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 are pleased to announce that the Select Board has approved a release funds of up to $12,000 from the Smyk Trust for the proposed driveway and drainage improvements at Smyk Park. This exciting project, which is in conformance with terms of the gift of land from Walt & Mary Smyk, includes replacing the fencing along the driveway into the park, removing overgrown vegetation on both sides of drive, and creating beautiful rain gardens and vegetative swales on either side. These enhancements will not only significantly improve the park's aesthetics but also contribute to environmental sustainability by managing stormwater more effectively and help us achieve environmental permitting requirements. Special thanks to DPW Director Tim Stevens and Administrative Coordinator Britt Fowle for their work on the project design as well as that of Heritage Commission Member and Landscape Architect Jeffrey Hyland. The work will be carried out by DPW staff. We look forward to these improvements making Smyk Park an even more enjoyable space for our community. Read more about the details here.
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to Officers Reiner and Walmsley who recently joined the Stratham Police Department. They were sworn in at the August 5th Select Board meeting. Congratulations!
Be on the look out for letters that should be arriving any day. Additional information about the revaluation is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Absentee ballots are available for the September 10th, State Primary at the Town Clerk’s Office. State guidelines for eligibility for absentee ballots are available through the Secretary of State website. 
The Trustees of the Wiggin Memorial Library are searching for a team-building, community focused leader to be its next Library Director. Please read the job posting here and the job description here.
We’re pleased to announce that new building codes have been adopted to enhance safety, sustainability, and efficiency in our community. These updated regulations are in effect and will have a 5-month grace period where the applicant can choose what code they want to utilize. The deadline will be no later than January 1st, 2025. These changes reflect the latest advancements in construction practices and environmental standards. Key changes include improved stricter safety protocols and updated structural guidelines to better withstand natural events.
For detailed information on how these changes might affect your projects or property, please click here or contact William Dinsmore at 603-772-7391 x182. Your adherence to these new codes will contribute to a safer and more sustainable environment for everyone.
Mark your calendars -- the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held on Saturday, October 19th from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Exeter Public Works Garage, 13 Newfields Rd. Registration is required. Click for details.
POSTCARDS FROM STRATHAMTo read the latest Postcard from the Stratham Historical Society.
click here.
According to the US Drought Monitor, effective August 1, 2024, Rockingham County has moved into the moderate drought category. We encourage residents to voluntary steps to carefully managed their water supply. For more information about the declaration, click here. To read about how the Town responded in the past to periods of drought, click here.
At the October 20, 2022 Select Board meeting, the board agreed to remove the Level 1 water restrictions based on the Drought Monitor data indicating Stratham has moved to "abnormally dry". The removal of the Level 1 restriction will take effect October 25, 2022.
The Select Board has moved to a Level 1 restriction effective October 12th. Following are Level 1 restrictions:
i. Lawn watering by odd numbered addresses is allowed on odd numbered days.
ii. Lawn watering by even numbered addresses is allowed on even numbered days.
iii. Lawn watering shall not occur between the hours of 8AM and 7PM.
August 8th Special Newsletter Update: Drought Status in Stratham - Level 2 Restrictions Effective August 13th
A Level 2 restriction means:
i. Lawn watering by odd numbered addresses is allowed on Mondays and Thursdays.
ii. Lawn watering by even numbered addresses is allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays.
iii. Lawn watering shall not occur between the hours of 8AM and 7PM
Please see below for the RSA under which Town of Stratham Lawn Watering Restrictions are enacted.
This regulation is only effective during a declared drought for our area of the state and action by the Select Board.
Please see above for information about which Level of restriction is enacted at any given time.
Town of Stratham
Regulation Adopted under RSA 41:11-d
Town of Stratham Lawn Watering Restrictions During State or Federally Declared Droughts
LAWN WATERING RESTRICTIONS
I. PURPOSE
To protect public health and safety by restricting the use of water from private wells or public water systems for lawn watering during a state or federally declared drought.
II. AUTHORITY
The provisions of this regulation are adopted pursuant to RSA 41:11-d, Choice and Duties of Town Officers. (See Appendix A, Relevant Sections of State Law)
III. APPLICABILITY
The requirements of this section shall apply immediately after the public notice period described in Section VII to all outdoor lawn watering within the Town of Stratham when administrative agencies of the state or federal government have designated the region as being under a declared state or condition of drought.
IV. DEFINITIONS
Drought: A sustained and regionally extensive occurrence of appreciably below average natural water availability in the form of precipitation, stream flow or groundwater. The following resources are used by the Town of Stratham to determine the declaration of a drought condition.
i. The New Hampshire Drought Management Team as designated by the New Hampshire Drought Management Plan and the U.S. Drought Monitor.
ii. State of Emergency declaration by the Governor’s Office.
B. Lawn Watering: The application of water to decorative grass at a property.
V. REQUIREMENTS UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS
The following limits to lawn watering will apply under drought conditions. The specified levels (Level 1 through 3) will be determined by the Town of Stratham Select Board and will be included in the public notice required under Section VII of this regulation.
A. If THE TOWN OF STRATHAM issues a Level 1 restriction, then
i. Lawn watering by odd numbered addresses is allowed on odd numbered days.
ii. Lawn watering by even numbered addresses is allowed on even numbered days.
iii. Lawn watering shall not occur between the hours of 8AM and 7PM.
B. If THE TOWN OF STRATHAM issues a Level 2 restriction, then
i. Lawn watering by odd numbered addresses is allowed on Mondays and Thursdays.
ii. Lawn watering by even numbered addresses is allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays.
iii. Lawn watering shall not occur between the hours of 8AM and 7PM.
