Worsman questions Bike Week organizers

Selectman Colette Worsman questioned the town's membership and representation on the board of directors of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association when Jennifer Anderson, director of the association, appeared at the Selectboard's workshop this week.

Anderson reminded the selectmen that the town represented on the board of directors of the association since it was established in 1994 and pays annual dues of $2,000. She said that membership ensured the town a role in the management of the rally, especially its impact on the town, its residents and businesses, as well as entitled the town to space in the "Rally News" and use of the official logo.

"I love motorcycles," Worsman, who rides one herself, said, "but many residents do not enjoy them as much as I do." Acknowledging that membership "has its benefits," she added that "I would like to see it go before the community, to ask people where they want their $2,000 to be spent."

Selectman Chuck Palm, who served as fire chief during many past rallies, urged Anderson to encourage greater cooperation between the municipalities, particularly over the design of traffic patterns and deployment of safety services. He pointed out that traffic orders imposed in Laconia had significant impacts on Meredith. "As the organizer," he said, "it would help if you organized that part of it."

Anderson explained that although the association offers its recommendations, the authority to develop traffic orders rests exclusively with the Laconia Police Department. "We're here to make the imposition on residents and businesses as slight as we can," she said.

Echoing Palm's remarks, Worsman interjected that "maybe we need a member of the Board to Selectmen to sit on the board of directors."

Anderson said that Paul Lessard of Laconia Harley-Davidson, the president of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, has represented Meredith on the board since 1994 when he was a sitting selectman.

John Edgar, who serves as co-town administrator, said that the appointment rests with the Selectboard and "you can change it at any time."

Lessard has long been the chairman of the Association board.