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April 10th Select Board Newsletter

Posted on: April 13, 2020 - 12:34pm

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Dear Stratham Residents,
We hope this message finds you, your families and your friends doing well at this trying and uncertain time.  We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation as we work as a Town government and community to navigate through this period.  We will continue to communicate through this newsletter but also through the Town's COVID 19 Information Page.  

In this edition:

  • Reminder about Town buildings closed to the public
  • Boards and Committee meeting information
  • 2020 Census
  • Rockingham Planning Commission
  • Assessing deadlines
  • Parking lot closure at Stratham Hill Park
  • Blood drive location change
  • NH DOT Paving Plan

Please remind your neighbors about this resource for keeping on top of information from the Town.  To sign-up for these updates and other notifications, please visit: https://www.strathamnh.gov/subscribe.

The Select Board
Michael Houghton, Chairman            Joe Lovejoy, Vice Chair            Allison Knab

Reminder: Town Buildings Closed to the Public but Services Continue
At this time, the Town Buildings are closed to the public however, residents and other members of the public are still able to transact business with the Town through electronic means including mail, telephone, our website, and appointments on a case-by-case basis.   If you have questions about any Town services or how we have modified our ways of doing business as this time please contact us.  In addition to fire, police and public works operations, we are also continuing to process applications for tax credits and exemptions (see below); process buiilding permits (including inspections for certain projects); accept and process land use applications; perform motor vehicle registrations and renewals; and advance other general business of the Town.

As a reminder, for the safety of our employees in Public Works, Fire, Police and the Town Offices we kindly request the public’s understanding of the necessity to ensure Public Works and Town Office facilities and Police and Fire stations are accessed only by our personnel.  It is very important we ensure our workforce remains healthy for themselves, their families, and for their ability to continue to serve the community.  We thank everyone for their support, encouragement and cooperation as we work through this emergency together.

Board and Committee Meetings
Recently, many Board and Committee meetings have been postponed during our current public health emergency; however, the State of New Hampshire has recently issued detailed guidance about how public bodies subject to the State's open meetings law (RSA 91-A) can meet.  Following the State guidance, the Select Board has adopted guidance, recommendations and procedures for Boards and Commissions looking to hold meetings during the emergency.   Please follow this link for more information.  As always, members of the public are welcome to join any and all public meetings.  For a list of Board and Committee agendas or minutes that you may e-subscribe to, click here.

2020 Census
The 2020 Census is now underway.  By filling out the census form, it helps our community by determining our state’s representation in Congress, as well as how certain funds are spent for schools, roads, and more.  Help our community by ensuring everyone is counted!  For more information and to fill out the form, go to:  2020Census.gov 

Volunteer Opportunity Rockingham Planning Commission
Stratham has an open seat on the Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC).  The Rockingham Planning Commission is a public organization established under state law (RSA 36:45-58). Here’s a link to more information: http://www.therpc.org/commission.  Of course you may also contact Town Planner Tavis Austin via e-mail at (taustin@strathamnh.gov ) 772-4741 ext 147 or Tim Roache, Executive Director of the RPC (troache@therpc.org ).

Tax Exemptions & Credits deadline date still April 15th
For any new applicants you can download the required applications via the Assessing webpage at https://www.strathamnh.gov/assessing-department and click on Tax Relief.  After you have completed the application you can either copy and mail to 10 Bunker Hill Avenue, Attn: Assessing; or scan to alewy@strathamnh.gov along with any December 2019 documents that are required.  Any copies of bank statements, IRA's etc. will be shredded or returned to the applicant upon request. We will follow-up with a letter once it has been reviewed.  

Note: All information is treated as Confidential.

Temporary Closure of Parking Lots at Stratham Hill Park
Stevens Park Closed to the Public
The Town of Stratham is committed to following recommended guidance from state and federal authorities in order to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus.  As a result and out of concern about the volume of people congregating in the Park, the Select Board has closed the parking lots and parking areas serving Stratham Hill Park effective beginning Tuesday April 7th until further notice.  The Board believes open space and park assets are important resources at times like these, however, they need to be used in accordance with best practices in social distancing in the face of this pandemic.  While the trail system is stil accessbile by foot and bicycle, all visitors are requested to comply with social distancing guidelines.  The Town of Stratham is committed to protecting the health and safety of the Town and Town employees and we ask for the public’s patience, understanding and cooperation as we navigate this period of time as a community.

To read the entire announcement regarding the closure of parking lots and closure of Stevens Park, please visit the COVID Information Page and the April 7th Public Notice related to the Temporary Parking Lot Closure at Stratham Hill Park.   

For more information on this Policy, please contact the Town Office 772-4741 ext. 187.

Blood Drive
If you signed up for blood donation at the Fire Department for April 23rd, it has been moved to the Community Church.  Red Cross is notifying everyone that is signed up already. Donation by appointment only.  Please, the organizers have requested no "walk-ins".  Please go to the website:  redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to sign up for blood donations or to find additional drives.

Paving
A NHDOT paving project will begin during the week of April 6th.  The work will extend from the Exeter/Stratham town line to the Newfield’s/Stratham town line.  Included is the resurfacing of the Stratham Traffic Circle and all intersecting legs.  As with all paving projects weather factors into the date of completion. 

NHDOT Project # 20618 consists of 2.7 lane miles of an asphalt overlay along Bunker Hill Avenue from NH 108 in Stratham easterly to NH 151 in North Hampton.  This includes the installation of the right turn lane off from Bunker Hill Avenue onto Portsmouth Avenue.  At this time NHDOT has not provided a start date for this project. 

No great impacts to travel should be expected other than potential congestion along Portsmouth Avenue during work hours.  Motorists should expect reduced speeds within work zones.  Traffic Control contractors will be present during all work.