KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The Keene City Council held its final meeting before its annual summer break Thursday night, taking action on the Robin Hood Park renovation, the city’s property revaluation, economic development opportunities and several infrastructure and financial matters.

The council will now take its summer recess, with regular meetings scheduled to resume after Labor Day.

One of the major discussions Thursday centered on the citywide property revaluation, which is based on property values as of April 1, 2026.

City Assessor Dan Langille reported that property values have increased substantially since the previous assessment. The median value of single-family homes has risen about 67%, while multifamily properties have increased approximately 68%. Manufactured homes have seen an even larger median increase of about 140%.

Officials stressed that the higher assessments do not mean the city will collect more property tax revenue. Instead, the revaluation changes how the existing tax burden is distributed among property owners based on the relative value of their properties.

The city expects the new tax rate to fall somewhere in the low-to-mid $20 range once the revaluation and other figures are finalized.

Property owners will have opportunities over the coming weeks to ask questions or challenge assessments they believe do not accurately reflect market value. Final property values are expected to be completed by mid-September, with utility valuations to follow later in the month before the city sets its November tax rate.

The assessment department also plans to add frequently asked questions and other information about the revaluation to the city’s website.

Robin Hood Park Project Moves Forward

Councilors approved the final design for the Robin Hood Park renovation, clearing the way for the project to proceed toward bidding and construction.

A public input session on the park design is scheduled for Sept. 15 at the Keene Recreation Center.

The council also approved carrying forward $22,000 in unused fiscal 2026 personnel funds from the City Clerk’s Office. The money will be used for structural repairs and accessibility improvements in the City Clerk’s portion of City Hall.

Opportunity Zone Nomination Supported

The council also endorsed Keene’s nomination for the state’s Opportunity Zone 2.0 program, which is intended to encourage investment in eligible communities through federal tax incentives.

Mayor Jay Kahn was authorized to submit a letter of support for the nomination. City staff will work with the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation and other partners to identify potential projects and investors before the state’s Aug. 28 deadline.

The program could provide tax benefits for qualifying investments and was presented as a potential tool for encouraging redevelopment and investment in rural communities. The Kingsbury property was discussed as an example of the type of redevelopment that could potentially benefit from investment incentives, although it is not currently located within an eligible Opportunity Zone.

Infrastructure And Financial Matters

The council authorized the city manager to negotiate agreements with Eversource Energy related to temporary access to Old Gilsum Road while the utility replaces five transmission structures. The agreements also address removal of a stone wall between two city-owned parcels.

Councilors received updates on several other infrastructure and transportation issues, including proposed rumble strips on Routes 9 and 12, a roadway safety audit and restrictions on vehicle access to the Wastewater Treatment Plant driveway.

The city was also authorized to submit a pre-application for a Northern Border Regional Commission Timber for Transit Grant that could help fund renovations to the Dillant-Hopkins Airport terminal.

The council approved the use of Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Reserve funds for an HVAC replacement project and also accepted more than $27,000 in donations.

That total includes $23,686.70 from Revo Casino through its host-community partnership, along with donations supporting a bench at Robin Hood Park, Community Night, the Keene International Festival and the Branch Out for Parks program.

Compensation Study And Labor Agreements

City officials announced the beginning of a compensation study being conducted by PayPoint HR. The study will examine city job classifications, employee responsibilities, internal equity and how municipal compensation compares with other employers.

The council also authorized collective bargaining agreements with the Keene Police Department Supervisors Teamsters Local 603 and the Professional Firefighters of Keene.

Other Council Actions

The council referred a proposed alteration of Thompson Road to the Municipal Services Facilities and Infrastructure Committee and Planning Board. A joint site visit is scheduled for Sept. 17, followed by a public hearing.

Councilors also referred proposed food-service regulations to the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee and an ordinance authorizing two stop signs on Roxbury Street to the infrastructure committee. Councilor Mitch Greenwald clarified that the council has not endorsed a four-way stop at Roxbury and Lincoln streets.

The council approved moving forward with a proclamation honoring Dr. Dottie Morris for her contributions to Keene State College, the city’s Human Rights Committee and the broader community.

City Manager Elizabeth Ferland also provided an update on cybersecurity efforts following attacks targeting water and sewer infrastructure elsewhere in the country. IT Director Andrew Mueller outlined measures the city has taken to protect its systems, including multifactor authentication and penetration testing.