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News around Pine River Pond

 

Subject: PRP ALERT - SHOREFRONT LAWNS NOTICE Posted 6/10/08

Subject: WANTED: A FEW GOOD MEN & WOMEN!! Posted 5/12/08

Subject: Kickoff Meeting for the AWWA Watershed Plan Project, Posted 5/12/08

Subject: PRP Spring Meeting Announcement, Posted 3/19/08

Subject: NH DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, Posted 3/17/08

Subject: Revised Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act, Posted 3/15/08

Subject: Followup to the Sept 20th Town Meeting on HB 383 Posted 10/1/07

Subject: HB 383 - Amendment to Shoreline Protection Act Public Comment Session, Posted 8/31/07

Subject: HB 383 - Amendment to Shoreline Protection Act , Posted 8/31/07

Subject: IMPORTANT BOATING LAW CHANGE, Posted 8/31/07

Subject: Weed Issue, Posted 7/26/07

Subject: Weed Watch, Posted 7/24/07

Subject: 150' Marker Buoy, Posted 7/5/07

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Subject: PRP ALERT - SHOREFRONT LAWNS NOTICE Posted 6/10/08

Did you know that use of fertilizers within 25 feet of the water’s edge is illegal and, more importantly, extremely damaging to the lake?

Here is the language in the law:

The old CSPA RSA 483-B:9, II(d) states "No fertilizer, except limestone, shall be used within 25 feet of the reference line (full lake line water's edge) of any property. Twenty-five feet beyond the reference line, low phosphate, slow release nitrogen fertilizer or limestone, may be used on lawn or areas with grass". The same language will apply under the new CSPA.

Subject: -------------- WANTED: A FEW GOOD MEN & WOMEN!! -------------------

Just for a moment imagine Uncle Sam and Miss Liberty arm in arm, pointing at YOU with the caption 'WE WANT YOU....NOW!!!

Got your attention? We hope so! What are we talking about? We need 'new blood' involved in the PRP Board to energize our PRP Leadership with new ideas and leadership! Our situation: the same folks who have led PRP for years are the same folks who are involved now. That's not right as we need new ideas and energy to set priorities for the years ahead.

WHAT? We have a few PRP Board & Committee openings this year.

WHO? Consider exploring our opportunities IF you passionately care about our lake environment and our PRP Community!

YOUR TIME? ITS NOT A BIG DEAL....as far as time commitment! This is an invitation to a 'fortunate few' who realize that by committing a few hours over the course of a year, they can make a real difference! Those who have been involved in your association will tell you that volunteering a few hours now and again, pays huge dividends in knowing that you gave something back. If you want to review a list of PRP Association activities.....simply click on this link www.pineriverpond.org/info.shtml <http://www.pineriverpond.org/info.shtml> and page down to a list titled 'Reasons to Join'.

Please consider this email as an invitation to discuss participation at the board/committee level due to some upcoming openings.

ITS EASY! Just respond to this email with you area of interest (passion!). There is no obligation. Examples of area of interest include:

Area Of Interest Applicable PRP Board/Committee Positions
1. Leadership & Communication_______(President & Vice President: Leads discussions, communicates with members).
2. Finance/Accounting_______________(Treasurer: handles receivables & payables, prepares financial reports).
3. Invasive Weed Monitoring__________(Committee Member - assists in taking weed samples & collection efforts).
4. Monitoring Town/State Activities_____(Committee Member - follows state legislative developments & town issues).
5. Activity Coordination______________(Activity Director - from either from the website list or new ideas!).
6. Other___________________________

A PRP Representative will contact you. Again, there is no obligation.....but we want to talk with you!
Thank You,
Don Cormier, President & the Officers of the PRP Association, Inc.

Subject: Kickoff Meeting for the AWWA Watershed Plan Project, Posted 5/12/08

Friday, June 20 @ 3:00 at the Acton Town Hall

The Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance has been awarded a NH DES Watershed Assistance grant to develop a watershed-based management plan for the headwaters of the Salmon Falls River which includes Great East Lake, Horn Pond, Lake Ivanhoe, Lovell Lake, Wilson Lake and all their tributaries.

The plan will describe the present conditions, predict future conditions and offer recommendations to preserve the high quality water status of all the lakes and ponds in Wakefield and Acton that form the headwaters of the Salmon Falls River. This two-year project will include analysis of all water quality data, on-the-ground volunteer watershed surveys, review of all local ordinances pertaining to water quality and land use modeling. It is AWWA’s intention to provide the communities, lake associations and other stakeholders with a useful, timely and relevant tool to protect and preserve the fragile treasures that are the region’s waterbodies.

