Friday Updates - August 30, 2024

Friday, August 30, 2024

A heron looking over Great Bay Courtesy, Alan Bennett

Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer are upon us!

The Town of Durham offices and the Durham Public Library will be closed Monday, September 2, for the Labor Day Holiday.

CHANGE IN DATE FOR THIS YEAR'S HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATING TO OCTOBER 31 - Mark your calendars!

Historically, Halloween trick-or-treating in Durham (and in Lee & Madbury) has been on the night before Halloween (October 30). This annually causes confusion for residents, new and old, and calls/emails to Town departments for clarification. The historical reason was to separate the younger kids from older ones, and in Durham’s case, from UNH students, who might partake in Halloween in overly festive ways.

The question was posed this year to the Durham staff a few weeks ago, and the feeling was that it made sense to move trick-or-treating this year to Halloween night (October 31) to reduce confusion. Police Chief Kelley felt the younger kids would be done with trick-or-treating before the older kids/UNH students came out. We conferred with Lee, Madbury, and the ORCSD and all were open to the idea. So we’re making the change! We’ll monitor this year and if it causes issues, we can revisit next year.  

RESOLUTION PASSED ON UPHOLDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND SUPPORTING DE-ESCALATION OF CONFLICTS

At their August 12 meeting, the Town Council approved a Resolution affirming the desire of the Town to work with the University of New Hampshire to provide all residents and visitors freedom to express their opinions and to emphasize the importance of de-escalation with any conflicts.

This Resolution came about in response to the handling of a student protest on the UNH campus on May 1, 2024.

To read the full Resolution, please click HERE.

You may be surprised to see some familiar faces in the Town Clerk's office these next few months!

Town Clerk Assistant Cheryl Hildreth has left Durham to take the full-time position of Town Clerk for the Town of Hampton. Due to the vacancy left by Cheryl and the upcoming elections, Lorrie Pitt and Kitty Marple have been hired as part-time employees to help out during the election months.

Lorrie served as Durham's Town Clerk for many years prior to her retirement in 2023, and Kitty has been a Council member in the past and also served as Council Chair.

THE NH STATE PRIMARY IS COMING - DO YOU NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE?

The NH State Primary is September 10. 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 address or name, also at the Town Clerk’s office any time that office is open. Voters cannot change party at this time.

A person’s party is not important EXCEPT at a primary. The final date to change party has passed.  If you are registered as Undeclared, you may choose which ballot you want on the day of the primary election, and return to Undeclared as you leave the polls, or any time thereafter. 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. 

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

           Date:             Wednesday, September 4, 2024

           Time:             7:00 – 7:30 PM

           Place:            Durham Town Hall

This will be the last date for any new voter registrations until election day. Residents may register to vote at the polls (Oyster River High School) with proper identification. Please note that you must be a resident of Durham.

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.  

The little troll, who has kept watch over Faculty Road for over twenty years, welcomes the students back this week. Courtesy, Janice Aviza

A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE LESSER-KNOWN ELECTED POSITIONS THAT WILL BE ON THE STATE PRIMARY BALLOT ON SEPT. 10

New Hampshire remains a state in which your vote really does count. Polls are open at the Oyster River High School for the September 10, 2024, Primary from 7 AM to 7 PM. View or download a facsimile of the ballot HERE.

Below are brief descriptions of some of the less well-known positions on the State Primary ballot.

STATE LEVEL

Executive Council — Executive Councilors are responsible for confirming gubernatorial appointments for state agency chiefs and judgeships, and they must approve most state contracts. The Executive Council also approves appointments of members of commissions and boards, administrative law judges with jurisdiction over various specialized areas, and certain other state officials, such as all attorneys in the Attorney General’s office. For more information, see the Overview of the Executive Council website HERE.

COUNTY LEVEL

Sheriff — The Sheriff oversees and handles the transportation of criminals, delivery of writs and other Court-related paperwork, operates a Communications and Dispatch Center, and oversees Courthouse security. The Strafford County Communications and Dispatch Center provides dispatching services for Durham Police, Fire, and Public Works. For more information, see the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office website HERE.

County Attorney — The Office of the Strafford County Attorney is responsible for overseeing the investigation and prosecution of all criminal cases in the County. The County Attorney handles (or oversees) all the county’s legal affairs. The office also operates a domestic violence unit, child advocacy center, and family justice center. For more information, see the County Attorney’s website HERE.

Register of Deeds — The Strafford County Registry of Deeds is the land records office for the three cities and ten towns that comprise Strafford County. The Register is responsible for recording, indexing, and safeguarding documents filed in the office, including deeds, mortgages and other instruments relating to the transfer of interests in real estate. In addition to land record recording duties, the Registrar of Deeds also notifies the city or town of all land transfers recorded in the Registry and collects all recording and related fees and sends them on to the state or over to the county treasury. The Registry is a major source of revenue for the county. For more information, see the Strafford County Register of Deeds website HERE.

