City Council

Minutes were approved on August 11, 2025, by the Laconia City Council. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 7:00 P.M. 7/28/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Mayor Hosmer led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Katie Gargano, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Clerk Gargano called the roll of the following Councilors: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Soucy, Councilor Hoffman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Bogert and Councilor Felch. Mayor Hosmer confirmed that all six councilors were in attendance, and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager; Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. COUNCIL PROCLAMATION 7. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 7.A. City Council regular meeting minutes of July 14, 2025 Minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of July 14, 2025 were distributed to members of the City Council on July 22, 2025. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 8.A. Temporary Traffic Order 2025-14 - Belknap Mill Sock Hop request to reserve parking This year’s “Sock Hop in Rotary Park” will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025. In connection with the event the Belknap Mill has requested that a total of 24 reverse angled parking spots on Beacon Street East as shown on the attached map with the agenda be reserved for the event as detailed in TTO 2025-14. This is a recurring event with no significant changes from previous years’ events. The Belknap Mill was asked to notify business owners who might be affected by the closure of the parking spaces requested to be reserved. They have emailed Fit Focus to make them aware of the parking restrictions that will be in place.  TTO 2025-14. This is a recurring event with no significant changes from previous years’ events. The Belknap Mill was asked to notify business owners who might be affected by the closure of the parking spaces requested to be reserved. They have emailed Fit Focus to make them aware of the parking restrictions that will be in place. The “Sock Hop in Rotary Park” will close out the Arts in the Park summer series and will feature the Rockin’ Daddios and a full band, a radio station with a live broadcast, and vintage 50s/60s vehicles. The parking spaces on Beacon St. East are necessary to accommodate some of the vintage vehicles as well as vehicles related to the band and the radio station. Councilor Haynes made a motion to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2025-14 relating to the request by The Belknap Mill to reserve parking spaces in connection with the “Sock Hop in Rotary Park” as requested. Seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 8.B. Temporary Traffic Order 2025-15 - Acton Academy Children's Business Fair The Acton Academy students and supporters will again be holding a Children’s Business Fair in the City Hall parking lot on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This is a recurring event with no changes. Councilor Haynes made a motion to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2025-15 for the Acton Academy Children’s Business Fair, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Patrick Wood, Ward 1, Vice Chair of the Laconia Housing Commission. Let the council know there are representatives that are on their way to give an update on the Congregate Housing program funding for the Laconia Housing Authority. Cathy Bowler & Johnathan Fields of the Laconia Housing Authority gave an update on the Congregate Housing Program. Currently, they currently have been awarded $750k for 18 months. So far, they have spent 350k. This funding had been taken out of the next state budget, but they met with people at the state house, and Senator Lang had been able to add the $700k back into the budget. This funding is enough for only 1 city and there are currently 2 cities in the state who utilize this program. It will be awarded to Laconia or Manchester. They are seeking a letter of support from the City Council that they can send in with their application. Chad Pazzo, owner of the Mini-Winni boat charter company asked the Council to reconsider the sign that states there is a $100 fine for commercial boats dropping off patrons to the weirs. They do not loiter at the docks, they don’t have staff at the docks, they are in and out dropping and picking people up and it is good for businesses in the Weirs. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 14. PRESENTATIONS 14.A. Nate Guerette, Assistant Public Works Director - Asset Management Grant Program through DES 14. PRESENTATIONS 14.A. Nate Guerette, Assistant Public Works Director - Asset Management Grant Program through DES Why they are here: they received a grant from NH DES of $90,000.00. This is the final update for the grant requirement to seek reimbursement. The award breakdown was $80,000 for a consultant and $10,000 for technology. They developed this plan because the city is responsible for aging infrastructure, limited budgets, regulatory complexity, and rising expectations and regulations. This plan introduces a structed proactive, transparent approach to managing infrastructure which is geared towards maximizing taxpayer value and meeting service goals sustainably. The plan provides a roadmap how the DPW will manage wastewater and stormwater assets using best practices. Key Pillars: Level of service, inventory, condition and performance, risk and criticality, life cycle costing. Over the next two years they aim to centralize data and tracking systems, tie capital planning to service and risk, enhance public transparency, formalize performance tracking and maintenance cycle. The $10,000.00 in grant money for technology was used for a new “pole Camera” to view directly into pipes. 