Dear Stratham Residents,
Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham. In this edition:
To sign-up for these updates and other notifications, please visit this section on our website and check the "Select Board" box under News and Announcements.
The Select Board
Michael Houghton, Chair Allison Knab, Vice-Chair Joe Anderson
We deeply appreciate the entire community for coming together to honor our fallen service members on Memorial Day. Special thanks to Lt. Col. Travis Harvey, Commander of the 64th Air Refueling Squadron, Pease Air National Guard, for his inspiring speech, as well as to all event participants, performers, and organizers. A heartfelt recognition goes to Geri Denton and Jeff Gallagher for their coordination, the Exeter Area Garden Club for their dedication to the Veterans Memorial Garden, and the Heritage Commission for engraving bricks for the Veterans Memorial. Additionally, we are grateful to the Department of Public Works for ensuring the parks and cemeteries were prepared for the memorial ceremony. Your contributions make a meaningful difference—thank you all.
What is the Plant A Row with NH 4-H Program?
Plant A Row with NH 4-H is a hands-on neighbors-helping-neighbors initiative, organized through NH 4-H and UNH Cooperative Extension in Strafford and Rockingham County.
Plant A Row aims to inform Granite Staters about food insecurity in New Hampshire, nurtures a giving mindset, and encourages participants to grow an extra row or an extra container with produce that will later be donated to a participating food pantry in Strafford or Rockingham County. This will directly benefit local food pantries and their patrons by offering more fresh and local produce and healthier choices.
When people pledge to plant an extra row, they will be provided with a garden kit (fabric garden, sticker, and colorful tote bag), growing tips, and other resources.
Participation is open to all ages in Strafford and Rockingham Counties, and participants don’t need to be 4-H members to sign up. Participation in this program is free. More information about the program and how to register can be found here.
https://www.facebook.com/StraffordCounty4H/
https://www.facebook.com/UNHExtSC
In accordance with a longstanding partnership with the Town, the Stratham Historical Society is looking for the oldest citizen of Stratham in order to present them with the famed Boston Post Cane. Rich in tradition, the original Boston Post Cane is on permanent display at the Stratham Historical Society. Its symbolic replica and certificate are given over to Stratham’s oldest citizen to maintain. Read the fascinating history of the Boston Post Cane here. This is a community tradition, and you can help! If you know someone, male or female, who is at least 92 years old and a citizen of Stratham, please email info@strathamhistsoc.org. We promise to gently follow up.
NEW BANNER IN TOWN CENTERHave you spotted it yet? In honor of Stratham astronaut Scott Poteet's incredible achievement, we've installed a celebratory banner in Town Center. Check it out!
A Closer Look at PFAS in the Seacoast: A Community Conversation about Health, Water, and What Comes Next
5:30 - 7pm. Thursday, June 12
Join us for an engaging panel discussion to hear the latest science, understand how PFAS affect our communities, and discover practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure and advocate for change. Learn more and RSVP here.
On May 31, Great Bay Trout Unlimited Chapter is sponsoring a River Day in Exeter to include clean up on the Little River followed by a Conservation Fair at the YMCA. Here's your chance to help our neighbors, and the planet, and learn about fly fishing! More information here.
The board interviewed and accepted Kathleen Peck as the newest board member. The board approved the ‘25-’26 calendar. Teachers presented the board with their professional development learnings. The renovation process is underway and construction will start this summer. PFOA water remediation will be done by the end of June for the whole school.
In order to keep up with inflation, tariffs and rising costs in general, the recommendation is to increase both breakfast and lunch by $.25 and increase milk price by $.15.
Breakfast: Current - $2.00 - increase to $2.25
Lunch: Current - $3.40 - increase to $3.65
For more, please see the full meeting minutes here.
For questions, email Board Chair Jennifer Scrafford. Our next board meeting will be Wednesday, June 11th at 6pm at the SMS library.
