Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
February 20, 2026 Letter to Supporters
Dear Supporters,
As we transition toward the end of winter and reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, 2025 stands as a testament to our collective determination in advancing our objectives and safeguarding our neighborhood through land use law and informed decision-making. The commitment shown by MerNIA Board members, supporters, and consultants has reinforced our dedication to protecting the community across all challenges. We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who supported our efforts in 2025.
Here is our 2025 Annual Year in Review:
Camp Menotomy - MerNIA played a very active role in preserving the continued use of Camp Menotomy as a camping property, as we believe the Trust Deed requires. Because of your direct financial support, we worked with the law firm of McLane Middleton to urge the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to oppose the Trustees’ proposed sale and development of the property. This October, the Camp Menotomy Trustees filed a Petition in Middlesex County, Massachusetts Probate Court seeking the Court’s permission to sell the Camp property. Our latest refute of their Petition, dated November 5, 2025, can be found here: (Camp Menotomy Documents).
A court hearing was recently rescheduled to late March. We are hopeful the terms of the Trust will be enforced to maintain the use of the property for camping.
Goodhue Development Efforts - A year ago, Goodhue filed an Appeal to the Wetlands Council following the NHDES decision to deny Goodhue’s application for dock expansion. A Wetlands Council hearing has not yet been scheduled. However, we support the DES denial and have intervened in the matter to support the DES denial.
This October, Goodhue applied for and received approval to change the use of one large boat storage building to become a boat service center. MerNIA has concerns that this may put more summertime pressure on the public parking and docking facilities and impact the privacy and tranquility of the adjoining residential neighborhood.
We recently supported an Appeal by neighbors to Meredith’s Zoning Board against the changes to the boat storage building (Zoning Board Appeal). However, in January, the Zoning Board voted to approve of the project, much to our disappointment that there would be no consideration for the concerns voiced by neighbors.
Following that town approval, Goodhue announced a $6 million acquisition of East Coast Flightcraft for approximately 129,000 square feet of warehousing capability in Meredith. Newly approved expansion of lakeside boat service may result in a substantial increase in commercial activity in our Meredith Neck neighborhood. Those of us who live and recreate here may bear the brunt of this expansion, which we will continue to monitor.
Meredith Neck Lake Access Parking Committee - MerNIA has had representation on this Committee since its 2024 inception. This past summer, Meredith began the first year of a Pilot Parking Program for residents using the Meredith Neck parking facilities. MerNIA volunteers assisted in collecting daily parking data to support Committee decision-making. This fall, the Committee and Town Officials agreed that parking access for taxpayers improved, and the lots were safer and more organized. The Pilot parking permit program will be extended for Summer 2026, with minor improvements. The stickers and guest hang tags from last summer may be used this year too. The Parking Committee Recommendations can be found here.
Community Outreach and Educational Programs - As part of our mission to protect the character and help safeguard the environment of our neighborhood, we supported efforts to inform the public about water quality issues affecting Winnipesaukee.
· In early June, we co-hosted a session at the 2025 NH Lakes Congress reviewing resources available to the public to support fellow lake advocates in gathering information. A full list of guest speaker presentationsis linked here for your review: 2025 NH Lakes Congress. These slide presentations are extremely thorough and informative, and we recommend you take a look.
· In June and in August two seminars, “Safeguarding Meredith’s Waters” and “Lake Friendly Landscaping” were held at the Meredith Community Center. MerNIA actively supports measures to safeguard water quality through participation on Meredith’s Cyanobacteria Committee.
MerNIA remains committed to protecting the rural and residential character of the Meredith Neck and Islands neighborhood, safeguarding its environment, and upholding the letter of Meredith’s Shoreline District Ordinance and the spirit in which it was created. Our mission is vital, and dedicated volunteers work tirelessly all year long on these issues that directly affect the place we live and recreate.
