2019-04 Commissioners Newsletter

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VILLAGE DISTRICT OF EIDELWEISS
APRIL 2019 NEWSLETTER
 
COMMISSIONER NEWS
View all commissioner meeting minutes and agendas (posted 10 hrs prior)  Click Here

The 2019 Water Consumer Confidence Report has been posted to the VDOE website.  You can view by clicking here.

SAVINGS TO THE TAXPAYERS

The new Commissioners saved the taxpayers $1242/yr. by including the payroll feature to the QuickBooks accounting software upgrade. This eliminated the need for PAYCHEX which had been processing our payroll.

 
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Board of Commissioners Meeting:
May 2nd 8:00 PM at The Lodge
Communications & Water Committees Meeting: 

Please check the VDOE website for next scheduled meetings

EPOA Annual Meeting:

May 25th 9:00AM at The Lodge, Commissioners will present an overview of the District finances and status of projects.

Public Hearing:

Saturday June 1st 10:00 AM at The Lodge.  The Public Hearing will review the impact of the beach and parking ordinance changes. All residents are encouraged to attend—questions and comments are welcome.


Ongoing - View all upcoming meetings – VDOE Website.
 
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:

April 30:  Dog Licenses are due through the Town of Madison.
May 1:  Water Bills Due, Rate for 2019 is $485. Bills were mailed in early April.  Please send your payment to the VDOE Office at 1680 Conway Road, #1027, Madison NH 03849.
May 4:  Valley Pride Day 9am-2pm, Eidelweiss participates in the annual litter clean up.  Please join your friends and neighbors to pick up trash and debris from the roads in Eidelweiss.  Meet coordinator Jay Buckley at the Huttwil parking lot at 9AM to sign-in, pick up trash bags, water bottles and gloves. Then return your trash bag to the Huttwil parking lot (Jay will let you know what time you need to return). The Hampton Inn in North Conway (1788 White Mountain Highway –next to McDonald’s) will be providing a barbecue beginning at 2 PM for all volunteers.  It’s always a well-attended, fun event with delicious free food and prize giveaways for participating volunteers. 

CANOE/KAYAK RACK REGISTRATION

Registration for canoe/kayak rack registration is now open.  An email was sent on Friday April 12th with details.  Registration this year is being handled online (Click here).  Fill out the form and hit send (you will see a screen which confirms that your application was successfully sent).

If you don’t want to register online, please call or stop by the VDOE office and the Administrator will assist you in registering manually.

Please note the following changes to this year’s process:

  • A preference for getting an upper, middle or lower rack has been added this year.  You will be asked to provide your first and second choices.
  • There will be no stickers this year.   You will receive an email from the office when your rack space is assigned.  You will need to have this information with you when you take your canoe or kayak to the beach.  Also, please be sure to remove any stickers from 2018.
  • The initial round of registration will end on June 1.  After June 1, if you want a second space, you will be able to submit a second application.  

Before spaces can be assigned, kayak racks need to be inspected for safety. Due to the amount of snow this winter there has been limited access to the racks therefore, rack spaces will be assigned by May 24th in order of the date the applications were received.

LODGE
The Lodge will be open by May 2nd. Any requests for use must sent to the office for approval. The new Commissioners have simplified the process so that residence can use the facility more easily.

SPEED BUMPS

Speed Bumps at Boulder Beach will be installed within the next week.

SUMMER RENTAL SEASON

Summer rental season will soon be upon us and with the increased use of websites like VRBO and AirBnB over the last few years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of rental visitors to Eidelweiss during the summer.  In order to preserve the quality of life that we all cherish, we ask owners that rent their properties to please be sure to inform their renters about several important guidelines and ordinances that we have put in place.  These are designed to protect and insure that everyone can enjoy the great beauty and benefits of our community.  We have prepared a 1-page bulletin that is attached to this newsletter (see last page) that you can easily print, (consider laminating or framing it) and post in your home in a space that will be clearly visible to your renters.   Also remember that owners are ultimately responsible for anyone who is residing in and using their property.  Your renter’s behavior reflects on you as a neighbor and resident and ultimately can also affect the value of your property and that of others in Eidelweiss.  Thank you.

  
POND WATER LEVELS
There were several inquiries and comments last summer about the water levels in the ponds as the season progressed.  For those who may not be aware, the pond levels are monitored and are adjusted (typically kept somewhat low) in order to accommodate the nesting loons in Little Pea Pond that usually occurs between late May and early July.  Mike Smith has worked closely with the Loon Conservation Committee for several years to enable this process to succeed and has generously volunteered to do so again this summer.  As soon as the loon chicks have hatched, the water level will be raised and continues to be monitored and adjusted.   More information about loons, nests and their habitats can be found here.

