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January 27th Select Board Newsletter

Posted on: January 27, 2023 - 1:15pm

town seal

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

  • Welcome to our new Library Director!
  • Town Meeting and Election Information
  • Elected Positions Open and Candidate Filing Information
  • Boards and Commission Openings
  • Thank you Budget Advisory Committee
  • Private Well Water Workshop - February 22
  • Presentation - Cemetery Sleuthing
  • Stratham School Board and School District Meetings

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 section on our website and check the "Select Board" box under News and Announcements.

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

WELCOME TO OUR NEW LIBRARY DIRECTOR!
The Wiggin Memorial Library is pleased to announce that a new Director has been chosen.  Welcome Kerry Cronin!  Read the Press Release.  All are invited to a small reception on February 13th between 5:30 and 7p.m. at the Library to welcome Kerry.

REGISTER YOUR DOG
2023 has arrived and so has the opportunity to be the TOP DOG of 2023.  Please register your dogs by 4/30/2023 to enter your dog into the contest. Register online here or stop in the town offices anytime.  Top dog of Stratham will win a nice gift basket with treats for both owner and dog.  Register your dog!  Here's a link to last year's winner:  Top Dog of Stratham 2022 Winner!  

TOWN MEETING INFORMATION:  ELECTION AND BUSINESS SESSION INFORMATION
The public hearing on the 2023 town budget and warrant will be on Monday, February 6th at 7:00 pm.  The Town Election will be held at Stratham Memorial School (39 Gifford Farm Rd) on Tuesday, March 14th.  Polls will be open from 7:00am until 7:00pm.  The Town Meeting business session will be held on Saturday, March 18th also at Stratham Memorial School.  The meeting will begin at 9:00am. 

In the coming weeks, we will be posting materials to our Town Meeting 2023 page (including the warrant, 2023 Voter Information Guide, Town Report  and more).  A summary of articles to be discussed is posted in the February 6th legal notice.  The 2023 preliminary operating budget represents a 2.23% increase over last year.  Final decisions on a budget and articles to be recommended to the Town Meeting will be made later in February after the public hearing.

BOARDS AND COMMISSION OPENINGS
The Town Meeting marks the end of 2023 terms on our Boards and Commissions.  At this time, we currently have openings listed here, including Zoning Board, Conservation Commission and Planning Board.  Meanwhile, if you have an interest in getting involved in any Board or Commission, we encourage you to call (or visit) the Town Administrator's office at 603-772-7391 ext 187 so we can connect you with a staff person or current board member who can answer your questions. 

THANK YOU BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE!
We'd like to send a big thank you to the Budget Advisory Committee - Wayne Young, June Sawyer, Connie Aubin-Adams, Tedd Tramaloni, and School Board Rep. Jennifer Scrafford.  Not only did they give generously of their time, but their thoughtful questions and careful consideration of the budget led us to proceed confidently in the best direction for the Town.    

ELECTED POSITIONS OPEN & CANDIDATE FILING INFORMATION
To run for an elected Stratham Town Office, you must file with the Town Clerk between January 25 - February 3.  Declarations of candidacy may be filed at the Town Clerk’s Office, 10 Bunker Hill Avenue.  Any candidate filing on the last day must file in person.  Clerks will be available between 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on the last day of the filing period.  Declaration of candidacy forms are available at the Town Clerks office.  


CLERK'S CORNER 
Ever wonder about the fees associated with registering your motor vehicle?  The Municipal Fees are what is considered your property tax on your automobile, so if you were to itemize on your taxes, you’d claim the Municipal Fees.  The State Fees, are associated with your plate type and weight of your vehicle.  More information can be found on the Town Clerk’s Website.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

FREE WATER TESTING!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 6:00pm at the Cooperative Middle School Auditorium
The Seacoast Private Well Initiative is providing a workshop and free water quality testing for residential private well users in Stratham valued at approximately $400.  It’s important for the health of you and your family that your water is tested regularly. New Hampshire well water can contain naturally occurring contaminants and those that originate from human activities. 

Post cards with details and a link to registration will be mailed directly to residents who maintain private wells on their property.  If you receive water from a community water supply, your water is tested on a regular basis and the workshop is not applicable to you.  This opportunity is sponsored by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services with support provided by the Town of Stratham.

More information on the program is available on the Town’s website: 2023 Free Residential Private Well Testing | Town of Stratham NH

CEMETERY SLEUTHING
There is still time to register for this upcoming Zoom Program, A Beginner's Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing with Erin Moulton, co-hosted by Wiggin Memorial Library and Stratham Historical Society.

CEMETERY SLEUTHING
Cemeteries hold invaluable clues to genealogical research.  Etched in stone are names, symbols and abbreviations that not only tell us more about our ancestors but also about their place in time.  This Zoom program will cover strategies to help locate your ancestor’s burial place, how to make the most out of a visit and how to decipher a variety of symbols.  Includes a list of Erin’s favorite cemetery resources.  Note: Most of this content covers New England cemeteries, though many symbols can be seen nationwide.

SCHOOL BOARD AND SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETINGS
See below for the following upcoming meetings all being held at Stratham Memorial School, 39 Gifford Farm Road.  If you can't attend the meetings in person, watch the recordings here Blue Hawk Media

  • School Board Public Hearing on FY24 Budget 2/1/23 at 6 p.m.  School Board Meeting to immediately follow.  Agenda
  • School District Meeting 3/6/23 at 6 p.m.