Voters to decide on social districts in city limits this November

LACONIA — It will be up to voters to decide if they want social districts in the city, which in turn would allow the city council to approve certain outdoor areas for drinking alcoholic beverages.

The city council voted on Sept. 22 to include a question on the Nov. 4 ballot. City Manager Kirk Beattie made clear this is not about where or how they would be set up, but if voter-approved, councilors and department heads will work with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission on logistics.

“We also want our fire and police departments to weigh in on locations, and the methods as to which they can operate,” Beattie said in an interview on Wednesday.

This is possible through House Bill 467, which came into effect on Sept. 5, and defines social districts and enables municipalities to create them. According to the bill, any town or city can allow the operation of social districts. A social district is defined as an “outdoor area in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by a licensee.”

Stipulations in the bill include alcohol may only be consumed in the social district and must be disposed of before exiting, unless reentering the licensed premises where the drink was purchased. Beattie said this means someone can’t just have their own drinks from outside the premises.

The city has already approved similar areas on a case-by-case basis, including when Lakeside Avenue or Canal Street is closed for events.

“This would give us the opportunity to be a little more consistent,” Beattie said. “There would be less red tape to go through with plans in place, and make it more frequent than just special events.”

Beattie said if approved, such districts could make it easier for restaurants to be able to have customers move around within the designated social district. He added many businesses, especially those open year-round, appear to prefer it.

“They are pretty excited about this opportunity.”

Reuben Bassett, owner of Laconia Local Eatery and Burrito Me downtown, believes social districts make sense, depending on where they are and how they are controlled. He pointed out such areas have worked very well in other spots around the country, as it gives businesses more freedom and allows people to enjoy a business in a new way.

Bassett also said when temporary permits have been approved for events on Lakeside Avenue and Canal Street, it has worked well.

“There is always an aspect of personal responsibility when it comes to alcohol, and the businesses take that seriously around here,” Bassett said. “You can’t always regulate people making bad choices, but I think for the most part, we have seen it work.”

Bassett supports the ability to assign social districts, but said it will ultimately make more sense for some businesses and locations than others.

“It could be a good opportunity for us to take advantage of the progression in liquor enforcement,” Bassett said.

Anthony Santagate is the owner of The Big House, Tower Hill Tavern and The Fancy Bar & Grill, all on Lakeside Avenue at the Weirs. He is a proponent of social districts, and noted he puts on two outdoor festivals each year, Biketemberfest and Wake the Lake, which have always been successful in a similar format. Santagate has to get special permission from the state Liquor Commission to close down a section of Lakeside, and said social districting would make things a little easier for businesses who wish to hold events on the street.

“Personally, I think it is a great idea."

Social districts have been discussed at previous council meetings, including by Kristin Bastille, who owns Defiant Records & Craft Beer and The Candy Bar downtown. Bastille spoke in favor of such districts, saying they would be beneficial for future Pumpkinfests and other events.

“I am all for it, and it would definitely have a benefit for me, because I have two bars downtown,” Bastille said in a phone interview on Thursday. “As long as there are boundaries, which there are, all it could do is be beneficial.”

Bastille noted this is already done for the Laconia Pumpkin Festival and various car shows, and would essentially “reduce the hoops” to go through.

“I don’t see a downside, because we have been doing it in a sense for the past four years, and haven’t heard of anyone abusing it.”

Beattie agreed the occasions where city staff have approved alcohol to be consumed outside have gone well, as they have been in areas where city staff and the police and fire departments have worked hard to make it safe. He also said business owners clearly want it to be successful, and there has been cooperation between everyone involved.

“We have all been working together to make this successful and safe, and have a quality procedure,” Beattie said.

Before the vote in the November election, there will be a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 14, during the council meeting, as mandated by the bill. The hearing series as an informational session and a platform for people to ask questions.

The NASWA Resort is located on Paugus Bay at the Weirs, and already has an outdoor beach bar area. While owner Cynthia Makris doesn’t see that area ever being shut down for a festival, she does see the benefit of having social districts.

“Laconia is a very festive city and has a lot going on, and people will find festive ways to utilize that,” Makris said. “I think it will be positive.”

Makris said she is supportive of anything that will bring people into the region, and said if social districts in the city are approved, it could lead to more festivals or businesses coming to the area.

“I think it would be good for tourism,” she said. “That’s what we do here, right?”