[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6449672,"mediaKeyId","5893567-e0440a9a7cca7900efb21f9e57821dcc","parentId",5893567,"title","Keene council sends decision on 100 Church Street back to committee after neighbors seek time to plan","audioSeconds",435,"startMs",1693000,"endMs",2128000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5893567-e0440a9a7cca7900efb21f9e57821dcc&start=1693&end=2128","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5893567-e0440a9a7cca7900efb21f9e57821dcc/thumbnail_1693000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6449672/New-Hampshire/Keene-council-sends-decision-on-100-Church-Street-back-to-committee-after-neighbors-seek-time-to-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449672-7266bfb3a254734a5e323dab1cd88a6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773515810&Signature=b1Pa9R2ZiTsjwkh5v7nkQGHHzU8r53ONqg5w5R3V5ciz6x1hs9yMQGyOIE5aibrEcip6lE8zQeS1W1GIsWwmHBCcc1Spmwp0H5Gk7v1y8uiSiirqGntZpQNNxF822bMwADybL8n3sUGOJI-Ym-Iz9N5pWIcLa0nEHLaSoXFc0Tx4jWVOUBS~sRiuxIt9ZLt98UzPiL3xLujefNLhzypYtFlvZ6QcXbOhrfZaCZoaaUUhkduP8ClS89Snp2rRmdnjpjBIfn5ykLQn1Y0JQF~TaFo~wVk2RHm4F~KDTeEH2FPGHJyyHJ3o9wHXOaPuBmUYJVYLBTuXoOaUelhY1ihdPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Keene City, NH","date","2025-10-03T00:43:42Z","article","The Keene City Council voted 14–1 Thursday to send the question of selling a small city-owned parcel at 100 Church Street back to the Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure (MSFI) Committee for another month, after repeated debate over safety, neighbor plans and long-term maintenance.

Councilor Greenwald, who presented the MSFI committee's finding, said the parcel is a small, city-owned lot that has been maintained in the past but is not formally a park. “It is just a piece of land that is available to the public,” Greenwald said, arguing that without a formal plan the city is unlikely to sustain maintenance. He noted the MSFI committee had voted 4–1 to sell the parcel after months of consideration.

Neighbors and property owners have offered conflicting views on the lot. Communications submitted in advance included petitions and letters urging the city either to retain and maintain the space as a pocket park or to sell it to a private owner. Councilor Williams told the council there is a petition and “a list of 21 people who have volunteered to help out” to develop and implement a plan to maintain the site. Several councilors said they wanted to give that group a final opportunity to present a concrete plan to city staff and the committee.

Opponents of retaining the parcel pointed to ongoing safety and nuisance concerns. Councilor Madison said neighbors who live adjacent to the property report daily problems, including public defecation and other behaviors that have made abutters uncomfortable. “The folks who are adjacent to this property, who are dealing with the behaviors going on at this property on a daily basis, are very much in favor of selling it,” Madison said.

Councilor Tobin said the core issue is safety rather than green space. She observed that the property was never formally designed or managed as a park and that selling the lot does not guarantee it will be developed. Tobin also urged the city to consider broader volunteer programs for small public parcels whether this lot is sold or not.

After extended discussion, Greenwald moved to refer the matter back to the MSFI committee; Councilor Filio seconded the referral. The council voted in favor, 14–1, to return the item to committee with instructions that the committee should consider any neighborhood plan and that this should conclude the matter at the November committee cycle unless a staff-approved plan is presented.

Background: The parcel was planted and lightly maintained when Antioch University occupied a nearby building, according to remarks at the meeting. Councilors said the city originally took the property through eminent domain for a road that was never built and that the city has not budgeted ongoing maintenance for the small lot. The MSFI committee previously recommended sale after considering competing petitions and after asking neighbors to submit a maintenance plan over several meetings.

The council recorded no formal plan acceptance; the referral instructs MSFI and city staff to evaluate any neighborhood maintenance proposal and any legal or liability issues associated with transferring or leasing the parcel.

The council did not set a sale or transfer date and made no decisions about a specific purchaser. The city manager and city attorney will review any proposals forwarded by MSFI before further council action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting LIVE - 10/02/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Keene City Council voted 14–1 to refer the question of whether to sell 100 Church Street back to the Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure (MSFI) Committee for one month to allow neighborhood organizers more time to present a maintenance plan.","taxTitle","Keene City Council , Keene, Cheshire County, New Hampshire","taxId",68537,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6449662,"Keene council adopts class-allocation ordinance, approves Grove Street layout resolutions and accepts holiday donations",163,4345000,4508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5893567-e0440a9a7cca7900efb21f9e57821dcc&start=4345&end=4508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5893567-e0440a9a7cca7900efb21f9e57821dcc/thumbnail_4345000.jpg","/articles/6449662/New-Hampshire/Keene-council-adopts-class-allocation-ordinance-approves-Grove-Street-layout-resolutions-and-accepts-holiday-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449662-37cb4a6a281f96bd1715faf65a86b57b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773515810&Signature=lmFeWr3XgP-uXs70~doZCGDQcSAJKWQCJ3iE826E0QmgbLG0t~Qdvpxv3S8ejYsmCYsXv4OzpIC3R3DA3GAm0zp8WraDW6FVyWGg-qElJr2xOU6FKOg~vCxrnc8CLBQotAnmb2MtYrvmKhO3Ukh0j8fVVzANfhj1YNe455kqML2Dhc1jwDIM~yJeM4tkLm6iT9qGuWNkLZuQ0aQu9gyaeV-X5arZUR6krYoYCXdUrxkjv6GsIHa1DNFUtlHez58S2XSc47iCKa6deySHCf4Zvq5Z9qw67wr42OIOJSwnBwVER1WKUczIHGjb1RNz1nj5Fx3etnlXVfPuJSMmuJn7Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Keene City Council took several routine legislative actions Thursday, adopting a personnel-related ordinance, approving property layout resolutions that allow a Habitat for Humanity project to proceed, and authorizing city staff to accept donations for the 2025 holiday sponsorship program.

