HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing
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Number 01 pages Including Ihls one:
If trouble with transmission contact (516)- '188-700t.
FISHERS ISL.AND UTILITY COMPANY, INC.
FI!=.H6~$ I~AND
NEW YORK 08390
A~cA coot: 61a/7e~-7P-51
Thomas P. DllhtJ1Y. Jr
PI'C'"idl::n1
July 15, 1993
Ms. Valerie Scopaz
SouthOld Town Planner
Town Hall
Southold, New York 11971
Dear Valerie,
Enclosed ploage find a section of a report that the Board of Directors sent out at IIle beginning
of the project. I tJllr,k that this will probably give you and the Board a protty good overview of
Walsh Park. As a note 01 update, yOIJ should know that we currently have SIX families living on
site, another should be moving in \'Iitnln the month. The five remaining families have been
choson and are proceeding through the finMcial hurdles. We, the Board of Directors, would
hope to placo a fow families in IhlS fall, with the remaining families moving in the spring of
1994. Incorno levels used to qualify for the homes are based on Affordable Housing standards,
which I believe are set by the State. Homes are mortgaged by the hOmoowner in compliance with
the Ginnae Mae funding program, In conjunction with the Fleet Mortgage Company located in
Westbury. All of the Walsh Park homes have been furnished by Connecticut Valley liomes, of
East Lymo, Conn. We have been veiy pleased with the quality and workmanship of these homes,
Should you or tile Board have any further questions, or requira any additional 111formation,
please leel free to contact me at any time. We are all very proud of Walsh Park and would be
happy to diSCUSS it.
The UtilitY Company only subdivided the property. At thiS point we have not placed any
homos on the silO.
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INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
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The Walsh Park Be~e'olent Corporatlo~ ("WPBC") was formed In 1987 10 address the
problem of the sharply dedlnlng year-round population on Fi>hers Island. The
fu~damental premise which IlTompted Ihe WPBC's formation is lhat one or the Important
ca~ses of the dedlnlng year-round population is the decreasing a,ailability or housing
whIch Is affordable by moderat.-Income families.
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This housloll shortage has been caused by a sharp and conti~ulng incr.... In the d.mand
for and the price of r.sidentlal housi~g, fueled by the Increasing SUMmer l'opulaOon. II
Is because or Ihls demand lI.al many long-time mOdtrale-lncome, p.rrnanenl residencs of
the Island han sold their proporUe. a~d mo"ed off the Island. As a result, ihe Island is
becoming more of a slimmer settlement and is loslnll lis abllily to maintain Ihe basic
facilities and senlces of a community.
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The year-round population has declined from ~08, In 1960, 10 285 loday. l'his
diminishing permanent population Is a serlous Ihrut to Ihe operation of Ihe Fishers
Island School District, an inlegral and ,ltal pari of Ihe community. The Fishers Island
School, constructed In 1972, h designed for an enrolhnenl of 135 sludellls, Since 1972,
enrollment In preschool ihrouo:h twelfth grade has dropp.d from 111 siudcl1l$ 1047
students.
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To address the housing problelD WPBC, with flnanclal SIIPPO'" frolll the Sanger Fund,
purehased a 24-acre parrel of land on North IIlI1 from Annctte Walsh. Approximately
25% of that land will be used for housing sites for year-round Island resldenl$. The
balance will he left In its "atllral slate. WPBC has sOllghl to develop a plan for the
property w"ieh meets Ihese houdn!; obJeclhes and also mects the requirem"nl$ of the
current residents of North Hill.
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Thls booklet contains informatllln releulnt to Ihe WPBC project. Tab II presents Ihe
proposed slle phn. This plan was de.eloped by the the Boslon office of Th,: SWA ~roup,
a prominent planning and design firm, Tab 111 pro.ldes piC lures aod spedflcatlons of
two proposed house d.sians. Tab IV presents backsround Information on the rationale
tor 1_~~~,lllldl.~~ sll,~s t.o Walsh Park homeowners. It also eonlalns a memorandum
W'IiTC'li"Set$ Ollt the sum'm;ry"'i'erllls"and provisions of the ground lrase. Tab V describes
Ihe appllcatloll process.
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WPBC needs apprOl<lmately $300,000 of additional funding in order to de.elop Ihe
building sites shown on the site plan. Tab VI documenls this need and sets out our
current fund raisins objecthes. It also presents the estimated COSlS to be borne by a
typical homeowner.
WPBC's has recehed kecognlllon of Exemption IIndor Sertion 501(.)(3) of th. Internal
Revenue Code. Therelore, conlrlblltlons will be tax deducllble. ParIs of lhe application
and the approval lellers are allaclled under Tab VII.
Many peopl~ h.ne already pro\'lded "n..ndal support 10 WPBC throu~h lhe Sanger Fllnd.
