Frequently Asked Questions

The first thing that you should do is ask yourself if you could sell the property for approximately that amount.

You can review the information that the Assessing Department has collected on your property to make sure the data is accurate. The information is available online, or it can be reviewed at the Assessor's Office. While reviewing your property, you should make sure that all measurements on the sketch are accurate. Please note that all measurements are taken from the exterior. You should also check the land size and interior data to ensure accuracy.

Make sure that you choose recent sales that are similar to your own property. For instance, if you owned a 2,000 square foot Colonial that is assessed for $350,000 and has ½ acre of land, you would look for similar properties in Town. You can research sales in the assessing office to find properties that are located as close to your property as possible before you make any comparisons. If you know of any properties that sold in your area, you can access these properties in the database.

If you do not have any recent sales activity in your local area, you can look up the assessed value of similar parcels that are located near your property. Please be aware that what may appear to be a similar parcel may in fact be very different from your property.

If you are concerned that your taxes are going to double because your property value has doubled, that is not the case. Since everyone else's property value is also rising, the tax rate usually drops proportionally to the amount of total increase in a City or Town's total value.

If you are concerned that your taxes are going to double because your property value has doubled, that is not the case. Since everyone else's property value is also rising, the tax rate usually drops proportionally to the amount of total increase in a City or Town's total value.

Abutters are notified once in accordance with RSA 675:7, ten days prior to the first public hearing. If a hearing requires a second, third, or subsequent public hearings, an abutter must check the official town postings at (1) The Planning Board's page on the town's website, (2) Town Hall, (3) The Pelham Library, to find out when the next public hearing will occur. If a plan undergoes a significant design change during the planning process, the Planning Board may deem it necessary to re-notify the list of abutters by certified mail.

A typical subdivision will be reviewed over the course of 2 to 3 public meetings. This permits the Planning Board and Conservation Commission ample time to review the plans, conduct a site walk, involve the town's engineering firm to review for zoning and ordinance compliance, and hear abutter and general public concerns before taking a final vote. For administrative or simple boundary line changes, the entire process may occur during a single public hearing.

Every landowner has a constitutional right allowing them to develop the land that they own. The Planning Department must work within the specific Federal, State, and Town regulations that address growth controls and act accordingly within that law. An abutter has several opportunities during the Public Hearing process to voice concerns about a given subdivision that may alter the final design or decision.

There is a wealth of information available on the Internet via the WWW state and federal agencies. Start with the Pelham Planning Department Home page and review the content there. Use the Planning Related Links page to link you to other important state and federal sites. Free Internet access is available at the Pelham Public Library.

Public input occurs during Public Hearings for all land use boards, including the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Conservation Commission, and during the site walks as noted previously. Each respective land use board may review the proposed plan over the course of several Public Hearings. If you are unable to attend a Public Hearing, consider writing a letter to the Planning Director prior to the meeting. The respective board chairman will read your letter aloud into the record.

As an abutter, the Planning Board is interested in hearing your favorable or opposing views, alternative plan options, and questions on issues with respect to the property under development. Often, the best alternative plans come from abutters who understand the area and what will and won’t work in a given area. 

Review Article II of the Pelham Site Plan Regulations (available online) for complete, detailed proceedings. The applicant must first develop a set of plans in accordance with Town, State, and Federal laws. Upon completion of a complete set of plans, the applicant files an application to be placed on the Planning Board agenda. The steps described herein are intended to summarize the general process flow and should not be construed as a complete list of steps required to have an application approved.

Some of the most effective things an abutter can do are described.

The Town of Pelham does not provide any warranties or guarantees between a developer and a residential homeowner. A developer must comply with all Federal, State, and Local laws, be fully insured, and must use a state-licensed explosives (blasting) firm. The explosives firm will conduct an inventory of affected properties within the blasting zone, and if deemed necessary, work with individual property owners to document all conditions prior to blasting. Typically, house foundations, well quality, well quantity, window conditions, pools, or other similar structures are photographed, documented, and/or tested. If you are an abutter to an approved development where blasting will occur, or if you live near enough that you have a concern, you should contact the developer directly and request that your property be included in the list of structures to be documented prior to blasting. Should any damage occur, the burden of proof is on the homeowner to show that the damage occurred as a direct result of the development blasting. With today's blasting technologies, any post-blast structural damage to existing buildings is very rare.

