[{"_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",6216549,"mediaKeyId","3651001-7d22bdc05e82f3df65b0013a72ab9c42","parentId",3651001,"title","Sewer fund pressures: Winnipesaukee basin replacement bill, new EPA permit and ordinance updates discussed","audioSeconds",197,"startMs",4872000,"endMs",5069000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3651001-7d22bdc05e82f3df65b0013a72ab9c42&start=4872&end=5069","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3651001-7d22bdc05e82f3df65b0013a72ab9c42/thumbnail_4872000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6216549/New-Hampshire/Sewer-fund-pressures-Winnipesaukee-basin-replacement-bill-new-EPA-permit-and-ordinance-updates-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216549-1ab537c05708a405dc3c6e898cc8b634/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581003&Signature=iiSAe4YSle0bDFBe2iG28470BxsY4ncf9f-0-v~oBsmHY5DTxArsq4P~Sq4WN7VVLn8fzFkoIZQc85e7psbTv-NzniVYgwr~9VpKpAa2HKMsa4Y6BAqJw~-TCN8lUztPejghEdRijTgCPYHoukdSDoFkPUne751l~67rGkqMqQt~ZFY3H6lsmOdg2TAsvsOKK9O2Vhweziuam6WeNV7jnxmpJ6WgmsY54E4KkyucOu-D2TO2mnORb~7E2M-XpxTRvWZBPJLWgd0iS1KVNiQn6UYD0tMaytiLRd8kDBTMpS6HxnpdwbxlNRXjOne5QggVzCMqV95A~R8Box9DQGNafQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Laconia NH","date","2025-06-03T12:00:16Z","article","Public works staff briefed the City Council on changes to sewer cost allocations, a contentious replacement fund bill from the Winnipesaukee River Basin program, and an upcoming update to the city’s sewer ordinance.

Nate Gurett and Wes Anderson explained the basin program’s replacement‑fund recalculation and how it affected the city’s share. Gurett said the basin program’s asset valuation used in the replacement calculation rose to about $360 million, and the program is applying a 5 percent per‑year calculation over 10 years to reach a target of roughly $16 million in the replacement fund. He said that change produced a substantially larger bill for member communities; the basin program’s November/December invoice approached $750,000 due on receipt, compared with the prior year bill of about $165,000 that Laconia paid.

Gurett described several causes and adjustments: the basin program revised meter locations and counts in some service areas (affecting Guilford flows), the city’s inflow and infiltration (I&I) reductions and lining work lowered some allocations, and historical meter placement errors in a Guilford metered location undercounted southern Guilford flows for years. Where Guilford previously appeared to be contributing a small share to certain pump station costs, corrected metering now shows a substantially higher Guilford share for the south route; the city has been working with engineers to present a revised cost‑sharing analysis to Guilford.

Gurett said the basin program’s replacement fund methodology is “by statute” and that the program’s total calculated asset value yields the 5 percent over 10 years figure; he and staff have met with basin program staff and will continue to pursue a more reasonable allocation and clearer accounting. Councilors discussed whether communities should pay immediately, negotiate, or hold the bill; the council did not adopt a payment decision at the presentation.

Staff also reviewed recent regulatory and program changes: a new EPA permit returned in July with updated language, and the basin program now requires an adaptation plan to identify assets in flood zones and other climate‑related vulnerabilities. Private sewer system oversight language will be included in the updated city sewer ordinance, and staff said they will propose changes to the sewer development fee structure (the current fee cited in the presentation is $1,600 per connection) so fees are more proportionate to project size and impacts.

On capital projects, Gurett cited completed and ongoing work: the Hillcrest pump station upgrade is finished and commissioned; Briarcrest force main alternatives such as pipe bursting could save about $225,000 versus an open cut estimate of roughly $450,000; the White Oaks public‑private sewer extension is proceeding in phases, with phase 1 scheduled to be binder‑paved for Bike Week and later completed in subsequent phases.

