Dear Stratham Residents,
Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham. In this edition:
- Happy Halloween!
- Cyber Fraud Alert
- Welcome Tim Roache, Stratham's New Town Administrator
- Veterans Day Ceremony - November 11
- Seeking Experienced Volunteer for Emergency Management Director Role
- SHS Programming - Redcoats & Rebels: NH and the American Revolution - November 10
- Clerks' Corner
- Volunteer Opportunities Available!
- Parks & Recreation Programs - Magic of Christmas and Boxwood Tree Workshop
- Stratham receives SolSmart Award
- NHDOT Route 108/Bunker Hill Proposed Improvements - Your Voice Matters!
- Get Help with your Drafty Windows
- Stratham Memorial School Board Update
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
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Trick or Treat Night
The Select Board has designated tonight, October 31 from 5:00 - 7:30pm as Stratham's Trick or Treat Night! Grab your candy bags, light up those jack-o’-lanterns, and enjoy a spooky, sweet evening around town. Please be safe, have fun and watch out for little ghosts and goblins!
CYBER FRAUD ALERT
We would like to alert everyone about an online scam targeting residents and business in Stratham. Recently, online scammers have been posing as municipal officials seeking payment of various municipal planning and zoning fees. These emails are originating outside of Stratham, and our network and IT Infrastructure has not been compromised.
To clarify that while the Town does send payment requests via email, there are a few key indicators to help verify their legitimacy:
- No attachments are included in the email.
- All online payments are made electronically through EB2.GOV.
- We never request wire transfers as a form of payment.
Please do not respond to any unexpected or suspicious messages. Instead:
- Do not click on any links or attachments.
- Verify the sender by reviewing senders email address and googling the organization using official contact information.
- Report any suspicious communication to the Stratham Town Administrators office.
Your safety and privacy are our priority. Thank you for staying alert and helping to keep our community safe.
WELCOME TIM ROACHE, STRATHAM'S NEW TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
The Select Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Roache as Stratham’s new Town Administrator. Tim brings a wealth of experience, having served as Executive Director of the Rockingham Planning Commission since August 2017, and previously as Executive Director of the Nashua Regional Planning Commission. His background in land-use planning, environmental policy, and transportation initiatives positions him well to support Stratham’s goals and growth. Tim has also contributed his expertise to numerous boards and commissions throughout the region.
We’re excited to welcome Tim and look forward to the leadership and insight he will bring to our community.
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY
The Stratham Veterans Day ceremony is at Stratham Hill Park on Tuesday, November 11 at 11:00 am and is free and open to the public.
Reminder to Stratham Veterans: You are invited to a lunch in the Morgera Room at the Stratham Fire Station at 12:00 pm on Nov. 11, hosted by the Stratham Fire Department Auxiliary. View the invitation here.
Town offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
SEEKING EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR ROLE
Do you have a background in emergency services, public safety, or crisis coordination? The town is looking for a volunteer Emergency Management Director to help lead our preparedness and response efforts.
This critical role involves planning for emergencies, coordinating with local and state agencies, and guiding our community through potential crises. Prior experience in emergency management, fire services, law enforcement, or related fields is strongly preferred.
If you're ready to put your skills to work for the good of the community, we’d love to hear from you. Training and support are available to help you succeed in the role.
To learn more or express interest, please contact Tim Roache, Town Administrator at TRoache@StrathamNH.gov.
Help us keep our town safe and resilient!
STRATHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS:
Redcoats & Rebels: NH and the American Revolution
On Monday evening, November 10, the Stratham Historical Society, along with the Wiggin Memorial Library will present Redcoats & Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution. Discover fascinating, little known facts about the role New Hampshire played in the American Revolution. Click here for more information. This New Hampshire Humanities Program will be held in the Sewall Room at the Municipal Center beginning at 7:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
CLERKS' CORNER
- Beginning Monday November 3rd, appointments will be necessary for any and all transactions at all Department of Motor Vehicle Substations (DMV). Walk-ins will not receive services. Click here for more information.
- Tax bills are expected to be mailed in November and will be due 30 days after issuance.
