Slide presentation for Annual Meeting - Click HERE
CLAPA Annual Meeting Minutes, August 9, 2025, Woodbound Ballroom
70 Members in Attendance
Business Meeting called to order: 4:09 pm
Welcome and Milfoil Update – CLAPA President Mike Golibersuch
- Mike welcomed members and remembered Frank Battaglia who passed away unexpectedly last November. The Board honored him with a bench (donated by Jaffrey Climate Initiative) placed on Blueberry Island (special thanks to member, Corrine Saari).
- Procellacor chemical treatment for variable milfoil was applied again this year as it was in 2018. We treated the river area and a couple of areas in the main body of the lake (Woodbound Cove and lower lake across from Woodbound Campground). Visual inspection shows that treatment was successful. So, we anticipate only needing a couple of days of TSE Dive Services diving to pull any remaining milfoil although we have been approved by DES for 10 days. DES is scheduled to do another survey this month to determine the effectivity of Procellacor treatment and determine what we will need to do for the next summer season.
- Projected costs for treatment are $28,350 for the Procellacor (reimbursed by DES at 50%). Diving for 10 days was approved at $13,990 (reimbursed by DES at 50%), although this is expected to be less. Jaffrey Conservation Commission additionally contributed $1,000 to this effort.
- A member suggested that CLAPA procure a better slide projector for next year’s meeting, since many members were having difficulty viewing the dim projection of the meeting slides. We will aim to improve this next year.
- Frank reviewed the financials for 2024. Total Income = $23,674, Total Expenses = $ 19,185, Net Income of $4,489.
- Total current assets at year-end was $131,335 which is primarily in an investment account at Edward Jones with the remainder at TD Bank. Earlier this year the E. Jones portfolio was reviewed and adjusted to a more conservative allocation of 20% equities: 80% fixed income) to allow capital preservation in light of the 2025 chemical treatment costs.
- For the 2025 Projected Financials, Total Income = $36,300 (expected), Expenses = $46,900 (expected). A Net Income Loss = $10,667 (projected, but likely less since this projection is based on maximum 10 days of diving). Income and expenses are larger than the previous year primarily due to the Procellacor treatment.
- Due to the increasing cost of weed control and other administrative costs, the board has recommended that the dues be raised from the current $55 to $60 for each individual membership. A motion was made to raise the dues and membership unanimously approved.
- Due to our extraordinary expenses this year, additional donations are always appreciated!
Outreach Activities – Kristen Galfetti
- Outreach mailing – large scope mailing extending beyond those living on the lake. Resulted in 17 new members to date.
- First Annual Lake Appreciation Day – May 31, open to all, held at Jaffrey Public Beach. Despite weather, approximately 55 local attendees attended enjoyed music, food, raffles, and the opportunity to meet lake neighbors. Raised awareness of CLAPA, lake health, and upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Raised funds to support lake health. Partnered with local businesses and increased social media presence.
Lake Water Quality and What We Can Do to Preserve It – Jim LaDine
- 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.
- Conductivity has improved which is helpful to lake inhabitants, but phosphorous has gotten worse which can promote algae blooms in the lake. Oxygen still remains low.
- CLAPA supported a warrant article early this year regarding adopting more efficient methods of road salt application in Rindge. This did not pass but CLAPA will continue its efforts to inform both local and state governments about the severity of this problem.
- Phosphorous has been an ongoing problem due to underperforming and poorly designed septic systems. The board has proposed two programs in which CLAPA can encourage best practices.
- Septic Inspection discount program – If at least 3 members sign up for this program, ”Liam Looks” septic inspector has offered a significant discount for a septic inspection to check your system for proper functioning.
- Septic Pumping discount program – CLAPA will provide $50 rebate for septic pumping of members homes in Contoocook Lake area. This will apply to the first 10 CLAPA members to send a receipt to [email protected] for service completed between August 9, 2025 to August 9, 2026.
- Cleaning of dead vegetation out of the lake and preventing it from getting there in the first place will improve dissolved oxygen levels. Dying vegetation takes oxygen out of the water.
- 5 things that Jim suggests we do for a healthier lake – (1) reduce nutrient runoff, (2) maintain, pump, or upgrade septic systems, (3) control erosion and sedimentation of land near the lake, (4) limit impervious surfaces, (5) keep your stumps.
- LPC guided 2 well attended loon paddles on Contoocook Lake this summer.
- We have worked with LPC on the use and placement of a loon raft (although, so far, the loons have opted not to use it). Our loons this year laid an egg but high waters in the spring prevented the loons from being able to sit on their nest. If only we could teach them that a raft floats so this problem can be avoided.
- Nancy Amato has contacted LPC about setting up a local sporting goods store to participate in the LPC-sponsored Lead Buy Back program, as lead tackle is a leading cause of loon deaths in New Hampshire.
- We attended the NH Lakes Annual Congress this year. It is a great opportunity to learn what is happening with other lakes and statewide issues.
- Among other things NH Lakes advocates for lake friendly legislation.
- We were not able to get the Lakes Host program started this year due to personnel issues but intend on doing so next season. NH Lakes sponsors and partially funds this program.
- We are looking for volunteers in the following areas:
- Lake Host Coordinator
- Web Site Maintenance (contoocooklake.org)
- New Hampshire Lakes Liaison
- Loon Nest Placement
- Event Planning/Preparation
- New Ideas!
- Spread the Word about CLAPA!
- Jim Ladine will coordinate with Jaffrey to select the best time for lowering the lake water level this Fall, depending on when the lake water temperature reaches the point when lake inversion takes place. Selecting the right time for this can benefit lake water quality.
- Some members pointed out that water levels were especially low last Fall, and were wondering if CLAPA had requested this. We are not aware of any special actions that were taken last Fall to lower the level more than usual. We speculated that perhaps this was due to a lack of rainfall at the time of lowering.
CLAPA 2025-2026 Officers and Directors – Mike Golibersuch
- Mike 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
- Nancy Amato
- Kristen Galfetti
- Karin Goldstein
- Wendy Bruneau
- Gregory Covert
- Russell Phillips
- Jean Stokinger
- Mark LeBoeuf
- Mary Harrington
Business meeting adjourned: 5:15 pm
Presentation: Archeology and Native American History on Contoocook Lake – Professor Robert Goodby, Franklin Pierce University
Member Social