What's New

City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works crews will conduct snow load out operations to clear street and improve safety following the weekend blizzard. The load-out operations start Tuesday, February 1 at 7:30 pm in Area 1, 9:30 pm in Area 2 and 12:30 am in Area 3. The work is expected to be completed by 8 am on Tuesday, February 2.

Late last year, the Portsmouth City Council and City Manager determined that conducting a Recreational Needs Study would inform the scope and location of any future sports/recreational facilities in the City.

City Manager Karen Conard is pleased to announce the selection of Sean Clancy as Assistant City Manager for Economic Development, replacing Nancy Carmer who is retiring after 36 years with the City. The transition will start on March 14, 2022, when Mr. Clancy joins the City. Ms. Carmer is set to retire on March 31.

Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. has finalized the application form for organizations planning events, projects and programs for the anniversary celebration in 2023 and invites those who are interested to submit their details. Once reviewed by the Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. Management Team and assigned to one of the thematic Team Leaders, the Official Partner Programs will be listed on the PortsmouthNH400.org calendar and will be authorized to use the PNH400 Official Partner logo.

City Manager Karen Conard is pleased to announce the promotion of Christine C. Friese to the position of Director of the Portsmouth Public Library, effective March 1, 2022.

The Portsmouth community can now access the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) on the City of Portsmouth website. The City of Portsmouth prepares the two documents following the close of each fiscal year under the guidance of Director of Finance and Administration Judie Belanger.

Out of an abundance of caution against the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant of COVID-19, the Mayor-elect has determined that the Inauguration for the City Council, Police Commission, Fire Commission and School Board will be held outdoors on Monday, January 3, 2022. The abbreviated ceremony will take place at the 9/11 Memorial in the upper parking lot at City Hall, starting at 7 pm.

The Portsmouth NH 400th Executive Team held an organizational meeting of the Portsmouth NH 400th Task Force on September 2, 2021 and is forming sub-committee teams to begin planning for the city’s celebration in 2023. The Task Force is designed to support the Portsmouth NH 400th organization and guide signature events and projects, including a parade.

The Executive Team now includes:

Once again the Neighborhood Holiday Lights Contest received enthusiastic support, with 48 Portsmouth residents participating. Mayor Rick Becksted joined members of the Citywide Neighborhood Committee and the children who did the judging to announce the winners at the City Council meeting on Monday, December 20.  Winners will receive their gift cards in a letter from the Mayor.