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August 6, 2026 Workshop Meeting

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Emerald Lake Village District 
Office: 147 West Main Street, Hillsborough, NH 
Mail: PO Box 1753, Hillsborough, NH 03244 
Tel: 603-464-3128  
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday August 6, 2026 @ 6:30 PM 
Workshop meeting 
Location: Main Office 
 
 
In attendance: 
Mark Przybyla – Commissioner, Chair 
Brett Taber – Commissioner 
Carolyn Renken – Treasurer 
 
 
Residents in attendance: 
 
Melissa Taber 
Mark Rodier 
 
Meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Commissioner Przybyla. The pledge of Allegiance 
was performed and roll call vote was taken. A quorum was present with at least two 
commissioners. 
 
Public Comment: 
 
Resident Mark Rodier posed a question / concern over the recent road condition at the 
intersection of Gould Pond Road and Red Fox Crossing due to recent storm activity. The storm 
generated some erosion in the middle and across the width of Red Fox Crossing where the 
roadway water drainage failed to follow a ditch line towards a catch basin and thus flowed 
through the center of the roadway. Mr. Rodier shared that this area has seen issues like this in the 
past with the severity being varied from minor to gross ruts in the roadway. 
Mr. Rodier further shared that he had reached out to a contractor he is familiar with that 
performs paving and shared a verbal estimate he received from that contractor for paving the 

intersection of Gould Pond Road and Red Fox Crossing past the intersection of Moccasin Trail. 
The rough estimate shared with the board was a value of $12,000 to $13,000. Mr. Rodier even 
assumed if extra work was needed it might not be more than $15,000. 
 
Commissioner Przybyla shared that the topic of possibly paving the Intersection and its 
respective timing was already a topic the board was investigating. Although direct budgeted 
funds were allocated for this Calendar year (CY); conversations have occurred over the last 
several months as to what the timing will be for the repaving of Gould Pond Road by the Town 
of Hillsboro. Commissioner Przybyla shared that he had a conversation with the new road agent 
for Hillsboro and that currently budget decisions have been ongoing within the town and that 
there may not be adequate funds available in CY27 to pave Gould Pond Road until a future year. 
It was noted that the board would work towards obtaining more budget planning details from the 
Town of Hillsboro Selectman and the roadway repair options they have before them. 
 
Mr. Rodier further asked what funds might be available towards just doing this although 
it was not planned / budgeted for this CY. He asked what the current balance was that is within 
the Roads and Bridges (Capital Reserve Fund) CRF account. Commissioner Przybyla shared that 
the fund had a balance of roughly $95,000.00 at the end of CY25. He asked why we can not just 
do this with some of those funds since the Commissioners are listed as agents to expend said 
account funds. 
 
Commissioner Taber shared some additional comments on this topic. Although it was 
just learned that the town is not positive yet as to which roads will be repaired in CY27 through 
their budget, the towns highway foreman shared with Commissioner Przybyla that they could 
work with the ELVD road agent to improve this area for water flow direction and drainage. This 
intersection is at the base of a hill, and the water flows down the side of the roadway (on the 
pavement) and does not have its flow directed towards the catch basin for this intersection 
drainage. This causes the water to flow toward the center section of the roadway and causes 
direct erosion issues. Additionally, the board will be following up with the ELVD road agent to 
inquire about the timing of addressing road conditions since the current agreement indicates road 
dressing activities would occur at least every two weeks during the summer months. The board 
realizes that same day or even within a few days is not always possible, but knowing the 
attention is needed on any of our r5oadways is important to all of us. 
 
Commissioner Przybyla will be following up with the ELVD road agent as to his plan to 
address this topic as well as other tasks the board wishes to complete this CY and supports the 
Contractual agreement. 
 
Commissioner Taber further shared that the concept/ idea of paving some sections of 
district roads has been on his plate for over a year now and he has been working to identify/ 
develop a desired work specification in seeking quotes for this project. In the initial 
conversations with the prior Town of Hillsboro Road Agent – Ernie Butler; Gould Pond Road 
has been on the list for several years now for its need to be repaired. He noted that the town did 
not want to pave the roadway over the last two+ years due to ELVD water infrastructure project 
taking place and it would have destroyed new pavement while also requiring ELVD to pay for 
the repairing of the new pavement. Since that time, the ELVD Board of Commissioners will 

have completed the roadway water infrastructure projects that impact Gould Pond Road by the 
end of CY26. The intent of this would then support Gould Pond Road to be repaired /repaved 
with no planned work to damage that roadway for several years to come. 
 
