City Council

Minutes were approved on 11/10/2025 by the Laconia City Council. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Interviews and Election of Mayor City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 6:00 P.M. 9/4/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Haynes called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Cheney led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Katie Gargano, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Clerk Gargano called the roll of the following city councilors: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Soucy, Councilor Hoffman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Bogert and Councilor Felch. Mayor Pro Tem confirmed that all councilors were in attendance, and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager 6. INTERVIEWS Mayor Pro Tem Haynes stated the order of the candidates on the agenda this evening was placed by the order they were received. 6.A. Interviews of candidates for Mayor A vacancy for Mayor exists due to the recent resignation of Andrew Hosmer. Applications have been accepted to fill the remainder of the Mayor’s seat on the City Council. The term expires January 1, 2026. Election of a candidate for the Mayor’s seat will occur later in the agenda under “Nominations, Appointments & Elections”. The following candidates have submitted applications: Alexander Smeaton Charlie St. Clair Michael Seymour Matthew Thomas  Charlie St. Clair Michael Seymour Matthew Thomas 6.A.i. Alexander Smeaton Withdrew his application. 6.A.ii. Charlie St. Clair Charlie St. Clair was interviewed by the City Council. 6.A.iii. Michael Seymour Withdrew his application. 6.A.iv. Matthew Thomas Matthew Thomas was interviewed by the City Council. 7. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 7.A. Election of Mayor A vacancy for Mayor exists due to the recent resignation of Andrew Hosmer. Applications have been accepted to fill the remainder of the Mayor’s seat on the City Council. The term expires January 1, 2026. Candidates were interviewed earlier in this meeting. Councilor Felch moved to elect Charlie St. Clair as Mayor to fill the remainder of former Mayor Andrew Hosmer’s term on the City Council which expires January 1, 2026. Seconded by Councilor Soucy, Discussion: Councilor Cheney thanked Mr. Thomas for applying and offering his services and he understands his interest in being able to say he was the Mayor of Laconia, at the same time he would say the main function of the mayor is managing the city council at meetings and he thinks that Charlie manages the planning board and he’d be most qualified, he greatly appreciates Mr. Thomas for applying. Councilor Soucy encourages Mr. Thomas to get involved with other city boards and commissions; we have many that need help. Councilor Bogert agrees he has worked with Mr. St. Clair a lot over the years, he appreciates his work on the planning board and he agrees him presiding over the council will be positive, Councilor Felch stated Charlie’s enthusiasm for the city is incredible, he’s been involved in so many events and he knows how to run a meeting, Councilor Hoffman thanked Charlie St. Clair for stepping forward for this and feels we’d be hard pressed to find someone else in the city who understands what is going on in the city and has his finger on the polls of public opinion more than he does, Councilor Haynes stated he agrees with Councilor Cheney. The motion passed with in all in favor. 6-0 8. Any other business that may come before the Council 9. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Pro Tem Haynes adjourned the meeting at 6:29 PM Respectfully submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk Katie Gargano, City Clerk