NEWS, UPDATES, & NOTICES

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COMMUNITY POTLUCK – SATURDAY, JUNE 20th: Celebrate America’s 250th with Your Neighbors!

Hello Surry!  Join us on Saturday, June 20th, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall for our Community Potluck — and this year we have something extra special to celebrate!

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, and what better way to mark the occasion than gathering together as a community to share food, stories, and good company. Small towns like Surry are the heart of what makes this country great — so let’s celebrate that together!

Kids can play! Old friends can catch up! New neighbors can introduce themselves! It’s the original FaceTime — no WiFi required!

Bring a dish to share if you’d like — red, white, and blue inspired if you’re feeling festive — but don’t worry if you come empty handed. All are welcome!

For more information, please reach out to Beth Leinau at shadowdragon39@gmail.com.

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FARM ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Update

Great news for Farm Road — improvement work is scheduled to begin the week of June 15, weather permitting!

Residents and travelers on Farm Road should expect occasional brief traffic delays when gravel is being dropped and spread. Any delays you experience should be brief — approximately 10 minutes — while the crew lays fabric and spreads gravel. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve this important town road.

Construction is being performed by Frank Lucius Construction Co. LLC, and we look forward to seeing this project take shape.

Questions or concerns are always welcome — just reach out to the Select Board at selectmen@surry.nh.gov.

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SURRY NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY NOW AVAILABLE: Conservation Commission

The Surry Conservation Commission has completed a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) for the Town of Surry — a comprehensive planning document that maps and describes the town’s natural environment to support informed land use decisions.

Prepared by Moosewood Ecological LLC of Chesterfield, NH and financed through the Surry Conservation Fund, the project included authorized field visits to ten Surry properties along with extensive use of state and national databases. The findings reflect the extraordinary richness of Surry’s forests, wetlands, streams, and farmlands — over 1,400 individual species were identified within town boundaries.

The NRI is a planning tool that shows what we have, what is special, and what deserves protection as the town navigates decisions about housing, development, and preserving Surry’s rural character. It can be used by the Select Board, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and individual landowners alike.

The full report is available here: Surry NRI Final Report Moosewood Ecological 5-2-2026

A public meeting will be held in September for residents to learn more about the findings. The Conservation Commission welcomes questions and comments at conservation@surry.nh.gov.

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GET INVOLVED: Serve as Surry’s Town Auditor

The Town of Surry is seeking a dedicated community member to serve as Town Auditor. This is a meaningful volunteer role that directly supports transparency and fiscal accountability in your local government. If you have an interest in public finance, accounting, or simply want to make a tangible contribution to Surry, we encourage you to step forward.

No professional credentials are required — just a willingness to serve and follow a structured state-guided process. To learn more about the role, see the attached link: Surry Town Auditor Posting

For a more detailed look into what is involved, here is a link to the NH Department of Revenue Publication: Handbook for locally elected auditors.pdf

Interested?

Contact the Select Board at selectmen@surry.nh.gov. 

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DOG LICENSE: The Clock Is Ticking

If your dog isn’t licensed yet, now is the time to act. The April 30th deadline has passed, and starting June 1st, a $1 per month late fee begins accumulating on any unlicensed dog (RSA 466:7).  The latest list shows there are still ninety (90) unlicensed dogs.

More importantly, if your dog remains unlicensed after July 6th, 2026, the Town Clerk is required by state law to issue a formal notice carrying a $25.00 civil forfeiture fine plus the cost of certified mail — charges are mandatory and cannot be waived once issued (RSA 466:13 & 14).  Failure to comply with the state law may ultimately result in a court summons.

Licensing is quick and easy. Bring a current rabies vaccination certificate to the Town Clerk’s office during regular hours — Monday, 3–6 p.m. or Thursday, 5–7 p.m. — and you’re done.

If you no longer own your dog, please let the clerk know so town records can be updated and you won’t receive notices. Email townclerk@surry.nh.gov.

Full licensing requirements are available at Dog License Requirements.

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THE TREE AGENTS, LLC SUBDIVISION: Update

The Planning Board continues its review of the proposed 11-lot subdivision application submitted by The Tree Agents, LLC for property located on Joslin Road.

The Board held meetings on April 15 and May 20 to review the application and determine whether it met the requirements for a complete submission. Following the acceptance of the application at the May 20 meeting, the public hearing was opened, where a number of thoughtful public comments and concerns were raised. After all comments were heard, the chairman closed the public hearing.

On May 26, members of the Planning Board and Conservation Commission joined the applicant’s engineer for a site walk to gain a firsthand understanding of the property, proposed improvements, and site conditions.

The next Planning Board meeting to continue the discussion of the application is scheduled for: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. Surry Town Hall

This meeting is open to the public in accordance with RSA 91-A.

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SURRY ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: 2026 Update

The Select Board has approved several road improvement and paving projects for 2026, continuing the town’s commitment to maintaining and upgrading Surry’s roads and infrastructure.

Projects include:

• Old Walpole Road – Completion of paving on the remaining top section
• Town Hall Parking Lot – Paving of the parking area
• Lower Pond Road – Installation of a paved apron at the top of the road
• Farm Road – Upgrading the first 1,800 feet coming off Old Walpole to improve drainage and overall road condition

Based on accepted bids, the total cost of all four projects is expected to come in at or below the Board’s approved budget of $130,000. Residents in these areas can expect work to be scheduled throughout the year, with more specific timing communicated as projects get underway.

Questions? Reach out to the Select Board at selectmen@surry.nh.gov.

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RADAR SPEED SIGN: Update on Pond Road

The Town’s radar speed sign spent the month of May on Pond Road in active mode, displaying vehicle speeds to passing drivers. If you remember, in April, the sign was operating in “spy mode” — recording traffic data without displaying speeds — giving the Town a baseline picture of typical driving behavior without influencing it. Here’s how May compared:

• The 85th percentile speed (the speed at or below which 85% of vehicles were traveling) dropped from 35 mph in April to 32 mph in May — a tangible sign that displaying speeds is having an effect
• The fastest recorded speed dropped from 54 mph in April to 48 mph in May
• The average daily traffic volume increased from 64 to 74 vehicles — making the speed reduction even more notable

The sign will continue to rotate to various roads in town throughout the year.

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SELECT BOARD OVERVIEW: Refreshed Page

The Select Board is pleased to announce an update to its Overview page on the Surry town website. The refresh provides residents with a clear, accurate, and plain-language explanation of the Board’s role, authority, and operating procedures — all grounded in current New Hampshire state law.

What’s on the Updated Page

The overview covers the full picture of how the Select Board functions as the governing body of Surry’s municipal government, including:

• The Board’s authority under RSA 41:8 and how decisions must be made collectively by majority vote
• The role of the Chair, including meeting leadership, signing authority, and representing the Board at public events
• The Board’s specific statutory responsibilities — from financial oversight and highway management to licensing and property appraisal
• Meeting logistics, including how to submit agenda items by the Thursday deadline
• Resident rights under the NH Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A), including the right to attend, observe, and record all public meetings
• How meeting minutes are prepared, made available, and posted following approval

Why It Matters

Local government works best when residents understand how it operates. The Select Board encourages all residents to familiarize themselves with this information — not just to know your rights, but to know how to engage effectively with your town government.

Visit the updated Select Board Overview page at Select Board Overview

All Select Board meetings are open to the public and held on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. Meeting agendas are posted in advance at Select Board Meeting Agenda.

Questions? Contact the Select Board at selectmen@surry.nh.gov

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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 

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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

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