April 15, 2025 LPA Board Meeting via Zoom 5:00 pm until 7:40 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call — Present: Jen Daly McFadden, Sam Orr, Peggy Roberts, Steven Dodd, Rosanne O’Hara, Curt Brockway, Nancy Walker (by phone), Bill Gibson and Bryan Bentz.
Also present were Bob Maurice, Edie Morren and Robert Biega.
Minutes: Minutes from March 18, 2025. Curt moved to accept them, Steven seconded. All in favor without changes.
Minutes from February 18, 2025. Bryan moved to accept them. Sam seconded. All in favor without changes.
Presidents Report: While walking her dog, an LP resident was charged by another dog, who escaped his house without a leash. She was not bitten or hurt but severely shaken by the incident. The town animal control officer was called but elected not to take any action since the dog didn’t bite or injure anyone.
The loose dog is large and can be intimidating and the latch on his door is apparently not working properly. LPA has an ordinance that requires owners to keep dogs on leash and those who fail to do so are subject to a fine. We will discuss further later in the meeting under new business.
Legal update. Letters have gone out to both the O’Haras and the Raaps directing them to remove their encroachments from LPA property. We are awaiting a quote on the split rail fence to be placed at the end of the LPA road.
The O’Haras have moved their wall, as promised and they have asked the board to review the work and provide them with a letter of satisfaction.
There is no update on the Langworthy lawsuit.
Jen explained the updated fire protection agreement terms. Steven moved to accept it. Bill seconded. Passed unanimously.
The Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission is taking up the request from the Warilas to rezone so they may raise their seawall for more protection from storms.
LPA Cleanup Day is April 26 at 8 am. Volunteers should meet at the Community House. As part of this project, the board invites help in clearing out the records room in the Community House.
Clerk Report: Any info to be sent to the membership in the notice of the annual meeting needs to be to Peggy by May 9.
Treasurer Report: All had copies of the financial reports. We are earning about $1,000 a month in interest on our account at Chelsea Groton Bank. Thanks, Bill.
Discussion followed as to how to classify various line items. This needs more work.
Standing Committee Reports
Docks: Steven reported work will soon begin rebuilding floating docks for Langworthy and Boulder. Materials are here.
We have two quotes from a marine mason on the boat ramp. A major reno will cost over $17,000 and a patchwork job will cost $6,300. We can get this shored up to get through the impending season or maybe a bit longer for $2,600- $3,000. The board agreed to to this third option, with the intent to do a more permanent job in the near future.
Recreation: New Chair Ruth has activities in the planning stages. She has circulated a survey asking for input on the plans. Discussion followed regarding the Block Party. The Bluefish Tournament will be August 23.
Because of the inappropriate behavior of a few from Latimer Point’s wiffle ball team, we are not sure there will be a game this year. Jen agreed to speak to the Latimer president before cancelling.
Roads: No report.
Beaches: No report.
Nominating: Several LPA members have indicated they will run for office in May. Eva Lynn Hantman is handling.
Property: Bob Maurice reported he is ready to get the playing fields ready for the summer.
Community House: The new plywood is going up on the back side of the Community House. As soon as that is finished, the painting can begin.
Edie requested that the porch floor be added to the painter’s contract.
Insurance: No report.
Fire: No report.
Garden Club: Assignments have been given to Garden Club members. The tag sale is to be June 21, with intake the week before.
Website: No report.
Pollinator Garden: No report.
Block Party: No report.
Coastal Resilience: No report.
Unfinished business:
Jen shared three quotes for work on the James/Oak Street wall. Discussion followed. Board members will consider further and vote at the next meeting. Sand will be supplied or moved where needed before summer.
Curt shared one quote for the Community House roof, at $16,410, from a company he has worked with before and recommends. Two more quotes are coming. We should decide next steps in May.
The tree removal issue on Joy Avenue has been further explored, with very different recommendations that Sam gathered from three vendors. It was ultimately decided we would wait a month to see what parts of the tree are showing healthy growth before we decide what to do next.
LP will not have trash cans at common areas this summer. People will be responsible for disposal on their own trash.
New Business:
Curt next moved to change the order of business to allow for discussion of what action to take on the dog incident mentioned earlier. Peggy seconded. All in favor.
After much discussion, it was agreed that the board will send a letter of warning to the dog’s owners, informing them of the dog ordinance and that they will be subject to a fine should this happen again.
New Budget work. The board made another pass at the budget numbers. It was agreed there should be a special meeting to work on this further on April 22 at 5 pm.
Bryan moved to adjourn. Sam seconded. Motion passed at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Peggy Roberts