Today it's our lake. Tomorrow it could be your backyard.




POWER stands for Protect Our Water, Environment & Residential Neighborhoods and is made up of a group of people who have come together to save a lake in New Hampshire. For more information, please send an email to info@saveourlakenh.com.

Abutting and neighboring property owners have challenged the approval of the St. Methodios Heritage and Retreat Center in Merrimack County Superior Court. Please read the official appeal.

This artist’s drawing shows the proposed retreat house for the Greek Orthodox Church, planned to be built on the shore of Clement Pond in Contoocook. Click for a larger view..

 

 





In 1806, James Clough and his son William established the Village of Cloughville on the shore of Clough Pond in Contoocook, New Hampshire. 

The village is situated between two small and pristine ponds, Clement (Lake JoSylvia) and Grassy, in Contoocook, New Hampshire. The area provided livelihoods to several generations as sawyers, shoemakers, printers, carpenters and farmers. 

Grassy Pond is uninhabited, secluded, and in its natural state with its beautiful shoreline and bordering wetlands still intact.  It has been used recreationally by local fishermen, hunters, naturalists, bird watchers and cross country skiers for generations.  The extensive abutting woodland is a sanctuary and natural habitat for black bear, deer, raccoon, rabbits, owls, and other wildlife, and is reached via a woodland dirt road and public right-of-way through Camp Merrimac. 



Although inhabited, Lake JoSylvia is also a precious natural resource to its lakeside residents and town neighbors. Lake JoSylvia is to Contoocook what Kimball Pond is to Hopkinton.  Both sites share historic family presence, serene and tranquil settings that offer residents swimming, picnicking, hiking, canoeing kayaking, and many other enjoyable family activities through all seasons.  It is these descendents of the first Cloughs, who now are compelled to protect the tranquil life and resources so devotedly handed down from their ancestors.   They are joined in this court challenge by many of their long-time neighbors who also have a deep love for this precious natural landscape.

In 1917, the last Clough family to own the Village of Cloughville -- Joseph and Sylvia (hence Lake JoSylvia) – sold a portion of the property to two New York gentlemen—Mr. Price and Mr. Pick—to establish a seasonal Jewish Boys Camp called Camp Merrimac.   The summer camp existed until 1998 when, nearing retirement, owners Werner Rothchild and Robert Martin searched for a buyer who would continue youth programs.

In 1998, the Greek Metropolis of Boston purchased the traditional summer camp property to establish year-round camp programs.  Soon after the purchase, extensive expansion of the property and its use began.  Former cabins, many with historical significance, were demolished, or rebuilt and winterized.  Five new year-round cabins, a state-of-the-art water and wastewater system, winterization and renovation of the dining room and the addition of a brand new kitchen were completed.  The facility could now house 214 in the combined cabins. The extensive infrastructure was now in place for year-round use and further expansion.



In 2001, The Greek Metropolis of Boston sued the town of Hopkinton to establish and secure its tax exempt status as a religious non-profit organization.

At the end of July, 2006, the Greek Metropolis (Camp Merrimac) formally proposed a building to be placed on the shore of Lake JoSylvia that is 196 feet in length  (the same size as the Days Inn on South Main Street in Concord, NH).  The hotel structure contains 40 double bedrooms with private baths, two additional handicapped accessible bedrooms and baths, a VIP suite, balconies, two fireplaces, a parlor, kitchen, two gathering rooms, two additional conference rooms and an 1825 square-foot function room.

Click to view the Press Release announcing the ground breaking ceremony for the proposed hotel structure.

 




 

UPDATE 06/21/07

The proposal by St. Methodios to build a hotel (retreat) on the shore of Lake JoSylvia in Contoocook, NH was remanded back to the Hopkinton Zoning Board of Adjustment by Merrimack County Superior Court on May 15, 2007.  The ZBA was ordered to examine facts at its June 5, 2007 meeting with regard to past and proposed future uses of the facility not originally presented to the Board as a part of the initial approval. The ZBA voted 4/1 in favor of allowing this facility to proceed as a residential use under the "residential" zoning category of "Non-profit overnight day camps and cottage colonies." 

The attorney's for St. Methodios have written a memo indicating that only "members" of any of their parishes would be allowed to utilize the facility for personal use. There are 60+/- parishes which translates to thousands of unknown uses -- including knife-fighting camps!

