DRAFT
LPA General Meeting
August 30, 2025
5:00 PM
Approximately 70 people in attendance
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll call of The Board of Directors
Present were:
Nancy Walker, Bill Gibson, Peggy Roberts, Steven Dodd, Jen Daly McFadden, Paul Dzurec, Sam Orr and Bryan Bentz
Absent: Rosanne O’Hara
Reading and Acceptance May 2025 Annual Meeting
Motion to accept: Nancy Walker
Second: Marie Jeffery
Passed
Report of The President:
Another beautiful summer is in the books.
Thanks to the board, committees and volunteers for all the work needed to make it a success.
Since May, the US Coast Guard again has proposed removing the bell buoy off Stonington Harbor. The board has again issued a letter opposing this. Many LPA members have expressed their support for this position, given that it is needed for boat safety.
Jen has been asked to join the committee seeking a new Stonington fire chief. Chief Hoadley will be retiring soon.
Thanks to Curt Brockway for overseeing the roof replacement on the Community House.
Thanks to Edie Morren, Martha Murphy, Bob Maurice and Jim O’Boyle for their hard work in fixing up the records room.
Thanks to the Dock Committee for quickly fixing the damaged swim platform, and for taking good care of the docks.
Thanks to Karen Barthelson for her diligent efforts in removing the damaged utility pole on James Street.
Thanks to the Lewandowskis for running The Chatterbox for many years. This was Mia’s last year and we are looking for a replacement.
Thanks to Brenda Hollis for all her efforts in fundraising for Lord’s Point.
Again, thanks to the volunteers. We need more new volunteers in the coming year. Please consider becoming one!
Report of the Clerk: No report.
Report of the Treasurer: It has been a busy season. We have paid for some big projects; the Community House paint and roof, the tennis and basketball courts. The taxes and insurance have been paid. We have seven more payments on the Boulder loan. And we have been earning 2.7 percent on our general fund, which translates to about $12,000 per year.
Report of the Standing Committees:
Roads: Thanks to Rob for efforts in getting the damaged area near Langworthy Dock repaved. Nothing else to report.
Docks: There is work to do this winter. The Boulder Dock catwalk needs to be lifted by about one foot. The cable will be raised as it has become an obstruction to boats from getting out.
The James Street floater has fallen apart and the Docks Committee is considering different ideas for its replacement.
A resident donated $500 to fund the repair of the damaged Boulder swim platform. Although it was fixed by volunteers with materials at hand, this donation will be used wisely for dock needs in the future.
Beaches: The extra seaweed deposited on the beach was removed by TC Lyon. Thanks!
Also thanks to the Meadows boys for keeping the beaches cleaned all summer. Great job!
Nominating: No report.
Recreation: Thanks to Ruth Peterle-Dzurec for her great first summer as recreation committee chair. She reported on many successful activities including those involving NESS, Mystic Seaport, Pequotsepos Nature Center. There was increased communication of the rec opportunities through, signage, emails, The Chatterbox.
Thanks to the Meyer family for running Bingo again this year. Thanks to all who helped, especially the young volunteers who stepped up.
Properties: Bob Maurice reported the records room was lots of work and thanked those who helped. He also noted the work in the tennis, basketball and pickleball courts, which he has kept up. Thanks, again!
He said he is looking into a metal bench for the playground and said the basketball backboards are in need of replacement.
Insurance: Nancy reported the insurance bill increased 10 percent, slightly under what was expected and under budget. The umbrella policy increased by 30 percent.
Community House: Edie mentioned the paint and roof. She also reported that numerals for the Community House address would be posted. (There are none, currently).
The committee is concerned the membership is not aware of and trained on the AED , which is attached outside the Community House door. When used, the AED voices directions and can be used by anyone, even those untrained. Remember to call 911 when it is needed.
Community House passed fire inspection.
The board is working on getting WIFI for the Community House.
Fire Protection Services: No report.
Special Committees:
Website: Thanks, Matt for all the work your have put into managing the website and our many requests for eblasts.
Block Party: It was a great success once again! Thanks, committee!
Garden Club: The North Stonington Garden Club came and visited our LPA gardens. The June tag sale helped defray the cost of plants and flowers.
Pollinator Garden: Joan and Jon Dodd have assumed the chair role. The garden has developed and looks beautiful. Edible flowers and herbs are there to be shared by LPA. There is discussion of removing more phragmites to expand the garden. Thanks to all who helped on this project!
Coastal Resilience: Nothing to report.
Unfinished Business:
James/Oak Street wall: Shore Design’s first phase is nearly complete with survey work. We are awaiting a report. The board should have concepts/design ideas by late fall. From there, a small subcommittee will be convened to consult.
The wall has been undermined and needs to be cordoned off.
Legal/73 Langworthy: The trial date is set for December 10. The litigation subcommittee has been engaged in settlement negotiations with the property owner. We are awaiting an answer from her on a settlement proposal extended in late summer. If she accepts this offer, it will need the agreement of the full board. If not, we will go to trial.
Zoning: The Stonington plan will be voted on by the Planning and Zoning Commission in November. We will continue to monitor but we don’t believe there will be any significant changes that apply to Lord’s Point.
New Business:
Golf Carts: Golf carts on Lord’s Point town roads are illegal. The Police Chief has made it clear that their use makes the operator subject to be ticketed and the vehicle to be towed.
There was a one-year trial period agreed to by the former chief in 2016, but it taped and there was never an extension or any additional word from the police. Chief DelGrosso advised that there is a state law prohibiting these and some other vehicles on public roads. The LPA board is only advising of this law.
The was considerable discussion. Some residents expressed interest in appealing to the PD for an exception to the law. If they do this, it will not involve the board and will be a private effort of individuals.
Tennis Courts: Nancy suggested there should be no pets allowed on the tennis courts and that we need a dog park.
Minutes/Ballots: There was a suggestion that the board provide draft minutes ahead of the general meetings. Another member suggested ballots and info about candidates be provided ahead of time. The board will consider.
Safety Reminder: One resident asked that kids be reminded to watch where they are going and to listen for traffic. This summer saw many kids riding bikes and running carelessly, a concern for drivers.
Ray Thompson moved to adjourn at 6:00 pm, and Curt seconded.
All in favor. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Roberts