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BOC MeetingMay 18, 2026

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MERRIMACK VILLAGE DISTRICT 
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 
MAY 18, 2026 
MEETING MINUTES 
(approved June 15, 2026) 
 
A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was conducted on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 
5:02 p.m. at 2 Greens Pond Road, Merrimack, NH. 
 
Donald Provencher, Chairman, presided: 
 
Members of the Commission present: 
Erin Clement, Vice Chair 
Dan Allen, Financial Liaison  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wolfram von Schoen  
 
Members of the Commission Absent:  
Scott Sabens, Personnel Liaison 
 
Also in Attendance:  
 
 
Ron Miner, Superintendent 
                                                            Kristen Maher, HR/Finance Director 
 
 
FINANCE/HUMAN RESOURCES REVIEW  
 
1. Analysis of Revenue and Expenditures  
 
As of April 30, 2026, and ten (10) months into the fiscal year, shown is revenue in the amount of 
$6,004,034 (91.82% of budgeted amount) and expenses of $4,384,283 (67.05%).  Net Ordinary 
Income is $1,619,752. 
 
2. Revenue 
 
34223 - service charge (hydrant hookup); temporary hydrant hookup has seen a significant increase 
mostly due to use of the Merrimack Outlets parking area for events.  
 
34225 - New mainline extension fee; new construction and mainline projects 
 
Expenses 
 
49001 - Vehicles/Equipment; purchased in May (budgeted under Capital) 
67005 - Inspections; added new with Water Treatment Plants (contract done after the budget) 
68302 - Legal - PFAS; lawsuits 
72300 - Repair & Maintenance Vehicles; new vendor and fixed up older trucks 
 
Asked about Line Item 63000 - purchase of water, Director Maher commented that with many 
invoices it is close to the budget, everything else is below the line.  By June, she will determine 
whether or not it is added to the budget. 
 
Asked about Line Item 67550 - Office Supplies, she spoke of a few one-time expenses, e.g., 
purchase of cabinets. 
 

 
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A request was made that headers be included on all pages of the report. 
 
 
 
B. Capital Reserve Balance 
  
The Unassigned Fund Balance is $23,414,061.68.  Total percentage considered fund balance is 
30.55%.   
 
Trust Activities 
 
The checks were cut for items approved through the passage of Articles 6, 7, and 8 at the March 31, 
2026, Annual meeting.  Those appear in the bank balance report as funds received.   
 
Next month, a request will be made for the fee for the second truck that was purchased; one was 
from the budget and one from the Equipment & Facilities Trust.  
 
Director Maher questioned whether there was the desire to engage in a further discussion around 
acceptance of the grant. 
 
Commissioner von Schoen suggested a discussion occur at a later date.  He noted he and 
Commissioner Sabens had requested to be involved in the process, and asked that be respected 
going forward.  He spoke of having seen the opinion paper, and of being pleased with what was 
done, however, it is a portion of what we need to do.  He suggested a second discussion, not related 
to the grant, to look at things we are not covering yet.  He suggested it be placed on a future agenda 
as a non-public meeting. 
 
NON-PUBLIC 
 
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLEMENT THAT THE BOARD, BY ROLL CALL, GO 
INTO NON-PUBLIC SESSION PURSUANT TO RSA 91-A:3 II (e) CONSIDERATION OR 
NEGOTIATION OF PENDING CLAIMS OR LITIGATION WHICH HAS BEEN 
THREATENED IN WRITING OR FILED BY OR AGAINST THE PUBLIC BODY 
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALLEN 
 
A Viva Voce Roll Call Vote was taken, which resulted as follows: 
 
Yea: 
Erin Clement, Wolfram von Schoen, Dan Allen, Don Provencher 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 
Nay: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0 
MOTION CARRIED 
 
The Board recessed at 5:19 p.m. 
The Board reconvened at 6:09 p.m. 
 
REGULAR SESSION 
 

 
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1. Board of Commissioners (BOC) to discuss request of Matthew Knott, 77A Wire Road for an 
exception to the tiered rate water usage for his farm. 
 
Mr. Knott visited the office with a request to petition the Board for an exception to the Tier II rate. 
 
