Press Releases/What’s New

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the City of Portsmouth for the thirteenth consecutive year, the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year 2019 budget document, City Manager John Bohenko has announced. 

In October, Portsmouth opened its new, 600-space parking garage at 100 Foundry Place. With easy access to major travel corridors, both residents and visitors can easily enjoy quick access to Downtown Portsmouth during the busy holiday season. At just $1.00 per hour, the Foundry is the best rate available in town.

The City recently worked with Pandora LaCasse Design LLC of Portland, Maine and local business owners John Golumb and Marlisa Geroulo on a pilot streetlight/streetscape installation project. Under the terms of a six month lease agreement with LaCasse Design LLC, the company is installed five light /forms consisting of three colorful light forms mounted on poles and two lights hanging from City trees in planters at the intersection of Bow and Ceres Streets.

The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration has approved the City’s 2018 tax rate for Fiscal Year 2019 of $15.84 per $1,000 of valuation, City Manager John Bohenko announced Monday, November 19th.

The approved rate dropped by five cents from the anticipated tax rate of $15.89 at the time the City Council adopted the FY19 annual budget in June, said Bohenko.

On November 19th, the Redgate/Kane development team and City staff will be bringing the McIntyre Project back to the table of City Council to kick off the review prior to submitting a final application to the Historic Monument program to transfer the property to the City. The review of the application process will continue through January 2019.

On Monday, November 19th, utility work will occur on the intersection of Court Street and Pleasant Street. Court Street will be closed between Pleasant and Church Streets, and the Pleasant and Court Streets' intersection will remain open for traffic coming from State Street or Marcy Street. A detour route will be in place along with signage and flaggers to assist. Work is expected occur between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The City of Portsmouth was one of nineteen area organizations that were recognized by CommuteSMART Seacoast for supporting and promoting sustainable commuting for their employees over the previous year. CommuteSMART Seacoast, the regional Transportation Management Association, partners with area employers to help them educate and encourage their employees about commuting options such as taking transit, caropooling, bicycling, walking or teleworking.

Beginning the week of November 12th, crews will begin removing the City’s bicycle corrals, Zagster bike share stations, and most of the white reflective plastic delineators along the Middle Street / Lafayette Road new bicycle lanes to avoid conflicts with snow clearing operations during the winter season. All items will be removed before Thanksgiving.