Council seeks input on expanding community health program

LACONIA — Councilors scheduled a public hearing to gather input about applying for a half-million-dollar grant for the mobile integrated health program.

The $500,000 grant is from GO-NORTH “Foundations for Healthy Communities,” and has a focus on expanding and improving the MIH program within the Laconia Fire Department, City Manager Kirk Beattie said at Tuesday’s council meeting.

The city currently has a mobile health program, commonly referred to as the community paramedic program. Beattie, the former fire chief, said in an interview Wednesday there has been plenty of success in the first year.

The grant, he said, will bolster a valuable resource for Laconia and surrounding communities.

“What this grant will do is allow us to grow that program, and have the potential to bring it to other communities around us,” Beattie said Wednesday, “if some are interested in participating.”

Council approved accepting a $450,000 grant from the Partnership of Public Health in 2024, to fund the community paramedic program for the three years in collaboration with the MIH program, according to information provided by the city.

The MIH program has since provided “proactive, in-home care,” intended to reduce the number of emergency room visits, and bridge gaps for the most vulnerable in the community.

The grant is for one year, but the city can apply on an annual basis to “re-up” for $500,000 per year, for five years. No financial match is required.

The language in the proposed motion included in the meeting materials states, if approved, Beattie will be authorized to accept and spend up to $500,000 for each of the next four years of the program, if the fire department applies for the funds.

“Instead of coming back and doing this every year, we want to keep that ball rolling,” Beattie said during Tuesday’s meeting. “So, it gives me the opportunity to allow the fire department to apply for it each year, and I can accept it as soon as it comes in.”

A report submitted by Fire Chief Tim Joubert states staff recommend accepting the grant.

Council voted 5-0 to schedule a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 26, at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Councilor Jon Hildreth (Ward 1) was absent from the meeting.

Safety grants

Council also unanimously approved a Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant for Laconia Fire for $47,619.04. No comments were made during a public hearing held earlier in the meeting.

The grant is for up to 10 thermal cameras, which have an eight- to 10-year lifespan, and can potentially be replaced through another grant. They have a two- to five-year warranty, and it costs between $3,500 and $6,000 to replace each camera. Batteries have a four- to six-year average lifespan, and cost $300.

The grant requires a 5% city match of $2,380.96.

Council voted 5-0 to approve accepting spending a $71,082.50 grant through the Office of Highway Safety. The vote followed a public hearing where nobody spoke.

According to information provided by the city, nearly half of the grant will go toward a pair of speed radar display trailers with software, costing $31,882.50.

The remaining $39,200 is going to various enforcement activities, notably $12,000 used for speed enforcement patrols, and another $12,000 toward impaired driving mitigation.

Pedestrian bicycle enforcement totals $5,000, and distracted driving prevention is $4,000. The grant provides also $2,500 for community outreach and betterment; and $850 for seatbelt mobilization.

The city’s share is $20,427.50, covered entirely by inkind services, and the police department operating budget.

Floor repairs

Following a public hearing that drew no comments, councilors unanimously approved using up to $125,000 for floor repairs at the public works building.

According to information in a report submitted by Beattie, this is due to the undermining of the floor of the apparatus bay and office space at the Bisson Avenue public works building. The report says a portion of the building has been “deemed unsafe and unusable.”

With the timeline for a new public works building unknown, and winter on its way, Director Nate Guerette recommends the repair.

“Repairing the floor will allow all bays to be used and will create a safe floor for employees working inside,” Beattie’s report stated.

Bids are currently being requested, and the city estimates the total cost to be a maximum of $125,000.

The funds requested include 35% coming from the Sewer Department Contingency Fund, and 65% from the Non-Capital Reserve fund.