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April 9th Select Board Newsletter

Posted on: April 6, 2021 - 7:56am

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Dear Stratham Residents,

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

  • Monitoring Drought Conditions
  • PFAS Remedial Action Plan Submitted
  • Library Reopens
  • Dog Licensing - April 30th Deadline
  • Stratham Roadside Clean Up Day - April 17th

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

NHDES – MOST OF NH IN PRE-DROUGHT CONDITION
The Town staff and Select Board have been monitoring the guidance of the NHDES Drought Management program, which advises that Stratham is within the designation of abnormally dry at this time. You may recall, last year (August 2020) the Town adopted a water restriction under RSA 41:11-d, which is in effect during drought conditions.   The state is said to be in another pre-drought condition, making the need to prepare by continuing to conserve water. The Board will be following and discussing the issue at upcoming Board meetings. Upon reentering drought status this year, the Board will look at reinstituting the water restrictions (level 1, 2 or 3).  Meanwhile, to learn more about best practices for your household or association when it comes to managing water use, please visit this state resource. Here is the latest monthly drought update (March 2021); to sign-up for these updates, please visit this sign-up page.

PFAS REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN SUBMITTED
On April 7, 2021, the Town submitted its Remedial Action Plan (RAP) as part of its response to the contamination around the Town’s Fire Station.  In addition, the 19 properties making up the Groundwater Management Zone have also been notified that our RAP and Groundwater Management Permit (GMP) application have been submitted.  The RAP can be found here.  The Town is now preparing to implement remediation activities at the affected properties (those with PFAS levels above drinking water standards), which will follow RAP approval by the State and likely include the installation of drinking water filtration systems.  To learn more, access the Town’s PFAS page.  Funding for this remediation was included in the past two year’s Capital Improvement Plan allocations (page 27).

LIBRARY REOPENS
The Wiggin Memorial Library has re-opened to walk-in customers.  A limited number of people will be allowed in the building at one time.  Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm and Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am - 12 pm and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. 

DOG LICENSING
Please don't forget to register your dogs by April 30th!  All dogs 4 months and older must be registered.  You can do this online, by mail or in person.  Follow this link for more information.

STRATHAM ROADSIDE CLEAN-UP DAY
The Stratham Conservation Commission will be conducting a town-wide Roadside Clean-up Day on Saturday, April 17, with a rain date of April 24, 2021.  The event is in need of individual volunteers as well as interested groups, and organizations and local businesses. Volunteers will meet at 9 am at the Stratham Hill Park Front Pavilion to sign in and receive instructions, trash bags, gloves, and safety vests. Volunteers may choose their own area or be assigned a roadway or other area in need of attention.

A great deal of debris can currently be seen along roadways. Last year the clean-up event was unable to be held because of the pandemic, so roadsides are now in need of even more attention before new seasonal growth begins. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions this year, the Commission will be unable to provide morning coffee and lunch.  The Conservation Commission will be assisted by the Stratham Highway Department in the collection of bags.

Those interested in picking up their own street but who are unable to participate on that day are also welcome to request a clean-up bag for advance pick-up.  Trash collection bags for this event are being provided by NH the Beautiful, a non-profit organization that promotes anti-litter and recycling programs.  This event is sponsored by Brad Jones Roofing, Casella Waste Management, and Lindt Chocolate.