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August 21st Select Board Newsletter

Posted on: August 21, 2020 - 2:41pm

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

  • Town Offices Closed for Sept. 8th Primary
  • Absentee Ballots Reminder
  • Planning Board Revisits Gateway Zoning
  • Messages from the Clerk's Office
  • Open Position - Accounting & Benefits Coordinator
  • Select Board Meeting Schedule Note 
  • Library Happenings

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

ABSENTEE BALLOT REMINDER
The State of New Hampshire has taken steps to make absentee balloting more widely available in response to the pandemic.  Residents are now able to request absentee ballots for both the State’s Primary Election and General Election on one form.  Please visit this link to access the form.

PLANNING BOARD REVISITS GATEWAY ZONING
Following the 2020 Town Meeting vote to not support the advancement of a TIF District and the related development potential anticipated with the advent of public infrastructure, the Planning Board has begun deliberating about the future of the Gateway Zoning District. 

The current Gateway District zoning regulations are largely focused on the premise of public infrastructure availability thereby making Planning Board processing of applications very difficult as projects essentially cannot comply with the regulations as written.  Understanding that some uses, densities, and amenities called for in the current zoning language are unable, or at least unlikely, to be introduced into the Gateway given the lack of water and sewer infrastructure, this proposed amendment effort is designed to better pair the vision of the 2019 Master Plan and the Zoning Regulations to allow the Board to more effectively process applications.  The first Planning Board meeting on this topic was August 19th, with a follow-up workshop on September 16th at 7PM and a tentative public hearing on the proposed amendments in either October or November.  At present, the Board is looking to recommend amendments to the Gateway District zoning for the Town Meeting 2021 warrant.  Please be sure to subscribe to the Planning Board Agenda page for agendas with updated information on this process; any questions should be directed to Tavis Austin, Town Planner at taustin@strathamnh.gov or by phone at 602-772-7391 ext. 147.

MESSAGES FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE
The Town Clerk and her staff will be working 9:00 am  – 5:00 pm on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th for election purposes only.  The Office will be accepting voter registrations, absentee ballots, and absentee ballot requests.  We will not be processing motor vehicle transactions or any other Town Clerk work  - we will only be accepting and processing election transactions.  Our office will be the only office in the Town Municipal Center that will be opened.

Due to the unprecedented demands on the Town Clerk’s office related to the pandemic as well as the influx of the 2020 absentee ballot requests, the Town Clerks Office will be closed from 12:00 -1:00 Monday through Thursday until further notice.  This will allow the staff to catch up on unfinished business from the morning work and also allow them a brief uninterrupted lunch.

Tips for Visiting the Clerk's Office

To avoid wait lines outside, absentee ballot requests can be printed out at home (link to access the form), filled out and dropped off in the drop box by our front door.  We will then mail you your absentee ballot.    

If you have a motor vehicle renewal that is due in August you have until August 31, to renew your vehicle (If your renewal is due in September, you have until September 30 to renew your vehicle, etc.)  Please remember you can also process your renewals by mail or on-line.

Transfer Stations stickers can be purchased at the Transfer Station.  They are open every Saturday (April through November), 9-4 (checks only).

We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work effectively and efficiently to respond to current demands. 

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR SEPTEMBER 8TH PRIMARY
The September 8th primary will be held at the Municipal Center, 10 Bunker Hill Ave.  All departments will be closed on that day to allow for a smooth and efficient voting process and to better facilitate distancing practices.  Employees will be working and available by phone and e-mail, however no in-person appointments or service will be available that day.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY WITH THE TOWN
The Town is seeking a part-time Accounting & Benefits Coordinator.  To learn more, please visit the Town’s website: https://www.strathamnh.gov/town-administration/pages/open-positions.  Please share this position announcement with anyone who may be interested in joining the Town’s staff team and serving the residents of Stratham.

SELECT BOARD MEETING CHANGE
Due to Labor Day on September 7th and the Primary Election on September 8th, the Select Board has decided to move its first regular meeting in September to Monday, August 31st.  The Board will get back on its “regular” meeting schedule on Monday, September 21st.

HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARY
The library is offering "curbside pickup" on Tuesdays and Fridays. Go online to reserve items (https://catalog.library.strathamnh.gov) or call ahead (772-4346) and we will let you know when your items will be available.  Pickups are on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If requests are in by Tuesday at 10 a.m. or Thursdays by 3 p.m. then your items will definitely be ready for those pickup times.  We'll still try to fill requests right up until curbside starts and let you know if we are able to.

Not sure what to read next? Take a look at the library's staff recommendations  (https://strathamlibrary.wordpress.com/) or sign up for one of the library's newsletters (https://www.library.strathamnh.gov/newsletters) - they both feature book suggestions.