[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6364183,"mediaKeyId","2165157-954dfb5faeece9a0860ff2ddc1efa7e9","parentId",2165157,"title","Public safety committee recommends exploring real‑time crime center software; council told annual licensing could be about $150,000","audioSeconds",294,"startMs",1118000,"endMs",1412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165157-954dfb5faeece9a0860ff2ddc1efa7e9&start=1118&end=1412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165157-954dfb5faeece9a0860ff2ddc1efa7e9/thumbnail_1118000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364183/New-Hampshire/Public-safety-committee-recommends-exploring-realtime-crime-center-software-council-told-annual-licensing-could-be-about-150000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364183-dc136429e9f394530274909809a9c0fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775715936&Signature=Lfm6cjFxleHZGsV1tJWNMfO9ODM8X50U5aOAxuXR0yGCGZiKxqwWdLqLDf~cwJwkEO~Fzoh54znVWmdKzFP15HZEBx70JHMKmU2oSnKtH6fX0XxgJQfKW21mGS8eEL99ku2Iu5IjAtrem-UJpAqhUbyFQRlNxRHgt~kaB9Y9s4HFCpLkizhqjKZ664FYCFUhZ0bCxDpjYH3l6wv9weFWe5~kaQIVmbB7zVn-Oq6S6KI1CKNWblOnEOCvGcF9QsxaTR8N91nYIr~fR8k5x7EXpslLdVP-pThiKUxNLFAPyiFgQiFqht65~jujiqrdPffRf~GYoj1zYQYC3Z6qt8ck3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Laconia NH","date","2025-01-28T13:09:06Z","article","The Laconia Public Safety Committee reported to the City Council on Jan. 27 that it is exploring tools to support downtown patrols and strengthen the police department’s real‑time crime center.

Committee members said they heard from the police chief and police commission about two items: reinstating a more visible patrol presence downtown (including a suggestion to purchase small utility vehicles — “gators” — for patrol use) and purchasing software that would operate the planned real‑time crime center.

Committee members told the council the department already received a grant (noted during discussion as about $22,000) to outfit a room for a real‑time crime center at the police department. But the committee said the software needed to manage and analyze camera feeds and other inputs would add an ongoing cost beyond the grant. Committee members and councilors discussed an estimated annual licensing or service fee of roughly $150,000 to $150,000 per year for the software vendor the department has reviewed; committee members asked staff to arrange a demonstration of the system for the full council.

The committee noted the system can integrate private camera feeds (for example, Ring or other business/home cameras) when homeowners or businesses give permission for police access. Members emphasized that the procurement should include input from the police chief and the police commission and that the council should see a demonstration before any large recurring expense is approved.

Council discussion and next steps
Councilors asked whether the cost could be lowered by cooperative purchasing with nearby municipalities; a committee member suggested exploring joint procurement with neighboring cities. The committee recommended staff pursue a demonstration and return to the council with more detailed cost options and potential regional partnerships.

The council did not take final action on procurement; committee members asked staff to return with a demonstration and more specific cost estimates and financing options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 1/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Laconia Public Safety Committee reported to the City Council on Jan. 27 that it is exploring tools to support downtown patrols and strengthen the police department’s real‑time crime center.","taxTitle","Laconia City Council, Laconia, Belknap County, New Hampshire","taxId",68580,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364187,"Council tables casino zoning amendment after planning department presentation",275,1977000,2252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165157-954dfb5faeece9a0860ff2ddc1efa7e9&start=1977&end=2252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165157-954dfb5faeece9a0860ff2ddc1efa7e9/thumbnail_1977000.jpg","/articles/6364187/New-Hampshire/Council-tables-casino-zoning-amendment-after-planning-department-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364187-2add8612a861d1b0e9a76310e5989357/orig.mp4?Expires=1775715936&Signature=FrkQyyIoRIEO9azYeUZN3Eh0coA2WXVyezx0XoXca7Ke-jgC8gQOzzv2YBg-Dd1b8QvsUXgjDIcci6ENm-zTqF-CXhuhyyU7jIq3fqzvyfDMrCNWvxVqTHoAMKaLm~xF3LVd~nVE08RnJ4goi6I-mGUFXRcxSM-ndzWM5jZOTCN0xzmc5rYF7PSZ~Bt5YOakmlBBjALIcNC4QgtxI5gGlJAgtdr6M-Qe64MDyyInK1Wlyxp9FnJ9zwljAhHWWdprSXjtBexelUfxlYFz-EFE-zznvAkPGdaT6r7JGJ8d~QLgdyldU83cGeCgTYpEr1~P0NoBsaOpYAXQKxCUM3QH6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Laconia City Council on Jan. 27, 2025, tabled a proposed zoning ordinance (2025‑235‑13) that would add definitions and performance standards for casinos and specify where they could operate in the city.

