June 24th Select Board Newsletter
June 24, 2019
Dear Stratham Residents,
Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham. In this edition: Master Plan Developments; a Note from the Clerk on Taxes; new Public Works Director Announcement; start of Focused Site Investigation at Fire Station; Recreation Survey Results; and appreciation for Fire Department volunteers …. and more (including Splat the Cat at the Library).
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, Selectwoman
Please Note:
The Town Offices will be closed on Thursday July 4th and Friday July 5th. The Wiggin Memorial Library will be closed on Thursday July 4th and open on Friday July 5th and Saturday July 6th.
MASTER PLAN NEXT STEPS
At its meeting on June 19th the Planning Board met jointly with the Master Plan Steering Committee (see members, drafts and more information at Strathamplan.com) to discuss an early draft of the Master Plan document. The Master Plan Steering committee will meet again on July 15th and the Planning Board will host another joint meeting on July 17th (this time with various representatives from the Boards and Commissions) to review the next draft.
A two page overview of the Plan, can be found here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b0edcd5fcf7fde1f8b43e39/t/5d093d...
The Plan is taking shape and the input received throughout the process through a variety of outreach efforts is being refined for inclusion. Members of the public will recall an October Master Plan public forum launch, direct outreach by the Master Plan Committee through stakeholder sessions and interviews, a Business Roundtable forum in April, May Public Forum, and a Parks & Recreation Survey are just a few of the efforts. Please follow the developments here, at any of the upcoming public discussions above and be on the lookout for Planning Board sponsored public hearing on the final product later this summer or early fall.
REVALUATION UPDATE
The Stratham town-wide revaluation of properties continues to progress with work being completed in the field. Draft values will be sent to property owners in mid-July. In case you missed it, check out this month’s (June) Stratham Magazine for more detail about the Stratham revaluation effort including information about the staff team leading the project. The Select Board is scheduled to receive an update about the 2019 Reval at their July 1st meeting.
The constitution and statutes of the State of New Hampshire require that property subject to a tax based on value, be valued anew at least every five years. Mass appraisal is the method used to update all taxable property within a municipality in order to meet the legal requirement. Information about revaluations in New Hampshire and a presentation from February for the public on the Stratham Reval can be found here:
https://www.strathamnh.gov/assessing-department/pages/statistical-update...
Please also consider viewing: “Who are the Assessors” https://youtu.be/9PtAuUmIzjU
NEW DPW DIRECTOR
The Stratham Select Board is pleased to announce the selection of Nate Mears who began his service as Stratham Director of Public Works on June 10, 2019. Nate brings extensive public works experience he gained in the City of Somersworth as General Foreman and in the City of Rochester where he served as the Municipal Services Division Director. In addition, Nate owned his own landscape design and installation firm where he also performed stone masonry.
As the residents of Stratham already know, he joins a dedicated staff who have worked hard as a team to serve Stratham through this past winter and a busy spring all while experiencing staffing vacancies.
Please welcome Nate and continue to support our Public Works Department as they enter the next chapter in serving the Town of Stratham.
FROM THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE
Civil Forfeiture penalties start Monday July 1st, and will add $25.00 to each dog’s licensing fees. Please come in before then to license your dog to avoid these additional fees.
July property taxes are due July 1st. We are open until 7:00 p.m. that night (a Monday). Interest of 8% will be effective July 2nd.
UPDATES FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
The Stratham Police Department will now maintain a prescription drug drop box, located in the lobby, for the safe and easy submission of unused, unwanted medication. Medication may be turned in anonymously, no identification will be required. This collection program is not intended for the use of physicians or other business entities who already have established procedures and existing resources for the disposal of unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals. This box was made possible through a donation provided by the Exeter Area New Car Dealers Association. The prescription drop off box will be accessible Monday-Friday during normal business hours, or after hours by calling the business line at 603-778-9691.
