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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-1978 FISHERS ISLAND CIVIC ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 1977-1978 ANNUAL MEETING. TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1978, 8 PM at School Report of the President Conservation Advisory Committee Civic Association Financial Report New Home Owners on Fishers Island Connecticut Blue Cross/Blue Shield FIDCO Fishers Island Ferry District Fishers Island Fire District Fishers Island Fire Department Fishers Island Garbage and Refuse District H. L. Ferguson Museum & H. Lee Ferguson Bird Sanctuary Fishers Island Historical Project Island Health Project, Inc. Fisher~,;Island Liorary Association Island Peoples" Project Fishers Island School District Report of Town Justice Francis Doyen Rodent Control DATES TO REMEMBER July 18 (Tuesday) Hearing for 1978/79 Assessment Complaints 9 AM-4 PM, Southold Town Hall July 18 (Tuesday) Civic Association Annual Meeting, 8 PM,School July 20 (Thursday) School District vote for permission to sell Faculty houses July 22 (Saturday) Walkathon-Benefit of Island Peoples' Project August 9 fWednesday) Town Fathers Meeting August 12 (Saturday) BEER FEST - Sponsored by Fire Department August 18 (Friday) Election of Ferry District Commissioners August 18 (Friday) Ferry District Budget Meeting August 19 (Saturday) Island Peoples' Project Annual Art Show of Island Artists August 20,(Sunday) Fire Department Open House 11 AM-12.)0 PM COVER OF REPORT DRAWN BY MARIE DOYEN The I=ishers Island Civic Association, Inc. FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK 06390 REPORT OF THE PR~SIDENT The purpose for which our Association was established in 1947 was to pro- mote the economic, civil and social welfare of the people of Fishers Island. That is a tall order. Our year-in year-out role is to keep an eye on island activities and act as a kind of watchdo~. Our annual report is the only rounciup of what Town officers and island or~anisations have been doin~ durin~ the year.we think it especially useful to summer residents to keep them abreast of developments which contribute so much to makin~ their vacations happy oneso The Association aolds re~lar quarterly meetincs and the Board of Directors meets at least once a quarter. Extra meetincs are held ae needs arise. We welcome Town officers and representatives of local or~anizations to attend and explain current activitieso Questions are poseci,criticisms may be voiceci and new problems raiseci for discussiono Such meetincs can assist in reachin~ a consensus on desirable community action. Except for our annual July meetin~,when summer residents attenci,attendance has been rather low, too low to ~enerate a fully representative spectrum of opinions. We re~et that- even thou~h low attendance may mean island affairs are pro~essin~ satisfactorily. However,as I look back on the three years of my Presidency- which terminates at this meetin~ I am encoura~ed to note that in each of those years our Ass- ociation has been helpful with at least one major problem affectin.. the ~en- eral island welfare and cenerated broad community interesto In 1975/76 your Board and our Conservation Acivisory Committee actively pursueci the lon~ law suit a.ainst the Navy and Corps of EncineersoOur con- cern was that the polluted slu~e dreciceci from the Thames to deepen the channel fOI' new olasses of submarines shoulci not ae ciumped with probaale aciverse environmental consequences halfway between Fishers and New London li~htoThou.h. as reported last year, we finally lost the suit and dump in. has resumed,the settlement a~eement brou.ht tan.ible benefits. These inclucie commitments by the Corps to make a broa~ study of the disposal o~ dred~ed material in the whole of Lon. Island Sound and desi.~nate an alternate site if adverse con- sequences were noted at the New London one and by the Navy to continue mon- itorin~ the Qumpin~ operation resultso In 1976/77 the Association's initiative resMlted in a unique State law wnich alloweci our Town Justice to continue to serve as a Town of Southold Boar:i llemaeroWithout that law the Islo.nd would have been left without any representative to speak up on matters affectin~ our Islan.o In NOll'ember 1977 notice by Connecticut BC/BS of ... 3m r..te increase- on top or .. 3,% increase the previous year- confronteci your Associ..t~on with its major problem of this yearo Since 1948 the F.IoC.A. has man..~ed .. ,.roup insurance plan -2- to which most permanent residents have subscribed. The rate jump posea the,. hard question of whether subscriBers could affora the very hieh cost ( about $1,250 tor a family with childrea ) or whether they must fina some alternativa less expensive plan. Succesive increases in recent years had resultea from very hi~h costs for one or more subscribers each year. More Denefits were paia out than premiums received. Under the Merit Ratine system applicable to croups 0 ver 100,rates are automatically increasea to cover such losses as well as the country-wiae inflation in hospital costs. After research on available New York and Connecticut croup and direct pay- ment plans, a memorandum was circulated to all subscribers outlinin~ the possible less expensive plans,none of whicA haa the coveraee or convenience of our existin~ plan. The consensus of a special December meetin~ was that the existin~ plan was too expensive and the Board was requested to investi~ate further the two alternatives which seemed to Dr. Stewart the Dest alternatives. Consultation with our very cooperative liaison officer at Conn. BC/BS led to clarification of the special arran~eaent under which the special F.I.C.A. ~oup had been acceptea in 1948 because of our island'S depenaence on New London medical facilities. That arraneement haa never been reduced to formal contract terms.Two especially important features emer~ea: first, that our Merit-Rated ~roup envisa~ed more than 100 members and,second,that only 12- month residents of the island were technically eli~ible. The liaison officer pointed out that if our subscrmbers avera~ed less than 100 per month, our ~oup could be transferred to the Connecticut community- rated plan,with similar coverace but 25 % lower rates. This openea up a way out for our ~roup whose numbers had been decreasin~ in line with a reaucea island population. Our ~oup had for the first time fallen below 100 in A~st 1977. A review of subscribers inaicated pOSSible ineli~ibles under the 12-month rule,mostly former residents now domiciled elsewhere. With