During a recent city council meeting, members addressed several key issues, including the acceptance of previous meeting minutes and ongoing concerns regarding graffiti in downtown Laconia.

The council unanimously accepted the minutes from the August 12, 2024, meeting, with no corrections submitted. Following this, the council moved to discuss recommendations for appointments to various boards and commissions, which will be further addressed in the upcoming September 9 meeting.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to citizen comments, particularly from Wendy French, a downtown resident who raised concerns about the escalating graffiti problem in the area. French shared her experience documenting the graffiti and expressed frustration over the lack of action, noting that the situation has worsened despite previous discussions. She highlighted the need for a more proactive approach, including the potential installation of surveillance cameras and community involvement in beautification efforts, such as murals.

In response, the city manager provided an update on the city's efforts to tackle the graffiti issue. He mentioned that they are currently working with contractors to determine the best cleaning methods for the affected buildings, taking care to consider the preservation of brick surfaces. The manager also noted ongoing discussions with the police chief regarding the installation of cameras to deter future vandalism.

The council acknowledged the challenges posed by the graffiti, particularly since much of the affected property is privately owned, which complicates immediate cleanup efforts. However, they expressed optimism about the potential for community engagement in transforming the graffiti into public art.

The meeting concluded without further citizen comments, but the discussions highlighted the council's commitment to addressing community concerns and improving the downtown area.