Photo Credit - Bill Van Parys

Happy Pride Month!

Dear Karen,

June reminds me of the start of the Summer season, the Juneteenth weekend, and the celebration of Pride.

Spring Membership and Community Meeting

A special thank you to the more than 220 people who turned out for last weekend’s FIPPOA Spring Membership Community Meeting and the board members, volunteers, and staff who made it happen. We covered a very full agenda. If you were not able to attend or did attend and would love to relive the morning a second time 😊, please take the time to read the minutes prepared so diligently by FIPPOA’s Secretary, Gary Clinton. I had to warn Gary that the only downside to his amazing memorialization is that residents will begin to wonder if they need attend at all. Why not just wait for Gary’s minutes to come out?!

Keeping Our Beaches Clean and Accessible – Over the winter, sand accumulates on the public access walks creating difficult passage. FIPPOA worked with the Suffolk County Public Works Department to make them easily passable prior to the start of the season.

FIPPOA has also arranged for sturdy, attractive trash bins at the end of each walk. The Brookhaven municipal refuse contract requires Brownie to collect garbage from the bins every Monday and Thursday. On weekends, when they tend to fill rapidly, FIPPOA pays a local contractor to remove the trash. When the bins are full, please consider taking additional garbage back to your home and please never place trash outside or on top of the bins.

Fire Safety!

The Fire Island Pines Fire Department responded last season to 58 alarms of which 7 were active structural fires. Let’s do everything we can to reduce those frightening numbers.

Please study their Fire Safety Guide. It is an amazing resource with important and easy to understand tips to keep you, your neighbors, and your tenants safe. Consider printing the guide and displaying it prominently in your house or co-op.

Fire Extinguishers: Have them and be sure they are charged and easily visible (not stowed in a closet or cabinet). If expired, here’s how to dispose of it.
Smoke/CO2 Detectors: Check that they are operational and replace batteries if necessary.
BBQ Grills are a common cause of house fires. Keep them away from the house; never leave them unattended; never start the grill with the lid closed; and be sure to turn off the gas when done.
Stop n’ Shop Containers: Once emptied, always move the boxes away from the house – they are a fire hazard.

The Department is actively recruiting volunteer Firefighters. Learn more from Chief Geiman and please consider volunteering. It is an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience.

And finally, the Department is selling its popular tee shirts, which sell out at the community BBQ, so don’t wait until then. Stop by the fire house 11AM - 4PM (except Sundays); $20 – one of the few bargains still available in the Pines!

It's Going To Be A Busy Weekend! -

Friday -

BOFFO New Homeowners sunset cocktail party for purchasers in the past 5 years. RSVP here.

Saturday -

TAG Sale sponsored by Catholic Mass, Congregation B'Nai Olam, and FIPPOA: 10AM - 2PM, Pines Harbor;
A Benefit for The Martha Graham Dance Company: 2PM - 4PM
SAGE - This weekend marks the 30^th anniversary of SAGE’s Annual Fire Island Pines CELEBRATION from 4 to 6PM. All of the honorees this year are particularly active in supporting FIPPOA’s work and mission.
Guy Smith & Robert Montenegro (Innovator Award) have their very innovative hands in producing many amazing FIPPOA celebrations including the Pines Party and the Invasion.
Gary Clinton (Doris Taussig Community Service Award) is a long-time FIPPOA board member and our current Secretary and Co-chair of the Trailblazers Park Task Force.
Doug Harris (Community Engagement Award) is the Co-chair of the Trailblazer’s Park Task Force and a founding member of FIPPOA’s Committee on Black Equality (CoBE).
And they have all given back to the community in so many other ways as well. Please get your tickets or make a donation to SAGE honor these amazing community members here.
FIPAP’s “Mommie Dearest” movie night hosted with commentary by Porsche: 6:30PM, Whyte Hall

Sayville Ferry Service (SFS) Rate Increase

At the Spring Membership meeting, I informed the community that SFS will soon be seeking approval from the Suffolk County Legislature for a rate increase. I received official notice of the petition yesterday indicating the expected increase from $18 to $20 per round-trip and from $285 to $330 per 40-trip commuter pass. There is also now a 3.5% credit card fee on all fares. The petition includes a full listing of all fares.

There are two upcoming public hearings regarding the petition. The first is tomorrow, Friday June 3^rd at 2PM in Hauppauge. Anyone interested in participating in person, by Zoom or email may find instructions here. The second hearing is scheduled for June 7^th at 4PM in Smithtown. Participation information is here.

Because operating expenses have increased in the past four years – most notably New York State minimum wage, insurance, and fuel costs – I expect the rate increase to be granted and effective as early as mid-June, so please plan accordingly if you wish to purchase tickets at the current prices.

The freight portion of this petition has no bearing or relationship to Coastline’s freight charges which remain as they currently are until Coastline petitions Suffolk County for a rate increase in the future.

Common Sense Reminders

As we go into the height of the summer season, our island paradise becomes very crowded, and it is even more important to be mindful of ways in which we share the community with one another. Please remember:

Dogs must always be kept on a leash…on/in the boardwalks, harbor, ferry and beach. Suffolk County police may ticket violators and others, including small children, may feel unsafe.
Please stay off the dunes. We went through a lot to secure our new beach and its dunes; please help protect them.
Bikes and scooters are prohibited from the boardwalks by the Town of Brookhaven from April 1st to October 31st. You can ride on the dirt Boulevard, but not on the boardwalks.
When you see an emergency vehicle driving on the boardwalks or roadway, please move out of the way.
Be aware that the Pines is filled with poison ivy. Another reason to leash your dog - the oil from a poison ivy plant can easily transfer from their fur to your skin. Learn more about poison ivy on Fire Island here.
Beware of broken or loose boards. The boardwalks are maintained by the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department. If you see a broken or loose board, report it by calling 631-451-TOWN, emailing highway@brookhavenny.gov, or report it here using this form. Best to include a photo and the exact location.