An update on the Corporate Transparency Act (CT)

As was warned, on January 22, 2025, the United States Supreme Court has just lifted the stay imposed by the District Court of Eastern Texas. All corporations, in our case, all HOAs and Cooperatives, must file Beneficial Ownership reports without delay. To remind those that have not already filed their reports, each Association must provide […]

Citizen group floats ideas to regain beach access at Compo Cove (CT)

At issue is a locked gate at the end of the walkway, presumably installed by Cove residents’ homeowner association, which blocks pedestrian access to the town beach…..“The public historically had access to this beach until the gate appeared about 20 years ago,” said Johnson. “We are all taxpayers, and I think we want to understand […]

This hidden mineral is crumbling thousands of home foundations across New England

In 2020, Karen Bilotti and her husband, Sam, started to notice fine lines in their basement’s concrete walls. Ordinarily, they might not have given them a second thought. But the Bilottis had recently heard about a growing group of nearby homeowners in Massachusetts with larger cracks in their foundations, and Sam began to worry.    […]

Status of CTA Filing Mandate from FinCEN (CT)

Significant developments have emerged from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit concerning the enforceability of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Initially, the District Court enjoined enforcement of the CTA, prompting the Government to appeal and seek a stay of that decision. The Fifth Circuit initially granted the Government’s motion, temporarily reinstating […]

‘We are hopeless right now.’ | Manchester condo owners plead with Eversource to fix weeks-long electricity issues at complex (CT)

People who live at Lawton Gardens Condominiums in Manchester are frustrated after nearly a month of electricity issues.  “It’s just been a huge problem, one thing after another,” said resident Bob Soucy.  A large, and sometimes inconsistent, generator is the only thing powering one of the two condo buildings, after the complex lost power Nov. […]

Breaking: Court Lifts Stay on CTA – January 1, 2025 Deadline Looms for Community Association Boards and Management

The First Circuit Court of Appeals today lifted the stay on compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), delivering a significant victory for the government. The court found that the government has a strong likelihood of success in defending the CTA’s constitutionality against pending challenges.     Read the article…………………………….

US Government is Appealing Texas Court Injunction of the CTA

What a mess a Texas Federal Court and now FinCEN are making regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Days ago, District Judge Amos L. Mazzant of the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction ordering that the entire CTA is enjoined nationwide and that the US government in enjoined from enforcing the BOI Reporting […]

Corporate Transparency Act Update! (CT)

On December 3rd, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas published a decision in the matter of Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc., et al. v. Garland, et al. issuing a preliminary nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act essentially blocking the Treasury Department from enforcing the Act’s beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting […]

Selectwomen ink contract for Old Mill project, mum on beach access issue (CT)

With no discussion of beach access, the Board of Selectwomen last week signed a $4.739 million contract for reconstruction of the Old Mill tide gates and walkway.   Currently, a gate is locked at the end of the walkway and open only to private homeowner association’s residents who live beyond the gate.   Read the article…………………………….

20 people displaced by fire at Bloomfield condos, chief says (CT)

Upon arrival, Jones said, crews saw heavy smoke and flames coming from a two-story, attached wood-frame condominium structure. He said the first arriving officer upgraded the assignment to a task force activation, which brought additional fire companies to the scene and for station coverage.   Read the article…………………………….

Facing $200K in repairs, Danbury condos remain without heat after August rainstorms

After nearly three months, city resident Alessandra Zocolotti still has no gas in her Shelter Rock Road condominium complex.  And she said she’s getting frustrated.  Everyone in Zocolotti’s 10-unit complex on 160 Shelter Rock Road was excavated after flooding from August’s deadly rainstorm caused a mudslide and severe damage.    Read the article…………………………….

Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) – UPDATED

On Oct. 24, the motion for preliminary injunction filed by CAI National was denied. The injunction was sought to postpone the deadline for community associations to comply with the act’s burdensome requirements until the case could be fully heard by the court.   Read the article…………………………….

Does East Lyme have to kill the geese to get rid of goose droppings? (CT)

Efforts to gauge the appetite of the Giants Neck Beach Association for euthanizing its resident Canada goose population have prompted a discussion on more humane ways to drive the waterfowl out of the area.  A September survey from the Giants Neck Beach Association Board of Governors was filled out by 97 members, with 57% in […]

Police rescue woman from fire at Northbrook Condos, cat dies (CT)

Police officers and a home health aide carried a disabled resident to safety and she was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation by the Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service after a fire broke out in her unit on Rosewood Circle at Northbrook Condominiums around 6:35 p.m. Saturday.   Read the article…………………………….

Firefighters respond to condo flooding in Danbury CT

Danbury firefighters prepare to search the Overlook Court Condominiums on Coalpit Road in Danbury Connecticut as rising flood waters threatened residents August 18, 2024. Up to 10 inches of rain fell in Fairfield County Connecticut during the day.  Read the article…………………………….

