KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The Keene City Council’s Municipal Services, Facilities, and Infrastructure (MSFI) Committee tackled a range of community concerns and infrastructure updates during a lengthy meeting Wednesday evening.

One of the more immediate neighborhood issues came from a Royal Avenue resident, who raised concerns about heavy traffic congestion during school pickup times. Parents parking on both sides of the street have reportedly blocked driveways and restricted access. Police Chief Steve Tenney noted existing parking ordinances were designed to prevent such congestion but acknowledged enforcement and compliance challenges. Potential solutions discussed included creating a designated loading zone or limiting parking to one side of the street. The committee voted to place the matter on more time to allow city staff to further investigate and coordinate with school officials and police.

Debate also continued over a proposed 13-space parking lot at the city’s skate park, which has drawn criticism from residents who argue it is unnecessary and an inefficient use of space. Deputy City Manager Andy Bohannon explained that the parking lot is currently required to meet grant funding conditions tied to the site’s soil remediation plan. If the city opts not to move forward with the lot, councilors would need to reject the grant and identify an alternative — and likely more costly — remediation strategy. The committee ultimately accepted the discussion as informational, leaving the decision to the full council at a later date.

Another topic generating significant discussion was a proposal to allow leashed dogs in Woodland Cemetery. City Councilor Bobby Williams introduced the idea, suggesting that increased foot traffic could help deter concerning behavior in the area. However, Bohannon and several residents expressed concern that cemeteries are sacred spaces and may not be appropriate for dogs, citing potential issues with enforcement and maintenance. The committee accepted the proposal as informational, with the possibility of a future ordinance or trial period still under consideration.

The committee also received a broad update on the city’s 2026 construction season, highlighting multiple ongoing and upcoming projects. Among them, the Judge Street bridge replacement is on track for completion in November, while the warm water main lining project is expected to wrap up in June. The THT phase one project is running ahead of schedule with a projected September finish, and several sewer and manhole rehabilitation projects remain on track for spring completion. Other efforts, including Marlboro Street reconstruction and the Island Street project, are also progressing, with some work trending under budget.

A key infrastructure project — the downtown reconstruction effort — remains in flux after a bid submission issue resulted in no initial bids. City Engineer Brian Ruoff said the exact cause of the problem remains unclear, though he noted contractors often wait until the final day to submit bids as they finalize pricing with subcontractors. City Manager Elizabeth Ferland added that staff are reaching out to previously interested contractors to better understand why bids were not submitted.

The city has extended the bid deadline and is encouraging earlier submissions and alternative methods, including paper copies, to avoid technical issues. A new bid opening is scheduled for May 8. If no bids are received, or if submitted bids are rejected, the project may be rebid again in November, with a tentative construction start pushed to April 2027.