Clock not yet ticking on Wide Open Saloon demoltion order because some notification papers have yet to be served

LACONIA — While the order of the City Council to demolish the former landmark hotel and restaurant/saloon that was gutted by fire last September has been filed in Laconia District Court, not all the lien holders on the property have been served so there will be a delay in the demolition.

Code Enforcement Officer Bill Stewart said Alfred Mitchell has yet to be served paperwork ordering the demolition of the Wide Open Saloon.

Stewart said once all lien holders have been notified, the clock begins ticking on a 20-day compliance period but the clock can't be set unless all interested parties have been served.

The goal of the City Council, code enforcement, police and fire has been to clear the site of the remaining structure and rubble before the Annual Motorcycle Week begins the weekend of June 10.

Further complicating things is a lawsuit filed by the building's owner, 38 Endicott North LLC through its agent Brandi Baldi, against the insurance company Lloyds of London which, according the documents filed in the Belknap County, has refused to pay the claim, even though the fire was determined to be accidental by the N.H. State Fire Marshall. Nor has Lloyd's returned the premium Baldi paid for the insurance.

Lloyds has until early July to file its response to Baldi's suit.

Stewart also said the city is actively negotiating a solution with the Baldis but said these dicussions are confidential.

Seth Creighton of the Laconia Planning Department said the city code allows that any lot with an existing structure can rebuild in the existing footprint within one year following a demolition. He said he doesn't know enough about the actual lot to know if it is conforming or non-conforming.