Keene Mayor Talks City Projects, Budget Issues and Community Events on WKBK Radio

KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Mayor Jay Kahn used his monthly appearance Monday on WKBK’s Good Morning with Dan Mitchell to outline plans for the nation’s Independence Day 250th celebration, weigh in on changes to the Main Street reconstruction project, and discuss issues ranging from homelessness and public protests to higher education funding and local job losses.

Kahn said planning is already underway for Keene’s observance of the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, an effort he said grew out of a listener question raised during a radio interview last year. The event will be organized by a leadership group working with Keene Downtown Group and the Historical Society of Cheshire County, with Keene Downtown Group serving as the event sponsor.

The celebration is expected to include a large parade stretching from Baker Street near the Soldiers Monument to downtown Keene, highlighting the city’s role in the early days of the American Revolution. Kahn said organizers are inviting up to 50 local organizations to participate, each receiving a commemorative banner for the parade and future use.

Kahn also promoted this weekend’s Ice and Snow Festival, praising Keene Downtown Group Executive Director Mark Rebillard for expanding the event, which will feature 14 ice sculptors throughout downtown.

Turning to civic matters, Kahn addressed peaceful demonstrations that have taken place recently in Keene, including protests related to immigration and national political issues. He said Keene has a long history of nonviolent public expression and emphasized the importance of leaders working to bring people together during a time of heightened national tension.

Kahn said neither his office nor the City Council has received direct communication from federal immigration authorities regarding enforcement activity in Keene, though he noted the Police Department may have had contact and referred questions to Police Chief Steve Stewart.

Much of the discussion focused on proposed revisions to the Main Street reconstruction project, which are scheduled for City Council consideration Thursday. City staff have recommended changes aimed at reducing projected costs by about $4.2 million after initial construction bids came in significantly higher than expected.

Among the changes are extending construction from two years to three years, deferring or eliminating some design elements, and shifting certain tasks—such as installing benches or lighting—to city crews rather than contractors. Kahn said spreading the project over three years could attract more bidders, particularly local contractors with limited bonding capacity.

Kahn acknowledged concerns from downtown businesses about construction impacts but said traffic control and access would remain part of the project, even if handled in less costly ways. He added that adjustments could be made after the first construction season if needed.

Kahn said he believes the city should move forward with the project this year, even if bids come in slightly higher than revised estimates, noting that construction and material costs are unlikely to decline.

On homelessness, Kahn described a recently added overnight warming center at the United Church of Christ at the head of Central Square, which is supplementing the city’s existing shelter capacity during extreme cold. The center operates nightly with structured intake, overnight supervision, and volunteer support.

Kahn said preliminary budget data through the end of December showed spending on homelessness-related services running at a pace similar to last year, though January figures were not yet available. He noted additional costs have been incurred to keep the warming center open through March 31.

Kahn also discussed the formation of Citizens for Keene State College, a group aimed at advocating for stronger state support of public higher education. He said ongoing funding cuts threaten the stability of institutions like Keene State College and could undermine workforce development and the regional economy.

Addressing recent layoffs at Markem-Imaje, which announced the elimination of 56 local jobs, Kahn said the impact is significant but does not appear to signal broader economic trouble in Keene. He said the job losses were tied to global corporate decisions rather than local economic conditions and expressed hope that displaced workers will find employment elsewhere in the region.

Finally, Kahn previewed the city’s upcoming budget cycle, which begins this spring. He said the city plans to provide more budget education for new councilors and the public to improve understanding and participation before detailed budget deliberations begin later this year.

Kahn encouraged residents to attend public meetings, stay informed, and take part in upcoming community events, including the Ice and Snow Festival and activities leading up to the July 4 250th celebration.