Press Releases/What’s New

Scholarship application season is now underway. The City of Portsmouth Trustees of the Trust Funds, administrator of the funding for many scholarships, remind residents the application deadline is March 15, 2024. While many of the scholarships are awarded only to graduating Portsmouth High School seniors, some (including the five Portsmouth Community Scholarships) are open to any Portsmouth resident who is a graduating senior.

The Portsmouth City Council recently voted to increase the income limits for both the elderly and disabled property tax exemptions. Income limits for both exemptions will increase from $50,137 to $54,000 for single taxpayers and from $68,598 to $70,793 for married couples. Total assets for both exemptions will remain at $500,000 whether single or married.

The City of Portsmouth has engaged Portsmouth Listens to facilitate a series of community participation events about Places to Live in the City. This effort is to listen to and inform the community about housing concerns. Events will be held in January and February 2024 to discuss existing places to live, challenges in accessing them, ways to create more, and the impacts of doing so.

City of Portsmouth NH Inspection Department Offers Free Training Seminar on Firestop Use, Applications, Installation, and Inspection

In November 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Lead and Copper Rule Improvement requirement that all water suppliers complete an inventory of the material in all water service lines – the pipes that deliver drinking water from the public water mains into abutting properties. The City of Portsmouth Water Division will visually inspect water service lines where they enter residential and commercial buildings to determine the material type.

The City Council has scheduled a presentation to discuss Statistical Revaluation with Assessing Director Rosann Lentz on Monday, February 5, 2024 during the City Council Meeting.

The City of Portsmouth NH Planning and Sustainability Department is hosting the third Community Forum for the new Climate Action Plan on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 6 pm in City Hall Council Chambers.

The City has "left the lights on" the holiday tree in Market Square and, with Valentine’s Day approaching on February 14, is inviting the public to help transform it into the "Tree of Love."

From toddlers to seniors, the Portsmouth Recreation Department welcomes all who would like to participate. Residents, visitors, and members of the business community can make or color a heart – creativity is the name of the game!

The City of Portsmouth Public Art Review Committee (PARC) will hold three community engagement sessions to discuss the future signature work of art for Peirce Island that will be funded through the City’s Percent-for-Art program.

The public is invited to learn about the PARC, the history of Peirce Island and the planning process for the Peirce Island Art Project and proposed location. PARC is seeking input from the community on suggested art themes, and ideas at the following sessions:

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) Board of Directors has announced a 26 percent decrease in the Portsmouth Community Power base electric rate compared to the current rate. A base rate of 8.1¢ per kilowatt-hour for residential and small commercial customers goes into effect from February 1 through July 31, 2024 for Portsmouth and other CPCNH customers. Customers do not need to do anything to receive this new rate.