Together, we can actively help to protect and enhance our Meredith Neck and Islands neighborhood for generations to come. But remember, MerNIA’s work is only possible with your generous financial support. Help us to continue our work in 2026.
Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance
Board of Directors
________________________________________________________________________________________________
December 9, 2025 Letter to Supporters
Dear Supporters,
We have an important update regarding activity at the Goodhue boatyard.
Recall in October, we told you Goodhue received the approval from Meredith’s Code Enforcement to allow a change of use of a 15,500 square ft. B-4 building, which they have previously used for boat storage. This decision has the effect of more than doubling the area of their boat service operation, putting even more pressure on public parking and docking access at the site and on the privacy and tranquility of the adjoining residential neighborhood.
An appeal of the Code Enforcement Decision will be heard at the Meredith Zoning Board meeting on December 11, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Meredith Community Center.
If you are an island resident who uses the public parking or docks and are concerned about your ability to access your property, if you enjoy public access to the lake from this location, or if you live in close proximity to the boatyard and are concerned about the continued expansion and intensification of activity causing noise and congestion, please make every effort to attend.
________________________________________________________________________________
This proposed change and expansion of use could have profound effects on the nature of the activity on the site and on the surrounding neighborhood, raising some important questions:
A change of use of a building and an expansion of a use on this property requires a full public review of the property by both the Zoning Board and the Planning Board to thoroughly evaluate its impacts. This is the standard in NH’s Land Use law.
MerNIA believes these issues warrant a thorough and transparent review by the Town Boards. Our commitment remains to support sound decision-making in Meredith, ensuring that Zoning and Planning rules, procedures, and oversight are carefully evaluated to advance the community’s long-term planning objectives.
Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
October 17, 2025 Letter to Supporters
Hi Neighbors,
We have updates here on our efforts to maintain Camp Menotomy as a camping property, along with news about a new Goodhue application submitted to the Town of Meredith and an update to the permit parking plan.
Camp Menotomy
The continued review and investigation of the Camp Menotomy Trust and Trustee actions by the Charitable Trust Division of NH and the Public Charities Division of MA was recently covered by an Arlington, MA digital news publication, YourArlington. This is notable because the Arlington residents are now expressing concerns about losing this important camp asset for their children.
MerNIA continues to request that the above state agencies enforce the terms of the Camp Menotomy Trust to ensure that the intent of the Trust is upheld, which is to maintain the Camp Menotomy property as a camp for the benefit of Arlington, MA Girl Scouts, or Arlington girls. We know of at least one other camp that has offered to lease the property and operate a camp here just as the Trust document requires. MerNIA believes that the Trustees must engage with this camp or others similarly suited to operate a camp on this site.
Your support is most appreciated in our effort to preserve youth camping on 95 acres and 4,500 feet of Winnipesaukee’s shoreline located right here in our neighborhood. MerNIA can only be as successful as the support we receive from residents and neighbors like you. Please help us continue this mission!
Goodhue
New Plans Submitted: Goodhue has filed this week for an Architectural Design Review by Meredith’s Planning Board (PB) for changes they describe as “renovation of building B-4, currently boat storage. Proposed change of use is boat service.”
Attached is a scan of their submitted application and their artistic rendering. MerNIA anticipates that this will appear on the October 28th Planning Board Agenda for a discussion. MerNIA representatives expect to be present at that meeting, and we hope those who live locally will also attend.
MerNIA is concerned about any attempted piecemeal development of the property. Additionally, it is a priority to prevent any impingement on Meredith taxpayer access and to avoid development creep impacting the residential neighborhoods surrounding the boatyard.
Goodhue’s NH DES Wetlands Council Appeal. No hearing date has been set on this pending Goodhue Appeal. MerNIA continues to support the NH DES denial of Goodhue’s proposed dock expansion dated November 2024.
