June 7th Select Board Newsletter
June 7, 2019
Dear Stratham Residents,
Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham. In this edition: volunteer opportunities in Land Use and other areas, summer reading program and magic at the Library (more than usual), updates on curbside collection next steps and PFAS in Town Center, …. and more.
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
UPDATE: FUTURE OF THE CURBSIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM
The 2019 Town Meeting authorized the expenditure of up to $365,000 to facilitate the transition to an automated curbside collection program. At Town Meeting the community asked many good and detailed questions about the proposed collection program. While the Town staff and Select Board have discussed many options moving forward for a final program design, more input is needed in shaping the eventual program. As a result, the Select Board is forming an Advisory Committee to serve as a channel for public input and to assist the Select Board in further defining the program and the future of recycling in Stratham.
Please stay tuned to this newsletter for more information and opportunities to provide your input on the issue in meetings and forums sponsored by the Committee.
UPDATE RE: PFAS IN TOWN CENTER
The Select Board continues to work with NH DES in follow-up to the contamination detected in several wells in the Town Center. The Town is engaging a professional engineer to carry out a focused site investigation in order to establish the extent of contamination in the vicinity of the Fire Station as directed by DES as well as to ascribe potential sources and route cause. Stratham joins at least ten other communities in the state that are working through similar processes with DES in follow-up to PFAS contamination surrounding Fire Stations. Work on the focused site investigation is due to begin in the coming week. Please stay tuned for more updates in this newsletter as well as the Town’s resource page below:
LAND USE BOARD VACANCIES – HELP WANTED!
The Town has vacancies for regular and alternate positions on our land use boards. Our land use boards, in conjunction with Town Planning staff, administer the Town’s zoning ordinance and subdivision and site plan regulations to help ensure quality development and redevelopment. In addition, the Planning Board crafts the Town’s Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan – among other planning initiatives for the Town. Below is a summary of current vacancies that may be of interest any residents who has an interest in planning, design, transportation, environmental stewardship, community and public service!:
Planning Board (meet 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month):
• 2 Regular Members
• 1 Alternate Member
Zoning Board of Adjustment (meet 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month):
• 1 Regular Member
• 2 Alternate Members
Rockingham Planning Commission (details on their website)
• 1 Regular Member
• 1 Alternate Member
Please to contact Tavis Austin, Town Planner with any questions you may have at taustin@strathamnh.gov or 603-772-7391 x180. We look forward to working with you!
ADDITIONAL 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:
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
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
LIBRARY
Library Summer Reading Kickoff: Magic Show
Wednesday June 19th @ 5:30 PM Community Room A and B, Stratham Municipal Center
Add a little magic to your summer! Kick off summer reading at the library with us and enjoy an all-ages magic event, starring Magic by George! George the magician will amaze and astound audiences. Summer reading materials and registration will be available at this event. So stop in, have fun, and learn about all the excitement happening at the library this summer! Thank you to the Friends of Wiggin Memorial Library for sponsoring this event. Check the library website for more info www.library.strathamnh.gov