Council seats, mayor's office up for vote this November

LACONIA — There are a number of city seats up for election this fall, and even more openings for volunteers on various boards and commissions.

The filing period for municipal elected positions opens next week on Wednesday, Aug. 6, and closes on Friday, Aug. 15. If three or more candidates file for mayor or a council seat, a primary election will be set for Tuesday, Sept. 9. A written declaration of candidacy must be filed with the office of the city clerk. Names appear on the primary ballot in alphabetical order, as required by state law, and the top two vote recipients for each office advance to the municipal election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Write-in primary candidates must receive at least 35 votes to move forward. 

The position of mayor and all six city council seats are up for election this year — all serve two-year terms. Andrew Hosmer, current mayor of Laconia, is not running for reelection this year. He was recently hired as city manager in Lebanon.

At present, Bruce Cheney is councilor in Ward 1, Robert Soucy in Ward 2, Eric Hoffman in Ward 3, Mark Haynes in Ward 4, Steven Bogert in Ward 5, and Anthony Felch in Ward 6. Municipal elections are nonpartisan, meaning no ballot can display a designated party affiliation for any candidate, as defined by city charter. All six positions are open for this year’s election.

The mayor and council are the city’s governing body. At the first meeting following results of the municipal election, the governing body must elect one councilor to serve as mayor pro tem. At present, Haynes serves the city as mayor pro tem. The mayor pro tem retains the right to vote, just as any other councilor.

Each councilor's two-year term begins on the first business day following Jan. 1. One councilor is elected from each ward. To be a candidate for mayor or city council, an individual must be a qualified voter in the ward or city where they’re seeking elected office. 

The mayor presides over meetings of the mayor and council; meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The mayor and council set municipal legislation by way of ordinance.

The city’s mayor is the official head of the city for ceremonial purposes and serves a limited role. They preside over meetings, though they’re only allowed to vote in the event of a tie among councilors. The mayor, according to the charter, is also required to serve as the chair of the Laconia Airport Authority. Perhaps the greatest power the mayor has is by way of persuasion through their use of the bully pulpit.

Councilors conduct the business of the city, approving appointed individuals to serve on board and commissions, authorizing payments or municipal bonding, writing and approving the language of new or revised legislation and, possibly most important, setting the city’s budget each year.

The council is barred from interfering with the city administrative officers, either publicly or privately, but they’re allowed to make suggestions or recommendations. The city manager — at present the role is filled by Kirk Beattie — is tasked with supervision of the city’s administrative affairs. They’re responsible for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety of people and property, and oversee enforcement of city ordinances, the charter and state law.

The manager sits at city council and has the right to participate in discussions, but does not vote. 

The mayor is compensated at $2,800 per year, and councilors at $2,400 per year. 

Members of the school board are compensated $1,200 per year. This year, there are two open seats on the school board: one in Ward 2 and another in Ward 3. They’re both three-year terms. 

Elections aside, the city is seeking volunteers for numerous boards and commission positions: One alternate on the Board of Assessors; one registered architect position on the Building Code Board of Appeals; two regular members and two alternates on the Conservation Commission; three alternates on the Heritage Commission; three regular positions on the Lakeport Tax Increment Financing District Advisory Board; two alternates on the Library Board of Trustees; one regular position and three alternates on the Planning Board; one regular position on the Water Commission; and one regular position and three alternates on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. 

Interested persons should contact the office of the city manager at 603-527-1270 or email nbrown@laconianh.gov for more information. Applicants must be residents of the city and membership on more than one board or commission is allowed, so long as they’re not in conflict with each other.