NEWS, UPDATES, & NOTICES

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NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETING: Planning Board

The April 15. 2026 meeting of the Surry Planning Board was adjourned to Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7:30 pm at the Surry Town Hall at which time the board will continue review of the application for an 11-lot subdivision on Joslin Road submitted by The Tree Agents, LLC. If the board accepts the application
as complete, the previously noticed public hearing will be immediately opened.

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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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SURRY COMMUNITY SPRING CLEAN-UP: A Success!

This year, the Town of Surry launched its first Community Spring Clean-Up.

On April 25th and 26th, multiple families and individuals came together to pick up litter along Surry’s roads. The results speak for themselves: approximately 450 pounds of trash were collected and disposed of, making a real difference in how our town looks and feels as we head into spring.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thank you to Caroll Lothrop for her help in coordinating the event. Your time and effort are a true reflection of the pride this community takes in the town we call home.

Given the enthusiastic response, the Town plans to make this an annual event. If you are interested in helping coordinate next year’s clean-up, please reach out to the Select Board at selectmen@surry.nh.gov.

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UPDATED NOTICE: Yearly Dog License

This is a reminder that all dogs should have been licensed by April 30th as required by New Hampshire state law (RSA 466:1). At the time of licensing, owners must also provide the clerk with verification from a licensed veterinarian that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies. Dogs registered after June 1 are subject to a $1 per month (or any part thereof) late payment charge (RSA 466:7).

If your dog is not licensed by July 6th, 2026, owners will be notified per NH State Law (RSA 466:13 & 14) and become subject to a $25.00 civil forfeiture fine, plus a service fee not to exceed the current USPS certified mail with return receipt rate. These charges are in addition to the regular yearly dog registration fee and are due within 15 days of receiving the notice. Don’t wait for a notice — by that point, the fines are mandatory and cannot be waived.

To prevent notices for dog(s) you no longer own, it is the responsibility of the owner to notify the clerk so that town records can be updated. Please email: townclerk@surry.nh.gov

The Town Clerk issues dog licenses during regular office hours: Monday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., and Thursday, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

A page outlining Dog Licensing requirements is available on the website: Dog License Requirements

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RADAR SPEED SIGN: Update on Pond Road

The Town’s radar speed sign has completed its first 30 days on Pond Road, wrapping up the initial data collection phase. The sign operated during this period in “spy mode” — recording traffic data without displaying speeds to passing drivers — allowing the Town to capture a baseline picture of typical driving behavior on Pond Road without influencing driver behavior. Here’s what the data showed:

• 86% of all vehicles were traveling at or below 35 mph
• The fastest recorded speed was 54 mph
• The average daily traffic volume was 64 vehicles

Starting in May, the sign has been switched out of spy mode and will now display vehicle speeds to passing drivers. The goal is to determine whether visual feedback affects driving behavior. At the end of May, the Town will review the updated data and compare it with the baseline to determine whether speeds have changed.

We’ll share those results in a future update.

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REED FREE LIBRARY: A Lot is Happening

The Surry Reed Free Library is off to a great start this spring under new Library Director Kelly Reeves, who has launched a monthly newsletter to keep the community informed about what’s happening at the library.

The April edition includes updates from Kelly, a look at new books available for all ages, and information on upcoming events—including plans to restart the Library’s monthly book club. If you enjoy reading and are interested in joining, now is a great time to get involved.

You’ll also find details on children’s story hour, craft nights, and how to access digital books through the Libby app.

Take a few minutes to check it out and see what the Library has to offer: This Month at the Library – April 2026

The Library continues to be a great local resource—stop in, get involved, and support this important part of our community.

 

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

GM2 Associates, Inc. held a Public Meeting on March 25, 2026, at the Town Hall to present the NH DOT’s design work for replacing the existing corrugated metal pipe culvert on Gilsum Road (Thompson Brook) with a poured concrete bridge. The Public Meeting was a follow-up to an earlier presentation they conducted at a Select Board meeting.

The scope of the project remains unchanged. The current metal culvert has multiple structural deficiencies and is nearing the end of its service life, necessitating replacement. The new structure would expand the hydraulic opening from 12 feet to 30 feet, improving flow capacity and passage for aquatic organisms. The project will result in Gilsum Road being closed at the bridge for approximately 6 weeks.

The project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2028.

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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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