Friday Updates - April 26, 2024

Friday, April 26, 2024

Looking forward to warmer temperatures and more flower sightings! These wild lady's slippers were photographed in 2022 by Berney Casey.

PARKING CHANGES AND ADDITIONS IN DOWNTOWN DURHAM HAVE BEGUN

To better serve our downtown businesses, the Town of Durham enacted a new pilot parking program beginning Monday, April 22, 2024. The pilot program will continue through the Fall of 2024. The following changes to parking enforcement in the downtown will be:

Free parking to be available after 5 PM, Monday through Friday, along the northeast (business side) of Main Street. This area includes between Pettee Brook Lane and Madbury Road, where the current one-hour free spaces are located immediately in front of downtown businesses. It also includes Jenkins Court, Madbury Road (between Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane), and within Sammy’s Lot (to be renamed the Bobcat Corner Lot). 

Free parking to be available Saturdays (Sunday free parking is already available) within the Bobcat Corner Lot. This will begin Saturday, April 27th.

The 66 Main Street Business Parking Permit lot will be opened for free general parking after 5 PM, Monday through Friday, and on weekends. (Please note that overnight parking is not allowed anywhere downtown). 

The addition of several new 15-minute free parking spaces will be installed within the downtown core as follows to support local businesses:

• One additional spot to serve businesses near Sweetened Memories on Pettee Brook Lane. This will be the first spot past the entrance as you enter the Permit Lot. 
• One additional spot to serve the businesses in the area of Aroma Joes, Subway, and the bank on Main Street.  
• Two additional spots to serve the mid-Main Street downtown area, we are currently looking at the two spots right next to the two universally accessible spots in front of Breaking New Grounds and immediately diagonal to Clark’s Restaurant. Currently, we are waiting for the 15-minute parking signs to arrive so that they can be installed. 

There will be no changes to any long-term parking areas and, as always, Sunday parking will be free.

Parking enforcement will continue to monitor the areas and enforce handicap spaces, fire lanes and 15-minute spots. 

RIGHT-TO-KNOW WORKSHOP BEING HELD MAY 9

On Thursday, May 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the Durham Town Hall there will be a workshop presented by Town Attorney Laura Spector-Morgan regarding the ins-and-outs of the New Hampshire Right-To-Know law. The focus will be for Town Government and Boards/Committees/ Commissions. However, anyone is welcome to attend. There will also be a Zoom option. You can register for the Zoom invitation HERE.

CELEBRATE THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLYMPIC OIL REFINERY DEFEAT 

The Durham Historic Association invites you to attend its annual meeting and 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Defeat of the Olympic Proposal on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 2 pm in the Council Room of the Durham Town Hall.

Following the election of officers the DHA will present The Battle for Durham Point and America’s Energy Future, a brief video chronicling the events of 1973-74 when the Town of Durham faced the prospect of Aristotle Onassis building the world’s largest oil refinery on Durham Point. Ten panelists will explore the issues and outcomes of this intense nine-month fight that took place 50 years ago.

This meeting is a chance for newcomers to join one of oldest historical societies in New Hampshire. It’s also a good time for current members to renew their memberships.

To learn more about the defeat of the oil refinery, click HERE.  

MADBURY ROAD COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT, CULVERT RECONSTRUCTION TO THIS MONDAY, APRIL 29 - Motorists advised to find alternate routes during the construction.

Beginning on Monday, April 29, 2024, Durham Public Works contractor, Severino Construction will begin construction activities on Madbury and Edgewood Roads at the Littlehale Culvert locations with select tree removals within the work area. Severino will mobilize first at the Madbury Road location with construction activities expected to last 2-3 days. An alternate lane traffic configuration with traffic direction and flaggers will be in place.  Madbury Road will resume unimpeded two-way traffic at the end of each workday.

The Edgewood Road select tree clearing will begin on May 1, 2024, and is expected to require four days of removal operations. Edgewood Road will remain closed during this entire period.  Access to residential properties will be maintained at all times. 

