Boards, Commissions and Committees Information

Elected Board/Commission – Governed by the City Charter
Quasi-Judicial Board or Commission – Governed by state law (RSAs), City Charter, and City Ordinance
Council Subcommittee – Governed by Council Motions
Standing Committee – Governed by City Ordinance
Mayor’s Blue-Ribbon Committee – Governed by Council Motions, renewed (or sunset) by every new Council
Regulatory/Technical Committee – Governed by Federal and/or State Law (RSAs), City Charter, City Ordinance, and/or Quasi-Judicial Committee Rules
Others – Governed by either State Law, Charters/Rules, or Bylaws

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Active Boards, Committees, and Commissions

A - L

Arts & Cultural Commission

Mission: to encourage support for arts and culture within the wider Portsmouth community

Arts & Nonprofits Committee

Mission: to support the arts and non-profits who make up Portsmouth's cultural economy.

Cultural Plan Subcommittee

Mission: to create a new Cultural Plan for the City of Portsmouth.

Audit Committee

Mission: to recommend an external auditor to the City Council, advise and work with the City Council on fiscal oversight.

Building Code Board of Appeals

Mission: to hear and decide appeals relative to the application and interpretation of the various city adopted construction codes.

Cable and Broadband Internet Commission

Mission: to establish standing subcommittees on matters pertaining to the operation and performance of cable companies within the City.

Cemetery Committee

Mission: to encourage the restoration, preservation, and safeguarding of Portsmouth's historic cemeteries and their history for future generations.

COVID Response Task Force

Mission: to evaluate challenges and identify low-cost, high-impact recovery solutions that use ARPA monies.

Citizens Advisory Committee

Mission: to advise the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, emerging community needs, and facilitate public involvement in the CDBG program planning process.

Citywide Neighborhood Committee

Mission: to advocate for the neighborhoods in Portsmouth, guided by two basic principles: protection and preservation of the quality of our neighborhoods.

Conservation Commission

Mission: to protect and properly utilize the City's natural resources.

Demolition Committee

Mission: to provide a local review process for proposed demolition of privately-owned buildings and structures of historic, architectural, and cultural value.

Economic Development Commission

Mission: to ensure continued economic prosperity and preservation of the qualities that attract and retain businesses in the community.

Fee Schedule Study Committee

Mission: to review municipal fees annually.

Governance Committee

Mission: to review the City Charter, Council Ordinances, Council Rules, and Council Policies and report back to the City Council on any recommended alterations to those documents.

Historic District Commission

Mission: to review exterior changes to buildings and structures located within the Historic District.

Historical Archives

Mission: to properly archive Historical Documents relating to the City of Portsmouth.

Mission: to provide quality housing to people with low and very low incomes; ensures that all residents pay fair and reasonable rents; promotes fair housing to people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages and abilities.

Land Use Committee

Mission: to review all current zoning and policies surrounding housing and development to encourage sustainable, diverse, and affordable development including expanded multi modal transportation.

Legislative Subcommittee

Mission: to meet regularly with our Senator and Representatives to review legislation of interest to the City.

Board of Library Trustees

Mission: to determine objectives that will result in the continuing growth and improvement of Library services and establish policies to attain these objectives.

M - Z

Parking and Traffic Safety Committee

Mission: to address all traffic safety issues within the City of Portsmouth, including signs, traffic lights, striping, plan reviews of new development, and other pedestrian/vehicular-related problems.

Planning Board

Mission: to act on Site Review, Subdivisions, Lot Line Relocation, City Council Referrals and Conditional Use Permits.

Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee

Mission: to research the risks and opportunities of a Community Power program for Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Housing Endowment Fund Board

Mission: to formulate policies regarding the operation of the City's first-time homebuyer's program, HomeTown.

Prescott Park Master Plan Implementation Committee

Mission: to advise the City Manager with respect to park policies, events, activities, and services; and the operation of licensees and to serve as a communication forum.

Public Art Review Committee

Mission: 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.

Recreation Board

Mission: to assist the Recreation Department in planning a citywide recreation program. The Board advises the City Manager and City Council regarding recreational needs.

Safe Water Advisory Group

Mission: to review and communicate the latest science on the health and environmental effects of PFAS, to monitor federal and state level legislative changes, and to anticipate policy changes that could impact the City.

Skateboard Park Blue Ribbon Committee

Sister Cities Blue Ribbon Committee

The City of Portsmouth is a member of Sister Cities International. Portsmouth also has other international relationships with cities through the Friendship Cities Program.

Site Review Technical Advisory Committee

Mission: to review Site Review Applications for the Planning Board and make recommendations to the Planning Board. The Planning Board acts on all Site Review applications.

Strategic Planning Committee for Vaughan-Worth-Bridge Revitalization

Mission: to develop options for future use of City-owned property in these areas and report back to the City Council with strategic recommendations as to how the City can best use its property in service to the community.

Sustainable Practices Committee

Mission: to increase awareness of the importance and value of sustainable practices among Portsmouth residents, business owners, and other stakeholders.

Trees & Public Greenery Committee

Mission: to advise and assist the City’s Tree Warden to ensure the proper expansion, protection and maintenance of the City’s Urban Forest.

Board of Trustees of Trust Funds

Mission: to have the fiduciary responsibility for the City's Trust Funds and oversee the management and operations of Prescott Park under the guidelines of the Prescott Trust.

Veterans Organization

Zoning Board of Adjustment

Mission: to rule on requests for Variances and Special Exceptions from the Zoning Ordinance as well as Appeals from Administrative Decisions.

Regional Boards with City Representation

COAST

The Mayor appoints a City Council representative to serve as a liaison with the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST).

Pease Development Authority

Mission: to oversee core operations at Pease.

Rockingham Planning Commission

Seacoast Metropolitan Planning Organization - Technical Advisory

Sunset Boards, Committees, or Commissions.

Building Commission

Peirce Island Committee

McIntyre Public Process Blue Ribbon Steering Committee

Mission: to oversee and implement a public process in coordination with the City Staff and assemble the priorities and principles resulting from the process to report back to the City Council.

Portsmouth Economic Development Loan Program Board

Mission: to assist City staff in reviewing CDBG-funded loan applications and making decisions on loans applied for under the City's for-profit and non-profit loan programs.

Renewable Energy Policy Blue Ribbon Committee

The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Renewable Energy Committee was charged to report back to the City Council for adopting a phased Renewable Energy Policy to be implemented by City Staff when applicable.