KEENE, NH – After three decades of work, Keene’s Public Works Director is set to retire before the end of the year.

City Manager Elizabeth Dragon officially announced Kürt Blomquist’s retirement at Thursday’s City Council meeting, which goes into effect on December 29th.

Blomquist joined the city in November of 1993 and has served the community in several different capacities over the last 30 years, according to a news release from the City. In 2015 he was appointed as the City Emergency Management Director, and in December of 2021 he was appointed as an Assistant City Manager, all while directing the Public Works Department as well.

“Kürt’s accomplishments in his tenure with the city are extensive and diverse,” the release says. “He has helped lead Keene toward becoming a greener community, establishing creative energy-saving and carbon-reducing strategies in City projects and purchasing practices…. Kürt is also most certainly appreciated for his involvement in many of the resources we take for granted in our daily lives – including safe roads, reliable water and sewer infrastructure, flood mitigation improvements, an extensive trail system, and so much more.

Blomquist lead efforts to help reduce the city’s carbon footprint by 25% from 1995 to 2015, oversaw the transition of the transfer station completely off-grid, the installation of solar panels to power the Public Works facility and the Police department, the installation of hydroelectric turbines at the Water Treatment Facility, and the use of biodiesel fuel for some City vehicles.

Dragon announced Blomquist’s retirement with gratitude and appreciation for his work.

“Kürt’s leadership and his strong belief in team has provided me with invaluable assistance whether in his role as the City’s Emergency Management Director during severe weather events, as the Public Works Director in leading the community through complex planning efforts such as the reconstruction of City gateway streets, or as a true team player working toward a responsible Capital Improvement Program,” Dragon said in the release. “Directing Public Works operations and serving the Keene community are not just what he does, it is his passion. We know that his impact on this community is immeasurable and sincerely appreciate all that he has contributed over three decades of devoted public service.”

Dragon said she’ll begin searching for Blomquist’s replacement immediately, with a job posting expected by the end of next week. In the meantime, she said Assistant Public Works Director Duncan Watson, Operations Manager Aaron Costa, and City Engineer Don Lussier will take over various duties. Dragon will serve as the Emergency Management Director in the interim as well.
“It’s a weird feeling, I’ve been walking the doors here at Public Works for 30 years,” Blomquist said in an interview with WKBK Friday morning. “I like snow, so I’m going to be staying up around where I can see that. I just don’t have to wake up at 2:00 in the morning and make sure crews are out anymore, I’ll follow the weather, but I only have to worry about my house now.”