Laconia council approves traffic change, applies for TAP grant, accepts donation; schedules hearings on kiosks, tire fees and road acceptances

The Laconia City Council on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, approved a set of routine and project-related measures and scheduled public hearings on several budget and service items.

At the meeting the council voted to approve a change to traffic restrictions on Lexington Drive near 155 Lexington Drive, approved a council resolution to submit a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application for segments D, F, G and H of the Wild Trail Opechee Loop, accepted a $500 donation to fund planning for a firearms range for the Laconia Police Department, and scheduled public hearings on a $32,000 transfer between capital reserve funds and on proposed increases to transfer-station tire-disposal fees. The council also scheduled hearings on two petitions to accept private streets — James Avenue and Hillcrest Drive — as public highways.

The actions are mostly procedural steps to allow staff to pursue planning and funding. City Manager Kirk Biotti described the TAP application as a way to “get us into the state’s 10‑year plan of grant funding,” adding that being in the queue does not obligate the city to accept an offer if and when it is made. Biotti said the city would learn later whether the match would be cash or include in‑kind contributions and that any final acceptance would come back to council.

Key votes and next steps - Lexington Drive traffic restrictions (Resolution 2025‑01): Council approved removing a “Do Not Enter” sign (3–4 p.m., Monday–Friday) near 155 Lexington Drive and installing a “No Through Traffic” sign for that time frame. Motion submitted by Councilor Cheney and seconded by Councilor Susi; the council recorded six votes in the affirmative. The change was adopted at second reading and final approval.

- TAP grant for Wild Trail Opechee Loop (Resolution 2025‑02): Council approved submitting a state Transportation Alternatives Program application and accepting grant funding if offered. Motion to approve was made and seconded during the meeting; the council recorded six votes in the affirmative. Manager Biotti said the estimated local match is uncertain and could include in‑kind work; he noted a roughly quoted 20% match figure during questions.

- Transfer between capital reserve funds (Resolution 2025‑03): The council authorized a first reading and scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 10, 2025, on a request to transfer $32,000 from the LED Streetlight Capital Reserve Fund to the Parking Kiosk Capital Reserve Fund to cover kiosk upgrades. The council approved waiving full reading, approved first reading, and set the Feb. 10 hearing (six votes in favor). If approved at the public hearing and by the trustees, staff will implement the transfer.

- Transfer‑station tire fees (Ordinance 2025‑194‑24): The council gave a first reading and scheduled a Feb. 10 public hearing on an ordinance to raise disposal fees to $7 for passenger tires and $13 for tires over 18 inches and to add a late fee for transfer‑station accounts. Staff said the revised fees are intended to cover the city’s costs, noting passenger‑tire handling currently breaks even while larger truck tires lag. The council approved first reading and the Feb. 10 hearing (six votes in favor).

- Donation for police firearms range: The council unanimously accepted $500 from donors John and Eleanor Tivnan to fund early planning work for a firearms range for the Laconia Police Department. The motion passed with six votes in the affirmative. Staff said the department currently uses the town of Guilford’s range for qualifications.

- Petitions to accept private roads: Council voted to schedule public hearings on April 14, 2025, to consider accepting James Avenue and Hillcrest Drive as public highways. Staff said acceptance would place the roads into the city’s maintenance queue but would not guarantee immediate repairs; James Avenue will require Planning Board layout review prior to final council action. Motions to schedule the hearing passed with six votes in favor for each street.

Procedure and context The council repeatedly used the three‑motion sequence common for ordinance/resolution items — waive full reading, take first/second reading, and set or approve a public hearing or final vote — to move items forward for public comment and formal action. Several items (the parking kiosk transfer and tire fee changes) were advanced to public hearing rather than finalized so the public can comment before any funds are moved or fee changes adopted.

Public comment and related items Public comments at the start of the meeting included resident John McCartell thanking Councilor Cheney for pursuing a previously raised traffic issue. Separately, Sean Flanagan urged the council to reconsider holding a public hearing on proposed zoning changes related to casinos in February, saying winter timing may reduce attendance from seasonal residents. That zoning matter was discussed separately and tabled for further review (see separate article).

What’s next Several items return to council for Feb. 10 public hearings (parking-kiosk transfer and tire fees). The TAP grant application places the Wild Trail segments in the state queue but does not obligate the city to accept or fund the project until specifics are known. Road‑acceptance petitions will be noticed and considered at the April 14 public hearings.