City Council - Regular Meeting

Hey, guys.

Good to see you. How are you? All right.

I didn't know it was right after that.

That day? Yeah, that day. That day? Okay. Okay. Okay. You all right? All right. Excellent. I had a question for you, but I don't know.

She's assessed at 1.4.

The rate there is $18.99 per thousand.

And she paid $45,000 in taxes. All right.

But they have to use the assessed value, right?

Or raise the assessed value that they're going to . That should be part of the assessed value, right? . But at that rate, you're only gonna get 26,000. By the way, their taxes are $35,000. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening. The hour of 7 p.m. having arrived, I will call to order this regular meeting of the Keene City Council, and we will take the roll. Councilor Randy Alfilio?

Here.

Michelle A. Chalice? Here. Catherine I. Workman? Here. Brian J. Lake? Here. Jacob R. Favalese? Here. Laura E. Tobin? Here. Robert C. Williams?

Here.

Phillip M. Jones? Present. Chris E. Roberts? Here. Bettina A. Chadbourne? Here. Edward J. Haas. Here. Laura E. Ruttle-Miller. Molly V. Ellis. Thomas F. Powers. Mitchell H. Greenwald. Here. At this time, if I could have a motion, please, from Councillor Filio to elect a temporary chair for this evening.

Thank you. Move to appoint Councillor Greenwald to the temporary chair.

Second. Thank you. This will be a show of hands. It's unanimous. Thank you.

good evening in the mayor's absence I call to order this meeting of the King City Council

Excuse me. What?

What are you moving around here?

We need to let everyone know.

Okay. Let's see. I'll call Pledge of Allegiance. Would Councilor Filio please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Regarding the minutes of the preceding meeting, Council Filio. Move to adopt the motion for minutes of the previous meeting.

Second.

And since we have no one remote, we can do this by show of hands. All in favor? That would be unanimous. Thank you. Oh, I see that there is a birthday in the midst. The young gentleman on the right, Ed Haas, has a birthday July 22nd. So congratulations. You made it another year. A reminder that city council summer break will start after the August 6th council meeting and extend through Labor Day and will return from break with meetings of the PLD committee on September 9 and FOP on September 10. You will be happy to know that there are no hearings or presentations this evening, but I would make a comment if Councillor Ellis was here. We had an excellent parade and I'm sure that when Mayor Kahn returns, he will have a lengthy proclamation to thank her and I think Councillor Haas had a lot to do with it and city staff. Also, we have no elections, nominations or appointments, so we can move right on to communications.

Yes, our first communication and actually our only communication this evening is from Eversource Energy and this is a request for temporary access and use of the old Gilson Road for a transmission structure replacement project.

And this is to be referred to the Municipal Services Facilities and Infrastructure Committee. also would make note that there's another communication that was referred direct to city staff from Councillor Tobin and perhaps could have been on the agenda but nonetheless it would be referred to the city manager this is regarding the annual roadway safety plan with Councillor Tobin requested some information on that and city manager assures me that we will see this at the next MSFI meeting in September

it will take time to develop this information we have communication from pumpkin fist so this is the first of our committee reports this evening and it is a report from the Planning Licenses and Development Committee relative to let it shines request for use of city property for the 2026 pumpkin festival. And on a vote of four to zero, the planning licenses and development committee recommends that the city council grant a revocable license to let it shine to use downtown city rights of way to conduct the Keene pumpkin festival on Saturday, October 17th, 2026, subject to the licensing requirements identified in the staff report, including associated road closures and authorization for free parking. All permissions granted herein are subject to compliance with the city approved safety protocol document, which becomes a part of this license.

Thank you. Council Jones for a motion. I move for the intent of the committee report. And a second, please.

Second.

Thank you. Can you tell us about the motion, please?

Yeah, both Mike Giacomo and Mike Remy, two former counselors, presented in detail. I have to say Let It Shine did a great job of working with the city and working around what could possibly be the downtown infrastructure project. They've actually moved the... The actual footprint, a block south, it's actually going to start by Roxbury Street and go south. They did a good job filling in all the different places. They're changing some dimensions, like the dimensions on the tower. The youth programs are going to happen in a private lot on Cypress Street. They did a good job. It all went through protocol, and I believe we should pass this.

