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April 22nd Select Board Newsletter

Posted on: April 22, 2022 - 2:37pm

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Dear Stratham Residents,

Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham.  In this edition:

  • Newsletter Circulation
  • Proposal to Name Livestock Barns and Room A at the Municipal Center
  • April Sees Two Retirements from Town Service
  • News from the Town Clerk
  • Heritage District Advisory Committee Opening
  • Building Inspection Transition
  • Regional Planning Commission Seeks Housing Input
  • Help Stratham be an Age-Friendly Community
  • Mark your calendars - May 14th is Clean Up Stratham Day!
  • Police Dept. News & DEA Drug Take Back
  • Assessors in the Field

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 this website and check the "Select Board" box under News and Announcements.

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

HELP US ADD TO OUR NEWSLETTER CIRCULATION
We currently have 1696 subscribers to our bi-weekly newsletter.  As you know, this tool is critical to getting the word out about important information about the Town including reminders, opportunities to volunteer, and other community information.  We would love to reach as many households as possible.  We have 3,200 households in Stratham according to the Assessing data, let’s keep adding.  Have a new neighbor? Please send them our way.  To sign-up for these updates and other notifications, please visit this website and check the "Select Board" box under News and Announcements.

    NAMING OF THE LIVESTOCK BARNS AND ROOM A AT THE MUNICIPAL CENTER
    There will be a Public Hearing on May 16th at 7:00 pm to name Town facilities in honor individuals from our community.  Under the Board's Naming Facilities Policy, two proposals have been submitted: one to name Meeting Room A at the Municipal Center the “Joan Sewall Room” in honor of the longtime Stratham Memorial School food service director and a second to name the two livestock barns in Stratham Hill Park after “James & Lorraine Stuart” longtime contributors to the Stratham Fair and broader community.  To submit comments to the Board, please e-mail Executive Assistant Karen Richard at krichard@strathamnh.gov or attend the public hearing.

    APRIL SEES TWO RETIREMENTS FROM TOWN SERVICE
    Al Williams, our DPW Foreman, will be retiring after nearly two decades serving Stratham.  Al has been dedicated to the Town, through all seasons, keeping our roads clear and safe and so much more.  He has also skillfully tended to the wide variety of ever expanding tasks required of our highway function over the years, bringing particular skill and acumen to maintenance of our fleet of heavy duty equipment and vehicles.   We will miss Al's sense of humor and presence in our community on a daily basis.  Thank you Al we wish you safe riding and pulling!

    After more than 23 years of service, Officer Chuck Law has chosen to begin his well-earned retirement on April 30th, 2022. Through an outstanding work ethic, Officer Law has helped to improve the professionalism and overall effectiveness of the Stratham Police Department. Over the years, he has developed great skills and expertise that have been vital assets to the department.  As a committed employee, he has dutifully served the SPD, our Town and its residents willingly and well throughout his entire career.  In recognition and appreciation of his dedication and loyal service, the Town of Stratham congratulates and commends Officer Law on this milestone occasion, and extends best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

    NEWS FROM THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE

    • The Town Clerk's office will be closed May 11th so that they may attend an offsite training.  We apologize for any inconvenience.  Thank you for your understanding! 
    • It’s not too late to be entered into Stratham’s Top Dog contest!  Register your pup no later than April 30th at the Town Clerk’s Office or online. 

    BOARDS & COMMITTEES:  OPEN POSITIONS - HIGHLIGHT - ROUTE 33 HERITAGE DISTRICT
    The Select Board has one appointment to make to the new Heritage District Advisory Committee established in the new Route 33 Legacy District zoning adopted at this year's Town Meeting. If you have interest in serving in this role, please contact Town Planner Mark Connors at planning@strathamnh.gov.  Information about the Committee and zoning can be found here.

    Board, Committee, and Commission terms expire with each Town Meeting, we have several regular and alternate seats on many Boards and Commissions that are up for appointment.  Please take a look at the list and consider lending your time and talent to the Town in these ways.  Please also read through the Select Board Policy on Boards and Commissions Appointments at the landing page above, which also includes a link to our application.

