Recent Events Timeline

---

November 27, 2024. The NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) denied Goodhue Meredith’s application to reconfigure and build new docks and develop a new boat launch site. The DES chose not to hold a public hearing. A copy of the DES decision can be found here.

We believe that MerNIA’s successful challenge to this application to date is a great example of how impactful our collective action can be. Your continued support is critical toward shaping our shared vision of the future of our cherished neighborhood.

Our work is not finished. The applicant may continue to pursue this project, and we must be prepared. If you have not yet made a donation during our recent fundraising effort, please do so now.

November 6, 2024. Goodhue filed its response to NHDES’s request for more information, with revised plans as summarized below:

1. Goodhue was seeking two Waiver requests from NHDES for (1) a “Conditional Approval” pending approvals from the Town of Meredith’s Planning, Zoning and Select Boards of site plans not yet submitted and (2) a Waiver to a 50-foot setback requirement from abutting property owners.
2. In response to our analysis, Goodhue attempted to demonstrate a reduction in slip counts but did not include several docks and slips. This will likely result in overcrowded conditions with additional navigation hazards. Further, Goodhue proposes what we view as an inadequate stormwater trench, as it only addressed a one-inch rainfall event.
3. Goodhue proposed a tall, 35’ wide cantilevered fork-lift boat launch built over the lake on concrete pilings as an alternate launch design for one launch. In our opinion, this will create a blight to the neighborhood and a disruption to the shoreline.

May 10, 2024,  Goodhue Meredith received a letter from DES requesting additional information supporting their application. Click here for the DES Request for More Information.

March 21, 2024,  Goodhue Meredith submitted two applications with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) seeking a Major Impact Wetlands permit and a Shoreland permit to:

1. Construct a new 30’ wide boat launch area along the north/east shoreline of the boatyard property adjacent to Loon Island and the Kelley Cove/Powers Road residential neighborhood.
2. Construct a new 35’ wide negative lift well located alongside the aforementioned launch area to move boats in/out of the water using heavy lifting equipment.
3. Construct three (3) new commercial docks measuring 12’ x 40’, 4’ x158’, and 4’ x 145’ to handle increased and expanded commercial activity.
4. Demolish all existing docks at the boatyard, reconfigure the entire docking system, and build all new docks.At the Select Board meeting, the Meredith Town Manager read his response to the attorney letter MerNIA sent to the Select Board on October 16th, and the Select Board responded.  

The plans (click here to open Wetlands Permit Application)  represent an expansion into an entirely new commercial area of the shoreline property with long commercial docks extending out into the lake.  Pay particular attention to the following pages:

• Page 4 presenting the existing conditions plan,
• Page 6 presenting details of the commercial launch and docking site plan,
• Page 7 presenting the entire site docking reconfiguration plan.

1. This proposed commercial expansion will increase boating and parking congestion, interfere with Meredith taxpayers’ lake access, and negatively impact abutting property owners. We are currently working to respond to this application.

October 30, 2023, At the Select Board meeting, the Meredith Town Manager read his response to the attorney letter MerNIA sent to the Select Board on October 16th, and the Select Board responded.  

The Town Manager responded to the MerNIA letter with three recommendations:

1. The Town hire an environmental engineer to review the work the Town conducted at the site to determine whether violations occurred, to review existing site drainage and stormwater management, and to develop plans to lay out and design the current upper lot, and develop plans for “future expansion;” 
2. The Select Board form a Lovejoy Sands-Cattle Landing Parking Lot Advisory Committee, consisting of fair representation of Town departments, Town officials, and island and non-island residents; and
3. The Select Board authorize the Town Manager, two Select Board members, and designated staff to meet with Goodhue to formalize usage agreements for the parking lots, boat ramp, and “other operational issues.”

In response, the Select Board voted unanimously:

• To reject Recommendation #1, which would have hired an environmental planning firm. The Board voted to stop all activity at the site and to instead monitor the lot for runoff, etc., 
• To accept Recommendation #2, to create a Lovejoy Sands-Cattle Landing Parking Advisory Committee with the participation of the parties identified above. The Board noted that it would be a “step in the right direction” to involve residents and to improve communication amongst Town staff, the Board, and taxpayers. Based upon the Board’s discussion, MerNIA anticipates being invited to have representatives on that Committee; and
• To reject Recommendation #3, which would have authorized the Town to meet or communicate with Goodhue on parking lots, the boat ramp, or “other operational issues.” To restore the public trust, the Board resoundingly voted against this recommendation. The Board instead instructed the Town Manager that the Town is not permitted to engage in any activity on Goodhue property or on the surrounding municipal property unless it obtains Board approval or authorization, which the Board further instructed could only be sought after MerNIA, abutters, and any other potentially affected parties are notified. The Board confirmed that any proposed Town activity on Goodhue or Town property must be publicly vetted and must pass through the proper review, approval, and permitting processes.