We were pleased to see familiar faces from the Town of Hopkinton at the ZBA hearing. Our supporters are dedicated to helping preserve the character of the Town, have a strong interest in the manner in which our zoning regulations are upheld and stand to be counted to let our officials know they have a responsibility and duty to protect the safety and individual rights of all the residents.

This proposal will once again be brought before a Judge at Merrimack County Superior Court on North Main Street in Concord, NH at 1:30 on June 25, 2007. The Judge commented on the number in support at the last hearing. We need you more than ever to stand with us, be present for the hearing if possible and we thank all for your continued support.

 

 

We believe that the proposed St. Methodios Heritage and Retreat Center, to be built on the site of Camp Merrimac, will irreparably damage the natural resources and the quality of life for residents and neighbors of Lake JoSylvia. We believe that the Town of Hopkinton must reverse its decision to authorize the development of this hotel structure in light of significant facts regarding its negative impact that were unavailable or understated prior to its approval.

Please read the official appeal.

  • We believe that the decision by the Zoning Board was premature, without the facts necessary to see the impact of the project. Please see the Town Approval Timeline listed at the bottom of this page.
  • We believe that our constitutional rights as neighbors were not honored by our Selectmen, Zoning and Planning Boards.
  • We believe that the Boards did not act in the public interest to preserve the unique and essential characteristics of our residential neighborhoods, our history and our heritage as described in the Hopkinton Master Plan dated 2002.
  • We believe the year-round, increased use of the facility and its access roads will destroy the once peaceful environment for the residents and neighbors. Uses such as hotels are fundamentally incompatible with the residential owners’ rights to the quiet enjoyment of their property and are prohibited in residential neighborhoods.
  • We believe that the construction was approved without sufficient study of the environmental impact.  We believe this project will permanently damage the lake and its shore, negatively impacting the plants and wildlife in the area.
  • We also believe that it places an unfair burden on the public services that would serve the retreat and to the taxpayers who would have to bear the expense of the additional services and necessary improvements. The former owners paid 100% of assessed value on that property. This organization claims non-profit status and in 2001 a “voluntary” 40% “payment in lieu of taxes” agreement was reached with the Town.  According to town records, St. Methodios paid only $12,099.37 to the Town in 2006 on a property assessed at nearly $1.3 million.

This approval jeopardizes a rare, unique community that represents an island of traditional New England character and life. Traditional New England values respect our natural environment, and our neighbors. This proposal does not. The Greek Metropolis may have laudable goals and intentions for its membership, but they cannot be achieved at the expense of a community of people. No one has the right to commandeer the quality and character of a place for its own use while destroying exactly those values for the rest.

In conclusion, we believe that this precedent-setting decision by local boards will not only jeopardize the pristine environmental balance of the small lake, but will forever change the essential characteristics of the surrounding R-2, R-3-zoned neighborhoods in which we reside.   

Even more importantly, we believe that this decision may well have negative repercussions for residential neighborhoods across the State of New Hampshire. 

For all of the above reasons the abutting and neighboring property owners have challenged the approval of this facility. The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord, NH. Please read the official appeal.

Please stand with us, sign our petition and make a difference in your community and our state.

Thank you,

People for POWER 
Protect Our Water, Environment and Residential Neighborhoods

 

 



Private Camp Retreat or Public Hotel Facility? You Decide!

The intent of the new St. Methodios Heritage and Retreat Center, as described by Director Michael Sintros in the Zoning Board minutes of August 1, 2006, appears to be vastly different than the intent described in promotional brochures and materials available to the general public on request from St. Methodios.

One only needs to compare the Hopkinton Zoning Board minutes with the information our group received from the St. Methodias Heritage and Retreat Center including a copy of their promotional flyer, along with a letter addressed to a woman who lives in California (has no affiliation with the church or the town) and inquired about hosting a family reunion at the Center.

During a Zoning Board Meeting, Mr. Sintros explained that the retreat center will have individual rooms, bathrooms and meeting rooms. Mr. Sintros noted that the intent of the Heritage and Retreat Center is to maintain the EXTENSION of the current ministry, inviting parents, children and priests to come to the Center.

According to Mr. Sintros, "Currently, the property hosts summer and winter camps and a number of retreats and special programs throughout the year. It is anticipated that the families that are not interested in staying in the existing cabins due to the lack of privacy will more likely stay in the retreat house."

"The proposed building is to be used for residential and meeting purposes only."  Mr. Sintros reiterated the fact that the building will be an EXTENSION of the housing currently available; noting that the dormitory style housing will provide privacy to families that would otherwise not feel comfortable staying in one of the cabins. The cabins have twenty or so beds in one big room with very little privacy.

