Friday Updates - August 6, 2021

Friday, August 6, 2021

ELIGIBLE DURHAM COMMUNITY MEMBERS STRONGLY URGED TO CONSIDER BECOMING FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 | ADDITIONAL COVID INFORMATION FOR DURHAM

The current public health recommendation is to become fully vaccinated. Being fully vaccinated will decrease your chances of becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus or transmitting it to your family, friends, and others in the Durham/Oyster River community with whom you have close contact.

In addition, fully vaccinated people who become infected with COVID-19 are less likely to experience severe symptoms, hospitalization, or death. If you have questions about the vaccine, it is recommended that you discuss this with your personal physician.

With fall approaching and the strong likelihood of increased active cases across NH and in Durham, the time to be proactive and become fully vaccinated is now.

A high percentage of Durham staff are fully vaccinated. Admin. Selig is pleased to note that as a result of an informal survey of departments, we estimate 96% of Town employees are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Those who are not typically do not have direct contact with the public. Underlying health conditions may be a factor as to why the remaining members of the staff have not become fully vaccinated. The Town does not require the vaccination of its staff at this time, and such a step is not envisioned to be necessary locally.

Vaccination clinics being organized by the Town/Library for community. We are in the process of scheduling with the State of New Hampshire a free vaccination clinic to be held at the Town Hall sometime in September. The Durham Public Library is also working with the state to schedule a clinic on another date in the fall. More details will be provided in future "Friday Updates."

Will masks be required again in Durham? If Covid-19 active case counts and the rate of transmission in the region becomes an increasing concern, there is a likelihood that we will require the wearing of masks within Durham municipal facilities once again for the general public and for staff interacting with the public, regardless of vaccination status. We've ordered a new batch of masks to provide to the public if this becomes necessary to supplement waning supplies. The ORCSD will be requiring the wearing of masks within each of the school facilities by faculty, staff, students, and visitors. UNH has announced this afternoon that it is requiring the wearing of masks within classrooms per CDC guidance. At this time there is not a plan to require masks downtown within local businesses/restaurants but we will continue to monitor the evolving situation. The Town of Hanover passed an emergency mask ordinance for all inside business/public locations in that community earlier this week.

OLD BRICK TOWN HALL ELECTRICAL UPGRADES UNDERTAKEN

Durham Historic Association and Parks & Recreation Building Electrical Upgrades – The Durham Public Works Department’s electrical contractor, Yates Electric Service, recently replaced the electrical panel in the DHA Courthouse/Parks & Recreation Building. The antiquated and obsolete Federal Pacific panel was upgraded to a modern Siemens panel to serve the future needs of the building including planned HVAC upgrades. 

66 MAIN STREET PARKING LOT/POCKET PARK UPDATE - The project is coming along nicely. -- Parks & Rec. plans to host Durham Day here on Sept. 18th.

The Durham Public Works Department continues to advance improvements to the former ATO property located at 66 Main Street recently acquired by the Town. Highway Division team members completed construction on a large storm water detention pond at the rear of the property to capture stormwater runoff and allow for the management of peak stormwater flows and volumes while also infiltrating water into the soil below which recharges groundwater and removes pollutants. The team also completed work on the entryway and a staircase along with sidewalk paving that will allow pedestrian access from Pettee Brook Lane at the rear of the property to Main Street. Some of the work remaining includes installation of fencing at the front of the property, lighting installation, pavement markings, loaming and seeding of the pocket park and plantings in the area adjacent to the existing retaining wall along Main Street. Most of this work is scheduled to be completed mid- September.

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT TO BE HOSTED BY RAVI'S MARKET - Thursday, September 9th, 4 - 9PM

Ravi's Market, located at 7 Madbury Road, will hold a Customer Appreciation Event on Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. This is a FREE event for the community with food and drinks to be provided. Vendors will also be in attendance with samples. There will be music, raffles, and prizes.

Members of the Council are encouraged to stop by. Ravi Kumar, owner of the former Sammy's Market (now Ravi's Market), has been working hard to make improvements to the store and wants to make it more a part of the non-UNH student portion of the Durham community.

TAX MAP REDO PROJECT COMING ALONG WELL

Durham has rounded the bend and are in the final stages of the tax map project. CAI Technologies, the company hired to update Durham’s tax maps staff just completed the Digital Compilation Phase of the project and delivered a set of preliminary tax maps to the Assessor’s Office. These maps are not yet available for public review.  

Once the maps are reviewed by staff for discrepancies, notices will be mailed to each property owner indicating their new tax map and lot numbers, any acreage changes if applicable and notification as to when CAI Technologies will be holding informal reviews of the tax maps. After the informal hearings are completed, CAI will revise the maps accordingly and deliver the final version to the Town. The new tax map and lot numbers and any acreage changes will not be implemented until 2022.  

