EDC reappoints Chuck Easley; board tables proposal to change meeting time to encourage participation

The Keene EDC Type B board voted to accept Chuck Easley to fill a two-year vacancy on the board, then discussed — and tabled — a proposal to change the regular meeting time to improve public participation.

During the agenda item to consider applications for a two-year term ending March 2027, a motion by Gary Heinrich to accept Chuck Easley's application was seconded by Beeson. The chair announced the motion carried 4-0.

Board members then considered whether moving regular meetings to an evening time would make it easier for working residents to participate. Residents and at-large members said some potential applicants have told them morning/afternoon meeting times prevent participation. Staff and some board members noted that later meetings can strain city staff schedules and that past evening meetings historically have not produced much higher public turnout unless a contentious item is on the agenda.

After extended discussion the board voted to table the item so members missing from the current meeting could participate in the time-change conversation. The motion to table passed by consensus, recorded as 4-0.

Ending: Board members asked staff to consider adding an optional field to future board-application forms to let applicants indicate preferred meeting times and to revisit the question when absent members could be present.