Come to the Kickoff meeting to see how you can help or just to learn more about the project. For more info contact AWWA at 603-473-2500 or info@AWwatersheds.org.

Subject: PRP Spring Meeting Announcement, Posted 3/19/08

In accordance with our by-laws, the PRP Association Spring Board and Executive Committee will be held on Saturday April 26th at 9:30 am. This meeting is for Board members, Road Agents, committee members and will be held at Mary Richard's home on Old Pine Road (same location as our Fall & Annual meetings). Our thanks to Mary yet again for sharing your home and for your continued support!

Please advise any issues you would like included for discussion.

Look forward to seeing you on the 26th!

Thank you,
Don Cormier

Subject: NH DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, Posted 3/17/08

SAVE THE DATE!!
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008, AT 6:30 PM
WHERE: THE OPERA HOUSE, WAKEFIELD TOWN HALL, 2ND FLOOR
WHAT: THE NH DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES – SHORELAND PROTECTION DIVISION WILL BE AT THE WAKEFIELD TOWN HALL TO DISCUSS THE RECENT CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE SHORELAND PROTECTION ACT AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM PROPERTY OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS. SEATING IS LIMITED. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT,
PLEASE CALL 522-6205 X309 OR E-MAIL PLANNINGBOARD@WAKEFIELDNH.COM

 

Subject: Revised Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act, Posted 3/15/08

Hi Folks,

Thanks indeed to all who trekked over to Concord back in January to attend and speak on behalf on SB 406 which proposed an exemption for Wakefield to the revised Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act. It was really appreciated that despite the bad weather and short notice, a brave few attended!

There is good news and bad news regarding our efforts to get an exception for Wakefield to the revised rules for the CSPA. First the bad news: Joe Kenney's Senate bill (SB 406) to exempt our town from the revised rules (i.e., 50 ft setback) failed to get committee support and was voted 'inexpedient to legislate'. DES representatives convinced the EE & ED committee members that there was no need to modify these new rules (!) as there was an appeal process that was included as part of the revised rules.

The good news is that DES has stated that the appeals process would be extremely fair and applicants would get a response quickly. In my opinion, the Planning Board sponsored Town Meeting last September and the SB 406 hearing got your concerns aired and DES reacted by stating that they would not 'nit pick' and work hard to approve all appeals supported by legitimate reasons.

DES has also scheduled another meeting on Wednesday, April 23rd at the in the Opera House, Wakefield Town Hall (please see the attached notice). I assume that this meeting is to address the ongoing concerns as expressed by Wakefield residents to these CSPA revised rules that go into effect on April 1st. Many of you have already signed up for this meeting but if you want to attend, please contact the Planning Board per the attached notice. Or you may click on the following link - planningboard@wakefieldnh.com.

Thanks as always for your support and involvement!

Hope you have a great spring,

Jim Guiod

 

Subject: Followup to the Sept 20th Town Meeting on HB 383

Thank You to everyone who attended last Thursday's meeting! It was simply a great turn-out - thanks to each of you. Special thanks to Joe Fluet and the Planning Board for holding this special meeting. A number of provisions of HB 383 were discussed - the following is a brief summary on the impact of the 50 ft setback requirements & 'non-conforming' issue:

- All Building/remodeling & construction within the designated protected area within 250 ft of shorelines except those pojects yet to be identified by DES will require permits after April 1, 2008. If any constructiuon expands the 'footprint' within 50 ft of the water - a waiver must be applied for and granted by DES after April 1, 2008. In addition, if any expansion of the house footprint is required within 30 ft of the shoreline, the homeowner/builder must go through a two step process and first apply to the Town of Wakefield Planning Board for a variance (because of the Town's 30 ft setback rules) and then apply to DES for a waiver (because of HB 383 provisions). There was some good news in HB 383 for pre-approved lots -these lots can not be refused a construction permit and can qulify for a waiver even if the house location is within 50 ft of the shoreline according to DES representatives. Also, we were told by DES officials that foundations maybe be built under currently approved structures that are within 50 ft of the shoreline & also 2nd stories could be added within the original footprint.

- Non-Conforming Issue. There much discussion on this issue. The concern is that the mandatory 50 ft setback would make hundreds of waterfront homes that were legally built in compliance with the law, become on April 1st of next year, 'non-conforming'. According to Rene Pelletier, DES, all or most 'waterfront homes are already (technically) non-conforming'. Yet to be determined is whether banks, mortgage companies and home insurers view the 50 ft setback non-confirming issue as equal to other non-conforming issues such as lot size and other technical issues.

