Committee endorses $20,000 Monadnock Conservancy donation for Transportation Heritage Trail

The Finance, Organization, and Personnel Committee unanimously recommended that the city manager accept a $20,000 donation from the Monadnock Conservancy and allocate the funds to Transportation Heritage Trail phase one (65M0008A). Don Lucier, the city’s public works director, said the gift supplements a prior $12,000 contribution that helped start design work and that construction activity has already begun on Eastern Avenue.

Amanda Littleton of the Monadnock Conservancy thanked the committee and said the group values collaboration with the city and Pathways for Keene, adding: "thank you for the investment that you make in this public infrastructure for people to be able to connect with nature and get outside and have access through these pathways." A committee member noted Pathways for Keene plans a similar donation and that the organization’s board action timing delayed inclusion on this agenda.

The committee moved, seconded and voted unanimously to recommend acceptance of the donation. No additional conditions were recorded. The recommendation will go to the full City Council or be handled administratively per city practice.