If everyone would pre please rise for the presentation of the colors by the Laconia Police Department Honor Guard.

Welcome the 2026-2027 City Councilors and Mayor, Mike Boards.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible justice.

Please remain standing as the colors are retired.

Thank you very much.

Please be seated.

Good evening and welcome.

I'm Sheriff Bill Wright, Delknap County Sheriff.

And it's my honor to be here tonight and thank you for being here tonight to celebrate an important moment for the city of Laconia.

It's great to see so many familiar faces, including elected officials, city staff, community leaders, friends, and family, and residents from all across Laconia.

Tonight is more than taking an oath or marking the start of a new term.

It's a chance to come together, recognize the responsibility of leadership, honor the trust placed in those who serve, and reflect on what makes Laconia such a special place to call home.

Can everybody hear me okay?

I know this microphone's having a problem.

Local government matters because it shapes our neighborhoods, supports our schools and our businesses, impacts our quality of life, and works best when people stay involved.

You all are here and being involved.

Thank you.

This evening, we will acknowledge the past, mark the present moment, and look ahead with optimism and confidence in the Laconia's future.

It's definitely my honor tonight to welcome a public servant whose leadership and commitment to New Hampshire's communities have been demonstrated at every level of government.

As governor, she has been a strong partner to our cities, town, and counties, recognizing the local government is where public service is most personal and most impactful.

Please join me in welcoming the eighty-third governor of this fine state of New Hampshire, Governor Kelly Ayott.

I'm so honored to be here tonight in this very important ceremony.

Counselor Joe Kenny, your executive counselor, I know state representatives who are here, and just concerned citizens and engaged citizens in a great city.

So congratulations on your successful election.

And of course, I want to thank our the dedicated mayor of this city who is outgoing, Charlie St.

Clair, and thank him for his passion for this city and all the service that he has given to the city and continues to do in the legislature.

So we appreciate you, Charlie.

And finally, I'm very, very honored to be here to congratulate your new mayor, Mayor Mike Boards, and I want to thank him for stepping up to serve his city in a new capacity.

I also know that family serves too.

So I want to thank his wife, Tracy, and his daughter Hannah, and I know his dad, Mike, is here and his in-laws.

So thank you so much for supporting Mike and all of his service and dedication to our state and to this city.

And to just care about what happens in his local community.

And as Sheriff Wright talked about the importance of local government.

Local government is the closest to the people and really understands the concerns of this city and what is happening every single day because your local government, your new mayor, the city council, they're from you, they're walking around your city, they live here, they understand you, they care about the smallest concern that you have to the biggest concern you have.

And that is such a strength of New Hampshire, and it is why I'm so honored to be here tonight for this important ceremony.

And especially in this great city.

Laconia is a vital part of New Hampshire and New Hampshire's success.

It's a city with deep roots, strong people, a proud sense of community.

It also plays an important role in our economy, our tourism industry, our quality of life, from the local businesses that I know work so hard to the schools, to the cultural events that are here, to the outdoor recreation.

Laconia is a very special place.

So when Laconia succeeds, I know New Hampshire can succeed, and our success is tied together together.

And today we are blessed to really congratulate the members of the city council, but especially a champion for Laconia.

I know Mike Boards is a champion for Laconia because I've seen him work in the state legislature representing this city.

And we've worked together on things like keeping Laconia and the state safe.

We've worked on things like making sure taxpayers are protected.

And most of all, what I've appreciated about his leadership is his common sense.

And one thing I can always count on when it comes to your new mayor, that he's going to put Laconia first.

It's not about party for him.

It's not about, you know, this is some ideological issue for me.

It is really about what is the best thing for the constituents that I represent.

And I respect that so much in a leader, and it's why I know that he's going to be a great mayor of Laconia.

He understands Laconia's history, he believes in his future, and he has consistently shown that he's willing to put in the work to help move this city forward.

His commitment to Laconia is evident, and his optimism for what this community can become is contagious.

And anyone who knows Mike knows there's always a smile on his face, a lot of energy, and it's great to see that kind of energy come forward for this city.

