City Council

Meeting minutes were approved by the Laconia City Council 3/9/2026. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 7:00 P.M. 2/23/2026 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bordes called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Hoffman led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Hilary Young, Assistant City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Assistant City Clerk Young called the roll of the following city councilors: Councilor Hildreth, Councilor Hoffman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Bogert and Councilor Conant. Absent: Councilor Soucy Mayor Bordes confirmed that 5 councilors were in attendance and a quorum was present. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager; Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. COUNCIL PROCLAMATION 7. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 7.A. Regular City Council meeting minutes of February 9, 2026 Minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of February 9, 2026 were distributed to members of the City Council on February 13, 2026. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Sue Higgins, Ward 2 addressed the council regarding the appointments committee. Her husband went for an interview, and he was told that this is the first time the city has more people applying than they have available on these committees. She pointed out that some residents are on multiple committees or have been on them for 25 years. She would like to see new people on these committees. Ms. Higgins stated that someone is on the planning and zoning board, and she believes this is conflict of interest. She hopes that the Appointments Committee will take these concerns into consideration. Dianna Sack, Ward 3 went to a presentation by a panel on why property taxes are so high relating to  an interview, and he was told that this is the first time the city has more people applying than they have available on these committees. She pointed out that some residents are on multiple committees or have been on them for 25 years. She would like to see new people on these committees. Ms. Higgins stated that someone is on the planning and zoning board, and she believes this is conflict of interest. She hopes that the Appointments Committee will take these concerns into consideration. Dianna Sack, Ward 3 went to a presentation by a panel on why property taxes are so high relating to school costs. They are doing another presentation on March 5 th in Gilford. She recommends going to the next presentation. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public Hearing - Ordinance 2026-235-41, 70 - Amending Chapter 235, Zoning, relative to Article VII, Supplementary Provisions, Section 235-41, Residential Accessory Uses; and Article XI, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Section 235-70, Powers and Duties of Zoning Board of Adjustment Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the February 12, 2026 issue of the Laconia Daily Sun and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Community Center, Laconia Public Library and the offices of the SAU. Mayor Bordes opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 PM. Marsha Hayward, Ward 3 and also sits on the zoning board; her comments tonight are her personal position not in reflection of the zoning board. The current language of ordinance allows a lot of out of staters to purchase homes and take them off the market for our residents. The transient nature of the ordinance with the number of days turns the neighborhood into having to police the people that rent these short-term lodges. She believes the changes presented are excellent. Carol Varney, Ward 1 voiced her support for the proposed language. She passed along remnants of fireworks that landed on her property and her abutters from an Airbnb at 11 Lewis St on July 5 th . She wants the council’s support to stop this invasion of our residential single-family district. Stephen Fay of Franklin St, his neighborhood has been in transition for many years. His neighborhood is lake front and many of the lake front houses are being purchased as second homes or Airbnb. He believes this ordinance change is a good step forward. Doug Robinson, Ward 5 is opposed to the ordinance change. He believes this is overreach and it is taking rights away from property owners. We should use the laws that are already in the books. This is supposed to be a vacation town. Diana Sack, Ward 3 spoke about her experience with an Airbnb on Gale Ave that was a nuisance to the neighborhood. She does not believe the ordinance we have in place is good enough, Kelly Dionne, Ward 3 spoke about her experience with the Airbnb on Gale Ave. She made a point that people come on vacation and stay at an Airbnb in the residential zone. The abutters are the working class and having to deal with people on vacation. Marc Burrell of 68 Warren St, he stated that the city cannot tell property owners what they can or cannot do with their property. Complaints about parties and loud noises, these issues happen even if they are not an Airbnb. He wants the city to enforce what they already have. Mayor Bordes closed the Public Hearing at 7:24 PM. 14. PRESENTATIONS  they are not an Airbnb. He wants the city to enforce what they already have. Mayor Bordes closed the Public Hearing at 7:24 PM. 14. PRESENTATIONS 14.A. Presentation/Update on Laconia Community Power Howard Plant from Freedom Energy Logistics, who is the administrator for Laconia Community Power, attended via Zoom. They have been working with the city for about a year now to find an electricity supply price that would be below the utility supply rate from Eversource. They will not launch the program unless they have a rate that is below the utility supple rate. They did secure a 7- month rate that starts on April 1 st meter reads. The rate they procured from Direct Energy is 10.286 per kw hour, compared to the Eversource rate of 11.303 per kw hour that began on February 1 st for a 6-month period. Opt-out fliers were mailed out on February 20 th . Accounts are automatically enrolled into the program; they do have an opt-out period. Anyone with a 3rd party supplier or solar generation would not be enrolled in the program but do have an option to opt-in to the program. Councilor Bogart asked what would be the opt out period from the February 20 th postcard that was sent out. Mr. Plant stated it would be March 26-27 th , before your meter reading period begins. Councilor Hildreth asked for clarification on accounts that do receive the opt-out post card that is on solar. Manager Beattie mentioned that on the Planning website page there is a link for Laconia Community Power. There is also a 10–15-minute Q&A video to watch. 