Minutes of the July 07th 2025 POA Annual Meeting APPROVED

Annual Meeting Minutes
July 7th 2025

1. Meeting was called to order by President Vincent Giordano at 7:06 pm.
   A quorum of board members was established. In attendance were Vincent Giordano, Thomas Roche, Matt Barez, Niall Ferguson, Karen Jubanyik, George O-Dowd, David Silverstone, Frank Telo, Andrew Ruff, Kerri Beckert, John Grathwol. Peter Robinson, Office Manager
   Absent: David Scheer.
   
2. Approval of Minutes from 2024 annual meeting. A motion was made by Kerri Beckert to approve the annual meeting minutes from 2024. Richard Greenalch, jr (resident) seconded the motion). The motion carried unanimously.
   
3. Treasurers’ Report
   John Grathwol Presents the annual report. Pine Orchard Association is in good financial standing with revenue generated from property taxes. Expenditures were on sea wall repair, storm damage repair to shoreline common areas, and Triangle Park beautification and maintenance. Vin Giordano thanked John Grathwol for his tenure on the board and his service to the community.
   
4. Building
   Andrew Ruff reported that general maintenance has been done on the building this year as well as some minor repairs. The rental space in the basement will be vacated by the current tenant, and we will be advertising for a new tenant shortly.
   
5. Shoreline
   Shoreline maintenance and repairs discussion covered in the treasurer’s report. Shoreline is continuing to work to specifically identify the access points to the beaches which are granted to the Pine Orchard Association.
   
6. Legal Report
   Vin Giordano gave a brief summary of the ongoing litigation and arbitration which continue in the Wihbey case ( Short term rentals). POA expects the case to be settled by the end of the year.
   
7. Beautification
   
8. President’s Report: Vincent Giordano reported that Pine Orchard is in a sound financial position. Through careful budgeting and oversight, we have maintained healthy reserves while addressing ongoing maintenance and improvement needs throughout the association. We will investigate federal and state emergency funding if an unexpected weather event causes our maintained spaces damage. He also stated that we will continue to be vigilant in our work to stop STR (short-term rentals) in our association.
   
9. Nominating Committee – Election of new Board Members. Standing for reelection for their second three-year term: Niall Ferguson and Vincent Giordano. Board Member John Grathwol chose not to stand. Additionally, Robert Draizen and Richard K Greenalch, jr ran for election. Residents in attendance were issued ballots according to the charter and bylaws, votes were tabulated by Peter Robinson and checked by Kerri Beckert, Clerk. Niall Ferguson and Vincent Giordano were reelected. Richard K Greenalch, jr was elected for his first term. The board thanked both candidates for their willingness to serve.
   
10. Public Comments:
    Residents chose to comment on the short-term rental legal proceedings. All comments supported the board’s decision to pursue and hold responsible all those in violation of the short-term rental restrictions. Whole opinions differed regarding the aspects of the possible settlement; the association members and board aligned in that our goal is to protect our neighborhoods’ character and value while reducing the financial and legal risks associated with continued litigation.
    Two residents mentioned speeders on our roads, especially during the summer months. Vin Giordano reported that this is an ongoing discussion with the First Selectman’s office.
    
    Resident Robert Massey (serves as a fire commissioner for the Town of Branford) spoke about the staffing of the new fire station in Indian Neck which will reduce response time from 11 to 7 minutes for those in Pine Orchard.
    A motion was made by Thomas Roche to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Rober Massey (resident).
    
    The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 pm.
    Respectfully submitted,
    Kerri Costigan Beckert
    Clerk, Pine Orchard Association