Newsletter of May 29, 2020

Greetings!

First, I want to thank everyone who attended our Spring Membership Meeting last Saturday, which we conducted by Zoom. It was a great success and attracted a very robust audience of over 210 participants—even more if you include multiple attendees from the same home. Ken Stein of Sayville Ferry Service provided a detailed explanation of the company’s operations during the pandemic and the various considerations that SFS is taking into account when making decisions about scheduling. Residents expressed appreciation for his participation. The time did not permit us to answer every question that we received during the meeting, but we have subsequently answered all of the questions that were posted and texted to us.

Suffolk County Phased Reopening

On Wednesday, May 27, Suffolk County entered Phase One of its reopening according to New York State regulations. Most important for Pines residents, this means that construction work can resume. Certain types of manufacturing, agricultural work, and curbside retail are also permitted. We have been informed that the timeline between the phases of reopening is somewhat open-ended, and it may not take much time to move from one phase to the next. Residents are particularly interested in the reopening of outdoor dining and bars, which is part of Phase Three. However, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has requested that the Governor consider opening outdoor dining more quickly, as it is a low-risk activity. We will keep you posted.

Please Continue to Follow State Regulations

Following Memorial Day Weekend, and with larger crowds arriving on the ferries, we want to again reiterate the rules pertaining to social distancing and the wearing of masks. The Governor’s Executive Order requires a mask or face covering in public places where it is not possible to practice social distancing. If you are standing within six feet of another person, you must wear a mask. This is also applicable on the beach, on the boardwalks, and especially if you are jogging. Remember, we are all one community. We rely upon each other to protect ourselves and our fellow residents.

FIMI Finishing Touches

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, a line of sand fencing has been installed. The fencing was installed in a zigzag pattern to better capture and retain sand and runs the entire length of the Pines beach. The final touch of adding metal handrails on the beach access walks will be completed in June.

Please Take Precautions in the Harbor

We have asked that you wear a mask at all times in the harbor, because of the larger numbers of people that congregate there. Suffolk County Police will be enforcing this rule. Many residents have expressed their concerns to me about congestion in the harbor and vehicles on the harbor plaza. Please make every effort to move out of the harbor area quickly upon your arrival. Motorized carts of any kind are not permitted in the harbor plaza. The police will enforce this requirement.

Mask Donations

We want to especially thank Corey Johnson, Speaker of the New York City Council, for donating 150 masks, and board member Russell Saray, for procuring these masks for Pines residents. Doreen Katen has also donated masks which can be distributed to residents upon request by the harbor staff.

Greater Police Presence

The Suffolk County Police were visible this past weekend enforcing the rules for masks and social distancing. They were present at the ferry terminal in Sayville and also in our harbor. If they observe a dangerous situation, because of the virus, they are taking action. They are very attuned to house parties as bars and restaurants are closed. They shut down at least one house party on Fire Island Boulevard last Saturday.

Sayville Ferry Service

Sayville Ferry Service reports that ridership was down substantially over the Memorial Day holiday. The ferry schedule has been slightly modified, as the 4:30 pm that SFS added for the delivery of parcels has now been opened to passengers; please note that it does not leave the Pines for Sayville until 5:30 pm, in order to allow for the distribution of parcels. There is now only one TBD boat, the 8:30 pm on Fridays. SFS reports that there is close to 100% compliance with the wearing of masks or face coverings.

Pines Care Center

The Pines Care Center has moved into the second tier of its operation. A doctor will be in residence, but phone calls are required to make an appointment. The doctor will decide, at his or her discretion, if a patient can be treated telemedically or if an in-person appointment is necessary. There will be no house calls.

New Hours for the Post Office

The Pines Post Office has new hours. It is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays , and Saturdays for postal operations from 11 am to 1 pm. The Post Office lobby will be open daily from 9:00 am to 3:45 pm for access to post office boxes. Masks are required to enter the Post Office. Please follow social distancing guidelines at all times in the Post Office and on its front deck. Post office renewal forms are available in residents’ post office boxes.

Community Cleanup Day

Karen McCutcheon, our Community Manager, is organizing our first-ever Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, June 6 ^th from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon for residential bulk debris only (no commercial bulk permitted). More details will be forthcoming. Please contact Karen at cm@fippoa.org if you are interested in volunteering to help.

Heaven, A Pines Community Celebration

FIPPOA is producing Heaven , a virtual community celebration of the Pines that will air this summer, most likely via Zoom. Longtime Pines residents Scott Bromley and Tony Impavido have agreed to be the creative masterminds behind this event. All you need to do is to send a personal photograph or video no more than two minutes long to both Tony ( tonyimp@mac.com ) and Henry ( henry8robin@gmail.com ) by Monday, June 8th. Contact Henry Robin if you have any additional questions.

Pest Control

Vector Control started still-water mosquito treatment last Tuesday and will continue its larviciding on Mondays throughout the season. Spraying for adult mosquitoes will begin on Thursdays during the first week of July, weather permitting.

Community Reports

If you missed the community reports that we circulated before the Spring Membership Meeting, here they are !

311@fippoa.org

Last but not least, I want to remind you that we have set up 3 11@fippoa.org , a new service that enables you to ask questions and allows us to address your concerns. If you would like to report an issue, please feel free to contact us and/or send pictures to 311@fippoa.org . We want you to know that FIPPOA is here for you and ready to help. We will be responding to your requests by e-mail and, possibly, posting questions and answers on our website to serve as a resource for all residents (don’t worry—all names will be removed). Please use this new e-mail and help us spread the word.

It’s the first week of the summer, and it’s already been a busy one! As the weather warms up, please make sure to enjoy yourselves safely and keep healthy in our beautiful community.

Best,

Jay

Larry Kramer

Larry Kramer passed away this week at 84 years of age. A talented playwright and screen writer, he was instrumental in changing the national approach to AIDS as it decimated our community. Not only did he influence the culture through his prolific writing, he was also a founder of Gay Men's Health Crisis and ACT UP. Once at odds with the resurgent Infectious disease specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Kramer was recently quoted saying "we are friends again" about that relationship.

After working as a young man on the popular hits "Dr. Strangelove" and "Lawrence of Arabia, Larry produced the DH Lawrence based film “Women in Love”, he also wrote the movie’s screen play for which he received an Oscar nomination. Kramer went on to write the Tony Award winning play " The Normal Hear t". He adapted the play into the well received HBO movie of the same name. Kramer was seen around town when the movie was filmed in the Pines in 2013 . Much of Larry’s controversial book “Faggots” was written at Grey Gardens on Bay Walk here in the Pines.

For further particulars on Kramer's life of accomplishments, you can access his New York Times obituary .