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For about twenty years, there has been a little troll who sits on a rock in front of 3 Faculty Road. He is a bit of a celebrity in the area, particularly among the kids. Periodically and seasonally, his "outfit" gets changed, which people enjoy. (In May, he wears a cap and gown.) Very often a pedestrian will pause to take his picture, and fairly often, a car will stop and a person will hop out to snap a shot. Courtesy Janice Aviza
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Please note that due to the potential for spreading the COVID-19 virus, we ask that residents refrain at this time from bringing baked goods to any town municipal offices, including Police, Fire, and Public Works. Thank you.
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On a lighter note, we would like to share a humorous video that we hope will cause you to smile or chuckle a bit during these trying times. View the video HERE.
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UPDATED COVID-19 COVER CASE INFORMATION FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE (As of 3/19/20 at 6:30 PM)
As of Number of Persons with COVID‐19: 44
Number of Persons with Test Pending in PHL: 631
Total Number of Persons Tested at NH PHL: 1420
Number of Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time): 575
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control, has prepared an informative flyer/notice of Frequently Asked Questions HERE.
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Illustration demonstrating the dramatic impact of social distancing. Courtesy The New York Times.
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STATE OF NH SETS UP 211 SYSTEM TO ANSWER CITIZEN CALLS CONCERNING COVID-19
If you have questions/concerns about the Coronavirus 2019, feel free to dial 211 on your phone to dial the state information service.
If you have questions about the time high tide reaches Adams Point, check elsewhere!
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DURHAM'S VIRTUAL TOWN HALL...
With COVID-19 we've been working toward making Durham’s Town Hall and other municipal services as virtual as practical given inherent limitations in technology, staffing, laws/rules, and funding. In effect, only urgent in-person transactions are now being processed at the Town Hall/Town departments -- and these are by appointment only so be sure to call ahead. Most business can be accomplished electronically at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/.
Town Clerk-Tax Collectors Office 603-868-5577
mailto:lpitt@ci.durham.nh.us
mailto:rdeane@ci.durham.nh.us
mailto:dhamel@ci.durham.nh.us
Public Works has informed us that they are closed to the public except by appoint only. Please call ahead at the telephone number below. In addition, the swap shop is closed but the dump is currently open. If you need a new sticker, call Public Works for the latest updates.
Public Works Department 603-868-5578
mailto:jrichard@ci.durham.nh.us
For Planning, Zoning and Assessing Offices please call ahead. If you need to apply for a permit or to the Zoning or Planning Board, all these types of applications can be done through email and regular mail. Please call for inspection requests and we will give you the latest updates. We will still be in the office to handle requests for information from building files and will be able to email you the information.
Planning, Zoning, & Assessing Office 603-868-8064
mailto:kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us
Fire Department 603-868-5531
mailto:fire@ci.durham.nh.us
Police Department 603-868-2324
mailto:police@ci.durham.nh.us
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Director of Informational Technology, Luke Vincent (on TV), and DCAT Coordinator, Craig Stevens (seated), worked with Access A/V, LLC from Concord, NH earlier this week to install Zoom. Courtesy Todd Selig
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WHAT ABOUT VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETINGS? - Zoom, Zoom, Zoom...
As for public meetings, this represents more of a challenge. The Council, our land use boards, and some other boards and committees will continue to need to meet at least occasionally over the coming weeks and months so we are taking steps to ensure members of Durham boards may participate in meetings remotely without violating the Right-to-Know Law. To that end, our IT department is acquiring ZOOM technology for the Town Council chambers. While our speaker phone was adequate for this week’s Town Council and ZBA meetings, we hope to put in place something more robust and easier to see/hear for all concerned.
At least for now, compliance with the Right-to-Know Law still requires that there be a physical location where the public has access and can listen to the meeting, even if it is only a room with a speaker phone in it. To that end, we’ve rearranged the chairs in the Council Chambers to create a virtual 6’ sea of carpet around each chair. Residents will be discouraged from attending public meetings in person in favor of emailed feedback or call in options.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association hopes to be able to get some relief from the physical location requirement from the state in the coming days.
