Friday Updates - April 2, 2021

Friday, April 2, 2021

Mother Nature played an April prank of her own last night with a light dusting of snow! Courtesy Todd Selig

INSPECTION OF THE DURHAM POLICE CONCLUDES - National CALEA Reaccreditation Process for Durham Police Department took place this past week with positive outcome.

Many residents may not know that the Durham Police Department is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). This non-profit credentialing authority was founded with the express purpose to establish a set of standards that a modern, effective and ethical police agency should incorporate and adhere to as their guiding policies and procedures.

The Durham Police were first accredited in 1999 and have been reaccredited every three to four years, passing subsequent inspections by CALEA assessors. This was the Durham Police Department’s 8th accreditation process. This particular cycle offered a unique experience as the Durham Police were virtually inspected. 

This past week a CALEA assessment team, comprised of Deputy Chief Robert VanNieuwenhuyze (Ret.), of Smithfield, RI and Major John Clifton, of Johns Creek, GA, evaluated the Durham Police Department’s policies and procedures. Their role is to determine whether or not the Durham Police are in compliance with nationally accepted standards, inspect agency operations, conduct a public information session, and then report their findings to the Commission for final determination of accreditation status. 

The standards inspected are broken into subject matter to include such diverse topics as law enforcement role and authority; organization, management and administration; the personnel structure; law enforcement operations and communications to name a few. Within these subsets are found additional standards that govern the recruitment and selection of new police officers; training, performance evaluation and promotions; patrol tactics; investigations; evidence collection and storage and budget activities. Overall, there are 469 standards considered basic to the proper management of a law enforcement agency.

Throughout three days, the assessors reviewed the management systems of the Durham Police, gathered information through inspection, interviews and observation and they will now issue a written report of their findings. As the team was preparing to complete the inspection on Wednesday, they held an exit interview where staff was presented with the team’s initial findings and their proposed recommendation of reaccreditation. The assessors were very complimentary of the department and indicated that they were unanimous in recommending to the Commission that the Durham Police Department be favorably reviewed at the next meeting which will occur in July of 2021. 

NO CURBSIDE SPRING BULKY WASTE COLLECTION THIS YEAR; DURHAM WILL AGAIN OFFER A BULKY WASTE TRANSFER STATION DROP OFF OPTION INSTEAD – Rationale behind the decision.

Following discussion and consultation with the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC), Durham Public Works announced last week that due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual bulky waste collection this year would be managed as a no charge, drop-off option at the Raymond A. Laroche Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center, in lieu of providing curbside collection. This is similar to the spring of last year where the no charge drop-off of bulky waste items at the Transfer Station was provided.

We are pleased to offer additional clarification around this decision in light of recent inquires.   

Durham Public Works personnel have been diligently operating during this COVID-19 pandemic maintaining the Town’s infrastructure, providing water and wastewater services, collecting solid waste, and providing emergency response without interruption. We greatly appreciate the support, flexibility, and patience extended to our Town’s Public Works team from the community during these challenging times. Managing the bulky waste collection as a drop-off option, rather than a curbside collection, was a decision not taken lightly and is necessitated for several reasons related to the pandemic in an effort to minimize risks wherever possible and due to ongoing staffing challenges, due in part to the pandemic.

A question was raised around the difference in COVID-19 risk presented between the curbside collection of bulky waste in comparison to the curbside collection of weekly household trash. The Town is fortunate to have in place single operator, semi-automated collection which, in many instances, greatly reduces worker exposure and contact with materials when automated container systems and systems on the vehicles themselves are used for weekly trash collection.  This is not the case with bulky waste collection, which requires four Public Works team members for a period of three+ weeks handling each item individually. We recognize that COVID-19 transmission has been shown to occur in many cases through respiratory droplets; however, where contact exposure risks can be minimized or eliminated, it is prudent to do so to ensure staff are available for ongoing public works priorities and emergency response. Additionally, due to the inherent nature of household trash, which is comprised of materials that decompose and can attract rodents, birds, and other pests requiring timely collection to avoid a public health hazard, Public Works has minimal discretion as it relates to deferring or modifying the curbside trash collection program. Even with an elevated risk of contact exposure to COVID-19, it is clear that weekly trash collection must continue as currently provided. Bulky waste collection does not meet this same criteria and therefore the resident, no charge drop-off option at the Town’s Transfer Station located on Durham Point Road was continued for this year.  

A second question was raised regarding the environmental impact of the drop-off option with the majority of materials being disposed in the landfill. This landfill disposal occurs since there is no opportunity presented for those individuals who are interested in going street-to-street or house-to-house searching through other residents’ items for possible re-use.  This “unofficial” practice, which some residents embrace while others do not (expressing concern regarding strangers potentially casing the neighborhood), also has the potential to increase the risk of COVID-19 contact with residents and collection personnel due to the multiple individuals now sifting through and making close personal and hands on contact with discarded materials. To promote reuse and recycling of bulky waste items, Public Works and the IWMAC will be providing alternative reuse options both on the Town website and in the soon to be delivered Durham Public Works newsletter for residents interested in recycling their items in on-line yard sales and similar outlets. Alternatively, residents can hold their materials for a future bulky waste collection or delivery to the swap shop, for acceptable items in working order, when swap shop operations resume, planned in the near future. 

