July 12, 2024
The City of Keene Municipal Services, Facilities, and Infrastructure (MSFI) Committee’s June 26th meeting agenda included a request from the Keene Rotary Club, Elm City Rotary Club, Monadnock Interfaith Project, and a Keene citizen regarding a peace pole. The group proposed to donate, install, and provide for the maintenance of a peace pole in Central Square.
Like many public requests that start with the Council and Committee process, this issue was referred to staff to provide an opportunity for staff to discuss the request with those who submitted it and to consider design options for the MSFI Committee and City Council’s consideration at future public meetings. To be clear, this topic is separate from the Downtown Infrastructure Project preliminary design to be considered by the City Council at its July 18th meeting. A peace pole is not included in the Downtown Infrastructure Project preliminary design considerations.
There are presently no design options for a peace pole beyond the original conceptual idea provided by those who submitted the request. Comments were made at the June MSFI Committee meeting regarding the possibility of a design that incorporates the current Central Square water fountain, however, it will take time for any potential designs to come together in sufficient detail to be brought back to the MSFI Committee with any specific recommendations. MSFI Committee meetings are public meetings where public comment is invited and encouraged.
We encourage community members to participate in the public process. The City maintains a calendar of meetings at KeeneNH.gov/calendar, and meeting agendas are posted at KeeneNH.gov/my-city-government/standing-committees. The MSFI Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of each month, typically at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers, and meeting recordings and live streaming is available online at KeeneNH.gov/my-city-government/meeting-videos and at YouTube.com/KeeneIMS.