Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Agenda (pdf) (minutes)

Commission Mitch Hamel called the meeting to order with Commissioners Rodney Roy, Deanna Guyer, and Laura Ringer present. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the June 15 meeting minutes and a new agenda format. The unanimously approved eight facility use requests, ranging from church picnics to Laconia High School athletic practices. The group discussed a potential permanent food truck park, with Amy Lovisek noting the city would handle scheduling. Commissioners requested further research on logistical matters. Notable financial updates for the upcoming Pumpkin Fest include $19,000 in sponsorships and $27,000 in vendor revenue raised so far. The Commission voted to cancel the August meeting. Amy reported the bid for the Leavitt Park ADA door is awarded. The Commission adjourned at 6:28 pm. Source: https://www.laconianh.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07202026-3179

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LACONIA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, July 20, 2026
Laconia Community Center
6:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Mitch Hamel called the meeting to order at the above date and
time.

RECORDING SECRETARY: Administrative Secretary Liza Kelleher.

ROLL CALL: Commissioner Hamel called the roll with the following Commissioners in
attendance: Rodney Roy, Deanna Guyer and Laura Ringer. Absent- Arthur Kirk.

PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF PRESENT: Director of Recreation and Facilities Amy
Lovisek, Asst. Director of Recreation and Facilities Abby Barton and Administrative Secretary Liza
Kelleher.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

1. Regular meeting minutes of June 15, 2026.

Commissioner Rodney Roy moved to adopt the minutes of June 15, 2026, meeting. Second, by
Commissioner Deanna Guyer. All were in favor.

I.
FACILITY USE REQUEST FORM:

A.
Belknap Mill- Rotary Park Gazebo- Mondays and Wednesdays, July 6th through August 12,
2026, from 9:30am to 1:30pm for free events for families. Commissioner Roy motioned to
accept the request with all the requirements and changes listed in the application.
Commissioner Guyer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
B.
Lakes Region Vineyard Church-Opechee Point beach- Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 12pm to
5pm for church picnic and water baptism. Commissioner Ringer motioned to accept the
request with all the requirements and changes listed in the application. Commissioner Roy
seconded the motion. All were in favor.
C.
New Horizons Musical Org of the Lakes Region- Leavitt Park picnic area- Saturday,
September 12, 2026, from 11:30am to 2:00pm for a picnic. Commissioner Guyer motioned to
accept the request with all the requirements and changes listed in the application.
Commissioner Ringer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
D.
Laconia Police Department- Opechee Smith track- Monday, August 3, 2026, from 7am to
7pm for national night out. Commissioner Roy motioned to accept the request with all the
requirements and changes listed in the application. Commissioner Ringer seconded the
motion. All were in favor.
E.
Laconia High School- Bobotas field- Monday, August 17, 2026, through October 30, 2026,
from 2:30pm to 6:00pm for football practice. Commissioner Roy motioned to accept the
request with all the requirements and changes listed in the application. Commissioner Guyer
seconded the motion. All were in favor.

F.
Laconia High School- Leavitt Park Athletic Field- Monday through Friday, August 17th
through October 30, 2026, from 2:30pm to 5:30pm for soccer practices. Commissioner Guyer
motioned to accept the request with all the requirements and changes listed in the application.
Commissioner Roy seconded the motion. All were in favor.
G.
Laconia High School- Opechee Smith Field- Monday through Friday, August 17th through
October 30, 2026, from 2:30pm to 5:30pm for field hockey practices. Commissioner Roy
motioned to accept the request with all the requirements and changes listed in the application.
Commissioner Guyer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
H.
Laconia High School- Robbie Mills Sports complex- Monday through Friday, August 17th
through October 30, 2026, from 2:30pm to 5:30pm for soccer practices. Commissioner Guyer
motioned to accept the request with all the requirements and changes listed in the application.
Commissioner Roy seconded the motion. All were in favor.

II.
OLD BUSINESS:

III.
ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS- ROTARY PARK, BEACHES, WEIRS
AMPHITHEATER & PAVILION

A. American Legion Senior Team- Memorial Park Baseball field- Sunday, June 28th from 12pm to
4:30pm, Friday, July 10th from 3pm to 10pm and Sunday, July 12th, 2026, from 10am to 5pm for
senior team baseball team.
B. Lakes Region Cheer- Opechee Park Smith Track- July 14 through July 23, 2026, Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm for cheer practice.

