June 30th Select Board Newsletter

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

• Trash and Recycling Pick Up - July 4th Delay
• Summerfest - July 15
• Rebecca Mitchell, Heritage Commission, Receives Award
• Energy Aggregation Committee Follow Up
• Town Treasurer Vacancy
• Clerk's Corner
• Employment Opportunities
• Stratham Historical Society Scholarship Winners
• Eagle Scout installs 911 Memorial at Fire Station
• Volunteer Fair Recap

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, Chair                   Allison Knab, Vice-Chair                   Joe Anderson

TRASH AND RECYCLING PICK UP - JULY 4TH DELAY
Trash and recycling pick up will be delayed by one day the week of July 4th.  If your pick up is usually on Tuesday, it will be on Wednesday that week, Wednesday's pick up will be on Thursday, etc.  If you have any questions, please call Jenn Schaaff at 603-772-5550.

SUMMERFEST
The second annual Summerfest will be held at Stratham Hill Park on Saturday, July 15th.  Gates open at 9:00 am, admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.  

CONGRATULATIONS TO REBECCA MITCHELL
2023 NH PRESERVATION ALLIANCE AWARD RECIPIENT
The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance recently honored Stratham’s own Rebecca ‘Becky’ Mitchell, a longtime member of the Town’s Heritage Commission and a community leader in historic preservation efforts, with its 2023 Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award. The award recognizes Becky’s extensive contributions to preservation planning, advocacy, and education here in Stratham over more than two decades. Becky has taken a leadership role in virtually all of the Town’s more recent preservation initiatives, including the preservation of the Bartlett-Cushman House and Lane Homestead, a town-wide survey of historic properties, the addition of several Stratham properties to the National Register, and the implementation of innovative land use tools like the Demolition Delay Ordinance and the Route 33 Heritage District. The Select Board and others recognized Becky for the award and for her many other contributions to the Town at a ceremony at the Municipal Center on June 19 (photos attached). Becky has served on the Heritage Commission since 2006, including eleven years as the Commission Chair. You can read more about the award and watch a brief video summarizing Becky’s contributions at the NHPA here.  

ENERGY AGGREGATION COMMITTEE FOLLOW UP
Stratham's Energy Aggregation Committee had it's second Public Hearing on creating a Community Power Plan on Thursday, June 22nd.  The committee will continue to meet to follow-up on input received and to draft a plan for Select Board consideration in accordance with the RSA driven process.  Please click here to learn more about this important initiative.  The EAC encourages residents to submit questions and/or comments by clicking here.   

TOWN TREASURER VACANCY
The Town of Stratham is seeking interested applicants for the appointed position of Town Treasurer for the term which ends March 2026.  This is a statutory position appointed for a three year term and is compensated with an annual stipend of $6,500.00. 

The Treasurer is responsible for the custody, deposit and disbursement of town funds in compliance with detailed statutory standards (RSA 41:29).  The Treasurer submits books, vouchers and statements to the select board and to the town auditors whenever requested.

Interested applicants should have general bookkeeping and computer experience and may send a letter of interest with qualifications to KRichard@StrathamNH.gov .  Please click here for a job description.

CLERK'S CORNER

• As a reminder, property taxes are due Monday, July 3rd.  We’ll be open our regular hours 8:30am - 7:00pm
• Interested in becoming an election worker?  Please stop by and see us.  We’d love to have you as part of the team!  You must be at least 18 and registered to vote in Stratham.
• There are still a few unlicensed dogs within Stratham.  Letters will be going out July 1st and a $25.00 civil forfeiture fine per dog along with late fees will be applied.
   

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
As you know, the Town of Stratham is served by a dedicated and skilled staff.  However, Stratham as an employer is not immune to the trends in the labor market that have impacted many businesses and those seeking to access services in almost every facet of life.  We are  currently seeking an individual to serve as our Parks & Recreation Program Assistant.  We have other openings as well:  DPW Operator/Laborer, full-time Police Officer.  While we are working hard to minimize disruptions in service, you may see some and we ask for your patience.  We also ask for your referrals of service-oriented individuals looking to join our wonderful community.  Our open positions listing can be found here.  Thank you!

STRATHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
The Stratham Historical Society is pleased to announce that nine graduating high school seniors are 2023 recipients of the Winfield L. Foote Scholarship.  These awards are made possible by the generosity of the late Mr. Winfield Foote, a long-time resident of Stratham and a strong supporter of The Stratham Historical Society.  All are graduates of SAU 16, and will be attending various colleges and universities this Fall.

• Audrey Bourn, Stratham
• Breck Cox, Newfields
• Ryan David Guerette, Stratham
• Nora Claire Hickey, Stratham
• Ella Horvath, Stratham
• Rachel Khoury, Stratham
• Lance Makabali, Stratham
• Charles Nutbrown, Exeter
• Owen Alexander O'Keefe, Stratham

CONGRATULATIONS to all nine of these very deserving students.  The Stratham Historical Society is particularly gratified to support their academic achievements in 2023, and wish them the very best in their next chapter.   
 

EAGLE SCOUT INSTALLS 911 MEMORIAL AT FIRE STATION
Eagle Scout Tyler Denton has completed the installation of a 911 Memorial at the Stratham Fire Station.  Tyler's work on this project will ensure that those that lost their lives that day will be remembered and honored.  Thank you Tyler.

VOLUNTEER FAIR RECAP
On Wednesday, June 28th, the Wiggin Memorial Library hosted a successful Volunteer Fair.  Area non-profits set up booths to give information on their valuable work and recruit volunteers to assist with their missions.