The Select Board emphasized that it understands that the public is extremely concerned about what happens at that site and how it impacts taxpayer’s access to the lake. MerNIA appreciates the Board’s comments in that regard and the Board’s commitment to improving communications and restoring public trust. 

October 16, 2023, MerNIA counsel and supporters spoke at the public comments section of the Meredith Select Board Meeting. After hearing the public’s concerns, the Select Board directed the Town Manager and Meredith Public Works Department to cease all action on the lot, to promptly install physical barriers to address storm water runoff onto the abutting property, and to block access to anyone from using the lot area until a review of our attorney’s letter and a discussion of a path forward takes place at the next meeting. 

October 10, 2023, MerNIA became aware that the Town of Meredith Administration dispatched a crew and equipment to remove trees and clear the remaining undeveloped land adjacent to the Upper Public Parking Lot on Lovejoy Sands Rd. This is the same lot expansion that was part of the failed Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement from June 2023. We were very concerned that components of Goodhue’s development plans were already underway with the Town’s blessing, at taxpayer cost, without any protections in place for resident parking. While additional parking for taxpayer residents is clearly needed here, any commercial business expansion to store more boats on this lot requires Planning and Zoning Board approvals and will increase the demand for parking without solving the resident parking shortage problem. 

June 19, 2023. Meredith Select Board met to consider further new revisions of the Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement and Consents. However, at the outset of the public portion of the meeting, the Select Board acknowledged their general discomfort with, and the public outpouring of concern of, the proposed Agreement. The Select Board then voted unanimously to discontinue consideration of the Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement and Consents. The Select Board suggested that Goodhue proceed with its own development plans, which would include public review of their plans through the Planning and/or Zoning Boards. The Town would also able to move forward, as it sees fit, with their proposed waterfront project, but the Town did not address whether or not it intended to do so.

May 15, 2023: Meredith Select Board met to consider a revised Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement. MerNIA's counsel sent a letter to the Select Board acknowledging that although their reworked Agreement made some important changes, it still contained provisions that were unnecessary, unreasonable, highly irregular, and unlawful. After a lively public testimony session, the Select Board voted unanimously to delay the decision to approve the Agreements for two weeks to allow for further review by the Town and Goodhue of the terms.

May 12, 2023: Meredith Select Board posted their agenda for their regular May 15th meeting. Goodhue/Town of Meredith reworked their Agreement and planned to present it for Select Board ratification.

April 24, 2023: MerNIA's counsel sent a letter to the Meredith Select Board suggesting a path forward to securing a Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement.

April 24, 2023: Meredith's Select Board cancelled the Emergency Select Board Meeting. Meredith's Planning Board removed consideration of the Goodhue/Town of Meredith Boundary Line Adjustment. 

April 20, 2023: MerNIA's counsel sent a letter to the Meredith Select Board expressing grave concerns about the expanded scope of the Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement and Consents provided by Town Officials agreeing to Goodhue’s overall redevelopment of its Marina. Many letters were sent by taxpayer residents to Town Officials expressing concerns about the agreements.

April 18, 2023: The Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement and associated Consent Letters documents were made available to the public for the first time.

April 17, 2023: Meredith's Select Board decided to delay a vote on approving the Boundary Line Adjustment Agreement until town counsel was able to review the MerNIA letter. An Emergency Select Board meeting was scheduled for the following Monday, April 24th to vote on the matter. Town Officials pressed for this Emergency Meeting so that the Agreement could be executed prior to the April 25th Planning Board meeting.

April 17, 2023:  MerNIA's counsel sent a letter to the Meredith Select Board advising the Select Board of our concerns about the Boundary Line Adjustment Survey. 

April 14, 2023: MerNIA contacted the Town of Meredith for information on the Abutter Notification proposal. In response, the Town provided a copy of the Boundary Line Adjustment Survey.

April 14, 2023: The Meredith Planning Board mailed out an Abutter Notification to abutters 

of a of a hearing at the April 25, 2023, Planning Board Meeting proposing a "Boundary Line Adjustment with an equal area land Exchange".