Print
Share page with AddThis

August 26th Select Board Newsletter

Posted on: August 26, 2022 - 3:16pm

town logo

Dear Stratham Residents,

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

  • Select Board Honors Former Fire Chief Matt Larrabee
  • Select Board Plans Public Hearings for Potential Land Donation
  • Introducing Our New Program Coordinator
  • Volunteer Opportunity - Recreation Committee
  • Stratham Historical Society Presents The Gundalow Company - Sept. 12
  • Give Blood September 9th!
  • New Hampshire Coastal Water Conservation Plan
  • Did You Know... Political Advertising 

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

mattfroup          
SELECT BOARD HONORS FORMER FIRE CHIEF MATT LARRABEE
At the Fire Association meeting on August 16th, all three members of the Select Board and Chief Jeff Denton presented former Fire Chief Matt Larrabee with an engraved axe to honor his service to the department.  Matt served in this role for over five years having been elected by his peers in September 2016.  This highly responsible role in our Town is a volunteer position, which Matt performed alongside a full-time professional role.  The time dedicated to the Town's service is extensive and we appreciate his, and his family's, sacrifice for Stratham over the years.  In addition to managing a budget, volunteer EMTs and firefighters, including several officers, the Chief attends to all manner of day-to-day demands with the assistance of the many dedicated men and woman of the department.  Chief Larrabee was instrumental in changing the way the Fire Dept. plans for large expenses.  By projecting and setting aside funds over time, the department is now better able to afford large purchases without causing a spike in the tax rate.  Chief Larrabee also guided the department through the difficult and challenging Covid pandemic.  We are grateful for his past service to the Town as well as his continued service as a volunteer first responder for the Department. 

SELECT BOARD PLANS PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR POTENTIAL LAND DONATION
The Select Board plans to hold public hearings this Fall to consider accepting the donation of a vacant lot at 18 Jana Lane (Tax Map 24, Lot 31).  Richard and Marilyn Young, former residents of Stratham, have offered to donate the 0.84 acre parcel to the Town. The Planning Board and Conservation Commission have already recommended the Town accept the donation and the Heritage Commission will consider the issue in September. The parcel does include wetlands and appears not be buildable for a traditional single-family development. The Town has not yet identified a use for property, but it does neighbor the Salt River Association Conservation land which neighbors other conservation land owned by the Town and the NH Fish and Game Department. There may be the potential to construct a trailhead to facilitate better public access to these areas for walking, cross-country skiing, and similar passive recreational uses.  For more information, please contact the Stratham Planning Department at planning@strathamnh.gov.

INTRODUCING OUR NEW PROGRAM COORDINATOR
We are pleased to introduce James Schaaf who will serve as the next Program Coordinator in the Parks and Recreation Department.  Jamie (we can call him Jamie)  worked for nearly 20 years at Seacoast Community School in Portsmouth; he served in several direct service positions and eventually as their school age program director.  While at the Seacoast Community School, Jamie oversaw school age summer enrichment programs. Jamie has a strong background in public service - including municipal recreation - and a commitment to youth development.  Jamie will be at Stevens Park this fall for the youth soccer program and working closely with our senior citizen programming, if you see him around please say hello! 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - RECREATION COMMISSION
Are you looking to get more involved with youth sports and recreation in our Stratham community?  Would you like to help out with senior citizen programming?  Do you have ideas on how to make Stratham a more enjoyable place to live?  If so, consider volunteering one evening a month and join the Stratham Recreation Commission!  The Parks & Recreation Department can’t organize these amazing programs without volunteers like YOU!  Questions about this opportunity, please contact Seth Hickey, Parks and Recreation Director, shickey@strathamnh.gov 

STRATHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM    gundalow pic
On Monday, September 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., the Stratham Historical Society will kick off their new season with a program by the Gundalow Company of Portsmouth.  This event is jointly sponsored by the Stratham Historical Society and Wiggin Memorial Library.  The presentation will explore the importance of gundalows in the maritime history and the future of the Piscataqua Region, including Stratham, Dover, South Berwick and Exeter.  We will hear exactly what a gundalow is and how it helped develop some of these influential towns.  We will learn about the disappearance of the gundalows on the waterways and the emergence of the Gundalow Company of Portsmouth.  Also discussed will be the many programs the Gundalow Company offers to help protect and preserve the Piscataqua region’s maritime history and environment through education and action. 

Future Stratham Historical Society events include the highly popular Fall Antiques Appraisal Day being held on Sunday, October 23 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm and on November 14th, a program on Union Civil War General Fitz John Porter.  To find more information about these exciting programs, visit the Historical Society page. 

red cross
The American Red Cross is asking eligible individuals to ensure blood is on the shelves this fall by donating in September.  As summer wraps up and kids head back to school, we know schedules shift and blood donors are busy.  The Red Cross is reminding donors that blood for patients can only come from volunteer donors. Please make time to give blood to ensure it’s available for patients this fall.  Those who come to give Sept. 1-30 will receive a free haircut coupon by email from Sport Clips Haircuts.  Details available here.  All who come to give Sept. 1-18 will also get a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.  The Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a Community Blood Drive at the Stratham Fire Station on Friday, September 9th from 1-6 pm.  Schedule your appointment today by visiting www.redcrossblood.org and using code STRATHAMFIRE

NEW HAMPSHIRE COASTAL WATERSHED CONSERVATION PLAN!
This regional conservation plan identifies Conservation Focus Areas (important natural resources) and Priority Agricultural Resources in NH’s coastal watershed, which includes 43 communities in New Hampshire and 10 communities in Maine. Learn how to access the plan’s maps, ways the information can be used, and opportunities for assistance to help move your land conservation planning and projects forward.

We are offering three workshop dates and times in September and October. Note that the content of the workshops is the same, so you just need to select ONE date and time to attend.

coastal watershed conservation flyer

DID YOU KNOW.... POLITICAL ADVERTISING
The Select Board and Town staff have developed a resource for those with questions about relevant laws, regulations and policies for political advertising (ex. placement of signs).  The resource is posted on the Town Clerk's website, under Political Advertising Information

library
Are you subscribed to the library's newsletters? There's something for everyone! The library is open and awesome Mondays from 9:30AM - 7PM, Tuesdays through Fridays 9:30AM - 6PM, Saturdays 9:30AM - 3PM.  Check out our brand-new catalog!