A complaint letter was received about the landscaper, Lawn Master of Methuen, Mass., owned by Daniel Dellanno, who has paid the fine, settled the complaint and declined to comment.

The state sent investigators to examine the situation that involved a nearby well at Pelham High, and the school district agreed to have the water tested for possible contamination. The water was determined to be safe to drink, according to the school district business manager.

The landscaper in addition, did not make any additional applications of pesticides on the school grounds. If proper authorization had been obtained, there probably would not have been a problem with spreading the chemicals near the well.

This type of violation is rare, most New Hampshire schools are on a municipal water supply, so the situation does not occur, said Chapley.