Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions below, you could try searching the site
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Our Top
15
Inquiries
Where do we vote in Windham, and what hours are the polls open?
Voting takes place at Windham High School,
and the polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Is
municipal water and/or sewer available in Windham?
No. All properties in Windham are on private septic systems.
With the exception of some limited areas in Town on community wells serviced by Pennichuck Waterworks
(882- 5191), all are also on private wells.
Is
there municipal trash pickup in Windham?
No. Residents may transport their trash to the Transfer/Recycling
Station, or contract pickup with a private company.
Do
the Selectmen have office hours and, if not, how do I contact them with my
question or concern?
The members of the
Board of Selectmen are not regularly in the office, however, any
concerns can be handled by the Administrative staff and/or the Town
Administrator. If listed in the local telephone
directory, the Selectmen may be reached at their homes, if desired.
How will I know when the Town Offices are closed?
Most departments, with the exception of the Police and
Fire, are closed on all federally observed holidays. Any unexpected closings will be posted, at a minimum,
here on the official website.
When
will I receive my tax bill? What
period of time does my tax bill cover?
Tax bills are mailed
twice a year, generally in June and November, and are due 30 days from
the date of notice. Property taxes are
assessed as of April 1 each year, and the tax bills represent an entire
year billed in two (2) installments.
How
do I get a pass for the Town Beach?
Passes are available
to Windham residents at the beach. There is no charge, however proof of
residency must be presented (i.e. tax bill, vehicle registration, etc.)
How
long is the paved walking area at Griffin Park?
Walking around the
"Figure 8", the length is a 10th or two over a mile. The
perimeter is just under.
Who
do I contact to rent the Town Hall meeting room?
Contact the
Administrative Offices at (603) 432-7732.
Can
I reserve the Town Common for my wedding?
As town-owned land,
the Common is public property and cannot be exclusively reserved for
private functions. You are welcome to conduct your ceremony there if
you'd like, but we cannot prevent other individuals from using the area
simultaneously.
I
want to have a yard sale. Do I need a permit?
Yard
sales do not require a permit.
My
High School student needs to do some community service. Can the Town help?
If work is available,
the Town of Windham is usually able to help fill your student's service
needs. Please contact Maintenance Supervisor, Al Barlow at (603) 234-4468
for more information.
I attended/graduated from Castle Junior
College, which has since closed. Can the Town help me obtain my
transcripts?
No, we can't.
However, if you contact the Administration Office of the Sisters of
Mercy at (603) 893-6550, they can assist you.
Is hunting allowed on Town Conservation Land?
Yes, with the exception of
Deer Leap and
Foster's Pond; subject to adherence to all other regulations. See
the
NH Fish and Game Hunting site for more information.
I need a passport. Can I get the paperwork
from the Town?
No. Applications for new/renewal passports
are available from the Salem NH Post Office. You may
contact them at 685-2005 for more information.
Animal Control Issues
How do I report animal control issues?
Animal Control concerns should be reported to the Windham
Police Dispatch at 434-5577; and each will then be forwarded on to the
Animal Control Officer.
Does the Town have a leash law?
No. The Town has adopted the provisions of RSA 466:30-a "Dog
Control Law".
In addition, there are town-specific ordinances regarding
dogs on Town property
Does the Town have a nuisance law?
NH RSA's
466:31 and
466:31-a define nuisance offenses and related penalties.
Where can I get my plot plan, tax map or property card?
Plot plans, when available, can be obtained at the Planning and Development
Department. Copies of tax maps can be obtained from the Assessor's
Office, and you may print a copy of your property card via a self-service terminal.
How do I get an abutter list?
Abutter lists are required by the Planning & Development
Department for certain projects in Windham. First, obtain a list of lots
for which you need the owners' name from the Planning and Development
Department, then that owner information may be obtained via the
self-service terminal mentioned above.
How do I file for a property tax abatement?
You may not file for an abatement until after the final (December)
tax bill has been received. Abatement applications will be available at the
Assessor's Office, and must be filed by March 1 to be eligible for
consideration.
What are the requirements for an elderly or veterans exemption?
There are a number of
requirements which must be met in order to qualify for exemptions or
credits. Please contact the Assessing Department at (603) 434-7530 for
further information.
What hours are you open?
From 8am to 4pm, Monday-Friday. Our address is 3
North Lowell Road, and we are located next to the Town Hall above
the old fire station.
