Assessing 101

Two figures

Who Are Assessors?

About Our Assessing Function

As of January 1, Whitney Consulting Group (WCG) will perform our general assessing services and be responsible for performing our 2024 town-wide statistical update. WCG is a New Hampshire based-firm led by a former Director of the Property Division at the NH the Department of Revenue who also worked for the Board of Land and Tax Appeals (Steve Hamilton).  Stratham is served by a rotation of two appropriately credential Assessors, Emily Goldstein and Benjamin Heller.  WCG comes highly recommended by a number of other NH municipalities.

Since the commencement of the Town’s contracted model for Assessing services (begun in July 2021), the function has also been performed through Town staff.  Our Deputy Town Clerk Jim Joseph also serves as Assessing Assistant in addition to his TC/TC duties.  In addition to performing various tasks related to the Assessing function, Jim assists residents during regular Clerk’s Office hours for general inquiries and assistance with forms.

Residents are encouraged to contact:

Jim Joseph, Assessing Assistant for General Assessing questions, assistance with forms, etc.
Phone: (603) 772-4741 ext. 141 or jjoseph@strathamnh.gov
Hours of Operation (Town Clerk Office Hours): Monday 8:30am to 7:00pm (closed 12-12:30) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30am to 4:00pm (closed 12-12:30) Friday 8:00am to 12:30pm

Whitney Consulting Group is in the Town Offices each Tuesday.  To make an appointment or reach out to WCG, please use this information below.
Phone: 603-772-7391 x 144 (Assessor@strathamnh.gov)
Hours of Operation: Tuesdays (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Annual Responsibilities

  • Town authority for all property assessment and related issues.
  • Maintain thorough knowledge of the State of New Hampshire Tax Law.
  • Administer State Statutes governing taxation.
  • Perform statistical analysis to monitor market trends and ratio studies.
  • Review property tax assessments based upon market research and analysis.
  • Conduct on-site inspections to evaluate property changes due to subdivisions and lot line mergers.
  • Conduct on-site inspections due to building and demolition permits to determine value change.
  • Responsible for maintaining and updating town tax maps.
  • Process tax abatement applications.
  • Process and maintain current use, conservation easements and conservation restrictions.
  • Determine market value for land use change tax.
  • Process and maintain discretionary preservation easements.
  • Process applications for tax exemption/credit programs (blind, disabled, elderly, veteran, solar and wind).
  • Process and update ownership information via deeds and probate documents.
  • Maintain and update property tax assessment records due to planning and zoning decisions.
  • Assist other departments and agencies on an as needed basis.
  • Provide assessment related data to various entities, taxpayers, and the general public.
  • Respond to taxpayer requests, and provide customer service in person, via email, or over the telephone.