Portsmouth meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Portsmouth council to weigh school bond, BESS ban; recent meetings agenda-only

Portsmouth's recent government meetings produced no published decisions, as minutes have not yet been released for the Town Council's Aug. 11 session or the Zoning Board's Aug. 20 meeting. The Town Council is scheduled to meet today (Aug. 24) to consider school bond scenarios and a potential study of battery storage and data center bans.

Recent meetings

Town Council (Aug. 11)

The council's agenda included a review of the proposed school bond process, a request to update the short-term rental ordinance, and approval of a consent agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) for water pollution violations dating to 2010. Also on the agenda were the purchase of two 2026 Ford Explorer Utility vehicles for $169,501 from the Emergency Vehicle Apparatus Capital Program, and payment vouchers totaling more than $600,000. No minutes have been published, so no decisions are reported.

Planning Board (Aug. 13)

The regularly scheduled meeting was cancelled. No items were discussed.

Zoning Board of Review (Aug. 20)

The board's agenda included four new dimensional variance requests: sheds at 11-58 Lawton Brook Lane (Bay View Townhouses), a garage addition at 89 Islington Ave. encroaching on the front setback, and variances for an administrative subdivision at 711 & 717 Union St. One old business item, a variance at 3 Glen Terrace, was continued to Sept. 17, and another at 45 Narragansett Ave was withdrawn. The board also was scheduled to vote on authorizing the Zoning Administrator to sign decisions. No minutes are published.

Upcoming meetings

Town Council (Aug. 24)

The council will hear school bond scenarios presented by PFM Financial Advisors, review monthly finance reports, and consider several new items: a temporary display for International Overdose Awareness Day (219 flags), funding from Opioid Settlement Funds for kratom and opioid safety education, a Road Paving Reserve Fund, and a vote to direct the Planning Department to study an ordinance banning large battery storage systems (BESS) and data centers.

Pension Advisory and Investment Committee (Aug. 26)

This is an informational Zoom meeting only, with no voting. The sole agenda item is an actuarial introductory call with Jen Turk of Nyhart regarding an experience study. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 26 at 5:00 PM.

Technical Review Committee (Sept. 1)

The committee will review a modification to a 2023 Master Plan Decision for properties at 1200 and 1220 West Main Road (Map 44, Lots 7 & 8, Light Industrial) and a proposal for a temporary engine repair workshop at 1360 West Main Road (Map 44, Lot 15B, Commercial). No final decisions are listed on the agenda.

Coming up

• **Town Council** – Aug. 24, regular meeting with school bond and BESS study items.
• **Pension Advisory and Investment Committee** – Aug. 26, informational Zoom meeting on actuarial study.
• **Technical Review Committee** – Sept. 1, review of West Main Road master plan modification and engine repair workshop proposal.

Portsmouth roundup: Council agenda includes school bond, vehicle purchases; planning board cancels

Portsmouth's Town Council met Aug. 11 with an agenda that included a proposed school bond process, short-term rental rules, and vehicle purchases, but minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed. The Pension Advisory Committee also met Aug. 6, and the Planning Board cancelled its Aug. 13 meeting.

Pension Advisory Committee (Aug. 6)

The Pension Advisory Committee, formerly the Pension Investment Committee, met to review prior meeting minutes, receive an introductory call from actuary Nyhart (Jen Turk), and consider a proposed bylaw change to rename the committee to 'Investment Committee.' The meeting was open to the public and held in person and via Zoom. No decisions have been published.

Town Council (Aug. 11)

The Town Council held a regular meeting that began with an executive session for litigation and real property matters, followed by an open session. The agenda included:

• A review of Stage 2 approved and proposed school capital projects and the school bond process.
• A request to update the Short-Term Rental ordinance and consider an ad hoc committee.
• Approval of a Consent Agreement with RIDEM for water pollution violations from 2010.
• Purchase of two 2026 Ford Explorer Utility vehicles for $169,501 from the Emergency Vehicle Apparatus Capital Program.
• Payment vouchers totaling over $600,000 for various dates.

Minutes have not yet been published, so the outcomes of these items are not confirmed.

Planning Board (Aug. 13)

The regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting on Aug. 13 was cancelled. No items were discussed or decided.

Coming up

The Zoning Board of Review will meet Aug. 20 to consider four new dimensional variance requests, including sheds, a greenhouse, and a garage addition, plus old business items. One old business application seeks a second continuance, and another has been withdrawn. The board will also vote on authorizing the Zoning Administrator to sign decisions. Specific properties include 3 Glen Terrace (continued to Sept. 17), 45 Narragansett Ave (withdrawn), 11-58 Lawton Brook Lane, 711 & 717 Union St, and 89 Islington Ave.

Portsmouth Town Council Weighs Budget, Fire Engine; Planning Board to Review Stormwater Rules

The Portsmouth Town Council met on June 22 with a full agenda that included the FY27 budget, a $950,000 fire engine purchase, and several noise variances, but official minutes have not been published, leaving the outcomes uncertain. Looking ahead, the Planning Board will meet on July 9 to consider stormwater ordinance amendments and subdivision requests.

Town Council considers FY27 budget, fire engine purchase

The council's June 22 agenda included a vote on final approval of the FY27 town budget ordinance, which sets the town's spending plan for the next fiscal year. Another significant item was a request to purchase a replacement fire engine for $950,000, funded in fiscal year 2028. The council also considered a partial road closure on Canonchet Drive for a July 4th block party from 1 to 9 p.m. Public hearings were held on noise variances for Safe Harbor Race Weekend and Sunset Cove concerts, which would allow amplified music during those events. Additionally, a request to implement recommendations from the solid waste committee was on the agenda. As of July 5, the meeting's minutes have not been posted on the town's website, so it is not yet known which items passed or failed.

Planning Board to review stormwater rules, subdivisions

The Planning Board's July 9 agenda includes an advisory recommendation to the Town Council on proposed text amendments to Chapter 337, the Post Construction Stormwater Control Ordinance. These amendments would modify local rules for managing stormwater runoff after construction projects. The board will also hear a progress report on the Elm Street/Portsmouth Heights Subdivision by Harkins Development. Administrative land-use actions include the subdivision of 138 Sherwood Drive into two lots and the merger of two lots at 0 and 1526 West Main Road for a self-storage facility. Finally, the board will note a Superior Court decision that affirms its earlier approval of a five-lot subdivision at 22 and 24 Dexter Street.

Coming up

• **Portsmouth Planning Board** – Thursday, July 9. Agenda includes stormwater ordinance amendments, a subdivision progress report, and administrative lot adjustments. The meeting is open to the public. Check the town website for time and location.