Sinking condo in Hamden highlights gaps in home insurance coverage in CT, officials say

Nearly everywhere Vanessa Brown looks inside her withering condominium on Pine Rock Avenue, she sees traces of the torment she has endured there over the last decade.  Built on poorly compacted fill dirt, the foundation of Brown’s home, which belongs to the Pine Rock Condos complex, has been settling for decades, compromising its structural stability […]

Condo Owners Vote To Pay Full Water Debt (CT)

The members of a Fair Haven Heights condo association have voted to pay their entire $138,000-plus overdue water bill?—?and will now try to collect from the complex’s former property manager, whom they accuse of failing to promptly address the leak that left them in such a financial mess.    Read the article…………………………….

Condos Drowning In Water Debt (CT)

A years-long leak has sunk a Fair Haven Heights condo association into $138,000 in debt?—?landing the group in bankruptcy court, and leading to a legal fight over whether the association’s water bill or urgent maintenance should be paid for first. Meanwhile, Winters Run resident Rose Appi has been living with all of her furniture in […]

Brookfield condo fire displaces 10 families (CT)

A fire broke out in a condominium complex on Boxwood Drive early Thursday morning, leading to the evacuation of several residents and displacement of 10 families   Read the article…………………………….

House passes bill making it easier for condo owners to install solar (CT)

The bill serves as an expansion of the solar rights of members of common interest communities, which include condominiums, community apartments, planned developments, etc. A provision in the State’s Clean Air Act, passed in 2022, already prohibited common interest communities from adopting or enforcing rules that would prohibit community residents from installing solar panels. That […]

Fire in Chester condo complex destroys several units (CT)

A fire in Chester Tuesday destroyed several units inside a condominium complex.  Chester Fire Department Chief Thomas Marchiano says the flames broke out in the afternoon at the Whispering Hills condominium complex inside a garage and spread to the apartments above.    Read the article…………………………….

Town To Finalize Easement Agreement with Condo Association Near Mead Pond (CT)

Town officials last week approved funds for a survey of a condominium association’s property that includes an area along the eastern edge of Mead Pond.  The town didn’t realize when it proposed spending federal American Rescue Act funds to create a Flexi-pave walk around the pond two years ago that the abutting Park Slope condo […]

West Hartford Condo Blaze Displaces Occupant (CT)

A kitchen fire at a local condominium Sunday afternoon spread enough inside to displace the unit’s occupants, according to the West Hartford Fire Department.   Read the article…………………………….

Naugatuck Woman Secures $250,000 Settlement After Fall on Ice (CT)

A 55-year-old Naugatuck woman, who injured her left ankle, back and neck when she fell on ice and snow in a condominium complex, has settled her case for $250,000. Natalia Dubrovinskaya was taking out the garbage for her boyfriend, who lived at the Hidden Brook condominiums in Naugatuck, when she slipped and fell,  Read the article…………………………….

A CT dam disagreement emerges as climate change impacts state. ‘It’s for our safety… our family’

The lake is remote, nestled in the woods in eastern Connecticut, with just an appliance store and an auto exhaust servicer nearby.  Ashford Lake’s 53 acres are surrounded by residences, members of the Ashford Lake Property Owners’ Association, who enjoy kayaking in the summer and ice fishing in the winter.    Read the article…………………………….

Condo Column: The package problem (NH)

Something seemingly simple has become a problem. Package delivery. Since the pandemic hit, and Amazon took over the world, package delivery has become a booming business leading to some problems at condominium association. This, of course, has led to an increase in the actions of criminal entrepreneurs, aka Porch Pirates, those who steal packages off […]

Condo Column: A Hidden Danger

About two years ago in Michigan, which becomes relevant to New Hampshire by the end of this column, there was damage to a condominium that was covered by the Association’s Master Policy. After the deductible, the check to be paid by the carrier to the Association was $40,000.00. All was going to be good. Then […]

Condo Column: The proper Reserve Study (CT)

Last time I explained why the need for a Reserve Study exists. This time, some ideas of what you should have in one.  First, as a reminder, a reserve study is simply a better budget planning tool that identifies the components an association is responsible to maintain or replace, the current status of the reserve […]

Former condo president alleges ‘financial ruin’ at The Wellington in White Plains (CT)

A former president of The Wellington condominium in White Plains is suing the board of managers and its management company for nearly $1.5 million over alleged financial irregularities.   Joseph Silva accused the current board and White Management Ltd., Eastchester, of fraud, in a complaint filed Aug. 17 in Westchester Supreme Court.   Read the article………………………..

Families in unfinished Simsbury neighborhood worried about regular payments (CT)

Some residents of the Cambridge Court home owners association, known in Connecticut as a common interest community, have been waiting years for their builder, William Ferrigno of Sunlight Construction to complete their neighborhood. From a lack of streetlights and road signs to incomplete sidewalks and drainage systems, their wish list is a long one that […]