Their names are shown under Tab VIII. We hope lhal sClcral of lhou' people wlll
consider additional contrlbutlons and that others 11'11I choose to participate.
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PROPOSED SITE PLAN
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This section llresenlS a proposed subdhislun plan for the W~lsh Park
Pro)Ht. The plliln was dneloped by the \loslon office of The SWA Group, a
prominent design and plan~ing flrOl. Se.eral points ate o( notl"
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I. There will be 10-12 single (amily houses on one acre 101S.
Building wlli be reslrlcted to half of each lot Ihrough
conservalion easemenls.
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2. Through reUrlclions on lot sizes and Ihe use of conscrvation
easements, approximately 75% of the land will be preser.ed
In Its natural stale. Particular care will be used to safeguard
Ihe wellands and the osprey neSI.
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3. All houses are confln~d 10 10 lhe flat Mea on the south
side o( Norlh Hili.
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4. The h"uses are sel back and are shielded by plautlug from
Crescenl and Fo" A.enuu. Considerable sa,ings could ha..
bun realized If Ihe lots abbulled these annue. and were
entered fr(.m Ihem. Howenr, II was (ell lhal such an ~pprouh
would materla!!)' delroct from Ihe quality and appearance
of I he project.
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5. There Is no !,lcnlc area or olher "park-type" de.clopmclll
of any kind on the undneloped portion of Ihe property.
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6. hery effort will be made through lot placcmenl and
naturalized landscaph:g 10 preserve lh. .xlsting character
of the pre ~erly.
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FORM OF OWNERSHIP
In determining Ihe form of ownership of the Walsh Park hOUSH, Wl'lIe's
primary objective Is 10 ellsure Ihal Ihe houses remallla.allable 10 moderote Income
families for the foreseeable fulure. This would best be achle.ed by ha,inll WPBe
build the houses and lease Ihem to Ibe occupanls. Howner, It was fell thai home
ownership would result In a !Ignitieantly less Iranslenl group of Occupants and
would promote a far gr.aier sense of community. Therefore, WPRC asked
PalletsoR Belknap, the law firm In New York ad'lslne WPBC, to del ermine which
form of ownership would best sull WPBe's obJectl.e.
A summary of their memorandum, recommendlne long-Cerm llroulld leasing,
follows. Also Inclulled h II list of Ihe major lerms and protislons of Ihe llHlund
lease.
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MEMORANDUM
(Summary)
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TO:
Walsh Park Bene.olent Corporation
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FROM:
John E. Schllleltur. III
(Partner - Patter<on, Belknap, Webb and Tyler)
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DATE:
Augu~t 5, 1988
SUIJ.lECT:
DisDoslllon of PrODertv
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In order to achieve the primary purposes of the Walsh Park B"IlC>Olellt C,lrpora(lon
(hWPBC"), the encouu&ernenl lif home ownership by year-round Moderate..lncome
residents of Fishers Island and consenatlon of open land, we have cOllsldned ,'arlous
methods of makIng WPBC's land available and controlling the use thereof. The various
rnech(.ds considered included (I) outright sales with limitations on resale 1'3 moderate-
Income residents of Fishers Island, (II) sales Inwhlng mortgages which would Iimil the
use, occupancy and resale of the premises and (ill) long-term ground leasing.
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Sale. of building lots at substanllally below markec prices with deed resldc(lo". llmltlng
their resale or sales of such lots subject to mortgages containing restrictions ou use,
occupancy and resale would, ill onr Judgement, bc subject 10 attack by the new owners
on the RroulH!s that ~ud, restrictions would coMtllute improper r~straints 011 Ihelr rIghts
a.. OW".,s. SlIch ruli'alnls anu reslrirllolls are not favored by New York courts with Ihe
r~sllll that they may not be enforceable by WPBC.
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GIHn Ihese Concerns regardlne enforceablllty of restrictions on subsequenl dlspndtlons.
a possible result would be thai thh land now ded1cal~d 10 lIlod~rale-lllcome, full lime
residents of Flr,l!ers Islar.d would etentually 1101 be available 10 such Indhlduals.
Therefore. 11 Is recommended Ihat IOlle-term leasing of lhe land would more likely
assure the contlllulng achlHemeni of WPRCs purposes.
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MAJON TERMS OF GRQUND LEASE
I. Term:
2. Prernhes:
3. Rent:
4. Impro.eRlents:
5. PermllCed Mortgages:
6. Homeowners Association:
7. Sublerlina or Assignment:
35 years.
One acre lot, Including foundation, utilitie; aud seplic
systcm, subject to conscnancy easemen!.
$10 per annURl, plus real eSlate taxe.., insur"nce "nd
usessments (utilities to be billed directly to Lessee).
Lessee will purchase alld construct one-family residential
unit (Unit) on Premhes witbin a stipulated period of
tlm.. Unit may be one of two models of housing
a>allablc from Connecticut Vallcy Housing Corporation.
