Kenney to meet with Meredith Selectboard about Camp Menotomy

MEREDITH — Executive Councilor Joe Kenney grew up going to camp, and values the experiences it taught him to this day.

On Monday, he’ll speak with the selectboard about preservation efforts of a former Girl Scout camp property on Lake Winnipesaukee known as Camp Menotomy, with hopes of keeping it a place for recreation, rather than development of lakefront homes.

Kenney, along with legal counsel and a citizens group opposing development on the property, will attend the meeting. Kenney strongly believes the land should be kept as a camp, saying any new development would not only be unhealthy for the children, but for the lake and the environment, as well.

“I think we are shooting ourselves in the foot,” Kenney said Thursday.

Despite a judge in the Middlesex Probate and Family Court of Woburn, Massachusetts, approving an $18 million sale of the property last month, Kenney said no judge in New Hampshire has weighed in.

“The State of New Hampshire has not reviewed that agreement, and I will speak to it that night with fresh information,” from the Attorney General’s Office, he said.

There are reportedly plans for luxury, waterfront homes, but not if Kenney has anything to say about it. He would rather see the land remain a spot for campers.

“I believe that it needs to remain as a camp, and want to champion that effort,” Kenney said.

Kenney remembers how much being a camper helped him grow to be the person he is today, and he knows he’s not alone.

“I’m pretty passionate about it.”

The Camp Menotomy Trust, based in Arlington, Massachusetts, owns the property, and formerly leased it to Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts for a $1 per year, according to a June report in The Laconia Daily Sun. Due to declining interest, the Girls Scouts don’t plan on renewing the lease.

The deed states the property can only be sold if the Arlington Girl Scouts, or their successors, don’t want to “hire the camp grounds for camping purposes, and if no other organization can be found to utilize the site for camping purposes.”

Eric Carlson, owner and chief executive officer of Camp Quinebarge, in Moultonborough, reportedly made a lease offer that would involve a “for-profit or non-profit residential camp for children.” He reportedly offered paying $110,000 per year for rent, vowed to keep it a camp for girls, and said he would make “several million dollars’ worth” of improvements on the property.

However, before that offer was made, the Camp Menotomy Trust reportedly made a sales agreement for $18 million with Jeremy Martin, owner of Lakes Region Design Group.

Kenney said this was an “undervalued offer.”

“That property is worth more than $18 million, but it’s priceless if you leave it in the hands of the camp owners,” Kenney said.

Kenney will also talk to the selectboard about potential grant opportunities for sewer work. He said there is a revolving fund from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services that could present options. Kenney expects to discuss other potential funding scenarios, as well.

A longtime member of the Meredith Police Department, Phil McLaughlin is once again moving up the ladder, this time to captain. Interim Town Manager Mike Harper, who also serves as the town’s police chief, will have the honor of pinning him.

McLaughlin started his law enforcement career in Meredith as a cadet in summer 2000, and he has worked his way up the ranks. He’s held the positions of patrol officer, field training officer, motor officer, juvenile officer, prosecutor, sergeant, dispatch supervisor, and, most recently, lieutenant.

The Meredith Police Association shared news of his promotion Thursday, writing in a social media post that McLaughlin’s leadership role has expanded since Harper took the interim town manager role.

The selectboard is holding a public hearing about the cable television franchise renewal with Breezeline, and is expected to vote on the agreement.

According to the agenda documents, the town’s 10-year agreement expired Dec. 31, 2023. The renewal process started in 2021, and negotiations continued through the past two town manager transitions. While there were concerns about regional customer service access, that has been resolved, with Breezeline bringing an office to neighboring Laconia.

The document states there is an annual franchise fee of 3% of Breezeline’s gross revenues, and the town received $73,134 in 2025.

The selectboard meets at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, at Meredith Community Center.