NEWS, UPDATES, & NOTICES

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UPDATE: Court Upholds Zoning Board Decision on Joslin Road Subdivision

As previously reported, following the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s (ZBA) decision to deny the variance requests submitted by Tree Agent LLC for a proposed subdivision on Joslin Road, the applicant elected to proceed with a judicial appeal. 

A hearing on the matter was held on September 25, 2026, at the Hillsborough County Superior Court. The Town of Surry was represented by the law firm Drummond Woodsum. Attorneys for both parties presented their arguments and supporting information before the Court.

The Court’s ruling has been released, and the decision was to uphold the denial. The conclusion recorded on the final report reads as follows:

“In light of the foregoing, the Court finds that the ZBA’s decision was supported by reasonable and lawful grounds, see RSA 677.6, and was not produced in bad faith. As such, the ZBA/s decision is AFFIRMED, and the plaintiff’s appeal is DISMISSED SO ORDERED”.

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GM2 / NH DOT BRIDGE PROJECT: Gilsum Road over Thompson Brook

GM2 Associates, Inc. recently met with the Select Board to present the NH DOT’s early design work for replacing the existing corrugated metal pipe culvert on Gilsum Road (Thompson Brook) with a poured concrete bridge.

The current metal culvert has multiple structural deficiencies and is at the end of its service life, making replacement necessary. The new structure would expand the hydraulic opening from 12 feet to 30 feet, improving flow capacity and aquatic organism passage.

GM2 outlined two construction approaches:

1. Temporary Bridge (Two-Season Approach)
   Traffic remains open using a temporary bridge
   • Construction spans two seasons
2. Accelerated Construction (One-Season Closure)
   Gilsum Road would be closed at the bridge for roughly one month
   • Bridge completed within a single construction season

Those attending the meeting expressed their support for the accelerated construction option.

The project is scheduled to begin in 2028. Next steps include scheduling a Public Informational Meeting several months from now, where updated design details will be presented and additional feedback will be gathered.

Click the following link to view the full presentation GM2/NH DOT Bridge Project Presentation

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TOWN MEETING: Petitions to Amend Zoning or Building Code 

Monday, November 10, 2025, is the First day to accept petitions to amend zoning ordinance, historic district ordinance, or building code for consideration at the 2026 town meeting. [RSA 675:4-120 days before town meeting]

Wednesday, December 10, 2025, is the Last day to accept petitions to amend zoning ordinance, historic district ordinance, or building code for consideration at the 2026 town meeting. [RSA 675:4- 90 days before town meeting]

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NH MUNICIPAL TAX RATES:  NH Department of Revenue

The Department of Revenue has released the 2025 Municipal Tax Rates for all cities and towns in NH.  Sorting all reporting municipalities (120) from highest to lowest, Surry came in at 68. To see how Surry’s tax rate of $16.82 compares across the state, click on the following link NH Municipal Tax Rates 2025

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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

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RADAR SPEED SIGN: Data Update

Since installing the radar speed sign on Surry Dam Road, data collected shows that:

• The daily number of cars traveling up Surry Dam Road toward 12A averages 110. 
• 85% of the vehicles did not exceed 27 miles per hour (the minimum speed considered was 9 mph).  This indicates that the posted speed limit of 25 is correctly set in accordance with NH DOT recommendations.

• 1.7% of the cars were traveling at least 11 miles over the posted speed limit.
• The fastest speed clocked was 60 mph on November 22 at 1:30 a.m.

The sign was relocated on December 1st to Joslin Road; the primary reason for this placement is to gather data rather than speed control. To accomplish this, the sign will be on but will not display any speed data to the approaching vehicle.

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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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MUNICIPAL TAX RATE: 2025

Municipal Tax Rate
Expense Type	2023	2024	2025	Change (2025 vs 2024)
Municipal	$2.53	$0.69	$2.31	$1.62
County	$2.26	$2.22	$2.48	$0.26
Local Education	$9.98	$12.77	$10.90	($1.87)
State Education	$1.25	$1.14	$1.13	($0.01)
TOTAL	$16.02	$16.82	$16.82	$0.00

Good news – Surry’s property tax rate for 2025 remains unchanged from last year.   This year’s municipal expenses more accurately reflect their actual costs, while education expenses have decreased due to fewer students enrolled — allowing the overall tax rate to remain flat.

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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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.

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