KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Keene Mayor Jay Kahn used his regular monthly appearance on WKBK Radio’s Good Morning with Dan Mitchell to outline the latest timeline for Keene’s long-anticipated Main Street reconstruction, preview plans for the region’s 250th anniversary celebration, and warn of growing fiscal pressures tied to public safety and state education funding.

Kahn joined host Dan Mitchell Monday for a wide-ranging discussion that touched on infrastructure, taxes and inter-municipal cooperation.

Main Street Reconstruction Moves Toward Bidding

Kahn said the Main Street project is expected to go out to bid within the next couple of weeks, with a required 30-day bidding window. Proposals could be back by mid-April.

Because the state is contributing several million dollars, New Hampshire officials are reviewing final plan modifications before the bid package is released.

The City Council has already authorized the city manager to proceed within an approved budget. Contractor selection will be based on price, qualifications, timeline and the completeness of proposals.

If bids come in on schedule, construction could begin in May or early summer, depending on contractor mobilization.

The project is structured as a three-season build spanning 2026 through 2028 — a strategy Kahn said is intended to spread costs over multiple years and reduce the overall financial impact. Completion is projected for late 2028 or early 2029.

Keeping Downtown Vibrant During Construction

Kahn credited the Keene Downtown Group for proactively planning ways to maintain activity during construction.

The group has proposed up to six mini-festivals spaced around existing annual events to reinforce the message that downtown remains open for business. The Downtown Group is also serving as the license holder for the region’s “Monadnock 250” celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary.

Planning For Monadnock 250

A major portion of the interview focused on preparations for the Semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.

Events will begin July 3 with the annual fireworks show hosted by the Keene SwampBats.

On July 4, activities will include the “4 on the 4th” road race and a large-scale parade scheduled to step off at 11 a.m. near the Revolutionary War monument by Wyman Tavern before proceeding down Main Street toward Railroad Square. Route adjustments may be necessary depending on construction progress.

Organizers are aiming for 1,000 parade participants and 10,000 spectators, drawing groups from across the Monadnock region. The first 50 registered groups will receive a commemorative 8-by-3-foot keepsake banner. Awards are planned for best float, best decorated bike and best decorated baby carriage.

Bands, food trucks, multiple performance venues and possible use of parking areas at Keene State College are also being discussed.

Kahn emphasized the historic significance of the celebration, describing it as a once-in-a-generation event that will create memories residents will recall decades from now.

Budget Pressures And Reassessment Ahead

Budget discussions will continue through June. Kahn noted that last year’s municipal budget rose 2.1 percent, which he characterized as a strong outcome amid inflationary pressures.

However, the city faces rising costs in 2026, particularly in public safety. Police and fire contracts, ambulance service and overtime expenses are driving increases. The city added a third ambulance in response to high call volume, but overtime has continued to climb as staffing expectations grow.

To manage costs, some capital improvement projects — including sidewalk and repaving work — are being delayed to prioritize funding for Main Street reconstruction.

Meanwhile, Keene is undergoing its first property reassessment in five years. Property owners will receive postcards with updated valuations before tax bills are finalized, followed by an appeal window.

Kahn said property values are expected to increase, while the tax rate will likely decline mathematically. Still, overall tax bills are unlikely to drop because of spending levels and uneven valuation changes. Residential properties are expected to see sharper increases than commercial properties, potentially shifting the tax burden.

Education Funding Concerns

Kahn also warned of mounting uncertainty in New Hampshire’s education funding system.

He cited the possibility of the state Supreme Court revisiting the Claremont school funding decisions, along with the expansion of Education Savings Accounts and declining public school enrollment. Those trends, he said, are spreading state funding across more institutions while creating instability for traditional public schools.

The statewide education property tax was originally set at $6 per $1,000 of valuation but now sits below $1.80. Because the state caps total revenue collected, some high-value communities raise more than they need and retain the excess rather than redistributing it, he said — a shift from the system’s original intent.

Kahn cautioned that additional state funding reductions may surface in the second year of the biennium, potentially placing more pressure on local property taxpayers.

Law Enforcement Agreements Under Review

The conversation concluded with discussion of a proposal from City Councilor Catherine Workman to review and update memorandums of understanding with law enforcement partners.

Kahn said clarifying operational language, defining roles and setting regular review schedules could strengthen inter-agency coordination and oversight, particularly given the relative autonomy police departments maintain compared to other municipal departments.

Listen to the full interview: