Council to talk wastewater, pole cameras, school boilers Monday night

LACONIA — The Winnipesaukee River Basin Program advisory board's recommendation to transition its ownership from the state to a regional authority will be discussed by council Monday night.

In a report submitted by Wesley Anderson, city project manager and chair of the WRBP advisory board, transitioning the wastewater program away from New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services oversight would “slow the growth in costs associated with operating and maintaining the Program’s system.”

A bill recently signed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte creates a study commission to evaluate whether the program should continue under state management or be taken over by the 10 member communities. Work must be completed and a report provided by the advisory board by Nov. 1, according to City Manager Kirk Beattie, who supports the recommendation.

The nine other members are Belmont, Center Harbor, Franklin, Gilford, Meredith, Moultonborough, Northfield, Sanbornton, and Tilton.

Also on the agenda Monday night is a discussion on the city’s application for NH Department of Safety grant funding for 10 pole cameras with solar panels in the amount of $216,250. Through the Homeland Security Grant Program, the city was awarded $86,500. Due to the difference between the request and the award, Laconia Police will contact Valorence to receive a new quote for cameras and additional equipment. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14.

Council will also hear a request to declare Paugus Avenue and a portion of Prescott Avenue as emergency lanes. Beattie recommends the council declare these emergency lanes without an expiration date. The cost to maintain the roads would be covered through the winter and highway maintenance budget. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14.

Councilors were given a draft Purpose and Mission Statement on the new Community Events Committee, completed by Beattie, at the July 27 meeting. The discussion was tabled for Monday night’s meeting, and is on the agenda for Sept. 28. Those interested should submit an application by Sept. 14. The committee will be made up of nine members who “own property, reside, or own/manage/represent a business within the city.”

Also to be discussed Monday is a request from the Laconia School District to use up to $112,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund for School Construction and/or Renovation to replace two boilers at the Huot Career and Technical Center at Laconia High School, which were installed in 2012. This would leave $302,032.32 in the fund. Before considering the request, council must hold a public hearing and vote, which will occur Sept. 14.

Beattie will also present the city manager’s report, covering project updates throughout the city and presenting the monthly economic development report.

Temporary traffic order requests for Laconia’s 9/11 25th anniversary ceremony and the Belknap Mill Sock Hop, both on Friday, Sept. 11, will be reviewed.

Council meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, at City Hall downtown.