To the editor: The article, “Conflict looms over future of NH camp with strong Arlington ties”, Oct. 6, 2025, quotes the Laconia [NH] Daily Sun: “[Bradford] Cook [lawyer who has represented the Camp Menotomy Trust] said his clients believed the sale is the most reasonable strategy, ‘given the values of the property which was not contemplated by anyone at the time’ the deed was written.” (Camp Menotomy article.)
I find this statement hard to believe. I own a place about one mile from the campsite and know how crazily property values have risen there, but even my Arlington home value has risen over four times in 25 years. The Trust itself was written over 60 years ago, and seemed to anticipate that the land’s value would rise and the lure to sell would become stronger and stronger – even if Mr. Cook claims that some of his clients couldn’t imagine such a thing – by deliberately and explicitly requiring that the site be preserved for camping by Arlington or area girls.
But whether one believes the statement or not, the issue (to sell or not) should now be put on hold: according to an interesting and compelling legal letter written on behalf of the Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance (“MerNIA”) to the NH DOJ Charitable Trusts director on July 31, there appears to be at least one excellent option to maintain a camp for girls: Camp Quinebarge of Moultonborough, N.H., has offered to run a girls camp at the Camp Menotomy property for a term of 30 years for $110,000 a year in an annual lease payment to the Trust.
They will also assume the tax burden, provide an estimated $600,000 in camperships for Arlington girls, and will make substantial improvements to the property – at no cost to the Trust. That’s far more than the $1 per year the Trust received when the Girl Scouts from VT, NH, and MA leased the property.
The Trust was formed to preserve the opportunity for girls to build skills and character and friendships in that unique and beautiful area. The Trustees should be relieved, as they are able to preserve Camp Menotomy as the Trust intended. I look forward to the day that my granddaughter starts camp there.
Kenneth Twombly
Arlington