this information in hand the Board was able to recommend at our Jan- uary meetin~ that F.I.C.A. stick with our existine hi~h cost but very satis- factory plan with the prospect of transfer and substantially reduced premiums startin~ 1 December 1978. An important factor was a very helpful concurrin& study written by Thomas O. Pyle,a Fishers Islander now Executive Vice-Presiaent of the Harvara Community Health Plan.The meetin~ endorsed the recommendation and amendea our By-Laws accordin~ly. Elimination of ineli~ibles and other factors have sinoe bro~ht our sub- sribers down to 68. We t~;i;t~*tiii4i financial relief next December. Reports of individual or~anizations are assembled in our Annual Report. I ur~e you to read their rouna-up of the year's developments. If you wish more details,I am sure their officers will ~ladly respond.You will fina their names in the Telephone Directory pa~e entitled KNOW YOUR HAMLET AND YOUR TOWN. I hesitate to sin~le out the most important accomplishments of the year. Certainly the bulkiest is our new MTJNNATAWKET ferry. Special concratulations are due Chairman Ray Boyen and his fellow Commissioners for successful com- pletion of the lone hard job of plannin~,financin~,overseein~ construction and finally a ~sy christenin~ ceremony on April 22,s beautiful sprin~ aay auspicios for its future under our lon~time Captain Al Bicknell.We share the hope that the new ferry will,as planned,prove more efficient and economical than the old Mystic Isle. And we note that at least this year the operatin~ jeficit paid out of real estate taxes has been reducea to $125,0000 Taxes Assess- men~s Pools ~~ter.t ~ua~1 y South Beach -3- Also most welcome news is that the Isla.. Health Project succeeded in o.~ainin~ a doctor te replace Dr. Stewart.We re~ret his and Mrs. S~ewart~s departure but we~come in their stead Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Eichenbercer.The doctor has had a widely varied career in medicine and Mrs. Eichenber~er is a Medical Technolo~ist in her own ri~to The Fire Department's report shows how splendid volunteer work has kept improvin~ both fire-fi~htin~ and Emer~ency Medical Technician trainin~.The successful commissioniR~ of the emer~ency evacuation boat SEA STRETCHER,withou~ tax support, is a creat achieTement that serves a real isl~nd neeL and warrants your s~ronc supporto All of you who knew an~ loved Martha Fer~QSo. will enjoy revisitinc the Library and seein& the new Martha Fereuson Readinc Room made possible by contributions in her memory. **************** The followin~ para~raphs deal briefly with a number of topics kept under review by F.I.C.A. but not dealt with in the individual reportso For the first time you will haTe welcomeL a very sli~ht reduction in Town property taxes. Ahelpful factor accordin~ to Town Board mem.er Francis Doyen was some $170,000 in revenue sharin~ funds from the Federal ~overnment. The m&jor share went to the new Town Hall; extra police and police cars account- ed for most of the remainderoOur Library received a small sum. Of the approximate totaL 1977/78 taxes of $1,150,000 paid by Fishers Islanders some 13% went to State and County,17% to the Town of Southold,21% to our island Fire,Ferry and Garba&e Districts and nearly 50% to maintaia our School. Thus some 70% are devoted to strictly island needs.Town record. are not kept in such detail as to show what proportion of a hamlet:~ total taxes are spent in each hamlet.The Town Hi~hway Superin~endent did inform us that last year less than $40,000 of road taxes paid- a total of $63,000 were spent on the island's few; miles of Town roads. The State and Town of Southold are still consideri~ ways and means of swithchin~ from the old assessment system based on a small fraction of market value to the new one requirin~ full market Talue assessment. ~hat effect application of the new system will haTe on Fishers cannot yet .e estima~e~ by the Board of Assessors.It will not reduce the overall tax burden, however it may redistribute it~ Meanwhile the old system continues. If your asaessmen~ is increased for 1978/79,you will be notified. The day set for hearin~ com- plaints is July 18 at Southold Town Hall.Our Board member Francis Doyen has been informed that for all practical purposes real estate owners who state their complaints by letter will receiTe the same atteation as those who appear in person or by attorney, the standard procedureoThe new Chairman of the Board of Assessors is Mr. Melvin Kelsey,Tel 516-765-1803. Serce Doyen of our Town Zoninc Board of Appeals states that it has rejected appeals a~ainst the rule requirin~ that all private swimmin~ pools be enclos.~ by a fence. All owners will haTe to comply within a reasonable periodo In the summer of 1977 Cherry Rafferty had water q~elity tested at six island beach locations.Excellent results~Chocomount had no coliform count. Silver Eel harbor had the hi~hest but still less than one twentieth of the acceptable countJKary Russell has kindly made available '250 from the Thomas W. Russell Fund to cover the cost of water qUality testin~ equipmento The Ferry District acted on complaints that dred~inc of stones was endan- ~eri~ the protective barrier at South Beac..Further removal of stones ha. been prohibitea. Gu~i!lsind Nay;r HOUsill& Harbor- master LobsterinlO /!,..st.... IISk...(1.. v-"".oM. : ,-&:t_~l~:' ,., School -4- The three Coast Guard houses opposite tae Ferry dock at Silver EEl Pond.,declarea excess by the CG,~re in tae hands of the General Services o Administration for d.isposal.In 1917 the School Board formally applied for them and recently has been assured. that all seemed. in oraer for the School District to receive them free of cost.The School's intent is to rent them for faculty housin&.It proposes to sell the two duplex houses (T-3 & 4 and T-5 & 6 )opposite the theatre on Officers RowoThe required. votin& for per- mission to sell will,take place on Thursday,July 20 between 2 and 8 P.M. The Navy housinlO quarters,the two brick buildincs just inside the Fort Wri&ht <<ate, have been aeclared excess. Necessary approval has not yet been lOiven to have them disposed of by GSA - presumably by auctiono They mi&ht be useful to new permanent residents. Our Harbormaster is Kenneth Edwards. The nev buoys installea last summer help in the task of keepin& anchored. boats clear of the traffic channels and away from the piers. He is also concerned with speedinlO and pollutiAjO in the harbor. Ille&al 10bsterinlO,clammi~ and poachill& by Connecticut boats continue to be problems.Justics Doyen has aealt with