The police department website has been going through several updates. Please visit our page www.strathampd.org to take a look, and also follow us on our new Twitter page @strathamnhpd.
The police department is planning its first ever NATIONAL NIGHT OUT on Tuesday, August 6th from 5pm-8pm. National Night Out is a nationwide event that enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Mark your calendars because we have a lot of fun events and food planned!!!!! You can learn more about the program at https://natw.org/ and we look forward to seeing as many residents, families and friends who can attend. We will be sending out invitations and information as the date approaches.
UPDATE RE: PFAS IN TOWN CENTER
The Town is engaging a professional engineer to carry out a focused site investigation in order to help establish the source of the contamination in the vicinity as directed by DES. The environmental engineering firm of Wilcox & Barton in Concord, NH has been selected to carry out the focused site investigation. The Work Plan for the engagement has been posted to the Town website referenced below. See pages 12- 17 of the file labeled Wilcox & Barton Proposal. Please stay tuned for more updates in this newsletter as well as the Town’s resource page below:
https://www.strathamnh.gov/home/news/updated-june-4-resource-page-reside...
Any questions about this issue should be directed to the Town Administrator at 603 772-7391 ext. 187.
RECREATION SURVEY RESULTS
An online household survey was created by the town of Stratham Parks and Recreation Department. This survey was distributed earlier this spring and was posted on social media outlets managed by the Town, distributed in paper form through the local elementary school and shared with the Stratham Seniors.
The survey was developed by the park and recreation staff and was based on similar needs assessment studies conducted by other cities and towns throughout the state and country. The survey asked residents a variety of questions related to their perceptions of parks and recreation programs and facilities, including their level of satisfaction, awareness, use, priorities for future development, and willingness to pay (e.g. fees, taxes). Questions consisted of both closed-ended, fixed choice categories and open-ended responses.
Approximately 627 individuals participated in the survey. Follow this link, https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-9D65N2BHV/ for a full survey report.
https://www.strathamnh.gov/parks-recreation/news/synopses-community-need...
FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Stratham Fire would like to congratulate Lt Mike Grahame, Firefighter Chris Heal, Firefighter John Tamborino and Firefighter/EMT Greg Lafrance on completing their State of NH Firefighter II course. This several month course teaches advanced Firefighter skills such as Vehicle Extrication and Fire Behavior.
In addition Firefighter/AEMT Collette Poisson completed her Advance EMT certification. Collette completed this Advanced EMS course while also attending UNH as a Sophomore in the Biomedical Program.
Thank you all for your service and congratulations on your accomplishments.
BOARDS & COMMISSION VACANCIES
The Town of Stratham relies on volunteers to help run the Town through elected positions but also through many Boards and Commissions. Below is a listing of current open positions as well as an application form for interested applicants. If you have any questions concerning the opportunities below, please reach out to Executive Assistant Karen Richard (603 772-7391 ext. 187) who will ensure you are connected with the Department head or other representative to help answer your questions.
Following is a list of Boards and Committee openings:
Zoning Board of Adjustment - 1 regular member and 2 alternate members
Recreation Commission—1 regular member
Rockingham Planning Commission—1 regular and 1 alternate representative
Southeast Watershed Alliance—1 regular representative
Exeter-Squamscott Rivers Local Advisory Committee—2 regular representatives
Click here to apply for a Board or Committee opening: Application
SPLAT THE CAT AT THE LIBRARY
Meet book character Splat the Cat!
Wednesday June 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Listen to one of Splat's favorite books and take a picture with him!
No sign up necessary.
SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
The Stratham School Board invites residents who are interested in becoming a member of the School Board to fill a vacancy, which has occurred following a resignation. The term expires in 2020.
Residents who are interested should submit a letter of interest by August 31, 2019. The Board will interview applicants on September 11, 2019 and select the candidate who will serve until the term expires.
Residents are asked to submit a letter of interest to:
Dr. Thomas F. Campbell
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
SAU 16
30 Linden Street
Exeter, NH 03833