To get a tour of the fire station, just come down and visit us. You may want to call ahead to make sure that we are not out on a call or in training, though.

To become a firefighter in the state of New Hampshire, you must obtain the Pro-Board certifications of Firefighter 1 and 2 programs. These are entry-level courses that teach students the fundamentals of the fire service. Information on these courses can be found on the FSTEMS New Hampshire website, along with any additional information.

The following dates are for upcoming CPR classes for 2026. If you are interested in signing up, please contact the fire department here or at 603-635-2703:

March 16, 2026

May 11, 2026

July 13, 2026

September 14, 2026

November 2, 2026

When the Pelham Fire Department is dispatched on a medical call, an Engine will go on the call with the Ambulance in order to help the Ambulance crew with carrying equipment, setting up equipment, moving the patient to the Ambulance, etc. In Pelham, you will generally, depending on staffing, get 2 Firefighter/AEMTs on the Ambulance and 3 Firefighter/AEMTs on the Engine. This allows us to treat the patient to the best of our abilities.

The state of New Hampshire uses the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians to certify for the 3 levels of EMT. EMT is the first official level of EMT in the state. EMT allows you, once you have applied and been granted a NH Ambulance Providers License, the ability to work on an ambulance. EMTs are very limited in their skills and can only perform basic life support functions. An Advanced EMT (AEMT) is permitted to do everything an EMT does; however, they are granted the ability to start IVs and administer some basic medications for Asthma, Cardiac Arrests, and Diabetic Emergencies. Paramedic is the highest level of Emergency Medical Technicians and are allowed to do what AEMTs and EMTs are allowed to, but on top of that, are permitted to use advanced life-saving techniques as well. Paramedics are permitted and trained in advanced airway maneuvers such as Endotracheal Intubation, Surgical Airways, and Nasal Intubation. They are also trained in pediatric emergencies and have a list of approximately 40 different medications that they can administer to patients in the field under a doctor's supervision. Paramedics are also permitted to administer pain medications.

Construction and other activities that are completed during the pending appeal period for any permit or approval are always "at-risk". Although the Town of Pelham will issue approvals and permits, an appeal can result in a halt to construction and, in some cases, removal of construction in furtherance of a permit that is overturned or revoked.

Almost any decision made by the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Zoning Administrator, and the Building Inspector can be appealed. Although the reviewing authority, time frames, and processes are different, it is important to note that an appeal can occur regarding almost all local actions. Such decisions include but are not limited to: Planning Board Site Plan and Subdivision Approvals and Special Use Permits; Zoning Board of Adjustment Variances, Special Exceptions, and Appeals from Administrative Decisions; and Building Permits and Administrative Decisions of the Zoning Administrator (Planning Director) or Building Inspector can also be appealed.

For all appeals, time is of the essence. On December 17, 2009, this document was revised to reflect a 12/14/09 change to the ZBA Bylaws that makes all appeal periods thirty days regardless of which Town official or land use board arrived at the approval, denial, or administrative decision being appealed. As with all appeals, we recommend that consultation with an attorney be considered to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Although an attorney is not required to file any local appeal, it is strongly recommended that legal counsel be sought, as these processes require careful attention to detail and legal requirements. Attorneys specializing in land use and municipal law can be found in the phone book and by contacting the New Hampshire Bar Association in Concord.

Staff of the Town of Pelham can provide objective information regarding the process and copies of public documents that are part of the file in the matter. In terms of strategy and legal rights, such matters should only be discussed with your attorney and cannot be provided by Town of Pelham staff.

In order to file an appeal, a person must have "standing", i.e., the legal right to challenge the board's decision. Abutters to the property will almost always have standing along with persons who own property close enough to the land in question to demonstrate that they are affected directly by the town's action. One way to determine whether someone has standing, or qualifies as "a person aggrieved", is whether the person requesting the appeal is impacted differently than the public at large. For appeals at the local level, an appeal application must be filed. These applications can be obtained at the town hall or on the Pelham website.

Appeals must be filed with the Town of Pelham Planning Department. The decision being appealed determines which board must hear the appeal. Applications can be picked up from the Planning Department or downloaded from the Planning Department's section of the Town website.

