City council approves naming of community center gym, skate park

LACONIA — The Laconia Community Center gymnasium and the Laconia Skatepark will be named for two late city residents, following a unanimous vote by the Laconia City Council on Monday night.

According to agenda materials, councilors discussed dedicating the skate park in remembrance of Ben Emmond, as well as the Laconia Community Center Gym, to memorialize former City Councilor Niel Young, in November 2020. Those measures were tabled, pending formation of a study group.

Emmond, an “avid skateboard” was killed in an April, 9, 2008, car accident at age 17. Money was donated to the city skatepark in lieu of flowers.

According to a staff report prepared for council dated Nov. 23, 2020, a request was made by the DeGara family to name the park the “Ben Emmond Skate Park.” Mark DeGara was Emmond’s stepfather.

Young, a longtime city councilor and state representative, died at home on July 8, 2020, according to his obituary. He was 75.

Young is known for his six years on the council and four years in the Statehouse, and helped spearhead adoption of the city’s tax cap in 2005. He was also host of a conservative radio show on WEZS.

In May 2023, an ordinance to lay out the process of naming property was passed, which states any request needs to go before the Land and Buildings Subcommittee first.

In November 2024, the Land and Buildings Subcommittee recommended to council that the facilities be named as requested. It never went before council for approval, however, as a public hearing was needed.

The public hearing was held on Monday, and nobody from the community spoke. Councilor Jon Hildreth (Ward 1) said he talked to family members of Young who are pleased about the dedication.

“I spoke with Niel’s daughter, Stephanie Young-Howland, and she and her brother are honored that this is going on,” Hildreth told the council. “I know Niel was city councilor here, and a representative from Laconia for many years, and they’re thrilled that this is going on.”

Both dedications were approved with 6-0 votes.

Also approved with a unanimous vote was a request from the Weirs Action Committee to use Endicott Rock Park’s parking lot for Laconia Motorcycle Week from June 11 to 20, and waive all special event fees.

“The Weirs Action Committee does so much in The Weirs, and as far as spending money and using these funds, I think it’s a great program that we have,” Hildreth said. “I’m happy we’re going to waive the fees, because this money all comes back to The Weirs.”

Council voted 6-0 to authorize City Manager Kirk Beattie to accept and spend grant money from the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. This amounts to $4,508, going toward 50% reimbursement for replacement of bulletproof vests.

According to information provided by the city council, the Laconia Police Department applied for funding through the BVP program in October, to replace the vests.

The BVP program was created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, and reimburses states, local government and federally-recognized Indian tribes for up to 50% of the cost of vests.

The report, submitted by Capt. Allan Graton, states the vests need to be replaced, as they have a service life of five years. He said Laconia Police are “constantly” replacing vests for its officers. The replacement costs for the vests were part of the department’s operating budget.

Council also unanimously approved proposed changes to the city’s solid waste ordinance. Beattie said changes pertained to an accessory dwelling units definition, as well as other housekeeping issues to fix “poor language.” He also said an ADU question came up at the last meeting about whether they qualify for their own containers, which they don’t.

The timeframe was also changed, so bins can be out at 1 p.m. the day before pickup, instead of 7 p.m.

The ordinance changes passed with a 6-0 vote.

Public hearings

Council voted 6-0 to hold a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 23, regarding a request to use Impact Fee funds of up to $3,300 to upgrade an air handler at the Laconia Public Library.

A report submitted by Library Director Deann Hunter states the variable frequency drive controls the fan motor’s speed by adjusting the voltage. That prevents the fan from running at full capacity.

Approving the request would leave the balance of impact fee funds at $29,623.15, as of Sept. 30.

Councilors also scheduled a public hearing for Monday, Dec. 14, about declaring Plantation and Colonial roads as emergency lanes, as well as making an exception to the city ordinance on collecting solid waste at the curb, with an expiration date of Sept. 30, 2027.

A resolution by council states it has recognized the need to designate parts of the roads as emergency lanes, due to the need to keep it passable for emergency vehicles to ensure public welfare and safety.

According to a report submitted by then Public Works Director Wesley Anderson, council declared the roads to be emergency lanes until Oct. 31, 2025, or whenever a decision was made in a Belknap Superior Court case — Joy Sabato et al v City of Laconia — during a May 12, 2025, city council meeting.

On Sept. 2, 2025, the city’s attorney requested council extend the emergency lane designation until April 30, 2026, or the date of the court decision, whichever is later. This, along with the authorization of the collection of solid waste at the curb for properties on the roads, was subsequently approved by council on Sept. 22, 2025.

The city has an ordinance prohibiting the solid waste collection contractor from entering a private driveway, road, or lane to collect garbage from private property.

After the court case was closed July 8, 2026, the next step was for council to provide abutters notice no later than 10 days before the public hearing, as the council cannot declare private roads an emergency lane without abutter permission.

It must also be determined by council that there is a need to keep the lanes passable for emergency vehicles, not for private benefit of abutters.

If it is declared an emergency lane, the city may need to spend money to remove brush, repair culverts or other work “deemed necessary.”

It was noted in meeting materials that declaring a road an emergency lane doesn’t change its status, and it would remain a private road. The cost to maintain the roads would be funded from the city’s highway budget. The resolution is recommended by the public works department.