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September 25th Select Board Newsletter

Absentee Ballots Have Arrived and More Information
Posted on: September 25, 2020 - 2:54pm

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

  • Continuing Drought Conditions
  • Fire Danger
  • Did you know .... Political Advertising
  • Absentee Ballot Information
  • Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
  • Stratham and MS4:  Year 3
  • Welcome to Police Administrative Assistant Kate Drago
  • Planning Board Activity

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

SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS
We thank you for all your efforts to conserve water and your cooperation with the formal water restrictions.  Please visit our Drought Resource website for the latest drought update from NH DES, which includes a precipitation outlook. This week's update from DES advised that some "severe" areas of the state are being elevated to "extreme" drought status, including parts of Strafford and Rockingham Counties.  DES advised this week that well drillers are reporting long waits for their services, due to well owners seeking to remedy drought related water shortage and water quality issues.  Each step you take inside or outside your home to conserve water will help preserve the supply.

fire
FIRE DANGER
Last week the Fire Department issued a First Class 4 (Very High) Wildland Fire Danger warning.  Because of this, burn permits will not be issued until the danger level decreases.  It has steadily increased the last few days.  The current level is posted on the FD Facebook page daily.

DID YOU KNOW..... POLITICAL ADVERTISING
The Select Board and Town staff have developed a resource for those with questions about relevant laws, regulations and policies for political advertising (ex. placement of signs).  The resource is posted on the Town Clerk's website, under Political Advertising Information.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS HAVE ARRIVED
Absentee ballots have arrived and they will be mailed out in a timely manner for those residents that have already filled out the request.  For those residents that have not applied yet, you can fill out an application for an absentee ballot at the Town Clerk’s office, and then receive your ballot all on the same visit.  You can also mail in your application or drop it off in our drop box and we will mail out your ballot.

Reminder: residents who do not want to vote in person on Election Day (November 3rd) due to the pandemic can apply for an absentee ballot. 

You can pick up an absentee ballot application at our drop box by the front door of the Municipal Center, or you can download the form off of our website. 

The General Election on November 3rd will be held at the Stratham Memorial School, 39 Gifford Farm Rd. in Stratham from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY
Household hazardous waste collection day will be Saturday, October 17th from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Exeter Public Works Garage, Newfields Road (Rt 85).  Due to changes stemming from the COVID environment, online registration is required.  Register at:  https://publicinput.com/Exeter2020HHW 
Items such as rechargeable batteries, mercury thermometers, motor oil, pesticides, rust remover will be accepted.  Click here for details.

STRATHAM AND STORMWATER QUALITY (MS4 PERMIT) -  YEAR 3
Year three of the current NH Small MS4 General Permit is in full swing.  What is MS4? What’s going on? Please visit Stratham and MS4 to learn how you can be involved. This page provides background on the permit, a map of the MS4 area of Town, and key messaging that help us all participate in this program to keep our waters clean.  As the fall season arrives, remember we all play a part in assisting the Town comply with this EPA permit as you appropriately dispose of leaf and lawn debris.  Need help?  Here’s a link that provides some guidance: Yard Waste  Any questions or comments? Please contact Tavis Austin, AICP, Town Planner directly: taustin@strathamnh.gov

WELCOME KATE DRAGO TO POLICE DEPARTMENT
Recently, the Police Department welcomed it's new Administrative Assistant Kate Drago.  Kate has served in Police Departments previously in dispatch services and also served as an Executive Assistant to the Select Board and Town Administrator in the Town of Rye.  Kate we are excited to welcome you and to work with you.

PLANNING BOARD ACTIVITY 
The Planning Board extends a warm welcome to its newest member, Joe Anderson, who began his new term as an alternate member of the Planning Board in September.  The Planning Board is already considering proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that will ultimately be voted on at Town Meeting, 2021. Current activity is focused on revising the Gateway and Town Center Zoning Regulations as well as discussion of zoning amendments that will encourage adaptive re-use and preservation strategies for historic properties along the Route 33/Portsmouth Avenue corridor between Town Center and the Greenland town line.  Be sure to follow the upcoming Planning Board agendas to stay up to date on these exciting changes.  Any questions or comments? Please contact Tavis Austin, AICP, Town Planner directly: taustin@strathamnh.gov.