P.O.W.E.R. UPDATE
June 21, 2007

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.

People of P.O.W.E.R

P.O.W.E.R. UPDATE
June 4, 2007

On Tuesday, May 15, 2006 Merrimack County Superior Court Judge Judith Conboy remanded the application by St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center for a 42-room hotel on the shore of Lake JoSylvia in Contoocook, NH back to the Hopkinton Zoning Board of Adjustment. Her decision was based on facts discovered after approval by the ZBA. Those facts indicate past and future intent of St. Methodios to allow commercial rental, a use not allowed in our zoning regulations in a residential neighborhood or as a non-profit. 

We thank all of you who've signed our Petition and shown such broad geographical support for this issue. As we all know, this is a universal issue and when we all stand together positive results are more often the result. Please continue to help by passing the information along to others who you feel are supportive to Protecting Our Water, Environment and Residential neighborhoods! 

The hearing by the Hopkinton Zoning Board of Adjustment is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on June 5, 2007 at the Hopkinton Town Hall in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Attend if you can and we'll keep you posted on the web site.   

P.O.W.E.R.

Bow Times | Suit Filed Against ZBA
February 15, 2007
Article by Ryan O'Connor

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston plans to build a 42-room retreat and meeting center on the shore of Lake Jo-Sylvia (Clement Pond) in Contoocook, but some neighbors worry it will disturb the tranquility of the area.

“It’s a disappointment that the town approved this large structure in a residential zone,” said Mark Riel. “We’re worried about sacrificing our quality of life as the church explodes from what was once a seasonal camp to a year-round organization. It’s just encroaching on all the reasons we love to go out there.”

Sixteen residents have formed the group POWER, or Protect Our Waters, Environment and Residential Neighborhood, and have filed an appeal with the Merrimack County Superior Court against the Hopkinton Zoning
Board of Adjustment.

A hearing is set for March 5, and Riel says the group has a good case.

Read entire article...

The Villager | Hopkinton Residents Air Concerns Over Retreat
February 15, 2007
Article by Staff Reporter Michael Pon

Residents of Clement Pond, known by others as Lake Jo-Sylvia, in Contoocook are taking the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center to court over its proposed 42-bedroom retreat. The case will be heard in Merrimack Superior Court on March 5.

Although the Church could argue that it need not pay any taxes because it is exempt as a religious organization, it has negotiated a Payment in Lieu of Taxes, called a PILOT, to pay only 40 percent of the taxes it would normally have to pay as a residential property. The 191 acres of property the Church already has at the facility without the proposed retreat was assessed at close to $1.3 million in 2006, for which the Church paid $12,099 in taxes.

Residents have complained that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, which has 66 churches, has brought up to 1,500 people at a time to its facility, causing traffic and noise problems to the lake residents, who point out that the racket resounds across the water.

Read entire article...

When Michael Sintros, the director of St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, thinks of the retreat house he hopes to build, he envisions an idyllic lakeside resort where priests, teachers and community groups can come to deepen their faith and learn from others.

But when his neighbors think of the building, they see a commercial hotel bringing traffic and noise that will disrupt the tranquility of Clement Pond.

The dispute over the retreat center has ended up in Merrimack County Superior Court, where 15 neighbors appealed a ruling by the Hopkinton Zoning Board that has given the Greek Orthodox center permission to build.

"It's basically a hotel," said neighbor Jayne Schoch. "It just absolutely does not belong in a residential neighborhood."

Read the entire article...

Concord Monitor | Bad Precedent
January 31, 2007
Letter to the Editor from Mark A. Riel, Resident of Pittsfield, NH

As one of the appellants for the zoning board decision and a summer home owner on Lake JoSylvia/Clement Pond, I would like to point out a few items of concern to the residents of Contoocook and Hopkinton.

The decision by your zoning board to allow the enormous "hotel" structure on the shore of Lake JoSylvia will potentially set a precedent for future applicants and may completely change the face of the residential zone in Hopkinton. Where will the next hotel be built? In your backyard? I certainly hope not!

My wife and I bought our property in Hopkinton for the peace and tranquility that a small New Hampshire lake offers. What is happening is a loss of our community's tranquility due to increased traffic, light and noise.

Read the entire article...