The Portsmouth Town Council is gearing up for its next meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025, with a packed agenda covering a range of topics from budget presentations to community development initiatives.
The meeting, scheduled for 6:00 PM at the Portsmouth High School Auditorium, will kick off with a joint session between the Town Council and School Committee to discuss legislative priorities for 2025.
Following this, Town Administrator R. Rainer and T. Kenworthy will present a joint Town Council and School Committee budget presentation, providing insights into the financial planning for the upcoming fiscal year.
The council will also consider approval of two union contract agreements. The first involves a wage reopener agreement for the PMEA union, while the second pertains to a new contract agreement for the police department.
“These contract negotiations are crucial for maintaining a fair and competitive workforce while balancing the town’s financial responsibilities,” Rainer states in the meeting documents.
Community development is another key focus of the upcoming meeting. The council will review and potentially approve programs to be included in the Town’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application.
One proposed project seeks $500,000 to fund the replacement and upgrade of the heating system at Quaker Manor IV, an elderly housing complex with 40 units located at 2368 East Main Road.
The council will also hear an update on the Safe Streets for All initiative, presented by L. Hitchen and Toole Design. This presentation includes a request to approve a resolution adopting a Vision Zero policy, aimed at improving road safety in Portsmouth.
Councilor M. McDowell is bringing forward several proposals to enhance community engagement and government transparency. These include a request to hold a special election for citizen approval of non-partisan elections for both the Portsmouth Town Council and School Committee in the fall of 2025.
McDowell is also proposing to establish a schedule for town committees to present their updates to the council and to set up bimonthly town hall office hours with councilors on a rotating basis.
“These initiatives aim to increase citizen participation and keep the community informed about the work of our various committees,” McDowell explains in his proposal.
The meeting will address several financial matters, including a monthly finance report presented by K. Marsden and a request to amend a resolution regarding tax exemptions for income-eligible senior citizens.
Councilor D. Gleason is set to bring forward a proposal regarding the Hedly Street Transfer Station, suggesting that citizens be allowed to sign up as early as January 28 to use the facility for the 2025-2026 calendar year at the recently set price of $290 per year.
“This proposal aims to provide more flexibility and value for residents using our transfer station services,” Gleason states in the meeting documents.
The council will also consider approving a proposed Request for Quotation for municipal legal services, a topic carried over from the previous meeting on January 13.
Public participation is encouraged, with the meeting being live-streamed and accessible through web and phone dial-in options via the Zoom remote meeting service.
Residents can view the full agenda and related documents on the town’s website. The meeting is open to the public, and those requiring communication assistance or accommodations are advised to contact the Town Clerk’s Office at least three business days prior to the meeting.
