2026 Newsletter

In February, the annual newsletter was mailed out to the address we have on file for every member. If you did not receive it, please use the Contact Us form to provide your current mailing address. We really want to email this out to save money on copies and postage, but we still don't have good email addresses for everyone.

IMPORTANT NOTE: After the newsletter was mailed, we heard from Green Apple (Accounting Firm) that they cannot add the online payment process in time for this year's dues. So, you will be getting an invoice as that will have to be paid with a check as usual.

Here is the Newsletter:

Alton Shores Association 2026 Newsletter

Web site: altonshores.com

ASA Board Members:

           Barbara Shea - President                         Louis Lipomi -  Water Director

          Tony Burns - Pres-elect                    Paul McGrath - Roads Director

          Diane Malburne - Treasurer                       Andrea Knight - Property Director

          Vicki Graffum - Secretary             

Is anyone else cold? This has been a brutal winter with the temps not even coming close to the freezing mark. However, looking on the bright side of all of this, the Alton Ice Runway was able to open, ice fishing is a hit, and snowmobilers are having a blast. The other good news is that the Alton Winter Carnival is set to go after being cancelled for the first time ever last year. There is still a lot of winter left to enjoy, but soon enough spring will be here and thoughts of summer, swimming, cookouts, and gatherings will be the only thing on our minds. 

Last summer Sunset Lake was back, after being drained for a year while the Sunset Dam was replaced. The lake did not disappoint, as the water came back and so did the fish, the boats, canoes, kayaks, and most importantly, the loons. The summer ended with a boat parade on Sunset Lake. Many boaters participated and there were plenty who attended on the shores, docks and beaches. 

The warmer weather will be here before we know it and the Shores will again come alive. As we begin to emerge as the weather warms and clean up begins from the winter, PLEASE look to make sure your culverts are clear of debris. This will help the water to run safely and not undermine the roads that we all need for safe travel. 

Have a safe and healthy rest of the winter and can’t wait to see you up on the Shores!!

Andrea Knight 

President’s Update

Hello and happy 2026! I am sure everyone is looking forward to warmer weather, although the ice skating path on Hills Pond looks awesome! The good news is that the prolonged freezing temps are better for the roads. A lot of damage was done during the freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw cycles of the past few mild winters. 

Speaking of the skating path, I would like to give a shout out to all of the people who make Alton Shores better in a million ways. From keeping culverts clean, walking the water lines, picking up garbage (and poop) along the roads, raking, weeding, painting, repairing, shoveling, helping neighbors, posting beautiful pictures, returning lost pets, making a website, showing up at meetings, and all the other stuff that happens when people care about the community they live in. Thank you all!!

Since the last newsletter, a lot has happened:

• The Annual Meeting went into extra innings and we had to schedule a second day! Thanks to all who participated! Summary on website (Altonshores.com).

• Dues and water fees went up significantly to cover rising costs. Dues are $550/year and the summer water is $400/year. 

• ASA contracted for two major road repairs (Parandes and Wendy). Pushed til spring. 

• Green Apple is doing billing, accounts payable, and enabling online payments.

• The ASA is being sued. The complaints can be found on the ASA website. Our insurance is covering the expenses of the lawsuits, minus the $1,000 deductibles. 

• We have a new website which contains all of the documents, rules, fines, and updates. Please use the Contact Us form if you have questions or concerns. 

This year is stacking up to be another busy one as you will see from the updates from each board member. Please remember that we are all volunteers who stepped up to serve this community. If you would like to help, please contact the board. See you around the Shores!

Barbara Shea

ASA President

 Treasurer Update

It's certainly been a fun winter for those who go skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, or tubing.  I'm not one of them. It's that time of year to prepare and send out the annual dues assessment invoices. Our accounting partners, Green Apple Resources, are going to be emailing the bills for us this year.  For those of you who have not given us your email address, you will still be getting your bill via USPS. Green Apple Resources will give you the option to pay online or with a credit card, which are payment options so many of you have been requesting.