The ZBA is empowered to hear and decide appeals if it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of any zoning ordinance adopted pursuant to RSA 674:16. This appeal is known as an appeal of an administrative decision. The Pelham Zoning Ordinance requires such an appeal to be filed within thirty days of the written order or decision. Pelham Zoning Ordinance § 307-85.

The appeal of a planning board decision that is based upon an interpretation of the zoning ordinance must be appealed to the ZBA. This appeal must be filed within thirty days of the approval. This appeal must be done prior to a court appeal on the same matter and at the same time as any other appeal of the planning board decision that must be taken to Court. Thus, an appeals process may require an appeal to the court and an appeal to the ZBA at the same time. The exception to this rule appears when the Planning Board is granting a special permit.

The appeal of a planning board decision to issue or deny a special permit must be appealed directly to the Court and cannot be appealed to the ZBA. This appeal must be taken within thirty days of the vote of the board. NH RSA 677:15.

The appeal of a Planning Board decision involving its own regulations must be appealed directly to the court within thirty days of the vote of the board. Matters that involve zoning interpretations must be appealed to the ZBA.

A variance is a form of appeal. NH RSA 674:33 authorizes, upon appeal, in specific cases, such variance from the terms of the zoning ordinance as will not be contrary to the public interest, if, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of the ordinance shall be observed and substantial justice done.

The appeal for a variance is usually from a determination of the Zoning Administrator (in the case of Pelham, this is the Planning Director) or Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). Where the requirement cannot be appealed as an administrative decision, a variance is required.

Any appeal from any decision of the ZBA first requires the filing of a "Motion for Rehearing". This process is required and is covered by NH RSA 677:2. The motion must be filed within thirty days, subject to further requirements found in the statute.

The first step will be for the ZBA to deliberate on whether to grant a rehearing. If the rehearing is granted, the formal hearing process is completed, and a new decision is made (the new decision can be the same or different from the prior decision). If the decision is upheld (the same), the appellant can go to the Court. If the board reverses a decision at a rehearing, a new aggrieved party results, and that party then has 30 days in which to appeal for a rehearing on the new decision. (This does not mean that boards of adjustment will be forced to consider an endless series of rehearing applications, for it is only when the board reverses itself at a rehearing - thus creating new aggrieved parties - that the statute comes into play.) Shaw v. City of Manchester 118 NH 158, (1978). (See Dziama v. City of Portsmouth, 140 NH. 542, 669 A.2d 217 [1995]). When the Board votes to deny a rehearing or upholds its previous decision, the next step is the Superior Court.

Once the motion for rehearing process has ended, the decision of the ZBA can be appealed to the Superior Court. An appeal to the Court must be filed within thirty days of the decision. NH RSA 677:4.

Virtually all of Pelham is serviced by private water systems or individual wells located on each parcel. It is YOUR responsibility to understand the quality and quantity of the water, and YOUR responsibility to determine if any action will be taken if problems do exist. 

For existing homes, it cannot be stressed enough that a potential home owner should (1) have the water tested by the buyer or designated buyer agent, (2) draw the sample from a source before filtration systems, and (3) develop a contingency plan in the event of problems prior to closing. One must consider the following questions: Is the water quality acceptable? Is the flow rate going to meet your needs for showers, dishwashers, and lawn sprinklers? If necessary, what remediation can be done prior to closing? If a significant water problem is uncovered from the testing, what action will you take? 

For new homes, Pelham does require a mandatory well test prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). While this water test is mandatory, the results are only advisory. It is YOUR responsibility to understand the results of the test, and to determine what action you will take if the results are unsatisfactory. More information about well water quality and testing programs can be obtained on the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) website or at the Pelham Planning Department. It should be noted that most tests take 2 to 4 weeks to obtain the test results, so plan accordingly. The best time to take the sample and have it tested is when you sign the Purchase and Sales agreement. This usually leaves ample time to obtain the test results, interpret them, and take action PRIOR to closing.