I know his leadership will be rooted in respect for the people of this city that he calls home, and that he understands that service is about listening.

And Mike has always been a very good listener.

One of the privileges I have as governor is to work alongside with mayors and local officials.

They're really my eyes and ears as to what is happening in our towns, what is happening in our cities, and the partnership that I can tell you with your new mayor, with your outgoing mayor, and with your new mayor, is strong between Laconia and the state.

Together, we can work to make Laconia even stronger and to make sure that this remains such a phenomenal place to live, work, and raise a family.

So I just want to end by congratulating again the new mayor, Mayor Boards.

Thank you for your service, the new members of the city council.

And really, today's swearing in is about service.

It's about optimism for the future.

Uh it's about you, all the citizens who are here, and making sure that you have a voice in City Hall, but also that your concerns are listened to every day.

I'm confident with this group that's gonna happen.

I want you to know that I want to be a partner at the state level.

I want to thank each and every one of you for stepping up to serve and your families for the support they've given you.

Uh we trust in your leadership, and I want to congratulate you and thank all the citizens of Laconia for allowing me to be here tonight.

Thank you.

Okay, at this time, I'd like to introduce the 2026 mayor and city council members.

Seated here at the front table.

Mayor Mike Boards.

Councillor John Hildreth.

Councillor Robert Susi.

Councillor Eric Hoffman.

Councilor Mark Haynes.

Councillor Stephen Boger.

Councillor Mike Conant.

At this time, I call Mayor Mike Boards to the podium for presentation.

Thank you, everybody, for coming out tonight.

I'm standing here filled with gratitude, humility, and if I'm being honest, the disbelief that so many people showed up and didn't stay home in their pajamas.

I want to begin by thanking Sheriff Bill Wright for his steady leadership, his strong law enforcement background, and for being our master of ceremonies.

I want to thank former governor, Chris Sinunu, for his service to our state and his constant support of myself and my campaign.

He was one of my first supporters, and I truly appreciate it.

I also want to send a heartfelt thank you to my campaign manager, Preston Young.

Without you, we wouldn't be standing here today.

To my fiancee, wife, whatever you want to claim her to be tonight.

Tracy, you are my rock.

You stood beside me through long nights, through tough decisions, even told me to eat when I didn't eat for days.

To my daughter Hannah, you are a shining light.

Homeland Security Major, you're the reason I stand here today, because we're worried about your future, and we want to make sure you have a bright future.

To everyone who voted and supported me and believe in my vision, I appreciate you, and I won't let you down.

It's an honor to serve as the city of Laconia's mayor.

Our fine governor here, Governor Ayard.

I want to thank her for her leadership and for always fighting to do what is best for all of New Hampshire.

I'm excited to hit the ground running and keep working with the governor.

And uh focus on what makes Laconia a better place to live, work and raise a family.

As we look ahead, I want to be clear.

We're not just talking about bringing jobs to Laconia.

I want to bring careers to Laconia.

I want to bring a new business to Laconia.

We have a lot taking place, and oftentimes people say, I can't afford to live here.

That needs to end.

We need to bring careers, not just jobs to Laconia.

Tonight is more than an inauguration, it's a promise.

A promise of accountability, transparency, and leadership that puts the people first.

Oh God.

We can't just do the popular thing.

We have to do the right thing.

I might not always agree with my choices, but I make the choices on behalf of my constituents, and I have to be your ears, and I have to be your voice.

We have a major one of our greatest challenges, as we all know, is what?

Homelessness.

The issue affects our neighborhoods, our businesses, and our sense of community.

To confront it directly, my intention is to form a Mayors Committee on Homelessness or Homelessness Task Force.

We want to make this up of taxpayers and business owners as well as key stakeholders.

We do not want nonprofits on this.

We want the taxpayers to be part of this.

We will enforce the laws on the books.

We have a fine police chief in uh Chief Canfield, and him and I have had numerous discussions.

We must enforce the laws on the books and hold everybody to the same amount of accountability.

It doesn't matter, somebody's social and economic status.

All laws must be enforced equally, whether you're a multimillionaire or your unhoused or homeless, or whatever term you want to use.

