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Wolfeboro Waters Meeting (minutes)

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Wolfeboro Waters Committee
September 15, 2026
Meeting Minutes
Present:  Linda, Beth, Paul, Steve, Julie, Dana Al, Libby, Warren, Mary
1).  The meeting was called to order at 1:00pm
2). Minutes:  Minutes could not be approved due to a computer glitch
3). Election of new Chair—Co-chairs?
Julie stated she will consider becoming a co-chair after her strategic planning is completed and 
only if the Wentworth Board agrees.  Abby was nominated as a potential co-chair with Julie.
4). Develop the Budget 2027.
  Linda presented the proposed a total 2027 budget of $21,900 as follows:
a.
Assessment Committee -- $11,900
1.
UNH 
6,000 – Toxin Testing
2.
UNH
Stream Analyses
2,000
3.
Toxin Test Strips
1,400
4.
Stream Consultant
2,500
Paul asked if there were specific locations for future toxin testing in 2027.  
Committee members indicated that testing is done when blooms appear and that we 
could provide areas of concern rather than a listing specific sites.  The budget will be 
revised to clarify that $5,000 of the $6,000 for toxin testing is for the purchase of 
Elisa plates used in toxin testing.  The Assessment Committee will provide more 
specifics on each of the budget items.
b.
Communications Committee ----- $4,000       
1.
This budget will be used for Beach signs for Albee Beach and boat ramps
Linda stated she needs invoices for signs already made for Carry and Brewster 
beaches that were completed this year.
c.
 Mitigation and Prevention ----- $6,000
Julie will write up a paragraph clarifying this request.
Libby moved and Mary seconded a motion to approve the proposed budget request.  
The motion carried. 
5).  Dockside Parking Lot Puddle
a.  All water testing will be done by Stantec.  None of the testing has come back.  They are 
still working on this.

6).  Carry Beach Petition
        a.  Review
        b.  The state replied that manual removal of debris from a swimming area does not require 
wetlands permit.  Hand raking of leaves and other organic debris from the shoreline or lake bed 
may be conducted without a wetlands permit so long as the area is exposed by drawdown or 
other lower water conditions. Raking does not disturb the vegetation roots, and the area being 
raked is no larger than 900 square feet.  Hand removal of tree branches, construction material, 
and fish lures may be done without a state wetland permit.
The next step is moving the swim line out, dealing with anchoring outside the swim line, and 
considering limitation on rafting.
7).  Communications Committee
      a.  Update report
      b.  Beach signs – Carry Beach and Brewster Beach
      c.  Later Albee Beach
      d.  Boat Ramps
Beach signs for Carry Beach and Brewster Beach will be installed late fall or early 
spring.  The Entire budget was used for the creation of these signs.  Signs for Albee 
Beach and the Boat ramps will be created with the 2027 budget.    
An article on benthic mats was submitted.
Wolfeboro waters is coordinating with LWA on their presentation at the Town Hall on 
Oct. 22 from 4:30 – 6pm.
Winnipesaukee Day –
The committee discussed whether the staff time required for Winnipesaukee Day is justified 
by its educational value. Members suggested developing a more interactive approach that 
would better promote participating organizations while educating the public about water 
quality. One idea was a shared tent, with participating organizations contributing to the cost 
and development of engaging educational activities.
8).  Assessment Committee
a.  Benthic mats – Samples were collected from 6 sites and were sent to UNH for toxin 
testing including one rock scraping and one sample suctioned using a turkey baster from 
each site.  Samples were sent to UNH for analyses and we are waiting for results.
b.  Stream Sampling –we continue to take samples from 4 sites.  In August and again in 
September T-20 and T-40 were dry.  Beaver Brook and Knight’s pond (McLeod Dr) were both 

