November 17th Select Board Newsletter
Dear Stratham Residents,
Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham. In this edition:
- Regional School Board Vacancy
- Delay in Trash/Recycling Pick Up
- Meet & Greet Luncheon for Retirees and Senior Citizens
- Annual Tree Lighting
- Clerk's Corner
- Veterans Day Thank You
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
We wish you a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, peace and joy.
Please note: Town Offices will be closed on Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.
REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
The Exeter Region Cooperative School District has notified the Select Board of an upcoming vacancy on the ERCSD Board. Helen Joyce is resigning effective November 27th as she is moving out Town (to Exeter!). Ms. Joyce’s term expires in March 2024 and the NH State Law makes the Stratham Select Board the appointing authority following a vacancy in these circumstances.
The Select Board is intending to appoint a Stratham resident to this seat on December 4th, who will serve until March 2024. Residents who are interested should submit a Boards and Commission application by Friday November 30th to Executive Assistant Karen Richard at krichard@strathamnh.gov.
Please join us in thanking Helen Joyce for her years of hard work, dedication and commitment to our schools and community. Thank you Helen!
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - DELAY IN TRASH / RECYCLING PICK UP
The Thanksgiving holiday will only impact Thursday and Friday pick-ups. This means if your trash/recycling pick up is normally on Thursday, it will be Friday the week of Thanksgiving. Friday's pick-up will be on Saturday. Tuesday and Wednesday routes remain on their usual schedule.
CLERK'S CORNER
The Presidential Primary date has been set for January 23, 2024. Voting will take place at the Stratham Memorial School polls will be open from 7 am -7 pm.
Tax bills were mailed on 11/13 with a due date of 12/13. Tax Talk with the Tax Collector’s Office.
Yummy Yoga
Come join us for Yummy Yoga with Diane Smith, certified Yoga teacher and new Program Assistant for Stratham Parks & Recreation.
Enjoy gentle flow yoga geared specifically for those new to yoga or those who are interested in a gentle practice. This class incorporates simple flowing sequences to warm up the body, as well as slower paced movements focusing on alignment, strength, balance, and flexibility.
When: Thursday afternoons from 12:00-1:00PM. Starts on Thursday, December 7th
Where: Meeting Room A at the Stratham Municipal Center
Please register here
Meet & Greet Luncheon for Retirees and Senior Citizens
Please join us on Tuesday, December 5th from 11:30 am-1:30 pm at the Stratham Municipal Center to welcome Diane Smith, our newest member of the Stratham Parks & Recreation Department as our Program Assistant.
Diane is a Stratham resident who recently retired from 16 years of a Marketing Career at RiverWoods in Exeter. She understands the value of community and looks forward to meeting you to hear your thoughts and suggestions on how we can grow our Retired/Senior Programs. A lunch of sandwiches, salads and cookies will be provided.
We hope you will mark your calendars!! Please RSVP by December 1st to Zach Cherry via email zcherry@strathamnh.gov
ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING EVENT
Join us on Sunday, December 3rd promptly at 5pm at the Stratham Fire Station for our annual tree lighting event. Dress for the weather as this event is outdoors. Refreshments will be served! Great way to kick off the holiday season. All are welcome!
VETERANS DAY THANK YOU
The Town would like to express its appreciation for the Veterans Day ceremony organized by Geri Denton and Jeff Gallagher. It was a beautiful tribute honoring our country's veterans.
TRANSFER STATION:
- Winter operations begin on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
- The Transfer Station will be open the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00am - 4:00 pm until March 31, 2023.
- A permit is required to gain access to the facility. Permits can be purchased for $5.00 at the Transfer Station or the Town Clerk's Office.
- Checks Only! No cash payments are accepted. Any payments made at the Transfer Station must be by a properly written check in blue or black ink ONLY. Any other color ink used on a check will be declined.
WINTER OPERATIONS:
The DPW crew has been hard at work preparing all of our equipment and trucks for the upcoming winter season. We are ready to serve the residents of Stratham and look forward to a safe winter season.
How can you help?
You can help by reviewing the information below:
- Mailboxes – Although the crew does the best they can to avoid mailboxes while plowing, sometimes it is hard when winging back the snow and the mailbox becomes a casualty of this task. To assist with protecting the mailbox, be sure your mailbox door is closed. Here are some helpful guidelines from USPS.gov to follow when placing your mailbox:
- Position your mailbox 41″ to 45″ from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry.
- Place your mailbox 6″ to 8″ back from the curb/roadside
- Put your house or apartment number on the mailbox.
- Mailbox policy: https://www.strathamnh.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif5051/f/uploads/mailboxrep...
- Trash and Recycling - Residents are reminded that trash and recycling items placed at the curb must be accessible from the street side of the snow bank. In most cases, a “shelf” can be easily shoveled into the snow bank to provide a suitable spot for containers and bags, or items can be placed at the end of the driveway. Trash and recycling located behind snow banks will not be collected. Remember to place the bins 3 feet apart and have it curbside by 7am.
- Sand - Stratham residents can pick up free winter sand at the DPW yard at 70 Bunker Hill Avenue Monday through Friday from 7am to 3pm and during storm operations. The sand is located to the right when entering the parking lot from Stevens Park road.