- Vehicle inspections will be enforced up until January 31, 2026.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
We need you, Stratham Residents! Volunteer for your community.
- There are currently three vacancies on the Zoning Board of Adjustment: one full member position and two for alternate members.
- There is currently one vacancy on the Planning Board for an Alternate Member.
- There is currently one vacancy on the Conservation Commission for an Alternate Member.
To apply, fill out an application and submit to krichard@strathamnh.gov
PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS
Magic of Christmas
Boxwood Tree Workshop
STRATHAM RECEIVES SOLSMART AWARD
At the Local Clean Energy Solutions Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire on September 25, representatives from multiple local governments gathered to celebrate a national recognition: six municipalities earned SolSmart designation for solar readiness. Working with Clean Energy New Hampshire and the SolSmart program, these municipalities are reducing costs, removing barriers, and increasing access to the cheapest source of energy in the U.S., solar power.”
The Town of Stratham has received the SolSmart Silver Designation for its Planning and Zoning regulations. This designation indicates that our regulations are designed to enhance opportunities and establish a vision for the community’s clean energy future. Additionally, the zoning codes will offer clear and transparent guidelines for the development and use of solar energy. Special thanks to the hard work of the Stratham Energy Committee and the Department of Planning and Building for obtaining this designation!
(Photo at top, from left: Katrin Kasper (Clean Energy New Hampshire (CENH)), Vanessa Price (Stratham Director of Planning and Building), John Tirrell (Hampton Planning Board Member), Sarah Brock (CENH), Debra Perry (SolSmart Program Director), Paul Deschaine (Stratham Energy Committee Member), and Susan Peters (Dublin Selectwoman and Energy Committee member). Credit: Rooted in Light Media.
Interested in solar for your business or home? Please refer here for more information.
NHDOT ROUTE 108/BUNKER HILL PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
Want to learn more? Click here
Missed the in-person meeting? Your voice still counts! Written comments to NHDOT and GACIT are being accepted until November 3, 2025. Those who are unable to attend the meetings can submit written testimony within 10 days after the completion of the public hearings. Public comments can be mailed directly to the address below or submitted online through the NHDOT portal at: Draft 2027-2036 - I Wish to Make a Comment
William E. Watson, P.E.
Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
John O. Morton Building, 7 Hazen Drive
P.O. Box 483
Concord, NH 03302-0483
A LOW-COST FIX FOR DRAFTY WINDOWS IN STRATHAM
Stratham has been invited by the Exeter Energy Committee to take part in its highly successful non-profit WindowDressers program, which provides insulating window inserts, that fit inside existing windows, and keep the home warmer and reducing energy use. After an interested customer registers with WindowDressers, a local volunteer measures the windows to determine customize fit and the cost. There are discounts available for residents who need financial assistance. The inserts are assembled by volunteers, including customers, in a Community Build, at the Exeter Town Hall from January 15 – 22, 2026. Orders for inserts are being taken now. For more information, contact Kristen Murphy, Exeter Conservation and Sustainability Planner at windowdressers@exeternh.gov or phone 603-418-6452. To participate, contact www.WindowDressers.org or call (207) 596-3073. Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions
STRATHAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE
The SMS School Board is still looking for a Clerk, check the SMS website for details and to apply! The clerk's responsibility is to check the ballots, take notes during the yearly district meeting, and assist with verification of elections. Second, SMS staff presented their efforts to safely incorporate AI into the classroom to support academics and critical thinking.
Finally, the renovation is going very well, with the following items complete: new roof, door handles and locks replaced to update security, new boilers, and the building soffit and fascia replaced. The first addition is being delayed slightly due to waiting for the steel delivery.
As a reminder, when voters vote on the school budget in March, they will be voting on both a warrant for a new teacher contract and an operating budget that includes the bond payment for the renovation work. School finance notified the Board that health care costs have increased approximately 16%. Administration will work to mitigate these increases but higher costs are expected.
For more, please see the full meeting minutes here. For questions, email Board Chair Jennifer Scrafford. Our next board meeting will be Wednesday November, 19th at 6pm at the SMS library.
