In any homeowners association, communication is the cornerstone of trust, transparency, and effective governance. Unfortunately, the Snug Harbor Property Owners Association (SHPOA) is currently falling short in this critical area — and the consequences are being felt across our community.
One of the most telling signs of this breakdown is the state of the SHPOA’s official website. What should be a reliable hub of timely information and transparency has instead become a stagnant and neglected platform. Meeting minutes are not being posted, updates are sporadic or nonexistent, and property owners are left in the dark — with no clear sense of the decisions being made on their behalf or how their dues are being used.
This lack of communication is not a minor administrative oversight. It is a systemic failure that erodes the trust between the board and the community it is supposed to serve.
Transparency Matters
The primary purpose of an association website is to inform and engage property owners. It should be a living document of our collective interests — one that provides access to:
- Current meeting schedules and agendas
- Approved meeting minutes and board decisions
- Financial updates and budget reports
- Community announcements, events, and projects
When these elements are missing, it’s not just inconvenient. It’s disempowering. Residents have a right to know how decisions are being made, how money is being spent, and what the long-term vision is for the community they invest in every day.
The Missing Minutes
One of the most glaring issues is the absence of meeting minutes. According to most POA bylaws — and certainly by best practices — minutes must be made available to members in a timely fashion after each board meeting. They are not optional. They are the official record of governance and the decisions that impact every property owner in Snug Harbor.
The failure to consistently post these records not only violates the spirit of transparency but may also raise legal and ethical questions.
Communication Is a Responsibility, Not a Favor
It is the responsibility of the board — especially the communications committee — to ensure that every member has access to the information they need to stay informed and involved. That responsibility is not being met.
When communication is withheld, either through neglect or inefficiency, it creates a vacuum. In that vacuum, rumors grow, mistrust festers, and community cohesion weakens. People feel ignored, disenfranchised, and disconnected from the very organization meant to serve them.
It’s Time for Accountability
This is not a personal attack. It is a call for accountability. A functioning, transparent SHPOA website is not a luxury — it’s a minimum requirement. If the current board or its communications team is unable or unwilling to maintain it, then it is time for changes in process, responsibility, or even leadership.
We, as members of this community, deserve better. We deserve clear, consistent, and open communication from those we’ve entrusted with the stewardship of Snug Harbor. And we should not have to fight for it.
Moving Forward
There are solutions. Regularly scheduled updates, assigned website administrators, transparent publication of minutes, and open forums for feedback are all within reach. But nothing will change without a willingness to acknowledge the problem and take action.
Let this post be a first step — not just toward awareness, but toward rebuilding the lines of communication that hold our community together.