Laconia City Council appoints Charlie Sinclair as temporary mayor

The Laconia City Council on Sept. 4 appointed Charlie Sinclair as the city’s temporary mayor, voting 6-0 during a special meeting at the Laconia City Council Chambers.

Sinclair, who serves as chair of the Laconia Planning Board, told the council he had no personal agenda for the post and would focus on running meetings and listening to residents. “I have no agenda except to keep things moving along for the next 4 months and work with the city councilors on the projects that they have,” Sinclair said during his interview.

Councilors discussed the limited scope of the appointment and the mayor’s role under the city charter. “Under the city charter, the mayor’s position is ceremonial,” Councilor Soussick said during questioning; the charter gives the mayor authority chiefly to break ties in council votes. Sinclair said he understood the ceremonial nature of the post and gave assurances about conflicts of interest when asked whether he would participate in any sale of his property to the city. “I would have absolutely nothing to do with that,” he told Councilor Cheney after a direct question about involvement.

Matthew Thomas, another applicant, told the council he would not seek to change policy and described himself as willing to represent the city at ceremonial events. “I’m not here to affect any legislation or change,” Thomas said. Two other applicants listed on the agenda, Alexander Smitten and Michael Seymour, withdrew before interviews.

Councilor Felt made the motion to appoint Sinclair; the motion was seconded and carried by a 6-0 vote, which the clerk announced as six affirmative votes. The council did not record individual named votes in the transcript; the clerk confirmed the tally. The appointment is temporary and intended to cover the council’s meetings until a mayor elected by voters takes office in January 2026.

During discussion, councilors who spoke in support cited Sinclair’s experience chairing the planning board and his familiarity with meeting procedures. Several councilors also noted the short duration of the appointment — roughly eight meetings — and emphasized that the mayor’s duties would primarily be ceremonial and procedural rather than managerial.

The council considered no ordinance or policy actions tied to the appointment. Sinclair said that if appointed he would request a leave of absence from his planning-board duties for the brief period he presides over council meetings and would return to the planning board afterward.

The council adjourned following the appointment; the clerk recorded the affirmative vote and congratulated Sinclair.