The Keene Type B board on an unspecified July meeting day approved a set of maintenance contracts for City Hall, Eliza Carver Park, the pocket/Heinrich park and landscape work at the Highway 67 welcome sign. The board moved and seconded each contract and recorded unanimous approval on each motion.

The package included: a City Hall landscaping contract that is paid monthly with a 30-day cancellation clause; a $2,500-per-month contract for Eliza Carver Park; a contract for mowing and routine maintenance of the pocket park (listed in paperwork as “Heinrich Park” but discussed as the pocket park/Lou’s Araujo Park); and a contract to maintain the planted area and welcome sign on Highway 67 near College Drive. Board members said some costs will be split across funds — for example, City Hall maintenance will come from the general fund, while community-center work may be split among the Type B board, water and sewer funds or other departments.

Board members and staff discussed scope details during the motions: routine mowing, irrigation maintenance, seasonal flower replacement and occasional tree trimming were cited as included services. The board noted that some contracts are priced as an annual amount divided into 12 monthly payments; staff explained that is why the agreements include a 30-day notice requirement (a month is prepaid). For the pocket park the contractor’s schedule lists about 31 service visits annually; board members observed that visits will vary by season and rain conditions.

Financial details mentioned in the discussion: Don’s Lawn Service was cited in budget materials with $30,000 budgeted for park work (that figure was discussed as covering other park sites). The board did not vote on a specific new appropriation during these motions; motions were limited to accepting the contracts as presented. Where a mover or seconder was recorded in the transcript, the minutes reflect it (for example, Neli Youngberg seconded the Eliza Carver Park motion; Gary Henrich seconded the Heinrich/Pocket Park motion; Donnie Beason seconded the Highway 67 motion). Several speakers clarified which fund should pay which portion (City Hall from general fund; community-center side to be split), and staff said it will be apportioned among departments as appropriate.

Votes at a glance

- Accept contract for City Hall landscaping — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (recorded as unanimous). Funding: general fund for City Hall portion; community-center portion to be split. Notes: contract billed monthly, 30-day cancellation.
- Accept contract for Eliza Carver Park — motion made by a board member and seconded by Neli Youngberg; outcome: approved (unanimous). Stated cost in discussion: $2,500 per month (as shown in the contract schedule).
- Accept contract for Pocket/"Heinrich" Park (to be known informally as Lou’s Araujo Park) — motion by Neli Youngberg, seconded by Gary Henrich; outcome: approved (unanimous). Scope: regular mowing, shrub cleanup, annual tree trimming; contract lists about 31 service visits/year.
- Accept contract for Highway 67 welcome sign and flower bed maintenance — motion made and seconded (Donnie Beason noted as second); outcome: approved (unanimous). Scope: weed control, flower-bed upkeep, signage area cleanup; work reportedly already begun in recent weeks.

No formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript excerpt; each vote was announced as unanimous by the presiding person. The board did not adopt new budget appropriations during these contract votes; staff and board members said existing budgets will cover the payments and that some costs are split across funds.

Ending

Board members moved on to the next agenda items after the unanimous votes. Staff will finalize the contract distributions by fund and return as needed for accounting and budget tracking.