An Arizona homeowner was repeatedly fined $100 for giving away free water bottles in the community

In a sweltering neighborhood in Arizona, what started out as a simple act of goodwill has developed into a full-blown fight between the homeowner and the homeowners’ association.

David Martin lives in the Canyon Trails neighborhood of Goodyear, Arizona. For the past five years, he has been giving people free cold water from a cooler he placed up near his driveway.

We would all praise this act of generosity, but it has put him at odds with his homeowner association (HOA), which has led to a number of penalties and an attempt to change the board, as suggested by KPHO.

In the middle of the sickness in 2020, Martin started giving out bottled water to his neighbors to try to bring them together. Martin and his wife wanted to make it easy for delivery drivers, dog walkers, kids, and couples who go out for the day to get comfort, especially in the summer heat of Arizona.

“It’s for anyone who’s out in the heat,” Martin told KPHO. Offering cold water is a great way to be a good neighbor.

But his kindness got the attention of the HOA and the management organization that runs it, FirstService Residential. They used to fine Martin $50 for letting others use the cooler. If Martin couldn’t pay the fee, the sum went up to $100 a month for not following the rules.

Martin told 12 News, “I’m giving away free water, and I’m being punished for it.” It makes no sense. Especially in July, when the weather is at its hottest.

The HOA claims they don’t mind sharing water; they simply don’t like how it’s being shown. The board noted in an official statement that the problem wasn’t with the water but with the ice chest that is visible. They think it’s an advertising tool and goes against the norms of the community.

The board noted in The New York Post that the community’s bylaws do not allow people to give away water bottles from a portable ice chest that may be seen from other properties.

To avoid having to pay a fine or take the cooler away, Martin chose to replace it with a new board instead.

He started getting people to sign a petition to get rid of three members of the HOA board and change the way the board is run. About twenty-three residents came to a special meeting on July 10. The Post says that 190 of the 210 votes cast were in support of removing the board members who were the object of the vote, which is a majority.

The board, on the other hand, promptly questioned the validity of the judgment and pointed out issues with the quorum and notice procedures. The board held an emergency meeting to cancel the vote.

Martin is still not giving up, though. Martin is getting ready for a legal fight since he has legal support and state-issued instruction that backs up the vote.

He continued, “This isn’t just about water.” It’s about doing the right thing and sticking up for the community.