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
Please note: Town offices will be closed on Monday, October 13 in observance of the holiday.
We need you, Stratham!
New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has included the signalization, turn lanes, and intersection realignment at the NH108 / Bunker Hill Intersection on its Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan, and there are scheduled public hearings across the state in September and October. The purpose of these hearings is to gather public comments and testimonies on transportation projects and priorities included in the draft 2027-2036 Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan, as recommended by NHDOT to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation.
The dates set are:
Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Plaistow Town Hall beginning at 6:00pm
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Greenland Central School beginning at 5:00pm
Additional information and updates can be found here and also here: NHDOT Route 108/Bunker Hill Proposed Improvements
FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS REMAIN VERY HIGH!All burn permits including seasonal permits (including fire pits/solo stoves, etc) are suspended per Order of the Governor until further notice. Due to the lack of rain and hot dry conditions the fire danger remains at the VERY HIGH level and is continuing to rise throughout Stratham and the Seacoast. Please report any smoke or active burning to the fire dept via 911 immediately. Thank you for helping keep Stratham Fire Safe.
Interested in having a voice in how your town allocates its resources? Stratham is currently seeking residents to serve on the Budget Advisory Committee. If you’d like to be considered, please submit your name and statement of interest to Karen Richard at the town offices. Don’t wait—committee formation is already in progress!
On September 15, an overflow crowd watched as the Stratham Select Board and Stratham Historical Society honored Ruth Paul as Stratham’s oldest citizen. Historical Society representative Skip Stearns shared the history of the Boston Post Cane that dates back over 100 years. Moments later Select Board Chair Mike Houghton read a framed certificate and presented the cane to Ruth along with Select Board members Allison Knab and Joe Anderson.
Ruth is the second consecutive River Road resident to accept the cane. It’s not just the taking of the River Road waters. Ruth’s mother was also a holder of the Boston Post Cane in Hiram, Maine. The tradition of the cane began with 700 New England towns where the population exceeded 500 in 1907. It is believed that over 400 towns continue the tradition today.
Congratulations to Ruth whose life in Stratham has meant and continues to mean so much to so many.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY - October 4Reminder—Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day is tomorrow! Advance registration is required. For full details, including how to register and applicable fees, please refer to the flyer linked here. New and important update this year - fluorescent bulbs will no longer be accepted at the collection site. Read this flyer for information about how to properly dispose of bulbs.
CLERKS' CORNER
The Select Board has designated Friday, October 31 from 5:00 - 7:30pm as Stratham's Trick or Treat Night. Please be safe and have fun!
HONOR A VETERAN(S): This November, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution invites you to participate in a tribute to our veterans and active duty service members. A stunning display of American flags will be planted at Stratham Hill Park from November 6–16 in honor of those who have served. Each flag will bear the name, rank, and military conflict of a veteran or active duty individual. To sponsor a flag, pick up an order form in the lobby of the Stratham Municipal Center (10 Bunker Hill Ave). Completed forms and $5 donations per flag should be placed in the drop box by Tuesday, October 14. Proceeds will benefit several veterans organizations, supporting DAR’s ongoing mission to honor and serve those who protect our freedom. Click here to view the flier.
Stratham Fire Department
Click here to join ParentSquare, a platform to stay connected with SAU 16. SAU 16 has created this space for community members who are not directly connected to SAU16 schools (specifically for community members who do not have students attending schools and/or are not employed by SAU 16) but would like to receive email updates, announcements, and resources to support students. To avoid duplication, if you are currently receiving ParentSquare updates from SAU 16 or one of the schools specifically, please do not join this group. This flier contains a QR code that will take you to the same link.
All SMS water is now PFOA free (drinking water has always been PFOA free)! The buses and routes have been reworked to be faster and more efficient. Teacher negotiations are underway with new contracts being discussed between the board and the Union representatives. The cost of the contract must be approved by voters in a warrant article, voted on in March for next year’s salaries, then will be folded into future yearly budgets. The Board is looking for a Clerk, please see SMS website for details.
The renovation is underway, with the new roof completed this summer and new boilers being installed this fall. The first addition is expected to be completed by the end of December, ready for students’ return in January.
For more, please see the full meeting minutes here.
For questions, email Board Chair Jennifer Scrafford. Our next board meeting will be Wednesday October, 15th at 6pm at the SMS library.
