Portsmouth 2023 City Council candidate Andrew Bagley

Name: Andrew Bagley

Education: University of New Haven

Occupation: Sales engineer

Political or civic experience highlights: Current city councilor, Chamber Liaison, Chair of PTS, Advisory Board YMCA of the Seacoast, PopUpNH Secretary, Athenaeum Nominating Committee.

Are you working with any consultants, groups, or a slate of candidates? If yes, please disclose who you’re working with.: I don't plan to work with any consultants or groups. I do plan to work with any residents that are willing to help with my campaign. Local elections in places like Portsmouth are primarily influenced by two elements: name recognition and accessibility. Though the town has over 10,000 households and 22,000 residents, it's impractical to personally engage with each one. That’s why while endorsements are valuable, they shouldn't replace the individuality of your campaign. It's crucial to showcase your unique attributes and how you'll collaborate with the other eight council members if elected. This way, you not only appeal to voters but also offer a genuine understanding of what you bring to the table.

What is the biggest problem Portsmouth is facing and how you would solve it?: Portsmouth is an attractive place to live, offering the amenities of a big city coupled with the safety and community feel of a small town. One of its standout features is the diverse range of professions among residents. Unfortunately, vital community members like police officers, firefighters, teachers, social workers, nurses, and even doctors are increasingly being priced out.

My daughter has benefited immensely from the local school system, particularly from her dedicated fourth-grade teacher who lives in the community. A local residence likely enabled this teacher to give back more to her students and the community at large. If she had to commute long distances, that valuable time and energy would be lost.

We must tackle the issue of affordable housing, one household at a time, prioritizing people over other issues. If we don't, the long-term consequences could be severe for the community’s social fabric and diversity.

Should the city work to create below market rate housing, and where is the best site?: The success of the PHA Court Street Workforce Housing Program is something our city should celebrate and aim to replicate. Among four potential land parcels identified by the city, the Sherburne School stands out as the most suitable for a variety of reasons. While the original ambitions for the project may have been too hasty in terms of size, scope, and timeline, it's now time to move forward pragmatically. A phased build-out could start with transforming the school building into 12-18 housing units, followed by the construction of 40 additional units in the field behind it. This approach would serve the community effectively and continue the momentum of successful housing initiatives. This should be a priority for the next several council terms.

Should the council continue to try to acquire the Thomas J. McIntyre federal building property?: Absolutely not, the lost opportunity costs and financial costs of the community over the last 20 years have been staggering.

Do you support the council’s spending level on the last two budgets? If not, what’s an appropriate level?: A city's budget reflects its community values, dictating what is deemed important through its funding allocations. During the COVID-19 crisis, we appropriately curtailed spending on capital equipment and preventative maintenance. While the past few years have involved catch-up spending amid record inflation and renegotiated employment contracts for schools, police, and fire departments, this year's budget increase is 4.3% which is below the rate of inflation. Though this will impact taxpayers, I believe we offer excellent value for each dollar spent.

Portsmouth boasts amenities like six community pools, trash and recycling services, top-notch schools, and unparalleled library and recreation departments on the Seacoast. Any budget cuts would likely affect these services, which I don't believe the community would support. While we all prefer lower taxes, our effective tax rate is already competitive compared to similar communities, and we offer superior services. This is a testament to sound management and long-term policy planning.

Should Market Square be open to pedestrian and bike travel only?: I had the fortunate experience of being part of the Design Alliance Professionals group, which successfully reimagined our downtown during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining functional streets for all users. This initiative has made our downtown more vibrant and people-centric. While I advocate for prioritizing the human experience over traffic flow, I don't propose completely excluding cars. Instead, I suggest directing through traffic to use alternate bridges, and reserving downtown routes primarily for local traffic.

In my brief tenure on the City Council, I've come to realize that decisions often meet the most fairness when they accommodate everyone's wishes through compromise. My proposal aims to strike that balance, for both those who desire a pedestrian-only downtown and those who wish for it to be a high-speed thoroughfare. This middle-ground approach, I believe, serves the greater good of the community.

How do you feel about the safety and aesthetics of outdoor dining in the city?: Outdoor dining has evolved from being a survival mechanism for restaurants to a public amenity that enhances the community experience. Implementing design standards, like requiring flush-with-the-curb platforms and seating usable by people of all abilities. Incorporating the recent recommendations from the Economic Development Commission (EDC) which is based on research from public officials and other cities that have developed successful outdoor dining prior to the pandemic. Approving this new set of regulations will elevate the safety and aesthetics and I am looking forward to the improvements that we will see next year. I strongly support working towards wider sidewalks and the elimination of Jersey barriers that this would allow.

What’s a bigger priority, building a new police station or an indoor sports arena?: A sports center addresses a regional need, and I believe the private sector, a nonprofit, or a neighboring town should contribute the necessary land. While a new police station is also a long-term requirement, I have reservations about the current project's cost. We may need to revisit the plans and find a more innovative solution that doesn't significantly inflate the tax burden.

Should the council address the pace and type of development in the city? If yes, how?: The council has recently updated zoning regulations for downtown lots larger than one acre to promote development that benefits the entire community. Properties such as the Citizens Bank lot and the McIntyre building will now have to adhere to these revised guidelines. However, it's essential to remember that property rights are a constitutional cornerstone in America. Our capacity to steer development is limited, so it's crucial to exercise this power judiciously and productively.

Does the city need to regulate overnight parking on city streets and lots by RVs and campers?: There's been a noticeable increase in overnight camping in neighborhoods close to downtown. However, caution and diligence are essential in formulating any new regulations. My guiding principle is whether a rule would unduly burden a single parent who might have to sleep in their car. I propose we take a gradual approach, beginning with modifications to parking areas near the middle school and library, and then assess the impact of these changes before making further adjustments.

Is overserving at city bars and restaurants a public safety issue?: New Hampshire operates under Dillon's Rule rather than home rule, which significantly restricts local legislative power. We can only implement measures that state law, via RSAs, explicitly permits. In addressing issues like overserving, our options are limited. We've recently increased patrols, and we can mandate bars to close at 1 a.m. instead of 2 a.m., as is currently the case.

Has Portsmouth changed for the better or worse during the past decade?: Portsmouth is a city in flux, and while change is often met with resistance, it's a mixed bag of gains and losses. We've seen regrettable shifts like the closure of Colby's and the absence of a coffee shop in Market Square. However, on the flip side, Portsmouth schools consistently earn top rankings both state and nationwide. Fortune recently named us the second-best small city for families. Homeowners have seen significant increases in property values, which, though problematic in some ways, is preferable to the alternative.

Portsmouth successfully marries the advantages of a large city with the community spirit of a small town. The challenge lies in maintaining this unique balance amid our various pressing needs. In my opinion, there is no better place to live and we are continuing to get better albeit with some setbacks.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth 2023 City Council candidate Andrew Bagley