County Commissioner — Three County Commissioners make up the Executive branch of Strafford County, with responsibility for the day‑to‑day operations of County government in both fiscal and policy matters. In Strafford County, the Commissioners are elected for two-year terms, at large, meaning from anywhere in Strafford County. See the Strafford County Commissioners’ website HERE.

County Treasurer — Although the Strafford County website does not include a description of this office, the Rockingham County website does HERE. It reads in part: “The County Treasurer is an elected position covered under Chapter 29 of the New Hampshire RSAs. The Treasurer issues the annual tax warrant to each of the municipal units for their portion of the tax levy, maintains custody of all funds, and obtains the necessary authorization to borrow funds when needed. New Hampshire residents all pay a county portion of their property taxes to their municipality, which is passed on to the County in one lump sum each December. The total amount due is set by the County’s legislative delegation (comprised of the elected members of the NH House within the county) during the annual budget process. The Department of Revenue apportions the total due to each town based on their valuations.” In addition, authority for the position is provided under Chapter 29 County Treasurers and County Taxes of the State's RSAs which can be found HERE.

RESCHEDULED DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION ANNUAL PICNIC TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Pack a picnic supper and join the Durham Historic Association at the Milne Nature Sanctuary on Mill Pond Road for the Durham Historic Association’s annual picnic on Saturday, September 7th at 3pm. 

Diana Carroll will share her recollections of her long relationship with Margery and Lorus Milne, the Keepers of the Swans, who gave this land to the Town. If the weather deteriorates at the time of the picnic or during the picnic, we have arranged to move Diana Carroll’s presentation to the Durham Town Council Chambers. Attendees may then picnic in the Town Hall lobby.

Parking is limited in the area of the Milne Nature Sanctuary to about 20 cars, so plan to carpool, contact a friend in Faculty Development to share their driveway, or walk from the Town Hall or Community Church parking lots.

The Conservation Commission thanked Jake Kritzer for his long-time service to the commission as member and chair, at its meeting on Monday, August 26.

NEWS FROM THE SWAP SHOP

●    Drop off used eyeglasses, cell phones, and crutches, or tents and sleeping bags in good condition. They will be made available to those in need.

●    The Swap Shop is accepting Fall/Winter Holiday items starting on Tuesday, October 2nd.

●    Swap Shop hours are 9:00-2:30. The Swap Shop closes 30 minutes before the Transfer Station so that volunteers may put all items away and leave by 3:00. 

●    Often the Swap Shop opens before 9:00. If the doors are open, the Swap Shop is open. If the doors are not open, please check in with a Transfer Station Attendant before dropping off items.

●    The Swap Shop cannot take upholstered furniture or large rugs without Bulky Waste coupons. These items are not protected from rain and snow. If ruined before anyone wants them, they go to Bulky Waste.

●    Items accepted include working refrigerators or freezers, dehumidifiers, laptops and computer monitors (anything with a screen), and dehumidifiers ONLY if you have purchased an Electronics/ Appliance sticker FIRST.

●    Become a volunteer. It’s easy! Check https://swapshopdurham.wordpress.com/

Thank you for helping to keep reusable items out of the landfill,

The Linda H. Hollister Swap Shop 

When composting with Mr. Fox at the transfer station (or in your backyard), here are 10 often overlooked items you can add to compost to reduce waste, create more compost, and make your home more sustainable.

Bulky Garden Waste

Cornstalks, pumpkin vines, and other bulky plant debris left over from the gardening season can be tossed into compost as long as it is free of disease, pests, and weed seeds. Watermelon rinds, pumpkins, corn cobs, and pineapple tops can also be composted.

Fruit Pits and Nut Shells

Don’t throw out those nut shells, cherry and peach pits, and avocado seeds after eating them. These items can be composted!

Pizza Boxes

Any part of the box that has food or grease on it should be composted. The rest of the uncontaminated box can go in paper/corrugated cardboard recycling.

Hair, Fur, Feathers, and Nail Clippings

You can place hair, fur, nail clippings, and undyed feathers in the compost bin. 

Coffee Grounds and Tea Bags

Coffee grounds and loose leaf tea make excellent compost. You can even compost tea bags, strings and all, as long as the bags are made of paper or muslin and don’t contain staples or microplastics.

Wine Corks

Some modern wine corks are made of synthetic materials or are coated in plastic, which is not compostable. However, if you have wine corks made of natural cork, you can add them to your compost.

Natural Loofahs

Genuine loofahs are made from dried gourds and are fully compostable. Natural sponges can also be composted as long as they are not bleached or dyed.

Wooden Skewers and Toothpicks

You can also compost wooden popsicle sticks and compostable wooden cutlery.

Cotton Balls and Cotton Swabs

Cotton swabs and cotton balls are compostable as long as they’re made of 100% unbleached cotton and don’t contain plastic or synthetic sticks. For food safety, avoid composting cotton items that have come in direct contact with chemicals you don’t want in your food garden, such as nail polish remover.