low, but flowing.  Samples from Beaver Brook and Knight’s Pond were taken and sent to UNH
for processing and analyses.
     c.  Work with UNH
Wentworth has sampled streams at 16 sites for 30 years. WW is working to develop a stream 
sampling network, and LWA does some sampling in Back Bay. The committee discussed the 
long-term coordination of stream sampling among Wolfeboro Waters and watershed 
organizations, including how to use WW resources effectively and avoid duplication of effort.
With respect to Winter Harbor, Warren stated that Winter Harbor was included under the 
Tuftonboro Water Management Plan.  He stated that at the time there was no sampling and 
monitoring of the lake by LWA – it was all done by modeling.  Winter Harbor is all intermittent 
streams and there has never been measurement of their contributions.   Priority for which 
streams should be monitored have taken into account what is to be done with the results, 
especially if there are no mitigation options.  T20 and T40 were sampled because they are 
looking at mitigation options and because the town has done a project related to it.  Paul 
stated that if an organization wants to get organized, there is a model here.  We should get 
organized and tell them what we are doing – Don’t tell LWA what to do.  Dana stated 2 
organizations don’t need to duplicate efforts.
Warren stated cyanobacteria is being fed by nutrients on the top layers of the water and in the
shorelines, not from the deep sites.  This is evidenced by data collected. Measuring the 
streams will provide information about the sources of risks of cyanobacteria.
Warren received a prepublication of a peer-reviewed paper written by scientists from Bigelow 
Labs.  Scientists used water samples containing gloeotrichia from 6 lakes across the nation 
including Winnipesaukee and Wentworth.  A full DNA analysis found that all gloeotrichia was 
the same.  They also determined that none of the gloeotrichia contained a gene for any of the 
known cyanobacteria toxin.  Therefore, gloeotrichia is non-toxic.
The committee discussed having Warren provide a layman’s summary of the article with a link
to the publication. Warren indicated it is premature to send it to the state because the article 
will be published in November. Once published, the summary and link could be shared with 
the state by Warren because of his direct involvement in the project.
Land based phosphorous is increasing the risk for all cyanobacteria.
9).  Rust Pond - Libby
a. Update --319 grant for the watershed for the north end of Rust Pond- grant has been 
signed by all but the GNC.  Hoping to get funds released soon.  List of 7 areas of concern 
identified.  On hold for now.
b.
Update on NHDOT project for Rt 28 South below Pleasant Valley Road – Nancy
has turned over a construction plan and they are doing work to identify what can happen on 
the west side of 28 and continues to talk about creating a time line. Conversation continues. 
This Thursday NH DOT will present a plan for rt 28 starting at 6pm.

Primary purpose is looking at acquisition of property abutting this project. Soil samples need to 
be done. Big problem will be Kingswood Acres – will take some of the water, but not all of it.  
The committee discussed the importance of involving the Public Works Director and 
incorporating the remaining project needs into the 10-year plan. Linda suggested working 
through the Lakes Region Planning Commission. Paul and Linda will follow up with Steve and 
the new Town Manager regarding inclusion in the next 10-year plan.
10).  Mitigation and Prevention
a.
 Rewrite the Shoreland Ordinance
Shanna Saunders Lakes Region Planning Commission – Water Grant
1.
 Cost - $6,000
b.
 Library Parking Lot
Library plan is being pushed out 3 years
c.
Crescent Lake - Water levels have been kept at mid-range. Continued complaints about 
low water levels were attributed to drought conditions, and the committee noted 
progress.
The Mitigation and Prevention Committee is beginning work on shoreline regulations and still
needs to meet with the health regulations inspector. Dave attended the septic system 
workshop, and a recording will be shared with Wolfeboro Waters. Formal committee 
meetings are needed to develop the work plan for next year. Shoreline regulations are being
considered for 2028, with community buy-in needed first.
Warren asked about future plans to address uphill water. The committee discussed 
prioritizing shoreline regulations first because uphill and shoreline issues are governed 
differently and shoreline impacts associated with real estate activity are an immediate 
concern. The goal is to develop regulations that are clear and usable, with uphill regulations 
to be considered in the future.
The committee also discussed the need for additional environmental inspection and building-
code enforcement capacity. Linda suggested that Mitigation develop a proposal or job 
description. Steve indicated the Conservation Commission's role would be consultative. 
Mitigation will put together a plan.
11.) Septic Systems- Update
     a. Next step --- will meet with health inspector.
12).  Wentworth Watershed Association
     a.  Meeting with NHDOT on RT 28
     b.  Wentworth Estates – Done

