To the editor:

We should be thankful that Mr. Fitzmorris of the PCC spoke out at a recent Town Council meeting regarding trash pickup and the closing of the compactor station. We should also thank him for surfacing the proposed plan to spend $145 million-plus interest plus operating costs to put sewers in Portsmouth even though the waters met proper shellfishing criteria. 

I attended the meeting that the president of the Portsmouth Free Citizens (PFC) mentions in his letter to the editor in the Nov. 10 edition of The Portsmouth Times. Unless my aging ears are fully dysfunctional, I thought I heard during the discourse on this matter that the Portsmouth Town Council had directed the town administrator to prepare a proposal to go to curbside trash pickup and thus close the compactor station. I believe I heard him repeat that direction several times. 

As a member of the PCC and member of its board, I must say that I never knew I was a member of a “ private corporation.” I must look into this. I look forward to hearing more from the PFC. Given the historical dysfunctional of town government, we need taxpayer advocacy groups. 

Perhaps they could be more successful in insuring that the 50-year-old promise to fix East Main Road comes to fruition or the can get some relief for the people who endure the constant flicker from the wind turbine. The PCC has been unsuccessful in both these matters. This is an opportunity for the PFC to get off to a running start.

Philip Driscoll

169 Immokolee Drive

Portsmouth

Editor’s note: At its Oct. 11 meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously to direct staff to develop a request for proposals (RFP) for a “hybrid” program that would keep the transfer station open for diversionary items while also offering curbside pickup for all. The council emphasized it was merely gathering information for future decision-making.