July 16th Select Board Newsletter
Dear Stratham Residents,
Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham. In this edition:
- National Night Out to be held August 3rd
- Voluntary Water Conservation Measures Urged
- Planning Board working on Former Tech College Zoning
- Public Hearing Set for Cable Franchise Agreement
- Roadside Mowing - Week of August 2nd
- From the Town Clerk/Tax Collector's Office: Property Tax Reminder
- Message from Police Dept. about Firearm Safety
- Parks & Recreation News
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
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
VOLUNTARY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES URGED
Like you, we are pleased to have seen the rains of late. Yesterday, DES posted the latest update (July 15th), which includes commentary on the recent rains. While there is positive direction, DES notes “Due to the growing season and warm summer temperatures, most rain received goes to plants and evaporation or runoff. Significant groundwater recharge will not occur until the Fall.”
Despite there being no formal drought status declared for our particular region of the State, the Select Board continues to urge voluntary water conservation measures be carried out at your Stratham home and businesses. For a more detailed explanation of the Town’s 2021 Drought Management strategy, please visit the Town’s website on the topic.
PLANNING BOARD CONSIDERS REVISIONS TO FORMER TECH COLLEGE ZONING
In an effort to encourage the redevelopment of the long vacant former Technical College site, the Planning Board is considering revisions to the zoning district created specifically for the site. The revisions are designed to preserve the Town’s original vision for the property as a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use district, but also to provide important additional flexibility to promote viable redevelopment. Current considerations include expanding the number of permitted uses, and providing a Conditional Use Permit process to allow some deviations from the Ordinance, very similar to a tool currently available and effectively utilized in the Gateway and Town Center Districts. Residents can read more about these efforts, including the most recent draft red-line revisions to the Ordinance here. To lend your input to these efforts, or for any questions related to the District, please contact the Planning Department at planning@strathamnh.gov or (603) 772-7391, ext. 180. The Flexible Mixed Use District will be discussed in upcoming Planning Board meetings. As a reminder, Planning Board meeting materials are available for review at the Planning Department website.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE: COMCAST CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT RENEWAL
The Town’s current Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast of Maine/New Hampshire, Inc. expires September 7, 2021. This agreement concerns Cable television service and not internet services; in addition, these agreements are not permitted under law to address channel access or cable packages options. The Stratham Select Board will hold a public hearing pursuant to NH RSA 53-C:3-a on the draft proposed renewal agreement on Monday August 2, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Center, 10 Bunker Hill Ave, Stratham, NH.
Cable TV franchising is governed by federal and state law. The Select Board is the “franchising authority,” because the company will occupy public land: the public rights-of-way. The Select Board has worked with Counsel from Drummond Woodsum to arrive at a draft renewal agreement for a ten-year period following the current agreement expiration. The proposed renewal agreement will be posted here on Monday July 19th and a copy will be available at the Town Clerk’s office, Monday 8:30am – 7pm, Tues., Wed., Thurs. 8:30am – 4pm, and Friday 8am – 12:30 pm, 10 Bunker Hill Ave. For additional information, please contact the Town Administrator’s office by calling 603 772-7391 ext. 187.
ROADSIDE MOWING
During the week of August 2nd, the Stratham Public Works crew will once again be performing roadside mowing. The crew will be operating the equipment over two shifts in order to maximize the week long rental. The equipment will be operational from 7:00AM till 8:00PM Monday through Friday.
Attention will be focused on overhead and understory vegetation along main thoroughfares such as Union Road, High Street, Lovell Road, Willowbrook Avenue, Depot Road, River Road, Stratham Heights Road, Guinea Road, etc. Staff will prune specific ornamental vegetation that is encroaching the right of way by hand method following the rental duration.
Please do not leave any items in the right of way that may be unknowingly struck by the mower, i.e. children’s toys, bicycles, hand tools, etc. Please locate trash and recycling carts in spaces that maximize access to areas needing mowing.
Be aware that the operator is operating many controls at one time while mowing, operator does not have the ability to quickly maneuver or shut the mower down. Please do not walk up along the side of the mower as the operator likely will not see you immediately. If you happen along the operation while walking or cycling, please transition to the other side of the roadway before getting within two hundred feet of the mower. Please do not allow children or pets to approach the equipment.
FROM THE TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE: PROPERTY TAX REMINDER
Tax bills were mailed mid-May with a due date of July 1, 2021. If you have not yet paid, your bill has accrued interest so please contact the Tax Collector’s office for the current amount that is due before making your payment. You can make your payment online with a credit card or ACH here (additional fees may apply). If you prefer to make your payment in person at the Town Clerks Office please do not make your check out in advance so that we can give you an updated total balance due.
MESSAGE FROM THE POLICE DEPT. ABOUT FIREARM SAFETY
Stratham PD has partnered with Project ChildSafe in order to promote responsible gun ownership. Our partnership with Project ChildSafe allows us to distribute firearm safety locks and safety information, at no charge, to individuals that need them. We’re limiting these safety kits to one (1) per household as they’ve very limited. For a one page information sheet with safety tips visit this site.
STRATHAM PARKS & RECREATION 
Registration is NOW OPEN for Fall Soccer!
Stratham's Youth Soccer Program is offered to rising kindergarteners through 6th graders. This fall program is offered to Stratham residents only and kicks off Saturday, September 11th and runs through the end of October (no program Columbus Day weekend). Check out our program offerings and register today!
Online registration closes on Wednesday, September 1st. Late registrations will only be accepted if roster space is available. Don't miss out and REGISTER TODAY! 
Stratham's Gordon Barker Summer Bike Series
This will be our 9th season (2020 was virtual) of Thursday races at the Park. These are fast and fun races that rip through the trails in and around SHP. A great way to get out during the week and maybe see a few familiar faces and meet some new folks with a similar passion for riding bikes! Race starts promptly at 6:30pm. Register today!
All the proceeds raise are directly reinvested into the trails at Stratham Hill Park. Help us continue to make improvements to our trail system. We have plans for 2021/22 and need your help to make it a reality.