Ordinance O2025-31: The council adopted Ordinance O2025-31 relating to class allocation and a change in title for a vacant position in the Community Development Department. Councilor Thomas F. Powers moved adoption and Councilor Michael J. Remy seconded. Councilors discussed the ordinance as an administrative reclassification, not a new budget item; the measure passed unanimously on roll call.

Resolutions R2025-26 and R2025-27: The council approved two related resolutions to amend the public-way layout for Grove Street and to record a deed and easement for land removed from the right of way. Councilor Greenwald moved the resolutions and Councilor Filio seconded. Councilors said the layout change is a small correction that will improve vehicle movement and will enable a Habitat for Humanity project to proceed. The first resolution passed with one abstention from a councilor who had not attended the site visit; the committee and council supported adoption.

Holiday sponsorship donations: On the recommendation of the Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee, the council authorized the city manager to accept donations connected with the 2025 holiday sponsorship program. Councilors noted the program helps Human Services assist families during the holidays. The motion to carry out the committee intent passed unanimously.

Other actions: The council accepted several informational MSFI committee reports, including a load-rating study for Beaver Street and Spring Street bridges and an update on downtown infrastructure projects. The City Manager’s office reported that new VoteTab voting equipment (VotingWorks system) will be used in the upcoming municipal election and that the City’s master plan has been formally approved.

Votes recorded: Ordinance O2025-31 adoption — unanimous (roll call recorded as all yes). Resolutions R2025-26 and R2025-27 — approved (resolution votes recorded with one abstention on the Grove Street layout where the councilor had not attended the site visit). Holiday sponsorship donation acceptance — unanimous.","At the Oct. 2 meeting the council adopted Ordinance O2025-31 (class allocation), approved resolutions R2025-26 and R2025-27 related to Grove Street layout and easement, and authorized acceptance of donations for the city's 2025 holiday sponsorship program.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6449667,"Keene council votes 14–1 to put social-district question on 2025 municipal ballot",614,3147000,3761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5893567-e0440a9a7cca7900efb21f9e57821dcc&start=3147&end=3761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5893567-e0440a9a7cca7900efb21f9e57821dcc/thumbnail_3147000.jpg","/articles/6449667/New-Hampshire/Keene-council-votes-141-to-put-social-district-question-on-2025-municipal-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449667-2506c30d4bb784209a54a989d14d6ffc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773515810&Signature=BCnspgqmwo5iuTU1mS8KT~0UwsPOyNBsmhiV~Vq-WozZPp1A4ZFBK6ybv52zokjusB-vZPFwmD8b3L~M1cTgJ87Xob-dXdAoSg~6UFE16lI54oOROho1eHu4q~bltkE5LS5tZ4AAJV5eLbRA9cPcceb91J1~0V~kMWlHCd6klUsh44nznLISOiBJwwD1avbAnCdYWbvYaSABOr48Z9hSQYdoGIgYs7ZiuWMYMSVc72wCg6a0Oyg2Jd0G6qxufsh2QYGgTF0e67J3SI87X5-1QnXV1y3aXFaANaIMhj-RqMrGTUTanIzUXwKSD6soEsYGDHfzj3enaKFRCut2ES2OXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Keene City Council voted 14–1 Thursday to place a question on the 2025 municipal general election ballot asking voters whether the city should allow social districts — areas where patrons can carry approved alcohol cups between participating licensed establishments — and scheduled a public hearing on the item for Oct. 16.

Councilor Michael J. Remy, who introduced the proposal, told the council the vote would merely put the question before voters and would not require the city to immediately implement a social district. “If the voters come back massively in favor of it, we don't have to actually install it. We have plenty of time to go back, figure out what rules we wanna use, where we wanna use it, when we wanna allow it, how we're gonna manage through the liability,” Remy said.

Remy described the state guidance that prompted the measure, saying recent state-level changes allow municipalities to ask voters whether to permit social districts. He emphasized that detailed local rules, permitting and enforcement would come later if voters approve the concept.

Councilors expressed mixed personal views but largely supported giving voters the option. Councilor Greenwald said putting the issue to voters is worthwhile because it gives the public a chance to express preferences. Several councilors said they opposed the idea personally but favored submitting it to the electorate.

The motion to follow the Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee's recommendation to put the question on the ballot passed 14–1. A public hearing on the proposal is set for Oct. 16 at 7:05 p.m., and councilors said they may invite state and local licensing officials to the hearing to provide guidance; the city clerk reported the Liquor Commission had declined to appear to present information.

If voters approve the ballot question, councilors said they would have a later process to adopt local rules, pick the district footprint and address operational issues such as cup design, participating licensees and enforcement.

The council did not set any immediate operational rules or dates for implementing a social district; those decisions would require later council action and staff work.","The Keene City Council voted 14–1 to place a question about allowing social districts on the 2025 municipal general election ballot and scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 16.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Keene council sends decision on 100 Church Street back to committee after neighbors seek time to plan

Keene council adopts class-allocation ordinance, approves Grove Street layout resolutions and accepts holiday donations

Keene council votes 14–1 to put social-district question on 2025 municipal ballot