City Council Joint Work Session with Planning Board

The City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, held a City Council–Planning Board joint work session on November 13, 2026, to review the draft six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The proposal contains 107 projects, with 14 new or returning projects and 86 carried over. Staff emphasized that the CIP is a planning document, not a spending commitment, and that projects compete for limited resources. Proposed capital outlay is $1.665 million, or 1.1% of the prior-year budget, while projected net debt service is 8.36% of the budget against a 10% policy limit. Major items discussed included the $58.6 million municipal complex project, $13 million for Portsmouth and Collins Wells PFAS treatment moved forward to FY2028 after the Air Force indicated it would not fund design or construction, and proposed solar investments, including a possible $2 million buyout of existing power-purchase agreements and a $4.1 million Jones Avenue array in an out year. Other notable proposals included $450,000 for solid-waste bins and distribution, a $100,000 recycling-center swap shop, and ongoing school, fire, transportation, water, sewer, and drainage improvements.

No contract awards, procurement approvals, or votes were made at the work session. Discussion covered funding assumptions, grant-seeking for some natural-resource studies and EV charging stations, and potential alternative financing for the Jones Avenue solar project. Staff also indicated that formal-garden work would emphasize protecting existing trees and use qualifications-based selection rather than straight low bid for firms working in that setting. The joint public hearing was rescheduled to December 7 because of a noticing error; the Planning Board was expected to consider the CIP on December 17, with City Council adoption anticipated December 21. Any changes to the plan may affect the timing and priority of other projects.