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City says Belknap House sewer line replaced; CDBG awarded $100,000, actual cost $31,390
Summary
City staff told the council the Belknap House emergency sewer line was replaced in May with Raul Services as the low bidder; construction cost was $31,390 while the CDBG application sought $100,000 to cover potential contingencies, and unused awarded funds revert to the CDBG program.
City officials told the Laconia City Council on July 13 that the emergency sewer-line replacement at Belknap House, a family shelter at 200 Court Street, has been completed and paid from an emergency Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Joya Hughes, the city’s economic and housing development director, said the shelter’s sewer line failed in December 2025 and was replaced in May. "The project is funded by an emergency CDBG grant," she said, and reported that "the cost of the construction of the sewer line replacement was $31,390." Hughes said two written quotes were obtained and Raul Services was the lower bidder.
Hughes explained the city sought a larger award to cover potential unforeseen costs. "It was a $100,000" award, she said, and "only actual costs were paid by CDBG grant." When a resident asked whether the remaining amount stayed with the Belknap House project, Hughes replied, "No. We can only draw what we actually use," and confirmed unused award funds revert back to the CDBG program for other projects.
Councilors pressed briefly on the size of the remaining balance; a resident noted the apparent difference between the award and the paid amount and characterized about $68,000–$70,000 as "a significant amount of money." City staff reiterated that the city only draws funds for actual expenses and any leftover awarded dollars are not retained for the site unless specifically expended.
Hughes closed the public hearing with no further speakers; the council later approved a separate resolution authorizing acceptance of a $11,756 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
The presentation documented that standard procurement steps were followed: two written quotes were sought, the low bidder was selected, and the project is complete. The city manager and staff indicated they will continue to follow CDBG rules on allowable uses and draw limits.