The Pelham Board of Health has implemented a mandatory well testing ordinance for new homes effective August 6, 2013. A copy of this ordinance can be obtained from the Board of Selectmen's Office or from the Planning Department. In summary, the well water is sampled and tested by a licensed NH water testing service, and any primary contaminants found to be above acceptable levels must be mitigated with a point-of-entry treatment system. It should be noted that for existing homes built prior to the effective date of this ordinance, there was no requirement to mitigate water quality issues. For existing homes, the buyer is responsible for testing the water and making the decision whether or not to treat for contaminants. No mandatory testing is required for existing home sales; therefore, let the Buyer Beware!

Virtually all of Pelham is serviced by private septic systems, or in some cases, a community septic system. Know and understand where your septic components are with respect to lot location, including the (1) septic tank, (2) leaching field, and (3) distribution box and piping. The leaching field is a non-buildable area for pools, additions, or other major structures. No septic component may be located within the property setbacks or 75-foot protective well radius. Each lot is required to have a backup area designated in the event of septic failure - know and understand where this area is on your lot.

Know and understand the types of property easements frequently found within Pelham that may be imposed on your property. An easement designates the area as non-buildable and may impose additional restrictions on what you can and cannot do within the easement area. This may affect your future plans for additions, pools, or other major structures. Easements are legally binding and are recorded with the Registry of Deeds. The Town or another holder of interest, such as a utility company, may have access and maintenance rights to your property. Typical easements in Pelham include:

• Conservation Easements - to protect sensitive environmental areas
• Town Future Road Easements - typically a 50-foot easement to extend roads into undeveloped areas
• Drainage Easements - designated areas that provide drainage for a subdivision
• Power Line Easement - typically a 300-foot major power line easement
• Gas Line Easement - typically a 50-foot easement for the gas line
• Steep Slope Easement - typically found in the Town road right-of-way, designated on a lot-by-lot basis
• Utility Easement - typically found for public water lines, fire hydrants, or other public utilities

A very common tale told to potential land/home buyers is that an undeveloped adjacent parcel can never be developed because of a variety of different reasons. Be cautious of such assurances. With increasing pressure on Southern New Hampshire for new homes, it is highly unlikely that any parcel would ever be left undeveloped forever. Pelham has taken the long-term proactive planning approach to protecting certain areas from development by designating them as conservation land. In recent years, long-time farms, apple orchards, Town Forest areas, and areas considered 'difficult to build' have all been built upon. While one owner may choose not to develop, their heirs or next owners generally do.

To find out who owns adjacent properties, contact the Town Tax Assessor at 603-635-3311 and/or the Planning Department at 603-635-7811. Visit the Planning Department during normal business hours to obtain a copy of the subdivision plan for your property. The copy of the plan contains detailed information about your property, including lot lines, house location, driveway, well location, septic tank location, septic field location, notes any designated easements, and identifies the adjacent lot parcel numbers. Using the adjacent lot parcel numbers, the Tax Assessor can provide you with a list of current abutting land owners. Older subdivisions and individual lot information may not be on file. Anything that is available is open for public inspection.

It should be noted that many cul-de-sacs in Pelham are considered temporary in nature and that at some point in the future, the road may be extended into an undeveloped parcel. What once was a closed-ended cul-de-sac may in the future be a normal roadway with multiple entry/exit ways. It is recommended that you find out if your cul-de-sac is 'temporary' or 'permanent' in nature, as it may affect certain lifestyle preferences. Permanent cul-de-sacs are generally landlocked or terminated because of the natural topology of the land. Temporary cul-de-sacs are ones that may contain a 50-foot future road easement leading into an undeveloped parcel. What lifestyle impact would you experience if a temporary cul-de-sac were extended into an undeveloped parcel? Lifestyle considerations may include an increase in traffic, children's usage of the street for riding bikes, a possible road name change, and/or property renumbering and establishing a new shortcut for commuters.

It should be noted that often the only green space buffer between you and adjacent parcels is the green space buffer that you own. Many lot owners choose to clear-cut lots, remove all pine trees, or make changes to their property within your scenic view, all which is within their rights as a property owner.

Anyone wishing to reserve a facility and/or park must first complete a request form to be approved by the director. The form can be found on our website, or by emailing the Parks & Recreation Department to request one. Groups will be required to furnish a certificate of insurance for any such reservation, if approved. Fees are determined by facility, activity, size of group. Call 603-635-2721 with any questions.