Resident Parking
This Thursday, October 16th, the Meredith Neck Lake Access Parking Committee met to review the 2025 Parking Summary for Meredith taxpayer parking in the Cattle Landing, Patricia Drive, and Upper Lovejoy lots. The Committee will now write up a draft recommendation for review by the Committee at the next meeting on October 30th, ahead of a proposal to the Select Board for acceptance. Currently, the Committee proposes to extend the Pilot program for one more year to allow for minor changes before the formal parking program ordinance is written and becomes permanent. MerNIA was pleased that the Pilot program met its objective this past summer. It is proposed that the Facilities Use Decals and the 2025 Guest Parking Hang Tags will be good for one more year, so hang on to them.
There is much going on, and there is still work to be done. Stay tuned and reach out via email with questions, Mernia462@gmail.com.
Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
August 24, 2025 Letter to Supporters
August 24, 2025
Hi Folks,
As we head towards the close of the busy summer season, we thought it would be a good time to provide an update on the Pilot Parking Program.
As you remember, the Meredith Neck Lake Access Parking Committee (MNLAPC) was formed in the Spring, 2024 to evaluate the current parking situation at three locations on Meredith Neck. The mission of the program was to study and identify ways to address the concerns and needs of residents of the Meredith Neck parking facilities. The Committee, represented by town residents, island residents, and shoreline residents, met 13 times last summer. Daily usage of the lots was recorded to provide baseline data. In November 2024, MNLAPC submitted a proposal with recommended changes to the Select Board. This past April, the Select Board officially adopted recommendations, including lot configurations, improved signage, and a resident permit parking Pilot Program.
To facilitate the parking changes, an informational flyer was made available to users seeking parking information at Lovejoy Landing. A link to that flyer is included here. The Meredith Town Website was also updated to include these new parking rules. Here is the link to that page: “Meredith Parking”.
As we enter the last portion of this summer season, residents and guests seem to have adjusted to the new rules and lot configurations, and vehicle and trailer parking has become significantly more orderly in these lots. The only day parking reached full capacity this season was July 4th, and on that day, there were many non-permitted vehicles parked in the lots, which deprived town residents and guests of valuable parking spaces. Those vehicles did receive $75 tickets.
MerNIA is very pleased with the results of the Pilot Program thus far. Soon, the MNLAPC will review this summer’s data to assist in identifying trends and help to determine if necessary refinements need to be considered.
We are especially happy with the consistent enforcement of the program by the Meredith Police Department and the support provided by the Meredith Department of Public Works. We are hopeful that the Select Board will favor the program for permanency later this fall.
We are happy to pass along your feedback of the Program to the MNLAPC through our website messaging tool found here: “Contact Us” Link.
Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
August 17, 2025 Letter to Supporters
August 17, 2025
Hi Folks,
Here is an update on two important matters that are crucial for understanding our current initiatives.
Camp Menotomy, 386 Meredith Neck Road
MerNIA has, for the past 18 months, played a very active role, with the assistance of counsel, McLane Middleton, to support the continued use of the Camp Menotomy property as a children’s camp. MerNIA is requesting the Director of the Charitable Trust Division of the State of New Hampshire and the Deputy Chief, Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to enforce the terms of the Camp Menotomy Trust and to ensure that the intent of the Trust is upheld, which is to maintain the Camp Menotomy Property as a camp for the benefit of Girl Scouts or other girls from Arlington, MA. Our documents and the Trust deed are posted on our website at this Link: “Camp Menotomy Documents Link”. It is clear that the original benefactor understood the importance and value of a residential camp like Camp Menotomy located on the shores of our beautiful lake. Camping provides children with an opportunity to develop independence, build friendships, and gain confidence in a natural environment.
We hope you will take a moment to review the letters we have submitted in support of preserving this gorgeous property as a youth residential camping site, as was intended by the Trust. We are hopeful that both the State of New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will enforce the terms of the Trust so that future generations of children may continue to enjoy this camping property, just as all those campers have previously during the last almost 100 years.