Finally, there is also the issue of statutory deadlines. Planning and zoning boards across NH could potentially have problems meeting their statutory deadlines for making decisions if they are prohibited from holding meetings and hearings, or if public concerns make it implausible to do so. Again, the New Hampshire Municipal Association is hopeful to prevail upon the Governor to obtain some relief from these deadlines.
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Entrance to Merrick Woods off Bagdad Road. Courtesy Todd Selig
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HELP BUILD A NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE ON THE MERRICK EASEMENT: $1,920 RAISED SO FAR!
Tom and Mary Merrick conveyed a conservation easement on their 23-acre property to the Town of Durham in 2006. The Merrick family continues to own and manage their property, while the easement protects their land in perpetuity from further development. A network of public trails connects the entrance off Bagdad Road, near the Oyster River High School, with an entrance and small parking area off Canney Road, close to the new Riverwoods complex. The trail entrance off Bagdad Road runs through a wet section of the property and despite several attempts to cross this wet section with wood bridges or stepping stones in the past, they have not lasted. Our plan is to build a solid, decked bridge that would allow water to flow underneath and cross the wet, muddy stretch of trail. Our goal is to raise $2,500 for the cost of materials by May 1, 2020 so that we can complete the project with volunteers by September 1st. You can read more about the project HERE and find a pledge form HERE.
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LOCAL FARMS HAVE SAFE, LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD!
The road ahead is tough for local farms and food producers and our support is needed now more than ever. Please visit Seacoast Harvest for a list of farms selling and delivery food. And follow Seacoast Eat Local and Seacoast Harvest on social media to keep informed about local sources of food and how to support farmers. Please contact Theresa Walker of the Durham Agricultural Commission if you need more information, mailto:theresawalker@comcast.net
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ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Parents looking for online educational resources can subscribe to the NH Ag in the Classroom newsletter HERE. The newsletter provides resources and activities featuring science, math, social studies, and language arts with food, garden and farming themes, including virtual field trips to farms, recipes and games.
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VACANCIES ON TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES - We'd love to have interested residents get involved - new/old alike. It's a wonderful way to become active in local affairs affecting our community!
On April 30, 2020, terms on various Town boards, commissions, and committees will expire. In mid-April, the Town Council will begin the process for making its annual appointments/reappointments to Town boards, with appointments to take effect May 1, 2020. The Durham Town Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of Durham who have the ability, desire, and time needed to fill these vacancies.
Citizens interested in board appointments may stop in or contact the Town Administrator’s office at 868-5571 and ask for a board application form. Applications are also available on the home page of the Town’s web site: www.ci.durham.nh.us at the top of the page. Click on “Helpful Resources”, then “Town Documents”, then “Forms and Applications”, then “Application for Appointment”.
Completed applications may be mailed to the Town Administrator’s office, or submitted via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday, March 27, 2020.
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"WHAT IN THE WORLD?" PODCAST
"What in the World?", created by Durham resident Megan Deane, is a news podcast for people who don't watch the news. In the current political climate, it's exhausting to stay up-to-date on current events. "What in the World?" gives you all of those usually-stressful headlines, made more interesting, quick, and easy to understand. Tune in for in-depth looks at topics like impeachment, the 2020 Primaries, and much more. There's no reason for the news to be confusing, and with "What in the World?", it doesn't have to be.
View the podcast HERE.
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DURHAM'S NEW OUTDOOR TRAIL MAP GOES LIVE - Check it out...
Durham is well known for great public schools, the University and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. While most residents, and many visitors, are familiar with Wagon Hill Farm, there are numerous other venues in Town for outdoor recreation.
In an effort to provide a simple yet useful map to highlight the Town’s main parks and trails, part-time Economic Development Director Christine Soutter worked with local boards and a local graphic designer to create a resource for those looking to get outdoors.
Use the whimsical map to discover new places to hike, bike, walk your dog or put a kayak in the river. The new map can be found both online and at various venues in Town.
View the map HERE.
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DURHAM RESIDENTS: BEING COUNTED IN THE 2020 CENSUS MATTERS!