Approximate llntlclpated price range $70M to $901\1.
Lessee will be able to stlpulale a .arlety or Internal
finishes and conflguratlons. Le..... will also be
permitted to make addltlollal slruetural and non-
Hructural hnpro.emcnts upon written conSi~lll of WPBC.
All such Impro"ements will remain the property of
l.esse. subject to the pro' is Ions in "Disposition of
hnpro.emenlS" below.
Maximum amount of $90,000; to be held b)'
Instltutlonal lender or SONYMA only; mor.lgagin2
permitted only ror conslruction costs or with WPRe's
consent for olher purposes. Mortgages will eneumbsr
both ImprOl't"111cnts and '~l"~~{>e's leasehold !interest in
Premises. In addition. SQNYMA financing may .
require' enrumbuing WPBC's tille 10 the PI'emlses.
Mortgaees lIlust el'mlt WI' t s
rre L derau t. Morlgagee
must agere 10 use besl efforls 10 sell Premises
to WPRC-quallfled buyer upon foreclosure.
Lessee wll be required 10 be a lIIen,u""
and cOlllply with rules, of Hom.owners A..ocialioll
relatlllg 10 oUldoor aeth-llles, land, Impro."menls,
appearance and other mailers deemed apprO)'lrlale.
No subJelllng or assignment, eXNpl 10 WPHC-
qualified purchaser.
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8. Di~posltlon of Improvement: Upon expiration of Lease Or other terlnlnatlun
of Lease, Improvements will ~e:
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a) offered on a scaled bid ~asl. Ihrollgh WPIJC
to qualllled buyers on "t' ,.... wallill!: II... If Lusee
acce-pu one 01 ule SeAleo IHOSt wriSt shall have
the right 10 require aeceplanee lIf another bid
upon payment by WPBC of difference in bids:
b) _I' tH.t i<^IA IInll",,. (a) IIH:U'''' h.~ r'Ctht 'In find ...
a buytr whn ",^ul..l -"'..., UIDhC". .1....It(1I"..dA'JI~
c) If not sold under b WPDC has rI 0
ure ase al r ce" not more Ihan cost ("Contract
Pr a mprovemenls exc u ng sw- y")
:~~'fb~~::~~:~aci::!e ~o;s'-~~ t~~;:~W~;;~'~Q~
for t e .aslern Seaboard Stathtleal Area
oft. \1a~1'~J!'~ ;~'" ~",un R=
d) If not sold under (e), Lessee free 10 selil to
Jt~7 !'ir'-:;- SUbjeCt to ~/rlJL' rlgh. of~",;s' -
r .ms boom IIde offer rice. If sold Ui
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9. Second Mortgages:
Not permitted; except for $15,000 grallt from
NYS AUlIrdable House OWllership Proera.n lIr dmilar
prllgram, ",hlth Lessee will assnme.
10. Indemnification: IIl,urltnee:
Lessee to Indemnify WPBC frolll all claims, eXl'ellS~s
or other liabilities arIsing from "remises and
leasing thereof, olher Ihan those cqu~ed by
Wf'BC's gross nes;llgeoce and WPBC Incoml' taxes,
If any. Lessee will malntaht general liability
and homeowners Insurance naming WPBC as
addltlonallnsured III amounts satlor.clory
to mortgagee and WPBC.
II. Dea t h !If Lessee:
Leue tn conllnue for (I) spouse's life
or (Ii) children or other relalive who resldd In
Premhes for al lust three years prior to death,
provided child or relative meets wpac crlli1tla.
12. Restricted Use:
Vear.round j>r1mary residence.
The terms of the Ground LellSe wl!l G,uern. Any Incon~lslendes belw.,cn Ihe
foregoing IUld the Ground Lease will be resolved in favor of the Ground Least'.
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FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE BOARD (MAY 1993) PAGE 293
STATE NEW YORK -----------------A 0 ~ U S TED INCOME L I M I T S------------------
PROGRAM PERSON 2 PERSON 3 PERSON 4 PERSON 5 PERSON 6 PERSON 7 PERSON 8+PERSON
PMSA : Nassau-Suffolk, NY
FY 1993 MEDIAN FAMILY VERY LOW-INCOME 22100 25250 28400 31550 34050 36600 39100 41650
INCOME: 63100 60% LIMITS 26500 30300 34050 37850 40900 43900 46950 5??oo
LOW-INCOME 27800 31750 35750 39700 42900 48050 49250 52400
115" LIMITS 39950 45650 51350 57050 61850 66200 70750 75350
140% LIMITS 48850 55600 82550 89500 75050 80800 88150 91700
165" LIMITS 57300 65500 73700 81900 88450 95000 101550 108100
PMSA : New York, NY
F( 1993 MEDIAN FAMILY VERY LOW-INCOME 14800 18700 18750 20850 22500 24200 25850 27500
INCOME: 41700 80% LIMITS 17500 2??oo 22500 25000 27000 29000 31000 33050
LOW-INCOME 23350 26700 3??oo 33350 36050 38700 41350 44050
115" LIMITS 33550 38350 43150 47950 51800 55600 59450 63300
140% LIMITS 40850 46700 52550 58350 83050 67700 72350 77050
165" LIMITS 48150 55050 61900 88800 74300 79800 85300 90800.
