The PEDC heard a presentation on using AI to generate ideas and support committee work and received an update on the West Side/Melville/Weaver Cove redevelopment (land use, transportation, brownfields, reduced density, public benefits). Director Talipsky reported on community electric program and Buy Local listings. Next meeting July 15, 2026.
The committee approved the minutes from its May 20, 2026 meeting.
Approve May 20, 2026 minutes
Presenter Peter Tyer-Witek described using multiple AI tools to generate ideas to improve Portsmouth's business climate, promote local businesses and tourism, and support the PEDC's work. The presentation also covered using AI to advise the Town on improving services.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Use of AI for PEDC work (Peter Tyer-Witek) work and assisting with identifying topics to focus on. Mr. Tyer-Witek discussed using multiple AI tools to generate new ideas for improving the business climate in Portsmouth and promoting local business, promoting
Steve Johnson gave an update on the West Side / Melville / Weaver Cove redevelopment. He discussed land use and transportation issues, brownfields, a reduction in planned residential units from 1,000 to about 400 with roughly 10% proposed as low/moderate-income housing, expansion of the marina, and a greenway. He also noted a potential developer change with Hinckley possibly interested in the northern third of the site.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
West Side / Melville / Weaver Cove update (Steve Johnson)
There were no other reports for the committee to consider when asked by Mr. Johnson of Town Council Liaison Mary McDowell.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Other reports - None. else that the Committee should be considering.
PEDC was called to order by Chair Joseph Forgione at 5:32 p.m. on June 17, 2026 in the Colonel Thomas F. Lee Community Room at the Portsmouth Police Department (2270 East Main Road). Members Present: Emil Cipolla, Dan Corrigan, Joseph Forgione (Chair), Steve Johnson (Vice Chair), Pete Lankarge, Michael Mineau (Secretary), Peter Tyer-Witek (Youth Representative), and Richard Talipsky (ex officio). Members Absent: Lex Gardner, Philip Genereux, Richard Hood, Raymond. Other attendees: Daniel Carlin. Town Council Liaisons: Keith Hamilton (absent) and Mary McDowell and Report Covered under Old Business. Mr. Talipsky provided an update on the community electric program and is working to secure the best winter electricity rates. Mr. Talipsky discussed the Buy Local program: Every Portsmouth business with a RI Secretary of State registration has a listing on the Buy Local website, only half of these businesses have claimed their listing, and only a dozen businesses have purchased a premium listing. Mr. Talipsky will complete a draft of the Annual Report and circulate it with Committee members next week; input is requested from Committee members on the draft. Mr. Talipsky will be attending the
(PEDC) was called to order by Chair Joseph Forgione at 5:32 p.m. on June 17, 2026 in the Colonel Thomas F. Lee Community Room at the Portsmouth Police Department (2270 East Main Road). Members Present: Emil Cipolla, Dan Corrigan, Joseph Forgione (Chair), Steve Johnson (Vice Chair), Pete Lankarge, Michael Mineau (Secretary), Peter Tyer- Witek (Youth Representative), and Richard Talipsky (ex officio). Members Absent: Lex Gardner, Philip Genereux, Richard Hood, Raymond Other attendees: Daniel Carlin. Town Council Liaisons: Keith Hamilton (absent) and Mary McDowell and Report Covered under Old Business. Mr. Talipsky provided an update on the community electric program and is working to secure the best winter electricity rates. Mr. Talipsky discussed the Buy Local program. Every Portsmouth business with a RI Secretary of State registration has a listing on the Buy Local website. Only half of these businesses have claimed their listing. Only a dozen businesses have purchased a premium listing. Mr. Talipsky will complete a draft of the Annual Report and circulate it with Committee members next week; input is requested from Committee members on the draft. Mr. Talipsky will be attending the
Mr. Tyer-Witek presented use cases for incorporating AI into the committee’s work, including tourism promotion, facilitating apprenticeships and internships to steer high school students into trades, and connecting businesses to Raytheon’s expansion plans. Mr. Cipolla suggested the PEDC should advise the Town on using AI to improve efficiency and services. Mr. Johnson reviewed the Weaver Cove development history: the site has been in development for two decades, much of it is brownfields discussed at the monthly Restoration Advisory Board meetings, the Navy has a sewage pump station on one of five parcels, and the project has shifted from an original 1,000 residential units to a less-dense mixed-use plan with only 400 residential units, 10% of which would be Low- and-Moderate Income Housing, plus businesses, restaurants, an expanded marina, and a CRMC greenway for Portsmouth and Middletown. Hinckley is interested in taking the northern third of the development from Marshall Properties, but plans are not finalized.