some such "conservation" cases durin& the year. A N.Y. State Dept. of Conservation boat makes only occa- sional inspection visits.If any island.ers see such activities in island waters,they <<an help by telephonin& our State Trooper Don Campbell or our constables Dick Grebe and Larry Horn. The hi&h per capita cost for each student increasea a&ain this year because of reduction in pupils from 78 to 72. The School,Board mana&ed to keep the bud&et at last year's level. The present reduced staff,which is necessary to maintain school quality,could handle a much lar&er number of students.Increased State aid is most unlikely because,as the New York Time. recently reported,Fishers Island has the hi&aest property wealth per studen~ in the whole State. ************** We appreciate the reports volunteered by our local or&anizations.They do not emphasize the loyalty,interest and lon& hours spent in the island's behalf. The island could not function witaout the unsun& volunteers vho accomplish quietly and &enerously the varied tasks necessary, to the island'. vell-beinlO. Fin~ly,I ur&e you to attend the annual Town Fathers meetill& tentatively set for Wednesday,AUjOUst 9 at the School.Come and ask your questions and make su&&s.tions. It is a ireat help to know what you are thinkin&. Respectfully submitted, John P. Gaillard,Preeident BOARD OF DIRECTORS- 1977-1978 Sally FerlOllson John Gaillara John Pendleton,Vice-President Kent Rhodes Constance White Mary Wood Mario Zall&aetti Carol Gallaher,Sec~y / Treasurer CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Caris RoosoTelt and Frank BOAlen,our technical aavisor auring the lawsuit, aaTe followea tae monitoring reports on tae furtaer ireiging of the Tha.o.. Tae latter roports that stuaies of enTironaental impacts are continuing wita completion aate for stuaies acaeauloa for April 19190 Until now no major im- pacts haTe .een notea .ut long term aata are still to .e aovelopea , mainly .iolegical. Racks of saellfish haTe Deen plaoea aajacellt to the aump si~eo At in~eryals aiTer. retrieTo some racks ana tae saollfisa aro examinea ~or any pollu~an~ efteots.,Also there is some talk of aadi~ional areaging in ta~ lower Thame. Pha.o I areaging area in oraer to reaove an aaditional 4 feet of soai.ent.The Environmental Impact Statoment is now in preparatioll. Cherry Rafferty will this summer aaTe water quality ~estea again for both swimmiag and for sluige aeposits~ If anyonenoti.es any unusual seaimont along, the shoreline or aeaa fisa, please get in touch wita a Commlt~ee memhero Tae Town of Southola adoptea this year an ordinance to i.plemen~ locally the Stato EnTlronmental Quality Roviow Act. Caerry follows for looal relevance the State Conseryation Departmen~'s weekly nowsheot. Fishers Island Civic Association Finanoial Repor~- 1917/18 Starting checkDook balance as of July 1,1911 Total Deposits Dues COlltrihv.tions Misoellaneous Total EXJlensell Printillg and postage Blu~ Crolls Custoaian Secretary Annual Report yellow page Roaent Control Telephone Office Supplies Town Fathers buffot Balance as of July 1,1918 Savings Account ( 1/1/78 ) S2,432.01 3,110.00 Sl,431.00 1,429.00 250. 1,630.43 S312.02 400.00 300000 77.15 64.20 302.00 101.49 32.13 41.44 $3,911.64 $496.68 Respectfully submittea, Carol 00 Gallaaer Socrotary/ Treasuror NEW HOME OWNERS ON FISHERSISLAND To statisfy the curiosity of ola tiaers ana welcome new Fishers Islanaers .ere is an unofficial list of home tranfers auring the last year, EAST END James 1(. Bailey James W.B.Benkara Sanfora Blank Formerly Ruth Wolfe Stanley/ Feagles Erara Matthiessen Jolm Calley Allerton Cushman De MenU Grenville T. Emmett Kirklana/Gray John W. Hanes Jansen N~es,Sr. George Lora Roaert W. Feagles Rollert GamBer Alexanaen' Gaston Polly Eamonas Schwerin Jolm Sturge. Robert J. Geniesae C. Maw; ."'1' W.F.Hotchkiss W.L.Hanley,Jr. John Kramer Joiul Rana Robert W. Nelson Paul E. Peabpay J. Lester Parsons III G.T. Emmet Il.T.Reeii. III Jackso. Mrs. Mott Schmi.t Peggy Cambell West, En. W. A. Lane Tony Stefanini Tony Marshall W. Gr.iffin CONNECTICUT BL~ CROSS / BL~ SHIELD 1977- 1978 Any member of our Association has the privilece of membership in the special F.I.C.A. Conneoticut BC/BS croup health insurance plRn providea suoh member is a twelve-month resident of Fishers Island. Durin.. the past year Conn.BC and Conn. Medical Services mer..ei into a sin..le corporation dedicatea to better and more efficient service to eubscribers. Current Rates Husband/wife Husband/wife plus chilciren 84.29 19.65 103.94 1247.28 Indiviiual 34.67 7.95 42.62 511.44 Over 6') 6.55 3.50 10.05 120.60 As of June 1,1978 there are 68 BC/RS subscribers Unaer 65 and 44 Over 6'). These ficures represent cieclines from last AUiUst totals of 97 and 60 respectively. The decreased enrollments resultei primarily from a review with Conn. BC/BS of the terms of our special 1948 arran~ement with that or~anization. Under that arran~ement only twelve- month resiients are entitle~ to membership in our plan. A questionnaire to possible ineli..ibles,carefully reviewed by our Board.,iisclosed that 17 Unaer 65 ana: 14 Over 65 were in fact ineli~ible. They have been aropped from our rolls but ..iven opportunity to subscribe to other plans. Sinoe 1948 our BC premiums have been basei on the Merit Ratin.. Plan applicable to ~oups over 100. In reoent years amountia remittea to subscribers have ex- ceeieci the monthly premiUllls because of disastrous hospital costs incurrei: by a few members each year. The bad experience ratin.. of our smRll ~oup plus inflation producei the buriensome rate increases. The current deficit in our overall account with Conn. BC totals some '32,000. Blue Cross per mo. 84.29 Blue Shiel.. Total Annual Cost per moo 15.90 per mo. 100.19 1202.28 Fortunately there is a lower cost Conn. Be "coDlllunity-ratei II plan iesi..neli for ~oups of 3 to 99 persons. Its rates are basei. on the broad experience of all suoh Conn. croups in terms of benefits receivei and premiums paid. Tae larce community makes the ~oup rate less vulnerable to such disaster cases as have afflicted our special island ..roup. The F.I.C.A. ~oup will in all probability be eli..ible for transfer to the community -ratei plan because our monthly subscribers have ran~ed. from 97 last AUiUst to a current 68. Our F.l.C.A.'s eli..ibility will be determine. by Conn. BC after investi..ation of our 12-month 1977-1978 records. If found eli..ible,the effective iate for the most welcome lower rate plan will be December 1,1978. That plan'S cost this year was $847.56 for a couple,$892.56 for a family