Thank you. Any questions, comments regarding? Therefore, all in favor, show of hands. That would be unanimous. Thank you. Item D2 is a request from Council Reverend Miller that is accepted as informational regarding the reinstatement of the College City Commission. Item D3, Yankee Bottle Club.

Yes, this is a finance organization and personnel committee report relative to a request from the Yankee Bottle Club to support installation of the keen blast company historical marker not a vote of 5 to 0 the finance organization and personnel committee recommends that the City Council confirm that its previous authorization for the Yankee Bottle Club to design fabricate donate and install a historical marker on the Cheshire rail trail. was granted with the understanding that all project costs would be privately funded through donations and fundraising, and that the city manager will be authorized to take all actions necessary to facilitate the installation.

Thank you. Councilor Chadbourne. Move the motion.

Second.

And the second was from Councilor... Okay. Okay, Council Chair.

You have to bear with me because I just found out like less than two hours ago that I was doing this, so I wasn't prepared. But so Steve Surachek, who is a member of the Yankee Bottle Club, came before us and gave us a brief history about the Bottle Club and about the history of actually glassmaking in Keene. The Bottle Club's been around for about 58 years and at some point there were 79 glass manufacturing enterprises in the U.S. and the organization The Bottle Club, their mission is to appreciate, preserve, and promote the history of glassmaking and collecting. And anyways, they had previous authorization to design, fabricate, donate, and install a historical marker on the Cheshire Rail Trail with the understanding that the cost would be privately funded through donations and fundraising. They've already received... including one from Mr. Cerechek himself, $700 of seed money for their goal. So he contributed $200, and there was an additional $500 from other donations. And what we're asking is that you support or actually confirm that its previous authorization to design, fabricate, and donate be granted with the understanding that all costs are provided through private funding. Sorry, I'm kind of winging it. We hope you support this. You got it.

It's okay. I think we understand. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, all in favor? We are unanimous. I've taken the pause for a moment. Councillor Ellis has just joined us. Recently named an outstanding woman. We knew that, but recognized as such. There was a banquet and presentation this evening. Okay, back on. Item D4, residential property revitalization zone.

Yes, this is a Finance Organization and Personnel Committee report, and on a vote of 5-0, the Finance Organization and Personnel Committee recommends that the structure proposed for redevelopment located at 429 Elm Street is a qualifying structure as defined by RSA 79E4-B, that the structure is not within a currently defined tax increment financing district, that the structure is not a residential property subject to an election for tax assessment relief under the low-income housing tax credit program under RSA 75-1A, that the proposed rehabilitation cost estimates exceed the threshold amount of $50,000 and constitutes a substantial rehabilitation, that the property is served by city, water, and sewer, that this proposed rehabilitation is consistent with the city's master plan, and that the proposed rehabilitation provides the following public benefits as required by Resolution R 2025-35. One, it adds at least one unit of new housing. Two, it promotes efficient design, safety, and a greater sense of community in a manner consistent with the Keene Comprehensive Master Plan. Therefore, the committee recommends that the application for real property tax relief on any assessed tax increment resulting from the substantial rehabilitation of the qualifying structure be granted for a period of four years beginning with the completion of the substantial rehabilitation as determined by the City's Community Development Department and conditioned upon the property owner granting to the City at the time substantial completion a covenant ensuring that the structure shall be maintained and used in a manner that furthers the public benefits for the period of the tax relief to be recorded at the Cheshire County registry of deeds at the cost and expense of the property owner further the committee recommends the City Council waive the inclusion of a lien against the proceeds from casualty and flood insurance claims in the covenant

Move to carry out the intent of the committee.

Second.