The concept of performing ELVD paving was derived from this delay in paving Gould 
Pond Road so that LEVD could plan, develop quotes, seek out funding at annual meetings, and/ 
or plan for CRF use as a full project. The idea of seeking quotes for the placement of roughly 12 
intersection aprons (20 feet deep from Gould Pond Roadway) started along with seeking options 
for two extended options on Red Fox Crossing, (just past Moccasin Trail, and just past the bridge 
and Zone meter pit valve locations on Red Fox Crossing). 
 
Commissioner Taber shared that this too would provide future maintenance and water 
system troubleshooting cost savings. EX: If a water leak is present during the winter and the 
main gate valves need to be dug open from the frozen ground, that causes additional hours of 
water loss along with additional labor cost for the repairs. Many of our Roadway main gate 
valves for these intersections could then be lifted to present themselves at the roadway surface 
and save time for any future water shut off need. Additionally, the starting or launching of 
vehicles from the ELVD roads onto Gould Pond Road develops tire ruts and additional erosion at 
the planned intersections. Having that reduced will improve traction for entering the main 
roadway as well as reduce maintenance. Performing this work along with the timing of the town 
doing their portion has the potential of saving/ sharing some deployment costs across the entire 
town instead of ELVD covering the cost for 2X deployments of equipment. 
 
More planning is in the work towards this plan. Once we have more details about the 
Town of Hillsboro’s timeline, quotes, etc.; the board will share with residents and seek final 
approval. 
 
Commissioner Przybyla noted that he would like to work on a long-range roadway/ 
Storm water development plan (10-year goal) as we move forward. 
 
Mr. Rodier had a couple additional questions and options he asked the board to review 
further. Question 1: What amount does ELVD pay for the leasing of our roadway contractor lot 
located at the intersection of Gould Pond Road and Ellenbrook. Why are we not able to use 
Patten hill well site properties. Commissioner Taber shared that the lease cost is $500.00 per 
month. Notes on this topic - As for the use of Patten hill well sites, this was planned as a future 
option for summer / wintertime material storage options. However, springtime has load/weight 
restrictions in place for the town roads and dirt roads (Patten hill) that would restrict us from 
moving heavy equipment and materials continuously in that area. This area is currently a staging 
area for various project materials and has supported ELVD over the last several years with being 
able to store roadway material on sight and save thousands of dollars on transportation costs. The 
use of Patten hill well sites also would limit the storage of fuel and equipment for long tern 
storage due to well site safety radius. 
Question 2: due to ongoing Contractor costs or finding a contractor willing to work for 
ELVD has been challenging over the last several years. Mr. Rodier asked if the board has looked 
at or planned to look at if we were to obtain our own District maintenance equipment and 
employees for future options? Commissioner Taber shared that this topic has been discussed 

several times over the past several years when ELVD was seeking out contractors. This brings in 
several new challenges to plan for along with maintaining the service while a contractor is still 
working with ELVD. Commissioner Przybyla shared that he would be having some 
conversations with the current ELVD road agent to try and understand his long terms goals/ 
desire with ELVD. Currently the agreement is for a single year and is tentatively completed on 
May 31, 2027, as of this meeting. Depending on what feedback the current road agent can 
provide on this topic, that will provide the board with directions to review/ plan for. 
 
 
In closing this section of the meeting, Commissioner Przybyla noted that he would get 
back with some responses to Mr. Rodier and share updates on the topic discussed as we obtain 
any updates. 
 
New topic of roadside clearing/ tree clearing – 
 
 
 
Commissioner Przybyla introduced the topic/questions related to Roadside trimming/ tree 
removal and shared some statutes he felt applied to the question presented to him by a resident 
that email him asking about why roadside trimming/cutting was occurring on their property. 
The NH statutes that Commissioner Przybyla shared were NH RSA 231:145 & NHRSA 
231:146. See statute wording below. These two statutes govern mostly the identification, 
declaration, and communication of when trees need removal to the property abutters of the 
roadway. Other statutes govern the roadside mowing and require roadway clearing within the 
road right-of-way. See NH RSA 231:150 further below. 
 
