Board allocates up to $85,289 from impact fees to replace Laconia High School sewer line

The Laconia School Board approved a motion to allocate up to $85,289 to replace a failing sewer run at Laconia High School, with the expense to be covered from the city’s impact fee account, according to district staff. Facilities staff and contractors provided quotes for demo of approximately 130 feet of hallway, pipe replacement and floor repair; the district said a camera inspection will determine whether full excavation is necessary.

Facilities Director Bill Caruso and business administrator provided the estimate and said the pipe is old and the repair is separate from recent new bathroom construction. The board approved the allocation after a motion titled to allocate up to the stated amount passed unanimously. Interim Superintendent Lisa Hines said she confirmed with City Hall that impact fees could be used to cover the sewer replacement, so the work would not draw on the district’s operating budget.

Contractors are scheduled to camera the line again to confirm the needed extent of excavation; if the footage shows a smaller section needs replacement, the final cost may be reduced from the estimate. The board asked administration to coordinate final scopes and to ensure the work is completed before August 7, the date Athletics begins, when the district expects locker rooms and related plumbing must be fully functional.