The Board was provided with the request and supporting documentation outlining the differential 
($85.56) of the Tier I and Tier II costs, based usage during the period of 11/11/23 through 5/11/25.   
 
The communication received from Mr. Knott requested an exemption to the Tier II rates, moving 
forward, based upon water usage for livestock requiring over 80 gallons/day during the warmer 
months and a large garden that has significant water demand. 
 
Commissioner Allen cited concern over setting precedent; specifically for a garden.   
 
Chair Provencher remarked he would have questioned whether the usage includes lawn irrigation, 
and would like to know if the farm is a State recognized agricultural resource. 
 
Vice Chair Clement noted the Town does not have a standalone Agricultural zoning district. 
 
Commissioner von Schoen stated the Commission does not do generalized exemptions.  The only 
exception has been one-time situations such as seeding of a lawn.  If anything, the request would be 
that of a rate change.  This would be the first such request. 
 
Chair Provencher commented there are some protections for gardens and animals when it comes to 
irrigation restriction, but not for tier classification.   
 
Superintendent Miner added were this to be considered for an exemption, there would be the desire 
to conduct an inspection to determine if irrigation of lawn is involved.  If that were the case, his 
recommendation would be not to approve the request. 
 
Commissioner von Schoen commented that the water restriction defines flower and vegetable 
gardens are exempt from the restriction, but not from the tiered rate.  He personally would not vote 
for an exemption.   
 
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ALLEN TO GRANT AN EXCEPTION TO THE TIERED 
RATE WATER USAGE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 77A WIRE ROAD 
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VON SCHOEN 
MOTION FAILED 
0-4-0 
Members Clement, Allen, von Schoen, and Provencher voted in opposition 
 
2. Superintendent’s Report 
 
Water Quality 
 
Maintenance: 
 

 
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• 
Treatment Facilities 
- 
Barry Miller’s crew has finished the cleaning and surging of Wells 7&8. The wells were 
videoed before and after the cleaning.  The only missing video is the post cleaning for Well 
8; would not transfer from the memory card. 
- 
The GAC media for both 2&9 and 4&5 Treatment Plants have been scheduled, 2&9; June 
3rd and 4&5 to follow; June 16th. 
 
Leak Repair Mainline/Entrance: 
 
Administrative: 
 
• PFAS Watermain Extensions 
- 
Farmer & Mason and Palmeri – final paving and punch list items are about complete. 
 
Superintendent Miner stated there remains some paving to be done on Palmeri; one of the 
homeowners questioned why it did not look as nice in front of their property.  Upon review, it was 
noted that the edge of the asphalt was breaking off.  It looked good prior to winter, but not after.   
That will be addressed. 
 
Commissioner von Schoen commented on a Facebook post about the paving crew leaving trash 
behind on Naticook.  Superintendent Miner stated the MVD did not do any paving work there.   
 
- 
Wilson Hill and Mullikin – NHDES did not approve the overlay for Wilson Hill.  The 
contractor is getting the final paving into the schedule for completion. 
 
Asked, Superintendent Miner stated they will go back to the original plan of mill and fill for the 
half-lane.   
 
• 
Final applications for Greatstone and Beebe were submitted 5/6/26. 
- 3M Settlement – settlement itself was $5,646,524 received 5/15/26.  Will be wired to 
NHDES for June loan payment. 
- 
New amortization schedule to be generated once received. 
 
• 
Pilot Study data - the EPA has not sent it over to Underwood Engineers, Inc. (UEI), which is 
why no information was included in the Board’s packet. 
 
• 
MyMVD users total 5,556; Ebill total is 1,925 users, Auto Pay 2,775, ACH 1,766, and Credit 
Card 1,009. 
 
Director Maher noted, once moving to the new utility billing, there will be an updated portal 
requiring users to sign up once again.  Commissioner von Schoen asked if there is a mechanism on 
the old system to notify users of the requirement to sign up for the new system.  
 
• 
Business Manager Lavoie and Superintendent Miner met with Public Works Director, Dawn 
Tuomala, and Deputy Director, Leo Laviolette, along with Dan Tinkam to go over some 
concerns they had with the Watershed-Based Management Plan. The meeting went well and a 
lot of the concerns had already been addressed.  Somehow, we all had the old report. Director 

 
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Tuomala mentioned that they have ordered signs for Continental Boulevard to match what the 
DOT has put up. 
 