George Hansel of H.G. Johnson Real Estate came before us representing Cheryl and Joe Baxter of JC&C Rentals. They've applied for the 79E tax relief under the program that was established by the council. One of their rental properties has three small houses and they are converting a barn structure into two new rental units. They obtained the designation of cottage court for the property and have gone through the building permit process. let's see the the plan is to have the building completed by the fall and with the assistance of city staff they were able to you know submit the application and the it would be at a cost of approximately $200,000 for two units and would yield a benefit in the range of $1,500 a year this is in keeping with providing more housing and other members from the committee feel free to jump in. Let's see. We supported this. In fact, Councillor Lake suggested the request was for two years of tax relief and based on the fact that there was two units, the Councillor SUGGESTED GIVING THEM FOUR YEARS. WE SUPPORTED THAT SUGGESTION, AND WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS AS WELL.

GOOD EXPLANATION. VERY GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR TOBIN?

THANK YOU. I THINK THIS IS A FANTASTIC PROJECT. I DO REALLY STRUGGLE TO SEE IT ALIGNING WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE RSA. Where I'm really struggling is where it's defined as residential structure in a residential revitalization property zone. The residential structure for that particular section of 79E, this is section B, c addresses a lot of other areas and general structures but this is specifically residential structures so on our website we talk about this as being the purpose of the residential property revitalization zone is to revitalize existing housing stock by providing relief etc etc but i've tried finding definitions of residential structure, this to me just doesn't feel like a house, a housing stock. Section C would be the one that would address that. And I know, I think that was mentioned at FOP. We opted out of doing that because it would require, there was a component that restricted an income, so it had an income cap. That would basically mean that revitalizing new housing and you add a new unit that's lower income housing. And that, yeah, it's really the residential structure that I'm struggling with here. And the fact that it's addressed in another area, this type of property.

Council Roberts.

Unfortunately, higher level government rarely writes something that is easily understood. And so we are now in a situation is, well, we can't, based on what they wrote, we really can't follow it to the letter of the law. So then good leadership looks back and says, what is the intent? What is the spirit? of the law, and we kind of believed since no one is telling us exactly what it is, we felt that it was very worthwhile to follow the spirit of the law and the intent of the law instead of just sitting there waiting for Concord or someone else trying to sort it out. I was going to say another word, but I caught myself in time.

also like thank mr. chair yeah this is this is something that we we chatted about quite quite a bit at the committee because I had kind of come in with the same idea a little bit of a concern around that specific part of the language but as we as we talked about it more and as we kind of looked back to when we were presented this information. I know one of the target areas was creating ADUs out of, I believe it was carriage houses was the specific example, of which a barn would be a very similar, maybe slightly different use, a very similar use. And I believe that this fits the spirit of the RSA in the spirit of what we're trying to accomplish. This isn't a commercial building. This is on a residential plot. I think it fits within the residential general definition. And so I certainly understand a little bit of hesitation here. But I do believe that in the spirit of the law, the way that it was intended, this use does fit within our rules and within the RSA.

Thank you. Anyone else? Well, I will speak as a counselor. Just very simply, this is creating housing, which is a major goal of this council. It's creating tax base. It's changing something from basically a vacant barn into a taxable property. And bear in mind that after the four years are over, it's fully taxed. So I know that there are different varieties of the 79 E apparently, but I'm all in favor. I'd like back is no longer counselor. Anyone else comments? Yes, concert.

I completely agree that this is a great project and I understand that we want to build housing. I also want to keep in mind that There are established guidelines and sometimes it can feel like we're pushing the edge of each one a little bit and I just want to be careful that we don't, we're staying within the parameters of what, of the laws that we actually create because I know that there are decisions that are carefully thought out. In ADU, I mean, this particular section of the RSA does define, it specifies that it needs to be, so it can be four unit buildings, but they would need to be attached. So I'm trying to wrap my brain around like, how could I make this into what this law says? And I just, I'm really struggling to like find a way to make this situation to find a way to fit make this law fit the situation because right now to me it just doesn't and in terms of the spirit of the law i completely understand counselor robert's perspective and also i would say that the fact that that situation has a different set of guidelines in the next part of the rsa makes me feel like that isn't within the spirit of the law because it's identified somewhere else. Thank you.

Anything further? Therefore, all in favor? Opposed? That would be one opposed and whatever else. Okay. Item D5, when you're ready.

