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Council designates Hayes Road an emergency lane for five years to secure emergency access
Summary
After a public hearing with neighborhood supporters, the council approved a five-year designation of Hayes Road as an emergency lane under RSA 231:59‑A to ensure reliable emergency access and allow limited city maintenance.
The Laconia City Council voted March 24 to declare a portion of Hayes Road an emergency lane under RSA 231:59‑A for a period of five years.
The action followed a public hearing at which several residents who live on Hayes Road said designation would help ensure quick and reliable access for fire, police and EMS and would protect investments by local businesses on the lane. Jim Borden and Marcia Bridal spoke in favor of the designation and described regular public use by customers of a chiropractor office located at the road’s end.
Nut graf: The emergency‑lane designation enables the city to perform maintenance and to ensure unimpeded emergency access on a previously private or semi‑maintained lane; the council added a five‑year period by amendment and clarified the designation does not include routine trash removal by the city.
City staff told the council the status will allow emergency responders to use and maintain the lane and noted the council typically sets a time period to review such designations. A friendly amendment to set the period at five years was offered and accepted; the motion passed 6-0.
Ending: The council instructed staff to prepare any required documentation for the designation and to return if further changes are requested by the neighborhood or if circumstances change.