    231:145 Removal of Certain Hazardous Trees. – Notwithstanding the provisions of other 
sections of this subdivision and subject to the provisions of RSA 231:157 and RSA 231:158, the 
commissioner of transportation on class I and III highways, and state maintained portions of 
class II highways, and the governing bodies of cities and towns and the county commissioners 
for unorganized places on class IV, V, and VI highways and town maintained portions of class II 
highways may declare any tree, either alive or dead, situated within the limits of highways, 
roads, or streets to be a public nuisance by reason of danger to the traveling public, spread of tree 
disease, or the reliability of equipment installed at or upon utility facilities authorized under RSA 
231:160 or RSA 231:160-a. After such declaration by such authority and notice to the abutting 
landowner on whose property such tree is located the said authority shall within a reasonable 
time remove the same without compensation or cost to the abutter. However, no such declaration 
and notice shall be required when the delay entailed by such declaration and notice would pose 
an imminent threat to safety or property, including electric transmission and distribution lines. 
Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to relieve the public utility companies of their 
accepted responsibility of tree trimming and tree removal for the protection of their lines, or for 
the construction of new lines, or to alter the provisions of RSA 231:150-182 in any manner. The 
state and municipal authorities may require of the public utilities owning lines which pass 
through or near a tree or trees which are condemned for removal as a public nuisance to assist in 
their removal at their expense by either the temporary removal of their lines or by causing to be 
removed at their expense the top portion of said tree or trees from a point below their lines. 
 
 

 
 
   231:146 Notice. – Notice to the abutting landowner of a tree declared a public nuisance shall 
be given by delivery at his place of residence or by sending by registered mail to his last known 
address and it shall clearly state the intention of removal of such tree. He may appeal to the 
superior court as to the validity of such declaration within 30 days of delivery or mailing of said 
notice, and shall be entitled to a speedy hearing. The final judgment upon every appeal shall be a 
decree dismissing the appeal, or vacating the declaration complained of in whole or in part, as 
the case may be; but in case such declaration is wholly or partly vacated the court may also, at its 
discretion, remand the matter to the said department, city, county, or town for such further 
proceedings, not inconsistent with the decree, as justice may require. Following expiration of the 
aforesaid 30-day period of appeal, or following waiver of said right of appeal, the abutting 
landowner is relieved of any liability or responsibility in connection with the tree or trees 
declared a public nuisance and similarly is relieved of any liability or responsibility in 
connection with any stump or stumps left remaining. 
 
 
 
   231:150 Clearing Highways. – Governing bodies of cities and towns, and county 
commissioners for unorganized places shall annually, and at other times when advisable, cause 
to be cut and disposed of, from within the limits of town maintained highways, all trees and 
bushes that may cause damage or pose a safety hazard to such highways or to the traveling 
public; provided however that no tree which has a circumference of 15 inches or more at a point 
4 feet from the ground shall be removed in the absence of notice to the abutter in the same 
manner as provided in RSA 231:145 and RSA 231:146, except when the delay entailed by such 
notice would pose an imminent threat to safety or property. Shade and fruit trees that have been 
set out or marked by the abutting landowners or by the town tree wardens, and young trees 
standing at a proper distance from the highway and from each other, shall be preserved, as well 
as banks and hedges of bushes that serve as a protection of the highway, or that add to the beauty 
of the roadside. 
 
 
 
Both Commissioners present shared that efforts to keep costs down for taxpayers have 
been done by using personal time/ organized volunteer time to trim the right of way portion of 
many of our roadways over the last several years. Some years commercial mowing was reviewed 
as options and to try and understand the cost to taxpayers. Commissioner Taber noted that ELVD 
had some excess funds in 2023 and tested out the commercial mowing option. We only had 
about 6 roads mowed and the cost was an estimated $4,000.00 (rough recollection). Both 
Commissioners noted that our District roads and rules recommend that property owners trim 
their property back to prevent roadway encroachment by any / all vegetation. Commissioner 
Przybyla shared that he believed that if damage resulted by trees/vegetation as a result of failing 
to maintain, the property owner could be the party that is held responsible since they physically 
own the land. The district merely has the right-of-way to access aid in providing roadway safe 
travel access. Both resident present (M.T. & M.R.) commented that if property owners already 
mow their lawns why would they not keep the roadway edge clear as well. Commissioner Taber 
noted that we do not know why some residents approach this in the manner that they do. Some 
might want it as ornamental flowers, privacy views, etc. He further noted that the largest 

encroachment areas are located on undeveloped properties and the landowners are not even here 
in the district to address this themselves. 
 