Goodhue
MerNIA continues to await communication from the NHDES Wetlands Council regarding Goodhue’s appeal of the 2024 NHDES denial of Goodhue’s dock expansion application. MerNIA supports the NHDES decision.
Please Make a Financial Contribution
MerNIA depends upon the generous contributions of our supporters to engage legal counsel and other experts in such matters as preserving Camp Menotomy as a children’s camp and participating in the Wetlands Council appeal to support the NHDES decision. Our Board of Directors feels very strongly about these efforts, and we hope that you do too. Please support our mission by donating to defray continuing costs. Checks may be mailed to “MerNIA,” Box 462, Meredith, NH 03253, or donate through our website link here: “Donate”.
Thank you very much in advance for your generosity toward MerNIA’s efforts to preserve the character of our neighborhood. As always, please reach out with questions.
Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
May 29, 2025 Letter to Supporters
May 29, 2025
Dear Supporters,
It has been a relatively quiet spring, albeit a wet one, and we anxiously await summer weather patterns conducive to getting back on the water. A few quick updates:
An Important Community Meeting. As a member of the newly formed Meredith Cyanobacteria Committee, we are pleased to host an informative Cyanobacteria Forum on Wednesday, June 18th, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at the Meredith Community Center. Panelists include FB Environmental professionals, who are completing Winnipesaukee and Waukewan watershed studies, UNH researchers, and NHDES professionals. It is incumbent on all of us to educate ourselves to save our lakes. Come join us to learn more. Space constraints will require an early sign-up. The event flyer is attached to this email.
Cyanobacteria Watchers Needed. Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance and the Meredith Cyanobacteria Committee are looking for Cyanobacteria Watchers on Winnipesaukee. It is easy to become familiar with tell-tale signs of cyanobacteria concentrations and to report what you see with photos. We are hoping vigilance can head off health exposure and risk during the warmer months. Please send an email to MerNIA (MerNIA462@gmail.com) with your interest - I’m sure we all have a spare hour to help such a worthwhile effort!
Goodhue Update. MerNIA supports the defense of NHDES’s denial of Goodhue’s expansion plans. Goodhue’s appeal is now sitting at the NH Attorney General’s Wetlands Council awaiting scheduling.
Camp Menotomy Property. Preservation of the Camp Menotomy property for camping purposes continues to be a topic we prioritize. It would be wonderful to see campers once again enjoy a natural experience on this property. A Lakes Region camp has stepped forward with interest to operate a summer camp on the property. Meanwhile, the proposed sale of the property is currently being investigated by the Offices of the Attorneys General in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. MerNIA supports the fulfillment of the terms of the trust as written - that the property shall remain as a camping property.
Meredith Neck Parking. The Meredith Selectboard has recently adopted the Meredith Neck Parking Committee recommendations to address the overburdened parking lots during busy summer months. Meredith taxpayers who wish to use the Cattle Landing Lot, Patricia Drive, and the Upper Lovejoy Lot must now purchase and display a Meredith Facilities Use Decal, which will also serve as a parking permit for the vehicle. Proof of taxpayer status per vehicle is required. The cost is $20 each per 2 years.
Also, up to 3 Residential Guest parking passes (hang tags) will be available for Meredith residential property owners to distribute to their guests to park. Proof of ownership is necessary. If your property is held in a trust, a copy of the trust document identifying you as a trustee is required. The cost for hang tags is $20 each. Both the sticker and hang tags are available at the Town Hall, M-Fri 8:00 - 5:00 PM. The decal may also be purchased at the Solid Waste Facility every day except Wednesdays and holidays from 8:00 - 3:00 PM. A lost hang tag cannot be replaced until its term has expired. The Meredith Police Department is enforcing the new rules, so be prepared.
The Town of Meredith recently appointed Judie Milner as the Town Manager this past March. Judie was most recently the City Manager of Franklin, NH, where she spent 16 years in various roles in City administration. We look forward to working with our new Town Manager.