ABNORMALLY DRY CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO RECEDE ACROSS MUCH OF NH - It would be wonderful for there to be more sunny days in the remaining weeks of summer.

Since last week, abnormally dry conditions have receded further north. Drought and abnormally dry conditions remain in Coos County. Abnormally dry conditions remain in northern Carroll County and northern Grafton County. The July 2021 NH Groundwater Level Monitoring Network Report indicates that overall groundwater levels have greatly improved since the end of June across much of NH. Over the next seven days, 0.1" to 0.25" of precipitation is expected across the state, with the south receiving less than the north. The forecast for Saturday through next Thursday is for increased heat and humidity. The 8-14 day outlook is leaning toward average amounts of rain and strongly favoring above normal temperatures.

TOWN COUNCIL TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF MILL POND DAM ON OYSTER RIVER AUGUST 16TH 

The Oyster River Dam, also known as the Mill Pond Dam, is located on the Oyster River as it flows through the Town of Durham prior to its discharge into the Great Bay. Constructed in 1913, the dam is a concrete Ambursen-style dam consisting of a spillway, a set of gated outlets at the right abutment, and a fish ladder at the left abutment. It is approximately 140 feet long, with a maximum structural height of approximately 13 feet. Due to its age, engineering significance, and association with local history, the dam is listed on the NH Register of Historic Places.

The NHDES Dam Bureau has identified several safety deficiencies associated with the current dam, including concerns with its overall structural integrity and stability. The Town was notified of these problems in multiple Letters of Deficiency, most recently in February 2018.

The dam impounds the Oyster River, forming the 9.5-acre “Mill Pond” as well as portions of the Oyster River and Hamel Brook upstream of the Pond. The impoundment is used for numerous recreational activities such as fishing, paddling, birdwatching and ice skating. Over the years, water quality in Mill Pond has declined and portions of the pond have filled with sediment, converting much of the former open water area to emergent wetland habitat. The pond is listed by NHDES as an impaired water body.

A detailed Feasibility Study published in November 2020 described several alternatives for addressing the dam safety issues, including detailed discussions of “Alternative 3 (Dam Stabilization)” as well as “Alternative 5 (Dam Removal).”

Following publication of the Feasibility Study, the VHB team was asked by the Town Council, following public input and hearings, to conduct a Supplemental Analysis of Alternative 3 (Dam Stabilization) without Option 1 (Pond Restoration Dredge), as well as to explore additional analysis of the effects of Alternative 5 (Dam Removal). These analyses address questions related to watershed management actions that could improve Mill Pond water quality, the effect of upstream water withdrawals on Mill Pond, and whether Alternative 3 could be modified to improve fish passage and water quality. That report is dated July 2021.

The August 16th meeting is intended to be a discussion amongst Councilors, not a public hearing. Members of the public will be able to provide feedback during the public comment portion of the meeting. The public had until the end of last month to submit written questions/comments about the July 2021 VHB report to the Town Engineer to share with the VHB consultant team for possible follow up, as necessary.

The Council is not expected to resolve the issue until its meeting on September 13, 2021.

To view the July 2021 VHB report, click HERE. To view additional information about the Mill Pond Dam on the Oyster River click HERE.

FIREFIGHTERS DAVIS AND MCFADDEN COMPLETE NH INTERAGENCY WILDFIRE ACADEMY CHAINSAW COURSE

Firefighters Andrew Davis and Ryan McFadden recently completed the NH Wildfire Interagency Academy Chainsaw Course.  Attendees were instructed on chainsaw safety standards, functions, features and use of internal combustion engine powered chain saws, operations, troubleshooting, and maintenance.  Field exercises provided hands-on cutting experience in surroundings similar to fire-line situations reinforcing the use & application of these powerful tools.  This certification course is a valuable tool that will help firefighters keep the members of our community and our wildlands safe.

Congratulations to Andrew and Ryan on successfully completing this valuable course!

DURHAM ROAD PROGRAM UPDATE FROM DPW

The Durham Public Works Department’s contractor for its roadway resurfacing program, Continental Paving, recently completed 40 driveway tie-ins along Sullivan Falls Road, Kelsey Drive, Tall Pines Drive, Mathes Cove Road, and a portion of Foss Farm Road. Existing driveway aprons were removed, base materials were re-graded, and a 2” course of binder pavement was applied. Construction will pause for the next several weeks before the top wearing course of asphalt is applied in late August or September.

P&R Friday Field Trip today for REACH Camp! What a day to sail with the Gundalow! Courtesy Rachel Gasowski

DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR YOUR SOLAR EXEMPTION - A reminder from Assessor Jim Rice.