IV.
NEW BUSINESS:

1. Acceptance for new agenda format- Commissioner Roy motioned to accept the new agenda
format. Commissioner Guyer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
2. Request for the Chairperson to vote on items on the agenda.
3. Discussion about Food Truck Park- Amy said it was suggested to make a permanent space and will
provide power for any food truck every day. Commissioner is asking who will decide what food
truck will be on the spot certain days. Amy said that we will be in charge for the scheduling.
Commissioners suggested doing more research, who can do it, who will compete for prime time and
what is the fee structure. Amy will do more research regarding the food truck.

V.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:

VI.
NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS:

VII.
PUBLIC COMMENT:

VIII. COMMUNICATIONS:

IX.
OTHER REQUESTS REQUIRING COMMISSION ACTION:

1. August Commission Meeting- Commissioner Roy motioned to cancel the August meeting.
Commissioner Guyer seconded the motion. All were in favor.

X.
PARK ASSOCIATION REPORTS:
A. Leavitt Park Association- No report.
B. Weirs Community Park Association- No report.
C. Tardif Park Association- No report

XI.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

A. Director’s Report submitted by Amy Lovisek

Summer is upon us!! And what a beautiful summer it has been so far. We truly live in an incredible
place.

We held the 4th of July Celebration on the 4th this year again. It was a huge success. The parade was
less so, but we are at the mercy of the volunteers to want to be in the parade. The bands, vendors and
fireworks went off with a “bang”! Those fireworks were a wonder to see and be a part of. Our
attendance was the largest I have ever seen in my time doing this event. Well done Laconia!!

We were notified this month that the Colonial Theater is now our building!!! We don’t have a budget for
it yet, but we did a walk through, and I feel that we will not have too much to do at this building.
Anything that happens on our end will most likely involve contractors.

The Project 2040 is moving along nicely. We will meet on July 16th to go over it with other
departments. Once ours is finalized we will present our findings to you in a Power Point presentation.
This project has taken a lot of time to work on, but I hope it is worth it in the long run.

The ADA door at Leavitt Park bid has been awarded and they will work on that this summer. Good
news.

Pumpkin Fest is coming in about 100 days!! Our bands are almost completely finalized for both Friday
night and Saturday. We have some really amazing sounds coming to this year’s festival. The duck race
is now open to the public to purchase a duck or more! Please think about supporting the event. The
Wrap City fundraiser was a success. We raised $421. After seeing the PR, we did with the event
another store has offered to do the same thing. On July 16th, please try to go and purchase something
from the Italian Market. We will get 10% of the proceeds.
Spectacle Live is doing a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday of the festival and a
Meatloaf tribute band on Friday night. So cool.
We have raised about $19,000 in sponsorships so far and about $27,000 in vendors. We are well on our
way to a fabulous event.

I am away on vacation from July 10 – July 19.

Have a great month all!!

B. Assistant Director’s Report submitted by Abby Barton

Summer is upon us!! And what a beautiful summer it has been so far. We truly live in an incredible
place.

The ADA door at Leavitt Park bid has been awarded and they will work on that this summer. Good
news.

I am away on vacation from July 10 – July 19.

Have a great month all!!

C. Foreman’s Report submitted by Dane Anderson

6/12/26 - 7/16/26
COMPLETED
Location
Project
Additional Notes
Adopt A Spots
Signage- Adopter signs and posts installation (x6)
Bartlett
Safety- Playgrounds- installation of 100yds of playgrounds chips
Bartlett
Grounds- Tree limbing and pruning, Brush clearing to prevent encampments
Ongoing.
Beaches
Safety- Beach swim line maintenance and minor repairs as needed.

