LACONIA — Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed House Bill 467 into law in July, paving the way for municipalities to create so-called “social zones” where open container alcohol consumption would be allowed.

The new law went into effect on Friday.

Councilors will discuss so-called social districts, according to their agenda for their next meeting, set for 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, at City Hall downtown.

At their meeting on Aug. 25, the subject breached the walls of City Hall for the first time, when Ward 5 Councilor Steven Bogert referred to the newly-enacted law and suggested other councilors give it some thought.

“In the State of New Hampshire, they have passed having social areas,” Bogert said.

“It was an enabling law,” Bogert said. “The cities themselves, or towns or villages, must enact on

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