Planning staff presented the draft amendment and recommended adding two definitions — one for “casino” and one for “games of chance” — referencing the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and RSA 287‑D (as cited in the draft). Staff proposed locating casinos only in the Commercial Resort District and treating them as conditional‑use developments subject to planning-board review and additional performance standards.

Planning presentation and proposed standards
Mr. Morris of the Planning Department told the council the proposed ordinance would add a definition of casino as “any room or structure used for conducting games of chance as defined and regulated by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission pursuant to RSA 287D,” and would allow lodging, restaurant and retail components at the same facility. He said staff also proposed a separate definition for “games of chance” and referred to state regulatory authority.

Performance standards proposed in the draft included:
- Casinos would require a conditional‑use permit from the Planning Board and must be approved by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.
- Casinos would be limited to parcels in the Commercial Resort District.
- Ingress and egress would be limited to primary arteries within that district (listed in the draft as Endicott Street East, North, or Weyers Boulevard).
- Casinos could not be located adjacent to places of worship, preschools, schools, day‑care facilities or hospitals.
- Gaming floors must be located entirely indoors; the draft also established a parking standard derived from a review of Las Vegas calculations, specifying 90 square feet of floor area per gaming space.
- Applications would need to include a traffic‑management plan, a public‑safety plan, infrastructure development plans and architectural designs for council and departmental review.

Council action and reasoning
After the presentation a councilor moved to table the ordinance until May so the city could gather more information. The motion to table passed with six votes in the affirmative. The council recorded the tabling motion as non‑debatable and set a return in May to allow additional review and materials from staff.

Public comment
During the citizens’ comment period earlier in the meeting, resident Sean Flanagan urged the council to reconsider the timing of the scheduled public hearing on casino‑related zoning changes, saying a Feb. 10 winter hearing might draw fewer seasonal residents and that Lakeside Avenue is not an appropriate location for a casino in his view. Flanagan said he would attend the Feb. 10 hearing to register concerns.

What’s next
Staff will prepare additional materials and return to the council in May. The tabling motion pauses ordinance consideration but does not withdraw the proposal; the council requested more time to evaluate zoning locations, traffic and safety implications before advancing the measure to a public hearing and any subsequent votes.","The council tabled a proposed zoning amendment that would add definitions and performance standards for casinos until May to allow more study; staff had proposed locating casinos in the Commercial Resort District with strict performance standards and conditional‑use review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364192,"Laconia council approves traffic change, applies for TAP grant, accepts donation; schedules hearings on kiosks, tire fees and road acceptances",2657,453000,3110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165157-954dfb5faeece9a0860ff2ddc1efa7e9&start=453&end=3110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165157-954dfb5faeece9a0860ff2ddc1efa7e9/thumbnail_453000.jpg","/articles/6364192/New-Hampshire/Laconia-council-approves-traffic-change-applies-for-TAP-grant-accepts-donation-schedules-hearings-on-kiosks-tire-fees-and-road-acceptances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364192-f6e26bb7e6a0dfc3c2569d7c969df305/orig.mp4?Expires=1775715936&Signature=Gku1vaDfRPXlnbVKZG9KnVlelALVJvebrDZkqdoz5EWAvqrcbDk8jLityBLb4TGniGH94MUZiwESwVqjA5RukUhwf8Sl3Ya5vbmxFAK3lvAPfZexZ35SH7wwEftec5RWzQivFqc03KLQLyhG4DVQXs48arE6qgG8ljbs6FJ8T2dqX8yGDzGzAl3b9X670r3wJyreiI0BNVNW6UvzqsV0wG10KscgHbm5iKY42kVT0bvlfQYLOkFQa4zNcRZXV4B5yW8iyzNq2NLem4Bq2I06XGwgmXOl7ADiqPjGudiOquwm9gC8Yqj4AQjfvDAuGwY7QPth-lXt4~MAxd4JHxgi~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Laconia City Council on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, approved a set of routine and project-related measures and scheduled public hearings on several budget and service items.

