Laconia City Council Acknowledges RSA 91-A Lapse as Residents Demand Removals; Appointments Proceed

The Laconia City Council told residents Tuesday it had discovered discussions by members of its Appointments Subcommittee that unintentionally violated New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law, RSA 91-A, and affirmed that recommendations would reflect only deliberations held in the March 20 public meeting.

Mayor Mike Bords opened the public-comment period by reading a council statement acknowledging the off-record discussions and saying "to ensure full transparency and compliance with 91-A" no decisions or recommendations resulting from those outside conversations would be included in tonight's agenda.

That admission set off sustained public comment. "I just wanted to express my extreme upsetness about the backyard backdoor conversations that went on," said Sherry Miner, Ward 4. Several other residents, including Greg Huff and Sue Higgins, urged immediate removal of Councilors serving on the Appointments Subcommittee and asked the city to provide RSA 91-A training for new members. "If what has been reported actually took place ... the action violates sections of 91-A," said John McArdle, citing possible civil penalties.

Councilors responded on the record. Councilor Soucy apologized to the audience and said the conversations had not been intended to circumvent the law: "It was not my intent to violate 91-A," he said, and described trying to weigh experience and community needs while preparing recommendations for the full council. Councilor Hildreth likewise apologized: "My intent was certainly never to circumvent," he said.

Despite the controversy, the council moved through the Appointments Subcommittee recommendations one-by-one. The council approved the following appointments by recorded voice or roll-call counts in the meeting:

- Nicole Arsenault, alternate, Zoning Board of Adjustment — approved 6-0. - Michael Little, alternate, Planning Board — approved 6-0. - Ryan Cardella, reappointment, Weirs TIF District Advisory Board — approved 6-0. - Deborah Cheney, full member, Zoning Board of Adjustment — approved (reported 5 in favor, 1 opposed). - Michael Agelopoulos, reappointment, Library Board of Trustees (alternate) — approved 6-0. - Marie Bradley, reappointment, Library Board of Trustees (full) — approved 6-0. - Jacob Roy, promoted from alternate to full member, Planning Board — approved 6-0. - Ethan Wood, reappointment, Trustees of Trust Funds — approved 6-0.

A contested nomination drew the most attention: the council considered appointing Bruce Cheney as an alternate member of the Planning Board. Councilors debated whether placing spouses on boards created a conflict and whether the nomination process had been tainted by off‑record communications. Councilor Conan called the off-record contacts "wrong," and the chamber erupted in applause and calls for accountability. The motion to appoint Cheney failed after multiple members recorded abstentions and at least one vote against; the clerk noted the motion died for lack of an approval majority.

Several residents urged legal remedies. "Possible remedies are only set into motion when a citizen files injunctive relief in superior court," Greg Huff told the council, adding he intended to pursue the matter if voluntary correction did not follow. Others asked for NH Municipal Association training for councilors and clearer committee minutes going forward.

Mayor Bords said the council would schedule NHMA training and move to provide city email accounts to council members to help with record preservation and 91-A compliance. The meeting adjourned the public portion of appointments after the votes and proceeded to other agenda items.

The council's formal actions on appointments were entered on the record during the meeting; any further procedural or legal consequences would depend on follow-up review or external filings by residents or counsel.