'Hard Work' By Allen On PFAS Has Made A Difference In Merrimack

MERRIMACK, NH — Without community leaders, Merrimack wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Michael Philbrook, a reader who nominated Laurene Allen.

How do you know this community leader?

Friend

What does this community leader do?

Psychologist

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

She has led the Town of Merrimack in investigating, educating, and abating the polluted air and water by PFAS chemicals. Her tireless, voluntary dedication has made it possible for our town's citizens to understand the health effects of the chemicals and how to protect themselves and plan for the future. She has also worked very hard with industry leaders, the polluter, and the state, local, and federal governments to educate and enact legislation to protect the citizens of NH. She works closely with Merrimack's water company, MVD Village District, to educate the community and research and install filtration plants. She has led the effort to filter the water supplies to all of the town's schools in order to protect our children. She led the effort to enact legislation in NH that provides insurance coverage for PFAS blood testing.

Without the efforts, hard work, determination, and dedication of Laurene, it is my opinion that our town and state would be very far behind the progress that has been made. Laurene has spent countless hours and her own money to educate, travel to Washington, D.C., and other states to meet with our lawmakers, physicians, and community leaders to collaborate and make change happen.

Laurene is a rare asset and I believe she should be recognized for the vital, life-affirming role she has and continues to play in the name of making Merrimack a healthy place to live, work, and play.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

Without Laurene's dedication and dogged determination, our town's citizens might be unaware of the health risks posed by PFAS pollution, putting people in harm's way with no solutions for remediation or protection.

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