Jeanie Forrester: Meredith focused on water quality through restoration plan, cleanup

A wide variety of items were discussed in the July 22 meeting of the Meredith Selectboard including housing, community power, the adaptive launch project, a potential transfer station upgrade and a water quality plan.

The first item was a public hearing on a proposed project for Frances Court, a manufactured home park. Lakes Region Community Developers asked permission to submit an application to the NH Community Development Finance Authority for a $500,000 grant to rehabilitate four properties. Funds will be used for demolition and replacement of four manufactured homes in poor condition. The town will retain up to $30,000 for administrative/labor compliance expenses with the remainder subgranted to LRCD to complete the project. The completed units will be rented to low- and moderate-income households conforming with Meredith’s goal of encouraging a varied stock of safe, sanitary and affordable housing for persons of all age and income groups. The selectboard approved the request.

The Meredith Energy Committee continues to be hard at work looking for ways to help residents be more energy efficient and save money. At their request the Community Power Coalition of NH made a presentation on the concept of community power whereby towns can become the default electricity provider for their residents and businesses. The benefits include local control, competitive rates and expanded choice. To date, there are 42 communities participating, serving approximately 130,000 customers with $14M in first-year savings. For more information on community power, visit CommunityPowerNH.gov.

The selectboard approved the mailing of a fundraising letter to residents for the Leavitt Adaptive Launch project. The town manager advised that he approved $3,000 from the Recreation Department advertising line to pay for the mailing.

If you frequent the metal recycling area of the town’s transfer station, you have experienced the poor conditions. The lack of paving has made access during mud season difficult and increased the risk of embedded metal puncturing tires. Thanks to one member of our selectboard working with the Department of Public Works director, they are spearheading an effort to pave the area making it safer and more user-friendly. The estimated cost of $32,000 is covered within the approved Solid Waste Budget. Additionally, the DPW director is investigating grant funding through the NH the Beautiful Program to mitigate some of the cost. The DPW director will update the board at its next meeting when a decision will be made on this much needed improvement.

In the 2024 March Town Meeting, to protect Meredith’s drinking water source, residents approved a warrant article to raise and appropriate $100,000 to complete a full update of the Lake Waukewan Watershed Restoration Plan. Also authorized was the issuance of not more than $100,000 of bonds or notes and to further authorize the selectboard to offset the appropriation by applying for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds. We are pleased to report Meredith has received that $100,000 grant allowing us to avoid using taxpayer funds. We anticipate the project will begin in a couple months.

The Waukewan Watershed Advisory Committee/Meredith Water & Sewer Department cookout has been rescheduled to Saturday, Sept. 7, to coincide with cleanup day for trash in the lake and ramp areas. Visit meredithnh.org for more details.

•••

Jeanie Forrester is vice chair of the Meredith Selectboard.