Laconia City Council Meeting - July 28, 2025

The Laconia City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 7:01 PM. The meeting covered approvals of temporary traffic orders, citizen comments, a presentation on asset management, council member requests, and multiple new business items including highway safety grants, school impact fee use, and charter amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the July 14, 2025 city council meeting were accepted as distributed with no corrections requested.
• Temporary Traffic Order 2025-14: Approved 6-0 to reserve 24 reverse angle parking spots on Beacon Street on Friday, September 5, 2025, for the Bellnut Mill SOCOP and Rotary Park event.
• Temporary Traffic Order 2025-15: Approved 6-0 to allow Acton Academy students to hold a children's business fair in the city parking lot on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Housing Authority Update: Kathy Bowler and Jonathan Field of the Laconia Housing Authority requested a letter of support from the council for a $700,000 state grant (CHSP program) for congregate housing services. They reported that the pilot program served 38 people, spending about $350,000 of $750,000, preventing evictions and assisted living placements. The grant is a two-year, $700,000 award to either Laconia or Manchester; Laconia advocates for it. Council agreed to draft a supportive letter within days.
• Commercial Docking at Weirs Beach: Chad Puzzle, owner of Mini Winnie Party Boat Company, objected to a new $100 fine for commercial docking at Weirs Beach docks. He argued that the penalty hurts small businesses and tourism, as his company drops off and picks up passengers who spend money locally. He asked the council to reconsider the rule. No immediate action was taken.

Presentations

• Asset Management Grant Program: Nate Jurette, Assistant Public Works Director, presented the final update for a $90,000 grant from DES for sewer and stormwater asset management. The program includes inventory, condition assessments, GIS mapping, and new technology (a pole camera with laser). The sewer system is 98% complete in GIS/condition assessment; stormwater is 60% complete. The pole camera ($17,000-$18,000) has reduced contractor costs (previously $3,000 per camera truck visit, 7-8 times a year). The program enhances transparency via online maps and helps prioritize capital improvements.

Council Comments & Requests

• Councillor Cheney raised six items: (1) request for a report on roller coaster road cleanup – city manager responded it is back with attorneys; (2) update on solar panels at the Weirs capped landfill – city manager said installation is nearly complete, will provide full status on output; (3) request that the Historic District Commission evaluate historic properties in the Weirs, particularly veterans association buildings – council discussed need for a historic district; (4) progress on resident-only parking – city manager said it is being developed for Simpson and potentially citywide, expected back at next meeting; (5) expansion of handicapped parking at the beach – city manager will work with Parks and Recreation; (6) general discussion on preserving historic buildings.

City Manager's Report

• Community Power Program: City manager reported that the third-party supplier has obtained quotes still below Eversource rates. The program is on track for potential activation in January 2026. Public information sessions may be needed before implementation.
• Project Updates: Hilliard Road completion this week; Appleton Street work starting first week of August; Old North Main Street after that; Mill Street Pedestrian Bridge surveying underway; Opeachi Loop project beginning soon; downtown gateway park TIF-funded beautification nearly complete; Weirs TIF district considering a bandstand (options include placing it on the old railroad station or a jetty off the boardwalk); Saki River Basin program working with DES to refine costs; Master Plan RFP responses due by end of month with a joint planning/zoning council meeting planned.

Key Outcomes

• Temporary Traffic Order 2025-13: Approved 6-0 to close a section of Main Street on August 15, 2025 (4-8 PM) for the Rev White and Brewfest Antique Classic Car Show, and waived city fees.
• Impact Fee Use for Failed Sewer Line: Approved 6-0 to authorize $85,289 in impact fee revenues to replace a failed sewer line at Laconia High School. The school district confirmed no contingency is included.
• Ward 4 Clerk Appointment: Approved 6-0 to appoint Roxanne Aruda as Ward 4 ward clerk for the remainder of the term ending December 31, 2025.
• Thompson Avenue Public Hearing: Approved 6-0 to schedule a public hearing on September 8, 2025, regarding acceptance of Thompson Avenue as a public highway.
• Speed Limit Reduction: Approved 6-0 to lower the speed limit to 25 mph on Buzil Street, Edgewater Avenue, and Lewis Street. Residents were unanimously in favor per Councillor Cheney; a public hearing was not held.
• Highway Safety Grants: Approved 6-0 to accept a $41,765 award from NH Department of Safety for various highway safety patrols and equipment. A required match of $10,655 will use previously appropriated funds.
• Charter Amendments: The council approved placing three charter amendment questions on the November 2025 ballot:
  • Section 2.02: Update supervisor of checklist session language to align with state RSA.
  • Section 2.03: Repeal redundant language.
  • Section 2.06: Change the filing period for municipal elections from the first Wednesday in August to the second Wednesday in July (amended to avoid July 4 conflict). Proposed amendments to change council meeting time to 6 PM and to eliminate municipal primary elections received no motions and were not approved.
• Non-Public Session: The council voted 6-0 to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(d) for matters where public discussion would likely benefit adverse parties.

Next Meeting

The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2025.