Finally, as referenced above, Durham Public Works has experienced significant staffing shortages due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts to Public Works resources continue today. Notwithstanding, the Department responded exceptionally well to an above average number of winter storm emergencies, several water main breaks, wind events involving downed trees and utility poles, road closures, and downed power lines across the community. Our DPW team is now endeavoring to gear up for spring operations. The bulky waste curbside collection operation involves a commitment of substantial Public Works resources for a period of three+ weeks where, as previously highlighted, collection personnel individually handle and load every bulky waste item collected. With ongoing staffing impacts related to the pandemic along with the Department’s other priority programs and the community’s expectations, the Department is quite simply over extended and is unable to provide the curbside bulky waste collection service this season. 

We recognize that some may disagree with this decision and it may result in a burden and inconvenience for some individuals. We respectfully ask for and appreciate your continued understanding and flexibility as the Town navigates through the impacts of the pandemic. Thank you!

SPRING CLEANUP BULKY WASTE DAYS AT THE TRANSFER STATION  

Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic and other concerns described above in the preceding item, the Town has elected to manage the bulky item disposal program this season similar to last spring’s collection. The Transfer Station will be open for Spring Cleanup with extended hours and days as listed below. All participants will be required to practice social distancing and wear masks as they drop off items. On the days listed below, facility users with Resident/Tax payer permits may enter the Transfer Station to dispose of BULKY WASTE ITEMS ONLY (Bulky waste items include mattresses, box springs, upholstered chairs, couches, painted or stained decking, rugs/carpeting/padding, and pressure treated wood) at No Charge and will NOT require coupons.

Wednesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 13th between the hours of 7:30AM- 7:30PM

Wednesday, May 19th and Thursday, May 20th between the hours of 7:30AM- 7:30PM

Wednesday, June 2rd and Thursday, June 3rd between the hours of 7:30AM- 7:30PM

Residents will have to unload their own material. The Transfer Station attendants will be monitoring activities to ensure capacity will allow for social distancing at each vehicle drop off point. Please Note, electronics items (such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, computer monitors, televisions, laptops and water coolers) still require a $15 electronics sticker which may be purchase with check or cash at DPW or with check only at the Transfer Station. Metal items (such as Bicycles, rolled wire fencing, metal pipe, cast iron sinks and tubs, aluminum screen doors/windows without glass, lawn mowers (fluids removed), bed springs, washers/dryers, empty paint cans, fitness machines) should be separated and put in the metal pile.  

Durham Public Works asks that all regular trash and recycling and “regular” transfer station activities be limited to regular Transfer Station hours, Tuesday and Saturday, 7:30am- 3:00pm.  

INITIAL MEMORIAL DAY PLANNING FOR DURHAM WITH THE PANDEMIC

There is ongoing conversation about how to honor Memorial Day this year with the pandemic still present and the desire to avoid large in-person gatherings in town. While this is still a work in progress, Parks & Rec. advises at this point the suggestion is to not have the parade but plan for a modified in-person ceremony at Memorial Park. This would include closing down main street for the ceremony and allowing folks to gather (masks and social distancing required). The feeling is that without the parade the gathering downtown would be on the smaller side where social distancing could safely maintained, but where we could also safely honor the holiday.  The holiday is still very much a work in progress in terms of planning.

WHY IS PET WASTE A PROBLEM? - Do Your Part, Scoop the Poop!

Stormwater Protection

Rain or snow runoff can carry pet waste directly into waterways or storm drains, which usually empty without any treatment into a stream, river, or estuary. Untreated fecal matter can be a source of harmful bacteria and nutrients. Just as we don’t want human sewage in our water, it is important to prevent pet waste from being carried into our waterways.

It isn’t just water quality that can suffer. Leaving pet waste on the ground, especially in public areas like parks or playing fields, may pose a risk to children, adults, and even pets.

Consider This …

Pet waste carries disease causing organisms such as Giardia and Salmonella which can make water unsafe for drinking or swimming; to protect the public from illness, swimming beaches and shellfish beds can be shut down due to bacterial contamination, and pet waste can be a cause of that contamination. Pet waste left on playing fields or in parks can be unhealthy and messy. 

Let’s work together to keep pet waste out of our water resources and recreational areas.

Do Your Part: Scoop the Poop!

Scooping your pooch’s poop isn’t just a courtesy for those walking behind you; it’s the healthy and environmentally sound thing to do. Picking up after your dog is not only easy, in Durham it’s the law!

PART-TIME TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT

The Town of Durham is looking for a part-time Transfer Station Attendant. The position is part time, non-benefits. Applicants must be comfortable dealing with public and have a Solid Waste Operators License, level 1 minimum or the ability to obtain license within 2 months of hire. Duties include: checking in residents, ensuring materials are disposed of in proper locations, ability to operate a loader and skid steer, maintenance and cleaning of facility. Pay $14-$17/Hr based on experience. Hours will be Saturday from 7am-3:30pm, potential for more hours. Valid driver’s license, background check will be performed. Applications accepted through Wednesday, March 31st.   