What type of information do you have on my property?
The Department has a file on every property in Town.
These files may contain any building, plumbing, and electrical
permits, as well as any inspection reports for work done. We also
may have information on your well and septic systems, your property
boundaries, and the locations of any wetlands on your property.
What time do you do inspections?
Inspections are done daily, except Wednesdays or
during severe weather, between 10:00am and
2:00pm and require at least a 24 hour advance notice. To schedule an
inspection please call the Community Development Department at
603-432-3806. In order to schedule an inspection we will need the
address, permit number, and lot number. The building inspector
will not enter an occupied home to do an inspection unless someone
is onsite.
How do I find out the zoning requirements of my property?
The full zoning requirements can be found
here, or at the
Community Development Department.
What are the minimum requirements for a buildable lot?
The minimum requirements are 50,000 square feet with 175 feet of
frontage, which are soil and slope dependent. The exception to these
requirements are our open space developments, which require only 30,000
square feet and 60 feet of frontage.
What are the setback areas for structures on a lot?
30' setback from the side and rear lot lines and 50'
setback from the front lot line.
Open Space developments have 15' side and rear lot
line setbacks and 20' setbacks from the front lot line.
Waterfront lots have a 50' setback from the road and
50' setback from the reference line of the water. There are
additional State requirements the NH Department of Environmental
Services should be contacted.
What does WWPD stand for?
Wetland and Watershed Protection District.
Can you build in the WWPD?
A special permit from the Planning Board is required
for excavation, filling, drainage, stump removal, or otherwise
altering the surface configuration of the land located in the WWPD.
Do I need a permit for an above ground pool or hot
tub?
A building permit is needed for both and a licensed
electrician needs to apply for an electric permit.
Do I need a permit for wood stove, new boiler, gas or
oil?
The Windham Fire Dept (434-4907) issues these
permits.
Do I need a permit to finish an attic or basement?
A building permit is required for both. You may need
an electrical and plumbing permit as well. Call the building
department for more information.
Do I need a permit for a fence or a shed?
A shed is considered a structure and needs a permit,
as well as meeting all setback requirements. A fence permit is also
required.
Fire Department
Am I
permitted to burn brush?
Generally, you can only burn
brush when it is raining out or with sufficient snow cover, and during the
hours of 9am to 5pm. A permit is required. Please contact the Fire Station during regular business hours
at (603) 434-4907 for more information.
Is trash burning permitted?
No. As of January 1, 2003, the State of NH no longer allows
distribution of incinerator permits.
What kind of permits can I/must
I get at the Fire Station?
Click
here for a list of permits that are available during regular
business hours at the Fire Station.
Does the Fire Department have personal flotation devices available
for public use?
Yes. Residents can come to the Fire Station during regular
business hours, present their driver's license, and borrow a device.
Is there a boating safety course available at the Fire Department?
No, but safety courses are
offered by the NH Marine Patrol. Click here for
more information.
Is there an OHRV safety course available at the Fire Department?
No, but click here for information regarding the safety courses
offered by
the NH Fish & Game Department.
I'm new to Town, and need to
speak to someone about an issue with my street's maintenance. Who do I
contact?
First, please check
here to verify
that your road is not a private or State-owned roadway. If it is owned
by the State, please contact Division 5. If it is not listed as a
private road, contact the Highway Agent, Jack McCartney, at (603) 965-1211.
The street sign/stop sign/other
sign for my road has disappeared. Who do I contact to get
it replaced?
Contact the Highway Agent at
the above number, or the Administrative Offices at
(603) 432-7732.
Who do I contact to report a safety concern
(ie: lowering speed limits/visibility issues) pertaining to a Town road?
Safety concerns and suggestions for improvement should be directed to
the Highway Safety Committee.
Who can apply for welfare services?
Windham residents in financial need may be eligible for assistance
and should contact
Kathy
Davis, Human Resource Coordinator at (603) 432-7732 for
application information. All information is held strictly confidential.
What kind of assistance does the Town offer?
Assistance to qualified individuals varies, but may include food/fuel
vouchers, rent/mortgage assistance, prescription assistance, and/or
utility assistance.
Does the Town offer assistance with security deposits?
Yes. Qualified individuals my be eligible for assistance with security
deposits when relocating.
Where can I apply for fuel assistance?
More information about the NH Fuel Assistance Program can be found
here.
How do I get transportation assistance?
