• The first professional analysis of all town properties 

• The first rolling 5-year capital improvement plans

• Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports that have received multiple Government Finance Officers Association awards

• Zero-based budgeting that requires all departments to start with a zero budget and annually justify all funding requests

• During COVID-19, had budgets that remained on schedule, were reduced and created an emergency COVID-19 contingency fund.

• Portsmouth had the 26th lowest tax rate out of 39 Cities and towns (lowest 33%) and compared to 18 other communities with similar services, Portsmouth had the 14th lowest tax rate (lowest 22%)

• Maintained most tax rate increases below inflation

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• Helped local small businesses by allocating $50,000 of ARPA funds to develop a buy-local campaign

• Made changes to zoning ordinances during COVID to allow greater use of outdoor facilities in accordance with the state Commerce RI “take it outside” campaign

• Kept business tax rate equal to the residential tax rate; when most towns tax businesses at a higher rate

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• An Emergency Management Agency Director

• A Hazard Mitigation Plan that addresses how to prepare for and respond to natural disasters

• An updated Comprehensive Plan and updated Town Charter

• The first annual public meetings to determine the Town Administrator’s priorities (see my memo)

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• RI Department of Transportation safety audits of East Main and West Main roads

• Passed resolution opposing RIDOT taking money and management power away from the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) because that would threaten continued proper maintenance of Newport County bridges, including the Mr. Hope Bridge.

• Initiating a "green and complete streets" ordinance to help ensure  that pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities can safely move along and across streets.

• More aggressive speed control measures by Portsmouth police on East Main and West Main roads

• Partnerships with community and non-profits to build more community-based climate change resiliency plans (see here)

• A $339,000 grant from the RI Infrastructure Bank for required climate change resiliency work in Common Fence Point and Island Park

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• A town council request to National Grid to discontinue Old Mill Lane LNG facility use, implement a moratorium on new gas pipeline infrastructure on Aquidneck Island, and to be more transparent

• A full-time Parks & Recreation Director and expanded program offerings

• Support for local agricultural businesses and a middle school education program

• Partnerships with community groups that provide essential services to all residents, including the library and senior center

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• Short-term rental regulations

• A prohibition on solar farms on residentially zoned properties

• School Committee and staff cooperative efforts on school safety, capital improvements and vacancy appointment procedures 

• Secured a $75,000 grant to develop a Portsmouth open space and recreation master plan

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• A Town Council process to select state legislative priorities.

• A partnership with Church Community Housing to build a new Senior Center and affordable senior housing units

• ARPA federal funds for priority public safety needs that provide long-term benefits

• A $1.35 million Congressional Directed Spending grant for needed improvements to the Prudence Island water system

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• A cooperative effort with Middletown and Newport to fund an island-wide broadband study

• A Farm-to-Farm Bike Ride on Middle Road

• A COVID response that included establishing new procedures for operating town properties, organizing and running a food bank, and helping local businesses 

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