09/22/2026
An Open Letter to Ogunquit Town Manager Matthew Buttrick
Sent this am as we still do not have a response from Tyler on my email from Thursday
Dear Mr. Buttrick,
We are writing to you not only as the owners of The Omelette Factory, but as parents, residents, taxpayers, and a family who chose Ogunquit as the place to raise our daughter, Pyper.
We moved here because we love this community. We wanted Pyper to grow up by the ocean, surrounded by kindness, acceptance, and a town where she could feel safe and included.
Never did we imagine that two roosters, placed at our home to help our autistic daughter with her daily transitions, would turn into such a long and exhausting battle.
We have attended meetings, filed appeals, paid fines, and spent countless hours trying to find a resolution with the Town. We have repeatedly expressed our willingness to work together, including developing a plan to incorporate Pyper’s roosters into the railing at our home.
Yet here we are, still trying to get answers.
Mr. Buttrick, we have some very simple questions.
Why has it been so difficult to find a reasonable resolution that allows our daughter to keep her personal artwork at her home?
Why are we continuing to receive fines while actively trying to work toward a solution?
How can we ensure that ordinances are being applied consistently and fairly to all businesses and residents in Ogunquit?
And most importantly, what does it take for a family and local business to feel heard by the Town Manager?
We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for communication, consistency, and a willingness to work together.
This is about so much more than two roosters.
What started as a way to help Pyper transition from breakfast to school has grown into Roosters of Ogunquit, a community initiative spreading awareness, acceptance, kindness, and inclusion far beyond our little town.
People from all over have embraced Pyper and her roosters. They have shared their own stories, painted roosters, and reminded us that something so simple can bring people together.
We want Ogunquit to be part of that story in a positive way.
We understand that the Town has ordinances and responsibilities. We also believe there should be room for communication, compassion, and reasonable solutions when those ordinances affect a child’s personal belongings at her family home.
We have businesses to run, employees who depend on us, and a little girl who deserves our time and attention. The amount of energy and resources this situation has consumed is something we never anticipated.
Mr. Buttrick, we would genuinely welcome the opportunity to sit down with you, discuss our concerns, and work toward a resolution that respects the Town’s responsibilities while recognizing the needs of our family.
We love Ogunquit. We want to continue investing in this community, supporting our neighbors, welcoming visitors, and raising our daughter here.
We are not looking for a fight. We are looking for a solution.
We hope you will take the time to respond and help us find a way forward.
With respect and hope,
Sara & Dave LeBlanc
The Omelette Factory | Roosters of Ogunquit
Town of Ogunquit
❤️🐓 Follow the Flock for Inclusion
The Roosters of Ogunquit
