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Votes at a glance: Laconia council approves wage changes, grant actions and referrals (Jan. meeting)
Summary
The council unanimously approved an amendment to the non‑union wage and compensation plan, accepted a DHS equipment grant for the police, gave first reading and scheduled a hearing on a milfoil grant, supported planning work on natural gas expansion, and referred social‑district proposals to public safety; recorded votes were 6‑0 on each motion.
Several formal actions at the meeting were decided unanimously. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes include:
• Wage and compensation amendment (agenda 21a): Council approved an amendment to the non‑union wage and compensation plan (reorganizing finance department positions ahead of an assistant finance director retirement) effective Feb. 26, 2026. Motion recorded as made by Councilor Conant and seconded by Councilor Hillgrip; vote recorded 6‑0.
• Natural gas support (agenda 21b): Motion to support the planning department’s coordination with Liberty Utilities, neighboring communities and state officials to expand natural gas capacity passed 6‑0 (moved by Councilor Soucy, seconded by Councilor Bogart).
• Milfoil treatment resolution (agenda 21c): The council waived reading and took first reading of Resolution 20‑26‑02 (NH DES Exotic Aquatic Plant Control grant). The city recorded a grant amount of $57,100, noted an offered reimbursement from the Lake Opechee Preservation Association, and recorded a net city cost in the minutes as $52,407.81; the council scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 9, 2026 (motion by Councilor Houghton, seconded by Councilor Hoffman). Final appropriation to follow after the hearing.
• East Coast Watercross (agenda 21d): Organizers reviewed last year’s event and planning for 2026; no council vote was required.
• Social districts (agenda 21e): Council voted 6‑0 to refer the proposed downtown social‑district plan to the public safety subcommittee for further review (motion by Councilor Conant, seconded by Councilor Soucy).
• DHS SWAT grant (unfinished business): Final approval of Resolution 20‑26‑01 to accept a Department of Homeland Security award of $26,405 for SWAT equipment and to authorize the city manager to sign related documents; vote recorded 6‑0.
Each recorded vote in the meeting transcript reads 6‑0; movers and seconds are listed in the minutes for most motions and are recorded above where provided in the transcript.