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Bordes gave an update on establishing the homeless subcommittee. He interviewed several people and it is slowly coming along. He wants to make sure he has the right individuals on this panel. He had a meeting with the CEO of Concord Hospital System. He stated that Laconia Hospital is not going anywhere, they are reinvesting into Laconia this year alone into the facility. He is planning to have another meeting with them in the future. 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Conant asked if a representative from Concord Hospital would come and speak to the council and reassure us that they are here to stay. 17. COMMITTEE REPORTS 17.A. FINANCE (Councilors Soucy, Bogert and Hoffman) 17.B. PUBLIC SAFETY (Councilors Soucy, Haynes and Conant) 17.C. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Councilors Hoffman, Bogert and Conant) 17.C.i. Regulation of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses 17.C.ii. Performance Zoning 17.D. LAND & BUILDINGS (Councilors Bogert, Hildreth and Conant) 17.D.i. Downtown parking garage 17.D.ii. Repair & maintenance of City buildings 17.D.iii. Plan for the DPW Compound  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, Soucy, Bogert) 17.F. APPOINTMENTS (Councilors Soucy. Hildreth and Conant) 18. LIAISON REPORTS Councilor Hildreth gave an update on the Laconia Motorcycle Week Committee and the Parks and Recreation Commission meetings he attended. 19. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS Sue Higgins, Ward 2 asked Manager Beattie to review the winter parking ban within the city. She has no parking during the winter at her residence. With the state allowing to build with less parking spaces required, it is going to continue to be an issue. She provided 13 Cities winter parking bans to the council. She wants the council to think outside of the box by selling parking permits during the parking ban. Mark Burrell, Ward 5 asked for clarification on Laconia Community Power. Assistant Planning Director Tyler Carmichael provided clarification. 20. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 20.A. Project Updates Report Manager Beattie presented the Project Updates Report to the City Council. Questions/Comments: Councilor Hoffman asked if the Pillsbury Group was aware of the natural gas moratorium at the state school property, Manager Beattie said they are aware of it. 20.B. Monthly Economic Development Report Manager Beattie presented the Monthly Economic Development to the City Council. The Annualized CPI-U to date is 2.4% 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Resolution 2026-03 - Acceptance of unanticipated health insurance rebate in the amount of $86,316.00 and authorization to deposit said funds into the Health Insurance Stabilization Reserve Fund In January 2026 the City received Eighty-six Thousand, Three Hundred Sixteen dollars ($86,316.00) from our former health insurance provider, the New Hampshire Interlocal Trust, as a rebate of an earlier over-assessment. The City Manager seeks to deposit these funds into the Health Insurance Stabilization Reserve Fund to be used to stabilize the impact of future health insurance expenses on the City budget. Such action requires the approval of Council, after a duly warned public hearing. Fiscal Impact: Approval will bring the total funds available in the Health Insurance Stabilization Reserve to approximately Two Hundred Eighty-six Thousand, Five Hundred Forty-three dollars ($286,543.00). Councilor Bogart made a motion to waive a reading of Resolution 2026-03 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: Councilor Bogart asked if this is going  Fiscal Impact: Approval will bring the total funds available in the Health Insurance Stabilization Reserve to approximately Two Hundred Eighty-six Thousand, Five Hundred Forty-three dollars ($286,543.00). Councilor Bogart made a motion to waive a reading of Resolution 2026-03 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: Councilor Bogart asked if this is going into the insurance rating rainy day fund. Manager Beattie stated that is his recommendation. Councilor Hildreth stated he met with the Belknap Mill, and they have a serious problem with the foundation. They need to raise around $78,000, and that he would like to use $20,000 to the Belknap Mill for foundation. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 The recommended motion was to approve a first reading of Resolution 2026-03 – Acceptance of unanticipated health insurance rebate in the amount of $86,316.00 and authorization to deposit said funds into the Health Insurance Stabilization Reserve Fund. Councilor Hildreth made a motion to amend the recommended motion to give $20,000.00 to the Belknap Mill for their foundation repairs from the $86,316.00. Seconded by Councilor Bogart. Discussion: Councilor Bogart added to the amendment that the remaining $66,316.00 get deposited into the Health Insurance Stabilization Reserve Fund. Councilor Conant asked Manager Beattie if he had looked at this. Manager Beattie stated they have come to him a few times regarding this. He stated that they can have someone from their board come to the public hearing. Councilor Hildreth made a motion to approve the amendment as discussed, seconded by Councilor Bogart. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor as amended. 5-0 Councilor Conant made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on March 9, 2026 during the regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to adoption of Resolution 2026-03. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: none. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 21.B. Ordinance 2026-221-36 - Amending Article III - Parking, Standing and Stopping, Chapter 221-36 - Winter Parking Pursuant to a citizen’s request to review the City’s emergency winter parking ban, the Public Works Subcommittee discussed this matter at their February 2, 2026 meeting. A motion was made at that meeting to recommend changing the winter parking ban from November 1 to May 1 to November 15 to April 15, as reflected in the attached Ordinance. Councilor Conant made a motion to waive a reading of Ordinance 2026-221-36 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Bogart. Discussion: none. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 Councilor Conant made a motion to move a first reading of Ordinance 2026-221-36 – Amending Article III – Parking, Standing and Stopping, Chapter 221-36 – Winter Parking. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: Mayor Bordes noted that Ms. Higgins provided a handout from other communities to review. Manager Beattie stated that she provided one copy of all the other communities and he will distribute them to the council tomorrow. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 Councilor Hildreth made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on March 9, 2026 during the regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to adoption of Ordinance 2026-221-36. Seconded by Councilor Conant. Discussion: none. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0  Councilor Hildreth made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on March 9, 2026 during the regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to adoption of Ordinance 2026-221-36. Seconded by Councilor Conant. Discussion: none. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 21.C. Request to make Clay Street one way and no parking on one side of the street The Public Works Subcommittee met on February 2nd, 2026 and discussed making Clay Street one way for its entire length and making one side of the street no parking. The Subcommittee recommended this item be presented to the full Council at their February 23rd meeting with a request to schedule a Public Hearing for the April 6th, 2026 Council meeting. Clay Street is only 15 feet wide, and parking is allowed on both sides of the road. The road is much too narrow to allow for safe two-way traffic regardless of how cars are currently parking. By limiting the road to one way traffic with parking only on one side, vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic will be able to navigate the road more safely. Clay Street should be one-way from Fair Street to Bowman Street and one side, the odd numbered side, of the street should be no parking. Fiscal Impact: The estimated cost to install the necessary signs to implement these changes is $500. The cost of the signs will come from Public Works’ regulatory sign budget. Councilor Conant made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on April 6, 2026 during the regular City Council meeting. Seconded by Councilor Hilldrith. Discussion: Councilor Bogart asked if the changes could be highlighted on the map. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 21.D. 1467 Lake Shore Road, Gilford - Soil Contamination and Remediation The property at 1467 Lake Shore Road in Gilford is known to have soils and groundwater that are contaminated with petroleum related substances. These soils are in the close proximity of Black Brook, which runs through the property and ultimately terminates when it reaches Paugus Bay, the source water for Laconia’s drinking water. This site has been identified as a leaking underground storage tank (LUST) site by NH Department of Environmental Services. There are funds available through the NH Petroleum Reimbursement Fund to remove these contaminated soils and groundwater. However, there is a failing culvert through which Black Brook flows that would need to be replaced at the same time as the remediation. NH DES has stated that they will not participate in the cost of the culvert repair, and will not perform the remediation until the culvert is replaced. The culvert is on the private property of 1467 Lake Shore Road and is ultimately their responsibility to replace. As of now, they have not come forward with plans to replace the culvert. The Laconia Water Board of Commissioners have discussed this issue at multiple meetings, and have drafted a letter to be sent to NH DES and other State and Local agencies that this project concerns. The Board is seeking Council and Mayoral support for this project and would like the letter to come from the City. Fiscal Impact: At this time, there is no expected fiscal impact to the City or the Water Department. The cost of remediation would be handled through the Petroleum Reimbursement Fund. It is unknown where the funds for the culvert replacement will come from, but we would like to pursue having any combination of the following fund the replacement: Property Owner (WJK Realty), NH DES, Town of Gilford. Staff Recommendation: The Superintendent and the Board of Water Commissioners recommend sending the attached letter to the listed recipients, with the City of Laconia being the sender.  