Conservation commission OKs up to $6,002 from Fund 53 for Beaver Solutions water-level devices

MERRIMACK, N.H. — The Merrimack Conservation Commission voted unanimously Feb. 24 to authorize up to $6,002 from Fund 53 to repair and install water-leveling devices outlined in a proposal from Beaver Solutions.

Commissioners said they expect the final cost to be about $4,830 after estimated discounts, including a pipe-reuse credit described in the proposal. The vote was 7-0-0.

The motion came after several commissioners reviewed the Beaver Solutions estimate and sought clarity on what the quoted totals covered. A commission member summarized the proposal as including an annual maintenance subscription plus individual maintenance and replacement items for previously installed devices. Members discussed a pipe credit the vendor listed that would reduce the total if old pipe can be reused.

The discussion spelled out two possible totals: approximately $4,830 if discounts and pipe credits apply, and up to $6,002 if none of the pipe is reusable. Commissioners noted the vendor’s invoices carried a Feb. 28 due date. The commission’s packet also listed a set of device sites not covered by the annual maintenance plan (excerpted in the packet as "Path Bridal, Line Road, Mitchell Drive" and others), and members raised questions about which devices were the commission’s responsibility versus those maintained by the town’s Department of Public Works or the wastewater division.

Commissioners said some devices had been installed on conservation properties to protect trails and amenities, while others had been placed where beaver activity threatened roads. Several speakers recommended asking DPW and wastewater staff whether future maintenance should be charged to the town budget rather than Fund 53 and suggested consolidating billing so Beaver Solutions invoices for town-maintained devices would be combined with commission invoices to secure volume discounts.

During the motion, a commissioner said, "I move to approve, not to exceed $6,002 to repair and install the water leveling devices as outlined by Beaver Solutions," noting that $6,002 represented the full cost without anticipated discounts. The motion was seconded, there were no further questions, and the commission approved it by voice vote. Following the vote, commissioners planned to contact town staff (Paul or Don, as discussed in the meeting) to determine whether future maintenance should be funded from the town budget or Fund 53.

The commission also discussed invoice handling if the final cost is lower than the authorized amount: commissioners expected Beaver Solutions to invoice for the work done and the commission to reconcile discounts or credits after installation.

The vote and subsequent discussion close a short-term procurement needed before the vendor’s stated invoice deadline and begins a longer conversation about recurring maintenance budgeting and departmental responsibility.