The Town of Windham has a 15-passenger van staffed by volunteer
drivers, which provides transportation to and from doctor appointments,
etc, to Windham's senior and disabled residents. The van also makes a
weekly shopping trip to Wal-Mart each Wednesday. For more information,
contact
Kathy Davis
at (603) 432-7732.
Does the Police Department do fingerprinting for children?
Not generally. In keeping with the latest technology, the Department
has moved to offering free DNA kits for child identification. Contact
Chief
Lewis at (603) 434-5577 for further information.
Does the Police Department offer any self-defense courses?
Yes. The Department periodically offers Rape Assault and Defense (RAD)
training for women and children For more information, contact
Sergeant
Carl Wagner at (603) 434-5577.
Who mows/maintains the
athletic fields in Town?
Field maintenance is contracted out to various local contractors with
oversight by the Town's Recreation and Maintenance Departments.
How do I reserve a field for a game/group function?
Contact the Recreation
Coordinator,
Cheryl Haas at 965-1208.
How do I find out about recreational activities/programs going on in
Town?
Information about various
recreational items can be found here
and
here.
Solid Waste/Recycling
Does the Town allow disposal of brush, stumps and logs?
Brush within a certain size is
acceptable. Please visit the Highway
Department page for more information. Stumps, logs, and oversized
brush are not accepted at the Marblehead landfill/yard waste
site. Residents may use a commercial facility such as M&R Wood
Recycling in Derry, (603) 425-0300, or obtain an open burn permit through
the Fire Department.
Does the Town allow disposal of household hazardous waste?
These items are not acceptable at the
Transfer/Recycling
Station, however, collection events are offered regionally several times each year. Please
visit the Nashua Regional
Planning Commission site for more information, or contact
the City of Nashua Public Works at (603) 589-3410 for more
information. Pamphlets are also available at the Windham Transfer/Recycling
Station.
Does the Town allow disposal of demolition/construction debris?
Disposal of such debris is a non-limited free service for Windham residents
only, and no scale weight or demo ticket is necessary. All
commercial contractors, however, must be weighed and pay for weight.
How often do I need to register my dog?
Dog licenses, which are required by State statue, expire on April 30
of each year. To register or renew your dog license, You will need to
bring proof of rabies vaccination. Fees are based on whether the
dog is neutered/spayed or not. Senior owners are eligible for a reduced
licensing fee.
Do I have to come to Windham Town Hall to register my car?
Not always. Residents have three (3)
options for renewing their vehicle registrations:
-
Online via
E-Reg.
-
By mail utilizing the renewal notice you received
from our office. Return the mailer with two (2) separate checks,
along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, and we will mail your
updated registration back to you.
-
Coming in to the office during normal business
hours.
All new motor vehicle registrations must be started
in person at the Town Clerk's
office, so we can process any necessary title paperwork and hand
you your new plates and registration. Please note that some registrations
(i.e. veteran plates) must be completed with the State of NH. New residents
can find more information here.
On my motor vehicle registration, why
is the Town portion a dollar more?
The dollar was added years ago for a mail
in fee. The Town Clerks office is responsible for sending out renewal
notices monthly and sending up batch work to the State daily. This
dollar is the effort to offset the costs.
Do you offer Notary Services?
Yes, there are three notaries available
Mondays 8:00am - 7:00pm, Tues-Fri 8:00-4:00pm, and the last Saturday of
the month (exception of Holidays) 9am-12pm.
How soon before my wedding should I obtain a marriage certificate,
and do we need a blood test?
New Hampshire does not
require a blood test. You may take you license with you after completing
the application, and it will remain valid for 90
days. (Please note that you should plan to arrive at the Town Clerk's
Office at least a half hour before our closing to obtain your license,
as it will take some time to complete the paperwork. Thank you.)
I just had a baby. What do I need to do in order to
obtain a birth certificate?
Congratulations! Your baby's original birth certificate will be
issued by the Town where the birth occurred. If your child was born in
NH, subsequent certified
copies may be obtained at the Town Clerk's office.
How do I register to vote?
There are three ways to register to vote in Windham. 1) You may
register at the Town Clerk's during regular business hours up to ten
(10) days before the election. 2) You may register with the Supervisors
of the Checklist during one of their posted sessions. 3) You may
register at the polls the day of the election. The Supervisors generally
require proof of residency and proof of citizenship such as a birth
certificate/passport at the time of registration. Naturalized citizens must present their
naturalization papers.