THIS IS A FINANCE ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL REPORT RELATIVE TO THE EXECUTION OF A CHANGE ORDER FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. AND ON A VOTE OF 5-0, THE FINANCE ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AUTHORIZED TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150,000 FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES WITH LAKES REGION FUEL SYSTEMS AS PART OF THE MARTELL COURT PUMP STATION FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT PROJECT.

Council Chair.

Move to carry out the intent of the committee.

Second. Second by Council Lake.

The consultant lakes region. Staff discussed having them complete a design and permitting for the Martell Port station fuel tank replacement. They had knowledge of the previous system and the temporary system being used for the fuel tank, and they also had knowledge of the fuel systems within the wastewater treatment facilities. Hiring them to do the design and permitting will result in a $40,000 savings. So the change order is to have them install the tank at a cost not to exceed $150,000. We hope that you support this.

Questions? Comments? Seeing none, all in favor? That would be unanimous. Next item, D6.

And this is a Finance Organization and Personnel Committee report relative to reallocation of unspent funds for the Martell Court Sewer Force Main Inspection Project. And on a vote of 5-0, the Finance Organization and Personnel Committee recommends that the City Manager be authorized to do all things necessary to reallocate $50,000 from the Sewer Force Main Inspection Project to the Island Street Sewer Improvement Project.

Councilor Chadwick.

Move to carry out the intent of the committee. Second. So, regarding the Court Street Sewer Force Main Inspection Project, there were two sources of funding, and it was allocated in the capital improvement project, and the city staff went about trying to find funding and, excuse me, Yeah, and in addition, never mind, I've got that mixed up. The city was awarded a federal earmark for funding, but it didn't cover all the engineering services that were performed based on the price that the city received. And the second project is the Island Street project. And I didn't finish my notes. Like I said, I had like an hour for this. So... This is basically a change order to negotiate and execute a contract not to exceed the amount of $150,000 for construction services with Lakes Regional Fuel Systems. Again, please feel free to jump in if there needs further explanation.

We just did that. We just did that.

I think we just need to move to the next one, maybe.

Did you do? We are on D6 right now.

Yes, and I think I've got that one mixed up with the other one. Yep, yep, you're right. Sorry. So the engineer, we... City engineer said that this consists of three projects. I'm going to read this because, like I said, I just had no time. He stated the project is the Court Street Sewer Force Main Inspection Project, which was built into the CIP. Funds have been allocated and appropriated. This is to assess the force main to see if there was a need to replace it immediately. As the city progressed with the project, the city was awarded a congressional earmark for funding of that project, two sources of funding. The earmark didn't cover all engineering services that were performed based on the price that the city received, but there was leftover city funds as part of the project. The second project is the Island Street Reconstruction Project. The project was completed in June at the completion of the project or the adjacent street during Normal operating cleaning of the sewer main, a collapse of that main was identified. Staff requested pricing from three contractors, Sir Construction, who were already working on Island Street, provided the best price. The city requested them expedite and complete the work as part of the project. The second project, let's see. Staff's request is to utilize the Martell court unspent money for the force main inspection and place sir pay, excuse me, sir construction for the repairs they performed on the summer main.

For any of you who have never stood up and explained a motion coming into this committee, surely with only 10 minutes heads up, you're doing a great job.

I appreciate it because I really did not have much notice whatsoever.

I've been there. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I think an especially good job on this because I've read this. report a few times while I've been sitting here and trying to make a piece of it make sense. So I'm going to ask a question. I apologize I wasn't at FOP to ask this. But I'm reading that the earmark did not cover all engineering services and there's money left over. And so I'm trying to make both of those things make sense.

I think that the money is left over from a different project. believe that the earmark was for one project and then we had the Island Street reconstruction project I think how he explained it it was that the money is left over from that Martell court unspent money and being moved but you're right this honestly this report is doesn't doesn't read well at all

so kudos to you councillor Chad Warren I'm afraid to ask anyone else have questions okay therefore ready to vote all in favor that would be unanimous thank you next item this is item d7 it's a finance organization and personnel committee report relative to execution of a change order for engineering services

And on a vote of 5-0, the Finance Organization and Personnel Committee recommends that the City Manager be authorized to do all things necessary to execute a contract change order in an amount not to exceed $1,338,000 for engineering services with McFarland Johnson as part of the Lower Winchester Street Reconstruction Project.

