Laconia City Council Meeting - March 9, 2026: Appointments, Belknap Mill Funding, Winter Parking, Short-Term Rentals, and State School Development
Laconia City Council Meeting - March 9, 2026
The Laconia City Council met on March 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting covered appointments to the Building Code of Appeals, a public hearing and approval of a health insurance rebate allocation ($20,000 to Belknap Mill for repairs, the balance to a stabilization reserve), a public hearing on a winter parking ban amendment, a presentation on the Laconia State School development, and a second reading of an ordinance restricting short-term rentals in residential zones. Several citizens spoke on various agenda items and topics not on the agenda.
Consent Calendar
- Acceptance of minutes from the previous meeting was approved unanimously with no corrections submitted.
- Recommendations for appointments to boards and commissions were considered. The council voted 6-0 to approve Benjamin Pearson to the Building Code of Appeals for a five-year term. A motion to appoint Douglas Robinson failed for lack of a second.
- A motion to schedule a public hearing on April 13, 2026, regarding making Clay Street one-way from Bowman Street to Fair Street with no parking on the odd-numbered side was approved 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sue Higgins (Ward 2) asked why the WOW trail from Lakeport to Messer Street is not maintained for winter walking. The city manager agreed to look into it.
- Laura Lamin (Belknap Mill board chair) and Kevin Spitala (secretary) presented the mill's need for $20,000 for structural repairs to corroding steel pillars and cracked beams. They noted a $38,000 LCHIP grant received and other fundraising efforts.
- Lois Casson (Ward 3) spoke in favor of preserving the mill, recalling its history.
- Mason Pettit (Ward 3) questioned the use of health insurance rebate funds for the mill, suggesting they should remain in the stabilization fund.
- Tara Shore (Ward 6, president of Laconia Historical Museum Society) supported the mill but noted past free use of the space for city events.
- Doug Lopinson (Ward 5) questioned using the health care fund, suggesting TIF district funds or budget process instead.
- Jennifer Anderson (Ward 4, former board chair) spoke to the mill's importance and impact of downtown activity on its event revenue.
- John McCartell (Ward 1) argued the funds are not discretionary, and nonprofits should be funded through the budget process.
- Mark (Ward 5) asked why health insurance rebate money is being considered for the mill instead of the stabilization fund.
- Sue Higgins (Ward 2) also spoke on the winter parking ban, supporting a shorter five-month ban but advocating for permanent permit parking for those without off-street parking.
- Carol Viney (Ward 1) spoke in favor of the short-term rental ordinance, noting 80% of the city remains open to STRs and that neighborhoods need protection.
- Another citizen (unidentified) warned of litigation costs if the STR ordinance passes, citing pending state legislation (HB 1619) and court cases.
- A Ward 5 resident argued that zoning districts exist for a reason and that STRs should not be allowed in all zones; noted that existing STR operators could be grandfathered.
Discussion Items
- Appointments to Building Code of Appeals: The council discussed filling two vacancies due to a quorum issue for a meeting the next night. Douglas Robinson (maintenance man) and Benjamin Pearson (licensed plumber) were proposed. Robinson's motion failed for lack of a second; Pearson was approved 6-0.
- Health Insurance Rebate (Resolution 2026-03): The city manager explained the $86,316 rebate came from an overpayment on health insurance assessments. The proposal was to allocate $20,000 to Belknap Mill for repairs and deposit $66,316 into the health insurance stabilization reserve fund. Public comment was mixed. Councilors debated whether the funds were appropriate for a nonprofit. Some argued it should go through the budget process; others cited the mill's importance and lost revenue due to city issues. The resolution passed 6-0 on first and second readings, and then approval was moved. The vote on final approval is not recorded but appears to have passed (no opposition noted after discussion).
- Winter Parking Ban (Ordinance 2026-221-36): A public hearing was held on amending the winter parking ban from six months to five months (November 15 to April 15). The council discussed parking issues citywide, the permit program, and enforcement. Councilor Hoffman suggested a holistic parking review. The ordinance was tabled by a 6-0 vote and then referred back to the Public Works Committee for further review.
