Council reallocates $75,000 to skate park, accepts water protection grant and office furniture donation

The Keene City Council approved several fiscal and procurement items during the meeting: a $75,000 reallocation for skate park improvements, acceptance of a $39,500 local source water protection grant, and acceptance of donated office furniture and equipment valued up to $100,000.

The Finance, Organization & Personnel committee recommended reallocating $75,000 from the Patricia Russell Park construction budget to the skate park improvements project to match a Land & Water Conservation Fund grant. Council discussion included questions about whether additional parking and pavement were needed and whether permeable paving would be used; staff noted constraints related to prior site approvals and New Hampshire DES requirements. The motion passed with a recorded vote of 11 to 3.

The council unanimously authorized the city manager to accept a $39,500 Local Source Water Protection grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Councilor Powers said the funds will pay for fencing and gates at the West Street well field and for a gate and fence at Babbage Reservoir to protect drinking water resources.

Finally, the council accepted a donation of office furniture and equipment from Guild Mortgage Company with an estimated value up to $100,000 to update city office workstations and conference areas. Councilors thanked staff for sourcing the donation; the acceptance passed unanimously.

The reallocation and grant acceptance will be implemented by the appropriate departments (Parks/Public Works for skate park and water utility staff for the grant-funded protections) and the furniture will be distributed to city offices as needed.