About Hidden Lake Association
Where we are located:
A brief history of the HLA:The following was compiled by Ginny GrandPre', a long time resident of HLA and a very active member of the Association. Her volunteerism to HLA over the years was extensive and we as a community are so grateful and fortunate to have benefited from her contributions. She plans to move from the area in the future and the following may be her last gift to us. The history she presents is very interesting, informative and valuable. The Board of Directors has no reason to doubt the accuracy of the information she has compiled but it does not take any responsibility for it. That stated, thank you very much Ginny!
HOW DID HIDDEN LAKE ASSOCIATION BEGIN AND WHAT IS JLN?
In the early 1960’s a man named Arthur Jennison purchased the property now known as the Hidden Lake Development.
Originally, the area was named Scenic Lake Estates (aka Red Squirrel Development). He planned to establish a community water system throughout the development, with a well that was drilled at the intersection of the bottom of South Hidden Lake Road and Beaver Brook Drive, a riding trail around the perimeter of the area and a community house (nightclub) where the present clubhouse stands.
Mr. Jennison proceeded to develop and sell lots. Those original lots paid him $25 a year for maintenance of the roads. Unfortunately, his costs exceeded the sale of the lots and he filed for bankruptcy.
The map of the development shows some very narrow pieces of land that still belongs to HLA. These pieces of property were supposed to contain the piping for the community wide water system. It was never built. Maps also show a trail around the top of the development where the riding trail was supposed to be.
Subsequently Mr. Jennison enlisted two partners and they re-established the area as JLN. They sold more lots but also eventually filed for bankruptcy. A total of 89 (+-) lots were sold under these two names.
At a Bankruptcy Sale Cersosimo Lumber Company of Brattleboro Vermont purchased the area. They established the name Stoddard Development and filed a set of Restrictive Covenants with the State of New Hampshire. All deeds sold under this name included the requirement of the buyer to adhere to these Covenants.
Some owners who had purchased lots under the name Scenic Lake Estates or JLN (its subsequent name) formed the original social organization known as the Hidden Lake Civic Association. They created bylaws, elected officers and conducted meetings. New owners under Stoddard Development joined the organization as well. As the area began to deteriorate (narrow roads and low upkeep of the recreation area which had been built by Stoddard Development) the members of HLCA began negotiations with Stoddard Development to assume their own management.
In the early-1980’s Stoddard Development had sold most of the remaining lots and turned the management of the area over to one of their employees’ – John Gouin. Mr. Gouin offered the remaining lots for sale and attended meetings between the HLCA officers and Stoddard Development.
The clubhouse was built and meetings were held there instead of at the Stoddard Town Hall.
Mr. Gouin increased the Assessment from $100 a year to $230 (in accordance with the CPI). On October 12, 1985 Stoddard Development legally turned over to HLCA all assets of the Association including a check in the amount of $24,600. They also turned over all the unpaid assessments that were currently on their books in the amount of $67,492.
Legal counsel (Howard and Gleason of Henniker, NH) were engaged and they proceeded to help establish new bylaws for the Association. Unpaid members were contacted, legal action was instituted and eventually all back assessment payments were received.
As income increased over the next couple of years, improvements proceeded throughout the area:
The roads were widened and a continuing (10-year) program to improve the surface of the roads was initiated.
The pool house floor, which had collapsed, was replaced and waterproofed.
The pool heater, which did not operate, was replaced. The pump and filter for the pool was installed in the office area instead of under the room where it had previously been located.
The pool liner that was torn, faded and sagging was replaced.
New docks were built to replace the three floats, two of which had floated away.
Stairs and a sidewalk were established along the lakeside of the pool after an extension of the interior concrete and new fencing was installed.
Ninety-six Taxus yews were planted on two sides of the pool and the entrance walk to Rossi Hall to retard erosion and beautify the area.
The tennis court was resurfaced with green and red paint to replace the former blacktop surface and a pad and basketball area was established.
Additional playground equipment was purchased to be joined to the small slide tower and four rocking horses originally placed on the playground.
To honor those members who had started the Hidden Lake Association, the Tennis Court was named for Walter Gebhardt, the clubhouse was named for Joseph Rossi and the pool was named for Pat DeMatteo – all men who had served as officers for the Association.
Additional improvements were done during the coming years:
The floor of the pool house was again replaced.
The inside of the clubhouse was upgraded.
Due to cuts in the pool liner, a new liner was installed and the previous drain at the bottom of the pool was capped and no longer used.
Privacy curtains were installed in the pool house bathrooms and hallway rugs were purchased to alleviate the possibility of falls on the water soaked floors.
