HLA NEWS
HLA Updates and request for YOUR help!
Posted 1/5/22
Hello neighbors!
On behalf of the HLA Board of Directors, I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year!
With the new year upon us, I wanted to take a chance to share a brief HLA 2021 recap, a look towards 2022, AND (most importantly) request your help with one important topic as well....
First off, 2021 was a very productive one for the HLA - we were able to safely re-open the pool house after a year of closure due to COVID-19, we passed updated Bylaws that clarified and strengthened our stand on conflicts of interest of Board Members, we passed a flat budget keeping this coming year's assessment at $600, we were able to make several important improvements to our roads and culverts, we simplified and streamlined our billing process by adding online pay, we moved and expanded our mailbox rack after the Kings Highway bridge was replaced, and we welcomed dozens of new families into the neighborhood (35 properties changed hands since 01/01/21).
As we look towards 2022, we have a lot of work ahead of us - we will be continue to make upgrades and improvements to our roads and culverts, we are working on plans to restore the spillway area of Hidden Pond, we are expecting the expansion of fiber-optic internet to all roads in the neighborhood, and we would like to work towards finalizing plans for better utilizing the tennis court space at our June Member Meeting.
All of the work that the HLA has and will accomplish is due ENTIRELY to the work of volunteers. All of the members of the HLA Board of Directors are volunteers and in addition we have many other regular members who regularly step up and volunteer when work needs to be done around the neighborhood. We can't say thank you enough to those that volunteer to support the neighborhood and the HLA!
Here's where we need your help - we need TWO Board Members!
We currently have one open role (Secretary) and will soon have a second open role and the both need to be filled. After more than 3-years of service, Jacky Hastings needs to step down as Treasurer of the HLA. During her tenure as Treasurer, Jacky has been instrumental in transitioning the HLA from mountains of paper-records to a modern-day digital property management and billing system. We are incredibly appreciative of Jacky's support and efforts over the years and while we are bummed to see Jacky step away from this critical HLA position, we are happy to know that she will continue to be a great neighbor and member of the HLA community.
That means we are looking for a Secretary and Treasurer and it could be you! The responsibilities of those roles are as follows:
Secretary: As Secretary, you are the record keeper of the HLA, you keep the minutes of our meetings and work with the HLA President to maintain our digital records, put together and publish our meeting agendas and minutes, and communicate with the membership. You should be comfortable enough with a computer to handle Gmail, word processing, document scanning, and standard web-based programs. This role requires less than a half hour of work spread across each week outside of our monthly meetings - most of that time is spent periodically checking and following up with email correspondence.
Treasurer: As Treasurer, you are the CFO of the HLA and have the care and custody of HLA funds. With the support of the HLA President you'll make sure we pay our bills on time and stay on top of our assessments as well. You, along with the HLA President will also be the main point of contact with the HLA attorney. You should be comfortable enough with a computer to handle Gmail, word processing, and standard web-based programs. You need to also be comfortable with online banking, handling finances, and logging payments and expenses promptly. As we continue to streamline the responsibilities of this role, I would estimate that this role will require about0 30 of work spread across each week outside of our monthly meetings - most of that time will be spent checking email correspondence and logging expenses/income in Buildium. The notable exception to this time commitment will be during April and May when we receive the vast majority of our dues/assessment payments (we are working on further streamlining this for April/May 2022).
Needless to say - both of these roles are critical to the functions of the HLA. We are looking to find the right candidates to take on these roles in the long-term but would initially appoint the best fit for these roles on a temporary basis until the June Member Meeting when official elections will occur. If you are interested in learning more and potentially taking on one of these roles - please send me an email at President@hiddenlakeassociation.com. From there we can set up some time to talk through the roles in more detail and see if it's a good fit for you.
In addition to these Board Roles, we occasionally need help with other things - Docks In, Docks Out, addressing beaver damage/dams, clearing culverts, painting, etc. If you are interested and able to support these types of projects, please let me know by sending an email to me at President@hiddenlakeassociation.com and I will put your name and email on a list that's dedicated to these types of projects.
Thank you in advance for considering volunteering for one of these important roles! If you know a neighbor that would be a good fit for one of these roles, either let them know or let me know and I'll reach out.
Thanks again and all the best to you and your family in the new year!
-Chris Vachon, HLA President
Posted 1/5/22
Hello neighbors!
On behalf of the HLA Board of Directors, I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year!
With the new year upon us, I wanted to take a chance to share a brief HLA 2021 recap, a look towards 2022, AND (most importantly) request your help with one important topic as well....