Culvert reconstruction activities will commence shortly after tree removals and will have similar traffic impacts. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible and allow additional time to reach their destination. This schedule is subject to change without notice due to weather, mechanical issues, and other conditions.

For additional information please contact Durham Public Works at (603) 868-5578.

DO YOU NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHANGE YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION?

Residents of Durham who are not yet registered to vote, may do so at the Town Clerk’s office any time that office is open. Residents who are already registered may change party, address, or name, also at the Town Clerk’s office any time that office is open.

Residents may also register to vote or change party or name with the Supervisors of the Checklist on the following date:

           Date:  Tuesday June 4, 2024

           Time:  7:00 – 7:30 PM

           Place: Durham Town Hall

Applicants for registration should bring with them proofs of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile (in Durham). Driver’s license and passport are helpful. Affidavits may be signed under oath if other proofs are lacking. 

A person’s party is not important EXCEPT at a primary. The next election in Durham will be the NH State Primary, which will be held on September 10.  The final date to change party for that election will be the above date, June 4, 2024.  Don’t be caught at that election finding that you are not registered to vote with the party you wish! You may check your status at https://app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation. If you have trouble finding your personal information, please call the town clerk’s office. We have had a few instances where we had the wrong date of birth.

If you are a frequent viewer of anything DCAT, please note our new Live Stream & OnDemand website address which can be accessed HERE. Live meetings are now prominently displayed on the home page or can be accessed via the left icon entitled "Live."

Not only is this a new format, but it will allow for other changes which are being planned for the future including; Facebook LIVE, YouTube LIVE, Roku & Closed Captioning. 

If you have any questions, you can email DCAT Director, Craig Stevens at dcat@ci.durham.nh.us

As Spring arrives and more bicyclists begin to share the road, please be aware of Durham’s use of shared lane markings known as “sharrows”. A sharrow is a large painted arrow on the road that accompanies an image of a cyclist and is intended to encourage sharing of general-purpose travel lanes by automobiles and bicycles. 

The position of the painted sharrow and direction of the “arrows” indicate the position of travel and suggested lane position for the bicycles.

Durham has sharrows on many of its arterial and collector roadways, notably in areas where narrow lanes exist and where cyclists are encouraged to ride away from parked cars.

DID YOU KNOW?  - Durham Swap Shop

The Linda H. Hollister Swap Shop (Swap Shop) is open for the season. Just a reminder that there is a procedure to enter the Swap Shop, and the Swap Shop does not take certain items.

When entering the Transfer Station, it is mandatory to stop and check-in with one of the Attendants to review the items you wish to donate to the Swap Shop. The Attendant(s) will evaluate each item(s) based on the criteria below to determine if it will be accepted. A bulky waste coupon may be required in situations where the item(s) is not accepted. We encourage residents to discuss other options for donating their goods with the attendants and Swap Shop Volunteers.

A reminder that users of the Swap Shop are encouraged to remain at the facility for no longer than thirty (30) minutes during any one visit to allow other residents an opportunity to view and take items. The following is a list of items that are not accepted at the Swap Shop:

• Dirty, moldy or stained items. Stained fabrics may go into the Ecosmith Textile Recycling bin.
• Broken, non-functioning or items missing pieces (a chair without a leg, desk without a drawer or drawer knobs, etc..)
• Boxes full of unsorted items (unless approved by a Transfer Station Attendant or Swap Shop Volunteer.)
• Upholstered furniture (mattresses, box springs, chairs, couches, headboards, pillows, etc.).
• Electronic items (all of which require an electronic coupon for disposal): Refrigerators, Dehumidifiers, Air Conditioners, Other items containing a refrigerant, Televisions, Computer Monitors
• Construction materials of any kind (wood, shingles, sheetrock, insulation, etc.)
• Concrete, bricks, stone, solid fill.
• Appliances larger than a microwave (appliances containing refrigerant that have an electronic coupon will be considered for donation).
• Hazardous Materials or Chemicals (oils, gas, diesel, kerosene, propane, oxygen, mercury containing items, etc.)
• Food, beverages, cosmetics
• Textbooks, dated manuals, reference books (can be recycled using the Discover Books bin)
• Skies, ski boots, snow boards
• Child safety equipment (car seats, helmets)
• Weapons
• Broken glass (including glass from picture frames)
• Clothing and shoes (Use the Salvation Army bin for clothing and shoes in good condition. The Ecosmith bins for these and any stained bedding, towels, fabric stuffed animals, etc.)

