Laconia City Council celebrates record $763K raised for children's charities at annual auction

The Laconia City Council convened on December 23, 2024, to discuss various community initiatives and ongoing projects. The meeting began with a commendation for Nancy Brown, who was recognized as the Employee of the Year, highlighting her contributions to the city.

Councilor Felcher reported on the recent children's auction held at PubMania, which raised an impressive total of $763,334 for 60 to 70 children's charities in the Lakes region. He praised the efforts of volunteers and the top fundraising team, Cafe Deja Vu, which alone raised nearly $42,000. Felcher encouraged community members to visit children'sauction.org for more information on the allocation of funds.

The council then addressed the ongoing issue with the property known as Roller Coaster 106. A lengthy legal history was outlined, detailing the city's efforts since 2004 to compel the property owner to clean up the site. The Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the city, allowing for potential further action to clean up the property and recover costs. The council expressed urgency in moving forward with this matter, emphasizing the need for decisive action to deter similar negligence from other property owners.

Additionally, a proposal was made to reinstate a workfare program that would allow welfare recipients to contribute to city cleanup efforts. The council agreed to explore this idea further and report back at the next meeting.

Councilor Sussan inquired about the status of Concord Hospital Laconia, seeking clarity on the next steps following a recent letter from the hospital. The city manager indicated that discussions with the Attorney General's office were ongoing but had not yet yielded results.

In committee reports, it was noted that signage would be temporarily installed at the corner of Howard Street to address local concerns.

The meeting concluded with the acceptance of the minutes from the previous council meeting, and the city manager provided updates on financial trends, noting a positive uptick in building permits compared to previous years.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to community welfare and proactive governance, with plans for follow-up on several key initiatives in the new year.