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Skipped 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Cheney wants to know a status report on Rollercoaster Rd, Manager Beattie confirmed it is back in court. He’d like to know the progress of the Solar Panels in the Weirs over the capped land fill. Manager Beattie said he believes it is almost complete. He wants to ask the historic district commission about buildings in the weirs like the veteran’s project. Councilor Haynes stated he is on the Heritage Commission as the council liaison, and they need to create a new Historic district in the Weirs. Councilor Cheney also had a question about resident only parking in the weirs, and to ask DPW to expand the number of Handicap parking spaces at Endicott Rock Park beach. 17. COMMITTEE REPORTS 17.A. FINANCE (Soucy, Cheney and Hoffman) 17.A.i. WOW Trail Funding 17.A.ii. Downtown TIF Financing 17.B. PUBLIC SAFETY (Cheney (Chair), Soucy and Felch) 17.C. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Haynes, Felch, Cheney) 17.C.i. Regulation of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses 17.C.ii. Proposed Historic Overlay District 17.C.iii. Performance Zoning  17.C.i. Regulation of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses 17.C.ii. Proposed Historic Overlay District 17.C.iii. Performance Zoning 17.C.iv. Time frame for demolition permits 17.D. LAND & BUILDINGS (Bogert, Haynes, Felch) 17.D.i. Downtown parking garage 17.D.ii. Repair & maintenance of City buildings 17.D.iii. Plan for the DPW Compound 17.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Haynes (Chair), Hoffman, Soucy) 17.E.i. Retaining Wall Policy 17.E.ii. Discussion for converting from a manual to an automated solid waste curbside collection service 17.F. APPOINTMENTS (Councilors Soucy (Chair), Cheney and Haynes) 18. LIAISON REPORTS 19. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS No one from the public wished to speak. 20. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 20.A. Project Updates Report Manager Beattie presented the project updates report to the City Council. Community power gave an update to the city manager, they have been going out to bid and are still not below the Eversource rate, Councilor Hoffman asked about the required public informational session that needs to be held. 20.B. Monthly Economic Development Report Manager Beattie presented the monthly economic development report to the City Council. 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Temporary Traffic Order 2025-13 - Rev, White & Brew Fest Antique/Classic Car Show Defiant Records will be presenting their fourth annual antique/classic car show in the downtown area on Friday evening, August 15, 2025. The event will run from 4 pm to 8 pm, and is being held in conjunction with NH Vintage Vinyl’s Concerts on Canal series (which has been previously approved by the City Council). The organizer of this event is requesting closure of Main Street beginning at its intersection with Hanover Street and continuing to its intersection with Church Street. This location will be used for the display of antique/classic cars. In addition, a barricade will be placed at the Main Street/Beacon St. E/Beacon St. W intersection to prevent large tractor trailer trucks and other oversize vehicles from having to make a sharp turn to detour onto Hanover Street. They are also requesting the closure of the Main Street parking lot. Please refer to the map attached to the agenda. Closures are requested  The organizer of this event is requesting closure of Main Street beginning at its intersection with Hanover Street and continuing to its intersection with Church Street. This location will be used for the display of antique/classic cars. In addition, a barricade will be placed at the Main Street/Beacon St. E/Beacon St. W intersection to prevent large tractor trailer trucks and other oversize vehicles from having to make a sharp turn to detour onto Hanover Street. They are also requesting the closure of the Main Street parking lot. Please refer to the map attached to the agenda. Closures are requested to begin at 2:00 pm to allow time for vehicles to clear out in all locations. The organizers have contacted downtown businesses who may be affected by the street closure and reserving of parking spaces. The Special Events Review Committee approved this event at their July 2, 2025 meeting. The organizer of the event is requesting a waiver of City fees; if waiver of the fees is not approved, the fee would be $200. Councilor Hoffman made a motion to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2025-13 for the Rev, White & Brew Fest Antique/Classic Car Show to be held August 15, 2025 from 4 pm to 8 pm, and to waive City fees associated with the event. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.B. Request authorization to use $85,289.00 in impact fee revenues to replace a failed sewer line at the Laconia High School A sewer line in the oldest section of Laconia High School recently failed, resulting in sewage backing up into classrooms. The School District requests that impact fees be used to repair this line. The work will include demolition of 130 feet of hallway, removal of the old cast iron pipe and replace it with PVC, and replace the flooring disrupted for this project. Fiscal Impact: Approval of this request will reduce the impact fees available for school department expenses by $85,289.00, leaving a balance of $130,564.36. Councilor Haynes made a motion to authorize the use of $85,289.00 in impact fee revenues to replace a failed sewer line at the Laconia High School, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: Councilor Haynes asked if there is a contingency fund. Councilor Hoffman asked if this is something that is typically funded by impact fees. Diane stated it is all they have to work with. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.C. Request to appoint Ward 4 Ward Clerk On May 14, 2025, Melanie Clark resigned as Ward Clerk in Ward 4. Moderator Carol Nordquist and the City Clerk contacted Roxanne Arruda and asked her if she would be willing to take on the role and she agreed. Roxanne has worked for several years in Ward 4 as a Ballot Clerk. Her appointment will be for the remainder of the term until December 2025. According to Chapter C, Article II Section 2:05 all vacancies occurring in the office of Moderator, Ward Clerk or Selectman shall be filled by the City Council. Councilor Haynes made a motion to appoint Roxanne Arruda as the Ward 4 Ward Clerk with her term expiring December 31, 2025. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.D. Petition to accept Thompson Avenue as a public highway The City has received a petition to layout Thompson Ave as a public highway. All of the property owners have provided the necessary easements to accept Thompson Ave as a public highway. Copies of all easements received from the abutting property owners are attached. Because the Planning Board has not previously approved a plat for Thompson Ave, a road plat for Thompson Ave will need to be reviewed by the Planning Board prior to coming to City Council. As The City has received a petition to layout Thompson Ave as a public highway. All of the property owners have provided the necessary easements to accept Thompson Ave as a public highway. Copies of all easements received from the abutting property owners are attached. Because the Planning Board has not previously approved a plat for Thompson Ave, a road plat for Thompson Ave will need to be reviewed by the Planning Board prior to coming to City Council. As part of this layout process, a plat has been prepared by the City. The plat is scheduled to be reviewed by the Planning Board on August 5, 2025. Pursuant to RSA 674:40 III, if approved by the Planning Board, the layout need only be approved by a majority vote of those Councilors present and voting at a regular or special meeting; or If disapproved by the Planning Board, the plat will require approval of at least 2/3 of those present and voting at a regular or special meeting. Following the Planning Board meeting, the City will need to send notice by registered mail to all property owners and any mortgagors at least 30 days prior to a scheduled public hearing; Public Works recommends that the City Council schedule a public hearing on September 8, 2025, to consider the petition. This will ensure staff has sufficient time to notify all property owners to include their mortgage companies. After the public hearing, the City Council as part of the deliberative process to determine whether to accept the road must consider the following factors: a. Integration with the existing road system; b. Ease City’s existing traffic; c. Improvement to the convenience of traffic; d. Facilitation of transportation for school children; e. Improved accessibility to business districts and employment centers; f. Improved accessibility for fire, police and other emergency services; g. Whether it would benefit a significant portion or just a small fraction of the City’s tax base or year- round residents; h. Anticipated frequency of road use. The public interest as defined above is balanced against the burden to the City if the petition is granted. These burdens include things such as anticipated construction and on-going maintenance costs pertaining to the road itself, as well as the impact on the City’s infrastructure due to municipal growth as a result of the increased traffic on the road. The City must determine the value of the damages for “taking” the right of way for those property owners who did not provide easements, if any. A dissatisfied landowner who opposes the lay-out of the road has the right of appeal to the Superior Court if the appeal is filed within 60 days. The City determines the value of damages for those landowners opposed to the Petition: · The value of the land is determined by an impartial appraiser or multiple appraisals if the landowner wants to have their own impartial appraisal done; · Reasonable efforts to negotiate with the landowner · A written notice of the offer with the basis of the offer must be made public and served by certified mail. If the offer is accepted, transfer and the payment must be complete within 30 days absent an agreed  · Reasonable efforts to negotiate with the landowner · A written notice of the offer with the basis of the offer must be made public and served by certified mail. If the offer is accepted, transfer and the payment must be complete within 30 days absent an agreed upon extension. If the offer is not accepted, the Council can move to a “declaration of taking” under RSA 498-A:5 to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals (“BTLA”) or the owner can appeal the amount of damages only to the BTLA. Fiscal Impact: Public Works’ estimate of the fiscal impact of accepting Thompson Ave as a public highway follows: · The cost of the return or the court action. · Increase in the annual maintenance costs until the City paves the road is estimated to be $7,500 · The backlog of road projects will increase by $24,000. Councilor Cheney made a motion to schedule a public hearing on September 8, 2025, to receive input from abutting property owners and City residents on accepting Thompson Ave as a public highway. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.E. A resident's request to lower the speed limit on Busiel Street, Edgewater Avenue and Lewis Street Councilor Cheney received a request from a resident on Edgewater Avenue requesting that the speed limit on Busiel Street, Edgewater Avenue, and Lewis Street be lowered from 30 mph to 25 mph. The resident’s concern is vehicles speeding on these roads, with many children and residents walking along or crossing these roads to access Lake Opechee. The roads are inside the City’s urban compact zone; therefore, under State law the speed limit on the road is 30 mph unless the City Council approves a lower speed limit based on an engineering study. Under state law the lowest speed limit the City Council can approve is 25 mph. The following is the Public Works Department’s analysis: · Busiel, Edgewater and Lewis are effectively one street. · The width of the three streets vary between 21 and 29 feet. · The stopping sight distance criteria for 25 mph is 155 feet. · The stopping sight distance criteria for 30 mph is 200 feet. · The 90-degree corner at the Lewis/ Edgewater intersection restricts the line of sight to less than 155 feet. · The road does not have sidewalks and has limited to no shoulders. Thus, pedestrians must walk in the travel way. · On street parking is permitted. Fiscal Impact: The estimated cost to install the necessary signs to implement this speed zone is $300. The cost of the signs will come from the Public Works’ regulatory sign budget. Councilor Cheney made a motion that the City Council approve a 25 mph speed limit on Busiel Street, Edgewater Avenue, and Lewis Street. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: Councilor Bogert believes that the public hasn’t been given an adequate opportunity to speak for or against it.  Fiscal Impact: The estimated cost to install the necessary signs to implement this speed zone is $300. The cost of the signs will come from the Public Works’ regulatory sign budget. Councilor Cheney made a motion that the City Council approve a 25 mph speed limit on Busiel Street, Edgewater Avenue, and Lewis Street. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: Councilor Bogert believes that the public hasn’t been given an adequate opportunity to speak for or against it. Councilor Haynes feels. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.F. Resolution 2025-26 - Relative to accepting an award in the amount of $41,765.00 from the New Hampshire Department of Safety for various Highway Safety Grants Highway Safety funds are used to supplement Police Patrols with specific funds used for specific Highway Safety patrols. Grants have been awarded as follows: Speed Enforcement $ 12,000.00 DUI $ 12,000.00 Distracted Driving $ 4,000.00 Ped Bike $ 5,000.00 Join the Clique $ 850.00 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over $ 2,000.00 In car radar $ 2,565.00 Comm Outreach Betterment $ 2,500.00 Distracted Driving $ 850.00 TOTAL $ 41,765.00 DWI, Distracted Driving, Speed, and Pedestrian Bike are all specific patrols to focus on the areas of concern for Highway Safety. The Laconia Police use the funds provided to pay Officers’ overtime rate for 4-6 blocks of enforcement under a particular grant. The Speed Equipment grant is for equipment in the enforcement of speed or other motor vehicle violations, as well as tracking patterns or traffic volume in a certain area. The other grants, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Seatbelt Safety, are smaller specific grants with specialized dates. These funds all have matching requirements that the Laconia Police Department easily meets with the other equipment and patrols we do. These grants were included in the FY26 anticipated grant list and were given a public hearing in relation to Resolution 2025-21 on June 23, 2025. Fiscal Impact: None – The required match of $10,655.00 will be met using funds previously appropriated by the City Council. Councilor Cheney made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-26 relative to accepting an award in the amount of $41,765.00 from the New Hampshire Department of Safety for various Highway Safety Grants, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: Councilor Cheney said he had a conversation with the chief today that they will probably see in tomorrow’s paper how busy they were over the weekend. These funds are very necessary to keep up the enforcement. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS  conversation with the chief today that they will probably see in tomorrow’s paper how busy they were over the weekend. These funds are very necessary to keep up the enforcement. