Greetings!
As we send this newsletter out, tomorrow is the date that Governor Cuomo has set for beginning the next phase of New York State’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not yet have detailed information on how and when Suffolk County—and thus, Fire Island—will move into the re-opening phase. We will provide that as soon as we know. In the meantime, you can check this
New York State Re-opening Guide
for additional information.
The good news is that our beach is open and will remain open this summer. The Pantry is now open seven days a week. Pines Pizza is reopening today, and the Canteen will be open for take-out cocktails. Both will be open Fridays through Sundays.
Please Follow the Guidelines!
Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order mandates that everyone must wear a mask or face covering when he or she is not able to maintain social distancing in public spaces. This applies to our walks, harbor, and beach. In the Pines, we ask that you wear a mask in the harbor at all times because of the greater concentration of people and the difficulty of maintaining social distancing. The Suffolk County Police Department is assigning additional police to the community beginning Memorial Day Weekend to ensure compliance.
Rentals
Residents have expressed concern about group house rentals during the pandemic and have asked what is happening. Group rentals are beginning this month. The brokers have advised that tenants have generally made their last payments and are planning to come to the Pines this summer, even if bars and restaurants are not open.
Sayville Ferry
Sayville Ferry Service reports a substantial decline in ridership due to the pandemic, but it is beginning to see signs of a pickup. SFS reports that riders understand the government restrictions necessitated by the pandemic and expresses its appreciation to passengers.
Tomorrow, SFS will begin
a new schedule
with expanded service. Most important, SFS is adding a midday ferry on weekdays and reducing the number of triangles during the weekends. You will see on the schedule that a number of ferries are labeled “TBD,” and SFS has promised to provide a definite decision about whether or not it will be running these ferries soon, so residents can make plans to use them. I participate in a weekly conference call with the East End ferry companies every Monday, and I anticipate having more information for residents after my next call. SFS boats were sanitized this past week, and SFS is instituting regularly scheduled sanitations of its fleet.
Fire Island Boulevard
Our community manager, Karen McCutcheon, has been hard at work cleaning up Fire Island Boulevard to welcome residents as they return to the Pines this spring. Please help FIPPOA by making arrangements with Tony’s Barge to dispose of household goods and landscaping debris. Do not bring these items to the Boulevard. Such piles only serve to attract additional dumping, which causes physical and visual clutter.
