VLAP Presentation at Annual Meeting - Jim LaDine, VLAP Lead - click HERE
CLAPA Annual Meeting Minutes, August 17, 2024, Woodbound Playbarn
50 Members in Attendance
Welcome and Financial Summary – CLAPA President Frank Battaglia
50 Members in Attendance
Welcome and Financial Summary – CLAPA President Frank Battaglia
- CLAPA membership currently 139, with slight increase anticipated by year end.
- Total yearly income to date: $13,283. This includes membership dues, income from investments, and grants from the state.
- Total expenses to date: $12,908. Largest portion of this is for milfoil control. Also includes VLAP water quality testing, liability insurance, and contributions to Loon Preservation Committee and New Hampshire Lakes organizations.
- Total current assets: $127,225. Most of this is in an investment account with Edward Jones.
- Some adjustments to these figures are expected prior to year-end, as additional milfoil extraction work is planned, and additional grant funds from the state are expected.
- With positive net income so far for the year of $375, annual dues will remain at $55 per member per year.
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) conducted an invasive species survey of the lake in June. High concentrations of milfoil were detected at various locations in the lake. Especially high concentrations were found in the river-like section of the lake, up to and beyond the County Road boat launch site.
- We contracted with Aqualogic divers for 10 days of milfoil harvesting. So far this summer they have worked 6 days and removed 275 gallons of milfoil.
- DES will conduct another survey in September, and we anticipate having Aqualogic work the remaining 4 days of their contract after those results are in.
- Work this summer has focused on the main body of the lake. But due to the very high concentrations of milfoil in the river-like section, we anticipate contracting for chemical treatment to that area of the lake next summer. We will work with DES to obtain the appropriate permits and funding support for this work, which is safe for fish, other wildlife, and people.
- Jim gave a presentation summarizing results of the latest lake water quality testing and trends over time, and pointing out actions we might all take to help preserve our lake.
- See presentation HERE.
- Jim discussed the falling levels of Dissolved oxygen and the contributions from levels of various undesirable elements and organic material in the lake. He noted that the presence of various salts in the lake is higher than NH Mean, and is increasing over time.
- This is especially worrisome because salt acts to lower the level of oxygen present in the lake, and too little oxygen threatens fish and other life in the lake. If not addressed, it can seriously diminish the beauty and health of the lake.
- Jim pointed out that oxygen levels in the lake have steadily dropped from 20 in 1977, to the present level of 7 PPM to 3 Meters depth. This is getting close to the minimum level that fish need.
- The big contributors to this are the salinity of the lake and the compostable material in the lake.
- The biggest contributor to salt is probably road salt. Unfortunately, there are limits to what can be done to reduce the impact of this necessary practice. But CLAPA will continue its efforts to inform both local and state governments about the severity of this problem.
- Other significant contributors to salt in the lake include fertilizers, improperly or infrequently serviced septic systems, and fireworks, which can introduce various types of undesirable chemicals into the water.
- Jim encouraged everyone present to share this information with their neighbors, and to consider the impacts that they can have on lake health in their lakefront activities.
- CLAPA has supported letter writing campaigns organized by NH Lakes and targeted at state legislators to advocate for various proposed lake friendly bills. While several lake friendly bills passed, unfortunately a bill that would have increased off-shore limits for wake-surfing boats from the current 150 feet to 300 feet failed in the Senate. This issue may be taken up again in the next legislative session.
- Mike described the Lake Smart program sponsored by NH Lakes, in which a representative from NH Lakes will visit your property and make recommendations about things you might do to make your property more lake friendly, such as improving drainage and reducing runoff issues. This is a completely voluntary program, with no requirement that you follow any of their recommendations. You can learn more about this program at nhlakes.org.
- CLAPA is looking into the feasibility of initiating a Lake Host program next summer, in cooperation with NH Lakes. This involves stationing a lake host at the public boat launch, to conduct voluntary inspections of boats entering and leaving Contoocook, and to identify and remove any invasive species such as milfoil that they might be inadvertently carrying. If we decide to go ahead with this program, more information and a call for volunteers will be forthcoming.
- Mike shared the good news that Contoocook’s first loon chick in anyone’s memory is thriving. He or she will likely be leaving us to begin his independent life sometime around mid-September.
- LPC has been a great source of information and help. In addition to providing invaluable information and guidance about loons, they provided the loon nesting platform that we have placed on the lake the last 2 summers, and the floating chick warning sign that we positioned near Brown’s Point.
- Lake lowering will commence this year on October 18.
- Jean and Jed shared a variety of fun facts about Contoocook’s history.
- Frank announced that he is stepping down as CLAPA president after 5 years. He proposed the following slate of officers and directors for the coming year, which was approved unanimously.
- Officers
- President – Mike Golibersuch
- Vice President – Jim Ladine
- Secretary – Joan Lathrop
- Treasurer – Frank Belfsky
- Directors
- Frank Battaglia
- Michael Douglas
- Karin Goldstein
- Wendy Bruneau
- Gregory Covert
- Russell Phillips
- Jean Stokinger
- Carolyn West
- Mary Harrington
- Frank received a rousing round of applause from the group in thanks for all he has done (and plans to continue to do) for CLAPA.
- The meeting was followed by a viewing of the film “Monadnack – The Mountain that Stands Alone”, about the fascinating history of Mount Monadnack. The film was followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director, Daniel White.