of three or more and $260 for a sin..le individual. All fi~ures on an annual basis. AlthoUlOh these rates may increase in 1978/79 , our Association subscribers may expect a cost savin~ of BOrne 25 % over our present plan. Custodian Evelyn Clarke FISHERS ISLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 1978 REPORT TO FISHERS ISLAND CIVIC ASSOCIATION: Over the past year, FIDCO has been active in a number of areas. Its objective, as stated a year ago, is to make the Island a more attractive place to vacation and a better place to live. We believe we have been making progress. Considerable improvement has been made in the surface of the side roads at the east end, including two sections of asphalt paving where severe erosion has regularly taken place. More work needs to be done over the years ahead and we must soon start setting aside some funds each year to cover the depreciation of the main road so that money will be on hand when resurfacing is again needed. With the financial participation of Club members, the Yacht Club buildings have been rehabilitated from foundations to roofs and have been expanded to give members a building of their own and a more efficient operation overall. As a result of winter storm damage, substantial construction of the piers took place again this spring. To attract additional Club membership at the Fishers Island Country Club, FIDCO advanced funds for the construction of three top quality tennis courts at the Beach Club. Land sales to members of the Hay Harbor Club and Fishers Island Country Club continued at a substantial rate. Sales made to date suggest that three to five houses a year will quite possibly be built over the next four or five years which would mean additional vacation housing and good winter work for Island residents. As almost all available houses have been rented each of the past two summers, the only way to increase the level of activity on the Island is to promote the building of new homes and to make better use of buildings with housing potential. In furtherance of this objective, FIDCO is rebuilding the inside of the large barn near the Winthrop House so that it will include seven attractive housekeeping apartments. The four houses FIDCO owns opposite the school will no longer be needed, and are being offered for sale. Although we have been anxious to make building lots available to Island residents, legal restrictions have made it impossible to do so. We continue our efforts and hope to obtain the required approvals in the coming year. , N". ~ .., ., ~c..~.....~ 1~~ N. :" Ie. _ fo....u.f f ~'l~l July 1, 1978 Fishers Island Ferry District DiJtricr Cfl'dlM B, Sp.tdal Acto! 'Tht N. Y. StInt [,.,gULstlolt'e (LaWfO! N. Y., 1947. Chalt(er600) FISHERS ISLAND. NEW YORK 06390 WILFRED C. SINCLAIR MANAGER - SECRETARY TELEPHONE 788-7-463 AREA CODE 516 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RAYMOND F'. DOYEN, CHAIRMAN ~_lOl!QXXXX STEPHEN A. MORELL RICHARD S. BAKER ,JOHN C. EVANS Reynolds duPont Jr. This spring saw the replacement of the old MY MYSTIC ISLE by the new MY MUNNATAWKET. The new vessel, designed and built specifically to meet the needs of Fishers Island, has been well received by the community and has met the Commissioners' expectations in operation. The need to replace the MYSTIC ISLE with a modern ferry arose chiefly out of the rapidly escalating operating expenses and the high and rising maintenance and repair costs of the old vessel. Whereas the MYSTIC ISLE required a licensed master, a licensed engineer and five in crew on every trip, the MUNNATAWKET requires only a captain with a "100-ton" license and two in crew, the same as the mY OLINDA. Our two vessels, therefore, can now be used interchangeably; it is no longer necessary for us to sail from New London in the OLINDA leaving several cars behind while the larger vessel stays tied up in her berth simply because the OLINDA'S crew is not legally authorized to switch ferries. Most importantly, however, the 1978 contract for the operation of ferries was actually bid and let at a price substantially below the 1977 contract in spite of inflation, reflecting the reduced manpower requirements of the new vessel. As a matter of interest, some facts about the MUNNATAWKET are given below: Origin of Name: - Reputed Indian name for what is now Fishers Island. Also the name of a ferry that served the Island throughout the last quarter of the last century and the first quarter of this century. Builder: - Blount Marine of Warren, Rhode Island. Total Costl - $775,000 ($625,000 net of MYSTIC ISLE) Naval Architects. - Sparkman & Stephens of New York acted as advisors to the Ferry District. Messrs. Wyland and Uhle of Sparkman & Stephens together with Blount Marine provided invaluable guidance and assistance in hundreds of decisions that had to be made. Length. - 132 feet Seam. - 32 feet 2 Draftl - 7 feet Main Enginesl - Two GM-V-12-71's Generatorsl - Two GM-V-2-71's, 20kweach. Bow Thrusterl - One GM-V-4-71 powering a Marco unit. This permits more rapid and safer docking and undocking. Steeringl - Continental hydraulic. Cruising Speedl - Approximately 10.7 knots, depending on load. Passenger CapacitYI - 210 persons Vehicle CapacitYI - With normal mix, 22 or 23 vehicles. Has carr~ed a maximum of 27 vehicles. Financin?l - $589,000, 20-year bonds at a cost of just under 5.90'0 per annum. The MUNNATAWKET was christened at Fishers Island by Mrs. Lawrence S. Baldwin on Saturday, April 22, 1978, at 4100pm. The ceremony was attended by the Town Supervisor, members of the Town Board, representatives of Blount Marine and Sparkman & Stephens, the Rev. J. Clifford Curtin and several hundred members of the community. All three of our regular captains, namely Bicknell, Wilcox and Easter, were also on hand, having brought the MUNNATAWKET down from Rhode Island the same day. Kent Rhodes was the master of ceremonies and refreshments were served in the transit shed. In the course of the ceremonies, a U.S. ensign was presented to the MUNNATAWKET by the Fishers Island Country Club, represented by Morgan S. A. Reichner. Three mementos of the MYSTIC ISLE are still with us. Capt. Bicknell graciously presented one of her name boards to E. Perry Edwards for the Ferguson Museum. Her horn remains behind on the OLINDA and some of her mural panels will be installed in the passengers cabin of the MUNNATAWKET in the near future. Also to be installed in the new ferry are seat cushions for the wooden benches in the cabin. The MUNNATAWLET, incidentally, has a passenger toilet on the automobile deck in the bow, adjacent to the forward ladder, for those who have difficulty climbing stairs. A book of photographs recording the construction and christening of the MUNNATAWKET will be prepared by the Ferry District for the Ferguson Museum. Anyone wishing pictures of the christening can obtain them from Charles Morgan. The harbor entrance works at Silver Eel Pond, referred to in last years letter, were installed during the year, as were the new dolphins at New London. An unexpected expense arose out of the need . . FISHERS ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK 06390 Comm....onera: James A. Peishoff, Chairman' Richard S. Bakar, Sr. A. John Gada, Jr. W. Gordon Ahman Kenneth L. Edwards TREASURER I S ,1,NNUAL REPOST For Year 1977 .