City of Portsmouth

The Conservation Commission meeting focused on several agenda items, including the postponement of the January 14, 2026 minutes approval. Key discussions involved Wetland Conditional Use Permit Applications. For the property at 50 Clough Drive, approval was recommended to the Planning Board with five stipulations, including the installation of an educational sign for a rain garden and wetland boundary markers. For 500 Jones Avenue, approval was also recommended with stipulations concerning wetland boundary markers and erosion controls. The application for 0 Borthwick Avenue was postponed. In State Wetland Bureau Applications, approval was recommended for the Dredge and Fill - Major Impact application at 50 Clough Drive, mirroring the local stipulations. Comments were provided to NHDES for the Dredge and Fill - Minimum Impact application regarding Garfield Road/McKinley Road Right of Way, prioritizing alternatives that avoid wetland impact and addressing the removal of established trees. Other business included noting feedback items for Commissioner Blasko regarding the Master Plan, and postponing the Article 10 Discussion/Work Session until more members were available.

The Policy Committee meeting focused on reviewing and recommending updates to several NHSBA sample policies. Key discussions included edits to the 'Use & Location of Automated External Defibrillators' policy, with a recommendation for adoption pending a second reading on March 10, and a recommendation to rescind the older, superseded AED policy once the new one is adopted. For the 'Daily Physical Activity' policy, concerns were raised regarding high school activity coverage and middle school sports participation, leading to a commitment to address these via the Wellness Committee and retaining language discouraging withholding recess. The 'Distance Education' policy was updated to include new nomenclature and specific edits regarding administrative approvals and the removal of non-existent district policy references. The 'Student Conduct' policy update focused on ADA compliance, typographical correction, aligning terminology with 'Code of Conduct,' and modifying language to better reflect restorative practices. The 'Portsmouth School District Wellness Policy' discussion was tabled pending clarification on the roles of the new Wellness Committee versus the Wellbeing Committee. The committee recommended approval for the updated 'Special Physical Health Needs of Students' policy (to be retitled 'Physical and Emotional Well-Being of Students'). Furthermore, the committee discussed future preparations for anticipated Open Enrollment legislation and proposed utilizing Student Government Day for informal input on policies like homework and dress code.

The meeting convened in non-public session, citing statutory reasons related to matters that could adversely affect the reputation of an individual not on the board. The discussion during the non-public session focused on individual positions within the proposed budget. The session concluded, and the body returned to public session.

The meeting began with the approval of the Consent Agenda, which included previous public and non-public minutes, and a workshop session. Public comment included discussion regarding a student walk-out. The public hearing segment focused on budget line item increases/decreases, special education costs, and out-of-district placements. Under Old Business, the Board considered and approved the proposed FY27 budget with a 4.48% increase, and redefined the missions of the Facilities, Policy, and Finance committees. New Business included approval of a leave of absence, discussion of the 2026-2027 School Board Meeting Schedule, and the creation of two new strategic planning committees focused on Educator Capacity and Safety, Well-Being, & Belonging, with subsequent alignment of the description for the existing Teaching & Learning focus area.

The Portsmouth Municipal Building Improvements Project aims to optimize municipal services and police facilities through strategic upgrades and enhanced infrastructure. This initiative focuses on improving police operational spaces and adjacencies, ensuring more effective public accommodation with increased security via a single point of service, and achieving a more efficient allocation of municipal services within the building. The project also prioritizes maximizing investment in critical building components to provide a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient environment for occupants and visitors.