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee and Durham Public Works

Questions about recycling or composting: Email us at DurhamRecycles603@gmail.com.

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Check here: www.Recyclesmartma.org

Want to learn more about the Swap Shop? Click HERE.

The Durham Police Department has partnered with the DEA for a number of years to help take unused, expired, and unwanted prescription medication for proper and safe disposal. Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue. Proper disposal of unneeded drugs saves lives and protects the environment and our overall community. 

Although Saturday, April 27, is Drug Take Back Day, Durham Police participate in this program every day. There is a drop box in the lobby of the police station where you can drop your medications at any time. If our lobby is closed during non-business hours, simply use the call box next to our front door to contact an officer and they will be happy to help. Please, no needles or liquids!  

On Friday, April 19, Officer Erik Burke and Tom Baran, of AAA Northern New England, presented a senior driving course to refresh drivers on their knowledge of New Hampshire driving laws and to learn ways to minimize driving risks. The presentation was hosted at the Durham Evangelical Church and was well attended. The Durham Police would like to thank the citizens that attended, as well as AAA Northern New England, The New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety, and the Durham Evangelical Church. 

DURHAM POLICE CALEA ACCREDITATION - Public Comment Portal Posted on Town Website for Public Feedback

The Durham Police Department is an Advanced level CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) agency. As part of its re-accreditation process with CALEA, Durham Police Chief Rene Kelley would like to announce the availability of the CALEA public access portal.

For those interested, this portal allows commenting on the performance of the Durham Police Department. The link HERE is provided as an opportunity for comments, commendations, and other information regarding the agency’s quality of service or other information relevant to the accreditation process.

If you have any problems with the website, please contact Captain Jack Dalton at: jdalton@ci.durham.nh.us. 

The Durham Professional Firefighters Local #2253 would like to introduce Smokey the Fire Dog. Smokey will give short tips on Fire Safety, weekly so Parents and guardians can generate conversation with their children about Fire Safety. Keep an eye out in the weekly updates These small questions and tips are a great way for you as a Parent to teach your kids about Fire Safety, the more they know the safer they will be.

WEEK #17

ALWAYS STOP AND CHECK FOR TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHEN YOU START RIDING.

Always stay safe and watch for any hazards before riding anywhere on your bike. 

NEWS FROM THE OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

ORCSD One Community, Many Voices: Embracing Belonging

The ORCSD DEIJ Committee Group invites community members to One Community, Many Voices: Embracing Belonging, a community event on May 2, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Oyster River Middle School Concert Hall (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). This event is for everyone and will feature three guest speakers and intentional conversations facilitated by the ORCSD DEIJ Community Group. No RSVP required. View the poster HERE.

Celebrating Superintendent Morse

Join ORCSD at the Oyster River Middle School Learning Commons (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824) on May 16 to celebrate Superintendent Morse's coming retirement and 12 years of dedicated service to the Oyster River community. Reception starts at 4:00 p.m. and the ceremony runs 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. No RSVP required. Light refreshments will be served. View the poster HERE.

Last Day of School: June 14

On April 17, the ORCSD School Board determined the last day of the 2023-2024 school year would be Friday, June 14, 2024, with early dismissal. Students will be served lunch at school and buses will provide service to their usual routes.