New Town Manager to replace Lessard as Meredith rep to M/C Rally organization

Effective July 1, Meredith’s new Town Manager, Phil Warren, will officially represent the municipality on the board of directors of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association.

The association is responsible for promoting the June rally that draws tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to the state each year.

Warren will succeed former Selectman Paul Lessard as the community’s representative on the board. Lessard has been a director for more than a decade and a half. He is has also served as president of the group for at least a decade.

Board Chair Peter Brothers opened yesterday's Selectboard discussion of who should represent Meredith on the board of an organization with responsibilities for an event having such a great impact on community services and Meredith’s economy.

Members quickly coalesced behind the remarks of Bob Flanders, who said, “The town manager would be the best choice for a replacement since he will have the best knowledge of the impact the event has on town services.”

Warren agreed, saying, “Since I already communicate constantly with department heads it will be less complicated to add this responsibility to my duties.”

Others agreed but were concerned about the amount of time association meetings would take away from his performance of other duties. Colette Worsman indicated her concern about the amount of time required traveling to association board meetings, but the manager countered with the observation, “By being personally involved I will actually devote less time to the meetings than I would if I had to be briefed by another person.”

Ultimately, Worsman agreed, asking that the matter of Meredith’s representation come before the board again when it discusses the town’s $2,000 annual contribution toward promoting the rally.

In his capacity as Meredith’s representative on the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association and as a member of the then Meredith Harley-Davidson staff, Lessard was generally credited for expanding the presence of the week’s events, and, therefore, the crowds those events drew to the community. Following the dealership’s move from down by the railroad tracks on Maple Street to Rt. 3/Daniel Webster Highway next to Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant, the number of vendors and the related traffic multiplied significantly. Throughout those years, Lessard was a familiar sight wearing a giant slouch-brimmed hat as he rode an ATV around the dealership grounds making sure the vendors and bikers were happy.

Anne and Steve Deli, who purchased the dealership and changed its name to Laconia Harley-Davidson, attributed much of their buying decision to the extent it was a significant part of the third largest motorcycle rally in the country.

Lessard’s resignation as a director of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association becomes effective shortly after the end of 87th annual rally on Father’s Day 2010.

The members of the Selectboard agreed that Warren should begin his familiarization with the association and the event by attending association meetings before his tenure starts.

On the motion of Chuck Palm, the board unanimously agreed to send a letter of gratitude to Lessard for his many years of service at the town’s representative to the association.