BY DARRELL HALEN

A lawn-care company was slapped with a $2,000 fine for applying pesticides too close to a water well at Pelham High School without a special permit.

An investigation conducted by the Division of Pesticide Control of the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food determined that LawnMaster of Methuen, Mass., violated a state rule when it applied pesticides within 400 feet of the school’s gravel-packed well without a special permit.

The applications were done in April and June of last year, according to the division.

The state requires that a special permit be obtained before pesticides can be applied within 400 feet of a gravel-packed public well or within 250 feet of other public wells.

In a Dec. 20, 2006, letter to the company’s owner, Daniel Dellanno, Wendelyn Chapley, the division’s director, proposed a $2,000 fine.

Dellanno waived his right to a hearing. His payment was received by the state on Jan. 8.

Chapley said the division launched its investigation after receiving a complaint. School board member Linda Mahoney said she didn’t file a complaint but contacted the office to get a clarification about the use of pesticides near a well.

The well services the high school. Last summer, the school district paid $1,200 to have the water tested by a company in Illinois, which reported no problems with the water, according to Brian Gallagher, the school district’s business administrator.

While school officials were waiting for test results, water dispensers and cups were provided at the high school and school bubblers were wrapped in plastic so they could not be used. Student-athletes were told to bring bottled water to practices.

Dellanno did not respond to a telephone message seeking comment.