Town Council Grills Town Administrator About Suspected 'New Hires' in Budget

The Town Council provisionally approved department budgets very early Wednesday morning at Town Hall. The first public hearing on the budget is slated for June 22.

After the repetition of question after question, the second half of Tuesday’s Town Council meeting felt something like a scene out of the movie Groundhog Day. Councilors Joseph Robicheau, Judi Staven, Liz Pedro and Paul Kesson repeatedly asked how many “new hires” were reflected in the proposed budget for the police, fire and public works departments. “There’s no new hires in this (police department) budget,” said Town Administrator Robert Driscoll. “We’ve gone about this before…We had one vacancy right now (in the fire department) because of the retirement of the deputy chief. When we replace that person, that is one hire. That money was in the budget last year. That money is in the budget this year…They are not new positions.” Only one …

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5 Things To Know Today

Portsmouth Parents To Hear About Dangers of 'Cutting'

What's happening this Tuesday, May 24? Check out our 5 Things to Know below to find out!

The Portsmouth Parents’ Group will host a presentation on the topic of "cutting," self injury, the risks and emotional dangers associated with this health risk to young people, tonight at 7 p.m. at the high school. Peter Letendre, a licensed psychotherapist who practices in Portsmouth, will be the presenter. The Town Council meets again tonight at 7 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss the budget. The Portsmouth Wastewater Management Commission also meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Today's free Kundalini yoga class at Tenth Gate is full. Check back for future free, community yoga classes. Temperatures are about to really heat up. According to the National Weather Service, expect a high of 70 with possible showers and thunderstorms in the …

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Could the Town Save Money By Turning Off Park Avenue's Decorative Lights?

The Portsmouth Town Council tentatively approved a number of department budgets Wednesday night at Town Hall.

Could the decorative lights on Park Avenue be shut off overnight to save the town money? One town councilor thinks there could be savings. The Town Council met Wednesday night at Town Hall to continue its tentative approval of the town administrator's proposed budget. The meeting was called to order with only four members present: Joseph Robicheau, Judi Staven, Elizabeth Pedro and Paul Kesson. Robicheau said Jim Seveney and Michael Buddemeyer had “unexpected work obligations," while Keith Hamilton was away on business. Park Avenue's Decorative Lights While discussing the line item "Utilities and Town Hall" in the proposed budget, Councilor Liz Pedro questioned why the decorative lights on Park Avenue are "on" throughout the night. …

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Town Administrator's Proposed Budget Calls for 3.74 Percent Increase in Property Tax

The Town Council received its first look at the proposed budget last week during executive session.

Town Administrator Robert Driscoll presented his proposed 2012 fiscal year budget to the Portsmouth Town Council last week. The proposed budget, which was not made available for viewing until early this week, calls for a 3.74 percent increase in the property tax. This is only a proposed budget, which will be amended during the entire budget process. "I am pleased to present the administrator's recommended budget for FY 2011-2012," Driscoll wrote in his letter to the council. "...The review process, though lengthy and demanding, is an opportunity for all of us to explain the town department's activity to you while gaining the benefit of your critical perspective." The administrator's recommended budget calls for an overall increase in …

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time 2 go

8:16 am on Monday, April 25, 2011

The three in the photo....The Three Stooges.   more ›

PEDC Web Survey Remains Active

Budget Suggestion survey still available for your comments and ideas - Ideas for generating new revenues passed on to new PEDC subcommittee.

The Portsmouth Economic Development Committee would like to thank the Portsmouth residents who have offered their comments and suggestions on our Budget Suggestion Web survey. The survey will remain active for a few more weeks, so there is still time for anyone interested in Portsmouth town finances to provide their comments and recommendations. Several interesting ideas for revenue generation from the survey have already been passed on to the newly formed PEDC Revenue Generation Subcommittee (RGSC) for further examination. Citizen input will be a key element in the work of this new subcommittee and you will soon see PEDC fliers around town, inviting your ideas and participation. Please join us in helping to make Portsmouth an affordable …

Portsmouth Economic Development Committee Wants Your Input on New Budget Survey

The PEDC has posted a new survey on their Web site to get your suggestions on the town budget.

As the Portsmouth town administration and School Committee begin to provide information to the public on the upcoming town budget, the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee would like to hear from Portsmouth residents about their ideas for creating a sustainable town budget. Costs are rising, state support is declining and yet tax revenues and fees for services have remained the same. How can the town bring their expenses under control? How can/should the town increase revenues to meet expenses? What town services do you use and can you identify any services that can be eliminated or cut back? What do you think can and should be done? Your answers to these and other questions will help our town officials make decisions in the upcoming …

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Portsmouth Economic Development Committee Wants Your Input on Town Budget

With Portsmouth facing a budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, the town looks for suggestions from residents.

Portsmouth residents, Got some ideas about how to fix our budget problems? The town of Portsmouth is facing a budget shortfall for the next fiscal year and we’d like your thoughts on what can be done to resolve it. The PEDC will soon be posting a Web survey asking Portsmouth residents to send in their suggestions. Can you identify any town or school department services that can be cut back or eliminated? What services should not be cut? What service fees can be increased or what other ideas do you have for generating revenue for the town? Should our taxes or service fees go up? This will be your chance to weigh in on these issues. Unlike earlier Web surveys, this one will ask survey respondents to include their name and contact information…

Town Council Postpones Setting Transfer Sticker Fee

The Town Council voted 4-2 Monday to postpone setting the transfer sticker fee until after the New Year.

The Town Council voted 4-2 Monday evening to postpone discussing the Transfer Station sticker fee until Jan. 10. In opposition were Councilors Michael Buddemeyer and Jim Seveney. Councilor Keith Hamilton was absent. The vote was held following a more than two hour discussion before the council admitted being at stalmate. "I don't think the council is prepared to make a decision tonight," Council President Joe Robicheau said.  The council made two prior votes pertaining to the sticker's price, which is currently set at $125. Councilor James Seveney motioned to keep the transfer station sticker price at $125, but add a fee of $35 to each sticker sale for upkeep and maintenance of the transfer station. According to Councilor Judi Staven, the…

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School Dept. to Create 'Deficit Reduction Plan' After Referendum Fails

The school department will present a 'deficit reduction plan' at the next School Committee meeting on Oct. 12. Meanwhile, both the PCC and SOS react to Tuesday's special election results.

Portsmouth's voters have spoken, soundly defeating a referendum Tuesday that would have restored $765,301 that the Town Council cut from the Fiscal Year 2010-11 school budget. In light of the outcome, school officials are now planning to present a deficit reduction plan to the School Committee next Tuesday. Superintendent Susan Lusi and School Finance Director Mark Dunham did not return calls for comment on Wednesday, but Lusi e-mailed a brief statement to Patch. "The Portsmouth community has spoken," she said. "The administration will be bringing a deficit reduction plan forward for the School Committee's consideration at its meeting of October 12." Although it is not clear what cuts that plan would be recommending, school officials …

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