C. If THE TOWN OF STRATHAM issues a Level 3 restriction, then
i. Lawn watering is prohibited.
VII. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF WATER USE RESTRICTION
Notification of any intention to restrict water use and the requirements associated with Section V shall be given at least three calendar days before implementation. Notice of the regulations shall be posted in a paper of general circulation and shall be posted in at least two public places. Residents are specifically requested to take notice of the marques at Stratham Hill Park, the Stratham Police Department, and/or message Boards at the Municipal Center and Fire Department.
VIII. TERMINATION OF WATER USE RESTRICTION
Public notification and termination of water use restriction shall be given in accordance with Section VII.
IX. ENFORCEMENT
Any sworn officer of the TOWN OF STRATHAM Police Department is hereby granted the authority to initiate any enforcement action against any violation of the provisions of this Regulation.
X. PENALTIES
Any person failing to comply with the restrictions imposed pursuant to this Regulation shall be deemed a violation and subject to penalties pursuant to RSA 651:2.
First violation: Warning.
Second violation: $250 fine.
Additional violations: $500 to $1,000 fine.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, over 90% of the state is experiencing drought. Last week, portions of the state were elevated from “moderate drought” (D1) to “severe drought” (D2), including Strafford County, Belknap County, and Grafton County. The remainder of the state is designated as “moderate drought”, with the exception of the northern tip of Coos County and a small sliver on the western side of Coos and Carroll County, which are categorized as “abnormally dry”. The weather outlook for this week indicate little to no measurable rainfall. The 90-day precipitation deficits by county for New Hampshire range from -3” to -5” in Strafford, Rockingham, Hillsborough, and Grafton; -2” to -3” in Merrimack, Belknap, Cheshire, Sullivan, and Carrol; and -1” to -2” in Coos.
NHDES is urging municipalities in areas experiencing drought to implement municipal-wide lawn watering restrictions as authorized by RSA 41:11-d, which allows municipalities, including village districts, to restrict lawn watering activities on private well owners and community water systems within municipal boundaries. Water supply shortages are more common during severe drought, especially when conservation measures have not been taken during moderate drought. Curbing lawn water usage is imperative to sustaining supplies. NHDES is also working with public water suppliers to implement restrictions. To date, 147 water systems serving a total of 270,700 people and 4 municipalities with a population of 35,500 have implemented outdoor water use restrictions. See the Restriction List and Map for names of systems implementing restrictions and a map of drought conditions by municipality.
See Drought Guidance for Municipalities for guidance on adopting a lawn water restriction, public messaging, and providing emergency water supplies to the public.
Please report restrictions to NHDES for posting on the NHDES website using the Restriction Reporting Form. Please also inform residents to report residential well shortages using the Residential Well Impact Survey form. NHDES will track well impacts so as to provide current information on drought impacts in your region.
Drought Update:
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor released this morning, 28% of the state is categorized as “severe drought” (D2), 64% of the state is categorized as “moderate drought” (D1) and 7% of the state is categorized as “abnormally dry”.
Tip* The restriction map includes town boundaries and drought categories, making it easy to identify if your water system’s service area is experiencing drought.
All counties are experiencing a 90-day precipitation departures. Departures range from -1.67” in Coos County to -4.25” in Rockingham County (https://w1.weather.gov/data/TAR/ESPTAR).
The majority of the state is experiencing below normal to low groundwater levels. For more information, see the New Hampshire Groundwater Level Monitoring Report for August 2020. Reports are released monthly.
Forecast and Outlooks:
The short term forecast calls for clear skies, day temperatures in the 70s with cooler nights. Dry and cool temperatures are anticipated to continue into next week, measurable amounts of rainfall are unlikely (NOAA National Weather Service).
The 8-14 day outlook favors above normal precipitation and above normal temperatures across the state.
The U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook favors drought conditions to remain, with minimal improvement, through the month of September.
If you have a private drinking water well with elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), you may be eligible for a $5,000 rebate from the State of New Hampshire to install treatment for PFAS removal. Click here for more information. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment and are often referred to as “forever chemicals”. PFAS can be found in your home in clothing, food packaging, nonstick pans, stain-resistant carpets and furniture, cleaning products, personal care products, etc. In a residential setting, PFAS contamination can come from a septic system. A list of laboratories accredited by NHDES for PFAS testing is available here.
Hello from Parks & Rec! We hope you are having a good summer! How can it already be August?? We have had a busy summer with camps, bike races, food trucks and music! Speaking of music, I hope you will join us for our last Tuesday Tunes on August 20th starting at 5pm at the Front Pavilion. We will be featuring "2 of Us" - Beatles Acoustic Duo- along with yummy Hodgie's Ice Cream. Bring a chair, dancing shoes and enjoy some great music.
EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!!! Stratham Parks & Rec is hosting an OPEN HOUSE on September 11th from 4:30-6:30 at the Front Pavilion. Come and meet our staff, meet some of our instructions, bring ideas, enjoy some good food and drink.
Finally, in addition to our "Expresso Yourself" Friday Socials, you can look forward to Art Classes, Balance & Fall, Fall Foliage Train Ride, Photography classes, Theater, Yoga, Lunches, and Line Dancing!! Please check our website for all of the programs!
Registration OPEN for Beginner & Intermediate Drawing and Painting Classes starting the second week of September.
Registration OPEN for our Balance & Fall Prevention Program starting September 3rd - 4 week session
We hope you will find something that will bring to us as we work at building a vibrant community! As always, we love hearing from you. Enjoy the rest of the summer!!
Preliminary value letters that were discussed in this 2024 Revaluation mailing, will begin arriving in the next few days. Here a few reminders of notes and resources to keep in mind:
