Minutes 2026-03-16

PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 16, 2026

MINUTES

7:00 PM – Town Council Chambers, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sondra Blank, David M. Gleason, Keith E. Hamilton, Mary A.
McDowell, Sharlene Patton, Juan Carlos Payero, and David Reise
Time: 7:00 PM

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

SITTING AS THE PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL

1. Roll Call
NEW BUSINESS (Discussion/Action) – Motion to open the public hearing made by Mr. Gleason,
seconded by Mr. Payero. Motion passed unanimously.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Request approval for proposed amendments to Chapter 405 of the Town
Code, entitled Zoning, Article IX Specific Development Regulations, Section B Signs
a. Planning Board Advisory Opinion
Adoption of Sign Ordinance and Amendments (Article XV)
Email from ACLU
Email from Town Solicitor Gio Cicione
Existing Sign Ordinance
Revised Sign Ordinance (redlined, with revisions)
Revised Sign Ordinance (clean copy)
Planning Board minutes, dated October 23, 2025
Planning Board minutes, dated December 11, 2025
Mr. William Pickett, 96 Clear View Ln, is for improvements to the sign ordinance.
Mr. Michale DiPaola, 37 Lawton Brook Lane, concerns regarding the amortization clause and the
new size restrictions. He would like to see respect for pre-existing rights; does not like forcing the
removal or reduction of established lawfully existing signs via a 3-year plan; considers
grandfathered property rights a cornerstone of fair zoning; and consistency and fairness.
Mr. Ronald Woods, 39 Windrock Cir, is for the improvements to the sign ordinance.
Ms. Tarah Woods, 39 Windrock Cir, is for the improvements to the sign ordinance.
Mr. Timothy Donegan, 97 Clear View Ln, is for the improvements to the sign ordinance.
Mr. Steven Anderson of Maplewood Farm, 234 Hedly St, asking the Council to consider to have all
farms, farm breweries, and wineries to be exempt under the right to farm in the Town of Portsmouth
under the sign ordinance.
Motion to close the public hearing made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Mr. Payero. Motion passed
unanimously.

TCM 3/16/26
Page 2
Motion to amend Section 11, letter H, item 3 and 6 from 2 and 1 to 8 made by Ms. Blank, seconded
by Mr. Payero. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion to prohibit mechanically inflated signs made by Ms. McDowell, seconded by Ms. Blank.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion to remove the restriction of time on Yard Sign – Residential lots and increase quantity limit
from up to 2 to 4 per 50ft of street frontage made by Ms. Patton, seconded by Mr. Gleason. Motion
passed unanimously.
Motion to remove the restriction of time on Yard Sign - Non-Residential lots made by Mr. Gleason,
seconded by Mr. Payero. Motion failed 3-4. Ms. Blank, Ms. McDowell, Mr. Payero, and Mr.
Hamilton in dissent.
Motion to reconsider the vote on the Residential Lots made by Mr. Payero, seconded by Ms. Blank.
Motion passed 5-2. Mr. Gleason and Ms. Patton in dissent.
Motion to amend the max time on Yard Sign – Residential lots to 180 consecutive days made by
Mr. Payero, seconded by Ms. Blank. Motion passed 6-1. Ms. Patton in dissent.
Motion to reconsider the max. duration on site on Yard Sign – Non-Residential lots made by Mr.
Payero, seconded by Mr. Gleason. Motion passed 6-1. Ms. Blank in dissent.
Motion to make the max. duration on site on Yard Sign – Non- Residential lots equal to the
residential lots at 180 consecutive days made by Mr. Payero, seconded by Mr. Gleason. Motion
passed 5-2. Ms. Blank and Ms. Patton in dissent.
Motion to change section 16 B, subsection a de facto permanent signage to any temporary sign that
remains in place for mor than 180 consecutive days or more than 180 cumulative days within a 12-
month period is deemed a permanent sign and must meet all the standards of a permanent sign.
Motion made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion to place on agenda for final adoption on Monday night made by Mr. Payero, seconded by
Mr. Gleason. Motion passed unanimously.
FUTURE MEETINGS
Mar 23 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
Apr 13 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
Apr 27 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
ADJOURN – Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Payero, seconded by Mr. Gleason. Motion passed
unanimously.
Time: 8:44 PM

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Jennifer M. West, CMC, Town Clerk