Council approves CDBG application for Laconia Senior Center kitchen, adopts anti‑displacement plan

Laconia City Council on July 14 voted to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to add a commercial kitchen at the Laconia Senior Center and approved a project‑specific anti‑displacement and relocation assistance plan.

The action authorizes the city manager to sign and submit the application to the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority and, if approved, to execute the CDBG contract and any amendments. Councilor Susie moved the application approval; Councilor Bogart seconded. The motion passed on a 6‑0 voice vote.

Why it matters: City staff said the kitchen expansion would let the center prepare congregate meals on site and substantially expand the Meals on Wheels program so food can be prepared and distributed locally rather than transported from Concord. That change would let the program increase from serving congregate meals twice weekly to operating five days per week.

City staff and local program representatives described the project and the related planning study during the council’s multiple public hearings before the vote. Donna, a city staff member who presented the CDBG notices and project summary, said the city’s application would request up…