COUNTY : Westchester. NY
FY 1993 MEDIAN FAMILY VERY LOW-INCOME 22900 28150 29450 32700 35300 37950 40550 43150
INCOME: 65400 80% LIMITS 27450 31400 35300 39250 42400 45500 48650 51800
LOW-INCOME 27800 31750 35750 39700 42900 46050 49250 52400
115" LIMITS 39950 45850 51350 57050 61850 88200 70750 75350
140% LIMITS 48850 55600 82550 89500 75050 80800 86150 91700
185" LIMITS 57300 65500 73700 81900 88450 95000 101550 108100
PMSA : Niagara Falls. NY
FY 1993 MEDIAN FAMILY VERY LOW-INCOME 13200 15100 16950 18850 20350 21850 23350 24900
INCOME: 37700 60% LIMITS 15850 18100 20350 22800 24450 28250 28050 29850
LOW-INCOME 21100 24150 27150 30150 32550 35000 37400 39800
115" LIMITS 30350 34650 39000 43350 46800 50250 53750 57200
140% LIMITS 36950 42200 47500 52750 57000 61200 65400 69650
165" LIMITS 43550 49750 55950 82200 67150 72150 77100 82100
PMSA : Orange County, NY
FY 1993 MEDIAN FAMILY VERY LOW-INCOME 17150 19600 22050 24500 26450 28400 30400 32350
INCOME: 49000 60% LIMITS 20800 23500 26450 29400 31750 34100 36450 38800
LOW-INCOME 27450 31350 35300 39200 42350 45450 48600 51750
115" LIMITS 39450 45100 50700 58350 80850 85350 89850 74400
140% LIMITS 48000 54900 61750 88800 74100 79800 85050 90550
165" LIMITS 56800 64700 72750 80850 87300 93800 100250 106700
MSA : poughkeepsie, NY
FY 1993 MEDIAN FAMILY VERY LOW-INCOME 19200 21900 24650 27400 29800 31800 34000 36150
INCOME: 54800 60% LIMITS 23000 26300 29600 32900 35500 38150 40750 43400
LOW-INCOME 27800 31750 35750 39700 42900 46050 49250 52400
115" LIMITS 39950 45850 51350 57050 81850 66200 70750 75350
140% LIMITS 48650 55800 62550 89500 75050 80800 86150 91700
165" LIMITS 57300 65500 73700 81900 88450 95000 101550 108100
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Flshen Island Gaz,", 3
Town Budget Plan
To Increase Taxes
By Mary Roberts
The budget blues are back. The
tentative 1991 budget for the Town of
Southold being proposed by Supervisor
Scott Harris shows a 14.6 % tax increase.
This increase comes even though
the size of the prqxlSfd budget, $12,982,000,
is only four percent over the 1990 budget
figure.
Town Supervisor Scott Harris termed
the proposed budget a "bare bones" one
with "the minimum amount we need tonm
tho; town and still provide needed serv-
ices. ..
HOur revenues are way down,"
explained Mr. Harris. "Wehavestateand
county cutbacks, mortgage taxes and as-
sessed valuations that are down, and we
have increased energy costs from Long
Island Lighting and gas prices. In addi-
tion, we are still making up for some of the
deficit left by the previous administra-
tion."
In an effort to keep costs down, the
ban on non-emergency overtime that the
supervisor put into effect when he took
office will remain in place. Nor does the
budget contain any salary increases for
elected or appointed officials. Mr. Harris's
salary will thus remain at $52,104 and
town boartd members will continue to
receive $19,203.
The budget has no provision for new
solid waste expenses. "We don't know
about desdlines yet from the DEC or the
State legislature, ., said Supervisor Harris.
"Any capital projects will be funded by a
bond issue. .,
Interest on bonds adds to budget
expenses, so it would appesr that sizeable
increases in Southold's tax rate will con-
tinue after 1991.
The budget still must be reviewed by
the Town Board, and submitted to a town
hearing. The town board can make altera-
tions to the budget proposed by the super-
visor before adopting a fmal 1991 budget.
The adoption of a budget is expected by
November 20.
TOIMl taxes make up about one quartec
of the tax bill for Fishers Island residents.
Frank Bu", presidenl ofme WaLth Part Benevolenl CorporaJion reads a proclamation honoring Mrs. Annelte
WaLth allM tied/calion ceremony for the affordable housing project.
