DRAFT 

August 29, 2026   LPA AUGUST Meeting Minutes  

5:05pm

Present: Nancy Walker, Jim Turner, Sam Orr, Peter Chomowicz, Ray Thompson, Michael Walker, Bryan Bentz (525pm)

Absent: Jen Daly McFadden, Bryan Bentz

Guest: Nick Kepple, LPA General Counsel

Approximately 61 residents attended.

Moment of Silence for all those we have lost including long time summer resident Robert Bobby Thresher

Minutes: Minutes of May 30 Annual Meeting and June 2 Special Board meeting were approved by unanimous consent.

President’s Report:  Nancy thanked all the committee heads, volunteers and board members for making this summer great.  Thanks to Matt Myer for the timely updates by e-blasts, Ruth Peterle-Dzurec for all the recreation activities, and Anne LaMarche for the Chatterbox.  Big thanks to everyone for contributing to a wonderful summer.

Clerk Report: Notices were mailed and posted as required

Treasurer Report:  Budget report provided.   Professional fees were discussed.  Internal audit is being planned.

Standing Committee Reports

Docks: Rich Drake reported composite float at James Street, wooden floats at Boulder and Open Way will probably last 2 years and then would change to a composite float.  Boulder Dock ramp has temporary fix, discussed raising cable as a solution and still investigating options.

Roads:  no report.  

Beaches: no report

Nominating: Eva Hantman will be stepping down so we need a volunteer to take over nominating committee.  Eva provided LPA form to designate your representative if your property is in a trust or other legal entity.  This is required by our by-laws to designate one person to vote.

Recreation:  Ruth Peterle-Dzurec thanked all the many residents that sponsored summer events.  Rita Griffin for Perks & Porch, Meyer family for Bingo night, Edie and Chris Morren for the Donut Run, Rosanne O’Hara and Renee Kinne for the Ladies Luncheon and many others.  Fall activities discussed – Halloween Bingo, Tree Lighting.

Bluefish tournament is Sept 5 and Astronomer at 7pm on Nov 7.  

Volunteers needed to take over Block party.

Property: Bob Maurice advised split rail fence was power washed, trees trimmed, benches “de-molded” and 4 young residents are weeding the playground.  Noted the need for quotes for new basketball backboards.

Community House: Fire Marshall inspection completed.  Please do not block exits.  

Insurance: Renewed with expiring carriers, overall 4% increase but umbrella did go up 10%.  Our insurance agent Bouvier was acquired by Hub International.

Fire: No report.

Special Committees

Website: Matt Myer advised renewal this year $850 for 3 years or less if he can get it lower.  Jim Krodel has Chatterbox catalogued.  Matt is looking to train board members to assist with e-blasts.

Discussion on improving records for Minutes.  Minutes are posted on LPA website, Barbara Murphy asked about old minutes, right now they are in the file room which has been sorted by year.  Edie Morren suggested hiring someone and Ruth P-D suggesting going back 5-10 years. Bryan Bentz noted the Stonington Historical Society may allow us to use their scanning equipment. Going forward would it be possible to make the posted Minutes searchable? 

Garden Club:  Edie Morren noted fall planting of mums.

Pollinator Garden:  Mary Richardson – the garden is attracting pollinators and is supported by a great robust group.

Block Party:  no report

James/Oak Street:  Peter Chomowicz noted that Rob Lewandowski is heading their committee.  He is working with Shore Design to develop final plan, then next steps would be permits in the fall, and ground breaking next spring of fall after a contractor has been selected. 

Edie Moran questioned whether LPA had secured a loan to repair the wall.  Bob Maurice felt this was the case but Peter Chomowicz would review and report back.  

Unfinished business:

Community House:  Starlink wifi installed August 26. 

James Oak St Wall: as noted above, work progresses with Shore Design and new subcommittee reporting to Board. 

CPR Training:  Chris Morren advised 15 people trained (12 new) on defibrillator.  Thanks to Cindy Griffin!  EpiPen was recommended and will be explored for First Aid kits.

Legal Update: 

Nancy Walker started with a reminder that owners need written approval from the board for any improvements to LPA property.  The Ordinance 1, Section 2 was read aloud noting the number of new owners.  She mentioned in general from the telephone pole to the street is LPA property. 

For the Litigation Update, Nancy reviewed what happened since the May annual meeting as follows:

• Special Board Meeting 6/2 to discuss replacing the current legal counsel.  Vote was 6-1 with 2 abstentions.  Tim Bleasdale was advised of our decision to replace him.
• Special Board Meeting 6/8 to vote on hiring Nick Kepple as General Counsel and to assist us in selecting a Litigation attorney.  Vote was 4 to 2 with 2 abstentions and 1 absent.  As this meeting long time clerk, Peggy Roberts resigned.
• Special Board Meeting 7/2 Board voted Michael Walker as Clerk for the remainder of the term.  Nick Kepple working with Steven Dodd and Ray Thompson advised that 10 attorneys had been reviewed, 6 further vetted and recommended Lloyd Langhammer.  Lloyd was the best fit for our case.
• On advice of counsel, Nancy could not comment on ongoing litigation other than the attorney is confident that we will prevail.  Nancy Walker also noted that she had signed retainers for Nick Kepple as general counsel and Lloyd Langhammer as attorney for the Barbosa case.

• Discussion followed on expenses with residents Frank Dellacono and Reid Simos among others commenting as well as Karen Barbosa.  Reid Simos expressed concern that the members had no idea in the earlier May meetings that the litigation already cost $100,000.  Karen Barbosa noted expenses were greater than $100k because emails were being sent in 2022.  Jim Turner will review expenses prior to 2023. There was further discussion as to the amount in the current budget for professional fees including litigation.  
• Nick Kepple noted LPA filed a Quiet Title Action in 2023 and Karen Barbosa filed a countersuit claiming Adverse Possession.  Nick noted there should be no other expenses (other than trial) because pleadings have been closed – no more depositions.
• In response to a member’s comment that the Board should exercise better financial judgement in the litigation, Ray Thompson read the ordinance that only members can authorize a property transfer and that this is what the members voted for in May. 

New Business:

Updating of Lord’s Point Ordinances:  Our ordinances and by-laws need updating as we realized among other issues that Stonington has the enforcement responsibilities of many items such as fireworks.  Updating can be done by vote of the community.  The board will review further.

Barbara Bloemink expressed concern over the fireworks.  This is a Stonington Police matter and the board will again reinforce prior to next summer season safety measures including fireworks are prohibited.  Also concern over folks and children failing to stop at stop signs.  Electric scooters/golf carts and similar cannot be heard.  Overall concern for the safety of residents and children.  Ray Thompson advised all to please stop at the stop signs!  Stonington Police should be called for any violations of the law.

Pickleball court: Nancy W noted that Joan Kimball and pickleball players would like to form a committee to evaluate the possibility of 2 courts if we move the fence between court and field.  

Discussion of issues with non-residents removing seaweed and utilizing LPA private beaches.

Jim Gibson moved to adjourn, Sam Orr seconded.  Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted, 

Mike Walker, Clerk