NEWS, UPDATES, & NOTICES

RADAR SPEED SIGN: Data Update

Since installing the radar speed sign on the paved portion of Joslin Road, data collected shows that:

• The daily number of cars traveling up Joslin Road from 12A averages 23. 
• 85% of vehicles did not exceed 25 mph (the minimum speed considered was 9 mph).  This indicates that the posted speed limit of 35 mph is set incorrectly in accordance with NH DOT recommendations and should be reviewed to determine whether it should be reset for safety, given the road’s step-and-curve profile. 
• The maximum inbound speed was 34 mph on February 1, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. 

The sign is being taken down and stored for the winter to prevent damage.  In the Spring, the plan is to install the sign on Pond Road.  

PUBLIC HEARING UPDATE: Proposed Permit Fee Schedule

The Surry Select Board held a public hearing on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, to receive public comment on a proposed update to the Town’s Permit Fee Schedule. At the conclusion of the hearing, a motion was made to proceed with placing the proposed Permit Fee Schedule before the voters at the March Town Meeting business session.

The proposed changes include:

• A residential construction fee of $0.20 per square foot
• A commercial construction fee of $0.30 per square foot
• A $60 minimum fee for all permit types

BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING:  January 13, 2026

The Surry Budget Committee will meet at the Town Hall on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 1 pm to consider the proposed 2026 town budget. 

All meetings are open to the public and subject to the provisions of NH RSA 91-A:2

SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST SESSION: January 20th, 2026 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Amendments to Zoning Ordinance

You are hereby notified of a Public Hearing to consider amendments to the Surry Zoning Ordinance and the Surry Steep Slopes Ordinance to be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Surry Town Hall, 1 Village Road, Surry, NH. 

The amendments to be considered are:

1. To amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article IV, Districts, B. District Boundaries, 4. by changing both sides of the Mine Ledge Road from Rural Residential to General Zone.
2. To amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article VI, Land and Space Requirements Table to increase the minimum lot size in the general zone from 2 acres to 5 acres; to increase the minimum lot width from 200 feet to 400 feet; to increase the minimum lot depth from 300 feet to 400 feet and to increase the minimum lot frontage from 200 feet to 400 feet.
3. To amend the Surry Steep Slopes Ordinance by increasing all references to slopes “20 percent or greater” to read slopes “15 percent or greater.”
4. To amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article VII, F. 5. to reduce the required minimum parking spaces from 2 to 1 for Accessory Dwelling Units.
5. To amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article V, Table of Use Regulations, A. Residential Use 3. Multi-Unit Dwelling to permit Multi-Unit Dwellings in the Commercial/Industrial Zone.
6. To amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article XV, Codes, A. to adopt the NH State Building Code in full.
7. To amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article XV, Codes, B. to adopt the NH State Fire Code.
8. To amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article IX, Administration, Enforcement and Penalty, D. to allow the building inspector to issue building permits and review design documents and to move the reference to permit fees from Article IX, B. to this article, and to increase the validity of building permits to up to 3 years.
9. To amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article IX, Administration, Enforcement, and Penalty, B. to remove the issuance of building permits from the duties of the Selectmen.

The following link will take you to a full copy of the proposed amendments, Proposed Amendments to Zoning 2025.  You can also find a full copy posted at the Town Hall.

DECLARATIONS OF CANDIDACY FILING PERIOD:  January 21 – January 30

Open Seats for March 2026 Town Elections

• Select Board | one seat |  3-year term
• Tax Collector | one seat |  3-year term
• Town Clerk | one seat |  3-year term
• Town Treasurer | one seat |  3-year term
• Town Auditor | one seat |  1-year term
• Trustees of the Trust Funds | one seat |  3-year term
• Cemetery Trustees | one seat |  3-year term
• Cemetery Trustees | one seat |  2-year term
• Planning Board | one seat |  3-year term
• Planning Board | one seat |  2-year term
• Supervisor of Checklist | one seat |  6-year term
• Budget Committee | one seat |  3-year term
• Fire Engineers| one seat |  3-year term
• School Board| two seats |  3-year term (newly added)

The Town Clerk will be available to accept declarations of candidacy at the Surry Town Hall on the following days.