Walsh Park Dedicated
The Walsh Park affordable housing
project was dedicated on August 25. About
50 persons attended the ceremony. Among
those making remarks at the ceremony
were Suffolk County Executive Patrick
Halpin, Walsh Park President Frank Burr,
and the donor of the land Annette Walsh.
Mr. Burr read a proclamation prais-
ing Henry and Annette Walsh for provid-
ing the land at below market value and
dedicating the affordable housing project
in their honor.
Mrs. Walsh said how proud her
deceased husband Henry would have been
to see the housing project become a real-
ity.
Four homes have alresdy been built
on the 12-lot site on North Hill. Two
applications for homes have alresdy been
approved and three others are currently
being considered in the second round of
building site allocations, said Walsh Park
administrator Tom Doherty. The newly
approved applicants are Tom Suedmeier,
an employee of the Island electric com-
pany, and his wife Carmen, a substitute
teacher at the F.r. school and a student at
the University of Rhode Island; and Frank
Gillen, a property caretaker, and his wife
Cindy, also a substitute teacher.
Mr. Doherty said he expects deci-
(photo credit: BiU Furse)
sions to be made on the other current ap-
plications sometime this fall with con-
struction of the additional homes to take
place shortly afterwards.
The Walsh Park project was com-
menced three years ago in an attempt to
provide housing for year-round families
priced out of the expensive Island housing
market.
The dedication ceremony was the
first visit by County Executive Halpin to
Fishers Island. The top elected official in
Suffolk County said he is very concerned
about affordable housing which prompted
his trip to the Island.
"I consider affordable housing one
of the most important priorities," Mr. Halpin
said. "It (Walsh Park) is an extraordinary
partnership between private public sec-
tors. It would not have happened without
the dedication of people on Fishers Is-
land."
Mr. Halpin also announced a resolu-
tion naming August 25 Walsh Park Day in
Suffolk County.
The first homes were erected this
past winter and they were occupied this
swmner. George Homing, owner of one of
the Walsh Park homes, also addressed the
gathering at the dedication ceremony.
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'~l'We~"a.~ - -_, to.. _ \ ,<.., >....~,... J" 'Monday.March 14,1994
" CO;\UU::-iITY
Kl'LLr.TI~
BOARD OUTSIDE
I'lSIIERS ISLAt\;""D'S
I'O'iTOl:l'ICl-:.
nn: ONI,y
OXE 1:" St:l-'~'OU~
(;ou:-\n
l\'lTHA
CONNt:CTICt'T
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FITNESS FILE: The over-the-eounter
cures for yeast infections,
TV: Steven Spielberg wasn't the first
filmmaker to tell Schindler's stOlj',
REALITY BITES: Twentysomethings
react to the Generation X movie,
~.....".!oJJ..~
SIGNS
nTI
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LIFE
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Wen
all the
sununer
, people
are away,
tranquility
blankets
Fishers
Island.
As one
year-round
. ~sident
put it,
'you've got
to have a
hobb,,'
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II.U...... "1"11: ...J ~41.'al." u.uu.....................a.&.I....-.......a...'
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BY JOHN McDONALD
STAFFWRInll
I
then you have to get by by 1llII'. There', nothing
much to do, you'", gut to have a hobby,"
Indeed, ni&btW'e ill limited 011 this 2.400-ac:re
ieJand, nine mils northeast orOr;ent Point in Long
Wand Sound and only two miles from New
London. But it', far from nonexistent. After the
Connecticut reeidenu. who maintain and fix up
the iBland', summet' houses leave on the 4:30 p.m.
ferry, the American Lt-gion bar opens. Patrons
have what they consider their own seatA, and card-
playin~ ill popular. Other iIlland activities include
Monday niRht ba:;ketball and Wednesday night
VOlleybaUllt the school gym and Tuesday night
training at the f,",house. There', a men's and a
women', bowling Imgue at a four-lime alley, and
bingo every other week at the Catholic Churcll.
Alcoholics Anonymous meets weekly - reportedly
the chapter has three member..
So it', not.. if nothing's happening. Thm:e'.
"The Top of the World," a cement water tank n"ed
into I hilltop thM rw>dentl climb for the G-rated.
graffit.i fl8 well ... the view. And on Wednesday you
can watch worken pack the petroleum jelly
ointment into tu~ at the Bnroleum factory.
Winter 18w the pIInach.. of 8ummer, when the
Ulland'. population bulgea to nevly 3.,000, including
. powln" numbeor or-.lthy homeowner.
_IUolC ",fuKe frucn thelOCiaJ PreMUres of the
Hamptnn.and N~, R.t. Admittt.'dly, for a
few. hfe.?~ the ieJand am be difficult in the off-
8eMOn. I ve kno...n It to ruin marn~ and
I
and millionaire Dick Grebe.
