PORTSMOUTH — The city council voted 5-4 Tuesday night to bill any Presidential campaign that visits between now and Nov. 6 for overtime expenses incurred by the city.

The vote comes ahead of a planned campaign stop by President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and their wives on Friday at Strawbery Banke Museum.

Councilor Ken Smith put forward the motion, stating that it is with honor and pride that the city welcomes the President and Vice-President, but said the costs associated with such a campaign stop presents budgetary concerns.

“The President goes out and works hard to raise money for his campaigns. When they have a campaign, these are the expenses that have to be borne by the campaign,” Smith said.

He said by putting forward the motion, he was not trying to make a political statement, but to be watchful of city tax dollars.

Assistant Mayor Robert Lister said although he understands the city council needs to keep an eye on the budget, the city should be celebrating the President's visit and not talking about money.

“My feeling is that the President of the United States and the Vice-President is coming to the City of Portsmouth and we should be celebrating that. We should be setting an example for young people in the community, not sitting here arguing about whether we are getting paid,” Lister said.

Councilor Nancy Novelline Clayburgh said she thinks the council owes it to taxpayers to submit a bill, no matter who the candidate is.

“Their campaign budget is going to be bigger than our city budget … so who can afford to pay for it, them or us,” councilor Henry Thorsen said. “The campaign should be paying for it.”

Councilor Anthony Coviello said as shown in Durham, the city is “never, never going to get reimbursed.”

When the President paid a visit to Oyster River High School last month, town administrator Todd Selig sought reimbursement, and was told by the campaign that they were not the ones requesting additional security, so they would not reimburse costs.

In that case, an anonymous donor stepped forward to help the town pay for the costs, negating a need for a discussion by their town council at the time.

Councilor Christine Dwyer pointed to the anniversary of the signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty on Sept. 5, and the benefits the city has received for playing host to that event, which effectively ended the Russo-Japanese War.

“When I think about the 100 years of benefits Portsmouth has gotten from being open and hospitable and not charging anyone for being the home base for the treaty, I think it is important to remember we used to be called the City of the Open Door,” Dwyer said.

Mayor Eric Spear said many people have been looking at the Presidential visit in a transactional sense, and missing the benefit side of having a President visit.

“I think people are missing the other side of the visit, which is the benefit we, in Portsmouth, have of seeing the candidates face-to-face. If you prefer to see your candidates only on TV, then perhaps the message should be sent that we don't need to be as welcoming as previously we have been,” Spear said.

Councilor Brad Lown said Presidential candidates are going to continue to visit the city regardless of the council decision.

“What we do is irrelevant. We are going to welcome the President and everyone associated and they are going to have a good time,” Lown said.

Lown, Clayburgh, Smith and Thorsen were joined by councilor Esther Kennedy in voting for the motion. Spear, Coviello, Dwyer and Lister voted against the motion.

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Gretyl Macalaster may be reached at gmacalaster@newstote.com.