having any combination of the following fund the replacement: Property Owner (WJK Realty), NH DES, Town of Gilford. Staff Recommendation: The Superintendent and the Board of Water Commissioners recommend sending the attached letter to the listed recipients, with the City of Laconia being the sender. Councilor Conant made a motion to authorize Kirk Beattie, City Manager, on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, to send the attached letter of support regarding soil contamination and remediation at 1467 Lake Shore Road in Gilford, NH, to the NH Department of Environmental Services and any other state and local agencies this project concerns. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: Mayor Bordes is very concerned about this and believes we need to approach is head on. Councilor Conant has been attending the Water Commission meetings, it seems to him that this issue has been put aside, he believes the city needs to be proactive before they need to become reactive. Mayor Bordes wants to send this letter to federal representatives, including the governors office. Councilor Hoffman questions if there is a standard legal recourse for this. The owner should be responsible for this. Councilor Bogart asked if there were test bores. Manager Beattie stated they have them on site. Superintendent Ben Crawford gave background to the site. They have eight monitoring wells on site. The levels have decreased over time, but the levels are still 90 times over what they should be. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22.A. Ordinance 2026-235-41, 70 - Amending Chapter 235, Zoning, Relative to Article VII, Supplementary Provisions, Section 235-41, Residential Accessory Uses; and Article XI, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Section 235-70, Powers and Duties of Zoning Board of Adjustment This proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance is intended to address conflicting and confusing language within the short-term lodging regulations. The City’s legal counsel has drafted the proposed language in accordance with state law and recent NH Supreme Court decisions. This proposed language includes better defined performance standards and requirements to allow for greater enforcement. Additionally, after further discussion with legal counsel, the Special Exception application will be updated by the Planning Department to require applicants to sign and acknowledge their obligation to comply with the requirements for Short-Term Lodging as outlined in the City Code. In accordance with Article XIV of the Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Board held a public hearing on and unanimously approved the proposed Ordinance at its November 3, 2025 meeting. At the February 9, 2026 City Council meeting a motion was approved to schedule a Public Hearing on this matter; that Public Hearing was held earlier this evening. Councilor Hildreth made a motion to refer Ordinance 2026-235-41, 70 in its entirety with the proposed changes made by the City Council to the Planning Board for their review and approval. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: Mayor Bordes is not in favor of this. He believes it is not the city’s job to tell property owners what they can do with their property. Councilor Bogart agrees with the removal from the Residential Single (RS) district. We have zones within the city that these are allowed. RS is the backbone of the city and deserves to have their peace and quiet within their home. There is a shortage of housing and believes these homes should be for long term housing. These neighborhoods were not built for weekend hotels. Mayor Bordes stated that someone has been using their property as an Airbnb but has never had complaints on noise.  within the city that these are allowed. RS is the backbone of the city and deserves to have their peace and quiet within their home. There is a shortage of housing and believes these homes should be for long term housing. These neighborhoods were not built for weekend hotels. Mayor Bordes stated that someone has been using their property as an Airbnb but has never had complaints on noise. Councilor Bogart asked if the city is grandfathering owners that are already permitted in this area. Planning Director Mora stated that anyone who is already permitted in the RS zone will be grandfathered. Councilor Hildreth stated this is not strictly a problem of partying and noise. They change the makeup of the neighborhood. Takes property off the market and affects the value of your own home. Director Mora stated that when they amended the zoning ordinance for ADU’s last year, they did prohibit them from short term lodging. Manager Beattie asked Director Mora to explain to the council what the next steps are once this is approved tonight. Councilor Hoffman mentioned that not only does this control where in the city short term rentals are, but also non-owner-occupied short-term rentals are. The owner-occupied short-term rentals have less issues compared to non-owner-occupied rentals. With the ordinance being tightened up, he believes the changes are perfect now. Councilor Conant asked Director Mora if anyone that owns property can do a rental with special exception. Director Mora stated anyone that is not in the RS district can request a special exception that is owner occupied. Councilor Conant clarified that in the proposed ordinance we changed the rental period from 15 days to 28 days. Owner must live there for a minimum of 150 days and maximum days they can rent it for no more than 120 days. Councilor Bogart wanted clarification on no special exceptions in the RS district. Director Mora stated they would need a variance. Councilor Conant stated they can still rent their homes for long term. The motion passed with four in favor. 4-1 Councilor Conant was opposed. 23. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 24. Any other business that may come before the Council 25. NON-PUBLIC SESSION (According to RSA 91-A:3, II) 26. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bordes adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM. Respectfully submitted, Hilary Young, Assistant City Clerk