Gurett said the sewer fund operates largely as a net‑zero budget but that under the assumption the city would pay the basin program replacement request in full the sewer fund would be about $150 in the red (presented amount was $150,000 in the red — staff noted this depends on how the basin replacement request is resolved). Councilors asked for follow‑up information and requested staff continue negotiations with the basin program and DES representatives.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Budget Meeting 6/2/25","oneSentenceSummary","City sewer staff told councilors a new basin replacement‑fund calculation and higher flow readings have driven a large bill from the Winnipesaukee River Basin program; staff also previewed an update to the sewer ordinance and a planned change to development fees.","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},6216555,"Public works warns of $23.5M road backlog; council weighs fee, bonding and program options",1741,1553000,3294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3651001-7d22bdc05e82f3df65b0013a72ab9c42&start=1553&end=3294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3651001-7d22bdc05e82f3df65b0013a72ab9c42/thumbnail_1553000.jpg","/articles/6216555/New-Hampshire/Public-works-warns-of-235M-road-backlog-council-weighs-fee-bonding-and-program-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216555-895c4d699e99816256ddbb9fc7da28ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581003&Signature=GqOMy~Cd6vGfwceSrRrAR-r51hD3OGT~znuDOV6r2zHWW~8Ye2iqYzhiHJeLMKqFvUefRNHs7siIeNWm-FoHFGTZ-wPLNEXK7eMt5bz42k2QjC-~jXnHkdkd6DeHX0pQ45834id5VX3SqXDK6XPrHmEKhhubSt1qw0u2WBbp2Cc0fflOY2xevD7BkgcI~TGteP70QzGUZE4g8c3ucYK6MJDpqfWTbQdX1EGjsDWgApEN3B0NNW5PKKZY8PGDt7HpaRgoOT6kgMVro8arlcvM69xe7SJOHs2jX0gd2YSwwswV7DQZIZR8OaV4JcRXdw3GFw2-IaTm3xLTKLPb6XVcig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wes Anderson, Laconia’s director of public works, told the City Council that the department’s capital and operating budgets must grapple with an expanding road maintenance backlog, equipment aging and staffing shortages during the FY26 budget presentation.

Anderson said the city’s estimated backlog for reclaiming/ reconstruction is $12.3 million and another $11.2 million for overlays and shims, for a total backlog of about $23.5 million. He told the council the annual funding needed “to keep good roads good,” measured as milling and overlay cycles, is roughly $2.5 million to $2.8 million a year; the city manager’s recommended annual road program for the coming year is $1 million.

Anderson summarized project and funding needs and potential responses: increase the annual road program, develop a multi‑year bond program, consider charter exemptions for a more aggressive funding approach, decline to accept additional private roads in current condition, convert selected low‑use roads to gravel, or a combination of these options. He told councilors the practical impact of deferring work is visible in roads such as Hilliard Road, whose condition deteriorated during winter and required a more extensive reclamation when the bridge work is performed nearby.

On winter operations and materials, Anderson said the city’s salt purchase last year was $78.15 per ton, and the recent cooperative bid low was $80 per ton with a high of $160 per ton. He described a winter stipend program (November 1–March 31) of $100 per week to keep staff available for on‑call winter duties and said recruiting remains difficult: he had been short several positions but recently hired one high‑school graduate who sought CDL training funded by the city.

Anderson also described solid waste and recycling challenges at the transfer station. He said the city currently receives about $105 per ton from fees while paying about $111.53 per ton for disposal, creating an “optic problem” where haulers may be paying less than the actual disposal cost. For construction and demolition debris, Anderson said the city is charging $170 per ton while disposal costs were about $128.14 per ton; he said construction and demolition tonnage is projected to finish the year between 7,100 and 7,300 tons. Household waste and recycling totals through the facility were presented at roughly 13,500 tons and about 1,000 tons of recycling year‑to‑date.

Anderson said single‑stream recycling costs fluctuate with commodity markets; processing costs rose to approximately $150 per ton at one point and have recently been about $113 per ton. He noted that municipalities’ recycling loads typically go to regional materials recovery facilities in Massachusetts.

Councilors and the mayor framed the problem as both local and structural. A councilor described Laconia as “a tourist economy” that does not receive proportional state funding to cover infrastructure wear tied to visitors, and urged prioritizing impact fee policy and other revenue options. Another councilor asked for a revisit of transfer‑station pricing and suggested adjusting fees so hauling and disposal do not operate at a loss; Anderson recommended holding a $10 per ton under‑100‑pound exemption steady for multiple years while raising hauler rates and making fees automatic adjustments tied to disposal cost.

Anderson also reviewed capital equipment needs, noting new emissions and upfitting costs for vehicles and a likely need for a larger equipment bond (he estimated around $900,000 at some point to replace aging fleet components) to replace older units that are becoming unsafe.

No formal votes were taken at the presentation. Councilors asked staff to return with comparative historical road funding, and several signaled support for a more formal plan to address the backlog and for beginning discussions on fee policy changes.

