Freedom—January 21, 2021—Ossipee Lake Alliance has announced that Freedom resident Paul Elie has joined its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Paul’s experience encompasses years of work protecting the natural resources of the Town of Freedom and the surrounding watershed. Since 2017 he has chaired the Freedom Conservation Commission, which he joined in 2015. He is also an elected official on the Freedom Planning Board, joining the board in 2015 and becoming vice-chair in 2019.
He has been active for years with Green Mountain Conservation Group, particularly in water quality monitoring and community outreach. Other past community service includes leadership positions with the Freedom Village Store, the Freedom Old Home Week Committee and the Freedom Christian Church.
Paul and his wife, Bonnie, came to Ossipee Lake in 1994 when they purchased a site at Totem Pole Park. They have four grown children and eleven grandchildren, and have lived in Freedom Village since 2013. He retired in 2001 after a long career in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“Paul Elie exemplifies the best in volunteerism in the service of environmental protection,” said Susan Marks, co-executive director of Ossipee Lake Alliance.
“His ability to connect with people on and off the lake, and his understanding of the nexus between planning and environmental protection will make him a valuable addition to our board,” she added.
Ossipee Lake Alliance is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit corporation formed in 2003 to preserve and protect the lake and surrounding environment. It is based in Freedom, and its website is at www.ossipeelake.org.
Paul will be be a great addition to OLA.
He also was part of the volunteers for OLNA boating community in past and I know how much he loves Ossipee Lake and surrounding communities.
Congrats Paul!
Congratulations to Mr. Elie for joining the board and I wish him much success. As Alliance member and long time lake front property owner I am concerned about the long term affects that the sudden building boom around the lake will have on the quality of the lake water. Does the Alliance track this sort of thing and are there others out there with the same concerns. I understand that we can’t stop development, but is this development being done in a responsible manner. And it is not only those homes or buildings near the water can affect the water quality. Buildings constructed outside the Shoreline Protection zone can have a lasting impact on the quality of the lake just from the runoff that is allowed to reach the lake that much quicker. Town planning boards must not be so quick to grant variances for buildings and other structures that do not comply with current regulations. In the 40 plus years I have had a home on Ossipee Lake I have noticed the quality and clarity of the water is not what it once was. But it is not too late to reverse the trend if we all do our part. Thank you.