What's New

The City has "left the lights on" the holiday tree in Market Square, and with another holiday coming up on February 14, is inviting residents to help decorate the "Tree of Love."

The Portsmouth Community Development Department is now accepting applications for the City FY 2024 Public Service Agency Grant program. The funding for this program is provided by a Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is contingent on the City receiving its FY 2024 (HUD FY 2023) grant award from HUD.

The Portsmouth community can now access the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the Fiscal Year-ended June 30, 2022 (FY22) on the City of Portsmouth website. The City of Portsmouth prepares the two documents under the guidance of Director of Finance and Administration Judie Belanger following the close of each fiscal year.

City Manager Karen Conard announced that the City has selected a partnership of VHB, Resilience Planning & Design LLC and the Rockingham Planning Commission to create the City’s first Climate Action Plan in partnership with the City Planning and Sustainability Department and the local community. Planning and Sustainability Director Peter Britz and Associate Environmental Planner Kate Homet are leading the initiative on the City staff side.

Pro Portsmouth’s First Night takes place on Saturday, December 31, from 3 to 8 pm and includes ice sculpting in Market Square and a fireworks show at 7:30 pm at the South Mill Pond.

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: 

Once again the Citywide Neighborhood Committee Holiday Lights Contest received enthusiastic support, with 42 Portsmouth residents participating. Mayor Deaglan McEachern will honor the winners in person at the January 9, 2023 City Council meeting.

The top three winners are:

Reviving a holiday tradition, the City Council voted to approve a Parking Enforcement Holiday on City-owned metered and kiosk parking in the downtown area from Saturday, December 17, 2022 through Monday, December 26, 2022.  Parking fees in the Foundry Place and Hanover Garages remain in effect.

PROTECT YOUR TAP: 10-minute lead test