First off, 2021 was a very productive one for the HLA - we were able to safely re-open the pool house after a year of closure due to COVID-19, we passed updated Bylaws that clarified and strengthened our stand on conflicts of interest of Board Members, we passed a flat budget keeping this coming year's assessment at $600, we were able to make several important improvements to our roads and culverts, we simplified and streamlined our billing process by adding online pay, we moved and expanded our mailbox rack after the Kings Highway bridge was replaced, and we welcomed dozens of new families into the neighborhood (35 properties changed hands since 01/01/21).
As we look towards 2022, we have a lot of work ahead of us - we will be continue to make upgrades and improvements to our roads and culverts, we are working on plans to restore the spillway area of Hidden Pond, we are expecting the expansion of fiber-optic internet to all roads in the neighborhood, and we would like to work towards finalizing plans for better utilizing the tennis court space at our June Member Meeting.
All of the work that the HLA has and will accomplish is due ENTIRELY to the work of volunteers. All of the members of the HLA Board of Directors are volunteers and in addition we have many other regular members who regularly step up and volunteer when work needs to be done around the neighborhood. We can't say thank you enough to those that volunteer to support the neighborhood and the HLA!
Here's where we need your help - we need TWO Board Members!
We currently have one open role (Secretary) and will soon have a second open role and the both need to be filled. After more than 3-years of service, Jacky Hastings needs to step down as Treasurer of the HLA. During her tenure as Treasurer, Jacky has been instrumental in transitioning the HLA from mountains of paper-records to a modern-day digital property management and billing system. We are incredibly appreciative of Jacky's support and efforts over the years and while we are bummed to see Jacky step away from this critical HLA position, we are happy to know that she will continue to be a great neighbor and member of the HLA community.
That means we are looking for a Secretary and Treasurer and it could be you! The responsibilities of those roles are as follows:
Secretary: As Secretary, you are the record keeper of the HLA, you keep the minutes of our meetings and work with the HLA President to maintain our digital records, put together and publish our meeting agendas and minutes, and communicate with the membership. You should be comfortable enough with a computer to handle Gmail, word processing, document scanning, and standard web-based programs. This role requires less than a half hour of work spread across each week outside of our monthly meetings - most of that time is spent periodically checking and following up with email correspondence.
Treasurer: As Treasurer, you are the CFO of the HLA and have the care and custody of HLA funds. With the support of the HLA President you'll make sure we pay our bills on time and stay on top of our assessments as well. You, along with the HLA President will also be the main point of contact with the HLA attorney. You should be comfortable enough with a computer to handle Gmail, word processing, and standard web-based programs. You need to also be comfortable with online banking, handling finances, and logging payments and expenses promptly. As we continue to streamline the responsibilities of this role, I would estimate that this role will require about0 30 of work spread across each week outside of our monthly meetings - most of that time will be spent checking email correspondence and logging expenses/income in Buildium. The notable exception to this time commitment will be during April and May when we receive the vast majority of our dues/assessment payments (we are working on further streamlining this for April/May 2022).
Needless to say - both of these roles are critical to the functions of the HLA. We are looking to find the right candidates to take on these roles in the long-term but would initially appoint the best fit for these roles on a temporary basis until the June Member Meeting when official elections will occur. If you are interested in learning more and potentially taking on one of these roles - please send me an email at President@hiddenlakeassociation.com. From there we can set up some time to talk through the roles in more detail and see if it's a good fit for you.
In addition to these Board Roles, we occasionally need help with other things - Docks In, Docks Out, addressing beaver damage/dams, clearing culverts, painting, etc. If you are interested and able to support these types of projects, please let me know by sending an email to me at President@hiddenlakeassociation.com and I will put your name and email on a list that's dedicated to these types of projects.
Thank you in advance for considering volunteering for one of these important roles! If you know a neighbor that would be a good fit for one of these roles, either let them know or let me know and I'll reach out.
Thanks again and all the best to you and your family in the new year!
-Chris Vachon, HLA President
December Board Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday December 14th
Posted 1/5/22
Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 11th at 6:30pm and will be online via Zoom.
If you would like to attend via Zoom OR would like to propose a topic to be discussed, please reach out to HLA President Chris Vachon via e-mail: president@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
A list of upcoming Board Meetings can be found HERE.
Posted 1/5/22
Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 11th at 6:30pm and will be online via Zoom.
