Residents are fighting a Fairfield Harbour clubhouse project, which is set to cost $6.5 million. The main issue with the decision is the lack of voting rights, as residents would like a voice in the matter before pushing through with it.
Fairfield Harbour Clubhouse Sparks Concerns
A group of Fairfield Harbour residents staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Fairfield Harbour Property Owners Association (FHPOA) office, demanding that the board of directors listen to their concerns about the proposed $6.5 million clubhouse project.
Resident John Glenowicz expressed that the protest was a necessary step to make their voices heard.
“At this point in time, this is one of the few resources left to us to put our voice together,” Glenowicz said. “This is a small representation of the members of the community that would like to be heard and have some input into the direction our community goes.”
Following the recent ousting of the former president and vice president in June, some residents worry that the FHPOA board may not prioritize the community’s best interests.
Restricted Attendance at Meetings
Since 2018, the FHPOA board has permitted members to attend monthly meetings. However, space constraints limit attendance to 10 people per meeting. Resident Wally Melanson signed up to attend the July 23 meeting. Melanson reported that attendees could no longer attend just before the meeting.
The board explained in an official statement, “Whenever the BOD had been made aware that many wanted to attend a board meeting, we have made arrangements for a larger venue to accommodate them. But today’s board meeting has an extremely long agenda with many presentations and two executive sessions about appointments, disciplinary actions, and confidential legal issues, which prevented us from moving it to a larger venue.”
Melanson and other residents believe the meeting was closed to prevent them from expressing concerns about the board’s decision to sign a $6.5 million loan with Truist Bank for the new Fairfield Harbour clubhouse.
Melanson explained that the board’s decision to proceed with a $6.5 million clubhouse without a community vote started the situation. He believes the issue is that residents have to pay for something they don’t even get a vote on.
Incomplete Amenities
Residents like Glenowicz and Carol Spears are skeptical about the clubhouse’s value, advocating for additional amenities such as a pool, restaurant, lounge, or gym. According to the board, the proposed 14,000-square-foot clubhouse will serve the needs of over 3,500 residents. It will provide space for the community’s 65 clubs and host various events.
The board described the new Fairfield Harbour clubhouse as a forward-thinking project. They stated, “We are planning for the future, and this new community center will take us into the next century, and we feel it will be the crown jewel of Fairfield Harbour.”
However, residents argue that the board’s office relocation to the new clubhouse, offering waterfront views, lacks necessary amenities like game rooms or a pub. Spears criticized the decision, citing the high-interest loan and the lack of community approval.
“The point is that we don’t know what we want because no one has put it to a vote,” Spears said, adding that previous surveys were insufficient. Glenowicz echoed this sentiment, noting that information about the clubhouse was absent from accessible surveys.
The board responded that community votes are only required for unbudgeted expenses. The board also emphasized the extensive use of surveys, committees, and focus groups over the past eight years to guide the clubhouse project.
Melanson insists that a community vote is essential to reflect the majority’s preference. “If the majority wants this clubhouse, so be it. They won’t let that happen. They know that the majority doesn’t want it.”
Board’s Response
The board highlighted several ways for residents to express concerns. These include direct contact with board members, attending meetings, and reviewing meeting minutes. In response to the rising tensions, the board has scheduled a community town hall meeting for August 1 to address the residents’ concerns.
Glenowicz recalls Fairfield Harbour as a paradise, but that has changed with recent leadership decisions. Given their age, though, he noted that they just can’t pack up and leave. He recounted being advised by a board member to “get out if you don’t like it.”
