September 13th Select Board Newsletter

September 13, 2019

Dear Stratham Residents,

Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham.  In this edition: Trick or Treat date set, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, PFAS Information Night Video and Resources, Town of Stratham Senior Services Discussion, Bike and Ped. and Traffic Safety advocacy opportunities 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

TRICK OR TREAT DAY
Trick or Treat day will be held on Wednesday, October 30th from 5:00 – 7:30 pm.  Please be safe and have fun!

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
The 2019 Household Hazardous Waste Collection day will be Saturday, October 19th from 8 am to 1.  Please bring your household hazardous waste to the Exeter Public Works Garage, Newfields Rd (Rt 85), Exeter.  Please note:  Newfields Rd (Rt 85) is ONE WAY, inbound from 101 (exit 10).  For more information, please go to: https://www.strathamnh.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif5051/f/uploads/hhw_flyer2...

PFAS IN TOWN CENTER INFORMATION NIGHT
On September 10, 2019, over 50 residents and property owners attended the Town’s PFAS in Town Center Informational night at the Municipal Center.  A video of the event along with the evening’s presentation are posted on the Town’s PFAS Resource. Meanwhile, a summary of the Q & A will be posted shortly. Thank you to all who attended.

Resource page: https://www.strathamnh.gov/home/news/updated-sept-11th-resource-page-res...

The Town’s consulting environmental engineer from Wilcox & Barton presented background information on the drinking water contamination discovered this late spring in Town Center and the steps taken since that time to investigate the source and extent of the contamination.  While the site investigation is still in progress at the Town’s fire station, results of the recently installed monitoring wells indicate higher level concentrations of PFAS than in surrounding properties.  The investigation will be concluding in several weeks and the results will be posted to the Resource page. 

EPA SEPTIC SMART WEEK, SEPT 16-20
During SepticSmart Week, EPA seeks to inform homeowners on proper septic system care and maintenance, assist local agencies in promoting homeowner education and awareness, and educate local decision makers about infrastructure options to improve and sustain their communities. Learn more at https://www.epa.gov/septic/septicsmart-week

ATTENTION STRATHAM SENIORS: AN INVITATION FROM PARKS & REC, THE LIBRARY AND STRATHAM FIRE
Please join us in an open dialogue to discuss current and future programming ideas for Stratham’s senior residents.  This will be a brainstorming session to develop near-term and future events and activities for those looking to live an active and healthy lifestyle here in Stratham.  Details are below.

Wednesday, September 25th
9 AM- 11 AM
Wiggin Memorial Library Meeting Room
Refreshments will be served

This discussion is hosted by Stratham Parks and Recreation, Wiggin Memorial Library and Stratham Fire Department

EDIT THE MAP: NHDOT STATEWIDE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLIST TRANSPORTATION
The Town’s Pedestrian & Cyclist Advocacy Committee is encouraging all Stratham residents to participate in data collection effort sponsored by the State of NH.   As the state moves forward with infrastructure projects on the many state–owned roadways in Town, we have the opportunity to better ensure all modes of transport figure in to their designs.  Would you like to see a better connection to Stratham Hill Park from the neighborhoods north of 33?  Do you think Bunker Hill Avenue could better accommodate pedestrians and bikes to access civic uses such as Stevens Park and our Municipal Center, including our Library?  Is the traffic circle configuration an impediment to your consideration of traveling on NH 33 or Rt. 108 via bicycle?

Please take time to explore the following link

https://nhpedbikeplan.altaplanning.cloud

Save the Date: Public meeting/Outreach event on NHDOT Statewide Pedestrian and Bicyclist Transportation Plan OCT 2, 6.30-8.30 Portsmouth Public Library. 

https://nhpedbikeplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8_Oct-2_NH-Meeting-...

TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITY: BUNKER HILL AVENUE INTERSECTION WITH PORTSMOUTH AVENUE (NH 108)
The Governor's Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT) is holding 19 Public Hearings across New Hampshire to review and receive input on the update of the State’s Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan (2019-2028).  The project to install a signal light at the corner of Bunker Hill Avenue and Portsmouth Avenue (NH 108) is in the plan (page 187) to be addressed at several upcoming public hearings:

Sept 23 at 6pm: Hampton - 170 Ocean Boulevard (Hampton Seashell Complex, Ocean Front Pavilion Room)

Oct 8 at 6pm: Portsmouth - 175 Parrott Avenue (Portsmouth Public Library, Levenson Room)

Oct 28 at 6pm: Kingston - Kingston Community Library (56 Church Street by GPS. Actual address: 2 Library Lane)

Inclusion of this project in the plan does not translate into funding directly, however showing support for the project from the public as part of this hearing process will help ensure resources are brought to this project sooner rather than later.  More information is below:

STRATHAM (41711) SIGNALIZATION, TURN LANES AND INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT AT THE NH108/ BUNKER HILL INTERSECTION can be found on page 187 of this .pdf (page 174 of the plan itself)

https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/typ/documents/TYP...

More information about the Ten Year Plan can be found at this link:

https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/typ/index.htm

The new GACIT plan is out (August 12) for FY 21-31 from the State:

https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/typ/documents/8.1...

Here is a list of the GACIT public hearings:

https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/typ/documents/8.2...

MASTER PLAN PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 16TH
The Planning Board has set a public hearing date for the Master Plan for this October 16, 2019 at 7 PM.  A new illustrated draft of the plan will be available prior to the October 16th public hearing (the availability of which will be advertised widely via this newsletter and other modes); meanwhile the most current draft of the plan’s written content is available at Strathamplan.com and the Town’s website.  The Planning Board encourages the public’s review of the draft plan and attendance at the upcoming public hearing.  Participation is also welcome via written submission through the comment form at the website.

PUBLIC WORKSHOPS ON COASTAL FLOOD RISKS
Two workshops are being held Sept. 10 and 11 to gather public input on a new draft of the New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary prepared by the N.H. Department of Environmental Services.

The first workshop will be held Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m. at the Seacoast Science Center, 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye. The second will be Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 4:45 to 7:30 p.m. at the Newmarket Millspace, 55 Main St. Public comment can be made online through Sept. 30.

For more information, visit the New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary (https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/coastal/flood-ri...), call Nathalie Morison, coastal resilience specialist, at (603) 559-0029 or email nathalie.morison@des.nh.gov