KEENE, NH – Keene’s full City Council had a busy night Thursday night with a hefty agenda to get through.

Mayor Jay Kahn began the meeting with a moment of silence for former City Councilor Nathanial Stout who passed away last week. He then recognized the Keene Police Department for their work responding to a recent Amber Alert that culminated with an arrest in Keene, and for their ongoing work to battle drug trafficking in the city.

The council made their way through various communications and reports with very little discussion until they reached a report from the Planning, Licenses, and Development committee recommending approving three fireworks displays for the Keene Swampbats this year.

The Swampbats requested permission to hold their traditional Independence Eve fireworks display on July 3rd, plus two additional dates, one towards the beginning and another towards the end of their season. The council unanimously approved the Independence Eve display but were split on the other two dates.

An abutter to Alumni Field, where the Swampbats play, wrote a letter to Councilors Thomas Powers and Phil Jones expressing concerns that three displays was a bit excessive due to the disturbances that they cause. During the committee process Councilor Bobby Williams was opposed to the two extra dates and referred to himself as the “firework grinch”, citing noise and environmental concerns. After some brief discussion the council voted 8-5 in favor of the additional dates.

Later on in the meeting the council hit on two big agenda items that were passed with little fanfare; the Capital Improvement Plan and a request from City Staff to appropriate $900,000 from the unassigned fund balance to support homeless shelter services as those costs continue to climb.