Like the other customers, Grebe had poured his
0'WIl coffee. And as befitted an expert 00 the liubject.
he waa checking lottery numbers in a copy of the
New London Day. Not that his $10.7-million Yrin in
the Connecticut lottery on May 17, 1992, has
changed hilllife8tyle. "I stilllish in the summer," he
Mid. "ThiH time of year I like the penc:e and quiet.
I can't remember the last time I WIIS on the
mainland, two or three weeks ago. I get in troUble
over there."
Grebe estimatell that it will take him ISO yean
to "pend the money he won, but he It ill plowssnuw
from drivt'WnJll, lixea heavy equipment and ~
his job es con~table lIS seriously all one can dunng
winter on Fishel'll Island. He estimates he won't
write out his next WIDmons until April.
"He has 1.0 make sure there isn't too much dust
on hi" bullet," Grebe'. pal Aaron Rice said. In
summer, twu New York state troopers are
ll8IIigncd full-time to Suffolk County's farthest.fiung
outpost, bul in the winter, Grebe and one other
constable enfon:e the law. Even then, the biggest
problem is splleding.
Grebe's other work is easier, too. After winninR:
the lottery, hewWlabletohireRieeuhishelpt"rtn
theodd-jobhu~ineol8.Rice,...p-f~h....d,
moved to the island and slept In hi. car for &eW'~
month. until he I(Ot a pIa.... of hi. (l'Afn. He Aid It
WaB worth it bCCllI.lllethe r15hingl8aoji(OOd. "It's only
a a1uple of":'onthB when thl:!f'e ian't good fishing,
~
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HE FISHNETS
and lobster buoys on
the wall of the
Island Gailey looked
like they were just
pullecloutofthe
water. While the
four tables in the
Galley-the only
eat-in restaurant
open on Fishenr.
bland during the
Yrinter-are
rarelyused.lhelive
eounterse.lltsure
never empty.
Itwas9a_m.,
andChickUlIlluire,
the GaUey'. o'/mer, waa.t the pier picking up
milk and eggs from the ferry from New London,
Conn. _ the chopped meat for lunch would rome
on a lu.t.er tun. On an island where crime prevention
mDltly oo.na.iIu of Jlf'RUading teflidents not to
lea" their .grutlOn keya in parked ClU1I, trust i.I
umve':l'8I, and I)..Uaire had no problem lpaving hia
plaoemtheCllpablehand.ofhiacustomcnr..whotrn.
day mcluded town ronstable, udd-job h.ndyman
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You IIIvt to liklI peate and quiet - and beach views like tlII
OlIeDfRace Roc\ IIglltllouse at lelt-to a1l:pI'Iciatl Fisllen
Island,9milnaffOtlantP9inl.lnsatpholos.lnlmlert:lslallCl
GaUq, a lavorite hangout and soil eal-in talery open in
wilIIer, Susan and Scudder Sinclair, whose m.lI petroleura-
jlllytaclory Is about asJastl! commeretgels: Dr.Dayu
Moblalollllhis Ionelvs1inlvisilinglromManhatlan10 staft
tlIe Island Health Prolecl. and Susan Sinclair on I stroll OIl
lIlewater-lankhill whete kicls express Ihemselves in gralliti..
cause alcoholism," BBys Ann Banks, who runs the
library. "If you don't want to be here, it's a tough
place to be." But for mOBt of the 280 year- -
rounden, the cold season hWl ita own pace and charm
on this wooded island that is legally part of
Suffolk County but has primarily interacted with
Connecticut for three centuries. It's a place where
there are no banks or even ATM machines, and it is
impossible to drive for more than five minutes
without being treated to a view of a distant isJand or
a lighthouse across the wllter.
"It takes a cenain type of person to live out
here year.round, n said Willillm Wall, II marina
manager who haadonejullt that for all hut three
of hill 34 years. ''It takes rather a lot of discipline and
being able to find things to do. This is the perfect
place if you're into solitude."
He waa drawn back to the island by the fishing
and bt>.:ause it's where he wants to rai.o;e his three
sons, who ran~ in a~ from 18 months to 6 years.
"It'll a wonderful schoolllystem; there'll a lut of
individual attention." The Fisheflllsland School
Districthaajullt55t'@sidentlltudentsingradesK_12
butimporta18highschoollltudent.sfrom
Connecticut un the 7 a_m. ferry to fill up the
lICCondaryschoolclllSSell.
Wall oount.s himself lucky that his job at the
Pirate', Cove Marina com.... with a hou_ for hia
family. There are morejobll than people o'n
Fiehen laland, which ac<:ounUl for about 50 day
--.l<~"""-''''"",,,,,,I>'LI.W>.1r<un..~'l''\lt.nn_
this summer colony for the rich, there are few
houses that working people can arrord.
Aside from housing, Wall's biJ::gest
consideration was his wife, Kristin. "She wasn't
raised on the island. She wasn't quite prepan.-d for
the quietness. She miS6ed the shopping malls-
things like that. But it's great for the children,
everyhody knows everybody."