We need to address this issue, and I count on everybody on this council to work hard to address this major issue for the city.

Another committee that I intend to form as a mayor's committee will be a committee pertaining to the hospital.

As we all know, Concord Hospital of Laconia right now is basically at the end of their term, and I know Councilman Susi has been very adamant about this.

We need a committee to address the hospital.

The city is growing.

We have a huge development coming up at the state school property.

We have to focus on the size of that development, and we have to focus on making sure that this deal finally gets done.

This has been going on for years.

It's time to get it done.

We do have a meeting this week with the developers, and I will keep everybody up to date on how that goes.

We need to bring in other sources of revenue outside of just the tourism industry.

This is a moment of possibility, a moment to rise above the challenges before us.

A moment to build a safer, stronger, and more vibrant city together.

It's time to get the work done, and our time is now.

I hope everybody on the council can band together and get the work done for the people.

Thank you.

Presentations.

Yep.

Oh, okay.

So we have some presentations tonight as well.

Um, we have several outgoing city councillors.

Um I would like to thank Tony Felch for his service, all his work with the children's auction, and all he's done for the city of Laconia.

We appreciate all your work and thank you.

Do you want to do the military?

Yes.

We also have one for my former opponent and long-term city councilor Bruce Cheney.

Unfortunately, he is unable to attend tonight, but we will make sure this gets to him.

I want to thank him for his eight years of dedication to the city of Laconia and his time served as a police chief.

And we do have a bill in to honor the 9-11 building under his name.

So let's hope that goes through.

Thank you.

Last and not least, good buddy of mine.

We like to bicker, we like to bust each other's chops.

But one thing I know is when push comes to shove, he cares about the city of Laconia.

Our interim mayor, Charlie St.

Clair, who also, as everybody knows, is a big part of Laconia Motorcycle Week.

I want to thank him for his time served and his commitment to the city of Laconia.

Thank you.

Okay, at this time, I'd like to give the opportunity for counselor Tony Felch to address the community if you choose.

I didn't realize I was gonna speak tonight, but um, I just want to say thank you to all my constituents, anybody in the city that I've helped out, anybody that I haven't, uh just thank you all for being residents here in Laconia.

I want to thank all the city counselors that I've worked with.

It's been my pleasure.

Um, and the mayor, Charlie St.

Clair.

Um that's pretty much it.

Thank you.

I'll still be around.

Anyone else whoever wants to get a hold of me?

Well, you're more than welcome to mayor Charlie St.

Clair.

Well, I want to thank the um council.

Said all right.

I want to thank the council for um having a confidence confidence in me for having me be the mayor for four months, which went by like that for most of us anyway.

And um, I look forward to working with our new mayor and the council because as he said, there's a lot of things going on in the city, and it's very important that we all work together uh as much as is needed, and it really is needed a lot.

So again, thank you all very much.

It's been it's been uh a real pleasure uh being the mayor for for this last four months and uh see you around.

I just wanted to Bruce Chini, Council Genie asked me just to say he unfortunately has become quite ill today, um so he wasn't able to make it, but he did want to congratulate all of you and wish you the best of luck and to thank all of you for um everything uh that you've done for him during his tenure.

Okay, if I could get city clerk Kate Gargano up here.

We will now do the swearing in of the city council and the mayor.

So we can have all the counselors please see.

Please raise your right hand and repeat after me.

I state your name.

Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially and impartially discharge and perform.

Discharge and all duties incumbent upon me.

All duties incumbent upon me as counselor of ward.

As counselor of ward six, according to the best of my abilities, according to the best of my abilities, agreeably to the rules and regulations.

Of the constitution and laws, of the state of New Hampshire.

Of the city of New Hampshire, and the ordinances of the city of Laconia.

And the ordinance of the city of Loronia.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

Next, Mayor Boards.

I state your name.

I, Mike Boards.

Do solemnly swear.

You solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially and impartially discharge and perform.

Discharge and perform.

All duties incumbent upon me.

All duties incumbent upon me.

As mayor for the city of Laconia.

