Great Dam Removal update

     Heard a rumor around town that on June 16th,last Monday  night, the Town was aware of the Great Dam grant application status but didn't want to tell the public.  Some checking was done.
     Official word. According to the U.S. Department of Interior and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation websites, earlier Monday, that same day, the results were issued to the press naming the successful applicants. Of note is that usually applicants are informed in writing PRIOR to the press release.
     Only one project was awarded a grant in NH. It wasn't us. (Congratulations to Dover) 54 projects were approved, running down to Virginia. Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware were the big winners, but so was Boston Harbor..
     Not receiving the 75% grant hurts bad enough, but a number of approved grantees received greater than 75% that was supposedly the limit. Some of these grants, receiving over 90% funding, were for coming up with plans!
     In reviewing the awards, taking the combined total dollar amounts over 75%, many more grants could have been approved. There was enough that even our project would have been able to receive the complete 75% funding. It appeared from the list that a lot of money went to States that have some close Congressional races coming up this November. I guess Carol Shea-Porter couldn't swing it, that is, if she was asked and tried.
     Now the first question is, "Was there something wrong with our request?"  The next question is, "What is the status of our NOAA 50% grant and what other additional grant requests have been submitted/been approved?"  The final question is, "Why didn't Mr. Chartrand or Mr. Dean answer Mr. Griset's question about the grant last Monday night?"  It is disturbing to think that the taxpayers are being kept in the dark given the importance of the issue.