You may pay with check, money order or MC/VISA/Discover/Amex. Cash can be accepted in the office during our normal business hours. Checks are payable to the Town of Pelham. Credit card payments can be made through the Rec Desk software or here in town hall. There is a processing fee on charges of 2.99% + 0.50.

The mission of the Pelham Parks and Recreation Department is to provide the public with a standard of excellence in safe, affordable programs and services in a cooperative spirit that encourages participation in recreation, sport, and leisure activities for all ages and abilities, while carefully promoting and utilizing recreational resources and facilities available in the community. We offer year-round programming for all residents and many non-residents. We're always happy to hear from the public with new and returning ideas for activities. W would like to say thank you to all our wonderful and multiples of volunteers who make our department a possibility and for the continued support of the public.

Online registration is available to everyone who has a household set up in our Rec Desk software. We are not able to bring the household over from the previous (Rec Trac) software, so each family needs to set up their own account with the new software as of January 2020. You will not need a paper registration if you use Rec Desk to register. There may, however, be additional forms required depending on the program. You can pay online with MC or VISA or Discover or AMEX, or here in the office with charge, check or cash. For any charge card payment in our office or online at home, there is a 2.97% convenience fee charged by the credit card processor. You will receive a receipt in your email for any registration.

We generally begin registration for Tot Summer Camp and PVMP Summer Camp in late April/early May each year, first come/first serve. The Tot Camp has a limited number and the registrations for PVMP generally go into early June as it is a much larger camp.

Tot Camp for ages 3 to 5 runs for 6 weeks in July/August on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 am to 2 pm at Raymond Memorial Park, 35 Keyes Hill Road in Pelham. There are no other options, and the sign-ups are for all 6 weeks. We have an adult supervisor and college or high school age counselors to assist, along with teen volunteers.

PVMP (Pelham Veteran's Memorial Park) Summer Camp, 109 Veteran's Memorial Parkway, runs for 6 weeks in July/August for ages 6 to 13/14, Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm There are options to register for one, two, three, four, five or six weeks, although not daily. Details are typically on the website by early April. Extended care is offered at an add'l cost for 2 hours before and/or after camp hours. Payment due each Friday at the camp for extended care. Field trips are optional and an extra cost.

Ages 14 to 15 are welcome to apply as Counselors-in-Training teen volunteers for either camp. Applications are due in May. Applications for paid staff at either camp, including lifeguards, are accepted throughout the month of April. Must be age 16 or older for a paid position.

Contact Janine Cabral, Program Director, or call with any questions!

Yes, background checks are made for anyone over the age of 18 who is working with us part-time, seasonally or volunteering to coach, instruct or assist with any of our programs.

Yes, we have many programs for adults throughout the year. Check the Parks & Recreation page any time for more details and forms.

There is a scholarship form any parent can complete to request financial assistance for programs offered. Simply call or email us to request the form. Scholarships are limited to Pelham residents only.

We do not routinely email participants after they have registered for a program. Once you sign up to an activity for yourself, your child or any family member, you should plan to go ahead on the start date unless otherwise notified. We will email if there's a postponement or cancellation though participants are asked to check the website for cancellations on any program. A reminder email on programs that have a small number of participants is generally sent. After registering for a program online, you will receive an email receipt for payment of the activity.

Thank you!

The best answer we can give is to check our website for programs in progress and those coming up. The website changes regularly to update information on what we have available. Each program designates an age group to which it applies. You may also email or give us a call any time or come by the town hall office.

Applications for summer positions (must be age 16 or older) with our camps are accepted in April. Interviews are typically set up during the month of May. Please see our section on Employment for a form or stop by the office to pick one up Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm. You may also contact Janine Cabral, Program Director to request one. Positions for referees are open to boys/girls ages 14 and up; a youth labor certificate will be required. For each person hired, there will be a full employee packet to complete and two ID copies also required.

Pelham Parks and Recreation may charge a nominal or probated sum for refunds on any program, dependent on the circumstances.

We can take a credit card registration over the phone in some cases. Call to find out. You can also print a form from the website to mail in or drop off with a check. You may visit us at town hall Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm and register in the office. Lastly, we have online registration website, where you can pay with MC/VISA/Discover. The software (Rec Desk) requires that each household set up their own account with a login and password. This will need to be in place before we can process any registration. We are not able to set up a household for you but can assist with that if you come into the office. Feel free to call 603-635-2721 or contact Janine Cabral, Program Director, for any questions or comments. Thank you!