While inspecting properties for improvements/renovations, it has been noted that several property owners in Durham who have installed solar equipment have not applied for their solar exemption.

If you own property in Durham and have recently installed, upgraded or replaced a “solar energy system” that utilizes solar energy to heat or cool the interior of your building; heat water or to provide electricity, you may qualify for a solar exemption. If you are already receiving a solar exemption, you do not need to reapply.  

The Town of Durham adopted the Exemption for Solar Systems per RSA 72:62 where you may qualify for a solar exemption from your property tax assessment.

To qualify for this exemption, you must submit a PA-29 exemption application by April 15, 2022. Applications are located on the Town’s website or you may pick one up at the Assessor’s Office. Your application must also include the total installation cost and a detailed list of what equipment was installed on your property. 

If approved, this exemption will be applied to your assessment.

If you have any questions, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 603-868-8064.

DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS TEAM CONSTRUCTS GRAVEL PARKING LOT ON LONGMARSH ROAD AS APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL

The Durham Public Works Department recently constructed an 8-car gravel parking lot at the beginning of the Longmarsh Preserve Trailhead otherwise known as the Sweet Trail. The 54’ x 36’ parking lot was first cleared of vegetation followed by the stripping the loose organic material and replacing it with structural gravels. The project now provides orderly parking at the trailhead with overflow parking along Longmarsh Road. Please note areas along Longmarsh Road adjacent to the trail head entrance and the private turnaround easement will be posted “No Parking” soon.  

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AERATION TANKS UPDATED WITH NEW AIR MEMBRANE DIFFUSERS

Wastewater Division team members replaced three hundred and eleven aeration membrane diffusers. This accomplishment is impressive as many wastewater systems of similar size would contract for this work at a significantly higher cost. These membranes are used for the oxygen transfer in the aeration tanks to keep the microbes that treat the wastewater healthy and deliver the required amount of oxygen. These membranes have an expected life of approximately five years before they begin to plug, requiring the aeration blower to work harder to deliver the oxygen needed. Both aeration trains have now been completed and are ready for service as wastewater flows increase with the arrival of UNH students beginning their fall semester.

DURHAM BENEFITS FROM A REBOUNDING RECYCLING MARKET

Durham Public Works reports that the commodity market for recyclable materials continues to rebound in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Paper mills in Vietnam, India, and Mexico have continued to increase their imports and several domestic companies are expanding allowing for increased capacity. Plastic prices are approaching record highs largely due to rising oil prices and a concern for an above-average hurricane season. 

The recent contract negotiated with Waste Management by Durham Public Works, the Town Administrator, and the Integrated Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC) and approved by Town Council has been structured to take advantage of these favorable conditions. The contract allows Durham to receive increased recycling revenues with an inclusion of a revenue share agreement. 

The current cost of processing commingled recyclables is $6.72 per ton as compared to $82.93 per ton in December 2020 and $33.58 per ton for paper recycling as compared to $93 per ton in December. With a current solid waste disposal cost of $77 per ton, the economic benefit gained from the efforts of Durham residents and businesses to recycling is readily apparent and is complimented by the positive environmental impact. 

WAGON HILL PHASE I LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT SITE VISIT

Members of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Aquatic Resource Mitigation Committee (“ARM”) along with staff members from Region I EPA and other watershed groups visited Durham’s Wagon Hill Farm Living Shoreline Project along with Cutts Cove shoreline restoration in Portsmouth on July 29th. The group was interested in learning more about these innovative approaches being used for shoreline restoration in New Hampshire and was provided a tour by the Durham project team.  

Living shorelines are green infrastructure techniques using native vegetation alone or in combination with low sills to stabilize the shoreline. Living shorelines provide a natural alternative to ‘hard’ shoreline stabilization methods like rip rap or bulkheads, and provide numerous benefits including nutrient pollution remediation, essential fish habitat structure, and buffering of shorelines from waves and storms.¹

¹ National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

DURHAM'S 2 VARIABLE MESSAGE BOARDS (VMB) MALFUNCTIONING/INOPERABLE

Durham Public Works continues to evaluate options for the repair or replacement of the existing 2015 K&K Systems “metro model” message boards. The existing boards were purchased as part of a previous sewer construction project at a discounted price and have become unreliable, with panel outages allowing for only intermittent messaging. The local dealer network for this manufacturer is limited and the cost to ship and repair the existing boards to the manufacturer located in Tupelo, Mississippi is comparable to the purchase of a quality message board. Durham Public Works has included the purchase of a VMB in the upcoming capital request in the likely event repairs continue to be cost prohibitive.