If you would like to attend via Zoom OR would like to propose a topic to be discussed, please reach out to HLA President Chris Vachon via e-mail: president@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
A list of upcoming Board Meetings can be found HERE.
| 2022-01-11_board_agenda.pdf |
Freezing Rain and Slick Roads
Posted 12/25/21
UPDATE: 10:45AM - Very icy road conditions are continuing in and around Stoddard. Our plow company is actively working on sanding but conditions are still very difficult and a number of vehicles are off the road around town. Please stay off the roads and stay safe unless you absolutely have to be out there.
With the freezing rain and cold temperatures, we are hearing reports of very slick roads both inside and outside of the HLA this morning.
We are expecting our plow company to add sand to the roads very soon but at this point, it's best to stay off the roads unless you absolutely have to be out.
Posted 12/25/21
UPDATE: 10:45AM - Very icy road conditions are continuing in and around Stoddard. Our plow company is actively working on sanding but conditions are still very difficult and a number of vehicles are off the road around town. Please stay off the roads and stay safe unless you absolutely have to be out there.
With the freezing rain and cold temperatures, we are hearing reports of very slick roads both inside and outside of the HLA this morning.
We are expecting our plow company to add sand to the roads very soon but at this point, it's best to stay off the roads unless you absolutely have to be out.
Adding a Mailbox to the HLA Mailbox Rack
Posted 12/10/21
If you haven't heard the rumors, it sounds like the future of the Stoddard Post Office is in question. While none of us knows exactly what will come from this at this time, we want to remind all HLA residents that there is plenty of room for a mailbox on the HLA rack at the intersection of Kings Highway and Kennedy Brook.
If you would like to add a mailbox to the HLA rack, please email HLA President Chris Vachon (president@hiddenlakeassociation.com) for instructions on how to install your mailbox and begin mail service.
As we hear more about the Stoddard Post Office, we will share updates here.
Posted 12/10/21
If you haven't heard the rumors, it sounds like the future of the Stoddard Post Office is in question. While none of us knows exactly what will come from this at this time, we want to remind all HLA residents that there is plenty of room for a mailbox on the HLA rack at the intersection of Kings Highway and Kennedy Brook.
If you would like to add a mailbox to the HLA rack, please email HLA President Chris Vachon (president@hiddenlakeassociation.com) for instructions on how to install your mailbox and begin mail service.
As we hear more about the Stoddard Post Office, we will share updates here.
December Board Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday December 14th
Posted 12/7/21
Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday December 14th at 6:30pm and will be held at Davis Public Library in Stoddard. PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-related protocols, the library has a max of 10 and requires face masks for all in attendance.
If you would like to attend in person or remotely OR would like to propose a topic to be discussed, please reach out to HLA President Chris Vachon via e-mail: president@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
A list of upcoming Board Meetings can be found HERE.
Posted 12/7/21
Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday December 14th at 6:30pm and will be held at Davis Public Library in Stoddard. PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-related protocols, the library has a max of 10 and requires face masks for all in attendance.
If you would like to attend in person or remotely OR would like to propose a topic to be discussed, please reach out to HLA President Chris Vachon via e-mail: president@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
A list of upcoming Board Meetings can be found HERE.
Fiber Internet coming soon from Consolidated Communications
Posted 11/19/21
In case you haven't heard, Consolidated Communications is in the process of installing fiber optic cables throughout the neighborhood!
While we don't have any direct communication from Consolidated on this install, the techs that were in the neighborhood last week shared that they are running fiber lines on every road in the neighborhood and that it may take one to two months for everything to be connected and residential installs to begin. According to their website, this new service is going to be managed by a subsidiary - "Fidium Fiber". More info and the opportunity to sign up for email updates can be found here: www.fidiumfiber.com/fiber-internet-Stoddard-nh. It looks like 50MB service is available for around $35 per month during the first year and 1GB service will be available for $70 per month during the first year.
Posted 11/19/21
In case you haven't heard, Consolidated Communications is in the process of installing fiber optic cables throughout the neighborhood!
While we don't have any direct communication from Consolidated on this install, the techs that were in the neighborhood last week shared that they are running fiber lines on every road in the neighborhood and that it may take one to two months for everything to be connected and residential installs to begin. According to their website, this new service is going to be managed by a subsidiary - "Fidium Fiber". More info and the opportunity to sign up for email updates can be found here: www.fidiumfiber.com/fiber-internet-Stoddard-nh. It looks like 50MB service is available for around $35 per month during the first year and 1GB service will be available for $70 per month during the first year.
Beaver activity at the Highland Lake waterfront and Hidden Pond spillway
Posted 11/16/21
The neighborhood beavers have been quite busy over the past couple weeks!
At the waterfront on Highland Lake, they created a dam that would have likely caused problems for boats come spring. At Hidden Pond they created a dam deep in the spillway that was holding back a lot of water in pond.
