Keene · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Keene public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Emergency Pearl Street Sewer Main Repair
A cluster of water infrastructure items came before the committee: repairing the 3-million-gallon tank, inspecting the transmission water main with new engineering services from KenWave Solutions, and contracting for the City Hall garage rehab.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Tank Repairs
The council was slated to consider construction services for the first phase of tank repairs at the wastewater treatment plant — the kind of behind-the-scenes work that keeps the city's sewer system running.
16-inch Water Transmission Main Assessment
A cluster of water infrastructure items came before the committee: repairing the 3-million-gallon tank, inspecting the transmission water main with new engineering services from KenWave Solutions, and contracting for the City Hall garage rehab.
Guitard Homes Cottage Court Utility Easement
Three of the night's approvals use Keene's newer Cottage Court rules to add housing: two Habitat for Humanity homes on Grove Street, a 14-unit townhouse project near Elm/Carroll, and a starter home on George Street. The board noted the city changed its code specifically to allow this kind of gentle density.
Court Street Culvert Replacement Easements
A collapsed culvert 30 feet under Court Street needs replacing using no-dig drilling, which requires easements from four abutting properties — offered at no payment. The committee greenlit negotiations unanimously.
Lower-cost power option for low-income Keene Community Power customers
About 300 Keene households on electric assistance will be shifted from the pricier Keene Standard default to the least-cost Keene Basic product, lowering their bills. Councilor Favolise argued the change doesn't go far enough for the other 22,700 ratepayers facing higher costs from the reauthorized plan.
City ownership of new development water and sewer systems
As new housing goes up, developers are asking the city to take over their private water/sewer systems — one approved in principle (Cottage Court), one denied (Elmside). It's a tradeoff: better water quality and billing enforcement for the city, but more maintenance cost and liability.
Wastewater Treatment Plant HVAC Replacement
A resolution would move capital reserve funds into the wastewater plant's HVAC replacement project — essential upkeep for a critical utility facility.
Eversource Transmission Structure Replacement Access
Eversource needs to cross city-owned land in Swanzey to reach transmission lines near the airport. The city is switching from an easement to a revocable license to keep more control.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Driveway Access Restriction
After-hours drag racing and donuts on the plant driveway prompted Swansea police complaints and damaged new pavement. A gate locked after staff hours will keep the road open days and Saturdays for recreation and accessibility.
Martel Court Fuel Tank Replacement
The wastewater plant's fuel tank replacement advances with Lakes Region Fuel Systems doing both design and installation, saving roughly $40,000 in engineering and about $20,000 versus the city's estimate.
Court Street well field upgrade
Trace amounts of golf-course pesticides, including Iprodione in Production Well 3, were found in groundwater — all far below health benchmarks. The well is offline, and the City is tripling its sampling and working with DES on a pesticide management area around the wells.
Water and sewer rate increase
Your fixed water and sewer charges go up 5% on July 1, the second step toward catching up with a 15% cost rise since 2022. Officials note costs are driven by staffing, chemicals, and fixed lease costs, not how much water you use — and tap water still costs under a penny a gallon.
Martel Court pump station failure risk
A leaking valve at the pump station has been patched for three years because there's no way to bypass the station. A permanent fix — new river crossing and all — is now funded and ready to build.
Interest on delinquent water and sewer bills (Ordinance O-2026-05)
Over $1 million in water and sewer bills is past due. The new ordinance adds 12% annual interest so people can't use the winter shutoff moratorium as a free loan.
Drinking water source protection fencing
The council was to consider accepting a state grant to help protect Keene's sources of drinking water.
Local Source Water Protection Grant
The council was to consider accepting a state grant to help protect Keene's sources of drinking water.
WWTP Service Water System Upgrade Funding Gap
The 40-year-old service water system upgrade came in over budget — lowest bid $389,000 against $285,600 allocated — so leftover aeration-line bond funds are being redirected to cover it.
WWTP Bond Fund Reallocation
Resolution R-2026-04 proposed reallocating unspent bond funds from the wastewater treatment plant service water system upgrade project.
Stormwater channel rehabilitation design
The city is hiring Dubuis & King for up to $96,000 to design repairs to the overgrown Tannery Brook tax ditch and the eroding stream bank at Martel Court, work intended to reduce future flooding and protect access to the sewer pump station.