NEWS, UPDATES, & NOTICE
MASTER PLAN: Be Heard & Be A Part of Setting The Vision
The Master Plan Public Forum on Saturday, November 16, was a success! Representatives from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and the Southwest Region Planning Commission led the workshop using their experience and knowledge from assisting other towns.
During the forum, a large cross-section of the Surry residents shared their honest thoughts regarding the pros and cons of living in Surry today and, more importantly, their ideas and vision of what needs to change and what needs to be protected and preserved as we move forward as a community into the future. Scott Slattery from the NH Cooperative Extension will pull together the notes and comments taken during the meeting and create a report for the Master Plan Committee’s use.
Thanks again to all the residents who came out on Saturday. Your time, input, and willingness to both listen and speak out were greatly appreciated and needed.
If you missed the workshop and haven’t completed the online survey you received in the mail (see below), it’s still not too late to have your voice heard. Please complete the survey ASAP while there is still time!
BUDGET COMMITTEE: Vacancy Filled
Wayne Brown, Chairman, appointed Bruce Smith to fill the open vacancy on the Budget Committee. In addition to his Budget Committee responsibilities, Bruce will continue to support the Selectmen and other town officers in executing their financial reporting and control functions.
STANDING MEETING SCHEDULE: All meetings are open to the public & Subject to NH RSA 91-A:2
- SELECTMEN MEETING – Surry Town Hall
Mondays @ 7:00 pm - CONSERVATION COMMISSION – Surry Town Hall
First Monday of each month @ 7:00 pm - MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE – Surry Town Hall
Second Tuesday of each month @ 7:00 pm - PLANNING BOARD MEETING – Surry Town Hall
Fourth Wednesday of each month @ 7:00 pm - SURRY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING – Surry School
Third Monday of each month, @ 7:00 pm
NH State Holiday Closing Schedule: The Surry Town Hall is closed, and all standing meetings are canceled.
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS (ZBA): Decision Reached
The Tree Agents’ application to construct a 12-lot subdivision on Joslin Road included seven lots that did not meet road frontage requirements and eight that did not meet lot width requirements as specified by the Surry Zoning Ordinance. The applicant sought relief by variance from Article VI, land and space requirement of the Surry Zoning Ordinance.
Both sides of the issue were discussed during the well-attended public hearing held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Town Hall. After hearing all testimony and a lengthy deliberation of the facts by the Board, the ZBA declined to approve the variance.
REOPEN LOWER POND ROAD, Article 16: Completed
After many years of planning with just as many ups and downs, the repairs necessary to reopen Lower Pond Road have been completed. The final cost was well under the $188K allocated to the effort during the March 2024 Town Meeting, allowing the excess funds to remain in the unassigned fund balance.
A big thanks to MME Construction and the crew members who worked on the project.
REED FREE LIBRARY, SURRY NH: Opportunity – Seeking a new Library Director
The Reed Free Library seeks an enthusiastic person to help build dynamic engagement between the library and the community.
The position is permanent, part-time, 6-8 hours per week. You must be available on Mondays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m. and attend some meetings.
Further information regarding the pay, role, and requirements can be found by clicking the following link: LIBRARY DIRECTOR POSTING.
PAVING REPAIR: Hallwood Drive Completed
The paving repair work required at the end of Hallwood Drive has been completed. This is the final paving project scheduled for 2024.
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER: Who, What, and Why
Under RSA Chapter 128, ‘Relative to Town Health Officers,’ each New Hampshire town must nominate, support, and renew a health officer position every three years to enforce public health laws and protect citizens. The position was vacant in Surry for several years, but the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reminded us of this requirement. As a result, the Select Board took action to fill it.
As previously announced, John Davis applied, was nominated, and then appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner. Below is a brief recap of the position’s responsibilities.
- Performing sanitary inspections and inspections into causes of danger to public health (RSA 128);
- Enforcing state public health laws and local codes (RSA 128/ RSA 147);
- Enforce public health laws and local regulations that are under the authority of the local health officer.
- Conducts field investigations in schools, homes, neighborhoods, daycares, and restaurants for public health nuisances, sanitary conditions, septic failure, and water contamination events
- May make recommendations for local regulations to prevent and remove nuisances.
- Act as liaison between the Department of Health and Human Services and the town. Respond to questions and concerns from community members regarding public health.
- leadership regarding health messaging and local emergency planning and response
- Provide the community with educational material on public health issues.
SELECT BOARD’s MEETING MINUTES: Stay Informed
After approval, the weekly Select Board meeting minutes are posted and available for review at the town hall and on the town website Select Board Meeting Minutes.
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION – NEW TOWN EMAIL NOTIFICATION REGISTRATION – Action Needed
The Select Board are working to improve communications and keep the town informed about important updates and events impacting the community. I’m sure you have already noticed the changes to the website’s landing page, but to reach more people, we are now looking to establish an email distribution list that will allow us to send the information directly to you.
If you want to receive these updates, email townemail@surry.nh.gov from the email account where you would like to receive them. Please include your name (First and last) and your mailing address in the body of the email. Your phone number is optional.
Your email will trigger an automated response to confirm you’ve registered. If you don’t see the email in your Inbox after a few minutes, please check your Spam folder and flag it as “Not Spam” to prevent future emails from going there.
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