Ward 5 Councilor· 2026-01-01–2030-01-01 (month-level start: January 2026 per City Council Inauguration Minutes 01/01/2026; month-level end: January 2030 - four-year ward term; city page 'Term 2026 to 2029')
Philip M. Jones
Keene
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 11
- Total speaking time
- 43:02
- Avg per meeting
- 3:55
- Segments
- 742
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Top issues during term (20)
Prohibiting dogs at downtown events
The city could face liability if someone is bitten on city property at an event.
Gilbo Avenue solar pavilion siting and future development
The $2.1 million project is federally funded with a local match; picking Location 2 adds roughly $75,000-$80,000 in EV charger relocation and permitting costs.
Restricting sale of 7-OH and concentrated kratom products
Enforcement would fall to local police and retailers; no direct city cost was stated.
School Street speeding and cut-through traffic
Cost of a staff traffic study; not yet quantified.
0 Howard Street rezoning to Conservation
Rezoning to Conservation would likely drop the land's sale value and keep it off the tax rolls, while a housing sale would return it to the tax base.
Downtown Infrastructure Project bid results
Tied to the Downtown Infrastructure Project budget; no standalone cost was listed.
Fire Department Staffing and Overtime Costs
Costs $525,460, saves about $527,691 in overtime — a net savings of $2,231, but the money must be raised through the tax rate first.
Short-term rental regulation (O-2026-09 and O-2026-10)
A registry, licensing program, or data-tracking platform could cost the city roughly $10,000 per year plus staff resources.
Central Square Traffic Lane Configuration
Changing the plan would cost little since it's mostly paint, but traffic delays could affect downtown business revenue.
Data center and cryptocurrency mining moratorium
A moratorium could affect future tax base from data center development, though the fiscal effect is unknown.
Roxbury Street/South Lincoln Street intersection safety
A roundabout was estimated at about $1 million and rejected; easements are expected to be far cheaper.
Monadnock View Cemetery running out of burial space
The resolution would commit city funds to the expansion project, with the specific amount not stated in the materials provided.
Howard Street Zoning Map Amendment (O-2026-13)
The city would walk away from a signed deal to sell the parcel for housing development it already spent money preparing.
Kiwanis Tree Lighting Ceremony Use of City Property
Free parking for four Winter Street spaces and police overtime staffing for the event.
Free downtown parking during construction
Free parking costs the Parking Fund revenue, though two-hour-limit fines and lot revenue still flow.
Wells Garage lower level public parking
Could affect downtown parking availability and any associated revenue.
Residential tax relief application at 128-130 School Street
The city forgoes the property tax increase from the renovation for three years, though the property's value still rises on the grand list.
Gilbo Avenue Planning Charrette
Expansion of permitted uses in Commerce, Industrial, and Industrial Park zones
Vacancy analysis may require consultant hiring or CIP resources to accelerate beyond the planned 2028 phase.
Lower Winchester Street reconstruction right-of-way costs
The change order adjusts the project's engineering contract cost.
Decisions during term (311)
Recorded while Jones was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Monadnock View Cemetery Expansion Funding (R-2026-42)
Federal Funding Agreement — THT Phase 2 (NHDOT #45251)
Acceptance of Pathways for Keene Donation
3 Million Gallon Tank Repair — Additional Scope of Work
Re-allocation: Sullivan Road Bridge to George Street Bridge
KenWave Solutions Engineering Agreement — Water Main Inspection
Change Order — Structural Preservation Services, City Hall Garage
Wells Garage Lower Level Public Parking (O-2026-16)
Court Street Drain Replacement — Permanent Easements
Guitard Homes Cottage Court — Utility Easement
School Street Traffic and Safety — Monitoring and 25 mph Ordinance
Central Square Lane Configuration — Councilor Filiault's Two-Lane Request
Dorrie Masten Communication — Downtown Project Concerns
Downtown Infrastructure Project Update
Kiwanis Club Tree Lighting Festival license
Dog prohibition at downtown events - draft ordinance
Ordinance O-2026-13 - 0 Howard Street rezoning
Adoption of September 17, 2026 meeting minutes
School Street traffic study referral (D.1)
Acceptance of Court Street cottage court water/sewer infrastructure (D.2)
Voting record (16)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
send this item back to the MSFI Committee for additional public comment and discussion
amend the Committee report by changing to Option One for the location
carry out the intent of the second Committee recommendation
adopt Resolution R-2026-37
carry out the intent of the first MSFI Committee recommendation
Motion to amend solar pavilion recommendation to Location Option 1 (D.5)
Believes the Gilbo Avenue site is too valuable for housing and mixed-use development and is the wrong use of an entryway to downtown.
Motion to return solar pavilion item to MSFI Committee (D.5)
Continuance of Ordinance O-2026-09 (Short-term Rentals) to September 14
Wants further discussion of conditional use and licensing.
Acceptance of Council letter on Master Plan implementation as informational
Mayor Kahn's letter on expanding permitted uses in Commerce/Industrial zones placed on More Time
More Time keeps the subject in front of staff for future use.
Councilor Jones's letter on new land use definitions (data centers, crypto mining, private prisons) placed on More Time
refer the MSFI Committee report back to Committee for a full Council recommendation and input
refer the Communication back to the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee
carry out the intent of the Committee report
Downtown Infrastructure Project construction contract (Casella Construction, $26,058,836)
He believed sending the item back to committee to address the small line items would be worthwhile for the taxpayers without holding up the timeline.
Pathways for Keene — 4 on the 4th Road Race, July 4, 2026
He serves on the Pathways for Keene board.