June 18th Select Board Newsletter
Dear Stratham Residents,
Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham. In this edition:
- Mask Policy at the Municipal Center
- Water Conservation Reminder and Drought Notes
- Resources for Monitoring Fire Danger
- Housing in Stratham
- Assessing Update
- Exeter-Squamscott River Local Advisory Committee
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
MASK POLICY AT THE MUNICIPAL CENTER
Effective June 7, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask to enter or do business at Municipal facilities. Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear a mask to enter or do business at all Municipal facilities. This does not include the Wiggin Memorial Library policy regarding mask usage. Please follow their guidelines.
CONSERVATION REMINDER AND DROUGHT NOTES
More of the State of NH is facing either abnormally dry conditions (including Stratham and the southern portion of the state) or in moderate drought (northern portion of NH). The Town continues to urge water conservation measures. Upon entering formal drought status, the Select Board intends to enact the formal restrictions. More information and an explanation of the Town's approach is summarized here.
TWO GREAT RESOURCES FOR MONITORING FIRE DANGER
Please take note of these easy to consult resources for learning the daily fire permit danger from the State of NH. The web: https://www.nh.gov/nhdfl/community/daily-fire-danger.htm
Twitter: @nhforestrangers (daily posts of the fire danger automatic to your feed)
HOUSING IN STRATHAM
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way many of us work, socialize, recreate, and interact in our communities. One of the most striking impacts of the pandemic is its impacts on the residential real estate market, particularly here in New Hampshire. In the last year alone, median housing values across New Hampshire have increased by more than 25 percent to over $400,000. This May for the first time, median residential real estate transactions in Rockingham County exceeded $500,000 at $515,000. As the Town approaches buildout status and buildable land becomes more limited, the Planning Board wants to ensure new housing is designed to best meet the community's needs now and in the future. To that end, the Planning Board is focused on housing issues and is considering potential zoning amendments for voters consideration next year. Residents can learn more about this effort and view a presentation on housing in Stratham by visiting the Planning Department website or by e-mailing planning@strathamnh.gov.
ASSESSING UPDATE
As readers of the newsletter are aware, the Town hired an interim contract Assessor in January 2021 following the retirement of long-time Assessor Andrea Lewy. In late winter, the Board issued a request for proposals for general assessing contractor and received three proposals. In May, the Board selected Murdough Asessing Services to perform this role going forward under a professional services agreement; Chris Murdough has been serving in the interim role since January. Chris is an experienced and licensed New Hampshire Assessor who has assisted Stratham during previous revaluation years. She is familiar with Stratham, our software and systems as well as our staff. In addition to this arrangement, the Town will continue to benefit from "over the counter" assessing services by the former Assessing Assistant who recently became our Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Jim Joseph. Jim is going to continue to perform certain of his previous Assessing duties, but will do so from the Clerk's Office. Specifically, these duties include: answering assessing questions for members of the public; assisting residents with applications for exemptions, abatements, and credits; processing deed updates; and making referrals to the contract Assessor. The Assessor will be available in the Municipal Center on Tuesdays. We believe this restructuring, a version of which has been piloted since January, has proven effective and responsive both to our residents and to the state's assessing standards, requirements and timelines. Meanwhile, please continue to access the Assessing Office by coming to the Town Offices (Clerk's Counter) or dialing 603 772-4741 ext 184.
BOARD HIGHLIGHT: Exeter-Squamscott River Local Advisory Committee
The Town of Stratham has two openings on the Exeter-Squamscott River Local Advisory Committee (ESRLAC). This position is nominated by the Select Board, and appointed by NHDES. ESRLAC is part of the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program (RSA 483:8-a). The communities making up this River are those fronting the headwaters at the Route 102 bridge in Chester to the confluence of the Squamscott River and Great Bay; these include Brentwood, Chester, Danville, East Kingston, Exeter, Fremont, Kensington, Kingston, Newfields, Raymond, Sandown and Stratham.
These local advisory committees connect state government and local citizens. Each committee plays a vital role in protecting not only the river, but its shore lands as well. A minimum of one resident from each riverfront community is on the committee. The main responsibilities of the advisory committee are to develop and implement a local river corridor management plan and advise local, state, and federal governing bodies and agencies of activities which may affect the water quality or flow of the protected river or segment. NHDES offers the committee technical assistance in developing and implementing the management plan. For more information about ESRLAC or the Rivers Program, please visit the Rivers Program website or contact theresawalker@comcast.net. Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm as needed at the Rockingham Planning Commission, 156 Water Street, Exeter, NH.