The Keene City Council voted 13–1 to affirm a Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure (MSFI) committee recommendation not to authorize the sale of a small city‑owned parcel at the end of Church Street, giving neighborhood residents time to craft a plan to preserve and maintain the land.

Councilor Mitchell H. Greenwald, reporting the MSFI discussion, said the committee had met multiple times, heard abutters who wished to purchase or steward the parcel, and concluded that denying the sale would provide the group time to “pull together a plan to make it attractive and make it safe.” He explained that the committee originally received a motion to authorize the sale, but the 0–5 committee vote is an affirmative committee vote against authorization under the council’s rules, and councilors were being asked to affirm the committee’s negative recommendation.

The city attorney clarified parliamentary procedure, explaining that a 0–5 committee vote against a motion to authorize the sale is an affirmative recommendation that the council not authorize it. Council discussion emphasized neighborhood willingness to steward the space and safety concerns that the neighbors proposed to address (fencing, lighting). Councilor Greenwald said, “Once it's sold, it's gone. This way, at least, they have an opportunity.”

A roll call confirmed the council’s action: 13 in favor of affirming the committee recommendation to keep the parcel in city ownership, one councilor opposed. The item will remain with MSFI for follow‑up and coordination with neighborhood stakeholders.