Note: Please contact the records division prior to coming in for a copy of any report. We will be happy to check if the report is completed and if there are any restrictions for its release. You will then be required to fill out a request form prior to obtaining a copy.

• You may obtain a copy of an official Accident Report that the officer completed if you were an operator of one of the vehicles in the accident, or the owner of a vehicle involved in the accident, or an injured party, or a property owner. The cost for a copy of an Accident Report is the first 4 pages free, $5 for five pages, and $.50 per page after that. Accident Reports may be obtained between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday, and only if no charges are pending against any driver and the investigation has been closed out.
• Attorneys representing clients in a civil action who were involved in the accident are required to go to the State of New Hampshire to obtain a copy of the report.
• Accident Reports are considered part of a person's driving history and are protected by law.
• You may obtain a copy of a Multipurpose Report Form involving an incident in which an officer completed an official report. Keep in mind that you may only have information that pertains to you! There may be information contained in the report that is considered privileged information and not considered public information. Also, a Multipurpose Report Form may only be released once the investigation has been closed out. Multipurpose Report Forms cost is the first 4 pages free, $5 for five pages, and $.50 per page after that during the hours and days listed above.
• Requests for information are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

An application for a permit to carry a concealed/loaded pistol/revolver may be obtained through the Dispatch Center or directly from our website for Pelham residents only. Complete the form in its entirety. You will be required to provide Identification verifying proof of residency. This will be included with your application. The process takes approximately 1 week, depending on the number of record checks required. The fee for a pistol permit is $10 and will last for four years. For persons living outside of the State of New Hampshire, the application process is handled through the New Hampshire State Police, Permits and Licensing Division in Concord, NH. Residents of towns/cities in New Hampshire but outside of Pelham are required to go through their local police department.

The proper procedure is to obtain a Motion for Discovery from the Salem District Court. Only the arrestee or representative can obtain the copies. Once a motion for discovery is obtained, you may respond to the Pelham Police Department between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday, to receive the appropriate copies from our Prosecution Division. There are fees involved. Any questions regarding this procedure may be obtained through our Prosecution Division.

You may obtain your own criminal record or driving history from the State of New Hampshire by completing the appropriate form, which may be provided by the Records Division. If you wish further information, you can always call the main number at State Police Headquarters at 603-271-3636 and ask for criminal records or the motor vehicle department. There are fees involved in obtaining both a criminal record and a motor vehicle record.

The Town Noise ordinance can be found on the Board of Selectmen page or by clicking here.

Staff of the Town of Pelham can provide objective information regarding the process and copies of public documents that are part of the file in the matter. In terms of strategy and legal rights, such matters should only be discussed with your attorney and cannot be provided by Town of Pelham staff.

Although an attorney is not required to file any local appeal, it is strongly recommended that legal counsel be sought, as these processes require careful attention to detail and legal requirements. Attorneys specializing in land use and municipal law can be found in the phone book and by contacting the New Hampshire Bar Association in Concord.

Construction and other activities that are completed during the pending appeal period for any permit or approval is always “at-risk”. Although the Town of Pelham will issue approvals and permits, an appeal can result in a halt to construction and, in some cases, removal of construction in furtherance of a permit that is overturned or revoked.

Almost any decision made by the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Zoning Administrator, and the Building Inspector can be appealed. Although the reviewing authority, time frames, and processes are different, it is important to note that an appeal can occur regarding almost all local actions. Such decisions include but are not limited to: Planning Board Site Plan and Subdivision Approvals and Special Use Permits; Zoning Board of Adjustment Variances, Special Exceptions, and Appeals from Administrative Decisions; and Building Permits and Administrative Decisions of the Zoning Administrator (Planning Director) or Building Inspector can also be appealed.

For all appeals, time is of the essence. On December 17, 2009, this document was revised to reflect a December 14, 2009, change to the ZBA Bylaws that makes all appeal periods thirty (30) days regardless of which Town official or land use board arrived at the approval, denial, or administrative decision being appealed. As with all appeals, we recommend that you consider a consultation with an attorney to make sure you comply with these requirements.

