Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reduces Elm Street School drainage request; approves $33,000 from impact fees after amendment
Summary
After public questions about whether $32,000 already budgeted by the school district should reduce a $65,000 impact-fee request, councilors amended the request and approved $33,000 from impact fees for the Elm Street School bus-loop drainage project (5–1).
The Laconia City Council approved use of $33,000 in impact-fee revenues for drainage repairs at the Elm Street School bus loop after a councilor offered a friendly amendment to reduce the original $65,000 request.
During the public hearing, a resident asked why the schools’ budget showed $32,000 as a placeholder for the bus loop and whether, under state law (RSA 32:7), unspent budgeted funds lapse at fiscal year end — raising concern that the city would effectively pay twice. Diane Clary, business administrator for the Laconia School District, said the $32,000 was listed in the district’s special-projects line as a placeholder for the bus loop and that some items (roofs, boilers) cannot be paid for with impact fees. “Our line on your item does say special projects, and in the comments, it did say the bus loop,” Clary said.
Councilor Koenig proposed a friendly amendment to use the school district’s $32,000 line and $33,000 in impact fees — effectively reducing the impact-fee draw to $33,000 — to preserve the district’s planned special-projects funding. After discussion, the council approved the amended amount by roll call (Councilor Hildreth: yes; Councilor Soucy: yes; Councilor Hoffman: yes; Councilor Haines: no; Councilor Bogart: yes; Councilor Conant: yes), a 5–1 vote.
Why it matters: Residents had asked whether impact fees — meant for growth-related needs — were appropriate for this repair. The council’s amendment balanced the school district’s budgeted placeholder with available impact fees and limited the immediate draw on impact-fee reserves.
What’s next: The council approved the appropriation as presented; if the district needs more later, staff may return to the council with a request.
