What's New

Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. has finalized the application form for organizations planning events, projects and programs for the anniversary celebration in 2023 and invites those who are interested to submit their details. Once reviewed by the Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. Management Team and assigned to one of the thematic Team Leaders, the Official Partner Programs will be listed on the PortsmouthNH400.org calendar and will be authorized to use the PNH400 Official Partner logo.

City Manager Karen Conard is pleased to announce the promotion of Christine C. Friese to the position of Director of the Portsmouth Public Library, effective March 1, 2022.

The Portsmouth community can now access the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) on the City of Portsmouth website. The City of Portsmouth prepares the two documents following the close of each fiscal year under the guidance of Director of Finance and Administration Judie Belanger.

Out of an abundance of caution against the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant of COVID-19, the Mayor-elect has determined that the Inauguration for the City Council, Police Commission, Fire Commission and School Board will be held outdoors on Monday, January 3, 2022. The abbreviated ceremony will take place at the 9/11 Memorial in the upper parking lot at City Hall, starting at 7 pm.

The Portsmouth NH 400th Executive Team held an organizational meeting of the Portsmouth NH 400th Task Force on September 2, 2021 and is forming sub-committee teams to begin planning for the city’s celebration in 2023. The Task Force is designed to support the Portsmouth NH 400th organization and guide signature events and projects, including a parade.

The Executive Team now includes:

Once again the Neighborhood Holiday Lights Contest received enthusiastic support, with 48 Portsmouth residents participating. Mayor Rick Becksted joined members of the Citywide Neighborhood Committee and the children who did the judging to announce the winners at the City Council meeting on Monday, December 20.  Winners will receive their gift cards in a letter from the Mayor.

The Foundation for Seacoast Health has announced their intent to sell the Community Campus building and surrounding 34 acres to the City of Portsmouth. Following a three-year strategic planning process and a goal to maintain its original vision as a multi-tenant non-profit center, while adding new resources to benefit the community, the Foundation has determined the City to be the ideal buyer to manage the Campus.

What is the “Evusheld” treatment and how does it work?

Evusheld is a pre-COVID protection option developed by AstraZeneca that combines two monoclonal antibodies (tixagevimab and cilgavimab) in one injection. In a study of persons who were at high risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19 because they were immunocompromised or ineligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, Evusheld was shown to reduce the risk of developing COVID-19 compared to those who received a placebo.