Welcome to the new, official website for the Emerald Lake Village District.
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With Thanks ~ The Emerald Lake Village District Board of Commissioners.
ELVD OFFICE HOURS: Office hours are 6:30pm - 8:00pm ~ Wednesday of each week.
The office is located at 5 West Main Street, Hillsboro, NH. 03244. The entrance is between German John's Bakery and Central Emporium. Office Telephone: 603-464-3128. All are welcome.
MONTHLY ELVD PUBLIC MEETINGS:
The ELVD Commissioners hold monthly meetings the first Friday of each month. These meetings are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. We urge all of our ELVD citizens to attend. Meetings are held at 7PM and are at The Hillsboro Town Offices behind the Fuller Library on School Street in down town Hillsboro, NH.
Posted April 28, 2011
Until Further Notice, ALL monthly meetings will be held at the ELVD offices at 5 West Main Street (next to German John's Bakery).
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MEETING MINUTES
Posted January 27, 2012
ELVD Family Needs Our Help
We have gotten several request for information on how to help out the Dillon family after the fire in their home .Everyone got out of the house safely but now they are in need of furniture, bureaus etc. There is also a fund set up at the TD Bank in Hillsboro under the Steve Dillon Family Fund if you with to donate money. If anyone has any questions or you would like to contact the family, you can do so by contacting Les Dillon at 724-0956. A Special Thank You to all the people who have reached out to the family in their time of need.
Posted December 7, 2011
We have had some break-ins in the neighborhood. At 11 Raccoon Alley, tools, ladders and building equipment were taken sometime Monday 12-5-2011. Windows were kicked in to gain access. We need to keep our eyes open to help protect your property and the property of others. The police have been notified and they are patrolling during the day and night. Please be vigilant. If you see something out of the norm, please contact the Hillsboro Police. Get a plate number if possible and description of people and vehicle. Thanks, be safe and have a Merry Christmas.
Posted November 24, 2011
Your Hillsborough, New Hampshire 2011 town tax rate has been computed and established in accordance with RSA 21-J:35. CLICK HERE!
Posted September 7, 2011
The ELVD Water Systems Plan
CLICK HERE to view our ELVD Water Systems Plan.
Posted November 23, 2011
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Tests Show Coliform Bacteria Present in Our Drinking Water
NOTICE OF STANDARD MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) VIOLATION
DRINKING WATER NOTICE Tests Show Coliform Bacteria Present in Our Drinking Water NOTICE OF STANDARD MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) VIOLATION
The ELVD water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not (name of water system) an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation. We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. We took 13 samples for coliform bacteria during NOVEMBER . 2 of those samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than 1 sample (or 5% of samples for systems collecting greater than 40 routine samples per month) should test positive.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been you would have been notified immediately. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems. Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or distribution system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing. If we had, we would have notified you immediately.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, please contact your health care professional. General health related questions may be directed to Dave Gordon of the DES Environmental Health Program at (603) 271-4608. People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, pregnant woman, and some elderly may be at increased risk and should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.
Steps We Are Taking:
WE HAVE PROVIDED THIS INFORMATION TO OUR ENGINEERS AND WATER SYSTEMS OPERATORS. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY RECENT LEAKS. NONE OF THE COLIFORM BACTERIA FOUND IS IN THE WELLS OR THE MAIN TANK. WE HAVE ADDED CHLORINE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND WILL CONTINIUE TO LOOK FOR THE SOURCE. Notice of Violation from DES was dated November 14, 2011 We anticipate resolving the problem within the next 60 days.
For more information, please contact Keith Gilbert of Water Systems Operators at 428-3525 or Emerald Lake Village District Office, PO Box 2217, Hillsboro, NH 03244.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses).
PWS ID: 1141020 Date Distributed: November 2011
Posted August 18, 2011
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
NOTICE OF FLUORIDE MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL) VIOLATION
The EMERALD LAKE VILLAGE DISTRICT water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Test results for the sample(s) collected on July 12, 2011 showed a fluoride level of _____7 MG/L__. The average level of fluoride over
(date) (level and units) the last year was __4.5 MG/L_. (level and units)
This average is above the enforceable maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4.0 mg/L.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Fluoride in small amounts helps prevent tooth decay. However, some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Fluoride in drinking water at half the MCL or more may cause mottling of children's teeth, usually in children less than nine years old. Mottling, also known as dental fluorosis, may include brown staining and/or pitting of the teeth, and occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Although it takes many years of exposure to fluoride for bone disease to develop, mottling can occur after a relatively short period of exposure.
