April 19th Select Board Newsletter
April 19, 2019 Newsletter
Dear Stratham Residents,
Happy Spring! This newsletter includes information about the Town Center DES Notification, our next Police Chief, the annual Roadside Clean-up Day, the SMS Wellness Walk, the Chief Maloney Road Race and out next Master Plan as well as other information. Thank you for reading and remember… Please advise your neighbors about this resource for keeping on top of information from the Town of Stratham. To sign-up for these updates and other notifications from Town, please visit: https://www.strathamnh.gov/subscribe.
The Select Board
Michael Houghton, Chairman Joe Lovejoy, Vice Chair Allison Knab, Selectwoman
Stratham’s Next Police Chief, Anthony King, Starts on April 22nd
The Select Board recently announced the hiring of Anthony King, Lieutenant Executive Officer of the Salisbury, MA Police Department, to be Stratham’s next Police Chief. Please join the Select Board in Welcoming Chief King. A swearing-in ceremony will be held on Monday May 6th at 5:45 p.m. at the Municipal Center. Please stay tuned for more information, meanwhile, please see the news release announcing the exciting hire of Chief King. Welcome Chief.
https://www.strathamnh.gov/home/news/stratham-hires-next-police-chief
Town Center DES Notification
The Town’s Resource Page for Town Center PFAS Contamination has been updated with the following information: NH DES has shared initial results of the community well water system tests in Town Center, which indicate contamination in additional wells. These results follow the initial test result at 149-151 Portsmouth Avenue. DES is conducting further testing of nearby wells in the Town Center vicinity. DES has direct mailed residents in the immediate vicinity and is offering testing for PFAS chemicals as part of a free sampling program. Please visit the Resource page to access a letter from NH DES sent to residents and businesses in the affected areas around Town Center.
The Town of Stratham is working closely with DES to understand the testing results and update the community. In addition, the well serving the Town Fire Station is also impacted by PFAS levels over the drinking water standards. As a result, the Town is working to ensure potable water at the Fire Station, Historical Society, and another building served by the well. In addition, the Town is working close with well system owners impacted in Town Center in following up on the contamination issue.
This Resource Page on the Town Website will be updated as more information becomes available: https://www.strathamnh.gov/home/news/updated-april-17-resource-page-residents-seeking-information-about-town-center-des
Master Plan Committee—Public Forum on Master Plan Conceptual Draft May 13th
The Master Plan Committee, composed of representatives from all Town Boards, Committees, and Commissions is now prepared to hold their Second Public Forum. At 6:30 PM, May 13, 2019, in the Municipal Center’s Room A/B, the Master Plan Committee along with representatives from the consulting firm of Horsley Witten Group will be presenting the data collected to date in the form of a conceptual draft of the Town’s new Master Plan.
The Committee and Consultants have held numerous outreach meetings to hear from you - Stratham residents - to hear what you think about development in the town, your thoughts on agricultural, recreational, and historical resources, what investments you think the Town should make with respect to housing opportunities, and community services, and how you believe the Town can support business development in Town. The May 13 Forum is being designed to present how your thoughts and ideas culminate in a working Master Plan that will shape the direction of Stratham—please plan on attending and take an active role in our Town’s future!
In the meantime, please visit www.strathamplan.com to revisit some of the steps taken so far.
Master Plan Lunch Forum for Businesses a Success
This week approximately 25 business representatives from Stratham participated in a roundtable Master Plan event about the future of business in Stratham. Business owners and operators, as well as representatives from the Exeter Chamber of Commerce met with Town staff and the Town Master Plan Consultant, Horsley Witten Group, to discuss business needs, strategies to attract new businesses to the area, and how the Town, Master Plan, and ultimately Town Zoning can all work effectively to further both Town and business goals. This luncheon is final of its kind as the Town moves towards the second Master Plan Public Forum to be held at the Municipal Center on May 13, 2019.
Conservation Commission Clean Up Day
The Annual Roadside Clean-up Day is Saturday, May 18th from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. We will gather at the Front Pavilion at Stratham Hill Park in the morning to get instructions, trash bags, gloves and safety vests. The Stratham Conservation Commission will provide coffee, cocoa and a morning snack. All who participate are invited to lunch at the pavilion at noon and will receive a special treat from Lindt Chocolate.
Boards and Commissions Openings
The Town of Stratham relies on volunteers to help run the Town through elected positions but also through many Boards and Commissions. Below is a listing of current open positions as well as an application form for interested applicants. If you have any questions concerning the opportunities at the page, please reach out to Executive Assistant Karen Richard (603 772-7391 ext. 187) who will ensure you are connected with the Department head or other representative to help answer your questions.
https://www.strathamnh.gov/town-administration/pages/boards-committee-openings
SMS Wellness Walk
On Wednesday, May 8th, Stratham Memorial School will be holding their annual wellness walk at 1:30pm. A portion of Gifford Farm Road will be closed briefly during that time.
Chief Michael Maloney Road Race
The Chief Michael Maloney Road Race will be held on Sunday, April 28th. The race is a 6.2 mile run from the Municipal Center in Stratham to the Greenland Police Department. The number of participants in this road race is estimated at approximately 1,500. The runners will be traveling from Market Street, down Bunker Hill Avenue, turning left onto Russell Drive and then coming up Spruce Lane, back onto Bunker Hill Avenue, and left onto Union road to the Greenland town line. Since the race start time is at 11:00 am, we anticipate the runners going through those neighborhoods from approximately 11:05 until 11:20. There will be police details at all major intersections to assist with the flow of traffic during the race.
Mosquitos
Dragon Mosquito began its program to control the mosquito population the week of April 8th. Crews will be out checking for mosquito larvae at swamps marshes, and various other locations that hold shallow, stagnant water. Spraying of insecticide will begin in June and continue into October. Residents who do not want their wetlands treated may register online at www.dragonmosquito.com/no-spray-registry or write Dragon Mosquito Control, P.O. Box 46, Stratham, NH 03885. Be sure to include your name, physical address, phone number, a description of your house and acreage. If you have wetlands on your property and you would like it checked for mosquito activity, email Help@DragonMosquito.com . There is no charge for this service. Fact Sheets on mosquito borne illness can be found at https://www.strathamnh.gov/town-administration/pages/notices-fact-sheets