As mayor for the city of Laconia.

According to the best of my abilities.

According to the best of my abilities.

Agreeably to the rules and regulations.

Agreeably to the rules and regulations.

Of the Constitution and Laws.

Of the state of New Hampshire.

Of the state of New Hampshire.

And the ordinances of the city of Laconia.

And the ordinances of the city of Laconia.

So help me God.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

Okay, and before we ask the mayor to open up the meeting, I'd like to have Reverend Andy Akers uh provide us with an invocation.

Please pray with me.

Heavenly Father, we praise you for the freedom to choose our own form of government to vote for and elect our leaders.

We yield to you our thanks for all the men and women who have fought and sacrificed so that we can have these liberties and freedoms.

So Almighty God, you have plans for us and power to make them happen.

Give our legislators, executives, counselors, and all government workers the knowledge of your will for the world.

May these proceedings tonight be blessed with your strength and wisdom.

May this be the will of our God and let us say Amen.

Mr.

Mayor, you may open the meeting.

Councillor Hildred.

Present.

Councillor Susi.

President.

Councillor Hoffman.

Present.

Councillor Haynes?

Here.

Councillor Bogart.

Chair.

Councillor Conan.

Here.

Mayor Forrest.

Here.

Meeting is now called to order.

First on the agenda is the nomination and vote on Mayor Pro Tem.

Does anybody have a motion?

And nominate Mark Haynes as the second.

Councillor Hildreth had made the motion.

Councillor Susi has seconded it.

Any discussion.

Seeing no discussion.

All in favor.

Raise your hand.

6-0.

Congratulations, Councillor Haynes.

Next up.

Next up, we have the announcement of the committee and liaisons.

First off, for finance committee, I would like to appoint the following.

Robert Susi, Eric Hoffman, and Stephen Bogert.

For government operations and ordinances, I would like to appoint Councillor Hoffman, Councillor Bulgart, and Councillor Conan.

Lands and buildings, I would like to appoint Councillor Hildreth, Steve Councillor Bulgret, and Councillor Conan.

Public safety, I would like to appoint Councillor Seussy, Councillor Haynes, and Councillor Conick.

Public Works.

I would like to appoint Councillor Seussy, Councillor Haynes, and Councillor Bogart.

On the appointments committee, I would like to appoint Councillor Seussy, Councillor Hildreth, and Councillor Conan.

Bellknap EBC, the liaison, I would like to appoint Councillor Bogart.

For the Capitol Improvements, I would like to appoint Councillor Hoffman.

For the Heritage Commission, I would like to appoint Councillor Haynes.

Human Relations Committee, I would like to appoint Mike Conan.

Lakes Region Public Access.

I would like to appoint Councillor Hildreth.

Liaison for the library would be Councillor Stephen Bogart.

Counselor for Parks and Recs would be Councillor John Hilger.

Planning Board, I would like to appoint Councillor Conan.

Police Commission, I would like to appoint Councillor Susi.

Laconia Motorcycle Week, which I know Charlie is very excited about.

I would like to appoint John Hildreth.

For waterworks, I would like to appoint Councillor Conan.

And last but not least, this is what I have on my list.

I would like to appoint Council Susi for Pumpkin Fest.

Is there anything I am missing?

With that being said, is there any objections or discussion on this?

Do we need a motion on this or no?

No.

Okay.

That is the appointments.

With that being said, that is everything I see on our current agenda.

Is there any further discussions or shall we adjourn?

Do I have a second?

Councilor Susi made the motion to adjourn.

Councillor Conan seconded it.

All in favor?

Thank you very much for everyone coming out tonight.

If I could get uh Reverend Andy Acres here for the benediction.

And then following that, we'll have a reception.

Just to be closer.

Okay.

Please join me in prayer.

Almighty God bless those who hold office in the government of this county and this town and the state, that they may continue to do their work in the spirit of wisdom, kindness, and justice.

Help them to use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote the general welfare of their fellow citizens.

And we ask that our bodies are blessed with the food we were about to receive, and bless those who prepared it.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Enjoy your evening.