Slide presentation for Annual Meeting - Click HERE
CLAPA Annual Meeting Minutes, August 15, 2026, Woodbound Ballroom
50 Members in Attendance
Business Meeting called to order: 4:09 pm
Welcome and Milfoil Update – CLAPA President Mike Golibersuch
Mike welcomed members and reviewed our new and updated website which is currently under construction and will be unveiled in the next few months. Professionally designed, it will be easier to find information and maintain updates. Paul Zhitomi will be overseeing this process.
We have decided to rent a slide projector from Jaffrey Woman’s Club for our annual meetings in order to reliably use at the annual meeting.
Milfoil and Lake Host Program Updates – Director Mark LeBoeuf
A recent survey by DES has uncovered 3 areas that have some milfoil, 2 near Jowders Cove and 1 near Woodbound Cove. The area above the boat launch to the Dam remains completely clean. Members are asked to mark if they find any other areas with milfoil. Mark has some milfoil markers available if needed.
Lake Host program is up and running this year. In addition to Variable Milfoil, we are watching for the Spiny Water Flea and the Chinese Mystery Snail. Both invasive species threaten the food chain and fish living in the lake. The Spiny Water Flea has not been seen yet in Contoocook Lake but is in several lakes including Winnipesaukee in NH. The Chinese Mystery Snail is in our lake. We request that homeowners report any that they find and location. Send information to clapalake@gmail.com or speak to Mark. As the snails are known to concentrate heavy metals, it is advised not to eat them. They should be collected and thrown in the trash. The Lake Host program is looking for more volunteers to work at our boat launch educating boaters for 3 hour shifts. We aim to cover Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
VLAP – Vice President Jim Ladine
Jim stated that our lake is “middle of the road” for lakes in NH overall. We have more than average salt contamination due to road salting which is visible. Adding to that is less visible sources like water softeners, which one could estimate to be comparable in magnitude to Road salt on a full year basis. Both towns of Rindge and Jaffrey are aware of the road salt challenge to the lakes. Phosphorous levels are middle of the road, with our largest opportunity for improvement being poor septic-system performance around the lake and ground water runoff into Squantum Inlet. High phosphorous levels contribute to cyanobacteria blooms and weed/invasive growth.
Mike spoke about the continuation of our rebate program to address septic pumping and maintenance. We will again offer, the first ten members that apply, a $50 rebate on septic tank or cesspool pumping; or, $150 on septic system inspection.
Financials – Treasurer Frank Belfsky
Frank reviewed financials. They will be audited by Karin Goldstein after books are closed. Details of the financials can be found in the meeting slides.
We ended up 2025 with net income of $992. Our checking account stood at $4,613 and our investment account stood at $127,714.
We project net income of $1,382 for 2026, with checking account assets: $7,416 and investment assets: $131,660.
An audience member suggested that CLAPA members should consider CLAPA as a charitable contribution recipient for annual RMDs of IRAs.
Bylaws – President Mike Golibersuch
Bylaws were updated by a board committee and voted on by board. Updates were made to clarify board member roles and expectations and align committees with current lake priorities.
Bylaw changes were voted on and approved unanimously by membership.
Member Outreach – Director Kristen Galfetti
Our 2nd Annual Lake Appreciation Day was a success. The turnout was much better than last year due to weather (approximately 70 people). People came out to enjoy the music and food and to meet neighbors. We raised awareness of CLAPA, lake health, upcoming activities and events and introduced board members. A presentation was given by a guest speaker from the Loon Preservation Committee.
An extra mailing this year to identify more potential members resulted in 7 new members to date.
Member Suggestions: A member recommended that we try soliciting memberships or donations from people who use the lake including fisherpeople and other boaters who use the boat launch. Another member, Barbara LaDine, suggested that we contact the Jaffrey Historical Society suggested that we could possibly set up a permanent display of the history and evolution of the lake which could be given a place at the new JHS location. This would raise publicity and community awareness.
Loon Status – President Mike Golibersuch
A baby loon is part of our lake family this year. We will be giving up the Loon raft given to us by the Loon Preservation Committee as the loons have opted to not use it 3 years in a row.
Mike arranged a tour of Contoocook Lake for an environmental science class from Conant High with a Loon Preservation Committee guide. This was a big hit with the students and got us recognition in the Monadnock Ledger Transcript.
Lake Friendly Boating
Members are concerned about wakes near the shore as erosion is an issue and allows more runoff into the lake which contributes harmful nutrients and chemicals. Please be mindful of boat speeds near shore. NH law says there must be no wake within 150 feet of shore. This is enforced by Marine Police. Stand up ski craft is also not allowed on lake, but 3 seat personal watercraft are ok. We are looking to put up more signage.
Kady Cohen (daughter of Erin and Eric Cohen, 6 years old) read a proposal that she had written. The topic was the trash that floats in the lake and ends up on our beaches and shoreline. With her mom’s help, she has offered to organize a lake cleanup day next summer. CLAPA offered to help with this. Her presentation got a standing ovation!
Board of Directors
A proposed Board of Directors was voted on and approved unanimously. Paul Zhitomi is a new addition. He is responsible for website management.
The formal meeting was adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
Member Social
Presentation: Max Maynard, a field biologist from DES who spoke on Lake Health