What should I do?
Children under the age of nine should use an alternative source of water that is low in fluoride. In addition, you may want to consult your dentist about whether to avoid dental products containing fluoride. Adults and children over age nine should consult their dentist or doctor and show him/her this notice to determine if an alternate source of water low in fluoride should be used. General health related questions may be directed to Dave Gordon of the DES Environmental Health Program at (603) 271-4608.
Steps We Are Taking: There is a fluoride treatment system in place at our treatment center and the filter media will be replaced. We will continue to monitor the fluoride level keep you informed. Current information can be found on our web site http://www.elvdnh.com and will also be posted at the Emerald Beach Post Office and the Gould Pond Road Treatment Center.
We anticipate resolving the problem within sixty days . For more information, please contact Keith Gilbert of Water System Operators at 603-4289-3525
Some home treatment units are available to remove fluoride from drinking water. To learn about these units, you may call NSF at 1-877-NSF-HELP.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
PWS ID: 1141020 Date distributed: August 30, 2011
2010 Reports
Posted Friday - June 23, 2010
VANDALISM IN THE ELVD
The vandalism here at ELVD has now escalated to the emergency level. Destruction to YOUR parks, beaches and other areas of the district are destroying this beautiful community. IT IS TIME TO TAKE HOLD of this situation OURSELVES and put a STOP TO IT ONCE AND FOR ALL.
For this we need the entire community. This vandalism has been going on for some time. Some of it is being caused by several ELVD teens that live here in the community and some caused by NON resident teens AND ADULTS as well.
Here are some of the most recent incidents.
- YOUR Gazebo at Eastman Park. The structure has been ripped apart. Roof shingles removed, etc.
- Electrical service at the Gazebo ripped out.
- Picnic tables destroyed and thrown into the lake.
- Ladders ripped and taken from lake floats.
- Graffiti spray painted on public building (mail center on Emerald Drive).
- Basketball nets repeatedly destroyed and removed.
- Fencing and fence piping removed, ripped out and destroyed.
- Trash including dirty diapers (yes, dirty diapers!) repeatedly discarded and left on the beaches.
- Nude bathing and offensive behavior by individuals in front of parents and minors. When confronted by beach goers the perpetrators yelled back to "F##K OFF."
- Bottles repeatedly smashed and thrown all over the beach INCLUDING jagged, shards that appeared to be planted in the beach sand.
- General abuse of our beaches by NON residents.
- Many, many street signs repeatedly ripped off and taken.
- On June 8th a fire was set IN the wooded tree area at Eastman Park by two notorious ELVD teens along with a teen from Deering who were luckily caught by community members as they attempted to flee. Police were called, fire was put out and teens were caught, report was made.
UPDATE: Our meetings with ELVD Community Members and Chief Roarick of the Hillsboro Police Department were a HUGE success! We now have a plan to end the crime here in ELVD and we are going to stick to it. We will be updating all of you as we move forward. Our ELVD attorney has been contacted as well concerning past cases and incidents concerning pit-bull attacks, teenage vandalism and the like. Topics and incidents that we discussed at our meeting. Once we find out what we can do legally we will then call another meeting with all community members and our attorney and share this information amongst all of us.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE ANY and ALL CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
or REALIZE YOU HAVE BEEN VANDALIZED
DO NOT APPROACH OR MAKE CONTACT WITH ANY OFFENDING INDIVIDUALS BUT INSTEAD…
1. IMMEDIATELY CALL THE HILLSBOROUGH POLICE
DO NOT CALL THE ELVD COMMISSIONERS!
HILLSBOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT (603) 464-5512
IF YOU CAN:
NOTE ANY LICENSE PLATE INFORMATION
NOTE A DESCRIPTION OF ANY INDIVIDUALS
MAKE A REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
IN ADDITION TO CALLING THE HILLSBOROUGH POLICE YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT:
2. THE CONCORD COMMUNITY CRIME TIP LINE (603) 226-3100
Concord Regional Crimeline is a non-profit partnership between the law enforcement community, and the communities they serve. It provides citizens with a vehicle to anonymously supply the police with information about a crime or potential crime of which they have knowledge. The program is designed to involve the public in the fight against criminal activity. Cash rewards up to $1000.00 are offered to people who call the program and their information leads to an arrest, the recovery of stolen property, or the seizure of illegal drugs. ALL calls are anonymous.
Thanks to ALL who joined together and helped with the construction of our new pump house!
The outside structure including roof is almost complete. Now we get inside and finish there.
The PUMPHOUSE - UPDATED Summer 2009
Work is being completed up at our new pump house! We should be done in September. Also, safety/security gates and fencing are being constructed and placed around all of our water supply areas. THANKS to ELVD Community members for doing all the work!
ELVD WEBCAM! - Click here to view the ELVD WebCam, courtesy of Richard and Karen Booth.
IN MEMORY of Former ELVD Commissioner, Jerry Burnham - A Dedication by Tom Kuck
I helped out with this Project to honor a great man. I humbly placed this bench here while thinking about Jerry and all he did as well as who he was. They are separate. The examples he gave us by DOING tasks is not his only legacy. The legacy that will stand the test of time is his SPIRIT that seemed to project without trying. How he invoked a " I want to be a part of something bigger than ME..." attitude, that was truly contagious. This is a Community Spirit that we all are missing. To keep Jerry's spirit alive, it is time we all keep what he gave of himself, in front of us, as a guiding light and carry the beacon for what this bench reminds us of. "Community Leadership Through Example".
The Jerry Burnham Dedication Bench is there to allow anyone to come sit, reflect, get re-focused on one's commitment to our community. This bench is a symbol of the context and spirit that Jerry Burnham lived his life from and gave to all of us. ~ Tom Kuck / 2008
NO DOGS are allowed on Emerald Beach, Hummingbird Beach or Eastman Park Beach.
Our beaches are now loaded with dog excrement and this must stop. If you are walking your dog(s) and allowing them on these beaches we ask you to please stop for the sake of your community. The ELVD Board of Commissioners will be issuing fines without warnings to those who break the rules.
There are NO DOGS ALLOWED on these beaches. Leashed or unleashed.
ALSO we have had several reports of loose dogs cornering people and generally running free in the District. We must ask you to please obey the rules. NO DOGS are allowed to wander free without a leash in our community.
NO TRASH is allowed to be carried into and left at any of our beaches or parks.
We have had to clean up all kinds of garbage including cigarette butts, bottles, cans, used diapers (Do you believe that one? TRUE!), food, etc. If you bring it in you MUST CARRY IT OUT!
SLOB/IDIOT ALERT!
Unfortunately, we have discovered that someone has been dumping discarded building supplies including an old bathroom sink, old vanity, trash, sheet rock and wood scraps into the marshy area on Old Lantern Road. If the people who are responsible are in fact members of OUR community, or not, and would like to come forward and claim this trash, the entire community would appreciate it. If not, you can always wait until you are caught.
Also, we have had Raven Head turn into a dumping ground as well. Old propane tanks, bikes, etc. People, you MUST take care of your own. This illegal dumping must stop. The folks doing this are attempting to turn our community into a slum.
If ANYONE has any information about who owns the refuge or whom in fact did the actual dumping, please contact Commissioner Bob at 464-4064. All information and identities will be private. Thanks!
5/8/08/ - The latest instance of illegal dumping here in the ELVD was discovered on Bobolink. Discarded, dangerous asbestos building material dumped in this person's front yard. DES and local police have been notified and are investigating and advising us on this matter.
(The ELVD has been advised by DES NOT to touch this mess until further notice from them.)
Posted Monday - April 14, 2008 - Lake Level - On Sunday - April 13, Commissioner Hutchinson checked the lake, all inlets and outlets, Frarrar's Marsh and reports NO blockage. Water from Spring melt is SURGING from Farrar's Marsh into Emerald Lake resulting in our dam and bridge to be almost overwhelmed with exiting waters which leaves little to NO room for any excess. If we had a combination of rain along with the melt at this point we would be flooded. The immediate dangers are to our abutters at the dam here on Emerald Lake. Immediate action is needed for a new dam as well as bridge.
