example. Are we not allowed to have them now?
A: We ask you to notify the State Police as a safeguard to prevent false 911 calls from being phoned in. We need to stay on top of this because call can be made from FI and the mainland. If they know it is a recreational fire then they don’t have to waste man power going to check on it.
Q: EVERYONE has to call, even if it is a small cooking fire?
A: We would like this. You will not get ticketed, we just want you to notify for safety’s sake.
Comment: There is still no permit to have fires. That doesn’t exist.
Comment: We shouldn’t have to call for small fires.
A: It is a safety issue. This has happen in the past and we have a volunteer Fire Dept, we want to help and save time and man power.
Other: The littering issues.
Comment: We are having a summer population explosion; people need to learn how to be a good citizen because a few can wreck it for the rest of us.
Pastor Baue: I know a good way!
Q: Would anyone read an article about the rules and how to follow them?
Comment: Probably not, we need creative ideas.
Q: Can’t the employers of workers be responsible for their littering?
A: The ICB needs to have a talk or meeting with the island contractors to discuss this. And Island Clean up in May needs to be reinstated.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 with a motion to adjourn by John Spofford and seconded by Karla Heath.
Minutes submitted by, Meredith Doyen, Secretary
Page 11 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3
P.O. Box 464
Fishers Island, New York
06390
Phone: 631-788-7990
Fax: 631-788-7990
Email: [email protected]
Operation Hours Beach Plum: W-Sat. 10am-1pm, 3pm-5pm. Sun. 10am-1pm
Compost Facility: M-F 7:30am-12:00pm, 12:30pm-4:30pm
Sat. 8:00am-12:00pm
Doctor’s Office: M– Sat. 9am-12pm &
M-Thurs. 5:00pm-6:00pm.
Ferry Reservations: M-Thurs. 9am-1pm, Fri 9-1:00&3-5:00,
Sat. 9-1:00, Sun. 9-12:00
Ferry Freight Office: M-F 7:30am-4:00pm, Sat. open @ boat times
online at fiferry.com
F.I. Bowling Sat. 6:30pm-9:30pm
F.I. Museum Tues –Fri. 10am-12:30pm & 2pm-4pm
Sat. 10am-12:30pm and Sun 11am-12 noon
Nature walks: meet Thurs. 2pm @ Museum
Call for appointments 631-788-7239
online at fergusonmuseum.org
F.I. Library: M, Tues, Thurs, F 9:00am-12 noon, 1:30– 5pm
Wed. & Sat. 9am-12pm
F.I. Utility Co. M-F 8am-5:30pm, Sat 9am-12 noon
Hair of the Dog: M-F 3pm-5pm,
Sat. 10am-12pm, 3pm-5pm.
Island Hardware: M-F 8am-3:45pm, Sat. 8am-2:00pm
Island Mobil: M-F 8am-4:30pm, Sat/Sun. 8am-12:00pm
Our Lady of Grace: Tues -Fri-7am S/S-6pm. Sun Mass 10:00am
Confession: 30 min before masses & on request
Peepfrogs: M-F 9am—12 noon
Pequot: M-F 5pm-close, Sat-Sun 12:00 noon– close
Pickett Fence: Tue-Sat
Pirates Cove: M-Sat 8am-4:30pm
Post Office: M-F 8am-5pm, Sat. 8am-1pm
window hours: M-F 8am-1pm, 2:15pm-5pm
Sat. 8am-11:15am
Saint John’s Sunday: Holy Eucharist 8:00am
10:00am on 1st and 3rd Sundays –childcare provided
Texaco: M-F 8:00am –4:15pm
Tidal Wave: Call for appointments 7678
Transfer Station: M, Tues, Thurs, Fri 7:30am-12:30pm, 1:30-4:30pm
Sat. 7:30am-11:30am, Sun. 10am-1pm
Closed Wednesdays
Village Market: M-F. 7:30am-1pm, 3:00pm-5:00pm Sat. 8:00am-1:00pm, 3-5pm Sun. 8:30am-1pm
Union Chapel: Sun 10am Worship and Sunday School.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Call C.J. Finan for information
788-7412
THREE CHURCH PICNIC
JULY 8TH
BALL FIELD BEGINNING AT 5:30 PM
IN CASE OF RAIN PINIC MOVES TO U. CHAPEL
EVERYONE WELCOME!!
Are you looking for a summer tutor?
I am available to tutor children at the elementary level in both Language Arts and Math. Please con-tact Meg Atkin at [email protected]
Mako 221 Center Console
22' Mako center console (2001 hull) with an 8' beam, approximately 2600 lbs.
2001 Evinrude Ficht Ram 225 hp (~ 210 hours) *Internal 120 gallon tank w/separate oil
*Live bait well and raw water wash-down *Red, low draw LED lighting
*Trim Tabs *Battery Parallel Switch
*Raymarine VHF *Raymarine combo GPS w/ color chart-plotter and
digital depth sounder *Fire extinguisher, flare kit and dock lines (new in
'05) *10# Danforth Anchor
*2001 Venture dual axel aluminum roller trailer *Located at Groton Long Point, CT
*Asking $29,900 or best reasonable offer
*Phone: 860.235.0886
LOBSTERS: 788-7645
T H E I S L A N D O F F I C E A N D I S L A N D C O M M U N I T Y B O A R D
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONTACT INFORMATION
FOR LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES:
FROM A LAND LINE: DIAL 911 (and be prepared to give the name of the OWNER of the house from which you are calling) FROM A CELL PHONE: DIAL (631) 765-2600 (and describe your location with landmarks)
TO CONTACT THE DOCTOR FOR URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION:
DURING OFFICE HOURS: DIAL 788-7244
OUT OF OFFICE HOURS: (Dr. Frank’s Cell Phone) FROM A LAND LINE: Dial 1-942-9647 FROM A CELL PHONE: DIAL (631) 942-9647
IHP Notice
Doctor’s appointments begin with an insurance card and end with a co-pay. No question. It’s automatic. Unfortunately, that is not always the case on Fishers Island,
and it is causing a huge headache for the Island Health Project (IHP).
The IHP Board is urgently trying to convince people that, when it comes to paying for healthcare, Fishers Island is no different from the mainland. Last summer was especially busy with approximately 275 encounters (office visits,
RX refills and consultations) in July and about 348 in August.
Knowing that people rarely carry credit cards and money on the Island, IHP has prepared the following notice as a reminder that the doctor’s office exists in the real world of HMOs and managed care, even on Fishers Island.
Island Health Project (IHP) Notice to the Entire Fishers Island Community: Year-round, Summer, Weekend and Visiting Guests!!!
Please bring your wallet when you come to the doctor’s office!! Sound Medical Associates, which handles billing for IHP, requires a co-pay and proof of insurance at the time of each visit. Cash, check or credit cards are accepted.
You would never think of going to a doctor’s office on the mainland without an insurance card and money in a wallet or purse. Sound Medical has the same requirements.
If patients see the Island doctor and have no insurance card, money or credit cards, we later have to track down the patients for the necessary information and send out countless bills. Please help us by arriving at the doctor’s office with your insurance card and payment or co-payment, just as you would when not on Fishers Island.
Finally, it is important to remember that treating children under the age of 18 carries a host of insurance challenges that can be met with advance planning:
1. Minor children cannot be treated unless accompanied by an adult.
2. If parents leave their children in the care of a babysitter while off-Island, they must leave written permission for the child to be treated for emergency or routine medical care.
3. Parents or caregivers must arrive with payment and a copy of the parents’ insurance card.
4. Parents or caregivers must arrive with the birth date and social security number of the cardholder. This also holds true for college age students covered under the parents’ policy.
