What's New

City Manager Karen Conard announces the City’s return to planning for the Portsmouth NH 400th celebration in 2023.

After the interruption of planning during the pandemic, “Portsmouth NH 400th” has a new organizational structure and non-profit status for tax-deductible fundraising and grant purposes.

Portsmouth neighborhoods will take to the parks and streets to celebrate National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 (rain date, August 10), from 5 to 8 pm. Founded in 1984, the nationwide National Night Out Against Crime celebrations on the same night nationwide are designed to strengthen and connect the community while fostering partnerships between residents and members of Police Departments.

With 90-degree heat forecast for the next several days, the City of Portsmouth has taken steps to offer locals some relief.

Given the public interest in the litigated matter -- City of Portsmouth v. 150 Greenleaf Avenue Realty Trust et al -- the City of Portsmouth reports that on June 23, 2021, the State of NH Board of Land and Tax Appeals (BTLA) rejected Mr. Boyle’s claims for over $2.4 million in damages and instead awarded total damages of $135,450 for temporary taking by eminent domain of Mr. Boyle's property.

Per New Hampshire law, all municipalities in the state must certify their lists of registered voters every ten years. The last time this was done in Portsmouth was 2010.

City Manager Karen Conard submitted a preliminary FY22 budget for the City in March, estimating $124,259,033 that included an unanticipated $1.65 million (20%) increase in the City’s required NH Retirement System contribution to the State. The final FY22 budget approved by the City Council at their June 7, 2021 meeting is $123,209,033, a 3.44% increase over FY21.

At its May 26 meeting, the Citywide Neighborhood Committee (CNC) announced that after consulting with City Health Officer Kim McNamara, Portsmouth will join more than 17,000 communities nationwide to celebrate the 38th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 (with a rain date of Tuesday, August 10.)

Spinnaker Point Adult Fitness Center reopens on Monday, June 7 at 6am. All members and new members can register upon their first visit.

The City of Portsmouth closed Spinnaker Point a year ago as a precaution to protect against the spread of COVID-19. One of the concerns that needed to be addressed before reopening was an evaluation of the air circulation inside the facility. 

Construction of the new Athletic Field located off of Campus Drive is complete, and the field opened on June 9, 2021 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 am.

In agreement with guidance from Portsmouth City Manager Karen Conard and City Health Officer, the City Recreation Department will open the Peirce Island Outdoor Pool for the summer season, June 21 through August 20, 2021, with no reservations required. The pool will be open from 11 am to 6 pm, seven days a week. Only Portsmouth residents will be admitted, with a limited number at one time.