• Thursday, January 22, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Monday, January 26, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Thursday, January 29, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Friday, January 30, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

All candidates filing on the last day must do so in person. RSA 669:19

DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY FORM – Rev 1.26 

TOWN CLERK – Surry Town Hall – 352-3075,  E-Mail: townclerk@surry.nh.gov

SELECTMEN’S MEETING CANCELLED: Workshop Scheduled 

The Selectmen’s standing meeting on Monday, January 19, 2026, is canceled following the NH Holiday Schedule honoring Martin Luther King Jr. In its place, the Select Board will hold a workshop, during which the Selectmen will discuss and prepare for the annual March Town Meeting.

All meetings are open to the public and subject to the provisions of NH RSA 91-A:2

MUNICIPAL AGENT FEES 2026: Vehicle Registration & Title Fee Adjustments

Beginning January 1, 2026, municipal agent service fees in New Hampshire will increase. This adjustment affects vehicle registrations, title services, and related transactions. The updated fees are set by state law to help cover administrative costs and ensure continued service at your local town or city clerk’s office.

The new fees include $35 for new or duplicate titles and $40 for distinctive titles or VIN issuance. The fee increases will apply to residents who renew registrations or request title services in 2026.

The following link will take you to a complete listing of the 2026 Municipal Agent Fee Schedule Fee Updates – Effective Jan 2026. 

MASTER PLAN: Final and Approved Copy Now Available

A new page has been added to the town’s website, featuring both information on what a master plan is and its importance to a community, along with a copy of the final, recently adopted and approved Town of Surry Master Plan.  To view the page and the plan, please use the following link: Master Plan

BUILDING PERMITS & CODES: Why do They Matter?

Building permits ensure construction in Surry is safe, legal, and protective of property values.

When you apply for a permit, your project is reviewed under the New Hampshire State Building Codes, along with any locally adopted building codes and zoning ordinances, to confirm that it:

• Meets local zoning and setback requirements.
• Complies with current safety and health standards.
• Preserves structural integrity and energy efficiency.
• Protects your investment and your neighbors’ property.

Obtaining a permit is a required and essential step in helping ensure your project meets state and local standards before work begins. Working without a permit can lead to fines, stop-work orders, removal of unapproved work, or problems when selling your home.

A new page has been added to the Town’s website answering questions such as:

• When is a Permit Required?
• What is the State Building Code?
• How does Surry’s Zoning Ordinance Come into Play?
• How to Apply for a Building Permit?
• What does the Construction Phase Look Like?

Here is the link to the new page: Building Permits – Information & FAQs

All meetings are open to the public and subject to the provisions of NH RSA 91-A:2 

NH Alerts is the State of New Hampshire’s official emergency and public notification system. This multi-channel platform enables public safety officials to quickly share critical information with the public using phone calls, text messages, emails, and app-based notifications. Whether it’s an emergency that requires immediate action or a community update, NH Alerts helps ensure that residents and visitors are informed and prepared.  To learn more about the program, you can click on the following link NH ALERTS.

Create an account and register for NH Alerts athttps://stateofnewhampshire.genasys.com/portal.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Division of Emergency Services and Communications’ Database Unit at desc.database@desc.nh.gov.

An additional resource to be aware of is the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).  The FEMA Mobile phone app allows you to receive real-time weather alterts, locate emergency shelters in your area, prepare for common hazards, and more.  The following link will direct you to the FEMA page, where you can find more information and download the application.  FEMA Mobile Products | FEMA.gov

To stay informed about important updates and events impacting the community, you will want to register for the Surry Newsletter.   Your phone number is optional but helpful.

After signing up, you’ll receive town updates only when needed — usually once or twice a month.

Registration Form