     c.  Septic Workshop report
WWA reported that its two current grants have closed. WWA will organize a tour of Pleasant 
Valley and a Red Brook Circle (Wentworth Estates) in construction site in October.
  13).  The Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance
     a.    Update --NO UPDATE
b.
 Dana stated they are ready to roll out the Fate and State of the lake presentations.
14).  Possible land for stormwater Containment structures
a.  Update-Steve Towne Cricket Hill development- Partridge Drive, Berrywood etc.     effect 
on Winter Harbor- 
b.
Solutions
Met with Steve Randal and Dan Coons re: lot in Berrywood in the White Gate Rd area.  Got 
good information.  Looked at a lot with small watershed that drains into it.  Determined that 
not much can be done to impact water flow; expensive and not worth all the effort.  Talked to
Steve about what can be done in area of Maple wood and he created a flow splitter in 
spring– Has connected it so it should more equalize the flow, but won’t reduce the flow into 
the lake.  Haven’t yet seen impact due to drought.  One idea is to hold water in a pond to let 
nutrients settle out in pond before running down into the lake. Permitting will be expensive.  
Much more involved than a neighborhood can afford.  Dana feels a 319 grant would be 
possible. Al indicated this could be used as a model to solve this same problem in other 
areas of the lakes.  
Linda asked if it is possible to get a cost estimate. The committee discussed whether the 
project could become a concept plan, be supported through a municipal grant, be 
incorporated into an existing grant, or involve the Town Planner. Linda recommended 
meeting with LWA to determine the status of 319 grant funding and exploring a partnership 
with LWA on Winter Harbor.
15). Water Quality non-Capital Reserve fund
a.  How to rank projects to receive funds?  WWC needs to use its tracking sheet and 
write criteria- what committee?
b.
  Select Board-approved Rust Pond grant match at $40,000
c.
After 2 Select Board meetings, the full $23,500 was approved for the Wentworth 
Watershed Association, to be allocated as $10,000 for the Wentworth Estates project 
and $13,500 for the Watershed Management Plan.
The committee discussed what should be included in the Water Quality Reserve Fund. 
Linda proposed requesting $100,000 and developing a list of the top 10 projects that could 
be supported. The reserve fund would become its own warrant article. WWA will pull the 
priority projects from the existing project-ranking tool to support development of the list.

16).  Dockside pipe issue- Downtown Grille/Wick Loon Building -capped
17).  Milfoil application of ProcellaCOR
     a.    In 2026, ProcellaCor will be used in Back Bay’s frog pond and in Goodwin Basin.
b.
Treatment of ProcellaCor took place, and it was followed by DASH and hand-pulling for 
7 days.
          Their budget is going in.
18).  Six Legged Society
        Will report next meeting
19).  Spiny Water Flea watch
a.Support
           Dana reported that very few were seen in deep water site.
20).  Wolfeboro Bay Watershed Management Plan
a.
What is next
21).  Other Business--
22).  Public input
23).  Select Board approved budget of $21,900.
August monthly budget report shows nothing spent. Invoices need to be sent to me for approval 
and then to Amy.  
     a.Estimated 2026 amounts equal $21,900-
     b.Assessment Committee     $17,900
        UNH Intern 
                5,000.00
        Consultant-
    
      2,000.00- UNH or Bigelow for data analysis and direction
        UNH- Stream Analysis     2,000.00
        Eliza plates
      5,000.00
      Toxin test Strips             1,400.00
      Stream Consultant         2,500.00
     Communication Committee $2,000
Mitigation and Prevention $2 000
24).  Next meeting Date:      October 20, 2026     Time 1:00
Respectfully submitted
Beth Marcoux