• 
The MVD has been selected by NHDES program/bureau to receive the 2026 Source Water 
Protection Award for outstanding work to address salt contamination affecting our water 
system.  Pierce Rigrod, Supervisor, will present on Wednesday, June 3rd at this year’s Source 
Water Protection Conference. 
 
PUBLIC HEARING 
 
Chair Provencher stated the purpose of the Public Hearing was to accept public input relative to the 
acceptance of grant funds from the Overwatch Foundation in the amount of Twenty-one thousand 
one hundred ninety-three dollars and thirty-eight cents ($21,193.38) for upgrades to the Supervisory 
Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system as well as three (3) SCADA PCs, three (3) 
monitors, and three (3) power supplies. 
 
Chair Provencher opened the floor for public input at 6:27 p.m. 
 
No public input was offered. 
 
The public input period was declared closed at 6:27 p.m. 
 
3. Board of Commissioners to vote relative to the acceptance of grant funds from the Overwatch 
Foundation. 
 
The Overwatch Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that delivers grant-funded services in 
cybersecurity, systems modernization, network and physical defense, training, and workforce 
development to state, local, and federal agencies along with New Hampshire associations and 
government organizations.  
 
Commissioner von Schoen noted they hold audits and workshops and provide advice as to 
mitigating and improving efforts to secure our infrastructure.  In this case, specifically in regard to 
cybersecurity/operational technology security, meaning tank level monitoring system, etc.   
 
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLEMENT TO APPROVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF 
GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF TWENTY-ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED 
NINETY-THREE DOLLARS AND THIRTY-EIGHT CENTS ($21,193.38) FOR UPGRADES 
TO THE SUPERVISORY CONTROL AND DATA ACQUISITION (SCADA) SYSTEM AS 
WELL AS THREE (3) SCADA PCS, THREE (3) MONITORS, AND THREE (3) POWER 
SUPPLIES FROM THE OVERWATCH FOUNDATION 
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALLEN 
MOTION CARRIED 
4-0-0 
 
4. Board of Commissioners to discuss Commissioner von Schoen’s proposal to participate in the 
German-American PFAS Collaboration Project. 
 

 
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Commissioner von Schoen spoke of having learned of a last-minute deadline for a grant opportunity 
through Mrs. Ina Wiest, Senior Advisor for Science and Economic Affairs and Attache to Boston 
German Consul General.  Mrs. Wiest is responsible for connecting German and American 
businesses, organizations, and institutions to foster collaboration in science, innovation, and 
economic development across New England. 
 
The grant application was for a climate and environmental diplomacy project.  The intent is for 
German and American organizations to work together in terms of climate and environmental 
challenges.  He was asked if he had any ideas.  Understanding PFAS is as much of an issue in 
Europe as it is anywhere in the world, and knowing specifically of a few towns in Germany that are 
really struggling with it, that was his approach.   He is also aware that a few towns have recently 
implemented filtration systems.  MVD has put a good deal of money into the test columns where we 
map different commercially available and even some experimental filtration media and knows how 
they perform on our contaminants, and the associated cost (pilot testing).   
 
These communities in Germany have their own experiences with certain compounds and filtration 
media.  We are at the forefront, and have been told that we are pretty far out with what we are doing 
here.  Usually, Germany is pretty high-tech and regulated.  The Water Technology Centre (TZW) 
(non-profit) specializes in research, development, testing and consulting in the water sector.  TZW 
absorbs the knowledge that the different organizations develop in terms of PFAS and other 
challenges for water supplies. 
 
The grant was awarded (15,000 Euros).  We basically have until November of this year to expend 
the funds.  The German Consulate’s staff in Boston acts as grant administrator.  Disbursement of 
grant funds requires a request from the project team and is intended to cover expenses such as travel 
and other tangible items needed to achieve the project outcome.  It is not geared toward labor or 
services.  There is the potential that, as a non-profit, some leeway may exist to cover some of the 
costs of subcontractors such as Underwood.   
 
