Laconia City Council Meeting - August 17, 2026

The Laconia City Council met on August 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The meeting included a consent calendar, public comments, interviews for a Ward 5 City Council vacancy, and authorization of a building permit. Key actions included approving minutes and a donation acceptance, appointing Julia Nye to the vacant council seat, and issuing a building permit with conditions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the July 27, 2026 meeting, distributed on August 5, 2026, were accepted as distributed with no corrections or changes. Motion by Councillor Conan, seconded by Councillor Hoffman, passed unanimously.
• Donation Acceptance (Resolution 2026-10): The council voted to schedule a public hearing on September 14, 2026, for the acceptance of a $10,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Laconia. Councillor Conan motioned, seconded by Councillor Haynes. The hearing was rescheduled due to a previously cancelled meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dean Anson (Chairman, Laconia Conservation Commission): Provided a list of major projects completed in 2025, highlighting the commission's work on updating the Natural Resource Inventory and the Natural Resource chapter of the master plan. He noted that the commission connected FB Environmental with the Water Department, leading to a grant for cyanobacteria testing, with a buoy now collecting samples.
• Greg Huff (Ward 2): Criticized councilors Hildreth and Susi for their inconsistent stance on the appointments subcommittee. He argued they defended the committee while serving on it but have voted against its recommendations since being removed. He cited specific cases, including Taylor Huff, Jane Whitehead, Archie Kelts, and Doreen Richards, noting that Richards was previously appointed unanimously by both Hildreth and Susi but one abstained and the other voted against her in the full council. He questioned whether the committee's value was genuine or based on control.
• Matt Souza (Ward 4): Publicly thanked Stephen Bogart for his service as both a state representative and city councillor.
• Sue Higgins (Ward 2): Addressed the council's rejection of Archie Kilts for the Human Relations Committee, arguing that questioning a committee's structure should not disqualify a candidate. She cited that the appointment subcommittee recommended Kilts but the full council rejected him, and noted that both Kilts (Ward 3) and her daughter Taylor Huff (Ward 2) were voted against by their own councilors. She mentioned that residents are contacting her directly instead of their elected representatives, reflecting frustration with transparency and perceived favoritism. She also highlighted that Doreen Richards, who the council nearly failed to appoint, was recently elected as chair of the planning board after only three months of service.

Discussion Items

• Interviews for Ward 5 City Council Vacancy: Four candidates were interviewed to fill the vacancy created by Stephen Bogart's resignation.
  • Sean Sullivan: A 36-year-old working professional and father of four, with generations of family in Laconia. He discussed his write-in campaign for the school board last year, winning 51 of 67 votes. He identified budget and infrastructure as key challenges, emphasizing proactive planning. He also addressed homelessness, suggesting better communication and support programs. He confirmed he would keep his school board seat if appointed.
  • Brett Bellevue: Born in New Jersey, 21 years in the military, moved to Laconia after retirement. He served on the planning board for nearly six years but stepped down due to conflicts with his surveying work. He cited the budget and homelessness as top challenges, and highlighted a parking issue: a previous proposal to shorten the winter parking ban was rejected because the council focused on overall parking solutions rather than the small fix. He suggested evaluating city-owned surplus properties for parking.
  • Mark Roy: Moved to Laconia about 50 years ago, 35 years with the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission, where he is now a governor-appointed director. He has been a coach and official for youth sports. He cited budget and safety as key issues, suggesting increased police presence and security cameras at city beaches and trails. He also mentioned collaboration with the school board to retain teachers.
  • Julia Nye: A retired attorney, resident of Ward 5 for only a couple of months (though she lived there in the 1990s). She has a law degree from the University of Connecticut, clerked for Judge Batchelder, and worked in the public defender's office. She identified communication with the public and affordable housing as key issues.

Key Outcomes

• Appointment of Mark Roy: Councillor Conan motioned to appoint Mark Roy, seconded by Councillor Hildreth. The roll call vote failed: Councillors Hildred, Susi, Hoffman, and Haynes voted no; Councillor Conan voted yes. The motion failed 4-1.
• Appointment of Julia Nye: Councillor Hildreth motioned to appoint Julia Nye, seconded by Councillor Haynes. Councillor Conan expressed concern about her short residency in the ward, but Councillor Hildreth countered that tenure was not relevant. The roll call vote passed unanimously 5-0. Julia Nye was appointed to fill the remaining term ending January 1, 2028.
• Building Permit Authorization: The council authorized a building permit for 79 Eastman Shore Road South with conditions: the project manager must review construction plans for adequate drainage, and the acknowledgment of the city's limited responsibility for the private road must be signed and recorded at the Belknap County Register of Deeds prior to permit issuance. Motion by Councillor Conan, seconded by Councillor Hoffman, passed unanimously. Councillor Conan noted that the planning board had also voted on this matter.

Additional Notes

• Councillor Susi participated by phone and apologized for his absence, indicating he would return for the next meeting.
• Councillor Haynes, as liaison to the planning board, announced a new member welcome book created by the planning board chair and planning department, available online.
• The mayor's report was deferred to the next meeting due to time constraints.