Milfoil Meeting Minutes

Milfoil Control Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2019
Approved 9/13/2019

Members present: Susan Goodwin, Linda Murray, John Russell, Marc Martin, Tom Ouhrabka, Becky Bartlett, Jim McDevitt, Kathy Barnard

Susan called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM.

The July 31, 2019 minutes were reviewed.  Tom made a motion to approve the minutes.  John seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion.

The Committee members reviewed the 2020 Milfoil Control Committee draft budget request.

Tom was concerned that Goodwin basin may need another chemical treatment. He had asked Solitude to inspect and they did not see any growth. Tom suggested having AB Aquatics do a survey and hand pulling if necessary (cost $1,100 for a day). Susan will contact Amy Smagula (NHDES) to determine if she will do a survey or if the Town should have AB Aquatics do a survey and hand pulling, if necessary. The $1,100 is already in the 2019 budget.

The committee agreed to include $14,019 in the budget for Back Bay and Goodwin Basin; $16,500 for hand pulling; increase funding for the Lake Host program to $4,250; remove $750 for the Milfoil Joint Board for a total of $34,769.
It was mentioned that funding for the Milfoil Joint Committee would not be needed since the DASH unit is no longer used by Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro since the contractors have their own equipment (DASH units).  The past Joint Board expenses were mostly for the maintenance of the DASH unit.
It was also mentioned that the Water Ski Club will not be able to donate funds for milfoil control due to other obligations.
The proposed budget has increased from the 2019 budget ($29,150) due to the increased costs of hand pulling and not using the Town’s DASH unit.
Kathy made a motion to approve the proposed budget with the suggested changes. Linda seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion.
Susan will make the necessary revisions and send the revised proposed budget to the members.
It was mentioned that the Milfoil Control committee does have a milfoil eradication fund that could be used if there is a shortfall.  Linda will check to determine how much is currently in this fund.

There was a discussion about the need to do the 2020 chemical treatment in early June – the first week on a Monday would be preferable.  There was concern about the yellow signs.  They “alarm” some members of the public. Susan will discuss this issue with Solitude and ask them to do the testing 2/3 days after the treatment so we can remove the signs.

Susan then reported that she had a discussion with Karin Nelson from Moultonborough who is interested in having a tri-town contract with AB Aquatics.  Committee members questioned what the benefits and advantages would be.  Susan will also discuss this issue with Amy Smagula.

All members agreed that the control of milfoil in Back Bay seems improved this year.

Meeting adjourned at 8:44 AM.

Submitted by
Kathy Barnard