Sue Higgins: Observations from a recent Laconia City Council meeting

To The Daily Sun,

At the recent candidate forum, outgoing Councilor Bruce Cheney urged residents who “don’t like what’s going on in the city” to get involved. Taking that advice, I attended my first council meeting. Here are my observations.

First, the city manager’s contract. Although his current agreement runs through 2026, Manager Kirk Beattie proposed what he called a “housekeeping measure” to extend it through 2027. The timing is concerning with a new mayor and council about to take office. Extending the contract now limits the incoming mayor’s ability to make leadership changes if they feel they are warranted.

Second, the Human Relations Committee. Right now, it exists solely at the mayor’s discretion. Yet there is a sudden push to make it a permanent standing committee before the new mayor is sworn in. Once permanent, control of the committee’s membership and direction would shift from the mayor to the council. The proposed wording also delays the appointment of the two mayor-selected members until the end of their current terms. This means the new mayor would have no immediate say in the committee’s composition.

Third, the tax rate. At the forum, Cheney displayed posters highlighting Laconia’s low tax rate. At the council meeting, he expressed frustration over their lukewarm reception and over being called part of “the good old boys club.” He said the public outcry was about property assessments, which are set by the state, not the council. Yet nearly every homeowner saw at least a 25% increase in their property taxes. With that kind of revenue surge, it is reasonable to question why the rate per thousand was not far lower than the numbers he promoted.

The “good old boys club” seems busy locking in decisions before new leadership arrives.

I thank you Mr. Cheney for urging me to get involved. I am — and I’m paying attention.

Sue Higgins

Laconia