These photos were taken on Sunday - April 13, 2008. You can clearly see the danger of the exiting waters.
The photo on left shows little room left before this water takes on the shore.
Thanks to Community Member, John Geary for the photos.
HUMMINGBIRD BRIDGE BID and FUNDING, DAM and FARRAR'S MARSH DES OFFICIAL REPORT
The ELVD HUMMINGBIRD BRIDGE:
As we have been reporting at our monthly meetings and Bond and Budget Hearing, the ELVD have received several bids on replacing our bridge. FEMA monies that we were granted have been found and are in our bank. The latest bridge bid is through Lexington Excavation and offers us a complete replacement of the bridge, including placing a box culvert to allow water out of the lake. The price of replacing the bridge and removing all old debris is $230,000.00 ($5,000.00 of this is for bond issuing fees). $37,000.00 of the FEMA money will go to the bridge project. The remaining amount will be paid out of a bond which needs to pass at our annual meeting on April 25, 2008.
If we receive revolving grants for the bridge work, which are being applied for now that our Treasurer has established a base line with our finances allowing us to be eligible, the ELVD will not have to take on the entire burden of the cost. Please read Article 2. below which explains.
Article 2. To see if the Village District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($230,000) to design, engineer, and construct a replacement bridge at the outflow of Gould Pond for Emerald Drive, and to reconstruct and improve the dam at the same location to safely allow the level of the pond to be controlled; and to borrow in the name of the municipality by issuance of serial notes or bonds, in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33), a sum not to exceed $192,100 for the purpose of defraying the costs of the foregoing, and to authorize the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon, and authorize the receipt and expenditure of federal grants in the amount of $37,900. [Explanation: The District will receive a State Bridge Aid Grant in 2012 for $153,680 which equals 80% of the total cost less the FEMA Grant already received for repairing the existing culvert. The purpose of the bond is to make the needed repairs now without having to wait until 2012. The bond will be paid off when the state funds are received in 2012. The cost to the Village will be the 20% town portion estimated at $38,420, which will be used to make the bond's principal payments until the state funding is available to pay off the loan.] 2/3rds majority, ballot vote required. Recommended by the Board of Commissioners.
The DAM at ELVD and FARRAR'S MARSH WATER CONTROL.
This is also VERY IMPORTANT. Due to the flooding we have had over the past years and especially the monster flood of April 2007, DES was contacted by the ELVD Board of Commissioners in the summer of 2007.
On June 27, 2007, Commissioners Bob Hutchinson and Deborah Marshall-Gilbert met with Grace Levergood, P.E. Dam Safety Engineer for the NH Department of Environmental Services at the Hummingbird Bridge and Dam and conducted a complete inspection of the dam, bridge, water enterances and exits as well as Farrar's Marsh which we all know unloads it's water which ends up draining into Emerald Lake.
On March 24, 2008 Commissioner Bob Hutchinson received a complete inspection report from DES which reports that the dam at ELVD is both damaged and also outdated. It also states that the dam cannot take the amounts of water as it exits which results in flooding and more damage.
ALSO in the report is that upon inspection of the dam at Farrar's Marsh it is determined that the Farrar's Marsh Dam CANNOT handle the storm flows as was field verified during the May 2006 and April 2007 flood events when the said dam was submerged and damage occurred to the downstream roadway culvert.
Both Farrar's Marsh Dam and our own dam at the bridge CANNOT handle flood level waters.
Farrar's Marsh dam needs repair and also a method of LOWERING it's water during the fall, which has NOT been conducted resulting in it's waters racing towards us during Spring and/or severe rain.
Our own dam needs to be replaced and it's waters need to be controlled during the Fall as well to prevent flooding to ELVD. (Note: Bob Hutchinson DID remove ALL remaining boards in our dam last month and lowered our lake as much as possible.)
Please view the official DES report and suggestions by DES below..
(Printer Friendly PDF) DES Report