Council authorizes application for $100,000 SRF loan/grant for Horseshoe Pond drainage study

The Merrimack Town Council on Aug. 21 voted to authorize the town to apply for a $100,000 New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan, with up to $100,000 in principal forgiveness available, to fund a drainage and watershed study at Horseshoe Pond.

Deputy Public Works Director Leo LaVielette (speaker 10) described the request as a ‘‘pre‑application’’ that was revised and accepted this year. He said the SRF program often offers the principal forgiveness to incentivize projects to move forward: ‘‘So this is very similar to what we’re going to be doing over at Pine Knoll Shores…this is the starting point. What we need to do is a water quality study and a watershed study. This is going to be really the start of improving water quality at Horseshoe Pond.’’

LaVielette and staff explained this approval is the first of a three‑step process: council authorization to apply; a warrant article to be placed on the April ballot for voter approval; and then state (governor/executive council) authorization. Nancy Murphy moved and Mackenzie Murphy seconded the motion to authorize acceptance and expenditure of the loan and to allow the town manager to sign necessary documents; the vote was 6‑0‑0.

If voters approve the warrant article in April and state authorities subsequently approve the project, the funds would pay for stormwater and watershed analysis intended to inform future remediation or infrastructure projects to improve water quality in Horseshoe Pond.