KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Thursday night’s Keene City Council meeting covered a wide range of business, from election updates and holiday announcements to a narrow vote on downtown bike lane rules and progress on the long-awaited downtown infrastructure overhaul.

Council keeps East Keene greenspace

Councilors also took a final vote on whether to sell a small city-owned greenspace at 100 Church St. After months of discussion, the council voted 13-1 to keep the land. Some abutters had urged the city to sell the parcel due to concerns about behavior on the property, while East Keene residents asked the city to retain the land and said they were willing to help maintain it.

Councilor Randy Filiault supported keeping the greenspace public, noting that when neighborhood groups volunteer to take ownership of a problem, “it behooves us as councilors to let the neighbors give it a shot.” Councilor Michael Remy cast the lone dissenting vote; Councilor Catt Workman was absent.

Bike lane ordinance passes 8–7 after lengthy debate

One of the most contentious issues of the night was an ordinance establishing rules for bicycle use in the new downtown bike lanes that will be built as part of the upcoming infrastructure project. After more than an hour of debate, councilors narrowly approved the ordinance, 8–7.

Councilors amended the proposal to reduce the maximum speed for bicycles, e-bikes, scooters and other devices in the lanes from 10 mph to 8 mph. Several councilors questioned whether the speed limit could realistically be enforced and raised concerns about allowing electric motorized devices in the downtown corridor. Others argued that setting baseline rules was important before construction begins.

Supporters acknowledged the ordinance may need revisions once the new council is seated next year.

Downtown project officially out to bid

City Manager Elizabeth Ferland announced that the major downtown infrastructure project is now officially out to bid, with contractor bids due by Dec. 18. The news drew applause from councilors after months of delays tied to state approval processes.

The two-year project will replace aging underground utilities and reconfigure sections of downtown, including the addition of protected bike lanes and changes to Central Square. Bids will be opened publicly at City Hall on Dec. 18 at 2 p.m.