This is a very brief summary only as many other issues related to HB 383 (and some issues not directly related) were discussed. The DES represenatives did their best to answer all questions and invited attendees to make suggestions for their list of projects that would not require a permit within 250 ft of shorelines. The Planning Board will hold workshop meetings in the near future to further discuss and review impacts of this law. The PB will determine the position the Town of Wakefield should take on the new restrictions of HB 383 that will have direct impact on Wakefiled shorefront homeowners. I would imagine that the necessity to file for a DES waiver to build an addition to footprints within 50 ft of the water would be at the top of the review list.

Also, the impact of the 'non-conforming 50 ft setback issue' on homeowners will be explored. You can look forward to informed discussions that will sort out the facts and determine real impacts & hardships. The Planning Board can then make judgments on the relevant issues and proceed accordingly. This is exactly whats supposed to happen - but all to often, there is not enough interest on the part of citizens to make the right things happen.

But thanks to all of you who were there last Thursday evening (& many others who expressed concern but were not able to attend), we now have better definition of what this new law is all about and - importantly - a path forward. We will let you know about future meetings and keep you posted on findings.

Again, my sincere thanks for your involvement!

Jim

Subject: HB 383 - Amendment to Shoreline Protection Act Public Comment Session, Posted 8/31/07
Hi Everyone,

On September 20th the Wakefield Planning Board will be holding an informational meeting regarding the recent amendments to the State's Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act. The Board is extending an invitation to your associations and anyone else you feel may benefit from attending this meeting.

I am attaching the meeting notice for you to post and share.

Please call me if you have any questions.

Bette Anne Gallagher

Subject: HB 383 - Amendment to Shoreline Protection Act , Posted 8/31/07

Impact: This new law provides for shoreline buffers changes to all shoreline setbacks in the state:

1. Eliminates town exemptions. The Town of Wakefield loses its legacy 30 ft setback. The setback will now be a minimum of 50 ft. and any building
activity if within 50 feet of the shoreline, is prohibited or severly restricted.

2. Conforming Shorline Properties in the Town of Wakefield will become 'Non-Conforming' if the footprint of present structures is less than 50 ft
from shorelines (highwater mark).

3. New formula includes point provisions for woodland cutting within 50 fett of shoreline.

The NH Legislature passed a law in May (HB 383, Waterfront Buffers provions to Shoreline Potection Act) that prohibits building within 50ft of shorelines.
This bill speficially eliminates town exemptions. Many of us, including some Town officials were blindsided by this new law. The Town of Wakefield is a big loser
as other towns like Wolfeboro, already have a 50 ft setback rule. Wakefield of course, had the legacy 30 ft setback & the majority of the waterfront homes
in our town were built under this rule.

An important impact of this new law for Wakefield is that the majority of the +/- 1,500 lakeside homes in town will become non-conforming (if not already
a non-conforming lot that is less than 1 acre). And - most importantly - shoreline property & home owners will not able to remodel, build additions, decks etc on their
existing dwelling if it will expand the footprint within 50 feet of the water. There is an appeals process, but is to Concord (not the Town of Wakefield)
and we have been told that exceptions will be few and far between. In addition, future fianancing options could be restricted as many banks
are reluctant to loan money for 'non-confrming' property & homes.
The issue here is that the Town of Wakefield, with its many lakes had in fact a 30 ft setback rule for decades and virtually all the shorefront homes were
built under that rule. As 90% + of the shoreline in the town is already developed, the effect of HB 383 is a major 'taking' of property owners/taxpayers rights.
To my basic understanding of the U.S. Constituion, this is a 'taking' and although prohibited, state legislature's have eroded property rights over the years.
Consequently its imporatnt for everyone who owns shoreline property in Wakefield to stay informed and get involved if we are to gain some relief from this act!.

Why? These changes effect the rights of folks who own shorefront homes & property and want in the future to sell, refinance, build or modify thier homes!