He believes this to be prestigious enough that we could approach NHDES and inquire as to whether 
there is funding available to support this.  It may also be a good idea to talk with the New 
Hampshire Business & Economic Affairs.  They are also very interested in getting international and 
New Hampshire businesses to cooperate with each other.  It could be that Underwood would be 
interested in contributing something as this is prestigious and it can be made public.   
 
Commissioner von Schoen stated this project idea is basically a framework.  We can make of this 
what we want.  If the Board, staff or Underwood have ideas, nothing is defined by what was 
submitted with the approved grant application.   
 
The idea is to get the German organizations and MVD, and probably others such as Underwood and 
NHDES on a Zoom call and start discussing these things, e.g. how both groups have been dealing 
with this, what has been learned in terms of what does and does not work, these are the 
contaminants we have been dealing with, etc., and come up with a way to put this into 
documentation that is valuable.  Obviously, this is public information and not protected.   
 
The questions for the Board is do we support this, see value in it?  Are we willing to put some effort 
into this?  He commented on being able to see a long-term relationship developing, but also 

 
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significant cost savings as we would gain access to existing knowledge without having to pay others 
or our own staff to develop that knowledge.  It could also be possible that some funding would need 
to come from us were there to be, for example, work done by outside parties that the grant would 
not be able to pay for, which he does not expect would be much.   
 
Commissioner von Shoen noted he is in the process of establishing contact with three communities 
in the Southwestern part of Germany that are in the chemical industry sector along the Rhine river 
(usually the most contaminated in Germany) to see if there is interest on their end.  Some are 
municipal organizations like ours and some private companies.   
 
Noted were links provided.  One of the links is to the website for Rastatt, which appears to be 
similar to MVD, just larger.  They have filtration plants, production wells, etc.  The TZW water 
institute is a fairly sizable organization that covers all kinds of water challenges, PFAS being one.   
 
Asked if they are dealing with any of the same polluters we are, Commissioner von Schoen stated 
not so much because they have their own, e.g., BASF.  He is not certain, however, that would be an 
interesting question to pose. 
 
Chair Provencher commented the project would simply be a technical sharing of information on 
how both parties are addressing treatment, e.g., things that we may have found that work well or did 
not work.  The idea is trying to save each other from going down a road that may not be fruitful.  He 
questioned what next steps would be. 
Director Maher asked if it is known if they are working with any other countries that we would be 
able to leverage as well.  Commissioner von Schoen commented usually that kind of stuff is 
publicly available.  Whether they have active projects like this occurring, he would have to inquire.  
He commented on the grants usually being open to any of the German speaking countries in terms 
of contributors go.   
 
Being sought is Board approval to continue down this path.  Although no expenditure is being 
requested, it may be that staff hours are needed.  He does not believe it would be to the point of 
needing to be tracked, e.g., perhaps staff reaching out to third parties to inquire about interest in 
participation/support.  We’re talking about a couple of days of work for all parties involved; few 
meetings, composing specifications for what we want to achieve here, and then feeding the data into 
some kind of final report.   
 
The funding is heavily encouraging international business.  The idea is to encourage personal 
relationships between the groups.  We should absolutely invite those folks over and they should 
invite us over there as well.  If we are very careful about expenses, it could certainly mean that a 
Superintendent, Foreman or other could go over.  The idea is to get these international teams 
connected long-term.  There are additional grant fund opportunities available. 
 
There is a good deal of knowledge he believes to be gained through this.  He wished for the Board’s 
support for him to continue setting up the different players to coordinate conversations.  From there 
perhaps we outline what we specifically wish to accomplish.  He would also request the Board’s 
agreement with having staff reach out to third parties to see if buy-in can be achieved. 
 

 
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Chair Provencher suggested a quick call with Commissioner von Schoen might help given his 
knowledge.  He does support moving forward. 
 
Commissioner Allen and Vice Chair Clement spoke in favor of the project. 
 
Commissioner von Schoen clarified there are no monetary gains involved.  This is simply 
something he is willing to assist with. 
 
Chair Provencher commented should there be any aspect involving MVD expenditure such items 
would be considered at a different time. 
 