Move to carry out the intent of the committee. Second. At least I got one part down. Okay, so DOT is, well, the project is $16 million with DOT covering 80% of the cost. We really need to move forward with this because the bridge is in need to be replaced as soon as possible. The right-of-way acquisition period is anticipated to take about two years. which is a long time for staff to move forward with the bridge project. No additional money needs to be allocated. Any additional money that may be needed for construction can be done as part of the CIP update. And it's noted that the city manager thanked staff for pursuing these funds through the state. And we hope that you support this. Thank you.

Questions? Seeing none, all in favor? unanimous we are now on the city manager comments

Just a few updates for you this evening. One of the things that I wanted to bring your attention to and I know I've mentioned this before but I got some information from the library director today. There's a really great resource at the library if someone is looking to advance their career or prepare for certification or to take a specific test. It's through the Peterson's Test and Career Prep. It's a software at the library. It's no cost to cardholders. So if you have a cardholder, you can use this. And it has resources like preparing for a firefighter exam, law enforcement, CDL, nursing, teaching, IT, real estate, military, and many others. So it's a really great resource. And last year alone, the firefighter test prep resource was used 30 times. So that's kind of neat. And it is a very valuable resource and also city employees even if they do not live within the Keene borders Do you have a free library card and they can access this as well? Yeah So the other thing that we talked just a little about tonight I was planning to talk a little bit more is about the roadway safety plan and I was going to make you aware and the councilor has done that, that Councilor Tobin had written a letter regarding the city's roadway safety action plan. If you remember, she was the Vice Chair, I think, of the committee, and so very, very active in the committee that put together this plan. This plan was adopted by the City Council in January of 2025, and it serves as a comprehensive framework for identifying road safety concerns, Prior to prioritizing improvements and reducing accidents and fatal crashes and it's for not only motorists but also pedestrians as well and the plan actually Identifies MSFI committee which is noted in councillor Tobin's letter as the body responsible for receiving an annual implementation update So consistent with that I have asked the public works director to provide an update to MSFI committee at September There was some confusion Um, some people thought we didn't have another MSFI meeting, but we do have another MSFI meeting. Um, and it is this next week. And so we just, we're not going to be able to get everything together in time for that. And, but we are planning to do this update at the September MSFI meeting. One, a couple more updates related to the airport. Starting next week, DART is planning to begin daybasing at Keene Airport several days a week. Daybasing means the helicopter and its medical crew will be stationed at the airport from approximately 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., allowing them to respond more quickly to emergencies throughout the Monadnock region. And this is a very positive development for Keene and the entire region, having DART there on a more regular basis is going to strengthen our emergency response options for the area. And it also is important because it shows the importance of the airport in this region as well. So we're very excited about that. It is a temporary arrangement for now to see how this works. We have a temporary agreement over the next 12 months. Next, I talked at the last council meeting about the airport solar project. It was a long and complicated update. This one's a little easier. As we've discussed previously, one of our priorities has been protecting the project's eligibility for the federal investment tax credit while also keeping the project on schedule. And we've been evaluating the use of a domestic content steel racking system because there is no federal waiver available for iron and steel requirements. And I'm pleased to report that Revision Energy has confirmed domestic content racking is available and can be delivered without delaying the project's 2027 in-service schedule. The additional cost is less than we thought. It's going to be approximately $50,300. revision has agreed to apply only 10 overhead which brings us to 55 300 no additional profit is being added and i really appreciate the effort of revision energy the work that they have put into helping the city preserve the federal tax credit which as you know could be millions of dollars approximately 2.9 they've been creative responsive and willing to reduce their normal overhead and eliminate profit in this change order to help us achieve the best possible outcome. And so this is a great outcome so far, but we're not completely out of the woods. We are still working on the domestic content waiver for the 2025 solar panels that were purchased to preserve the safe harbor provision. And so we think we have a way forward for that, and so that's in the works. But just wanted to give you that update since our last meeting.