Vineyards and encouraged Committee members to attend. [Items taken out of order] Mr. Tyer-Witek presented on use cases for incorporating AI into Committee tourism, facilitating apprenticeships and internships to steer high school students into trades, and connecting other businesses into Raytheon’s expansion plans. Mr. Cipolla noted that the PEDC should advise the Town on how the Town could use AI to improve efficiency and services. Mr. Johnson led a discussion regarding updates on the West Side redevelopment plans. Two major issues are land use and transportation. Mr. Johnson noted that the Weaver Cove development has been underway for two decades. Most of the site is brownfields, which is discussed at the monthly Restoration Advisory Board meetings. Originally, 1,000 residential units were planned. The Navy has a sewage pump station on one of five parcels. Most recently, the plan became a less dense mixed-use development with only 400 residential units, 10% of which would be Low- and-Moderate Income Housing, plus businesses, restaurants, an expanded marina, and a CRMC greenway for Portsmouth and Middletown. Mr. Johnson explained that the points relevant to the PEDC are highlighting public benefits and addressing public concerns. Hinckley is interested in taking the northern third of the development from Marshall Properties, but plans are still not finalized. Mr.
Mr. Johnson suggested the PEDC provide feedback to the developer and recommendations to Town Boards. Mr. Johnson asked Town Council Liaison Mary McDowell if there is anything. Next meeting scheduled for July 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Colonel Thomas F. Lee Community Room at the Portsmouth Police Department (2270 East Main Road). unanimously. Adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
Johnson suggested that the PEDC be used to provide feedback to the developer and to provide recommendations to Town Boards. Mr. Johnson asked Town Council Liaison Mary McDowell if there is anything July 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Colonel Thomas F. Lee Community Room at the Portsmouth Police Department (2270 East Main Road). unanimously. Adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
PORTSMOUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting
June 17, 2026
Call to Order
A regular meeting of the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee
(PEDC) was called to order by Chair Joseph Forgione at 5:32 p.m. on June 17,
2026 in the Colonel Thomas F. Lee Community Room at the Portsmouth
Police Department (2270 East Main Road).
Roll Call
Members Present: Emil Cipolla, Dan Corrigan, Joseph Forgione (Chair), Steve
Johnson (Vice Chair), Pete Lankarge, Michael Mineau (Secretary), Peter Tyer-
Witek (Youth Representative), and Richard Talipsky (ex officio).
Members Absent: Lex Gardner, Philip Genereux, Richard Hood, Raymond
Keller.
Other attendees: Daniel Carlin.
Town Council Liaisons: Keith Hamilton (absent) and Mary McDowell
(present).
Public Attendees: None.
Guest Speakers
None.
Approval of
Minutes
Motion to approve May 20, 2026 minutes by Mr. Lankarge, seconded by Mr.
Corrigan. Approved unanimously.
Correspondence
None.
Chair’s Welcome
and Report
Covered under Old Business.
Director of Business
Development’s
Report
Mr. Talipsky provided an update on the community electric program and is
working to secure the best winter electricity rates. Mr. Talipsky discussed the
Buy Local program. Every Portsmouth business with a RI Secretary of State
registration has a listing on the Buy Local website. Only half of these
businesses have claimed their listing. Only a dozen businesses have purchased
a premium listing. Mr. Talipsky will complete a draft of the Annual Report
and circulate it with Committee members next week; input is requested from
Committee members on the draft. Mr. Talipsky will be attending the
Portsmouth Business Association Annual Meeting tomorrow at Greenvale
Vineyards and encouraged Committee members to attend.
Old Business
[Items taken out of order]
2. Use of AI for PEDC work (Peter Tyer-Witek)
Mr. Tyer-Witek presented on use cases for incorporating AI into Committee
work and assisting with identifying topics to focus on. Mr. Tyer-Witek
discussed using multiple AI tools to generate new ideas for improving the
business climate in Portsmouth and promoting local business, promoting
PORTSMOUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
tourism, facilitating apprenticeships and internships to steer high school
students into trades, and connecting other businesses into Raytheon’s
expansion plans. Mr. Cipolla noted that the PEDC should advise the Town on
how the Town could use AI to improve efficiency and services.
1. West Side / Melville / Weaver Cove update (Steve Johnson)
Mr. Johnson led a discussion regarding updates on the West Side
redevelopment plans. Two major issues are land use and transportation. Mr.
Johnson noted that the Weaver Cove development has been underway for two
decades. Most of the site is brownfields, which is discussed at the monthly
Restoration Advisory Board meetings. Originally, 1,000 residential units were
planned. The Navy has a sewage pump station on one of five parcels. Most
recently, the plan became a less dense mixed-use development with only 400
residential units, 10% of which would be Low- and-Moderate Income
Housing, plus businesses, restaurants, an expanded marina, and a CRMC
greenway for Portsmouth and Middletown. Mr. Johnson explained that the
points relevant to the PEDC are highlighting public benefits and addressing
public concerns. Hinckley is interested in taking the northern third of the
development from Marshall Properties, but plans are still not finalized. Mr.
Johnson suggested that the PEDC be used to provide feedback to the developer
and to provide recommendations to Town Boards.
3. Other reports - None.
New Business
Mr. Johnson asked Town Council Liaison Mary McDowell if there is anything
else that the Committee should be considering.
Next Meeting
July 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Colonel Thomas F. Lee Community Room at
the Portsmouth Police Department (2270 East Main Road).
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Mr. Lankarge, second by Mr. Cipolla. Approved
unanimously. Adjourned at 6:27 p.m.