Many will remember when the State a few years ago asked the Town of Wakefield to pass a zoning change from a 30 ft to 50 ft setback and it was
successfully defeated due to your involvement! Instead, the town passed the most restrictive 20 ft 'buffer code' in the state of New Hampshire to protect lake shorelines as you
all know. Now the state seems to have ignored the needs & rights of legacy property onwers who built under guidelines that were less than a 50 ft setback.
I am told there were no public hearings (except of course for required committtee hearings in Concord). The effective date of HB 383 is April 1st of 2008.
The Town of Wakefield Planning Board will hold a special Public Hearing on HB 383 at 7pm, Thursday, September 20th at the Opera House/Town Hall. Town and state officials including Represenatives Jim Martin, Bill Denley & Senator Joe Kenney are planning to attend. Other experts & officials will be invited. Please - if your schedule allows - consider attending!! Your presence is crucial if we are to get any relief from the onerous provisions of this act. If nothing is done, effective April 1st of next year, your rights to expand, modify or even add a deck or stairway (if less than 50 ft from the water) will vanish or be severly curtailed.

We will send a reminder notice the week before the hearing. Hope to see you at the Town Hearing on September 20th!

Download the full text

Jim Guiod (with approval from Don Cormier)

Subject: IMPORTANT BOATING LAW CHANGE, Posted 8/31/07

As of August 17, 2007, ALL children age 12 or younger MUST WEAR an approved PFD (life vest) on any boat that is underway.
Note - the old law was age 5 or younger. The Marine Patrol will be rigorously enforcing this new law as of the 17th.
*********************************************
New Hampshire PFD Requirement
On June 18, 2007 Governor John Lynch signed into law House Bill 519, changing the minimum age for mandatory wear of PFDs. Currently, children 5 years and under are required to wear a Coast Guard approved PFD, this new law would increase the PFD age requirement to children 12 years and under. This new law will go into effect on August 17, 2007. House Bill 519 may be viewed at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2007/hb0519.html

Subject: Weed Issue, Posted 7/26/07

Several PRP Association members have complained about floating masses of weeds that are interfering with swimming & other activities. The reports so far have been by members who have homes at the northwest part of the lake. Bob Lundgren emailed Amy Smagula @ DES about this problem and the following is her advice to deal with an control this nuisance. The good news is this is bladderwort & native to our area. Bob even furnished photos - thanks Bob for alerting DES to this problem!
Jim Guiod

----- Original Message -----
From: Smagula, Amy <mailto:asmagula@des.state.nh.us>
To: Bob Lundgren <mailto:robertlundgren1@roadrunner.com>
Cc: jjguiod@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 3:51 PM
Subject: RE: HELP

Bladderwort species in general can be a nuisance, particularly since they are not rooted and tend to drift around in large masses. I encourage you to continue to pull them out with a rake (without disturbing the bottom). In time, this harvesting will thin out the plants, and slow the production of winter buds.
Amy

Subject: Weed Watch, Posted 7/24/07

I need volunteers for the Sunday morning weed watch "hour". This is August 5 (Not 6th as the newsletter stated) The purpose is to watch for invasive species. We'll meet at Lundgren's cottage (94 Grenier Road at the North end of the lake. You'll need a bathing suit, swim mask and a willingness to dive near shore to collect samples.
Important areas include any places used for boat launches. We hope to repeat our success from last year.

For those who volunteer, we have a supply of special sealable plastic bags provided to us by the DES. Each person or group will be given a small supply and places to go on the lake to collect samples. The bag has an area on which to write to indicate the location.

The samples will then be brought back to Lundgren's (or Barry Fryer's where the big loon cutouts are) by Noon. They will all be turned over to Barry after that. Barry will bring them to Concord first thing Monday morning.

Since I need to coordinate as much of this ahead of time, I need to know who will be coming on Sunday morning at 10AM. Please respond to me by e-mail (robertlundgren1@roadrunner.com) by August 1 if possible. Phone is 603-522-8235.

Thank you
Bob Lundgren

PS. As a reminder, Barry Fryer also coordinates drinking water testing. For more info call him on weekends at 522-8555

Subject: 150' Marker Buoy, Posted 7/5/07

The Marine Patrol has just informed us that they have placed a new 150 FT Distance Marker Buoy across from Morin Point off the PRP Western shore near Pickerel Cove. This marker buoy is meant as guide to boaters to gauge the 150 Ft distance required between boats to maintain no wake speed as they approach shore, docks, or other boaters. Please read the attached bulletin for further details.

PRP is the second lake after Winnepauskee to receive the 150 ft guide buoys. We now have a visible guide to gauge safe boating distance from other boaters, shore swimmers, skiers etc. The most common violation on N.H. Waters is keeping safe distance by adhering the 150 ft rule. Please let all guest & renters who will operate boaters know about the new buoy.

Thank you for your attention to this notice.


Have a great summer,
Jim Guiod

 

 


PRP Association, Inc
PO Box 98, East Wakefield, NH 03830

"Dedicated to promoting the welfare of Pine River Pond and its environs"