{ESERVE FUNDS: APparatus and Equipment Fund: Balance at Beginning of Year Transferred from General Fund Transferred to General Fund for Ambulance Add: Interest Earned for 1977 Balance at End Qf Year Eq~1~ment Repair Fund: General F~nd to Re~a1r Fund Interest E~rned for 1977 Balance at End of Year BREAKDOWN OF OTHER EXPENSE: EleGtion Expense, including Legal Ads Gasolena and Oil Treasurer's Bond Association Dues Office Ex~ense, 1nclud~ng new adding machine Inspections and Training Expense Convention Expense Total Other Expense Treasurer "tiel Secretary E. Perry Edwards $33,217.82 20,000.00 53,217.82 -l~,OOO.OO 3 ,217. 82 2,021.33 $ ItO..::''39.1'' $5,000.00 227.92 ~ ~. 227.92 $244.89 344.24 75.00 100.00 401.42 948.72 1,154.17 .3,268.44 Respectfully Submitted, ;>?" 2Jr-s;t~'rreas. 1~ ~4;f~ . , 'i:' o..lfl (", . ~ . FISI-lERS ISLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT FISHERS ISLAND. NEW YORK 06390 The year 1977 has shown the following calls to the Fire Department: Ambulance 44 Sea Stretcher 28 Fires 11 False Alarms 9 Fire training is a continuous endeavor to stay familiar with equipment, updating of equipment and new and improved methods. Drills are held periodically to accomplish this. I"iaintenance of equipment is accomplished primarily through the volunteer Sunday Duty Roster where men perform road checks on the pwnpers and other equip- ment. Ambulance training included a refresher Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course this winter along with an advanced course being taught by Dr. stewart throug~ funds from Suffolk County. Suffolk County will also provide necessary bio-telemetry equipment to allow EKGs and voice transmits direct to a hospital based doctor. This equipment will be completely portable allowing its use at any location on the Island. Sea Stretcher has been in use since June 15, 1977 and has beena most necessary addition to the emergency fa8ilities available to the community. Volunteer service keeps the Sea Stretcher clean, ready and aole to go im:nediately when needed in an emergency. Women E;'JTs have become a part of the ambulance service and they too put in many hours of training, work on the ambulance and the ambulan~e boat and in respond- ing to calls with their EMT expertise. He have been encouraging people to equip their homes with smoke detectors. These are proving their worth through- out the country and have saved many lives. The following is a list of officers of the Departmentl Chief R. E. \;all FI1;"Gt Asst. Chief A. R. Grebe, jr. Second Asst. ChL.f E. Hiddleton, III Secretary A. D. Dawson Asst. Secretary R. G. Ahman Treasurer G. T. King Steward P. J. Rogan Chaplain S. J. Doyen, Jr. Sgt. at Arms J. B. Hartsfield FISHERS ISLAND FIRE DISTRICT FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK 06390 CommiBBioner8 : James A. Peishoff, Chairman Richard S. Baker, Sr. A. John Gada, Jr. W. Gordon Ahman Kenneth L. Edwards T,~EASJRER I S ANNU.!l.L ,,{daRT Treasurer and Secretary E. Perry Edwards For Ye8.r 1977 .i.ECEIPTS: $64,842.43 125.00 500.00 628.58 25,00u.uO 15,000;00 96.25 2,456.00 Tax REvenue Rental of Pol ins PLJce dEntal of To~n Justice Office Interest and =nrnings Cert. of Deposits ~rorn Rb~tirvti Fund for ambulance ~ef~nd of expenses ~cle of 1959 awb~lance Total Receipts r:2.1ance at cesinnins of Year rotal Receipts and Ealance DL3beJRSEl'JENTS: Current Expenses: Personal ~6rV~0es hydrant Rantc\ls Insurance l'&;t - r,pparat~s c< Eql~i,.mant c_d - ~~i~ain8 ~ Property Telephones & Alarm System ELEctric i<.:nergy F~el Ot~er Expenses (See attached) Social SEc~rity Tax bEdical ",xpense .ot"l CurrEnt ~xpenses i~rch3se of Eq~lpm6nt ~~rccase ~f Certificates of De~osit ,)eot Service: ReJewption of Sonds Interest on conds lotal 0Eot Service ~103,65i3.36 lS,e13.40 ~124, 571. 76 $1,475.00 9,493.84' 3,384.50 . 2,379.56 4,719.41 2,193.46 1,3,-,2.69 1,965.52 3,268.44 62.92 ' 68.00. .~ 30,333.44 22,543.55 25,UGG.C10 ., , $5,800.00 913.05 ~ It~Oo.,..rT )IE-I T. 5,913.05 ~b- M)(,(,"".9 Transferred to 3.eserve j<'und ( ;;;:;ar' t~s) II II If II ( i . i) .:.qU p. ,{e/l r lota.l Pa.ywents frow GEneral Fund 3alance at End of Year Tot!tl Paymsnta 8,nJ balancE 2J,0GO.OO S,UGO.CO $188,790.04 1:5,881.72 ~124,671.76 J . . to replace one of the car ramps at the New London terminal. The fare schedule adopted in March 1975 remains in effect, at least through this summer. The tradition of having typographical errors in the printed timetable also remains in effect. There again was no progress during the year in getting governmental assistance in repaving the runways at Elizabeth Airport, owing to a lack of appropriated funds for New York State. We remain on the list, however. The Commissioners, along with many other members of the community, were saddened last fall by the passing of Mrs. Alfred Bicknell. They wish to express their continued appreciation to Capt. Bicknell and his crews for their helpfulness and efficiency in the operation of the ferry.service. The 1979 Ferry District budget will be presented at a public meeting on August 18, 1978. Board of Commissioners F1shers Island Ferry District FISI-IERS ISLAND GARBAGE AND REFUSE DISTRICT FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK 06390 REPor.rr OF ~1-ill FISHE?3 ISLAljL GiJ"~BAG~ &. r~JFliS~ DI~.:/ilrtIC11 The district' s garbae e and refuse contractor is \l.uinn &; Co. ;; al'bu(. e ana refuse is pic;[ed up three til:Jes a week during the summer monthG of Jw,e, J'ul;)', AUEust, utld September; a;1d twice a week durin€., the remainint [i,onti,,,-. It would be helpful if the people VI110 come to tile island only on vieeKendb in the fall and spl'ing,would tive l',;r. >/uinn a call at 211 50 til<:.t [,e can include you on his next pick-up. Quinn and Co. is contracted by t~e district to pick-up only household garbage and refuse such as; bottles, newspapers, cans, boxes, etc. ',Je have an area that BUHNABLE "Battery Butterfield", an old Point. If you use this area, ;naterials and you dump in the r,;rlTERI"L .ill:I1X may be taken. I t is called gun inplace:nent , and it is located at Lace please make sure you dump ot,LY DUidlASW . --.