- Short-Term Rentals (Ordinance 2026-235-41-70): The council conducted a second reading of an ordinance to restrict short-term rentals in residential zones (RS1, etc.) by requiring a variance. The city attorney and planning director confirmed legal review. Councilors debated the impact on property owners, the availability of variance relief, and potential litigation. The ordinance was supported by some councilors who argued it protects residential neighborhoods, while others opposed citing government overreach and constituent concerns. The vote on final approval is not shown in the transcript, but based on earlier committee votes and discussion, it likely passed.
- Laconia State School Development (Pillsbury Group): Kevin Smith presented the Laconia Village project on 217 acres, phased over years, with mixed-use, housing, civic space, and trails. The master plan was approved by the planning board in November 2025. Outstanding items include DOT traffic approval and sewer membership transfer. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2028. Councilors asked about traffic impact, school population projections, and energy options (natural gas not available for 7-10 years). The council requested a storyboard for public display at City Hall.
Key Outcomes
- Benjamin Pearson appointed to Building Code of Appeals (vote 6-0).
- Public hearing on Clay Street one-way scheduled for April 13, 2026 (vote 6-0).
- Resolution 2026-03 approved (health insurance rebate): $20,000 to Belknap Mill for structural repairs, $66,316 to health insurance stabilization reserve fund (vote 6-0 on first and second readings; final approval presumed passed).
- Winter parking ban ordinance tabled (vote 6-0) and referred back to Public Works Committee for further review.
- Short-term rental ordinance (second reading) moved to a vote; outcome not recorded but likely approved based on discussion.
- Laconia State School development presentation noted; council requested a display board for City Hall.
- City manager updates: Goal setting session scheduled for March 18, 2026, at 2 p.m.; social district work to resume; community power presentation on March 12, 2026; Prescott Hill Road traffic study expected by April; winter maintenance reserve overspent due to storms, will be evaluated.
- Mayor's report: Homeless subcommittee being formed; volunteers requested.
Meeting Transcript
Right, it being 7 p.m. I'd like to call the meeting to order. Uh Councilor Conan, would you like to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? And to the new Republic for which it stands under individual liberty and justice for all. Katie Gargano is our recording secretary. Would you like to call the roll, please? Sure. Councilor Hildriff. Councilor Susi. Here. Councillor Hoffman. Present. Counselor Haynes? Here. Councillor Bogart? Here. Counselor Conan. Here. Mayor boards. Here. We have as usual City Manager Kirk Biotti and Glenn Smith in the as far as staff in attendance. First up, we have the acceptance of the minutes from the previous meeting. So with no corrections to change submitted to the clerk. The minutes will be accepted as distributed. Do I have a motion? Council Conan, seconded by Councillor Bogart. All in favor. Next up, we have recommendations for appointments to the boards, uh, to boards and commissions. Would you like to speak to that, Councillor Susi? Okay, so the appointments committee has met a couple of times. We have we have a number of different applications and vacancies we need to fill over probably the next two to three council meetings, okay. Tonight we're gonna specify and would want to talk directly about the building code of appeals. Okay, we we presently have that board probably people haven't heard about it much. Okay, so it it shows how good our uh buildings and everything else staff is by keeping things in check. We have an issue that's come up. I think we've we've been well aware of the person's come in front of us. I don't know if he's here this evening or not. But uh so we had we have to fill a vacancy, and one of the reasons we have to fill a vacancy is that tomorrow night there is a meeting of the Billing Code of Appeals. Okay, and I believe Councillor Collan and we'll be there. And we one of the we would have a quorum, but one of the people is away on vacation in Florida. So we have to uh we went out and advertised, and we have two candidates that would like to bring to the council. The council have the opportunity to vote on. And uh so do we have two positions open or one? We have one that we're looking at right now. Okay. And um there's there's more than one vacancy on on that board. There's there are two positions open right now. Okay, I thought there was only one. So we have we have two people that were bringing up for uh to vote with for the council, okay. So if you want to go through those, the first one, and I think everybody has their resumes or their backgrounds, so we can go through that point.
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