Thill, of course, can have its downside. "Most of
the pt.>ople lire great. but you can't avoid people you
don't wllnt to see," !lOid Cheryl Gervais, a former
year. rounder who now commutes from Enst Lyme,
Conn., to do thores for island residt>nts.
Other than plane and private craft,the ferry
providclI the only access to the island forworken
from the mainland and about four residents who
oommute in the other direction. It is also the only
route to Aupennark<,ts, dnlglOtol'Clland fulJ-llCrvire
restaurunts. There are four round trips each day, and
m05tdays the lRSt ferry 1l>lIves at 5:30 p_m. Thl're
is no direct route to wng Island, and few year-
rounderll ever go th..re.
The island's nei~hhorliness was evident as the
ferryboat Munnatawket arrived on a recent
Wednesday and disembarking driven were
greeted by waves from lhe occupants of p3>llling can.
The Munnatawket docked between an abandoned
barrackll building and the remaina of a fire-control
tower, once part of the Army Coast Artillery
boation of Ft. Wright, whe.... .... m..n)' _ 3,000
""''';~r~ ."r>" -<1 "n';] ;t w~~ ~h~n-l"n"" nf>^r ",or'"
War II. Here one finds the school, the bowling
alley, II scattering of abandoned gun emplacements
and the movie theater, which is only open in the
summer.
A few minutcs away is Equestrian Ume, the
main street of the island's New England.village-~~.;e
downtown. Gray shingled houses sprawl npar the
Fishers Island Telephone Co., a smail markpt, a few
shops and the only post office in Suffolk County
with a Connecticut zip code.
Just beyond the village i$ a tiny, glase-
windowed booth known to I"Psidpnts;l.ll The
Gatehouse - a totem that marks the dividmg line
betwpen the year.rounders to the wt'$t and the
Olympian summer estates to theea..~t. The 1,800-
acre summer colony was laid out in the 1920s by
Frederick Law Olmstead. the designer of Centr'll.!
Park. Lota average 16 acres, and the prices of the
estates soar intD the millionll.
It ill intrinsic lo the character of this nine-mile-
long, half-mil....wide island that the hotels that once
nourished at the tum of the century no longer
exist. "We lln! talking about some of the wealthiest
people in the country," explained Hay Edwards, a
fonner town justice who hlll:l lived mo.st of his jO...,dd
years on Fishers Island. "They bou!;ht the hotels
and tore them. down."
MOl:lt of the island is preserved in ita natural
atate.lnwinter,ospreynestaareamorecommon
sight than people, Protected bays and freshwater
ponds make Fishen Island a favorite stop for
migratory birds,andin recent years seals have
been returning to the rock-lined beaches. And unlike
the rest of Sulfolk Countv and Connectu:ut.
Fillhers Island isa safe hiwen forhlkpn. Noone
knows why, but Lyml' dispase is unknown here.
Crime is barely known. Fishen l~land Justire
Louilill P. Evans touk office Jan. 1 and has vet to h<'""M
a crimmal case. Fishers Island is a pan o(
Soulhold, and Evans is also the island.s
representative on thl' Southold To....,.. Board_ If
you want to get a motor vehicle lil't'n3e or a marria;:e
license.yough.ehl'rtheapplicatlon......hichis.....h.,.
EVlln~ is probably the only Fl~hcr;; lsland...r .....hu
makes regular trips 10 Long Island
EVIII\II chaJu up the Jack of crime In her
jurisdicton to the vulue its inhabitants platY on p.'''~'t'
and qUiL't. "If somt'body has to ~ to the movit'S
onCf'or twice a w....k. they don.t b,'longout here. The
people out here r"ad a lot. Those of us who live
here weigh the plu~ and the minuses, and the
plu1'es far outweigh the minuses. ,.
She will get no argument from ScudderSincl3.lr,
whobl:<:ameayear.roundertwo~.e.1f"!laKoafU>r
spending a lifetime as a member of the summer
colony. He', pl'ellId..nt of the Slnel3.lr Pharmacal Co,
Inc.......hlch waa moved to Flshen Island by hiS
falher 43 yean aj.(O. The company manufactures
Borolcum, lU) ointment touted .s. preventative
for chapped lips and all. remedy for resplt1ltol)'
ailmt'nts.
"There is noc:rimt, no dnlgs. no red light&,"
aaid Sinl:lair, who ij~ in TelUl1ly, S.J., and
.......__OO.A"""__"'"
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~11.oaoIo~1
Island for All Seasons
ISLAND from Page 45
commuted toajob on Wall Street befOl'etakingover
the company two yesn ago. "In TenaIly, I never
would have thought about going to a high acbool bas-
ketball game or a elvic UIIOciation meeting."