- pltS as close to them as posslble. ,Je are extremely trateful to l..:r. Raymond ::Jean--1'ovm of ~outhold's ~<lperin- tendent of l{ii:;i1Ways--for the use of the Highway Department's equipment and men to help keep this area clean. 2esidents wisting to dispose of old washers, stoves, refriGerators, bed spring and other flonburnable matet:ial, it may be taken to the tun pits located on the hill near the movie theater. The Commissioners hope that all residents will cooperate by usinG the proper areas mentioned. Your Doard of Commissioners, ~l8.Y1Jlond Doyen, Chairman I~enneth ~dwards, ::.; ecretary Robert '"all, Treasurer The HENRY LoFERGUSON MUSEu)! THE H. LEE FERGUSON BIRD SANCTUARY The Museum and Sanctuary hat another eventful yearD The Museu. ant the sanctuary became known to more and more people, both Islanters ant visitors. Over 700 visitors signed the guest register and many more enjoyet walking through the paths of the Sanctuary. In the Sanctuary have been plantet four attractive white .birch trees in memory of Lily Cushing Boyd, Elleen B. ROlbins,H.Lee Ferguson,Jr. ant Kenyo. Boocock. These trees are growing wello The ospreys on tae island are still holding taeir own. Duri~ the month of May Alan Poole,with the generous help of the Utility Caapa~ with their oherry-picker,checket the five Islant nest. with the following results: North Hill nest one very large well-fed young osprey,probably ~o to three weeks olli. Navy Station nest 2 eggs Mili.dle Farm Pond Nest one three one-week olli. ospreys,much smaller than the North Hill laby Nest Two 2 eggs Chocomount Nest (beside the main road) 2 eggs It is hopet that other ospreys will fint homes on Fishers IslantD A few nesting poles strategically placet may help. The oyster oatcher,a bird that nests only in wilt little uset plaaes,is extending its range to Fishers Islant. There are abo.t four pairs now nesting on the island. As mentioned in our last report,our Indian artifacts ha~ been p~t in a meaningful order by Mrs. Marion Briggs. A copy of Mrs. Briggs' thesis can Ie reat at the Museumo It provides interesting tata on prehistoric Fish4rs Island, going back over seven thousanfi. years to the time when it was not en island but part of the mainland. The historical section of the Museum is growing and is proving to be an interesting collection for visitors to peruse,bringing Back delightful memories of bygone days. This is so popular that the HistoricRl Committee is planning a photographic exhibLt to take place in July. Last year's photo- graphic exhibit of the winter of 1976-77 proved interesting to all who saw it.> Many islanters placet photos in this exhibit. On Monday evening,July 2S,Penni and Greg Sharp presented a slite lecture on Birding in Maine and on Fishers Islant. Nearly one huntred people enjoyet a telig.tful evening. Penni and Greg have also been moat helpful in selecting a new slite projector for the Museum. This year we are planning another lecture to take place in July.The subject and the time will be postet. The Nature Walks starting from the Museum will onee again take place on Wetnesday afternoons at 2 P.M. -2- The eight-acre island in the Oyster Pont has seen aonateoi to the Henry L. Ferguson Museum as a birt sanctua2'7 by Mr. Eraroi A. Mat1lhiessen and his SOD Peter. A trail has been bulldozeoi througil and tile sanctuary is oJlen to the :' ,," Jlublic for bird-watching. ., ,,' Financially the Museum is solTent. This happy conditio. is possible partly because of some income from the enliowaent set uJl by Mr. Jansen Noyes,Sr. in memory of Mrs. .oyes, and partly because sf donations and dues. We hope that you will want to become a member of the Museum this year,and that there will be those who continue to make contri8utions to either our annual expenses or to our endowment. Those who wish to join or donate to the Museum shouloi speak to the Custoaian or to any memser of the Boara of Trustees. The Museum is open week liays from 10 to noon. Those who want to visit the Museum at other ti.ea may do so 8Y calling Mr. er Mrs. Eavin H. Horning, telephone numser 293, to make an appointment. Officers of the Museum and Sanctua2'7' Henry W. Hobson, President Charles B. Ferguson, Vice-Presilient Richard S. Baker, Secretary E. Per2'7 Elivsrlis, Treaeurer Eliwin H. Horning, Curator Other memsers of the Boara of Trustees, Mrs. Thomas Husbanli, Mr. Sheparoi Krech, Mrs. Cornelius O'Connor, Mrs. T.W.Russell,Jr. and Mrs. Peter SturteTant. Custoliian- Mrs. Eawin Horning Eliwin H. Horning Curator FISHERS ISLAND HISTORICAL PROJECT The historical material gathered over the years by ~"iss Polly Ed~onds, augmonted by information contributed by interested Fishers Island citizens, is available in the school library twelve months a year. This is a living histo~y - material is being added as events occur. If you have anything of to tho permanent collection. generations. histoDical interest, don't hesitate to add it This is for us, our children, and future There is a section of the file for family anecdotes or histories. Why don't you add to it? Look to the future- enrich our knowledge of our beloved Island. This means YOU!! Very Sincerely, Dorothy Burr Hoadley . . ISLAND HEALTH PROJECT, INC. BOX 344 FISHERS ISLAND. NEW YORK 06390 June, 1978 The Island Health Project is happy to introduce Dr. Ralph EichenberF;er and his ,~ife Beth to Fishers Is11nd. Dr. Eichenberf!:er graduated from the University of Oregon andearned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School and a post- graduate degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina. He has been a physician for The SUMmer Institute of Linguistics setting up medical programs for the mission in Latin America. He also served on the faculty at the Univlrsity of Kentucky, the University of Southern California and the University 9f Guam. He was also on the staff of KHajalein Missile Range Hospital in the Pacific. Mrs. Eichenberger is a registered Medical Technolof!:ist and has served Hith her husband in the different places Hhere th8Y have lived. Dr. and Brs. Eichenberger have tvlO sons, Phillip, 28 and Hark, 26, both of vnlom F;raduated from the California Maritime Academy and are presently serving as deck officers in the Herchant Earine. Dr. ii:icilenberger began his practice here on June 