Laconia Council approves Biketemberfest fees waiver and noise extension for 2025

The City Council of Laconia, New Hampshire, convened on April 14, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including fee structures for special events and the approval of the upcoming Biketemberfest.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding the imposition of a $350 special event fee for event organizers. Councilor Haynes noted that in the past, such fees had been waived, particularly for events that contribute significantly to the local economy. Despite this, a motion to require the organizer to pay the fee was put to a vote but ultimately failed with a 4 to 2 count.

Following this, the council moved on to a temporary traffic order related to Biketemberfest, scheduled for September 12-14, 2025. The event organizer requested an extension of outdoor sound hours from 10 PM to 11 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a waiver of licensing and special event fees totaling $350. The Special Events Review Committee had previously approved the event.

Councilor Phelps made a motion to approve the temporary traffic order, including the requested waivers and extended hours. This motion received unanimous support, passing with 6 votes in favor.

In summary, the council's discussions reflected a balance between supporting local events and managing city resources, with the approval of Biketemberfest marking a significant outcome of the meeting. The council will continue to evaluate fee structures for future events as part of their ongoing budget considerations.