Both dams were successfully removed this weekend thanks to the efforts of Bryan Bruder, Dennis Crichton, Eric Tuttle, Fred Pasler, and Chris Vachon.
We will be monitoring these areas to see if the beavers return. In the meantime if you see another area that needs to be addressed, please let us know.
Posted 11/16/21
The neighborhood beavers have been quite busy over the past couple weeks!
At the waterfront on Highland Lake, they created a dam that would have likely caused problems for boats come spring. At Hidden Pond they created a dam deep in the spillway that was holding back a lot of water in pond.
Both dams were successfully removed this weekend thanks to the efforts of Bryan Bruder, Dennis Crichton, Eric Tuttle, Fred Pasler, and Chris Vachon.
We will be monitoring these areas to see if the beavers return. In the meantime if you see another area that needs to be addressed, please let us know.
November Board Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday November 9th
Posted 10/2/21
Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 9th at 6:30pm and will be held at Davis Public Library in Stoddard. PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-related protocols, the library has a max of 10 and requires face masks for all in attendance.
If you would like to attend in person or remotely OR would like to propose a topic to be discussed, please reach out to HLA President Chris Vachon via e-mail: president@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
A list of upcoming Board Meetings can be found HERE.
Posted 10/2/21
Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 9th at 6:30pm and will be held at Davis Public Library in Stoddard. PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-related protocols, the library has a max of 10 and requires face masks for all in attendance.
If you would like to attend in person or remotely OR would like to propose a topic to be discussed, please reach out to HLA President Chris Vachon via e-mail: president@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
A list of upcoming Board Meetings can be found HERE.
| 2021-11-09_board_agenda.pdf |
HLA Updates: Docks Out + Road Construction/Maintenance Reminders
Posted 10/15/21
Docks Out: Docks Out is still on for Saturday 10/16 at 9am. It looks like we should have a mostly clear weather window for a few hours but please be prepared for some light rain. If you are able to help out for an hour or two, please join us at the waterfront. Questions about this can be directed to Fred, our Waterfront Director via waterfrontdirector@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
Road Construction/Maintenance: As you have likely seen, our roads are in the process of being graded ahead of winter. During this process it has come to our attention that several members (or their contractors) have been using common road areas for storage of construction vehicles or construction materials. These vehicles and materials impede our ability to grade and plow roads and cannot be left HLA roads without the prior approval of the HLA Board. All such vehicles and materials should be removed immediately. Questions about this can be directed to Donna, our Road Director via roaddirector@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
Posted 10/15/21
Docks Out: Docks Out is still on for Saturday 10/16 at 9am. It looks like we should have a mostly clear weather window for a few hours but please be prepared for some light rain. If you are able to help out for an hour or two, please join us at the waterfront. Questions about this can be directed to Fred, our Waterfront Director via waterfrontdirector@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
Road Construction/Maintenance: As you have likely seen, our roads are in the process of being graded ahead of winter. During this process it has come to our attention that several members (or their contractors) have been using common road areas for storage of construction vehicles or construction materials. These vehicles and materials impede our ability to grade and plow roads and cannot be left HLA roads without the prior approval of the HLA Board. All such vehicles and materials should be removed immediately. Questions about this can be directed to Donna, our Road Director via roaddirector@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
Secretary Needed - could it be you?
Posted 10/12/21
The Hidden Lake Association is looking for a member to join our Board of Directors as the Secretary. The Secretary is a voting member of the board and is also responsible for recording meeting minutes and general correspondence with the membership. If you are interested in serving on the board, please reach out to HLA President Chris Vachon via president@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
Posted 10/12/21
The Hidden Lake Association is looking for a member to join our Board of Directors as the Secretary. The Secretary is a voting member of the board and is also responsible for recording meeting minutes and general correspondence with the membership. If you are interested in serving on the board, please reach out to HLA President Chris Vachon via president@hiddenlakeassociation.com.
Important information request:
We need to update our database with member information, especially email addresses.
This will enable us reduce postage and stationery cost, and allow us to bill for assessments via email.
Please visit the Contact page and update your information.
Thank you!
We need to update our database with member information, especially email addresses.
This will enable us reduce postage and stationery cost, and allow us to bill for assessments via email.
Please visit the Contact page and update your information.
Thank you!
HLA AMENITIES
Boat slips and dock space, kayak and canoe storage, private boat ramp
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Pool house with bathrooms and showers, in-ground swimming pool, playground & private clubhouse
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Click to see all upcoming events!
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H L AA special community...
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