The argument over decorative mailboxes in the Pheasant Walk subdivision isn't pretty.

A group of residents in the subdivision west of Boca Raton is protesting a board decision that requires them to buy the mailboxes at $137 apiece from a company connected with the chairwoman of the homeowners association.
 
The maelstrom over the mailboxes is one reason about 100 of the 700 residents are involved in a growing effort to unseat the board, some of those residents said.

"It's not the mailbox itself," said Cheryl Tiller, one of the residents opposing the board. "We feel that the homeowners' feelings have not been taken into account."

Some residents, like Tiller, argue the board failed to give enough notice of the meetings during which the mailboxes were discussed. By law, the board must announce meetings at least 48 hours in advance. The association attorney and some residents say it has done so.

The mailbox issue started last winter. A survey showed that slightly more than half of residents wanted new mailboxes, according to the attorney, Ron D'Anna.

The boxes were part of an improvement package that included street signs and lampposts.

But another survey, this time conducted by residents, showed few homeowners wanted to buy the mailboxes.

So disgruntled residents asked the board to conduct a third survey. The board first said yes, then changed its mind.

The board approved the mailbox purchases, giving residents two weeks to order the $137 mailboxes wholesale from Over C's Enterprise of South Florida Inc. The Florida secretary of state's Web site shows the company's address as the same as Pheasant Walk board chairwoman Cheryl Angelotti's. She also is listed as an officer and director of the business.

The board told residents they could order from Over C's at a wholesale price or from the manufacturer directly for $289. As an incentive, the board allowed them an additional nine months to order the new mailboxes and is giving a $37 credit on homeowners association fees for those who make the purchase.

So far, 299 homeowners have made the purchase, D'Anna said.

Angelotti would not comment. She referred all questions to D'Anna.

"Does the board have the authority, in this case, to regulate mailboxes? Yes," D'Anna said. "What is the scope of their authority? They have the right to decide location, size and color."

D'Anna said there is no conflict of interest, because Angelotti disclosed her connection with Over C's Enterprise, the board approved the transaction, and she will not make a profit from the mailboxes -- which, he added, were being offered at a reasonable price.

"It's a mess," said resident Don Holen, who says the board had good intentions but failed to communicate with residents. Holen is campaigning for a seat on the board. He bought two mailboxes -- one as a spare in case of damage.

"This community needs prayer. It's like the McCoys and the Hatfields. We have people that don't speak to each other. In some cases, neighbors are not talking to neighbors," he said.

The legendary 19th century feud between the Appalachian clans of the McCoys and Hatfields lasted years.

The feud at Pheasant Walk may not last decades, but the development's rebels say they will stand their ground.

Some homeowners hope to avoid buying the mailboxes by electing new board members April 1, then beseeching them to repeal the mailbox purchase.

"None of these people [from the opposition] are buying one. We're waiting to see what happens," said Tiller. "If that is what everybody wants, we will buy whatever, but we don't feel that's true."