2 new councilors, mayor sworn in ahead of term starting in January

LACONIA — The 2026-27 city council is sworn into office and ready to take the reins. 

Councilor-elect Mike Conant (Ward 6) was sworn in on Monday. Ward 1 councilor-elect Jon Hildreth was sworn in on Tuesday morning, and Mayor-elect Mike Bordes was sworn into the position Wednesday afternoon by City Clerk Katie Gargano at City Hall, rounding out the new group.

Incumbent councilors Bob Soucy (Ward 2), Mark Haynes (Ward 4) and Steven Bogert (Ward 5) were sworn in following a city council meeting earlier in the month. Ward 3 Councilor Eric Hoffman was sworn into the position on Monday.

Their oaths don’t take effect until the beginning of their term in January, but they’ll be set for duty at the first city council meeting on Monday, Jan. 12. Council meetings occur on the second and third Mondays each month, other than when City Hall is closed for a holiday.  

There will be a ceremonial swearing-in of all councilors and the new mayor sometime in January, either before their first meeting, or at the first meeting. The date of that ceremony has not yet been determined. 

Per the city charter, elected officials had 10 days from the date Gargano sent notice to swear in. 

At around 11 a.m. on Tuesday at City Hall, just after being sworn into his position, Hildreth said he’s got a lot of work to do, learning the ropes and meeting with department heads, and said he’ll aim to do right by the citizens of Laconia.