One thing was made very clear Monday night - Portsmouth has a new town administrator. 

However, his identity remains a mystery. 

During the Monday night Town Council meeting, President Joe Robicheau slipped when he stated he "spoke with the new town administrator." 

Several faces in the audience appeared surprised and questioned this announcement. To date, there has been no announcement of a new hire. 

Robicheau, Paul Kesson and other town officials refused to identity this new administrator when asked after the meeting. "He's from New England," Robicheau said. "That's all I can tell you." 

Meanwhile, Portsmouth councilors said the new administrator is expected to begin working around Feb. 13. 

The new town administrator will fill the office left vacant by longtime administrator Robert Driscoll, who announced he would not seek a renewal of his contract last April.