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.
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.
NEXT Monthly ELVD Meeting - Monday - Septenber13, 2010
7PM at The Hillsboro Town Offices behind the Fuller Library on School Street.
2009 ELVD AUDIT
2009 Management Letter
2009 Financial Statement
MONTHLY ELVD PUBLIC MEETINGS and MEETINGS IN GENERAL:
CLICK HERE FOR ELVD MEETING MINUTES
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.
Posted Tuesday - May 25, 2010
PARTIAL LIFTING OF ELVD WATER BAN
The Commissioners have approved a controlled lifting of part of the WATER BAN that is now in effect.
Starting with the Memorial Day weekend, washing cars, watering gardens and lawns will be permitted on weekends (Saturday & Sunday only) and holidays, through Columbus Day.
All hoses must have a trigger nozzle that will shut off automatically when not in use.
This added use will allow us to better monitor water consumption in a closer to normal environment.
With your support in reporting leaks, and the efforts of Water System Operators, Skippy Edwards and the Commissioners, the hours the well pumps have been running have been cut in half over the last two years.
When using the water on weekends for outdoor use, please remember to use it as though you had a meter and each gallon has a price. Use it wisely.
There is still a ban on the filling of pools or unattended watering of laws and gardens.
ELVD 2010 Annual Roadside Clean Up a HUGE SUCCESS!
What can we say but THANK YOU to all of the community members who donated their time and energy to cleaning our beloved district! We had a GREAT CREW this year. The regular faces that join us each year plus many NEW faces as well. We all love our community!
Posted Friday - March 9, 2010
ELVD Water Quality Report/ Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) – 2010
Our 2010 Water Quality Report / Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for the District's Water Supply. This report checks for water contaminates.
The ELVD Water Supply has received one violation this year for elevated levels of fluoride.
CLICK HERE to VIEW the 2010 CCR REPORT.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
EMERALD LAKE VILLAGE DISTRICT HAS ELEVATED FLUORIDE LEVELS
This is an alert about your drinking water and a cosmetic dental problem that might affect children under nine years of age. At low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities, but children drinking water containing more than 2.0 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of fluoride may develop cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The drinking water provided by your water system, Emerald Lake Village District, has a fluoride concentration of 2.9 mg/L at the distribution entry point for the combined output of the Meeting House Well and Mary Rowe Well. The District has eight wells in current use. Only two of the wells have elevated fluoride levels. The water from these two wells enters the distribution pipes on Gould Pond Road by the old Meeting House. As the water from these two wells blends with that from the other wells, the fluoride levels are diluted to below 2.0 mg/L.
What does this mean?
Dental fluorosis in its moderate or severe forms may result in a brown staining and/or pitting of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Children under nine should be provided with alternative sources of drinking water or water that has been treated to remove the fluoride to avoid the possibility of staining and pitting of their permanent teeth. You may also want to contact your dentist about the proper use by young children of fluoride-containing products. Older children and adults may safely drink the water. Drinking water containing more than 4.0 mg/L of fluoride (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standard) can increase your risk of developing bone disease. Your drinking water does not contain more than 4.0 mg/L of fluoride, but we are required to notify you when we discover that the fluoride levels in your drinking water exceed 2.0 mg/L because of this cosmetic dental problem.
What happened?
Fluoride contamination is rarely due to human activity. Fluoride occurs naturally in some areas and is found in elevated concentrations in the aquifer in our source water.
Steps We Are Taking:
There is a treatment system in place for these two wells. The media in the system will be replaced. We are continuing to monitor fluoride levels. We will inform you if levels exceed the limit of 4.0 mg/L.
For more information, please contact Keith Gilbert of Water System Operators, Inc. at 428-3525 or PO Box 69 Henniker, NH 03242.
Some home water treatment units are available to remove fluoride from drinking water. To learn more about available home water treatment units, you may call NSF International at 1-877-8-NSF-HELP.
Please share this information with all the other people who have children who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, schools, and daycares). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
EPA #: 1141020
Posted Monday - March 30, 2010
WARNING! There have been a number of thefts in the District recently. Please lock your vehicles and houses. If you notice any suspicious activity please notify the police. Please keep an eye out for your own and your neighbors property. Thank you ~ B.O.C.
THE 2010 ANNUAL ELVD MEETING - MARCH 20, 2010
The 2010 Annual Meeting for the Emerald Lake Village District was held Saturday, March 20, 2010. Voting for ELVD Officials was from 10:00AM to 12:00 Noon at the Hillsborough Elementary School in the gymnasium followed by the Annual District Meeting also in the gymnasium at 1:00PM to vote for the Warrant Articles.
HERE ARE THE RESULTS
For ELVD Offices:
COMMISSIONER (3 Year Term) - Bob Hutchinson
SECRETARY/ TREASURER (1 Year Term) - Sue Hutchinson
MODERATOR (1 Year Term) - Bob Burton
CLERK (1 Year Term) - Patricia Stefanelli
Warrant Articles:
ALL WARRANT ARTICLES PASSED
CLICK HERE to read the 2010 ELVD Annual Meeting Minutes
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.
UPDATE 3/16/2010
Commissioner Bob Hutchinson finally made a two day trip to Washington, DC on - March 7th and 8th. Bob met with the staff of Carol Shea-Porter, Jeanne Shaheen, Judd Gregg and Paul Hodes to acquire stimulus money for the future ELVD Water System. The ELVD Commissioners along with Bob Anderson from Village Districts of The State of New Hampshire will be writing and creating legislation for the request for funding. Updates to follow.
VIEW OUR TAX RATES for both ELVD and the TOWN OF HILLSBORO
Form One | Form Two
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
ELVD WATER BAN NOTICE