21~, overlapping with Dr. Stewart fer one week so as to have a smooth transistion in the medical coverage. Dr. Eichenberger will be Hith us for one year, as contracted, and hopefully many more. Dr. Stewart has been granted a fellowship at Yale-New Haven Hospital as of July 1. lie Hill miss Andy and his far1ily and hODe th8t they Hill still vi.sit all of us on the Islcmd in the future. Dr. :'ltewart snent many hours this Hinter teaching the refresh~r C8urse for the :~ergency Medical Technician (EMT) and also taught a course to train Advanced ~'~'s. We are most grateful for Andy's dedication to the practice of medicine and his active involvement in the community. LaHrence and J.Iemorial Hospitals continues its support of the Islc:nd Health Project. Dr. Stewart Has able to vork in the Emergency Room this Hinter and the El'1T's continue their practical training at the Hospital. This summer tho Doctor's office hours ,Till be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 110nday through Saturday. P13ase telephone 24L, for appointments. lie ask your coopn'o.tion in settling your bill at the time of ,Tour visit by check or cash. A financial report Hill be included with our annual letter to all resid3nts. Tile Board Helcomes any comments and su",:.gestions you may have. Your continuing support is most Gratifying to the members of the Boo.rd Hho continue to Hork in providing the Ishnd Hith r1edical COV9raf\e. ISLAND HEALTH PROJECT. INC. BOX 344 FISHERS ISLAND. NEW YORK 06390 Board of Directors: Mr. Henry L. Kin~, President Mrs. Peter SanGer, Vice President Mr. William Faulkner, Vice President Mrs. Richard Ahman Mrs. Richard Baker Mrs. H. L. Bogert Mr. Serge Doyen, Jr. }Irs. John Evans Mr. Lawrence Horn Mr. Stenhen O'Neil Mr. \lilliam liood Catherine Jenssen, Secretary FISHERS ISLAND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 1977-1978 The Fishers Island Library has undergone a major face lift since the summer of 1977. After the death of Martha Ferguson, President of the Library for many years, her friends contributed to a fund in her memory. This fund made possible considerable improvements in the Reading Room, which will now be known as the Martha Ferguson Memorial Reading Room. A sliding glass door has been installed between the main book section and the reading room, carpet has been laid and comfortable furniture installed. W~hope the island population will enjoy and use the room. The interiOr of the entire Library has been painted, there is a carpet in the children's corner. The shelves have becn cleared of many books which have not been borrowed for over ten years. Dooks have been rearranged. Reflecting her interest in nature, the books on and about nature are in the Martha Ferguson ReadinD Room. All new books are now in the rear, freeing space around the librarian's desk and giving our clients on uncluttered area in which to look over the new accessions. Our librarian, Ann Kowalczyk, deserves a great hand and round of thanks for the hundreds of books she moved and cleaned during this entire operation. We have accessioned 347 new books since July 1977 and thare are about 80 books on order that have noy yet been received. Briefly, the Library'S raceipts and disburse~ents for ythe year ending December 31, 1977 are: Receipts Annual Appeal anr donations Town of Southold Revenue Sharing funds * Sole of books and furniture Misc. (Fines, ~enberships) Interest * One time item Disbursoments 800ks and periodicals Salaries Bnd payroll taxes Accounting Insurance utilitios PGintino & Gonerol ~;aintenancG Alarm system(Tenp) Misc. (supplies, c1eaning,PC) 87,000 3,150 450 2,002 429 542 113,753 ::~2,n35 4,454 3J3 723 1,?17 2,732 223 441 ~12,27Q -=/. ISLAND PEOPLE'S PROJECT Box 523 A Fishers Island, New York 06390 : . ~ 1978 ISLAND PEOPLE'S PROJECT REPORT June 1978 The Island People's Project Recreation Program will start its eleventh year on July 10. Janet Poeton will be the director. The program offers: recreation, arts and crafts, swimming instruction for fitness, and rescue for children 4 to 13 years old. Also, adult swimming classes will be held. Hours are 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. for six weeks, Monday through Friday in July and August. Morning programs are held on the ball field, recreation two days a week and crafts two days a week, alternating for age groups. Games and crafts are indoors on rainy days. Crafts offered are driftwood arrangements, rock sculpture, weaving, tile craft, mobiles, etc. Quiet games, such as checkers and chess are played, as well as Scoop, softba 11, ci rcl e games, etc. Fridays will again be Special Events Day with such events as Parade on Wheels, Kite Flying, Penny Carnival, Field Day, Summer Halloween, and Christmas Day. And other surprises are in store: Tennis lessons are given daily at the school court. the Catamaran will be available only to those who have had A waterfront person will always be available for safety. Sailing on the Sailfish and sailing and swimming lessons. Dock Beach is the location for swimming lessons. There are raft and swimming lanes. Offered are a mini class for 1-4 year olds, other classes which range from Red Cross programs to rescue courses, adult swim courses, Swim for Fitness, and a swim team. One night a week an Adult Sports Night is held at the local school. and summer families may join any or all programs. All local The Annual Art Show on August 19th on the Village Green is sponsored Island People's Project, as well as the Halloween Party in October and the Roll in the Spring. The Craft Shop, too, is a part of the Project. The Walkathon will be on July 22. Everyone is asked to join it, as its success is extremely important to continuance of the Island People's Project. by the Easter Egg COM~1ITTEE Mrs. Stephen Kelsey, President Mrs. Reynolds duPont, Jr., Treasurer Mrs. John C. Evans, Recreation Mrs. Michael Wray Mrs. Ronald Mrs. Mrs. Mrs. Zanghetti Kenneth L. Edwards Robert E. ~Ja 11 Edmund White Mrs. Wm. Glendon FISHERS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL SUMMARY 1977-78 This has been a year of "accord and harmony" in the Fishers Island School District. The year has been a productive and successful one with many positive gains for education in our school district. ENROLLMENT AND STAFF Enrollments for the 1977-78 school year were as follows: Kindergarten - Grade Six Grades Seven - Twelve 33 students 39 students Tot al 72 students As for 1978-79, the enrollment seems to be stabilizing, with only a slight decrease, because a large kindergarten entering in the fall will replace the large graduating class in June. The staff consists of a district principal, n~ne full-time teachers, seven part-time teachers, one full-time office worker, one full-time custodian/bus driver, and one part-time custodian. 