OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Laconia City Council Meeting – September 8, 2025

City Council — Monday, September 8, 2025
BodyLaconia, New Hampshire
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, September 8, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
2:04

Okay, being in it's seven o'clock, and uh we'll call to order the meeting for September 8th, 2025, Laconia City Council, and I will ask Councillor Bogart to lead us with a salute to the flag.

2:22

I pledge allegiance to notify the United States of America and the republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all the thank you, counselor.

2:41

Um recording secretary theory tonight is Katie Gardano.

2:46

That was it was close.

2:47

And uh if you could do the roll call.

2:50

Councilor Cheney.

2:51

Here, Councillor Susi.

2:53

Here, Councillor Hoffman, present, councillor Haynes, here, Councillor Bumber.

2:57

Here and Mayor St.

2:59

Clair.

2:59

Here, thank you.

3:01

Uh the staff in attendance tonight, we have the city manager, Kirk Biotti and our finance uh director uh Clint Smith.

3:11

Now there's uh no council proclamations tonight, I understand.

3:15

So we'll pass right on through that.

3:17

And I look for uh there we're gonna accept the minutes from the previous meetings the previous meeting because there's been no changes, correct?

3:25

Okay, so we'll do that.

3:28

Are there any uh consent and action items?

3:33

We're moving right along.

3:34

This is good.

3:36

That brings us to number nine.

3:37

Citizens' comments for matters not on the agenda.

3:40

Are there any citizens here who would like to approach?

3:45

I see somebody right now.

3:51

Patrick would uh ward one.

3:53

I just want to um say a couple of quick things.

3:56

Uh one, the um there have been letters to the editor that talk about the lack of transparency.

4:05

Uh especially of the human relations committee and also of the city council.

4:10

Um reaction is uh is twofold.

4:16

One it it's un upsetting to see those.

4:20

Uh second, the people writing the letters if they appeared once or twice before these meetings, they would see how transparent you all are.

4:33

Everything you do is done here that I've been able to see, and I've been coming to these meetings for quite a while.

4:40

And now we don't always agree.

4:51

So I think there's a lack of transparency, it's because people aren't appearing to see what's happening.

5:00

Um I invite them, all of them, to come to these meetings.

5:05

The Human Relations Committee, City Council meetings, planning board meetings, zoning board meetings.

5:10

They're all open to the public.

5:13

Come and find out what the city is really doing.

5:16

So that's my feeling on that.

5:19

Second, obviously the primary is coming up.

5:21

I wish you all uh best of luck.

5:23

Um, and I hope the city comes out on the right end uh of things out of this.

5:33

Um the third thing is uh I was at the county commissioners meeting uh earlier uh this afternoon, and they want to make sure I say this correctly.

5:48

Uh they commented on the fact that we have a new mayor, at least temporarily.

5:54

And they actually wished him well.

5:56

So we do too, Mr.

5:58

Mayor.

5:58

So congratulations.

6:00

Thank you.

6:01

Thank you all.

6:08

Is there anybody else that would like to address any matters not on the agenda?

6:15

Okay, seeing none, we'll close this uh at 704.

6:22

Any interviews tonight?

6:26

Yeah, okay.

6:27

I'm gonna ask you.

6:27

I'm just not gonna take anything for granted here.

6:30

Uh we have no nominations, appointments, or elections tonight, no communications.

6:35

So we'll go right down to number 13 public hearings.

6:39

And the first public hearing is resolution 2025-28, a resolution to adopt and set the amount of the property tax credit for disabled veterans for service connected total disability.

6:56

So we'll open that public hearing at 705 p.m.

7:03

Jeez, this is so much like another board I've been on.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulations██████████████████████████████30%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Transportation███████7%
Pending Litigation██████6%
Veterans Affairs█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Laconia City Council Meeting – September 8, 2025

The Laconia City Council met on September 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Mayor St. Clair presided with Councilors Cheney, Susi, Hoffman, Haynes, and Bumber present. City Manager Kirk Biotti and Finance Director Clint Smith attended. The meeting covered multiple public hearings, zoning amendments, road acceptances, and approvals. Key actions included increasing the disabled veterans property tax credit to the state maximum, passing an ordinance to allow domestic chickens in residential zones (over opposition), accepting Thompson Avenue as a public highway, and scheduling public hearings on social districts and a housing redevelopment overlay.

Consent Calendar

  • The minutes from the previous meeting were approved without changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Patrick (Ward 1) commended the council’s transparency and urged citizens to attend meetings. He also mentioned the upcoming primary and conveyed the county commissioners’ congratulations to the new mayor.
  • Kristen Bastille (Defiant) requested placing a social district question on the November ballot to allow outdoor alcohol consumption in defined areas, citing successful events on Canal Street.

Public Hearings

  • Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit (Resolution 2025-28): No public comment. Later, the council voted to increase the credit from the proposed $3,700/$3,750 to the state maximum of $4,000. The motion passed unanimously (5-0) with an amendment to make it effective April 1, 2026. Councilors expressed support for veterans’ service.
  • Domestic Chickens Ordinance (Ordinance 2025-235-12,13,41): Marsha Hayward (9 Wildwood Road) spoke in opposition, citing concerns over space, predators, nuisance complaints, disease risks, and lifespan of chickens. She argued the current ordinance is adequate. The council later debated enforcement and lot sizes.
  • Thompson Avenue Acceptance (Petition for Public Highway): Marsha Hayward opposed, warning it would open a “Pandora’s box” of private road requests. George Winchell (Thompson Avenue) supported, noting the need for plowing, rubbish collection, and emergency access.

