Jeanie Forrester: Meredith Selectboard chooses officers, approves conservation projects

The March 24 selectboard meeting included board organizational activities, a public hearing, and some general activities requiring board review and approvals.

The first meeting of the selectboard following Town Meeting always begins with election of officers and making board assignments. Mike Pelczar and Steve Aiken were elected as chair and vice chair of the board respectively. Board members were also chosen for the various boards and committees including Planning, Capital Improvements, Waukewan Watershed Advisory and Energy.

The Meredith Conservation Commission is working to add 38 acres to the Page Pond Community Forest. To purchase the additional land, a public hearing was held to accept $154,000 from the U.S. Forest Service and to authorize transferring $36,000 from the Open Space Conservation Expendable Trust Fund. This land will provide easy access to 800 acres of town forest and 10 miles of hiking trails. It will protect valuable water resources along Page Brook, which flows into Fish Cove in Lake Winnipesaukee and provide great value to wildlife, water quality, and recreation. Learn more by visiting meredithnh.gov/238/Page-Pond-3-Expansion.

The selectboard also received a proposal from the Conservation Commission to allow town-owned property to be leased (for five years with the possibility of renewal for good performance) to a local farmer to grow crops. The property being considered is approximately five acres of prior farm land located on the Page Pond Community Forest adjacent to the parking areas at the entrance of Barnard Ridge Road.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Exotic Species Program selected Meredith’s exotic aquatic control project to receive grant funds in 2025. Grants are available to local lake associations and municipalities for control and/or prevention of state-listed exotic aquatic plants. The grant award, which could be up to $24,963, would be a 50% match of the project costs ($49,926). As required by NHDES, the board authorized the board chair to sign a certificate of authority confirming that the board voted to accept NHDES funds and enter into the contract.

The board also authorized the town manager to enter into a contract for the adaptive launch project construction. To be located at Leavitt Park, the launch is a specially-designed system for canoes and kayaks that Meredith residents can use, especially those who are mobility-challenged. The (approximately) $135,000 launch project is being funded with grants, donations and town funds. Grants and donations of $74,076 are being combined with $37,865 from the Parks & Recreational Facility ETF and operating funds of $23,200.

The board also approved a letter from the town attorney in response to a union grievance and approving legal action regarding property at 126 Meredith Center Road.

Upcoming meetings include a meet & greet with the new town manager from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7, at Meredith Community Center. The next selectboard meeting is at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 14, at Meredith Community Center.

•••

Jeanie Forrester is a member of the Meredith Selectboard.