Council votes to keep previous meeting schedule after debate over moving to one regular monthly meeting

The Keene City Council voted 3–2 on Aug. 7 to not approve an ordinance that would change the dates of regular council meetings to a single meeting each month (first Thursday). The motion to not approve the ordinance was made by Councilmember Thomas Gutwa and seconded by Councilmember Bob Chapman.

Gutwa said the council had not given the previously adopted single‑meeting schedule a sufficient trial period and argued against reverting to more frequent meetings before allowing the one-meeting schedule to be tested. "I think I would certainly agree with all that," he said, urging continuity. Opponents, including Councilmember (recorded as) Nott, said constituents expect two meetings per month and that the second meeting could be readily canceled when not needed.

Council debated whether switching to one scheduled meeting would reduce public access and whether special meetings were an adequate substitute. Some council members said residents often plan schedules around a known, recurring meeting date and that relying on special meetings could reduce participation. Other members said one scheduled meeting plus special meetings was common in neighboring cities and could save staff time.

After discussion the motion to not approve the ordinance carried by a 3–2 margin. The meeting minutes record the motion as carrying 3–2; the transcript does not list a full roll-call on the consent‑agenda item, so vote names were not individually read at the time of the final tally recorded by the mayor.