Even though it is the middle of winter, we have a lot of news to report this week, as many significant projects are underway in the Pines and the completion of the FIMI project continues. Read on for all the news!
FIMI Update
Crossovers
: As some of you may have seen, the crossover walks and rails have been installed in the eastern part of the Pines as far as Atlantic Walk. We are still waiting for the metal handrails, which are on order. These will be installed on all crossovers, starting in Davis Park.
Dunes
:
We have great news about the sand replenishment program, which is moving into its final stages, including the planting of new beach grass. The Pines will be receiving a total of 200,000 dune grass culms (stems) covering 10.5 acres of dune, more grass than has ever been planted in the Pines. The grass will blanket the entire width of our new dune from one end of the Pines to the other. To date, 54,945 culms have been planted between Sail and Nautilus Walks. After the stairways are complete and free of construction, those areas will be planted as well.
Fencing
: The dune fencing will be installed after the grass has been planted. Despite our persistent efforts to persuade the Army Corps of Engineers to create serpentine fencing, which would capture more sand, the Corps insisted on installing a straight 6,381-foot row of fencing consistent with the installations in the other communities. Until the new beach grass matures and the sand fencing accumulates sand, neither FIPPOA nor homeowners are permitted to augment the dune with more grass and fencing; doing so could jeopardize the easement agreement signed with the Corps. FIPPOA and the Seashore Defense Fund are taking a wait-and-see approach before we consider any additional fencing or plantings of any kind.
On behalf of the Seashore Defense Fund, we urge you to STAY OFF THE DUNE!
We need you to keep the grass healthy so it can grow and anchor the sand. In addition to its beauty, the dune provides an essential protection for our community. Your help in protecting the dune is critical to its ultimate success. We encourage you to photograph and share progress in your neighborhood or any infractions to Karen McCutcheon, Community Manager at
cm@fippoa.org
.
Boardwalks
The Town of Brookhaven Highway Department has initiated a project to replace all of the six-foot boards on the Fire Island boardwalks with seven-foot boards on pilings, rather than four-by-fours. The new boards will be compliant with FIMI standards and eligible for replacement in the case of another major storm. This project will be completed in phases, starting with the boardwalk from Tuna Walk to the Fire House; the new boardwalk between Tuna and Seaview Walks has been installed. We will update you in a future newsletter about what additional work we can expect this year.
Telecommunications
Verizon and T-Mobile have both upgraded their equipment at Whyte Hall. Some of these updates replaced old equipment to enable a greater reach of service within the community.
Tree Removal on Right-of-Ways
As we announced in a previous e-mail, the Pines Conservation Society and FIPPOA organized the removal of dead pine trees this week on all right-of-ways in the Pines with the help of Bartlett Tree Service. The tree removal helps to control the beetles that attack our pine trees, causing many of them to die. We expect to remove more than 50 trees, and 14 have been removed so far. If you need help with tree removal on your property, please contact Mr. Nick DiLollo, at
ndilollo@bartlett.com
,
631-926-5027
(cell) or
631-423-0090 ext. 2106
(office).
A Big Thank You
The Fire Department was out in full force on January 15th testing equipment and the community hydrants. We thank them for the hard work they do to ensure the safety of our community.
In Memory Of...
With sadness, we note the passing of several members of our community.
James Cashel
- An important contributor to FIPPOA and the Pines, James Cashel served as FIPPOA Director and Treasurer. Following early retirement from a successful career as an advertising executive, he became FIPPOA's first Community Manager. He was also Commissioner and a Life Member of the Fire Island Pines Fire Department, as well as Founding Director and Treasurer of the Pines Care Center. Jim is survived by his partner, Jim Johnson. They resided for 50 years in a Horace Gifford-designed residence on Beachcomber Walk.
Daniel Corcoran
- Dan was a longtime resident of the Pines and a major supporter of its traditions here. His contributions to the Pines Party were first-rank. Dan could always be found in the front row at the 4th of July Invasion, enjoying all the festivities. He was also a member of the FIPPOA Audit and Finance Committee.
Over the years, Dan served on the boards of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Lamda Legal, and the Metropolitan Opera and supported many organizations, including GLSEN and the Mead Art Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts. He is survived by Greg Sutphin, whom he met when they were students at Amherst College.
Jay Henry
-
Jay will long be remembered for his generous heart and spirit and for a deep belly laugh that will ring throughout the Pines for many years to come. He was a 25-year member of the Pines community and, with his husband of 21 years, Marc Cote, was very active. Jay and Marc organized Fool's Paradise (Labor Day Drag Party) and the Miracle House fundraisers in the Pines. They also served on the Pines Party committee for the last seven years, producing The After Party at Jim Pepper's house as well as managing all aspects of ticketing. A Celebration of Life will take place in the Pines this May; details will be forthcoming.
Jerry Herman
- Jerry brought his music and lyrics to Fire Island Pines, the home that he loved dearest. He wrote the music and lyrics to La Cage aux Folles at his 227 Bay Walk home (thus, the song, "Song on the Sand"). After winning the Tony Award for La Cage, he was cheered and applauded as he walked by the Blue Whale during Tea Dance the next day. He also brought Carol Channing and Angela Lansbury back and forth to his home by sea plane. He rehearsed "Jerry's Girls" on Broadway at his home and produced a pre-Broadway tryout of "An Evening with Jerry Herman" at the Community Center. He also graciously donated two pianos to our Community Center.