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22.A. Resolution 2025-25 - Relative to proposed amendments to the Laconia City Charter to amend Sections 2:02, 2:03, 2:06 and 3:05 The City Clerk is proposing several potential Laconia City Charter changes to be included on the ballot for the November 2025 Municipal Election. Below is a summary of the proposed changes; detailed information is included in the information attached: ? Amend Section 2:02 correcting the Supervisor of the Checklist session meeting time ? Repeal Section 2:03 in the City Charter as it is redundant to Section 2:02 ? Amend Section 2:06 removing the requirement to hold a Municipal Primary Election ? Amend Section 2:06 changing the date for the filing period for Municipal Elections ? Amend Section 3:05 changing the City Council meeting start time The proposed changes were reviewed by the City’s legal counsel. A Public Hearing on this matter was held at the July 14, 2025 City Council meeting. Also at the July 14, 2025 City Council meeting it was requested that the proposed amendment language be separated to allow the items to be voted on separately. A motion was approved to table this agenda item Fiscal Impact: Estimated savings of $5,000 would be realized if the Municipal Primary Election was eliminated. These savings would include the cost of programming ballot counting devices, printing of ballots, programming of accessible voting tablets, personnel, postage for absentee ballots and food for election workers. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the proposed changes be included on the ballot for the November 2025 Municipal Election. Councilor Felch made a motion to take this item off the table. Seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch made a motion to approve amending Section 2:02 of the City of Laconia Charter to reflect the language contained in NH RSA 654:27 in connection with Supervisor of the Checklist sessions. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Soucy made a motion to approve repealing Section 2:03 of the City of Laconia Charter (Section 2:03 contains redundant information that is contained in Section 2:02).” Seconded by Councilor Cheney Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Proposed Motion: “I move to repeal the provisions of Section 2:06 of the Laconia City Charter pertaining to municipal primary elections when three or more declarations of candidacy are filed for the offices of Mayor and  The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Proposed Motion: “I move to repeal the provisions of Section 2:06 of the Laconia City Charter pertaining to municipal primary elections when three or more declarations of candidacy are filed for the offices of Mayor and Ward Councilors. This would eliminate municipal primary elections in Laconia for Mayor and City Council.” No motion. Councilor Felch made a motion to amend Section 2:06 of the Laconia City Charter to change the filing period for municipal elections from the first Wednesday in August to the first Wednesday in July. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman, Discussion: Councilor Felch would like to amend it to start on the seconded Wednesday, so it doesn’t conflict with the 4 th of July holiday. Councilor Felch made a motion amend the motion for the filing period to start on the seconded Wednesday of July by Councilor Felch seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: None. The motion passed as amended with all in favor. 6-0 Proposed Motion: “I move to amend Section 3:05 of the Laconia City Charter to change the City Council meeting time from 7:00 pm to 6:00 pm.” No motion Councilor Hoffman made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-25 relative to proposed amendments to the Laconia City Charter to amend Sections 2:02, 2:03, 2:06 as further amended. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: None. The motion passed as amended with all in favor. 6-0 23. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 23.A. Master Plan 23.B. Milfoil Treatment funding requests 23.C. Sewer & Water Master Plan 23.D. Single Stream Recycling/Concord Co-op/Solid Waste disposal cost reductions 23.E. Strategic Planning/Goal Setting 23.F. WOW Trail 23.G. Weirs Beach Restoration Project 23.H. Fair St/Court St traffic problems and accidents 24. Any other business that may come before the Council 25. NON-PUBLIC SESSION (According to RSA 91-A:3, II) Councilor Hoffman made a motion to go into nonpublic session according to RSA 91-A:3 (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community. Seconded by Councilor Haynes Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney- Yes Councilor Soucy- Yes Councilor Hoffman-Yes Councilor Haynes- Yes Councilor Bogert- Yes Councilor Felch- Yes  By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney- Yes Councilor Soucy- Yes Councilor Hoffman-Yes Councilor Haynes- Yes Councilor Bogert- Yes Councilor Felch- Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 The nonpublic session began at 8:29 PM. Councilor Bogert made a motion to return to public session. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney- Yes Councilor Soucy- Yes Councilor Hoffman- Yes Councilor Haynes- Yes Councilor Bogert- Yes Councilor Felch- Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 The public session was reconvened at 8:32 PM. Councilor Bogert made a motion to seal the minutes for 6 months. Seconded by Councilor Felch Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney- Yes Councilor Soucy- Yes Councilor Hoffman- Yes Councilor Haynes- Yes Councilor Bogert- Yes Councilor Felch- Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 26. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 8:37 PM. Respectfully submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk