FIMI
The FIMI project is in a slower phase now.  The construction in the communities from the Lighthouse to Saltaire is largely complete.  The next Phase, 3A, covers the communities east of Saltaire as far as Ocean Beach.  The real estate work on Phase 3A is complete, but the government agencies involved decided to grant the western communities' request to delay project construction until after the summer. The communities were worried about how to redirect the enormous number of summer tourists and visitors.  Their work will begin in early September and is scheduled to be completed by April 1, 2017.  

Phase 3B covers the communities from east of Ocean Beach to Davis Park and includes the Pines.  In these communities real estate/engineering work is well underway.   Suffolk County and the Army Corps are meeting with impacted homeowners to develop solutions that will minimize the impact on affected homeowners.  As of now there is no date set for the Phase 3B construction.  The goal is to complete the real estate/engineering work by the end of November, allowing the project to be bid in December.  Construction could then begin early in 2017 assuming the equipment is available.  Within the timetable for Phase 3B we are unable to say when construction in the Pines would occur, but it would seem likely that it will in the spring of 2017.

Pines Beach Maintenance
FIPPOA has also completed a major cleanup of the beach, removing storm debris and the snow fence "tangles".  This work was paid for by the Seashore Defense Fund, and thanks go to Russell Saray for organizing and for his stewardship of the SDF.

FIPPOA has also completed repairs to the trap bags along the ocean which were damaged by winter storms. That work was done as part of the Erosion Control Tax District.  Under a separate contract, again paid for by the Erosion Control District, a new line of sand fencing has been run the length of the community to protect the trap bags until the FIMI project can be constructed. A special thanks goes to Garry Korr for spearheading this work.

Pines Cleanup
FIPPOA is organizing a cleanup of the community on Saturday May 14 as per the article below.  This is something that was discussed and widely supported at the Fall Meeting.   Let's get out there Saturday May 14 and cleanup the Pines.  Thanks go to Pines resident Alan Silverman for spearheading this cleanup. 

And as a side note, at the end of April, a large volunteer group of residents from western communities and the National Park Service did a major cleanup of the Burma road that connects those communities. Fire Islanders are particularly known for their can-do attitude and willingness to pitch in.

Pines Infrastructure
FIPPOA has two infrastructure projects underway in the Pines which are being planned and paid for through the Dock District.  First, the "dolphins" are being replaced in our harbor.  Dolphins are clust ers of poles designed to protect the marina from heavy ice in the winter.  This work has been delayed because the initial bids were very high, and we are now re-bidding the project.  We do anticipate that re-bidding will allow the project to come within budget.  The second project is the reconstruction of the passenger ferry dock, the bulkhead on the south side of the harbor, and the harbor plaza itself. This work is in active design phase and we anticipate construction starting immediately after Columbus Day weekend.        

Elsewhere On Fire Island
A m ajor fire broke out on Saturday, April 30th in Fair Harbor.  The fire resulted in the destruction of one house and substantial damage to three others.  The fire was fought by several Fire Island and mainland fire companies.  The fire spread very quickly.  The cause of the fire has not been determined.  The fire reminds us to be ever vigilant about fire safety in our homes and to be grateful for our own Fire Island Pines Volunteer Fire Department for the protection they provide. 

And lastly, on May 28th our sister community, Cherry Gro ve, will have a ceremony and party celebrating the opening of the newly renovated Cherry Grove Community House and Theater. It is the nation's oldest gay and lesbian theater, and has also served as the "heart" of Cherry Grove for almost 70 years. Congratulations to the Grove  !

Jay