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Laconia council approves CDBG application for emergency Belknap House sewer repairs
Summary
The Laconia City Council voted to submit a CDBG emergency application for up to $100,000 to repair a sewer line at Belknap House and adopted an anti-displacement plan; city staff said up to $15,000 would be retained for administration and up to $85,000 would be subgranted to the shelter.
The Laconia City Council voted unanimously to submit an application to the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority for up to $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) emergency funds to replace a failing sewer line serving Belknap House, a family shelter at 200 Court Street.
Donna Lane, the council's CDBG consultant, read program-required language at the public hearing and said the request would allow the city to retain up to $15,000 for administration and compliance; up to $85,000 would be subgranted to Belknap House to pay for repairs. Lane said the project is intended to protect the health and safety of the shelter’s low- and moderate-income residents and visitors and described the repair as an emergency following recent problems with the line.
During public comment and council questions, resident Doug Robinson asked for clarity on the budgeted amount and whether cost estimates and relocation contingencies had been prepared. Lane and staff said the application was built from estimates and that formal competitive bids would determine final costs; because the expense is emergency work, bids could be higher to secure rapid service. Lane also said relocation is not expected—the shelter has 19 beds—but the city’s anti-displacement plan follows the Uniform Relocation Act and includes contingency steps and expense coverage if any temporary relocation becomes necessary.
After discussion, the council authorized the city manager to sign and submit the CDBG application and to execute any documents required to implement the agreement and any amendments. The vote to approve submission was recorded as 6–0.
Councilors also voted 6–0 to adopt the residential anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan for the project. Staff confirmed the work is expected to be performed from Pearl Street to minimize Court Street traffic impacts and said a timeline and further implementation details would be provided at the next meeting.
Next steps: the city will submit the application to the NH Community Development Finance Authority, seek bids if funds are awarded, and follow the adopted relocation plan if displacement becomes necessary.