 
Commissioner Taber shared that ELVD would continue to review options for roadside 
trimming and when work is to be done, that communications would be shared through our 
approved communication methods to residents as well as roadway posting. 
 
 
Communicating to/ reaching residents methods-  
 
Commissioner Przybyla posed the question seeking to understand better what are the 
preferred/ actual methods that ELVD uses to communicate with residents on any topics. 
Commissioner Taber shared that along with the use of our ELVD official website (elvdnh.com), 
FB page (ELVD official), and required mailings (address obtained from property cards), that 
anytime the board interacts with residents by means of phone or email, that an attempt is made to 
add those contact methods to our water user data base spreadsheet. From there we can develop 
roadway distribution lists or other types of distributions in the event it needs to be focused on a 
particular area. Commissioner Przybyla asked how we log anyone responding to the Volunteer 
sign up submission located on the district webpage. Commissioner Taber shared that this is a 
manual submission and understands that it generates an email to the board members that then can 
contact the volunteer and/ or add to the contact details to the water user database. Commissioner 
Przybyla noted he wants to investigate methods of having more visibility / us e of our website 
and FB page after he reviewed site analytic data usage. He will continue to review 
communication options such as mail chimp in case required notices by NHDES can be issued in 
a manner other than a physical mailing to each property owner. 
 
Office processes- 
 
As a result of prior meetings and discussions about developing various procedures and 
task timelines, resident Melissa taber asked Commissioner Przybyla if he knew about the “tickler 
file box”? She explained to him from the prior years’ experience in assisting on topics, that the 
guidance or suggested tasks are on the office desk available to see every month what might need 
to be done to meet deadlines. She shared the file with him for further reviewing. 
 
Audit supporting Cy25 financial report status- 
 
Commissioner Przybyla apologized for not being able to make it to the Audit support 
meeting but was unable to make the 5:00 PM start time. Commissioner Taber shared that he and 
the Treasurer (Carolyn Renken) were able to support the Audit review and answer all the 
Auditors questions at that time. Final review of the data and drafting of the final report will now 
move forward. The Auditor will draft the financial data sheet MS-535 and submit it for approval 
and posting. 
 
 
 
 

Pending Water Warrant issuance for 2nd issue(fall) Cy26- 
 
The discussion of the upcoming water warrant submission to the town is seeking the 
balance of the water system operating budget balance for CY26. Commissioner Taber shared that 
the initial rough draft value for the water warrant will be $360,905.00 and this covers the current 
estimate of 551 water user accounts all with a proposed invoice of $655.00. If the water user 
count changes, it will modify the invoice value for all users slightly. The final values will be 
noted on the August 20 meeting. 
 
Commissioner Taber will share the financial data with the board members for their 
review along with any Abatements needed to be generated prior to the August 20 meeting date. 
At that time the discussion and vote of approval along with signatures will be needed to meet the 
deadline of submitting the documents to the Town Tax Collector by August 27, 2026. 
 
Lake Drawn preparation & beach closure preparations- 
 
The conversation was started as to what the timing needs to be for sharing with residents 
about the Lake Drawdown timeline. Commissioner Taber shared the following suggestions: 
• 9/1/26 – Resident notice posted sharing that Lake Drawdown to begin October 1 
or later. 
• 9/20/26 – Porta-pots removed this week 
• 9/30/26 – All rafts to be pulled prior to lake draw down commencing 
• 10/1/26 – or later, begin draw down of roughly 6 inches per week 
• 10/20/26 – final completion of lake drawdown  
 
 
Insurance rebate – 
 
 
The topic of how ELVD would like to handle an insurance premium rebate of $54.00 
from our carrier (Primex) cost savings in CY25/26. The savings were identified as part of the 
Workman’s compensation policy costs. The board discussed two available options: 1 – to accept 
a payment in the amount of $54.00 this CY and to deposit that against our water budget 
insurance lines. 2 – to accept a credit against the CY27 invoice not yet developed. 
 