Mr. Boatwright inquired as to the use of the facility year round. In response, Mr. Sintros stated approximately 6,000 in attendance during the summer months. In addition to the summer there are two weekends during the winter in which camp takes place. He estimated use during the two weekends, plus an additional 50 people during the winter months.

Chairman Krzyzaniak inquired as to the number of people that may be present at a given time. In response, Mr. Sintros estimated, depending on the type of event, anywhere from 68 to 196 people.

Chairman Krzyzaniak inquired about rental of the facility to outside groups.  In response, Mr. Sintros advised that they do offer use of the facility to the COMMUNITY, NON-PROFIT GROUPS, THE HIGH SCHOOL AND TOWN DEPARTMENTS. Chairman Krzyzaniak expressed concern with rental of the facility for concerts. In response, Mr. Sintros stated that would only occur if the high school wanted to use the facility.

"The proposed building is to be used for residential and meeting purposes only." These are Mr Sintros' own words to the Zoning Board during the 08/01/06 meeting. So which is it... private camp retreat or public hotel facility? You decide...


 




A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

The Saint Methodios Faith and Retreat Center is not a small addition to the Lake JoSylvia shoreline.  The plans submitted by the Greek Metropolis indicate that the “retreat” is a 196 foot-long structure the same size as the Days Inn on South Main Street in Concord, NH!  The two-and-a-half story structure features 40 double bedrooms with private baths, two additional handicapped accessible bedrooms and baths, a VIP suite, balconies, two fireplaces, a parlor, kitchen, two gathering rooms, two additional conference rooms and a 1825 square-foot function room. 

The specific site chosen for the “retreat center” is at the top of a knoll on the shore of the Lake, facing the existing residential owners whose homes and cottages are situated around the opposite shore of the Lake, all traditional single-family residences in a rural residential setting with no commercial presence. Although the project calls for some tree screening, additional intrusive noise and light is expected. The site and the surrounding area are served by single-lane dirt roads that flood at various times of the year. These dirt roads, along with neighborhood roads, are the primary means of access to the site of the proposed retreat/hotel.  

Click HERE to see the architect’s rendering.

Click HERE to read a more detailed description of the planned project.



 

Below is a timeline of the Town's approval process. Judge for yourself -- do you believe this timeline illustrates a fair and open process for all parties involved?

  • July 2006 --  The Greek Metropolis of Boston submits plans to the Town of Hopkinton for the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, to be placed on the shores of Lake JoSylvia.  The specific site chosen for the ‘retreat center’ is at the top of a knoll on the shore of the lake, facing the existing residential owners whose homes and cottages are situated around the opposite shore of the lake. In the proposal, it is said that the entire grounds and facility would be available at any time by anyone for a “suggested donation.”
  • July 2006 -- The Director of St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center (Camp Merrimac) made a meager attempt to verbally contact some of the lake residents to inform them of the proposed project.  Many seasonal residents were not at home; other lake residents and neighboring residential owners were deemed not abutters and so were not contacted.  The meeting went forward with only five or six residents in attendance.
  • August 2006 -- The proposal is applied for as a “special exception” under our zoning laws as a “Temporary Residential Use”, a provision that allows only for “day camps”, “overnight camps” or “cottage colonies.” Though none of the above, the application was accepted that evening and passed on to the Hopkinton Planning Board with few questions and answers that challenged and contradicted the intent as initially described.  No official notice of the meeting was given to residents around the Lake most impacted by the proposal.
  • September 2006 -- Several residents request a re-hearing in writing, substantiated by references to zoning regulations.  A petition with approximately 75 names is submitted, requesting a re-hearing.  Petition is denied.
  • September 2006 -- Over 1500 friends of the Metropolis gather at the site for a Retreat Center groundbreaking ceremony.   Notably, this groundbreaking is held before the local zoning and planning boards grant the Diocese architects a permit to build. The traffic is so choked on the single dirt road leading to the camp that local residents are prevented from reaching their own homes.
  • October 2006 -- The Planning Board approves the application on October 10, 2006 with few stipulations.  No traffic studies, no environmental studies to protect the lake and surrounding wetlands or wildlife corridors, no architectural design recommendations, and no information on the impact on residential property values were provided or requested.

This approval was given at a time of great upheaval for Hopkinton as it is grappling with a recent property tax revaluation that has resulted in rigorous scrutiny of property taxation and municipal spending.



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