The dues for 2026 will be $550 and the fees for those on ASA well water will be $400. Green Apple will be sending out the bills, but I will still be the contact for any questions or if you need to make special payment arrangements. I'm also hoping some of you will consider volunteering to be on committees to help the board members.  I for one could use help with prepping and delivering the Welcome Packets as well as distributing paid for Boat Ramp Keys for Beach 2 and watercraft permits.  Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in volunteering a couple hours a week when needed to help me.

I look forward to seeing you at the next Annual Membership Meeting on June 28th.

Thank you,

Diane Malburne 

Treasurer

Road Update

As we all know the early arrival of winter weather has forced delays on our scheduled roadwork for Parandes and Wendy Drive. Clairmont Asphalt Paving will resume operations as soon as weather permits, Looking ahead we are not just focused on these two roads. The association is assessing the condition of all association roads and will address new issues that may have surfaced over the winter months. We will provide further updates as spring approaches

Thank you,

Paul McGrath

Roads Director

Water Update

Thanks to all the people who assisted in finding leaks last year and to the people who helped with the clean up chores. Please remember to shut your main supply valve if you are away for a weekend or an extended period. Leaks cause the pumps to run more and increase our electric cost. Water service is available from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Check the Alton Shores web site for updated announcements.

We upgraded the Alton Shores well system and painted all three sheds and tanks last year.

The Nutter well was upgraded 2-3 years ago, so that system should be dependable. 

Improvements this year will include installing new asphalt roofs on all three well sheds. 

The excess funds from the water user fee will be saved for future upgrades. The next planned upgrade will be for an internal tank inspection and tank liner installation for the Larry system. That will complete major projects and upgrades for all three wells for years to come.

The State of NH DES will be sending a representative to inspect our wells and procedures this year. We will address any suggestions or concerns that the inspector has. 

Required by law, monthly samples will be taken to the State of New Hampshire water lab  from May through October.  If we have a no drink or boil order, notices will be posted on the AltonShores.com  web site. Notices will also be posted locally on the Alton Shores bulletin board and on the well shed on Alton Shores road. I will investigate  using individual email notifications to users also.

If anyone wants to volunteer we need people to vacuum out the well sheds. We have one vacuum and the well sheds need to be vacuumed every other month. We are always in need of people with good hiking skills to search for leaks. Let's  have a great summer.

Thank you,

Louis Lipomi Jr

Water Director

Property/Beaches Update

First, I would like to thank everyone for removing their canoes/kayaks from the racks on the beaches before the winter came. I also very much appreciated the people who reached out to me saying they could not get to their watercraft by the due date. Thank you. 

Next with the permits for beach 5 work all approved, waiting for the work to begin was hard. Late fall, the work began and was completed. The walkway down to the boat rack and the beach was made safer for people to walk down that steep area. It has water diverters and the culvert was cleaned and widened with erosion stone in hopes to help control the water that comes across Sunset Shores from Bonny Drive during the spring run-off and the heavy rains. Sand was added also, to make it more of a beach area.  There is tree work taking place at Beach 1, 2, & 4. As some of you know these trees have been here forever and unfortunately they are being destroyed and killed by different types of invasive species. 

Lastly, the beaches will have a crew come in and take leaves, tree limbs, and other debris from the winter. I will be applying to the state for another sand permit and trying to get a wetlands permit approved for beach 3 so work can be done to stop the erosion that is taking place there during heavy rain storms.

Something I would like to get taken care of is another kayak rack at beach 4. Is there anyone who would like to volunteer to build one? We’ve talked about it for years and it would be great to get it done before everyone gets busy with summer.

Thank you, 

Andrea Knight

Property/Beaches Director 

 Mark your Calendars

The Annual ASA Meeting  is always on the last Sunday of June, which this year is 6/28/2026. It will be held at the Alton Central School at 9:00 am. Please plan to arrive by 8:45 so we can check everyone in.

Some Reminders

• Check altonshores.com for the latest news and use the Contact Us page to ask questions. 

• Please remember to get your burn permits for those nights of sitting around the campfire. Always be responsible and NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED.

• Quiet hours for the town of Alton are from 10pm to 7am. Please be respectful of your neighbors and abide by them. 

• Fireworks are illegal in Alton.