Since its origin in the early 1600’s, Portsmouth has never stopped changing and rebuilding. Old houses and buildings have constantly been demolished or moved to make way for residential and commercial development. As the city grew around them, the old burial grounds and cemeteries of Portsmouth went through long periods of neglect and intermittent repair before their care was entrusted to a group of local volunteers, the Cemetery Committee, who now work with the City's Parks & Greenery Division to protect and preserve these historical assets.

Governance Committee was created for the purpose of reviewing the City Charter, Council Ordinances, Council Rules, and Council Policies, which will be required to report back to the City Council on committee progress and any recommended alterations to those documents.  In furtherance, the Governance Committee shall consist of three members of the City Council, appointed by the Mayor with approval of the City Council.