Keene council accepts grants, reallocations and agreements in unanimous votes

The Keene City Council on Jan. 15 approved several Finance, Organization & Personnel (FOP) committee recommendations in unanimous votes.

The council authorized the city manager to accept a 2025 Homeland Security tactical equipment grant of $12,714 to replace communications headsets and buy associated small parts and equipment for police operations. Councilor Thomas Powers, reporting for FOP, said the funds will help maintain critical equipment without using local tax dollars.

Council also approved reallocation of $15,350 in unspent West Side parking structure project funds to the City Hall parking deck maintenance program; staff said these are parking‑fund fees, not tax dollars.

Separately, the council authorized the city manager to execute an engineering services agreement with DuBois & King for design work on stormwater channel rehabilitation for an amount not to exceed $96,000. The project combines two channel repairs into a single contract to realize cost savings.

Finally, the council approved a committee recommendation to negotiate and execute sale terms for a combined parcel identified as 0 Howard Street (Parcel 536‑034), approximately 0.91 acres near 8 Howard Street, for residential development consistent with master plan objectives.

All four items were recommended unanimously by the FOP committee and were approved by voice or roll call during the meeting.