You are an important part of the Town of Durham’s story. You can make sure Durham’s story is told by RESPONDING to the 2020 Census. The Census is a count of everyone living in the United States as of the 1st of April 2020. When you respond, you will help our town get the most Complete Count possible!
RESPONDING is important for Durham. Census results affect our voice in government, how much funding our community receives, and how our community plans for the future.
Invitations from the US Census Bureau arrived in Durham mailboxes this week!
View more information HERE.
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EVERSOURCE CONTINUES WORK ON WIRE STRINGING BY HELICOPTER.
Wire stringing by helicopter on structures 49 to 71 (Packer’s Falls, Bennett Road, Route 108, Timberbrook Lane, Cutts Road, Ffrost Drive, Sandy Brook Drive). If weather is favorable, wire stringing will continue to structure 72 to 99 (Sandy Brook Drive, Longmarsh Road, Durham Point Road). Tentative dates are 3/30 and 3/31.
Watch a video on this process HERE.
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MILL POND DAM BORINGS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK
New England Boring is currently scheduled to complete geotechnical work as part of the Mill Pond Dam Feasibility Study beginning Wednesday March 25th, 2020 by floating a drill rig on a small barge in the Mill Pond.
DPW staff will control the gates at the dam so that the amount of water going over the spillway is minimized, allowing for the safe operation of the floating barge in the pond.
Specific information regarding the geotechnical investigation can be found within the project scope of work, Section 1.3, HERE.
Questions and comments should be directed to Town Engineer April Talon at (603) 868-5578, or mailto:atalon@ci.durham.nh.us
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A MESSAGE FROM THREE CHIMNEY'S INN
Three Chimneys Inn remains open for overnight guest rooms and will provide in room dining services between the hours of 5:30 and 8:00 PM. Breakfast is included on all overnight stays. Room reservations can be made via our website or by calling us directly at 603-868-7800. As a courtesy they will waive cancellation fees on all bookings until 4/30/2020.
Take Out/Curb Side menu is also available between 5:30 and 8:00 PM. The menu is online HERE and can be ordered by calling 603-868-7800.
Every Friday is "Fishy Friday". Fish and Chips available.
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"LEAD ME HOME" PROJECT - A program on Alzheimer's and dementia.
Please join Brookdale Clare Bridge Program Manager, Meghan Wentworth and Officer Holly Malasky of the Durham Police Department, on Saturday April 4th, 2020 from 12 - 4pm to kick off The “Lead Me Home” Project.
This is an opportunity to provide important information about your loved one who resides alone, with you or in a community living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or any other memory loss condition. Local Police, EMS and Fire Departments can use this information in the event of an emergency.
WHAT TO BRING: List of medications for person joining the program, most recent photograph, name and address of primary caregiver, preferred hospital, license plate of vehicle if they still have access to one, and name and phone numbers of 2 emergency contacts.
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There was no traffic on these normally busy Durham roads/intersections as many residents were self-quarantining themselves against spreading the coronavirus/COVID-19. The only other time traffic is non-existent is at Christmas. Courtesy John Pacheco
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TOWN OF DURHAM FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS
Did you know that the Town has a Facebook & Twitter account and frequently posts Durham & UNH news, happenings, and articles of interest in our area and the seacoast?
Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
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Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.
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HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A Brief History of Durham, NH 1600 - 1976 (A little volume that was the Heritage Project of the Durham Historic Association Bicentennial celebration)
Preface - "Since before God made the first little green apples, oysters have probably been growin in the Oyster River; and some of the largest and juiciest to be found anywhere in the world are still growing here today. The following vignettes from rollicking history of Durham town on the Oyster River are therefore presented between the shells of an oyster."
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1965 - A 7' x 6' topographical map of the Town made and donated by John Hatch. Encased by Batchelder and Chase, it is in the Town Office. A work of art, it includes in color all buildings, types of roads, sewer and electrical lines, woods, streams and swamps.
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Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator/Emergency Management Director
Town of Durham, NH
a: 8 Newmarket Rd., Durham, NH 03824 USA
t: 603.868.5571 | w: www.ci.durham.nh.us
He/him/his pronouns
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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