To the editor:

On Feb. 4, 2022, I sent a letter to the Portsmouth Town Clerk titled, “The Importance of Strong, Protective, and Enforceable Contracts for Town Enterprises.” I submitted it, as “correspondence” for the next Town Council agenda, but when the agenda was posted, my letter was not on it. 

I called the clerk’s office and was told that it was omitted due to “possible litigation,” but that each councilor had received my letter. I reached out via e-mail to the town administrator and council president (by phone, as well) for an explanation. I have never received a reply to date from either, but immediately received a call from the town clerk who apologized for an issue, that I feel, she did not create. No citizen of Portsmouth should be disrespected in this manner.

My letter discusses the current condition of the town’s historic Glen Farm Stables, a part of the H. C. Taylor Estate purchased by the town with the Glen Manor House in 1989 and 1973, respectively. The town seems to have a problem finding the money and in-house labor to perform maintenance and upkeep on their (our) own properties and tends to rely on “business enterprise” relationships (Melville Campgrounds is an enterprise and soon the town’s prime money-making property; the Glen Manor House will be an enterprise business). 

In 2017, a contract was negotiated with the current equestrian business, probably the fifth tenant since purchase. Based on their proposal and references, it appeared that the facility would get some long-overdue upkeep and repairs, and a strong revenue stream. Sadly, in my humble opinion, neither has occurred.

The real importance of my letter concerns the future involvement of the town with this tenant and for any future tenant/operator of the Glen Manor House. It was suggested to me that the 2017 contract, approved by the town’s current solicitor, may or may not be enforceable. How does that happen? Now with the contract coming up for renewal, does the town want another five years of the same “progress?” I wrote that we need a new contract with responsibilities laid out in black and white if we expect something different for the next five years.

Further, I laid out my concern that now after having the luxury of having Katie and Don Wilkinson as curators of the Glen Manor House (for 30 years!), that we need a strong, protective, and enforceable contract with the next operator of the Glen Manor House. Katie and Don have virtually maintained the property with minimal involvement from the town and brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars. I thank them personally for their unbelievable efforts and involvement and wish them well in their next adventure.

It appears we have contract-related problems at Glen Farm. This emphasizes the need for a strong contract at the Manor House, which will never be the same once a new tenant takes over. Please consider hiring a firm capable of negotiating/writing this important document.

David Gleason

63 Massasoit Ave. 

Portsmouth