Town Council Hears Economic Committee's Presentation on Sewers

The Portsmouth Economic Development Committee (EDC) gave a presentation before the Town Council about the benefits of a possible sewer system in the Portsmouth Park and Island Park sections of town.

The town has not approved any plan for sewers at this time.

The presentation was given Wednesday night by EDC members Duncan Ingraham and Allen Shers. To view the presentation, see the pdf at right.

Ingraham spoke first about “perception is the truth” and “dirty versus clean.”

“Although I don’t live in Island Park, I do own three or four properties there. There’s a perception that without sewers, it’s a dirty situation down there,” he said.

During the presentation, Ingraham stated the cost of sewers was $46 million.

According to Ingraham and the EDC presentation, the combined cost for engineers and lawyers to fight DEM’s demand for Portsmouth to install sewers is about $26 million.   

“There are 77 unsuitable lots with 1/3 of those on the waterfront. Without sewers, the assessed value is zero dollars. With sewers, they become buildable and become $23.1 million of assessed value,” he said.

According to Ingraham, if sewers were built, there is the possibility of the Cardi Corp. constructing condos on Boyd's Lane. Members of the council also spoke about this project.

“This isn’t a done deal,” said Judi Stavin.

Liz Pedro requested information from Town Administrator Bob Driscoll about Cardi’s proposal.

“I want all correspondence and conversations with Cardi’s,” she said.

“There is none," Driscoll said. "When we did talk to them, it was just a loose request and I told you about it."

“This is just one way to look at the situation. There is no plan,” said Shers.