KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The Keene Public Works Department is asking the City Council for authorization to hire a contractor to repair fire damage at the Keene Transfer Station.

There were two fires at the transfer station at the end of May, the first did not cause any damage, but the second damaged the building, destroyed an excavator, and disrupted operations.

The exact cause of the fires has not been determined, but it is believed to have been the disposal of incompatible waste, such as lithium-ion batteries, that resulted in spontaneous combustion.

At the time, the estimated dollar loss from that second fire was $400,000.

Officials from the Public Works Department will appear before Keene City Council’s Finance, Organization, and Personnel committee this week asking for the City Manager to be authorized to execute a $440,000 contract with Project Resource Group (PRG) for repairs.

According to the meeting agenda, the Solid Waste Division and the Public Works Department recommends issuing a sole source contract to PRG. PRG was also hired to repair fire damage at the Transfer Station in 2021 and have indicated they will be able to complete the repairs ahead of the winter months.

The repairs should only cost the city a $1,000 deductible, which will be paid out of the Fiscal Year 2025 building maintenance budget, insurance will cover the remaining cost.

A professional services contract has also been awarded to CMA Engineers, the original design engineers of the solid waste facility, to provide repair design drawings and specifications. Another was awarded to SCT Engineers to provide periodic construction inspection services, meant to ensure the contractor is complying with project design specifications.

The FOP committee will learn more and discuss the matter before making a recommendation to the full City Council. They will meet this Thursday at 6:30 in Council Chambers.

Assistant Public Works Director Duncan Watson joined WKBK to discuss the Transfer Station and the fires, the full discussion is available here.