OBA Coronavirus Update 5/1/2020
Notes from the Beach
Brought to you by the
OCEAN BEACH ASSOCIATION
May 1, 2020
The Ocean Beach Association is a non-partisan, educational, civic organization, promoting the welfare of Ocean Beach, striving to improve the conditions in our village for over 50 years. We bring you news and information about Trustee meetings, public hearings, pending legislation, elections and the doings of Fire Island. We create the Ocean Beach Directory, sponsor the Windswept Sunset BYOB and the Fall Potluck, and welcome new homeowners. Our goals and concerns deal with issues within our community, our Village and Fire Island.
April 30, 2020
Coronavirus Update # 4
This past week, Governor Cuomo announced preliminary guidelines for re-opening by region and county as we get closer to May 15th. All are anxiously awaiting new guidance. Cuomo has said that re-opening the Downstate NY area which includes NYC, and Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties will be a coordinated effort with NJ and CT. Cuomo has also said that businesses will open in a phased approach, with construction and manufacturing reopening first, followed by a business by business approach that is based on a matrix of essential nature of business and vulnerability to the coronavirus.
Community leaders and elected officials from all Fire Island communities continue to work closely with the Suffolk County Executive and his team, representatives from the Towns of Islip and Brookhaven, FINS, the FIA, the Fire Island emergency response teams, Suffolk County PD, to identify and strategize the actions that need to be taken to re-open Fire Island.
Governor Cuomo is focused on “Reimagine New York” as we begin to explore the next phase or the “new normal” and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has established a Summer/Beaches Planning Workgroup to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach for all communities Ocean Beach is fortunate to be represented on this committee by Mayor Mallott, as well as other representatives from Fire Island, Islip and Suffolk including Angie Carpenter, Islip Town Supervisor and Ocean Beach resident, Mayor Zaccaro of Saltaire, Suzy Goldhirsch of FIA and Vern Henrickson, Fire Island Emergency Services Coordinator. Today, it was announced that there will be a separate sub-group focused on the unique challenges Fire Island presents.
Our message has not changed: We can not tell you not to go to your home on Fire Island at this time, but we strongly urge you to stay at your primary residence off the island. If you do plan to travel to Fire Island, please be sure you have self isolated for 14 days prior to your trip, and then plan to self isolate for another 14 days once on island. We are trying to discourage day and weekend visits.
There is a lot of information to share, so here goes:
Most importantly, our goal is to keep each other safe. Masks should be worn, social distancing should be maintained and alcohol cannot be consumed in public. If you see these basic rules being violated, please call the OBPD at 631-583-5866 in Ocean Beach. For other communities, please call 311 from a landline or 631-852-COPS from a cellphone. You may also call the Suffolk County Marine Bureau at 631-854-8382.
Covid 19 cases: One case has been reported by the Mayor of Saltaire. The patient is a sub-contractor who travelled to Fire Island by car, and who has now been quarantined on the mainland for 12 days. No other cases have been reported for Fire Island.
Beaches:
As per NY state executive order: Beaches are currently open for “passive use” only which means no swimming and no public restrooms. OB Lifeguards are expected to be in place for Memorial Day weekend, although we do not yet know what activities will be allowed and there will be new protocol to ensure social distancing. There will be new protocol for lifeguards and extensive training will be required. The various lifeguard groups across Fire Island are coordinating with each other and with county and state experts.
Medical Advisory Committee:
If you are a senior, or have an underlying medical condition, please seriously consider if Fire Island will be the best place for you. Northwell Clinics are currently planned to open Memorial Day weekend, however, based on the situation on the mainland, doctors may NOT be available to man these offices. We will see. Other doctor offices are also being re-evaluated. Helicopters will not handle Covid 19 patients.
Fire Island National Seashore:
Plans to have essential workers begin mid-May and seasonal workers at a later date. FINS is currently planning lifeguard services to begin July 4th weekend. This is obviously subject to change. Sailor’s Haven is expected to open on May 9th.
