KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Keene City Council members used a wide-ranging meeting Thursday night to advance housing and community projects, flag upcoming budget discussions and announce new winter services, with several time-sensitive decisions moving forward before the evening ended.

The council opened with a brief recognition honoring Steve Levy, the longtime owner of Toy City, who recently retired after decades as a downtown business fixture. From there, councilors turned to two public hearings tied to Community Development Block Grant funding, a key federal resource the city uses to support housing and public facilities serving low- and moderate-income residents.

One application focused on an affordable housing rehabilitation project at 657 Marlboro Street, while the second centered on upgrades at the Community Kitchen. Planned improvements at the kitchen include a new HVAC system, a freight lift and a backup generator. Because of strict submission deadlines, the council voted to temporarily suspend its rules and immediately adopt resolutions approving both grant applications.

Later in the meeting, councilors also endorsed the sale of a city-owned parcel on Howard Street for residential development. While the approval clears the way for the land transfer, officials emphasized that detailed planning and design review will occur in subsequent stages.

City Manager Elizabeth Ferland used her report to announce the opening of a winter warming shelter scheduled for Tuesday. The temporary shelter will operate at the church at the head of Central Square through a partnership with Hundred Nights and Southwestern Community Services, with the city contributing funding and coordination support through the end of March.

Fiscal issues surfaced as well. Mayor Jay Kahn formally accepted, as informational, a letter from resident Vicky Morton raising concerns about Keene’s property tax rate and calling for the creation of a citizen budget advisory committee. Kahn said the letter has already prompted internal review and will help signal the start of the city’s annual budget and Capital Improvement Plan discussions.

City staff are scheduled to give a detailed presentation on how Keene’s tax rate is set, along with an overview of the operating budget and CIP process, at the Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee meeting on Feb. 26. Officials encouraged residents to attend and participate, noting that public engagement early in the process can help shape spending priorities.

Among other actions, the council accepted the resignation of Planning Board member Sarah Vezzani, approved acceptance of a Homeland Security grant for tactical equipment, reallocated unspent funds from the West Side downtown parking structure project to maintenance of the City Hall parking deck, and authorized an engineering services agreement for a stormwater channel rehabilitation project planned for fiscal year 2026.

The council also received recommendations from boards and committees, including support for the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency program.