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Council lowers speed limit to 25 mph on Buzz Hill, Edgewater and Lewis streets after resident push
Summary
After resident meetings and council debate over process, the City Council voted 6-0 to set a 25 mph speed limit on three neighborhood streets; some councilors said future reductions should include a public hearing.
LACONIA, N.H. — The City Council voted unanimously on July 28 to lower the posted speed limit to 25 miles per hour on Buzz Hill Street, Edgewater Avenue and Lewis Street following concerns from residents about pedestrian safety and lack of sidewalks.
Councilor Cheney said residents had held a meeting attended by about 25 neighbors who asked the council to reduce the limit. "I can assure you at least all the residents on that street are strongly in favor of this," Cheney said.
City staff and the city's engineer reviewed the streets and recommended the reduced limit under state law, which allows local authorities to set a minimum of 25 mph in such neighborhoods. The council motion to set the limit at 25 mph was made by Councilor Cheney and seconded by Councilor Soucy.
Several councilors debated whether the change should have been subject to a separate public hearing. Councilor Hoffman said she preferred holding public hearings for similar petitions because opponents are unlikely to attend a routine meeting unless notice is explicit. Councilor Haynes said the residents had already held a meeting and the council had heard that input.
After discussion the council voted 6-0 to approve the 25-mph limit. Staff said new signs will be posted; the council did not set a formal enforcement plan at the meeting, though members discussed enforcement and neighborhood traffic-calming ideas.
What happens next: the city will post signage reflecting the new limit and the police department will determine enforcement priorities. Councilors discussed future petitions for similar speed changes and whether a standard public-hearing process should apply.