A policy was instituted to have a cut back of the roads done every fall to keep the roads widened.
Picnic tables were purchased along with park benches to be placed along the water line of Pirates Cove.
Increased costs of maintaining and managing HLA over the years have increased the yearly Assessment from the $230 in 1985 to the present $650.
HOW DID HIDDEN LAKE ASSOCIATION BEGIN AND WHAT IS JLN?
In the early 1960’s a man named Arthur Jennison purchased the property now known as the Hidden Lake Development.
Originally, the area was named Scenic Lake Estates (aka Red Squirrel Development). He planned to establish a community water system throughout the development, with a well that was drilled at the intersection of the bottom of South Hidden Lake Road and Beaver Brook Drive, a riding trail around the perimeter of the area and a community house (nightclub) where the present clubhouse stands.
Mr. Jennison proceeded to develop and sell lots. Those original lots paid him $25 a year for maintenance of the roads. Unfortunately, his costs exceeded the sale of the lots and he filed for bankruptcy.
The map of the development shows some very narrow pieces of land that still belongs to HLA. These pieces of property were supposed to contain the piping for the community wide water system. It was never built. Maps also show a trail around the top of the development where the riding trail was supposed to be.
Subsequently Mr. Jennison enlisted two partners and they re-established the area as JLN. They sold more lots but also eventually filed for bankruptcy. A total of 89 (+-) lots were sold under these two names.
At a Bankruptcy Sale Cersosimo Lumber Company of Brattleboro Vermont purchased the area. They established the name Stoddard Development and filed a set of Restrictive Covenants with the State of New Hampshire. All deeds sold under this name included the requirement of the buyer to adhere to these Covenants.
Some owners who had purchased lots under the name Scenic Lake Estates or JLN (its subsequent name) formed the original social organization known as the Hidden Lake Civic Association. They created bylaws, elected officers and conducted meetings. New owners under Stoddard Development joined the organization as well. As the area began to deteriorate (narrow roads and low upkeep of the recreation area which had been built by Stoddard Development) the members of HLCA began negotiations with Stoddard Development to assume their own management.
In the early-1980’s Stoddard Development had sold most of the remaining lots and turned the management of the area over to one of their employees’ – John Gouin. Mr. Gouin offered the remaining lots for sale and attended meetings between the HLCA officers and Stoddard Development.
The clubhouse was built and meetings were held there instead of at the Stoddard Town Hall.
Mr. Gouin increased the Assessment from $100 a year to $230 (in accordance with the CPI). On October 12, 1985 Stoddard Development legally turned over to HLCA all assets of the Association including a check in the amount of $24,600. They also turned over all the unpaid assessments that were currently on their books in the amount of $67,492.
Legal counsel (Howard and Gleason of Henniker, NH) were engaged and they proceeded to help establish new bylaws for the Association. Unpaid members were contacted, legal action was instituted and eventually all back assessment payments were received.
As income increased over the next couple of years, improvements proceeded throughout the area:
The roads were widened and a continuing (10-year) program to improve the surface of the roads was initiated.
The pool house floor, which had collapsed, was replaced and waterproofed.
The pool heater, which did not operate, was replaced. The pump and filter for the pool was installed in the office area instead of under the room where it had previously been located.
The pool liner that was torn, faded and sagging was replaced.
New docks were built to replace the three floats, two of which had floated away.
Stairs and a sidewalk were established along the lakeside of the pool after an extension of the interior concrete and new fencing was installed.
Ninety-six Taxus yews were planted on two sides of the pool and the entrance walk to Rossi Hall to retard erosion and beautify the area.
The tennis court was resurfaced with green and red paint to replace the former blacktop surface and a pad and basketball area was established.
Additional playground equipment was purchased to be joined to the small slide tower and four rocking horses originally placed on the playground.
To honor those members who had started the Hidden Lake Association, the Tennis Court was named for Walter Gebhardt, the clubhouse was named for Joseph Rossi and the pool was named for Pat DeMatteo – all men who had served as officers for the Association.
Additional improvements were done during the coming years:
The floor of the pool house was again replaced.
The inside of the clubhouse was upgraded.
Due to cuts in the pool liner, a new liner was installed and the previous drain at the bottom of the pool was capped and no longer used.
Privacy curtains were installed in the pool house bathrooms and hallway rugs were purchased to alleviate the possibility of falls on the water soaked floors.
A policy was instituted to have a cut back of the roads done every fall to keep the roads widened.
Picnic tables were purchased along with park benches to be placed along the water line of Pirates Cove.
Increased costs of maintaining and managing HLA over the years have increased the yearly Assessment from the $230 in 1985 to the present $650.