Status Updated 1/11/2010
- January, 2010: Progress! The State of NH has offered us $14,247
towards treatment this year, or roughly 30% of the cost. It is our belief that
we can raise $10,000 through membership donations, a donation from Enel
NA, and/or the City of Manchester. Given this, the association presented to
the Goffstown Selectman in Mid December a request for $23,000, to close
the gap on the funding. The Selectman voted to pass this amount on a
warrant article to the town. The Budget committee approved this, and it is to
be approved as part of the Budget Process the 3rd week of January. On
February 3rd, it will be presented at the appropriations meeting, where the
final amount and wording of the warrant will be determined. It is important
that as many of our members as possible show up for this meeting. In
March, the warrant will goo tot he town for a vote. If approved, we will be
well on our way to getting the river cleaned up for this boating/swimming
season!
- October, 2009: We have submitted a grant application to DES for treatment
in 2010. This year, the State is only offering half of the total cost of
treatment. We expect to hear from the State by the end of November. We
have obtained quotes from the two approved contractors, both are within
the $47,000 to $48,000 range. If the State comes through with half of the
money, we believe we can raise $5,000 on our own, another $5,000 in
donations, and will ask the Town of Goffstown for the balance (under
$15,000).
- May 7, 2009: The association, Amy Smagula, and Jane Beaulieu will be
meeting with the Manchester Conservation Commission to discuss the Milfoil
in Namaske Lake.
- In the summer of 2008, the Association was formed, with a goal of
obtaining state and local funding in order to treat the Milfoil in the
Spring of 2009. The association gathered around 120 memberships,
at $10 each, and currently holds these funds in our bank. We met
closely with representatives from the State of New Hampshire DES,
the Goffstown Board of Selectman, The Goffstown Conservation
Committee, the Manchester Board of Alderman, the Manchester
Conservation Committee, The State of NH Conservation Committee,
and with the operator of the Dam, Enel North America in order to
educate all, and to request funds for the clean up. We applied for, and
were denied a Milfoil Clean Up Grant from the DES, as well as a
Conservation Grant from the State Moose Plate program. The two
local conservation committees recommended that the towns
participate in the clean up, but neither Manchester, nor The Town of
Goffstown was willing to do so once the State did not back us. We
were successful in getting a commitment of $5,000 from Enel North
America, but as this was contingent upon successful other funding, it
was temporarily withdrawn. This puts treatment in 2009 out of the
picture.
The State of NH is trying to obtain $150,000 for grants, in the current
Budget. The request has passed the House, now needs Weys &
Means and the Senate. The Des is changing their Grant Weighting
system in 2009 in a way which should help us out - they are increasing
the points for river systems, as well as for 2008 denials.
We will re-visit our efforts throughout the summer of 2009 to obtain
funding for a 2010 cleanup.
Summary of 2008 Efforts
- Form entity to manage the process to assure a timely,
effective eradication of the milfoil by spring of 2009.
Status - COMPLETE
- Accomplished in July of 2008 with the formation of the Namaske Lake
Association.
- Recruit Membership - solicit individuals who are
committed to eliminating the milfoil in the lake.
Status:
- Ongoing - 118 members as of November 20th.
- Apply for NH Department of Environmental Service
Control Grant - due 9-15-2008
Status - COMPLETE - REQUEST DENIED
- Grant application has been completed and submitted on behalf of the
Association.
- Due to a lack of funds, we did not receive any grant Money from the
DES.
- Request financial support from Town of Goffstown and
City of Manchester.
Status:
- In process. Goffstown Selectman and Manchester Alderman
have been invited to view the milfoil in the lake firsthand. The
Association is reaching out to any entity that may have the
ability to provide, or recommend sources of funding.
- The issue was discussed at the Goffstown Conservation
Commission on 8-27-08. A vote was affirmed by the members
to make the recommendation to the Board of Selectman that
the town financially support a portion of the matching funds
required for the grant.
- On 8/23/2008, Manchester Ward 12 Alderman Kelleigh
Domaingue toured the lakes infestation with the Association.
- On 8-27-08, the Association Met with State Representative
Jane Beaulieu to talk about the Milfoil issue. Ms. Beaulieu sits
on the following relevant Committees:
The Manchester Conservation Committee
NH State Environmental & Agriculture Committee
Piscataquog River Local Advisory Committee
State Aquatic Exotic Invasive Species Commission
- On 8-26-08, the Association had a phone conversation with
Manchester Ward 10 Alderman George Smith.
- On 9/4/2008 the Association presented to the Manchester
Conservation Commission. The Commission voted to send
a letter to the City of Manchester, recommending that they
financially support the clean up, so long as the Town of
Goffstown participates as well.
- Union Leader Article reported from the above meeting.
- Goffstown News Article on the Infestation (8/27/08)
- The NH Lakes Association has been contacted regarded
possible support
- The Association met with representatives of Enel North
America, the operator of the Kellys Falls Dam on September
29th. They have indicated that they would like to make a
donation in order to help clean the lake.
- The Association submitted in October, 2008 a grant request to
the State of NH Conservation Commission, for $11,000.
Unfortunately we have been informed that we will not be getting
any funds from this program this year.
- Obtain bids from state certified contractors - Due to
the State by 10-15-2008.
Status - COMPLETE
- The two contractors have submitted bids in the $45,000 range. Their
bids are based on the maps prepared by DES, which we know are
incomplete. We estimate $60,000 will be more in line with the current
infestation.
- We have filed for 501C status (in November 2008)with
the IRS which will give us the ability to accept
donations on a tax free basis.
Status - COMPLETE
- We plan on requesting the Town of Goffstown to place
a Special Article to the voters in January, 2009. We
will need to gain support from residents for this
Special Article.
Status - Not performed due to funding shortfall.
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