3.19.2026 Sister Cities Committee

The City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Sister Cities Committee held a meeting on March 23, 2026, focusing on revitalizing and managing sister city relationships, particularly with Carrick Fergus, Northern Ireland. Discussions included reestablishing ties with local Rotary clubs, planning student exchange programs, and coordinating visits and receptions for delegations. The committee also addressed administrative matters such as setting up a special revenue fund to manage donations for sister city activities and drafting official correspondence templates. Additionally, they reviewed a letter from a citizen in Severinsk, Russia, regarding a non-official sister city connection, deciding to prioritize established relationships due to limited bandwidth and current geopolitical sensitivities. Preparations for upcoming events, including a visit from the Santael mayor and a film festival, were also discussed, with attention to catering and gift-giving logistics. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made, but the committee considered budgetary and fundraising mechanisms to support sister city initiatives.