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Keene EDC says $3 million grant targets water upgrades; sewer capacity questions remain
Summary
At a Type A Economic Development Corporation meeting, city officials described a $3 million grant intended for water system upgrades as part of a larger $20 million plan, noted the need to upsizetwo-inch lines and possibly add a well, and flagged future sewer-capacity work for the industrial park.
Keene Economic Development Corporation Type A board members heard an update on city water infrastructure on a regularly scheduled meeting, during which the city manager said a recently secured $3,000,000 grant is focused on water-system upgrades and is intended to be part of a roughly $20,000,000 plan for longer-term capacity work.
The discussion centered on aging distribution lines and planning for growth. The city manager said the work would prioritize replacing old two-inch steel lines with larger mains and that options could include a new well. “A lot of old steel 2 inch lines. We have 2 inch lines that need to be upsized to 6 inch lines,” the city manager said.
Why it matters: Board members were told the city faces a multi-year need to expand water capacity as housing and development continue. The city manager warned the board that without phased investment “we're 10 years away from needing to double the size” of the system and stressed that the $3,000,000 grant is “really for water” rather than sewer.
Board members asked about sewer capacity for new development in the industrial park and other subdivisions. The city manager said there are “plans for it” but cautioned that enlarging sewer treatment capacity will require additional funding and time and could be the subject of a separate future grant.
City staff also described a planning tool the city acquired in recent years to model water needs and guide investments. The city manager characterized that software as making recommendations to “plan for future growth” and cited a past local example in Keene where growth required sudden adjustments. “If we don't start addressing it in the next year or 2, we're gonna history is gonna repeat itself when Keene all of a sudden had to jump,” the city manager said, adding that staff will share a strategic plan with the community once it is ready.
Board members and staff tied the water discussion to several ongoing development projects the city is tracking, including subdivisions where sidewalks, parking and utilities are being finished and where new homes are under construction. Staff said some site work is near final inspection and noted upcoming sewer-phase work on one project.
The board did not take formal action on infrastructure changes at the meeting; members directed staff to continue planning and to share reports and a proposed strategic plan with the council and community when available.
