What's New

Following the recommendations of the Governance Committee, the Portsmouth City Council has directed the creation of a new Public Art Review Committee (PARC) to assist the City in reviewing proposals for public art and conducting practical assessments of the feasibility of installing and maintaining such art works in the public sphere.

PARC responsibilities include: 

City Manager Karen Conard is pleased to announce the promotion of Peter L. Britz to City Planning and Sustainability Director, effective January 3, 2023. He is currently Assistant Director, Environmental Planner and Sustainability Coordinator, and previously served as Interim Planning Director from September to December 2021.

The City of Portsmouth Clerk’s Office is now accepting applications for the seasonal boat slips at the Prescott Park docks. The application period is December 5, 2022 through 4 pm on January 5, 2023. Go to the 2023 application package.

Josh Denton, Commander of VFW Post 168, reports that Veterans Day will be commemorated in Portsmouth with a wreath-laying at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Goodwin Park on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 11 am. In case of rain, the event will move indoors to the Legion Post where a post-event gathering will take place for those unable to attend the outdoor ceremony.

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the Citywide Neighborhood Committee hosts a panel of Portsmouth city officials to discuss projects and issues specific to the Ward 1 neighborhood. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm, in-person at the New Franklin School located at 1 Franklin Drive.The meeting is open to residents of Ward 1 as well as to the public at large.

The Ward 1 Forum is part of a series of Neighborhood Outreach Forums hosted by the Citywide Neighborhood Committee. Additional Ward Forums are being planned.

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the Citywide Neighborhood Committee hosts a panel of Portsmouth city officials to discuss projects and issues specific to the Ward 1 neighborhood. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm, in-person at the New Franklin School located at 1 Franklin Drive.The meeting is open to residents of Ward 1 as well as to the public at large.

The Ward 1 Forum is part of a series of Neighborhood Outreach Forums hosted by the Citywide Neighborhood Committee. Additional Ward Forums are being planned.

The City of Portsmouth and Deer Street Associates (DSA), also known as G.L. Rogers, Inc., Foundry Place LLC and Foundry Place Hotel Owner, LLC, have arrived at an agreement to settle a breach of contract lawsuit initiated by DSA in March 2021. On October 17, 2022, the City Council voted to authorize the City Manager to execute the settlement agreement and a limited release of liability on behalf of the City.

The Portsmouth Halloween Parade steps out again from Four Tree Island at 7 pm on Monday, October 31, 2022. Please note that the Halloween parade is not a City event.

Button Up New Hampshire, the popular home energy savings workshop series, is coming to the Seacoast. The Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee (PEAC) and Rye Energy Committee are hosting this free workshop for area residents.

City Manager Karen Conard has selected Patricia Ainsworth, with more than 32 years’ experience in IT and systems technology, as the City’s first Chief Information Officer. Ms. Ainsworth’s starting date is October 11, 2022.