Beaches
Grounds- Shoreline and swim area debris removal and beach grooming
Ongoing.
Beaches
Safety- New beach swim line, floats and moorings installation completed at Opechee (x2), Bond,
Bartlett
Bond
Beach- Erosion control boulder wall installation on beach
Ongoing.
Bond
Forestry- Arbor day tree establishment watering
Ongoing.
Bond
Carpentry- Fence railing replacement.
Bond
Forestry- Downed tree removal.
Bond
Grounds- Hand watering turf around bathhouse.
Cemeteries
Grounds- Mowing and Trimming ops.
City Hall
Janitorial- Homeless trash and fecal waste clean ups
Ongoing.
Colonial
Facility's Maintenance- Newly acquired facility walk through.
Colonial
Plumbing- Troubleshooting faucet repair needs.
Ongoing.
Downtown
Grounds- Winter sand and contaminates removal, weeding and mulching.
Downtown
Grounds- Annuals watering
ERP
Events- 4th of July event prep, set up and clean up.
ERP
Grounds- Shrub removal from in front of monument. Volunteer pruning debris clean up and
removal.
Facilities
Safety- Place of assembly checks and preventative safety system repairs.
Gale Library
Janitorial- Replacement of 2 broken TP dispensers.
Gale Library
Doors- Restroom door lock repair.
Gale Library
Vandalism- Bench Graffiti removal.
Gale Library
Furniture- Damaged furniture removal.
LCC
Special Projects- 2040 planning project
Ongoing.
Leavitt
Pests- Parkhouse- ant and rodent control and monitoring.
Leavitt
Roofing- Vegetation removal from chimney.
Leavitt
Events- Soccer camp week prep and post use repairs. Daily restroom cleaning and checks
Leavitt
Electrical- Abandoned inground flag pole light removal.
Leavitt
Plumbing- Concession Bldg.- Plumbing backflow replacement.
Memorial
Safety- Damaged bench removal.
Memorial
Electrical- SB concession bldg.- Exterior concession window light fixture replacement.
Memorial
HVAC- Parkhouse A/C unit condenser leaking troubleshooting and repairs.
Ongoing.
Opechee
Events- 4th of July event prep, set up and clean up.
Opechee
Flooring- Day camp- VCT tile repairs
Opechee
Furniture- Day camp- Whiteboard installation.

Opechee
Vandalism- Graffiti removal from tree by day camp.
Opechee
Carpentry- Picnic table and bench repairs.
Opechee
Fencing- Softball fields- Dugout and backstop fencing repairs
Opechee
Electrical- Missing light pole electrical access covers fabricated and installed.
Opechee
Electrical- Cove restrooms- ceiling light replacement.
Opechee
Grounds- Hand watering turf around playground
Ongoing.
Parks and Facilities
Plumbing- Backflow testing, repairs/replacements as needed
Ongoing.
Parks and Facilities
Locks- New lock and key system integration
Ongoing.
Parks and Facilities
Irrigation- System monitoring, schedule adjustments and repairs to irrigation systems
Ongoing.
Parks and Facilities
Grounds- Routine litter and waste removal
Ongoing.
Parks and Facilities
Signage- Inventory and replacement orders
Ongoing.
Parks and Facilities
Grounds- Routine mowing and trimming operations.
Ongoing.
Sanborn
Safety- Damage play structure removal.
Sanborn
Grounds- Tree limbing and pruning. Brush and invasives removal
Ongoing.
Sanborn
Forestry- Replacement tree establishment watering
Ongoing.
Seasonal Facilities
Plumbing- Minor repairs and clog removals during summer seasonal use.
Seasonal Facilities
Janitorial- Regular cleaning and stocking of seasonal use restrooms
Ongoing.
Shop
Grounds- New picnic table and swim line anchors fabrication
Ongoing.
Sports Fields
Events- Summer sports leagues games and events prep
Ongoing.
Sports Fields
Agronomics- 2nd fertilizer application
Tardif
Forestry- Downed tree removal.
Tardif
Janitorial- Rental use monitoring and cleaning.
Ongoing.
WCC
Foundation- Monitoring and clean up of water entering through foundation in storage closet
Ongoing.
WCP
Safety- Playground repairs checks.
Wow Trail
Vandalism- Paint removal from pavement, section along Bartlett beach.
Wow Trail
Vandalism- Paint removal from Granite pillar by bridge
Wow Trail
Carpentry- Bridge board replacements.
Wow Trail
Safety- Picnic table removal,

XII.
PRESENTATIONS

XIII. ADJOURNMENT:

Commissioner Roy motioned to adjourn at 6:28pm. Seconded by Commissioner Guyer.
All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Liza Kelleher

Mitch Hamel
Administrative Secretary

Chair Commissioner.