John A. Zaccaro Jr, Mayor February 2021 FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK I sincerely hope that you and your families have had a safe, quiet and healthy off-season. The COVID public health crisis that we are still battling as a village and a nation began just about one year ago, although in some ways it seems much longer than that. It is a good time to update you on the initiatives, challenges and issues the Board has been addressing since the end of the summer season. COVID 19 UPDATE Although the Coronavirus statistics for both New York State and Suffolk County are trending in the right direction, our current planning efforts for the upcoming summer season are the same as they were last Spring. We are working with the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) to assess the current data and the overall trends of the virus. The current infection and hospitalization rates in Suffolk County range from 3 to 5 times higher than they were anytime last summer, and this is the background from which the Board, advised by the MAC, will plan for the seasonal operations for all departments and services. We will continue to monitor the local statistics and New York State’s general guidelines for operations as we move toward the summer, but the Board and I will ultimately make final operational policies based on the unique circumstances of Saltaire and its barrier-island environment within the context of the County and Statewide data. During the month of February, the Board and I have started meeting remotely with all departments and service providers to begin the planning for summer operations. The general principal guiding all of our planning in this phase is to prepare for a continuation of operations at the same COVID preparedness level, if not stricter in some circumstances, as we had in place last summer. Starting from this level of preparedness allows us to be ready for all eventualities, including potential spikes due to unpredictable variants, as well as allowing for relaxation of certain guidelines if and when the data hopefully continues to improve. This standard provides for the maximum safety of our residents, but it also provides for maximum flexibility to react to changing dynamics. Our - 1 - experience last year proved that it is always easier to loosen-up our practices and procedures than it is to tighten them up. Even in our most optimistic projections there are certain protocols that we see remaining as the basis for the safe operation of village for the entire summer. The most important are practicing social distancing and wearing of masks in all public places when social distancing is not feasible. There are a few realities that inform this paradigm. First, vaccinations are not now available for those 16 and under, a very large demographic in our Village. Secondly, those who are lucky enough to be vaccinated can still remain a source of transmission of the virus. And lastly, those who have underlying comorbidity issues, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated, remain at higher risk for a fatal reaction to COVID than the general population. Therefore, we must continue to practice social distancing and mask-wearing as urged by the CDC. This dedication to others is part of our community’s character and history, with the older and younger generations looking out for each other, and everyone looking out for the most vulnerable amongst us. As we move closer to the summer season, you can expect more frequent messages from the Village about the operating procedures and guidelines for all aspects of village services. EMERGENCY SERVICES - SALTAIRE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY Most of us only see the hard work and preparation of the Saltaire Volunteer Fire Company during their summer operations, but they continue to train for and respond to fire and rescue calls on a year- round basis. The Chiefs and Captains are preparing for the cyclical influx of residents and members into the Village as the summer approaches and a potential earlier starting cycle due to COVID. The entire community owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the Saltaire Volunteer Fire Company (SVFC) for their dedication and hard work, particularly during this public health crisis. MEDICAL CLINIC The Saltaire Clinic is currently closed, as is typical this time of year, but we have been in contact with Northwell regarding their 2021 operational plans. We expect them to be operating the clinic in the same capacity as last year for the upcoming summer season. At this stage of their planning, they do not anticipate offering either COVID testing or vaccination services. We continue to coordinate with them regarding the slate of services that will ultimately be offered as the summer approaches and the COVID dynamics change. FERRY TRAVEL TO SALTAIRE We have been coordinating with Fire Island Ferries this off-season to plan for summer operations with the ultimate goal of reduced congestion at the terminals, as well as on the boats. As mentioned earlier, we fully anticipate that all riders on the ferries will continue to be required to wear face masks while on the ferries at all times, so please come prepared with face masks for all trips on the ferry. Please check the following link for an updated schedule and other guidelines and restrictions: Fire Island Ferries | Saltaire Schedule - 2 - VILLAGE FACILITIES All municipal buildings are still closed to the public, including the Library, which means that there are NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS or WIFI available in the Village Hall. The Village Post Office remains closed and is projected to open sometime in June, unless the Board determines that an earlier opening is warranted based on population trends. SALTAIRE MARKET We have begun preliminary planning discussions with Patrick, and he is already getting the Market ready to provide services based on population trends as the season approaches. The initial thoughts are to do a soft opening in late April for very basic commodities, with expanded services beginning sometime in May. This tentative schedule is obviously subject to conditions and population trends, but whenever the Market starts to operate it will open the doors for in-person shopping with maximum capacity limits and the requirement of wearing a face mask, while at the same time offering online ordering and delivery for those who want it. We’ll keep you posted as we get closer to the season. VILLAGE SERVICES • The Courtesy Cart service remains available on a year-round basis, but still pursuant to the special operating guidelines in place as part of the Public Safety Standard Operating Procedures: http://www.saltaire.org/pssogs.pdf. • Please do not bring any refuse to the Maintenance Yard because all municipal facilities are closed to the public. All refuse is picked-up curbside every Monday during the off-season. PUBLIC SAFETY Trustee O’Brien is working with Chiefs Bob and Anthony to recruit the necessary staff and to develop practical procedures to safely provide services to the Village. They will also be on the front- line reminding (and begging if need be) our residents and guests to adhere to the Board’s Public Health policies, primarily social distancing and mask-wearing. That is not an easy task and they deserve our gratitude, support and most importantly our respect as they carry out the policies of the Board. The Board has put up for public discussion the concept of authorizing select leadership of the Public Safety Department to become Peace Officers, otherwise known as Constables. The Board will not make any decision on this move without the opportunity for thorough and full public participation. If approved the implementation would not occur until after this summer season. This topic has been raised periodically for decades and is being raised again at this time to see if it is an appropriate measure to provide broader enforcement powers and greater support from other agencies to deal with public safety challenges that can arise. This topic will again be on the agenda of the upcoming agenda (see meeting details later in the Newsletter), and we look forward to your participation at this and upcoming meetings. - 3 - RECREATION PROGRAMMING Our Recreation Program will follow the same guiding principal as all other services and activities, planning for a level of COVID safety equal to what was in place for the 2020 summer season. Molly and Kate will start from that standard, and look to identify areas of improvement as data, conditions and guidance warrants. Trustee Chefetz will be working on procedures for the use of outdoor recreation facilities under that same standard for the organized and free-play use of the ball field, playground and basketball court. VILLAGE ELECTIONS New York State has advised that all elections for 2021 will be permitted to be conducted as scheduled. Therefore the election procedures we usually implement will continue for 2021 as historically scheduled for the Memorial Day Weekend, the relevant preparation dates for which can be found at VILLAGE ELECTION DATES. Trustee Wolf is leading a study of the Village’s election process, including whether in the future it would be beneficial to the Village if it changed its election day from a spring election to a summer election, thereby perhaps making it easier for more residents to participate. BEACH NOURISHMENT PLANNING The Fire Island Stabilization Project (FIMI) completed its third and final stage of the FIMI beach re-nourishment project this past off-season. This phase includes the relocation of the Ocean Beach Well, the completion of which is a precondition of the removal of the Ocean Beach Jetties. Once that final component of the original FIMI project is complete, the littoral drift of sand will move uninterrupted from inlet to inlet and optimize the protective features of the entire west end of Fire Island.