Departments
We are your neighbors
Board members and departments
Directors help manage the services, lake quality, and safety of the community we all enjoy. They are voted onto the board via our Annual Membership meeting in August. We strongly encourage anyone who would like to contribute to the health and betterment of our community to get involved, either through volunteerism, participation in meetings and clean-up events, or to become a Director. The more perspectives we have, the more benefits we will all enjoy.
For urgent needs, contact the department lead and the secretary@farhillsassociation.com
Water System
Dave Urban: water@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: We moved here when I retired in 2014, and every day we are thrilled to be here to enjoy the fun and the beauty of the lake, as well as the camaraderie of the Far Hills community. With my engineering background, I want to offer my time and skills to help enhance everyone’s enjoyment of Sunset Lake.
Responsibilities:
The FHA Water Director is responsible for ensuring reliable operation of the drinking water distribution system for the Association, including arranging for appropriate response to water main leaks, operation of supply valves (curb stops) at each household, and coordination of routine hydrant flushing.
If you have any problems with your drinking water supply or have spotted any water leaks in the Association neighborhood, please contact the Water Director at the email above or the Far Hills Association Secretary at secretary@farhillsassociation.com. After hours, please call the Ashburnham police dispatcher at 978-827-4413. They should know about any water main breaks and contact the FHA Water Director as needed.
Roads
Deb Grise: roads@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: As a member for close to 30 years initially as a seasonal resident and now full time, I appreciated the time,effort and dedication of our members who volunteered to make Sunset Lake a great place to live. When I retired and became a full time resident, I joined the board in hopes of giving back and continue to make this a great place to live. I am in my second term and have meet many wonderful people and am surprised at how much goes into maintaining a strong association.
Security
William Murray: security@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: I am a new resident to the lake, and area, having moved here in March of this year. Retired now, but during my 34 1/2 years as a police officer, 13 as Chief of Police, nothing was more important to me than giving back to and serving my community. This was not a function of my position, rather one of who I am. That feeling goes unchanged and it drives me to want to do the same here on beautiful Sunset Lake to make life here more enjoyable for all.
Boating
Diana Alberti (interim): boating@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: This will be my 12th summer at the lake and hopefully many more to come. I enjoy the community atmosphere and giving back to my neighbors by helping with the FHA. Please reach out to me if you need a boat launch key or new FHA sticker for your boat.
- Boating Rules & Safety
- Boat Record Form: Online or Printable
- MA Boating Handbook
Guest Boats
Members are responsible for all boats, canoes, kayaks and other gear brought in by their guests. Boats, trailers, waders and other fishing and boating equipment can spread aquatic invasive species from waterbody to waterbody unless properly cleaned, dried or disinfected after use. Although some invasive species such as water milfoil are readily visible to the human eye, many others are too small to be readily noticed. To avoid spreading invasive species please check, clean, drain, dry and disinfect everything that has contact with our lake before and after use.
Boat maintenance reminders:
• Always use a funnel when adding fuel so you don’t leak into the lake.
• Any maintenance on your motor should take place out of the lake.
• It is crucial (and law) that you clean and dry your boat if you travel to other lakes or put in our lake after being in another lake. We really want to avoid bringing in any invasive species to our beautiful lake.
Wear a life jacket! In MA, life jackets must be worn by:
• Canoeists and kayakers from September 15 – May 15
• Youth under 12 years old
• Water skiers/Tubers
Environmental & Permits
Fred Sellars: environmental@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: We moved here in 2017, and I retired from a 40-year career as an environmental consultant the following year. We fell in love with Sunset Lake’s natural beauty, and I want to do whatever I can to help preserve, protect and enhance this wonderful environmental, aesthetic and recreational resource for generations to come.
Dam
Steve Douglas: dam@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: I have been around lakes all my life and love living on Sunset Lake. On the last lake that we lived on, I served on the Dam Committee and gained valuable experience with the dam maintenance and inspection process. My engineering background allows me to be comfortable with and maintain the workings of the dam. I want to give back to the lake community and provide any expertise that I can.
Social
Katie Stevens: social@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: I believe that community connection is important and would like to provide different opportunities for neighbors to connect, interact, and have fun. I love this community of ours and would like to do my part to make it better.
Maintenance
Roger Allen: maintenance@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: We have lived here since late 2010, and I do not foresee us moving anywhere else. I was feeling the need to contribute to the operation of the Association and was voted in as a Director in 2019. The role of Maintenance Director fits well with my desire and ability to fix and repair many things, and I intend to make sure the Association properties are functional and in good shape, and to make improvements where possible.
Legal & Insurance
Thomas Ryll: legal@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: My wife Sophia and I joined the Association at the end of 2017. We enjoyed our house at 6 Indian Point Drive as a weekend retreat until the pandemic started and then moved here full time in the fall of 2021. There is so much to do right here! We love this community and I’m interested in becoming a director to help manage and sustain what we have.
Assent Form and Info
If you are new to Far Hills Association and your home is not “assented”, please download and complete the appropriate form for the town you live in, then return to me or secretary@farhillsassociation.com. If you are not sure of your assented status, let me know and I’ll look it up. Assents go with the property, not the owner.
What exactly does it mean to be assented? Simple, an assented property means you will enjoy all the full privileges of being an FHA member as a Shareholder. It’s your agreement to be part of our community. Without it, you cannot vote on budget decisions, FHA bylaws, or Board elections. All of this is part of our Bylaws. Thanks!
For Winchendon, click here for the registry of deeds for your property info»
For Ashburnham, click here for the registry of deeds for your property info»
Handbook Files
Secretary
Barbara Eastman: secretary@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: We have been so fortunate to live at Sunset Lake for 28 years, full time since 2005. It was my pleasure to serve as FHA Secretary for 4 years when major issues such as dam repair and boat horsepower lawsuits were resolved by the BOD. It is an honor to fill in the Secretarial vacancy as this current talented BOD face new challenges, such as water infrastructure. Proud to be a part of it.
Treasurer
Andre Kouyoumdjian: treasurer@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: I’ve been coming to Sunset Lake since 2001 and decided to be a permanent member when I bought my home in 2009. My wife and I love living here on the lake and want to do whatever we can to help preserve and maintain a wonderful neighborhood for generations to come.
- Billing Policy
- Selling your home and need a 6D Certificate to prove your HOA dues are paid? Please email treasurer@farhillsassociation.com to make arrangements. Cost is $100. Please allow a minimum of one week for completion.
President
Steve Douglas: president@farhillsassociation.com
Why I serve: Having served on the Far Hills board plus another lake association board, I feel that I bring a broad perspective to our lake community. I have networked with other lakes and now serve on the Ashburnham Lakes Coalition where ideas can be cross-pollinated between lakes. Throughout my work career I was a results-oriented program and group leader and am able to transfer that consensus-building experience to our own board organization. I feel strongly about giving back to the community and look forward to continue serving in that leadership role.