Wednelday ill tubing day at the Boroleum factory.
loc8ted in a bungalowlike building nert to the Sindak
home. It.II five employee include Catherine JenfI8eI1,
who places empty tubes on the f'tMIlving cyUnder oC a
Rube Goldberg.like contraption that has been in 1188
llince 1906. "It m-l," tubes in eeven minutes," she
bngged. The crew UIIlld to Bhovel petroieumjelly from
. drwn and earry BhoveIfuIe uplltaira to a cooking vat.
Now, thanks to Scudder, aD electric pwnp is used to
hoiatthejeUy.
When Scuddm- and hill wife Susan take gueBt.!l
around the Wand, theyviait. "The Top of the World"
forview1i of Great Gull Island, Gardinera bland, Mon-
tauk Point and B1oclr. IaJand and a look at the water'
tanJr.'agralliti-includingBIarge boardofllQWllftfor
. game caUed ''WekoD1etoPU80Ut.''PIayen hop into
Iq\l8I'elImarked withdireeti0n8suchu "KiBallOmeone
el8e'apartne:r"and"ftemooteapieeeolclothing."
AJtbougb thed08e8l; hospital is in N_London, the
,...roundel'1l III"e eerved by the privately endowed
&land He8Ith Project Inc., which maintain.ll a well-
equipped treatment r.dlity in . house Dear the post
om... The he8ltb. projEd pays for the 8llI'Yicee of doc-
&on from at. Luke'.~ HlIlIpital iD ManIult-
tu. who eene one- and two-week ehiftB on the island.
For 0IUl week Jut month Dr. Dayo Mokuolo took
... turn. On bisregularjob in the emergency room B
9t.. Luke'.. be tz'eatll 25 patieDts during a busy IlhiA
for ailmeD.ts raagiDr from heart !ailure to gwWaat
w.lDlk and. automobile accident iDjuriea. FiBben Ia-
J.Dd.....diff_t.
"I Uloushtabout thedol:toTon NortherD Ezposun.
1 thougbt a lot about the doctor Bitting around wait-
iDgl'or patients," MokuoIoaaid... be _around wait-
iDgforpatienta. "I baw two or three patienta a day_
c:bildren with upper 1'elIpintory tract. inCectioDa, aD
adult came in with muacle strain and a pulled muscle
froJDahoYeIintI:_,8Ddtbere....aCll8ltofahot
liquidl5pill."
About 40 timeI a year, when the island phyziean
WllDta a patient taken to the hospital before the ne:rt
ferry, Wall and hia crews spriag into acthm with Sea-
1Itretcher, a 42-foot-long --.I equipped to fu.nttion
.. an lUDbulam::e for the >>minub! nm to the Con.
oecticutshore.
"One of the first patients was my wife, she went
0'ftJ' for the birth ofoor third chiJd," Wall said, add-
ing that ahe bed gone into labor right after the lut
ferry leJ1. Although lIeYeI1l! ia1and women have been
nuhed over to Cozmeeticut on the SelIIltretcher while
in labor, no baby has been born on the aafL "We
:-d.! special T-lIhirt waiting for the first one," he
The ~-rounden are keeping tabs on other _
pectsofl8.milylife.
Forme!' Juatice Edwanhl &aid i.slanders by to atop
trouble at the IItart. "The k.ida get into mischief, but
_fmdout right away, and _can clear it up beforeit
pta blown out of proportion." And he said that
"eighty percent of domestic violence starts out in a
b8r. lfwe hear ofil, that peniIOJl is restricted, DOt.
allowed in the bar until theyean betrusted."
And there'. the library, which baaa computer link to
other Suffolk County libraries. Boob from Suffolk'!
otherlibrarieeareavailable, butnotrig:b.taway. "lteJI
people to allow anywhere from two weeb to two
montha," said Ann Banks, the libnuian. "I have my
regularcustomerll in thewinter, but they like the aame
. thinga 1.11 the lNmmer readers. Tbe most popular au.
tboto ill Danielle Steele. They like light novels and m}'ll-
teriea. We have vefY liWe demand for non.flCtion."
Which brought herto why Fiaherllllliand ill an ialand
for all..-ona..-~'Pll!lPle an bying to I!lll:Bpe year-
round.".
THE RATE
AT WHICH
NEW YORKERS
BUY CARS,
GO TO COLLEGE,
GET MARRIED
AND IMPROVE
THEIR HOMES
IS REMARKABLY
LOW.
The EAB Home Advantage Loan
8.95~R
WTIlI AUI'OMATIC DEDUcnONS FROM AN us
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eoasolidarion. home improvenwnt. coli.
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Rates 00 EAB Home Advantage LoaDs
an! at their lownt levels m years. With a
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dftluc:rible." What', monl, there are_
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FiaaDdaI Ele..ibility begiDs at holM
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low iDterest rates start a. yout MUat EAB
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~_.~_.~:'~~~~~UN~~~~~~~_~~~~I~~~E~~.~~~~"'J;~~~.___.
53
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