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June 21. 2012 11:24PM
Optimism shared at Portsmouth Chamber breakfast
PORTSMOUTH — City officials shared an optimistic view of the future with business owners at the annual State of the City Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Thursday morning at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel.
Unemployment is low, felony crime is low and national magazines continue to rank the city as one of the best places to visit, live and work.
But there are still challenges.
Portsmouth Mayor Eric Spear laid out a three-pronged plan for addressing these, which include continuing to invest in city staff and infrastructure, while also working to increase the city’s tax base.
Spear used a potential new parking garage as an example of how to increase revenue.
He said employee health insurance and retirement costs, as well as some cost of living adjustments built into negotiated union contracts continue to be a problem.
This makes it hard for the city to deliver services at the tax rate they want to achieve, he said.
Both Spear and City Manager John Bohenko mentioned the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements to upgrade the Peirce Island wastewater treatment facility, and the new $24 million water treatment facility recently completed in Madbury.
Bohenko said many of the challenges come from the state of New Hampshire. He said the budget problems of the state are being put on the backs of municipalities.
But, he said, there are many positives. The city’s unemployment rate is at about 3.6 percent, less tham half of the national average, and the housing market remains stable.
Police Chief David Ferland talked about some of the “game-changers” in law enforcement over the last 30 years, and some of the things that have not changed.
He said a significant game-changer is video surveillance, and encouraged every business owner in the room to install a video surveillance system.
What has not changed is the role of alcohol and other drugs in crime, he said.
He said more than 50 percent of crime is alcohol-related, from drunken driving to family violence.
Recently, the department started a drinking awareness campaign using 50,000 drink coasters to be distributed to area businesses focused on “Think Smart, Drink Smart.” They are also continuing driving while intoxicated checkpoints.
Fire Chief Christopher LeClair said the fire department responded to more than 50,000 emergency response calls last year, and is dealing with challenges on a more personal level, after two young members of the department died within the last year from cancer.
Gretyl Macalaster may be reached at gmacalaster@newstote.com.
Unemployment is low, felony crime is low and national magazines continue to rank the city as one of the best places to visit, live and work.
But there are still challenges.
Portsmouth Mayor Eric Spear laid out a three-pronged plan for addressing these, which include continuing to invest in city staff and infrastructure, while also working to increase the city’s tax base.
Spear used a potential new parking garage as an example of how to increase revenue.
He said employee health insurance and retirement costs, as well as some cost of living adjustments built into negotiated union contracts continue to be a problem.
This makes it hard for the city to deliver services at the tax rate they want to achieve, he said.
Both Spear and City Manager John Bohenko mentioned the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements to upgrade the Peirce Island wastewater treatment facility, and the new $24 million water treatment facility recently completed in Madbury.
Bohenko said many of the challenges come from the state of New Hampshire. He said the budget problems of the state are being put on the backs of municipalities.
But, he said, there are many positives. The city’s unemployment rate is at about 3.6 percent, less tham half of the national average, and the housing market remains stable.
Police Chief David Ferland talked about some of the “game-changers” in law enforcement over the last 30 years, and some of the things that have not changed.
He said a significant game-changer is video surveillance, and encouraged every business owner in the room to install a video surveillance system.
What has not changed is the role of alcohol and other drugs in crime, he said.
He said more than 50 percent of crime is alcohol-related, from drunken driving to family violence.
Recently, the department started a drinking awareness campaign using 50,000 drink coasters to be distributed to area businesses focused on “Think Smart, Drink Smart.” They are also continuing driving while intoxicated checkpoints.
Fire Chief Christopher LeClair said the fire department responded to more than 50,000 emergency response calls last year, and is dealing with challenges on a more personal level, after two young members of the department died within the last year from cancer.
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Gretyl Macalaster may be reached at gmacalaster@newstote.com.