Fire Island Ferries:
Please note that Suffolk County is responsible for permitting and fees for ferry transportation. The Coast Guard is responsible for operations. The Coast Guard has not and is not expected to require social distancing on the ferry. Also, Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order specifically stated that social distancing may not be achievable on transportation.
A new schedule is in effect as of this Saturday, May 2nd Until Further Notice. Seaview begins service this Saturday as well.
Effective last Friday, April 17th, all ferry riders are required to wear a face mask or mouth and nose covering. Masks will not be provided and those not wearing face coverings will NOT be allowed to board. Masks are to be kept on at all times.
Freight on the passenger boats is a major concern and passenger baggage will be curtailed. The new schedule includes the notice that there is a new passenger cargo policy effective May 22nd. All non-essential items must now be shipped on the freight boat. Essential items are personal effects and perishables. Large wagons and large carts will not be accepted on passenger boats. Also, passengers will be limited to one trip through the gate. Additional freight boats may be necessary for passenger freight.
Social distancing is our responsibility. Maintain distance while waiting to board and unboarding, while on the ferry and choose your seat wisely. Water Taxis are available for hire, although passenger limits may be in effect.
Freight:
Please maintain social distancing while picking up freight. Contact Fire Island Ferries directly to confirm freight hours. ( If your package is not at freight, please also check the Post Office.)
Ferry Tickets:
Homeowner ferry ticket books can be picked up at the Village Office on Wednesdays only from 9 AM – 2 PM. Saturday hours will soon be added – please check the VOB website for updates. The USPS is not currently getting signatures on deliveries so the VOB is not willing to mail outside Ocean Beach at this time. They are only willing to mail to the Ocean Beach Post Office – either a PO Box or General Delivery.
Marina:
Mayor Mallott provided this guidance:
Transient marina is not open at this time.
Homeowners marina is open to permit holders only. Any homeowners using the marina should please advise OBPD.
Municipal marinas, according to Suffolk County Executive Bellone, are under the authority of the individual municipalities.
Store and Restaurant Update:
Ocean Beach Hardware is now open as is The Pantry. Maguire’s will be opening on May 7th for takeout.
Seaview Market continues to be open and is filling orders and delivering via Water Taxi to the western communities. CJs is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Castaway is open Friday through Tuesday for takeout only.
Scoops is now offering 8 flavors of ice cream for takeout from Castaway. Island Mermaid/Dockside is open on weekends with takeout/delivery. At this time, the mainland supermarkets are not consistently delivering to Fire Island.
Construction:
Construction is now limited to one worker per jobsite. Village infrastructure and safety or hazard mitigation work may be allowed to have additional workers with prior approval.
Courtesy Cart:
Is not available at this time.
FIMI:
The FIMI project is considered “essential”, so once the barges return to OBP and POW, this work is expected to begin again. Equipment is arriving in OBP this weekend and barges are expected May 5th – 6th.
The Fire Island School is closed as per the Governor’s order. The Ocean Beach Village Office remains closed with employees working remotely as per the Governor’s order. The Post Office is open. Social distancing is required and wearing face coverings when in public is also required as per the Governor’s order.
We wish you all the very best,
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home!
The Board of the Ocean Beach Association
Village of Ocean Beach 2020 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING DATES:
Saturday, May 16, 2020Saturday, June 13, 2020Saturday, July 11, 2020Saturday, August 15, 2020Saturday, September 12, 2020Saturday, October 17, 2020Saturday, November 14, 2020Saturday, December 12, 2020QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: We would love to hear from you! If you have something to share, a suggestion or a concern, please call any member of the OBA Board or e-mail us from the link on www.villageofoceanbeach.org or directly, OCEANBEACHASSOCIATION@GMAIL.COM.
This is your community – keep these newsletters coming by joining the
Ocean Beach Association.
Dues can be mailed to PO Box 316 Ocean Beach NY 11770
Annual dues are only $ 35.00.
Sincerely,
Maria Silsdorf, Judy Gerardi, Craig Sherman, Gwen Silver, Edith Charlton, Linda Norris Stertz, Jon Randazzo, Pam Nornes and Chris Brahe
The Board of the Ocean Beach Association