Mike Collins

Key discussions included the Treasurer's report, which resulted in a motion to add a Commissioner to the checking account. Maintenance items reviewed covered the deep drawdown inspection, necessary vegetation cleanup, repairs needed for the gatehouse door and a seepage monitoring pipe, and the removal of an abandoned dinghy. Discussions regarding projects emphasized the need to establish a direct relationship with a licensed engineering firm due to DES recommendations concerning the High Hazard dam rating and 1000-year flood flow requirements, with projected costs ranging from $350,000 to over $500,000. Regulatory updates noted the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is nearly complete. Governance focused on adapting a template for formal bylaws to define roles, responsibilities, and procedures, with a draft expected by the July meeting. New business involved updating the registered voter list for the subsequent meeting.

The annual meeting included presentations and discussions regarding dam maintenance, repairs, and funding. Updates were provided on the installation of a temporary gate, addressing deficiencies, and working towards a permanent gate solution. The meeting covered topics such as spillway maintenance, emergency action plans, and the process for redrawing district lines. Financial matters were also discussed, including the treasurer's report, raising funds for operational expenses, and seeking village support for dam repairs. The potential expansion of the district and concerns about liability were addressed, along with comments and questions from members and attendees.

The meeting included a discussion about the district expansion vote and the three phases of dam reconstruction work, focusing on spillway #1, overtopping of the dam, and the old gate and wooden structure. The budget discussion covered warrant articles, administrative expenses, legal expenses, operation, maintenance, and repair of the dam, insurance, dam registration fees, and regional association fees. A motion was carried to add $150,000 to the Ashuelot Pond Capital Reserve Fund.

The meeting addressed several key items, including the authorization for a commissioner to sign checks, updates on the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation mapping, and discussions regarding breach report and overtopping project design. Warrant articles were finalized, covering officer elections, reports, budget increases, funding for the Ashuelot Pond Capital Reserve Fund, and scheduling the 2025 Annual Meeting. New business included website analytics, use of donation funds for the gate, and an invitation to Joseph Schmidl from NH DES to speak about the Ashuelot River management instream flow management program.

The annual meeting included officer reports and discussions on completed work, including updates on dam projects and the FEMA grant application. NHDES offered assistance with grant writing. There were discussions regarding the deep drawdown schedule, the ownership of spillway #2, and requirements from the NH DES Letter of Deficiency. The meeting addressed raising funds for administrative, legal, and operational expenses, as well as contributions to the Ashuelot Pond Capital Reserve Fund. Future work on the dam was outlined, including survey work, completion of the dam breach model and Emergency Action Plan, and potential reconstruction or removal of the dam. The 2025 annual meeting was scheduled, and a special presentation was given by NHDES on the instream flow protection program for the Ashuelot rivershed.