And...

Thank you. And I wrote on here, the downtown project is scheduled to begin on July 27th. I was thinking next week. It's the week after. Also, just to let you know, we have been working with Main Street America or AmFam Our city attorney has been diligently working with them for the access agreement. Our sticking point has been about insurance requirements. We're a little unusual. We don't have the standard insurance. We are insured through Primex, and that's a pooled risk. But I think we've gotten there. I think we're very close. So the plan will be to execute that agreement with them. There's an on-site walk happening Monday right now. It's planned for Monday. And then the Casella will begin putting up their snow fencing for the entire site and move into that location.

Good. Thank you. Questions? Okay. Yes.

just wanted to i did write a letter and i included links in there and a lot of information that i thought would be helpful and i addressed it to everyone in this room so i'm hoping that maybe it can be forwarded to the people that i addressed it to that's cool thank you i'm happy to forward that this evening okay item h reports more time there are three and without exception more time will be granted

We have no ordinances for a first reading. However, we do have for a second reading.

Yes, and we have a finance organization and personnel report relative to Ordinance O-20-26-12. On a vote of 5-0, the Finance Organization and Personnel Committee is recommending the adoption of Ordinance O-20-26-12. And we have before us Ordinance O-2026-12, an ordinance relating to wage schedule revision.

And the clerk will file the report. And Councillor Chadbourne for a motion.

Move to adopt ordinance O-2026-12. Second. The city attorney came before us, and this is regarding a position that she wants to add under S-13. The paralegal that currently is in her office is going to be retiring at the end of the year. They will need to... fill that position and this will be at a an entry level which would provide or open it up to more candidates and obviously it would be at a much lower salary as well yeah anyways we just ask that you support it thank you questions yes

I was just going to add to what Councillor Chadbourne said. It sounds like there are already a lot of interested applicants, so that's exciting.

Any other questions? Comments? Mr. Polio, are you going to remind me to call roll?

It is over.

Yes, it's a roll call. I was just waiting.

Just throwing them a bone.

Councillor Filio? Yes. Councillor Chalice? Yes. Councillor Workman? Yes. Councillor Lake? Yes. Councillor Favalese? Yes. Councillor Tobin? Yes. Councillor Williams? Yes. Councillor Jones? Yes. Councillor Roberts? Yes. Councillor Chadbourne? Yes. Councillor Haas? Yes. Councillor Ellis? Yes. Councillor Greenwald?

Yes. Okay, resolutions K-1.

Yes, and we have a Finance Organization and Personnel Committee report, and it is recommending the City Council adopt several resolutions relating to property tax exemptions and credits, and those resolutions include R202625, a resolution relating to the deaf or severely hearing and paid persons exemption R2626 relating to blind exemption R202627 relating to elderly exemption qualifications R202628 relating to disabled exemption R202629 relating to solar, wind powered and wood heating energy system exemptions. R202630 relating to the optional veterans tax credit. R202631 relating to the all veterans tax credit. our 202632 relating to the total disability veterans tax credit and finally our 202633 relating to the optional tax credit for combat service thank you and the clerk will please file the report each of these resolutions requires a separate vote

And we're going to take them slightly out of order and consider Resolution R-202632 last. Council Roberts has a standing stated conflict of interest on record with respect to R-202632 as a recipient of this tax credit and therefore will abstain from voting on that resolution. Because the amount of this tax credit was amended earlier this year, the Council must first suspend the rules of order before acting on resolution r202632 as well starting with the first resolution uh counselor chad born for motion and you don't have to give a whole explanation of each i think the clerk did pretty well these are um

EXEMPTIONS AND CREDITS THAT WE GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE YEAR. AND WHAT WE DID IS WE FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE ASSESSOR, AND WE AGREED AND SUPPORTED THAT. SO EACH OF THESE RESOLUTIONS... YEAH, I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF THEM. MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION R-2026-25. SECOND. OKAY, MOTION IS MADE AND SECONDED.

COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR?