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER VON SCHOEN TO APPROVE CONTINUING LINING 
UP THE GRANT PROJECT WITH THIRD PARTIES BOTH IN THE UNITED STATES 
AND GERMANY AND FURTHER TO PURSUE DEVELOPING THE GOAL FOR THAT 
PROJECT 
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CLEMENT 
MOTION CARRIED 
4-0-0 
 
5. Board of Commissioners to review the minutes from the April 20, 2026, Organizational and 
non-public meetings. 
 
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLEMENT TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE  
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AND NON-PUBLIC SESSION CONDUCTED ON APRIL 
20, 2026, AS PRESENTED 
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALLEN 
MOTION CARRIED 
4-0-0 
 
6. Board of Commissioners to review Action Items from previous meetings and those to be added 
from this meeting. 
 
Asked about the salt mitigation committee meetings, Superintendent Miner replied a meeting has 
not yet been scheduled; however, a report just came out.   
 
Chair Provencher stated he read most of the report; model for salt loading into the aquifer.  The 
report was based on salt usage numbers provided to them from NHDOT and the Town.  Numbers 
had to be estimated for private parking lots and roadways, driveways, etc.   
 
Based on the inputs into the model and looking at what we are actually measuring in the 
groundwater, it seems the inputs are less than what is being seen in groundwater.  There is a 
question of whether it is the time it takes the salt to get to the well points where it is monitored or 
just the numbers that are being reported being a little light.   
 
Chair Provencher stated uncertainty with how to address that.  The report was well done and very 
comprehensive.   
 

 
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7. Old Business  
 
Commissioner von Schoen stated the Boston German Consul General, Dr. Sonja Kreibich, would 
like to visit the MVD and see the facility firsthand.  It is likely she will be accompanied by Mrs. Ina 
Wiest, grant administrator.  They are always welcoming other officials.  If this was to be some kind 
of event, e.g., photo op everybody would like to be as neutral as possible.  He spoke of the 
opportunity to invite representatives of NHDES, Governor, etc.  It should be balanced.  They were 
offering June 17th or 18th. 
 
There might be a second event later on in the project, e.g., some kind of presentation.  Dr. 
Kreibich’s term ends in July.  The later event would be with her successor.  It is a nice P.R. event. 
 
Superintendent Miner will look into the feasibility of the dates and reach out to Commissioner von 
Schoen.   
 
Chair Provencher spoke of the mineral graphs that GZA provided.  They added graphs of treated 
minerals and iron and manganese.  It looked to him as though wells 4&5 and 2&9, had spikes of 
iron and manganese in  the raw water but few were present in the treated water.  They were gone.  
That means that not only is our carbon helping to remove the PFAS, but it is also actually 
addressing some of these spikes, which is actually a second benefit.   
 
If we were running these filters for a long time, that might impede the flow, but since we are 
changing them out at 6 months it doesn’t really affect anything.  Superintendent Miner stated they 
watch the filter pressures regardless, and if having to backwash they would.   
 
It looks like, in some instances, in sodium and chloride for MVD 9 (since 2023 when the well was 
put in service) the sodium and chlorides are slightly in a down trend.  When blending in wells 2&9 
together what is coming through the treatment plant as far as chloride is in a down trend and sodium 
a very slight up trend.  This is good information.  It would be nice to continue to see that. 
 
It is an early indication that maybe the salt mitigation efforts might be working, at least holding 
steady to some extent.  That is good news. 
 
Commissioner von Schoen added particularly because in the past the trends were going up, even if 
they are leveling out now that is good news. 
 
Chair Provencher requested Underwood be asked that the dates in the bottom of the PFAS graphs 
be made more easily readable.  He requested they be asked to replot the graphs.  He is unclear what 
the frequency of the dates are in the graphs. 
 
8. New Business  
 
Commissioner von Schoen commented on not having heard much about the Town salt use 
ordinance.  Superintendent Miner stated they were waiting on answers to be provided by counsel.  
There is the need for him to follow up.  He will forward a copy of the draft ordinance to the 
Commission. 
 

 
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9. Questions from the Public/Press  
 
ADJOURNMENT 
 
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLEMENT TO ADJOURN 
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALLEN 
MOTION CARRIED 
4-0-0 
 
The May 18, 2026, meeting of the Board of Commissioners was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. 
 
 
Submitted by:  Dawn MacMillan, Recording Secretary