Discussion Items

  • Housing Redevelopment Overlay District (Ordinance 2025-235-21): Planning Director Tyler presented a proposed amendment to the residential general district to incentivize workforce housing. Key features: density up to 20 units/acre, 20% workforce units, performance standards, dark-sky compliance, and allowance for a neighborhood store on lots with 3+ workforce units. Councilors discussed parking concerns, minimum unit size (400 sq. ft.), and lot feasibility. The council approved first reading and scheduled a public hearing for September 22, 2025.
  • Social Districts (House Bill 467): City Manager Biotti explained the state law allowing cities to create social districts if voters approve. The council agreed to schedule a public hearing on September 22, 2025, to gather input before putting the question on the November ballot.
  • Winnipesaukee River Basin Replacement Fund: Council supported a proposal to reduce the city’s contribution from 5% to 2% (saving ~$400,000) via a legislative change, with Councilor Bogart sponsoring an LSR. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Emergency Lane Extension (Plantation & Colonial Roads): The council scheduled a public hearing for September 22, 2025, to extend the emergency lane designation until April 30, 2026, or until court resolution. Solid waste collection continuation was also addressed.
  • Chicken Ordinance Final Vote: After debate on enforcement and minimum lot sizes, the council voted 3-2 to adopt the ordinance allowing domestic chickens in residential zones under specified performance standards. Councilors Haynes and Susi opposed; Councilors Cheney, Hoffman, and Bumber supported.
  • Thompson Avenue Acceptance: Councilor Cheney supported the acceptance, noting the street had met petition requirements and the city already maintains it. Councilor Bogart raised concerns about precedent and developer avoidance of standards. The vote to accept passed unanimously (5-0), effective after 61 days.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 2025-28 (Disabled Veterans Tax Credit): Approved as amended to $4,000 (state maximum) effective April 1, 2026. Vote: 5-0.
  • Ordinance 2025-235-12,13,41 (Chickens): Passed second reading and final approval, 3-2.
  • Thompson Avenue: Accepted as a public highway, effective in 61 days, subject to compensation provisions. Vote: 5-0.
  • Housing Redevelopment Overlay & Social Districts: Public hearings set for September 22, 2025.
  • Emergency Lane Extension for Plantation & Colonial Roads: Public hearing set for September 22, 2025.
  • Winnipesaukee River Basin Fund: Council endorsed the 2% proposal; legislative action to follow.
  • Temporary Traffic Order 2025-17 (Movie Night): Approved for September 20, 2025, contingent on coordination with Colonial Theater.
  • Crosswalk Safety: City Manager instructed to coordinate with Public Works Director on crosswalk painting and a potential dual-color pilot.

Mayor’s Report & Council Comments

  • Mayor St. Clair reminded citizens to vote in the primary and to commemorate September 11.
  • Councilor Bogart asked the city manager to confirm that the council has not taken action on “God pods” (homeless shelter units). The manager confirmed no council action; the Human Relations Committee had discussed them. Bogart requested legal review of committee sponsorship after a mayoral change.
  • Several councilors requested updates on crosswalk conditions and parking issues.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:56 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, being in it's seven o'clock, and uh we'll call to order the meeting for September 8th, 2025, Laconia City Council, and I will ask Councillor Bogart to lead us with a salute to the flag. I pledge allegiance to notify the United States of America and the republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all the thank you, counselor. Um recording secretary theory tonight is Katie Gardano. That was it was close. And uh if you could do the roll call. Councilor Cheney. Here, Councillor Susi. Here, Councillor Hoffman, present, councillor Haynes, here, Councillor Bumber. Here and Mayor St. Clair. Here, thank you. Uh the staff in attendance tonight, we have the city manager, Kirk Biotti and our finance uh director uh Clint Smith. Now there's uh no council proclamations tonight, I understand. So we'll pass right on through that. And I look for uh there we're gonna accept the minutes from the previous meetings the previous meeting because there's been no changes, correct? Okay, so we'll do that. Are there any uh consent and action items? We're moving right along. This is good. That brings us to number nine. Citizens' comments for matters not on the agenda. Are there any citizens here who would like to approach? I see somebody right now. Patrick would uh ward one. I just want to um say a couple of quick things. Uh one, the um there have been letters to the editor that talk about the lack of transparency. Uh especially of the human relations committee and also of the city council. Um reaction is uh is twofold. One it it's un upsetting to see those. Uh second, the people writing the letters if they appeared once or twice before these meetings, they would see how transparent you all are. Everything you do is done here that I've been able to see, and I've been coming to these meetings for quite a while. And now we don't always agree. So I think there's a lack of transparency, it's because people aren't appearing to see what's happening. Um I invite them, all of them, to come to these meetings. The Human Relations Committee, City Council meetings, planning board meetings, zoning board meetings. They're all open to the public. Come and find out what the city is really doing. So that's my feeling on that. Second, obviously the primary is coming up. I wish you all uh best of luck. Um, and I hope the city comes out on the right end uh of things out of this. Um the third thing is uh I was at the county commissioners meeting uh earlier uh this afternoon, and they want to make sure I say this correctly. Uh they commented on the fact that we have a new mayor, at least temporarily. And they actually wished him well. So we do too, Mr. Mayor. So congratulations. Thank you. Thank you all. Is there anybody else that would like to address any matters not on the agenda?

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