August 14, 2016

Dear New Elm Estates Lot Owners;

Firstly, Thank you all for your “double” contributions for 2016 and 2017. Some things have been happening here at the lake, so we wanted to take the time to update everyone on recent happenings..

As you know, for the past number of years we have had funding enough to repair and rebuild small stretches of the worst parts of the road at a time.  So far we have accomplished about 1 (one) KM of the 3.5 KM run of New Elm Estates Dr.  Last winter we installed a culvert where a washout had occurred in the previous year; that $1600 expense, covered by advanced contribution from some of the lot owners, is an example of how we come together to deal with the unexpected as well as the planned road maintenance.

Our building method uses gravel covering a shale base.  Some of the work that needs to be done this year is to apply gravel over the previously built areas.  Additional gravel protects the shale base to prevent deterioration and enable raking and grading as well as water run-off.

This summer we welcome 3 new families at lots 3, 8 and 22.  And, thanks!,  for your help in getting the developer to cut the trees off of New Elm Estates Dr about a month ago.  This is a really welcome improvement that makes working on the road surface possible, as well as improving visibility, drying out in the rain and melting snow in the winter.  Thanks and welcome!

Several of us are seeing the recent woods work as an opportune time to do more road repair and rebuilding.  Our road builder, Mr. Naugler, has estimated that completing a major overhaul of the road would cost between $30,000 and $35,000.  That overhaul should finish the job of upgrading the surface with shale base and gravel together with culverts where needed.

So far we have a show of interest from three lot owners for a commitment of $5,000 each to accomplish more extensive work.  We have deposits in the bank of $4100.00 and commitments of $1,600 plus that $15,000 and potentially $2400 from new owners, potentially bringing our current working funds to be approximately $23,000.00 for the 2016 overhaul work.  That’s a long way toward our estimated need and will make a huge difference if we are able to realize that potential.

In the spirit of a shared vision for a functioning road, we are asking for additional funding from any of you who would also like to contribute toward this road building project. Once the overhaul is completed we can look forward to doing only yearly maintenance and/or building a reserve for the unexpected.

I invite each of you to contact Dave for a more complete discussion of the details.

We are at the cottage this season until early  October and Dave can be reached by phone 902-521-7887 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Additionally, if you are a “Facebooker” there is a site called “New Elm Lot Owners” where I post pics of the roadwork when in progress, etc. If you would like, you can friend request : )

Bob Allan has also set up summary and documentation of the road work on his personal site:(http://www.boballan.ca/newelm/) You will also find the road account banking information on this site, and thank you, Bob, for helping me to pen this letter : )

Thanking everyone in advance for your consideration and on behalf of the lot owners,

Natalie and Dave Correll

88 Long Cove Trail (lot 18)

Molega North, NS, CA