Keene committee recommends putting social-district question before voters; public hearing set for Oct. 16

The Keene Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee voted unanimously to recommend placing a question on social districts before voters and scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 16.

Councilor Remy introduced the proposal as a question for the electorate: "The question that I want this council to think about today or this committee to think about today is whether it should go on the ballot and let the voters decide," he said, urging the committee to give residents the opportunity to weigh in now rather than wait until 2027.

An attorney who addressed the committee described social districts as a new category created by state law and summarized municipal responsibilities if voters approve an enabling question. "Social districts are defined in this new statute," the attorney said, and noted that the city would be required to map boundaries, post management and maintenance plans, submit operating days and hours to the liquor commission and meet detailed requirements for participating licensees and the cups used for beverages.

The attorney also warned of potential new city liability under the statute and cited statutory caps discussed in the meeting as examples of how liability could be structured. The attorney said the law is new and that insurers and the city have not yet seen how courts would treat the statute’s novel duties.

Several public commenters urged the committee to place the question on the ballot. "In the strongest possible terms, yes, this must be on the ballot in November," said Bradford Hutchinson, who identified himself as a mayoral candidate, adding that wording should be simple and that the city should adequately advertise the question so voters understand it.

City Clerk Terry Hood told the committee there is an administrative deadline to place the question on the calendar. She said the council must act by Oct. 2 to allow time for required public notice and to schedule the hearing; the statute also limits ballot wording, she said.

A motion to recommend placing the question on the ballot and to schedule a public hearing for Oct. 16 was moved, seconded and approved unanimously. The recommendation returns the matter to the full city council, which would adopt any implementing ordinance, map the district boundaries and set operating details if voters approve the ballot measure.

Next steps: the city council will consider the committee’s recommendation and, if it moves forward, will develop the map, logistical plan and ordinance language required by state law before a social district could be implemented.