Public raises alarm over Liberty Utilities capacity and warns courthouse fencing could restrict access
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Summary
A member of the public warned Liberty Utilities has long lacked capacity to serve the Lakes Region and urged county action; the same speaker expressed concern that proposed fencing under the courthouse port could restrict public access, prompting the sheriff to clarify the fencing would target restricted under-port parking and preserve public entrances.
During public comment, Patrick Webb of Laconia praised the late Representative Harry Bean and raised a substantive concern: he said minutes from a recent city council meeting show Liberty Utilities has known for decades it lacks capacity to serve gas needs in the Lakes Region and that the utilitys decision to stop new gas service could halt future development, including projects on the state school property.
Webb urged the county commissioners to take action beyond sending a letter to the governor, saying this is an "all hands on deck" situation that may require invoking additional chains of command to remedy the infrastructure shortfall. "If they knew they weren't gonna be able to provide the service, then the state had an obligation to find somebody who could," he said.
Separately, Webb and others voiced concern about a sheriff-proposed fencing plan for the courthouse under-port parking area. Webb said fencing raised questions about restricting access to the "people's court." Sheriff (Speaker 10) responded that the fencing would control traffic flow in the under-port area, preserve existing public entrances and accessible parking, and allow controlled access for people who need it. The sheriff said the plan would not block public entry to the courthouse; he described the fencing as a measure to restrict through-traffic in the under-port parking area.
What officials said: A commissioner responded to Webb that the board can use higher-level channels if needed and that if a real estate deal (the state school project) closes the county can take steps on infrastructure. On fencing, the sheriff said, "It's just gonna stop the flow of traffic coming from Academy Street into the back, parking lot area through that under port. It doesn't change any of the exits."
Next steps: No formal action on Liberty Utilities or the fencing was recorded; Webb's concerns were noted in the public-comment record and the sheriff indicated staff will refine fencing plans and access provisions.
