City Manager Sam Sutherland submitted a detailed March report to Portsmouth City Council, highlighting the hard work and achievements of various city agencies over the past month. From infrastructure upgrades to emergency response and city beautification, here’s a breakdown of what the City of Portsmouth accomplished in March 2025:
Administration
- Responded to a variety of citizen complaints and concerns
- Continued progress on Water Treatment Plant and drainage/sewer issues
- Official construction began on the long-anticipated New City Building
Community Development
- Continued work on the Appalachian Community Grant Program
- Hosted public meetings with architects and engineers to gather input for the Riverfront Redevelopment Project
Engineering
- Paving completed
- 6th Street converted to one-way traffic from Washington to Gay Streets
- Parking stalls installed along 6th Street
Sewer Maintenance & Drainage
- 14 dig-downs completed
- 15 storm lines and 11 sanitary lines ran
- 24 sanitary manholes and 11 storm basins cleaned
- 13 dye tests performed to diagnose drainage issues
Flood Defense
- Ongoing monitoring of pump stations, levees, concrete flood wall, and gate houses to ensure public safety and flood preparedness
Personnel & Public Safety
Code Enforcement
- Investigated 27 complaints related to garbage, property maintenance, and junked vehicles
EMS
- Responded to 207 calls, including overdoses, heart attacks, strokes, injuries, and vehicle accidents
Fire Department
- Responded to 341 incidents, including fires, EMS calls, car crashes, and 32 false alarms
Police Department
- 4,458 total calls for service in 2025 so far
- 60 parking citations, 129 moving violations
- The impound lot brought in $29,690.50 in March, with expenses of $9,629.16, yielding a net revenue of $20,061.34
Public Services
Trash Collection
- Collected 704.20 tons of city trash
- Collected 1,099.01 tons of other trash
- February revenue: $64,376.80
- 2025 year-to-date revenue: $143,812.04
Cemeteries
- 3 funerals handled in March
Wastewater Division
Portsmouth Plant
- Cleared sludge wells and repaired pumps at multiple stations
- Scheduled replacement and training for a conveyor belt
- Conducted maintenance and mechanical upgrades at Easter, 17th, Webb Alley, and New Boston Pump Stations
Sciotoville Plant
- Entered planning phase to replace influent pumps
- Adjusted chlorination systems
- Fixed pump at Harding Avenue Station
- Reconnected Stewart and Division Pump Station to the SCADA monitoring system
- Cleaned lower bar screen
Water Department
Completed several critical repairs and installations across the region:
- Repaired multiple water mains (2″, 6″, 8″, and 12″) across Portsmouth and West Portsmouth
- Installed new water taps and a new hydrant on East Timlin Road
- Notable projects include work on Micklethwaite, Ohio River Road, Bloom Street, and Washington Boulevard
Portsmouth’s departments have demonstrated strong coordination and relentless effort throughout March. With progress made in infrastructure, public health, safety, and long-term planning, city leaders continue moving forward on projects that support growth, improve quality of life, and address community needs head-on.
Council members will review this report during their April 14, 2025 meeting.