    BUILDING INSPECTION TRANSITION
    We curently have a vacancy in our Building Inspection and Permit Coordinator role.  After seven years,  Denise Lemire has moved on to a new role in the private sector and we thank her for her service to Stratham's residents, businesses, contractors, tradesmen, and other building professionals.  We have advertised for a replacement and hope to fill the position soon.  Meanwhile our Building Inspector, Town Planner and Administrative Clerk are covering our window, answering calls and helping contractors and homeowners with questions.  Thanks in advance for your patience as we work to keep disruption to our services to a minimum during this transition.

    REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION SEEKS HOUSING INPUT
    Did you know that the median sales price of single family homes in Rockingham County reached $550,000 in the first quarter of 2022?  This figure marks an all-time high for our region and represents an increase of 38 percent in the median sales price since just 2020.  Median rents in our region have also reached record highs.  Unfortunately, the region’s escalating real estate prices have shut many residents out of the housing market.  The Rockingham Planning Commission is currently conducting a Regional Housing Needs Assessment and would like your input. The assessment will be used to help the state and communities in our region better plan for housing.  Is your current housing affordable and meeting your needs?  Please share your housing story by taking the Housing Needs Survey.

    HELP STRATHAM TO BE AN AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY 
    New Hampshire is currently experiencing a major jump in its population of residents age 65 and over. The population of those over age 65 is forecast to increase by more than 70 percent between now and 2040. To help prepare for these demographic shifts, the Town of Stratham is working with the Rockingham Planning Commission to help ensure the community is as “age friendly” as possible. Please take the Stratham Age Friendly Survey to let us know what issues are most important to you as you age in Stratham. The survey considers several different elements including civic and social participation, housing, transportation, recreation, social inclusion, and health services and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The results of the survey will be shared at a community forum planned for late May or early June in Stratham.  Please check this newsletter or the Town website for more details in the coming weeks.

    CLEAN UP STRATHAM DAY SLATED FOR MAY 14th
    The Conservation Commission will hold its Annual Clean Up Stratham Day on Saturday, May 14 from 9 am to 12 pm.  In the event of rain or inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, May 15 from 9 am to 12 pm.  Interested residents should plan to meet at the Front Pavilion of Stratham Hill Park.  Gloves, vests, and trash bags will be provided.  Come take part in this fun social event to ensure our community remains attractive and litter free. Please contact Bill Kenny with questions at (603) 264-3866.  We hope to see you there!

    POLICE DEPT
    LOBBY CHANGES
    The police department recently made some changes to the lobby to make necessary forms more accessible to visitors. It used to be that you would have to request an officer to the station, after hours, for you to pick up a department form for things such as: requesting an accident report, requesting an incident report and applying for a concealed carry license.

    With the new changes, those forms are available right as you walk into the lobby, no officer needed!  There is also a drop box for you to leave your completed form for the administrative staff to retrieve on the next business day.  As a reminder, no money of any kind will be accepted through the drop box.  If there is a charge for what you’re requesting, you will pay the fee when you pick up your report or other requested document.

    DEA DRUG TAKE BACK
    On April 30, 2022, the Stratham Police Department will host the first of two DEA sponsored National Drug Take Back Days for 2022.  This event runs from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the lobby of the police department.  Please bring your unused prescription medications for proper disposal.  The collected drugs will be brought to the NH State Laboratory for destruction. As a reminder, we cannot take needles of any kind, liquids over 4 oz., aerosol sprays, batteries, medical devices or other hazardous materials.  If you can’t make it to the police department on April 30, do not worry.  We have a drug disposal box in our lobby 24/7/365.

    ASSESSORS IN THE FIELD
    As readers will recall, we contracted with Murdough Assessing Services to do our annual assessing duties for the Town of Stratham.  As part of the annual updates, Assessor Christina Murdough will be out in the field reviewing properties throughout town that have/had building permits and any property flagged for review/follow-up.  We encourage all taxpayers to assist by letting Ms. Murdough access your property.  Please note that Ms. Murdough will have photo ID, as well as a vehicle clearly marked "Municipal Assessor".  If you have any questions regarding this process, you may contact the Town Office during normal business hours at 603-772-4741.