Move to adopt Resolution R-2026-26. Second.

Second, Council Lake. Questions? All in favor? Anonymous? Next.

Move to adopt Resolution R-2026-27. Second. Questions?

All in favor? This is the express service. Yes.

Move to adopt Resolution R-2026-28. Second. All in favor?

Yes. You can stay standing. Yeah, I could do that.

Move to adopt Resolution R-2026-29. Second. Motion seconded. Anything further? All in favor?

Move to adopt Resolution R-2026-30. Second. Question? All in favor? Yep.

Anonymous? Move to adopt Resolution R-2026-31. Second. Second. All in favor? Okay. Move to adopt Resolution R-2026-33. Second. Yes.

I hope that this is a new text exemption on the city's part for service members currently in areas of conflict and I hope that the city might take the opportunity to do a posting to make sure that our community knows of this new tax exemption because people who are in that circumstance, and I have to say thank you to Councilor Lake. This was his suggestion that brought this about. But these people who are in these situations, I can't imagine what's going on in their life. And I can imagine that they have no idea that we're doing this right now. So I hope that we can do a public service announcement or something to make it known to the community. Thank you.

very good explanation comments questions all in favor unanimous okay this time something different council Chad born for a motion to suspend

Move to suspend Section 33 of the Rules of Order to act upon Resolution R-2026-32. Second.

Motion's being seconded. All in favor of the suspension of rules? Yes.

Oh, dear.

Oh, that was wrong. Councillor Filio. Yes. Councillor Chalmers. Yes. Councillor Workman. Yes. Councillor Lake. Yes. Councillor Favalese. Yes. Councillor Tobin. Yes. Councillor Williams. Yes. Councillor Jones. Yes. Councillor Roberts. No. No. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm abstaining on that. Chad Warren. Yes. Councillor Haas. Yes. Councillor Ellis. Yes. Councillor Greenwald.

Yes. Okay, the rules are suspended. Therefore, a motion.

Move to adopt Resolution R-2026-32. Second.

Seconded. Comments, questions? All in favor? Anonymous with one exception.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We moved a little quickly on the suspension of the rules vote just to get into the record my understanding and if you could confirm or the city attorney could confirm. The council had previously, on an interim basis, I believe, taken up this issue as we were waiting for the revaluation period to kind of move its way through. We said we'd come back to this. Do I understand correctly, for the record, that that vote to suspend the rules was to allow us to take up that item again within the calendar year?

Chair, may I?

Yeah, go ahead.

Yeah, that's exactly what it was, and that actually, Councilor Lake brought it up at the FOP when this was originally discussed, and that's why we were prepared for that motion, and that's exactly what you pointed out. Councilor, thank you. Thank you.

That was very good. That was our new assistant.

okay so we're on item k2 and item k2 is a memorandum and it is a accompanied by a resolution our 2026 35 that was submitted by councillor Jones and it is a resolution endorsing and applauding the mission statement of the citizens for Keene State College

Council Jones. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move for the adoption of Resolution R2026-35. Second.

Motion is made and seconded. Could you please tell us about it?

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is simply applauding the mission statement for the citizens for Keene State College. Citizens for Keene State College is not a city committee. It's not a committee of the college. It's a coalition of private citizens who are working to strengthen this and use the strengths of the college within the city. That includes economic strengths and cultural strengths, intellectual strengths. You can go on and on, the benefits of the college within the city. We just want to acknowledge them, applaud their mission statement, and thank them for the work they're doing. Thank you. Any comments or questions?

Seeing none, a show of hands. All in favor?

because it's unanimous thank you item k3 i do this is a memorandum received by from assistant public works director operations manager and it is accompanied by resolution r 20 26 36 and the request is that this be referred to the finance organization and personnel committee the resolution relates to the appropriation of wastewater treatment plant capital reserve funds to the wastewater treatment plant HVAC replacement project and that indeed will be referred to the Finance Organization personnel committee as much as I wish this meeting could go on longer

We have reached the end of our agenda. I thank you all for coming. I thank the public that is watching and the staff that is here. We are adjourned.

Thank you.