Ashes

Ashes left over after burning natural, untreated and unpainted wood can be composted. However, avoid composting ashes from charcoal briquettes, as they may contain additives not acceptable in compost. Note: Natural ashes can also be used around your bushes to add extra nutrients to the soil.

Sources: Mr. Fox Composting, Better Homes and Gardens

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

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

Check the IWMAC Committee out on Instagram: sustainable.durham.nh

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

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

THE SWITCH IS ON - (Your first EV) - A message from the Energy Committee.

Did you know most climate pollution comes from transportation and residences (65%)? Save money over a combustion engine and lower your footprint by making your next car an EV.

The Durham Energy Committee has compiled an EV Resources guide, which can help you decide and connect with info. like 5.99% financing and options for all credit scores through the Clean Energy Credit Union. Click HERE for the EV Resources guide.

In good weather, you may also think about walking, biking, or using Durham’s well-connected public transportation options ($1 for Wildcat bus to Portsmouth or Dover, $10+ for Amtrak to Boston or Portland).  Did you know know UNH Wildcat Transit is the largest transit agency in NH - and it's right here in Durham?!

Have any energy questions? Contact the Durham Energy Committee at dec@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/Guardian to teach your kids about Fire Safety. The more they know the safer they will be.

WEEK #35

The summer has been fun, but now it’s time for us all to go back to school. For some helpful tips on school safety, click HERE.

OYSTER RIVER 2024-25 ACADEMIC CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE ON AGENDA HERO - An easy way to download most major school dates at once.

It's the first week of school for Oyster River Families, which means schedules are busy! To save you time, a Durham resident utilized Agenda Hero to make it simple to add the 2024-25 Academic Calendar to your calendar for free.

You can add all events at once or pick and choose which to add just by clicking HERE.

If you have questions, feel free to email support@agendahero.com

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

No School: Labor Day

All ORCSD schools will be closed Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. School will resume Tuesday, September 3.

9/10 is a Teacher Workshop Day

All ORCSD schools will be closed Tuesday, September 10, for a teacher workshop day.

ORCSD Registration

Oyster River families should complete the registration process to provide the district and schools with the information needed to plan for our students' learning experience. Register HERE. If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to your school's front office and they will assist you.

Transportation and Safety Information

You may find your child(ren)'s bus number and bus stop location by visiting our website's bus route page HERE. Please note that bus routes are subject to change at any time and are currently changing daily based on student enrollment. Barrington bus routes are managed by Dail Transportation and can be found HERE. You may contact Route Coordinator Ginger McHugh at gmchugh@sau74.org with any questions.

Roadwork in Durham

Due to the extensive ongoing road work projects in Durham, ORCSD has prepared a transportation and safety video for middle and high school families. Take a few minutes to view this video HERE, as it contains essential information to ensure the safety of students.

Free and Reduced Meals 

To continue receiving free or reduced meals for the 2024-2025 school year, your application must be received by October 13, 2024. To apply, click HERE. Free and reduced meals applications are also available throughout the school year at your child's main school office and nurse's office upon request. 

End 68 Hours of Hunger

This program’s purpose is to send home a supply of food every Friday with any Oyster River child who feels/whose parent(s) feel this would be helpful. Applications are confidential and there is no income qualification. You may request assistance HERE or by contacting OysterRiver@End68HoursofHunger.org. If you are interested in making a monetary donation to support the program, please make checks payable to: ORCSD End 68 Hours of Hunger. Checks may be mailed to: c/o Doris Demers, 33 Coe Drive, Durham, NH 03824.

PARTICIPATE IN AN EXCITING VIRTUAL REALITY RESEARCH STUDY!

Dr. Ferdinand Delgado from the Kinesiology department at the University of New Hampshire is seeking 9 participants aged 65 years and older to join an innovative 8-week research study exploring the impact of different virtual reality programs and applications on cognition and physical function. This is a great opportunity for Durham residents! This study offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology while contributing to important research.

Study Details:

• Duration: 8 weeks
• Sessions: Twice a week, each session is 60 minutes long
• Start Date: Earliest start is September 30, 2024 (Scheduling is flexible)
• Location: UNH Durham campus
• Special consideration may be given to meeting some of the time at your residence, depending on scheduling availability and your location.
• Parking: Available upon request

What's Involved:

• Full Cognitive Assessment: Conducted before and after the virtual reality experience, with results provided to you.
• Physical function assessment: Various balance and walking tasks will also be conducted before and after the virtual reality experience.
• Virtual Reality Experience: Engage in interactive sessions designed to test the feasibility and effects of VR on cognitive and physical health.
• Meeting twice a week for 8 weeks. Each session will last approximately one hour

Eligibility:

• Must be 65 years or older
• Other criteria must be met, which will be sent to you given your interest.

How to Join: For more information or to sign up, please contact Ferdinand Delgado, PhD at ferdinand.delgado@unh.edu.