At the meeting the council voted to approve a change to traffic restrictions on Lexington Drive near 155 Lexington Drive, approved a council resolution to submit a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application for segments D, F, G and H of the Wild Trail Opechee Loop, accepted a $500 donation to fund planning for a firearms range for the Laconia Police Department, and scheduled public hearings on a $32,000 transfer between capital reserve funds and on proposed increases to transfer-station tire-disposal fees. The council also scheduled hearings on two petitions to accept private streets — James Avenue and Hillcrest Drive — as public highways.

The actions are mostly procedural steps to allow staff to pursue planning and funding. City Manager Kirk Biotti described the TAP application as a way to “get us into the state’s 10‑year plan of grant funding,” adding that being in the queue does not obligate the city to accept an offer if and when it is made. Biotti said the city would learn later whether the match would be cash or include in‑kind contributions and that any final acceptance would come back to council.

Key votes and next steps
- Lexington Drive traffic restrictions (Resolution 2025‑01): Council approved removing a “Do Not Enter” sign (3–4 p.m., Monday–Friday) near 155 Lexington Drive and installing a “No Through Traffic” sign for that time frame. Motion submitted by Councilor Cheney and seconded by Councilor Susi; the council recorded six votes in the affirmative. The change was adopted at second reading and final approval.

- TAP grant for Wild Trail Opechee Loop (Resolution 2025‑02): Council approved submitting a state Transportation Alternatives Program application and accepting grant funding if offered. Motion to approve was made and seconded during the meeting; the council recorded six votes in the affirmative. Manager Biotti said the estimated local match is uncertain and could include in‑kind work; he noted a roughly quoted 20% match figure during questions.

- Transfer between capital reserve funds (Resolution 2025‑03): The council authorized a first reading and scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 10, 2025, on a request to transfer $32,000 from the LED Streetlight Capital Reserve Fund to the Parking Kiosk Capital Reserve Fund to cover kiosk upgrades. The council approved waiving full reading, approved first reading, and set the Feb. 10 hearing (six votes in favor). If approved at the public hearing and by the trustees, staff will implement the transfer.

- Transfer‑station tire fees (Ordinance 2025‑194‑24): The council gave a first reading and scheduled a Feb. 10 public hearing on an ordinance to raise disposal fees to $7 for passenger tires and $13 for tires over 18 inches and to add a late fee for transfer‑station accounts. Staff said the revised fees are intended to cover the city’s costs, noting passenger‑tire handling currently breaks even while larger truck tires lag. The council approved first reading and the Feb. 10 hearing (six votes in favor).

- Donation for police firearms range: The council unanimously accepted $500 from donors John and Eleanor Tivnan to fund early planning work for a firearms range for the Laconia Police Department. The motion passed with six votes in the affirmative. Staff said the department currently uses the town of Guilford’s range for qualifications.

- Petitions to accept private roads: Council voted to schedule public hearings on April 14, 2025, to consider accepting James Avenue and Hillcrest Drive as public highways. Staff said acceptance would place the roads into the city’s maintenance queue but would not guarantee immediate repairs; James Avenue will require Planning Board layout review prior to final council action. Motions to schedule the hearing passed with six votes in favor for each street.

Procedure and context
The council repeatedly used the three‑motion sequence common for ordinance/resolution items — waive full reading, take first/second reading, and set or approve a public hearing or final vote — to move items forward for public comment and formal action. Several items (the parking kiosk transfer and tire fee changes) were advanced to public hearing rather than finalized so the public can comment before any funds are moved or fee changes adopted.

Public comment and related items
Public comments at the start of the meeting included resident John McCartell thanking Councilor Cheney for pursuing a previously raised traffic issue. Separately, Sean Flanagan urged the council to reconsider holding a public hearing on proposed zoning changes related to casinos in February, saying winter timing may reduce attendance from seasonal residents. That zoning matter was discussed separately and tabled for further review (see separate article).

What’s next
Several items return to council for Feb. 10 public hearings (parking-kiosk transfer and tire fees). The TAP grant application places the Wild Trail segments in the state queue but does not obligate the city to accept or fund the project until specifics are known. Road‑acceptance petitions will be noticed and considered at the April 14 public hearings.","At its Jan. 27 meeting the Laconia City Council approved a traffic-sign change on Lexington Drive, voted to apply for a state TAP grant for segments of the Wild Trail Opechee Loop, accepted a $500 donation for police training, and scheduled several public hearings on funding transfers, tire fees and road acceptances.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public safety committee recommends exploring real‑time crime center software; council told annual licensing could be about $150,000

Council tables casino zoning amendment after planning department presentation

Laconia council approves traffic change, applies for TAP grant, accepts donation; schedules hearings on kiosks, tire fees and road acceptances