","Director of Public Works Wes Anderson told the council the city faces a multi‑million dollar backlog for road repairs, rising winter maintenance and equipment costs, staffing shortages and a transfer-station pricing mismatch that is subsidizing haulers.",{"_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},6216559,"Library bond update, program statistics highlight Laconia budget discussion",110,316000,426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3651001-7d22bdc05e82f3df65b0013a72ab9c42&start=316&end=426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3651001-7d22bdc05e82f3df65b0013a72ab9c42/thumbnail_316000.jpg","/articles/6216559/New-Hampshire/Library-bond-update-program-statistics-highlight-Laconia-budget-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216559-1b640fa818eb8a09296111f43810cb20/orig.mp4?Expires=1773581003&Signature=g36wo-EQyjSXXNBz3rB0FcW7IWNTSnEbebj9gUN7KYb7R~TrdDBeBWpOBlYz5MaihWpBT2Cbhv6IMwmNFBvdM-eVkLhk1qN2Cmz6KOn4BUqpkLllhKQ542h5CzxjFvcqUaVYD9WVkG701tRlV1s1eOGhh-kVzu2N1tZ8maGJ9-fiwx~hD3kchtqIvFXSpXxpfGh~8BR-blbtEwJOvYhd7dKMOminNsanQy8eVDONgwOz7ylqlyL4fKmi34nOEDi3R~mhZ6JRL5h0Etafk6kCZR37rvxLuWQn3MzOIgxFV9nGIuiQ3grHaOabdFX5FhaKfetZfZmLOURRr8xuWrKN4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials and the Laconia City Council discussed the library’s capital bond project and FY26 budget requests during the council’s June budget hearing.

DeAnne Hunter, library director, told the council the total library bond is $360,000 and that the city has completed “a little over a hundred and $15,000” in work so far, with “work in progress” totaling “a little over a hundred and $1,000.” Hunter said the majority of the bond funds are being used on the building envelope — roofing and masonry — and that remaining funds will go toward additional masonry repairs, interior tower work, exterior window trim, painting and resealing of the building apron.

The bond funds are being applied to capital reinvestment in the asset rather than to what Hunter called deferred maintenance; she reminded the council the library underwent an addition and renovation completed in 2005 and noted the slate roof has required about $200,000 in small repairs to date.

Library staff also reviewed service statistics and four operating lines that drove FY26 requests. The library reported about 108,899 visits to date this fiscal year and 93,551 circulations year-to-date; teen summer reading totals exceeded 1,200 reading hours, and the library delivered roughly 200 outreach deliveries to homebound patrons this year (up from prior years). Hunter highlighted that program attendance has exceeded 6,200 for the year and read aloud a comment from a second grader: “Thank you for making programs free because my family is a hard having a hard time making money work out.”

On the FY26 operating side, Hunter identified four accounts with sizable changes: electricity (line 202-0000), library supplies (2140001), maintenance equipment (2330000) and maintenance software (2350002). She said the light/power line is up about 11.4 percent “simply due to the increased cost of electricity.” The maintenance software line includes several recurring licensing fees (Pharonix for public Internet security, Meraki firewall licensing, Constant Contact, Envisionware for public printing, PassPerfect for the historical society database, and Microsoft licensing). The book budget was noted to be up about 1.5 percent.

Council members pressed for trend data to put the year-to-date statistics in context. Councilor [unnamed meeting chair] asked the library to provide historical data from the past two fiscal years so councilors can determine whether visits, circulation and program attendance represent a trend. Hunter agreed to provide that data within about a week.

Councilor Soucy raised the possibility of outreach via a bookmobile, saying she “wanna bring up something that I brought up last year” and urged staff to look for opportunities—through surplus vehicles or state surplus properties—to operate a mobile outreach vehicle for parks and schools. Hunter and the council thanked the library trustees and staff for services including a recent expansion of legal research resources: Joan Moriarty, library trustee, said the library has Westlaw access provided by the New Hampshire Law Library.

The council’s discussion clarified that a noted increase in the department’s outside contracts line (483040000) reflected a reclassification of the janitorial fee from maintenance to contracts, not a new expense. The council did not take any binding action on the library budget during the presentation; members requested supplemental historical usage data and additional detail on specific lines.

The council then moved on to the next agenda items.

","Library leaders told the Laconia City Council the library bond project is progressing and identified four FY26 budget lines with notable changes, while councilors requested historical usage data and discussed outreach options like a bookmobile.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sewer fund pressures: Winnipesaukee basin replacement bill, new EPA permit and ordinance updates discussed

Public works warns of $23.5M road backlog; council weighs fee, bonding and program options

Library bond update, program statistics highlight Laconia budget discussion