1978-79 BUDGET There is a continued difficulty in preparing the budget because of the lack of state aid. State aid is unsatisfactory and seems to continue a trend of throwing a heavier burden on the local property owners for the task of supporting proper public education. With this concern in mind, the Board of Education wrote letters to New York State Assemblyman Duryea and Senator LaValle regarding the high administrative and rental BOCES charges to the school district. Hopefully, a sizeable budgetary reduction could be made in this area. On May 9, 1978 the new budget was approved by the voters (40-9). This budget reflects an increase in the amount of $.03 per $100 of assessed valuation. A negotiated contract between the Board of Education and the Fishers Island Teachers' Association was completed on January 24, 1978. This contract is for a period of two years, ending on June 30, 1979. CURRICULUM This has been also a year of trial and difficulty particularly in curriculum areas, because of new demands imposed upon the reduced teaching staff from the previous year. With declining student enroll- ment, many staff cuts were made to economize. At the request of the Board of Education, two representatives from the New York State Education Department visited our school on March 28, 1978 for the purpose of evaluating the school's academic program. The report indicated that our school was operating at a basic requirement level for academics; however, the levels of achievement were positive. It was noted that the cost of operating such a program will be high because of the necessary state academic requirements for a K-12 program. EXTRA-CURRICULAR Many interesting programs occurred during the school year. The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, with Hank Chapin working with our students and staff, gave an outstanding performance, "An Island Celebration." The talents of our teachers were noted on many occasions throughout the school year. Our senior class made a trip to Nassau during the spring vacation. Grade 9 went to .Stratford, Connecticut to attend the Shakespearian Theatre. Grade 10 visited New York City for an urban experience. Our school appeared on national television - "Kidsworld." Girls' sports has added a new dimension to our athletic program. Other outstanding events were highlighted with the Gymnastics Show, Science Fair, Art Show, and Christmas Play. Athletics, as usual, played an important part in the students' lives. COIJCLUSI0N ~ducation is a challenge, and it is ours to continue and uphold .... the people, the Board of Education and the school staff. The education of our youth is one important part for the future of Fishers Island. Continued support for education in our school district will provide the opportunity for all of us to succeed. BOARD OF EDUCATION Carol o. Gallaher, President Elizabeth Peishoff, Vice-President Richard G. Ahman Catherine J. Jenssen Mary L. Strunk William R. Haase, District Principal > . REPORT OF TOWN JUSTICE FRANCIS DOVEN During the past year approximately 30 vehicle and conservation cases were handled. A mandatory advanced training program was attended last February. Your representative on the Town Board attended an average of one meeting each month. A second tennis court nest to the present court on the school property has been put out to bid as of this writing. There will be town pick ups of nOn garbage refuse during July and August. The dates of the pick ups will be posted at the Post Office bulletin board. Another mile of road paving was scheduled for mid-June but due to trans- portation problems was deferred to be done shortly after Labor Day. The roads will have new lines painted shortly thereafter. Any questione re- garding town board or highway problems can be answered by me at telephone numbers 311 or 669. Also available at the MObil Station are current tax records and motor vehicle registration forms. RODENT CONTROL During the year it appears that the call for "bait" has decreased over previous years. From all signs of rodent activities, particularly in the winter months, it does not seem that the rodent population has decreased. In order to keep rodents under control it is urged that everyone on the Island assist by the continuous use of well stocked feeder stations. Your Civic Association provides Warfarin type "bait" free of charge. It can be obtained by tele- phoning me at 526. In using such bait it is best to have an approved feeder station. They are avilable from me at their approximate cost. If you pref6r, plans for constructing one are avilable without cost. A. D. Dawson 111lsQrrs lls1auo liobntermru's l\n5octattou. ]nr. Fishers Island, New York 06390 On behalf of the Fishers Island Lobster~enls Association, I would like to report the following: The Association has been active throughout the year, with the re-election of officers for the 1978 year: Richard Erpenbeck, President, and William Haase, Secretary-Treasurer. There are sixteen members. Membership is open for any individual who meets the residency requirements of Fishers Island and for anyone who lobsters in the waters of Fishers Island. Associate memberships are also available for people who are interested in and supportive of the Association. Some of the activities for the year were as follows: The adoption of By-Laws of the Association under the direction of Attorney Clifford R. Oviatt, Jr. were completed; The application of tax exemption with the Internal Revenue Service was approved; On February 10, 1978, three members flew to Long Island to meet with Martin J. Kerins, Assistant Counselor to Perry Duryea, and l~rs. Joan Scherb, IJew York State Department of Environmental Conservation, regarding problems of the present conservation laws. The membership is concerned with the matter of increased violations of the present conservation laws and the need for more efficient law enforcement. Particularly, there is a concern of individuals who are not domicile residents of Fishers Island or New York State and who have been issued a 1978 lobster license, thus giving them the right to lobster in Fishers Island waters. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has offered little or no help, other than talk, with the problem of law enforcement and control. Respectfully submitted, July 1978 Richard Erpenbeck, President