Keene council accepts FAA, homeland security and local donations; Goose Pond bridge fundraising at about half goal

The City Council authorized acceptance of multiple grants and donations to support capital and training projects.

Finance committee recommended, and council approved, authorization for the city manager to accept up to $350,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program to advance design and bidding for an airport perimeter fence; staff said roughly 95% of the eligible work is grant funded and the 5% city match is included in the budget. The council also accepted a 2025 Homeland Security grant of $15,833 to support local hazardous‑materials training; the grant requires no city match.

Council also authorized acceptance of donations for the Goose Pond Pedestrian Bridge Project: a dollar‑for‑dollar match from Savings Bank of Walpole up to $10,000 and public donations up to $20,000. Parks and Recreation reported total fundraising at $9,380, including the match, and announced a volunteer workday to move beams to the bridge site the coming Saturday. The council encouraged additional donations and volunteer assistance.

During the city manager’s report, staff also announced an $80,000 Recreational Trails Program award from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to repair the Ashuelot (Ashville Veil) trail trestle bridge; Keene State College has provided a supporting letter and will share the required 20% match (10% college/10% city) pending final arrangements.

All grant and donation acceptance motions carried unanimously.