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Laconia City Council schedules Dec. 8 public hearings on safety grants, ambulance purchase and downtown lighting
Summary
At its Nov. 24 meeting the Laconia City Council held first readings and scheduled Dec. 8 public hearings for several resolutions, including acceptance of two Homeland Security grants, a request to buy a used ambulance, and a downtown lighting design funded from TIF; most motions passed unanimously on first reading.
The Laconia City Council on Nov. 24 moved forward on multiple public-safety and infrastructure items, scheduling public hearings for Dec. 8, 2025, before taking final action.
Mayor St. Clair and staff presented several grant and funding resolutions during the meeting. The council took first readings and set public hearings for: resolution 2025-35 (accept an $87,000 Department of Homeland Security grant to replace SWAT safety equipment for the police department); resolution 2025-31 (accept a $55,000 New Hampshire Department of Safety Homeland Security competitive grant for police utility side-by-side vehicles); and resolution 2025-38 (expend downtown TIF funds for a conceptual lighting design and updated cost estimate, including Rotary Park and riverwalk). Each of these first readings passed on a voice vote (recorded as 6–0) and will be the subject of a Dec. 8 public hearing.
The council also considered equipment and capital requests from the fire department. Chief Jubert told the council that several 10-year-old bifold garage door motors at the central fire station are failing and that the ambulance-bay motor is the most damaged; he said the motor itself costs about $7,600 and total replacement/maintenance for the worst door is roughly $11,000. The council approved first reading of resolution 2025-36 to use impact-fee funds to replace the damaged motor and asked the city manager to identify a funding source to replace a second motor; a public hearing was scheduled for Dec. 8.
Chief Jubert also described delays in delivery of two new ambulances and proposed purchasing a used ambulance (about 40,000 miles) as a stopgap to maintain three ambulances in service. He said the used vehicle would be purchase-ready and include radios, lights and a stretcher/load system valued separately at about $30,000. Councilors approved the first reading of resolution 2025-37 authorizing use of impact fees and internal service funds for a used ambulance—capping the purchase at not to exceed $55,000—and scheduled a Dec. 8 public hearing.
Other council actions at the meeting included: authorizing the city manager to sign an assignment and assumption of a hangar lease at 15 Aviation Drive after an airport authority review, and approving the second-half sewer warrant for sewer-only properties totaling $177,994.64; both motions passed on voice votes.
Next steps: the council will hold the public hearings on Dec. 8, 2025, after which it may adopt or amend the resolutions. The procurement of any vehicles or equipment will follow the council’s final approvals and any applicable procurement rules.
