Portsmouth Heights developer reports progress; planning board continues Elm Street update to Oct. 9

The Town of Portsmouth Planning Board on Sept. 11 continued an update on the Portsmouth Heights subdivision (Elm Street) to its Oct. 9 meeting after hearing progress reports from the developer’s contractor and the public works director.

Michael Atkinson of WC Excavation, contractor for Hawkins Development Company, told the board crews had mowed detention ponds, cleaned several swales and removal of silt from the drainage pond was underway; he said dig‑safe clearances were scheduled to allow additional swale work and that the binder on the cul‑de‑sac would be ripped out and replaced before the top coat is applied. Paul Rodericks, Portsmouth public works director, said the town has met with the paver and general contractor and that the contractor indicated it hoped to pave within about three weeks.

Why it matters: The board granted an extension to Hawkins Development to complete outstanding items required for final roadway acceptance, including the final top course on Elm Street, re‑establishing and cleaning drainage swales, removing silt from the detention pond, installing concrete bounds, completing as‑built plans and applying loam and seed after final paving.

Atkinson told the board he expected to begin swale work immediately after dig‑safe clearances and hoped to have the roadway paving completed the following week or soon after. He said he and the town had discussed specific sites where vegetation and private yard features complicated swale construction; he also noted some homeowners had agreed to trim plantings along the town right‑of‑way. The contractor said he would produce as‑built documentation before repaving.

Board members raised a question about utilities and vegetation on the right‑of‑way. Atkinson said Newport Water utilities are under the roadway and Portsmouth Water is on the opposite side; that required any plants in the town right‑of‑way to be removed if future utilities require it. There was also confusion among residents and board members about whether a homeowners association had formed for the subdivision; town staff said a recorded document exists and legal staff will investigate if the association has not been organized and who is responsible for ongoing maintenance.

The planning board voted to continue the Elm Street Portsmouth Heights subdivision progress report to Oct. 9 so staff and the contractor can provide a status update and any remaining timelines. The motion carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.