Any appeal from any decision of the ZBA first requires the filing of a “Motion for Rehearing.” This process is required and is covered by NH RSA 677:2. The motion must be filed within thirty (30) days, subject to further requirements found in the statute.

In order to file an appeal, a person must have “standing,” i.e., the legal right to challenge the board's decision. Abutters to the property will almost always have standing along with persons who own property close enough to the land in question to demonstrate that they are affected directly by the town's action. One way to determine whether someone has standing, or qualifies as “a person aggrieved,” is whether the person requesting the appeal is impacted differently than the public at large. For appeals at the local level, an appeal application must be filed. These applications can be obtained at the town hall or on the Pelham website.

The first step will be for the ZBA to deliberate on whether to grant a rehearing. If the rehearing is granted, the formal hearing process is completed, and a new decision is made (the new decision can be the same or different from the prior decision). If the decision is upheld (the same), the appellant can go to the Court. If the board reverses a decision at a rehearing, a new aggrieved party results, and that party then has 30 days in which to appeal for a rehearing on the new decision. (This does not mean that boards of adjustment will be forced to consider an endless series of rehearing applications, for it is only when the board reverses itself at a rehearing - thus creating new aggrieved parties - that the statute comes into play.) Shaw v. City of Manchester 118 NH 158, (1978). (See Dziama v. City of Portsmouth, 140 NH. 542, 669 A.2d 217 [1995]). When the Board votes to deny a rehearing or upholds its previous decision, the next step is the Superior Court.

Once the motion for rehearing process has ended, the decision of the ZBA can be appealed to the Superior Court. An appeal to the Court must be filed within thirty (30) days of the decision. NH RSA 677:4.

Appeals must be filed with the Town of Pelham Planning Department. The decision being appealed determines which board must hear the appeal. Applications can be picked up from the Planning Department or downloaded from the Planning Department's section of the Town website.

This means that you have hiked all portions of mapped trails on Pelham's town land. To ensure you have completed all parts of a trail, print out a map and mark each trail to indicate the portions you have hiked.

All trails are family friendly and are open to all. Each person in a family should keep track of the trails they have completed individually.

There is no timeframe. Each person can hike at their own speed and at times that are convenient for them.

Ensure the Hike Challenge List (XLSX) is completely filled out, in addition to the information on the bottom of the second page. Once complete, email it to Linda Irish-Simpson.

When the Conservation Commission has purchased a parcel and decides they want it to be a Town Forest, a Warrant Article is placed on the ballot for the Town’s people to vote on. A majority favorable vote is required for the warrant article to pass and hence the parcel to become a Town Forest. 

Once a property is voted as a Town Forest, it is largely managed by the Forestry Committee with oversight by the Select Board and Conservation Commission. The Committee works with a licensed forester who designs a Forest Management Plan for each property by evaluating the properties characteristics and developing a plan that will maximize the property for wood products, wildlife habitats, wetlands protection and recreational use. 

All Forest Management plans can be found online at: pelhamweb.com > Government > Forestry Committee > Town Forest Management Plans

Promotes Forest Regeneration: 

Sustainably harvesting timber promotes forest regeneration. The newly available space in the understory, having greater access to sunlight, water, and nutrients, encourages new trees and other plants to seed in, take root, and grow. 

Increases Biodiversity: 

Timber stands containing a wide variety of native tree species at multiple age classes, provide food for a wider variety of wildlife species. 

Enhances wildlife habitat: 

Fallen, dead tree remains enhance habitat by providing additional sources of food, cover and shelter for wildlife. A variety of insects, a vital source of food for many wildlife species, can be found in downed and/or decaying debris. Small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, may also live in and/or under this debris. Downed tree canopies, branches and brush piles also provide protection and cover to a variety of wildlife species. 

Improves timber quality and increases value:

Trees are selectively marked, and a harvest is conducted every 10-15 years. This results in a continual source of income as well as continued maintenance, benefiting the health and productivity of the timber stand. Timber harvests may also be used as a forest improvement practice to reduce stocking levels and alter species composition of the stand, as well as to remove any poorly formed, unhealthy, or over-mature trees. 

Promotes growth productivity & efficiency: 

Thinning a stand of trees, by the use of a sustainable timber harvest, allows the trees left standing post-harvest better access to vital nutrients and space, allowing them to grow faster, more productively, and efficiently. These healthier trees are also more resistant to blight and insect damage. 