Applications are available at the Public Works Office, contact below:

Janice Richard

Assistant to the Director

100 Stone Quarry Drive

Durham, NH 03824

868-5578

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT INSTALLS VEHICLE EXHAUST EXTRACTION SYSTEM

In keeping with the approved Capital Improvement Program, the Durham Fire Department recently completed installation of a Plymovent Vehicle Exhaust Extraction System in the fire station’s apparatus bays.  Plymovent is a global supplier of systems and services for the extraction and filtration of polluted indoor air.  The week-long installation project  was completed by Air Cleaning Specialists of New England LLC based in Hanover, Massachusetts.

Diesel engines, such as those used in fire apparatus, are known to produce toxic gases and particulates from the combustion process.  These emissions pose significant health risks for those individuals frequently exposed to such hazardous emissions including department members who work in the fire station facility.  The Vehicle Exhaust Extraction System has been independently tested and verified to be capable of capturing 100% of the exhaust emissions at the point of generation by making an airtight seal around the exhaust pipe by using a pneumatic grabber with virtually 100% source capture. This positive seal prevents gases from escaping inside the fire station. 

The goal for this implementation is to bring the fire station into compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard requirements thus bringing a healthier quality of life to department members and visitors to the Durham Fire Station.  This will also allow the fire station facility to fall into compliance with the standards and codes of the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), and International Mechanical code (IMC) regarding hazardous material exhaust control systems. 

The department wishes to extend its appreciation to the community for their commitment in supporting a standard of excellence for firefighter health and safety.  The department also extends its sincere appreciation to Assistant Chief Randall Trull and Captain James Brown for their hard work in coordinating the installation and implementation of this system.  

SCRAP METAL RECYCLING

The Durham Public Works Department’s scrap metal contractor recently hauled 51 tons of assorted metal from the Raymond A. LaRoche Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center. Unlike other commodities, metal can be recycled repeatedly without altering its properties. At the recycling facility, magnets and sensors are used to separate the various metals, some of which can be sorted by material color and weight. Each metal is then melted in a large furnace, cooled, and solidified. During this phase, each material is specifically shaped (i.e. bars or logs) before being shipped to a factory for re-use in new items.

OBTAIN A DOG LICENSE BY APRIL 30, 2021 AND AUTOMATICALLY ENTER THE 2021 TOP DOG RAFFLE

The Town of Durham is proud to announce the 2021 Top Dog raffle. This raffle was created to motivate and remind dog owners to license their pets every year by April 30, as state law requires. Residents automatically register for the Top Dog raffle when they obtain a dog license before April 30, 2021. The winner of the Top Dog raffle will receive a gift basket donated by the clerk’s office.  The gift basket contains a fleece dog blanket, KONG-brand durable tennis balls, disposable dog waste bags, a high quality dog leash, and dog treats.

Rules & Regulations

• Contestants will automatically be entered into the raffle when they register their dog(s) before April 30 (only open to Durham residents).
• Residents who DO NOT want to be included in the raffle may opt out by writing, calling, or emailing the clerk’s office.
• Contestants must be 18 or older and be the owner of the dog on file with the clerk’s office. Town of Durham employees and elected officials are not eligible.
• The contestant must have a 2021 Town of Durham dog license by April 30. A current rabies vaccination will be required to obtain the license.
• The raffle winner may submit a digital photo and brief biography of their dog. Photos of the 2021 raffle winner’s dog will be included in the Durham Friday Update.
• The winner will be drawn at random by clerk’s office at a Town Council meeting in May 2021.

NRCS IS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING A CONSERVATION WILDLIFE PROJECT ASSESSMENT ON THE EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL ON DURHAM FOREST LANDS

The Natural Resource Conservation Service is interested in supporting a project to deploy an Autonomous Recording Unit along with date collection and vegetation metric recordings focusing on the Eastern Whip-poor-wills, a nocturnal aerial insectivore that has experienced a 69% reduction in its population since 1966. Currently, there is little to no research on how whip-poor-will occupancy relates to forest management, microhabitat, and landscape composition at a large regional scales throughout its breeding range. The scientists involved will be initiating an NRCS Conservation Effects Assessment Project that will monitor whip-poor-will occupancy using Autonomous Recording Units at forested sites, primarily early-successional communities created through NRCS and program partners.  

ARU’s are small recording devices (slightly smaller than a cell phone) that are programmed to record for approximately 1.5 hours at night and 1.5 hours in early morning. Once an ARU is programmed, a project technician will visit the property site in April to secure the ARU to a tree within a young forest patch. They will then return to collect the ARU in late June/early July and spend 1-2 hours conducting a vegetation survey. The ARU recordings will be processed to determine the presence of whip-poor-will. The ARUs will also detect other wildlife that vocalize such as owls, woodcock, turkey, grouse, songbirds, and amphibians. Future projects may process the recordings to determine the presence of these additional species. 

The Land Stewardship Subcommittee will be discussing at its upcoming meeting.

Jill, a Junior at UNH, enjoys a spring afternoon at the Mill Pond. Courtesy Craig Stevens