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Taber to accept the funds and apply against this 
Current year budget, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Przybyla. A voice vote was 
held with a yes from both Commissioners, motion passed. Commissioner Taber will respond to 
the Primex insurance carrier sharing the choice made by the board. 
 
 
Project updates- 
 
Installation of meter pits – Commissioner Taber shared that the last communication he had with 
Aquamen was that they would have a schedule / timeline available to the board by end of day on 
8/7/2026. From there the board is seeking to be able to complete these tasks and allow the 2024 Roadway 
infrastructure project closed out this CY. 

Eastman well update – Commissioner Taber shared that a follow up communication with Wright 
Pierce was made earlier this week seeking the amended treatment option proposal be shared with the 
board for review. The reason for the amended treatment option was that the initial testing plan already 
included testing steps previously completed and the Board did not want to pay for the similar testing 
again. The board now waits for the proposal to be provided. 
Overwatch updates – Commissioner Przybyla shared that he was working with Overwatch now 
that we are nearing the end of our 1st year for these safety / security processes. An audit will occur soon to 
ensure systems are operating properly. Commissioner Przybyla will be seeking out our 2nd years training 
requirement and how we can complete them. Additionally, Commissioner Taber noted that due to this 
being a (3) three-year project, ELVD would need to develop and understand financial costs of this support 
moving forward after the three years are completed. 
 
Beach water sampling - Commissioner Taber shared that the last month of sampling is due for 
CY26. The sampling can be done any day through the end of next week to align with the timeline of the 
prior two months. Commissioner Przybyla noted that he has not had the ability to perform or take the 
actual samples over the past year’s timeline due to various weather and schedule conflicts. He wished to 
try and support this schedule in taking part in the sampling process. A date will be reviewed to plan for 
sampling and a date that Commissioner Przybyla will be able to transport the samples to the lab in 
Concord, NH. 
If Commissioner Przybyla is unable to transport the samples on his way to work, resident Melissa 
Taber offered to assist in dropping off the samples on most mornings next week if the support is needed. 
She was thanked for her offer and will be notified if added support will be needed. 
 
Meeting minutes approval for July 16, 2026 – Commissioner Przybyla inquired if there were any notable 
amendments needed to post against the July 16, 2026, meeting minutes. None were noted. Commissioner 
Przybyla made the motion to accept the minutes as written; Commissioner Taber seconded the motion. 
Voice vote was held with a yes vote from both Commissioners. The Motion passed. 
 
Hummingbird CO#6 – Commissioner shared that a Change order (CO) was required to support additional 
piping flow changes and added excavation for the external piping from the treatment building to the well 
head due to a previous basement cement structure in the way of completing the piping connections. The 
added costing supports up to 3 added days of work, equipment and materials. The added cost was 
communicated at the meeting to be less than $14,000.00 and could fall under contingency costs 
depending on the overall cost once the project is completed. Upon further review of the CO, the value of 
the change indicates it is $12,476.35. 
Commissioner Taber Made the motion to accept and approve CO#6 for the value of up to $14,000.00 as 
part of the Hummingbird well project. Commissioner Przybyla seconded the motion, voice vote was held 
and both Commissioners voted yes, Motion passed. 
 

Water system communications – Commissioner Taber shared the latest update on the installation of our 
Internet communications for our water system needs. As of today’s date, the following well sites had 
internet support added: Mary Rowe well site, Hummingbird well site, and Patten hill 7-8-9 wellsite. 
 
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Przybyla to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 PM. The motion 
was seconded by Commissioner Taber. A voice vote was taken with yes from both Commissioners. 
Motion passed and meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. 
 
Minutes submitted by: 
Brett Taber ____________________________ 
Date: ___________________ 
 
 
 
Approved by: 
Commissioner Przybyla __________________ 
Date: ___________________ 
Commissioner Taber ____________________ 
Date: ___________________