Provides wood for consumer products, lowers risk for forest fires:

The United States is more forested today than it was 50 years ago due to research advancements and ongoing education regarding sustainable forest management practices. The reduction of poor-quality trees also lowers the risk for forest fires. Harvested timber is used for a variety of products such as veneer, sawlogs, firewood, wood chips, and wood fuel. 

Provides a source of income:

Timber harvesting often results in the generation of income. Income is never a primary goal of timber harvesting on town forests. The proceeds from Timber Harvesting creates a source of income for the continued Forest Stewardship for the Town’s conservation areas. Promotion of recreational opportunities: Once a timber harvest is completed, trails can be planned (if not already existing) with careful attention paid to minimize disturbance to wildlife, avoidance of wet areas, steep slopes, rare plant species, habitat edges and special habitats. 

Promotion of recreational opportunities:

Once a timber harvest is completed, trails can be planned (if not already existing) with careful attention paid to minimize disturbance to wildlife, avoidance of wet areas, steep slopes, rare plant species, habitat edges and special habitats. 

The timber harvest is managed by the Town Forester who is hired by the Pelham Forestry Committee. The Town Forester works collaboratively with the Forestry Committee in all aspects of the timber harvest to ensure a successful completion.

A property is selected by the Forestry committee through consultation with the Town Forester. The Town Forester determines the harvest and excluded areas on the property based on stand recommendations from the forest management plan; additionally incorporating stand conditions, soils, water, and topography. Access roads and landing areas are laid out to minimize impact and improve efficiency. Within the harvest area, all trees to be harvested are marked with blue paint to be cut. As the harvest commences the main skid trails are laid out for the crew to use as needed, avoiding wet and other sensitive areas.

Trees are cut down with a chainsaw or feller buncher. Once cut, the trees are pulled to a landing area by a skidder. Once trees are on the landing, they are processed into various forest products with a chainsaw or a loader/slasher. Forest products are then separated into various piles to be loaded onto trucks and transported to markets. The combination of equipment and methods vary from one logging contractor to another.

Yes, variety of buffers are incorporated when conducting a timber harvest. When harvesting near boundary lines shared with private lands and residences, only high-risk trees are selected for removal as deemed appropriate. Aesthetics and forest health are highly considered when making these decisions.

Proceeds from Timber Harvests are placed in the Forest Maintenance fund to be used for continued maintenance and stewardship of the Town Forests.

Yes.  You need to be a resident of Pelham to purchase a lot. You will need to provide proof of residency.

No, dogs are not allowed on town cemetery property, with the exception of licensed service/therapy dogs.  The license that they are service/therapy dogs must be on file with the cemetery department.

Yes.  The cemetery department performs all burials during the winter with an extra frost charge as it takes us longer to perform this service.

Designated parking for walkers is in the last main road in the back of the cemetery that abuts the field. We ask that you please park within the yellow lines marked on the ground.

To obtain a free transfer Sticker user must be a resident or seasonal camp owner and must present a valid driver's license and registration for the vehicle - a non-resident camp owner must provide a Pelham, NH tax bill. Stickers are available at the Transfer Station or at 33 Newcomb Field Parkway.

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025, Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are banned from incinerators and landfills per New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Lithium-ion batteries are found in the following items

• Automotive Vehicles, electric Bikes and Scooters
• Cell Phones, Laptops, Tablets, Cameras, Wireless Headphones & Speakers
• Interactive Electronic Devices
• Lawncare equipment & cordless power tools
• Toothbrushes 
• Toys

The items that we take for composting are as follows:

• Food, Beverage & Packaging Waste.
  • No Glass, Bones or eggshells.
  • No Trash or medical items.

Items that can be recycled at the Transfer Station are:

• Aluminum & Steel Cans
• Cardboard & Cartons
• Glass
• Mixed Paper
• Plastics

The universal items that are accepted at the Transfer Station are:

• Devices with compressors (e.g. refrigerator, water coolers, etc...)
• Exercise Equipment, Bicycles
• Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors
• Lawn Mowers & Lawn Furniture
• Mercury and all light bulbs
• Tires
• Used Oil (only 2 - 5-gallon containers per visit)
• Washing machines, Dryers & kitchen appliances, all electronics