We are deeply grateful for your continued support and commitment to protecting our lakes and community. Your engagement makes our efforts possible. Wishing you a joyful and safe summer—may it be filled with sunshine, calm waters, and time well spent with family and friends.
Warm regards,
Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance (MerNIA)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
January 27, 2025 Letter to Supporters
Dear Supporters,
2024 was a fruitful year for MerNIA. The resolve demonstrated by Board members and supporters to our mission “to protect the rural and residential character of the Meredith Neck and Islands neighborhood and safeguard its environment”, was repeatedly challenged this past year. We rose to the occasion each time and continued to deliver results.
Our Annual Review
~ We responded to the latest development efforts by Goodhue to intensify and expand its commercial operations in our residential neighborhood.
In March, Goodhue submitted two applications to the Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to develop an entirely new boat launch site and replace their complete docking system. MerNIA reviewed the submission and communicated to the NHDES through experts our concerns about their plans, including the many impacts it would impose on the neighborhood, the public launch area, and the lake. In May, DES requested additional information from Goodhue, and after two deadline extensions, Goodhue submitted revised plans in November. MerNIA again offered its expert commentary, and in late November, DES denied Goodhue’s application (link here). Goodhue filed a Preliminary Notice of Appeal in December, followed by a denial from DES. Just a few days ago, we were notified that Goodhue filed a Notice of Appeal to the Wetlands Council. MerNIA is currently weighing its options in response.
The shared work of our consultants, with thorough due diligence in presenting factual evidence backed by the strong support of our dedicated neighbors, will continue to guide us in communicating our position to the DES.
~ We engaged with the Town of Meredith Boards by participating in the newly established Meredith Neck Lake Access Parking Committee.
This Committee was created by the Meredith Select Board to improve lake access for Meredith taxpayer residents; the goal being to develop a comprehensive plan for two specific parking locations, Lovejoy Sands and Cattle Landing. The Committee met regularly during 2024, and presented its plan (link here) to the Select Board in late November with what we believe are constructive changes to make each lot safer and more accessible for taxpayer residents. We hope a public hearing will be held in the spring to adopt the proposals in time for the upcoming summer season.
~ We coordinated with several other Meredith-based lake associations to host a water quality seminar in July.
This event drew 130 attendees and featured a presentation by Ted Diers, the Assistant Water Division Director at the NHDES, and Bree Rossiter, Conservation Program Manager of the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance. In addition to educating the public about the continued threats to Winnipesaukee’s water quality, we forged important relationships with like-minded Meredith lake associations who can help us leverage our water quality message with town, regional and state leaders. A slide deck of this presentation can be found on our website (link here).
~ We support the effort to preserve Camp Menotomy as a summer camp property.
The original benefactor of the property wished it to be used for camping purposes in 1939, and the stipulations were expressed as so in 1962. MerNIA supports efforts to maintain this site for camping purposes.
In 2025, we will continue to call for smart planning and best practices for land use as suggested in our mission statement. We will monitor development efforts at the Goodhue boatyard and at Camp Menotomy and will respond as necessary. We expect further work with the Meredith Neck Lake Parking Committee to assist in implementing recommendations for near-term solutions to parking congestion. Lastly, we plan to build on the success of our seminar of last July by continuing to educate the Meredith community about the importance of protecting our lakes.
A few weeks back, the Town was proposing zoning changes to allow duplexes in our Meredith Neck and Shoreline Districts. After MerNIA supporters voiced concerns about allowing intensified development in these watershed areas, we were pleased that the Town revised their proposed amendments to exclude zoning changes for duplexes or two-family dwellings. It will take a continued grass-roots effort like this, from groups like MerNIA, with passionate and engaged members like you, to make civic leaders aware of the fragility of the ecosystem of our lakes and to initiate meaningful action.
MerNIA’s work is only possible thanks to your strong interest and generous financial support. Let’s continue this momentum into 2025!
Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance
Board of Directors
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Copyright © 2026 Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.