PROJECTS – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Repairing Mailbox Area - Jay Buckley has volunteered to re-shingle the mailbox roofs and to repair the bulletin boards in the Huttwil parking lot.  Jay will also be generously donating the materials for this project.  But he can’t do this project alone – he needs help to get this project done on either the first or second weekend in May – to be determined.  If you can help, please email Jay directly at jaybuckley@verizon.net.  Thank you Jay!

Beach Raking - In order to save the district $2000, we are seeking volunteers to rake the beaches on the weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.   The 5 beaches need to be raked prior to 9AM.  Our goal is to collect a list of volunteers that one coordinator will schedule and manage.   The more volunteers we get, the fewer beaches or days each would need to help.  Please contact the office ASAP to volunteer and include any dates or times you already know you will not be available.  Thank you!! (email:  office@vdoe-nh.org)

Water Meter Analysis- The Water Committee is asking for volunteers to help with a water meter analysis for the district.  This has been an ongoing source of interest and debate throughout Eidelweiss and this is your opportunity to participate in this analysis and review.  Please contact the office if you would like to participate.

COMMITTEE NEWS
Volunteers are still being sought for the Roads and Environmental Committees.  An opening has also come up on the Communications Committee.  Please contact the office if you are available and interested in serving on a committee. (email: office@vdoe-nh.org )
 
Water Committee Update:
A meeting was held with Chris Albert of Jones & Beach to evaluate the Reinach tank project and to provide an estimate for an alternative tank design. The water committee is looking into State grants for water system improvements.

The Upper Lakeview/Rigi pressure reducing valve will be replaced as soon as weather permits.

Eidelweiss & Pea Porridge Ponds

Information & Rules for Visitors & Renters

  • Fires – Fires are not permitted in Eidelweiss unless the homeowner has a fire permit.
  • Fireworks – Fireworks are illegal in the town of Madison and in Eidelweiss.   They also pose a fire risk.  Please be respectful of this law.
  • Noise - We welcome visitors and vacationers!  However, please keep in mind that many of our residents live here full time and need to get up early and get to work. If you are outside at night please keep in mind that noise travels, particularly across the water.  Please be respectful of your neighbors and all residents in Eidelweiss.
  • Canoes/Kayaks – Can only be left unattended on public beaches in the racks that are pre-assigned to owners.  Do not leave any boats unattended on the racks or beaches unless you have the rack number from the homeowner.  Unattended boats left on beaches or racks that are not assigned are subject to removal by law.
  • Traffic and Parking – The roads in Eidelweiss have a lot of traffic in the summer (especially Eidelweiss Drive) and it’s important that any car parked on the street does NOT block the road.  The speed limit on all Eidelweiss Roads is 20 MPH (and lower where posted).  There is a very high volume of children who walk the roads and many people with pets as well.  Please drive slowly and carefully at all times.
  • Water quality – People swim, fish and play in these lakes so we want to keep the water quality high. Bathrooms are located on each beach and we ask that everyone use them and not the ponds when necessary. 
  • Loons – Loons are a threatened and protected species in New Hampshire.  They are also highly affected by water quality. The loons on the ponds in Eidelweiss eat fish, frogs and other natural animals found in the water. Loons should not be fed, chased or approached for any reason. Please maintain a respectable distance and especially stay far away from loon nests as well.  You can learn more about loons at The Loon Center in Moultonborough or at their website www.loon.org.
  • Ducks - Please do not feed ducks as it encourages them to flock near beaches. Their ongoing presence near beaches can adversely affect the water quality where people swim.
  • Playground – No pets are allowed in the playground in Eidelweiss. Trash should not be left in playground areas.
  • Fishing - A fishing license IS REQUIRED by NH state law for anyone 16 years of age or older.  A fishing license can be purchased online, at Walmart or at the Army Barracks in North Conway.  Also, lead fishing sinkers and lead jigs are illegal in NH.  They can be a deadly contaminant for loons.  Non-toxic tackle is available for purchase throughout New Hampshire.
  • Beaches – Pets are NOT permitted on the beaches at any time (except for leashed service animals). A carry-in carry-out policy is in effect. If you bring it with you, please take it with you when you leave. Beach regulations are posted at each public beach.
  • Trash – Please do NOT leave any trash or recycling anywhere outside at any time. There are bears and other wild animals that will be attracted to the smell of food.
  • Dump/Transfer Station - A pass is needed to access this facility. The owner of your rental home should be supplying a one day pass. Please be sure to separate recyclables and discard as posted at the dump. The dump is located at 219 Boulder Rd (off Conway Rd/Route 113) and is open Friday 7a-12p; Sat & Sun 7a-4p; Monday 7a-12p.
  • Non-emergency contact for Madison Police – (603) 367-8334.