Welcome to the new, official website for the Emerald Lake Village District.

Please JOIN our emailing list when you get a chance!
Please VOLUNTEER for Community Service HERE!

(Please be sure to REFRESH this page to assure you are viewing the most current NEWS.)

With Thanks ~ The Emerald Lake Village District Board of Commissioners.

OFFICE HOURS: Office hours are 6:30pm - 8:00pm ~ Monday & 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:

MORE IMPORTANT MEETINGS:

Mr. Hutchinson Goes To Washington

Commissioner, Bob Hutchinson will fly to Washington DC with a group from Granite State Rural Water Association to attend meetings with the Federal Government in order to address problems with our ELVD water system and to get funding. The seminars and meetings are from February 8 -11, 2010.

Click Here For Full Itinerary

UPDATE 2/8/2010

Due to the devastating snow storms that have hit the Washington, DC area, all government offices have been closed and the trip to Washington has been canceled. Bob Hutchinson is continuing meetings with all parties involved in Concord, NH starting on Tuesday, February 9th. Meetings will be conducted using conference calls. Updates to follow.

WINTER Do's and Don'ts that can help!

~ Roads are wet and slippery here in the district. Be careful when driving. Slow it down. Take it easy. We have already had several good folks ditch their cars into snow banking's from driving a bit too fast.

~ Remove heavy snow from the roof of your homes. Use a roof rake or hire someone to remove the snow from your roof. Better safe than sorry.

VIEW OUR TAX RATES for both ELVD and the TOWN OF HILLSBORO

Form One | Form Two

ELVD WATER BAN NOTICE 2008 - 2009 and Until Further Notice

ELVD WATER BAN NOTICE
There is a DES issued water ban here at ELVD. The reason? We are on a well supplied system and these wells just do not supply enough water for the District. Until we fix the situation and find more water sources we all must obey the rules or we will run out of water. This has happened several times in the past. IF WE ALL OBEY THESE RULES AND GUIDELINES the chances of us running out of water decreases.

The ELVD Board, by direct order from The NH Department of Environmental Services, are to enforce this ban and also issue fines and ultimately the disconnection of water hook-ups to those who go against this ban. It's costly, troublesome and just not cool. We all hate this situation we are in but if we pull together everyone will be able to have water for their essentials.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OFFICIAL DETAILED WATER BAN INFORMATION

ELVD MORATORIUM ON ALL NEW WATER HOOKUPS

2009 Until Further Notice - CLICK HERE FOR ALL INFORMATION

ELVD Water Quality Report/ Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) – 2009

Our 2009 Water Quality Report / Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for the District's Water Supply Reflects NO Violations. This report checks for water contaminates.
CLICK HERE to VIEW the 2009 REPORT.

ELVD - A LITTLE GREENER and a LITTLE SMARTER!

Here are some steps that you can take to conserve our precious drinking water by constructing and using rain barrels for whatever outside watering situation you have.

A Basic Setup

This first setup is used at the Stefanelli house and is a very basic rain barrel with a piece of PVC pipe being used to catch the rain water from one valley in the corner of the cabin's roof. A plastic funnel is secured at the top. The drum is 55gal and can fill in a matter of a few hours. A small submersible sump pump is used with a garden hose to water the garden.

Not So Basic

ELVD community member, Steve Beaulier takes it further and has several barrels collecting water from his roof. Steve uses a wide downspout from his gutters which fills 3 barrels. PVC pipe is again used underneath the barrels for some smart plumbing. Steve tells us that this system can run a sprinkler on gravity feed alone! No pumps or electricity used.
Steve is available to answer any questions you may have about his setup.

Summer 2009 Newsletter

The ELVD Annual Spring Cleanup On Saturday, April 25, 2009 Was A Success!

Yet once again we are proud to say that our 2009 Clean-up was a success! Thanks to all of the GREAT community members who took the time to meet and clean the ELVD. Fantastic people! Our crew not only cleaned our District but also once again ventured onto Bog Road (which is not part of ELVD) and cleaned that area as well. Thanks so very much!

We also would like to thank the community members who were unable to meet with the crew but instead cleaned their immediate areas on their own. Thanks!

Several (NOT all) of the ELVD 2009 Clean-Up Crew!

Thanks to ALL who joined together and helped with the construction of our well security fences!
We also have new Generators installed to protect the district's water supply in case of power outages. We have been hoping for this for a long time.

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 pumphouse! 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