Friday Updates - December 20, 2024

Friday, December 20, 2024

Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector Audrey MacKenzie poses (center) with Oyster River High School students. The students stopped by Town Hall this morning to serenade everyone with some holiday carols. Audrey worked for the Oyster River School system prior to coming to the Town Hall. Courtesy, Todd Selig

The winter solstice tomorrow (December 21) marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s officially winter!

Christmas is coming right up on December 25th. The day marks the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Hanukkah also begins on December 25 at sundown. One of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, it is a festive eight-day celebration that for many people falls during the darkest, coldest season of the year! Also called the Festival of Lights, the holiday brings light, joy, and warmth to the homes of those who celebrate. Hanukkah (alternately spelled Chanukah), meaning "dedication" in Hebrew, commemorates the victory of a small group of Jewish rebels (led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, collectively known as “the Maccabees”) over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem. 

Kwanzaa then follows from December 26 through January 1. It is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community, and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The seven principles that form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent. These principles include: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times. 

HOLIDAY SCHEDULES

The Durham Town Hall will close at noon on Tuesday, December 24, and be closed all day on Wednesday & Thursday, December 25 & 26.

There will be NO refuse and recycling collection on Wednesday, December 25. Collection will be delayed one day for the remainder of the week, Wednesday on Thursday, and Thursday on Friday. There will be NO commercial recycling collection on Friday, December 27. 

The Raymond A. LaRoche Sr., Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be OPEN for normal hours on Tuesday, December 24 and Saturday, December 28.

PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION ON TRACK WITH PREVIOUS COLLECTION RATES

As of last week, the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office reports the collection of 73% or $13,744,226 of the property tax warrant. This number is right on target and consistent with past years. Taxes were officially due on Monday, December 16.  

THE TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTS FY 2025 TOWN BUDGET

After holding the municipal portion of the tax rate unchanged for the last two years, the FY 2025 general fund budget, which was approved by the Town Council on December 16, is projected to keep the local portion of the rate in line with the rate of inflation for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton-MA-NH region at 3.4%, which is consistent with Town Council goals.

Town Council hereby approved the General Fund Budget in the amount of $22,731,901 with an estimated property tax rate of $5.95 per thousand of assessed valuation.

The Water Fund Budget was approved in the amount of $1,585,707 with an associated water rate of $10.92 per hundred cubic feet of metered water billed effective 01/01/25 for Durham water users and $12.56 per hundred cubic feet of metered water billed for the Lee Traffic Circle Water Line Extension users effective 01/01/25.

The Sewer Fund Budget was approved in the amount of $3,299,084 with an associated sewer rate at $10.66 per hundred cubic feet of metered water billed effective 01/01/25.     

The Capital Fund Budget was approved in the amount of $8,299,425 with $816,800 to be raised through property taxes, user fees and general revenues; $885,000 to be funded from the University System of New Hampshire; $3,745,900 to be raised in revenues from bonds, notes, and other forms of long-term debt; $362,000 to be funded from the Joint Town/UNH Fire Department Capital Reserve Fund; $80,000 from the Joint Town/UNH Wastewater Capital Reserve Account; $40,000 to be funded through the Municipal Transportation Improvement Capital Reserve Account; $76,300 from the Parking Capital Reserve Account; $2,173,425 from the General Fund Unrestricted Fund Balance and $120,000 from the Churchill Rink Unrestricted Fund Balance.

When all funds are taken into account, an estimated amount of $11,386,371 ($11,211,371 of general tax revenue and $175,000 of Tax Increment Financing District tax revenue) will be raised by taxation, which together with estimated operating revenues of $26,429,429 for the aggregate amount of $37,815,800 was approved for the use of the various departments of the town government for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025.

Due to a development boom in the 2010’s, we were able to hold the municipal tax rate constant for 20l5, 2016, 2017 and 2018 despite significant capital investment in municipal infrastructure (i.e., new Library, new Town Hall, and renovation/addition to the Police Department). Unfortunately, there is no significant new development on the near-term horizon to broaden the tax base and offset the cost of local services. This should be an area of focus for 2025 as the cost of providing municipal services will continue to grow. On a positive note, the Edge at West End represents a positive collaborative opportunity for Durham and UNH.  

PLANNING BOARD BEGINS 2025 WITH FOUR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON IMPORTANT ITEMS

The Planning Board is holding four public hearings at its next meeting on January 8

• renovations to Mill Plaza
• a proposed Dunkin Donuts at the old Cumberland Farms site
• a conditional use on Riverview Court
• a proposed new student rental ordinance. 

You can download the preliminary agenda HERE. The final agenda will be posted online on January 3.

Oyster River High School carolers at the Town Hall led by their teacher, Jarika Olberg (far right). Courtesy, Todd Selig

WINTER PARKING BAN – A Reminder

Just a reminder that the Durham Winter Parking ban commenced Sunday November 1st and will be in effect through April 1, 2021. As many know, parking on Main Street, Jenkins Court and any Town owned parking lot is prohibited between 1:00AM and 6:00AM throughout the year. But the Winter Parking ban prohibits parking ON ANY PUBLIC WAY from November 1st to April 1st between 1:00AM and 6:00AM. As the ordinance states,

“Any vehicle so parked during the prohibited hours and dates shall be subject to being towed away at the owner’s risk. The owner or owners shall be required to pay all towing costs and a fine before the vehicle is released.”  

For the first few weeks, the Durham Police will endeavor to issue warnings designed to remind everyone of the Winter ban but were a surprise snowstorm to occur during this period, there should be an awareness that vehicles may be towed to allow for Durham Public Works to more effectively plow the streets and roadways of Durham.  

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION - Curbside pickup starts week of Jan. 6th

Durham Public Works Crews will be collecting Christmas trees that are placed curbside during the week of January 6 beginning at 7:00 AM. Crews will make one pass down each roadway. Trees will also be accepted at the Transfer Station on Tuesday’s and Saturday’s between 7:30 AM and 3 PM. Please ensure your tree is not buried in snow, frozen to the ground or bagged, and remove lights, ornaments and tinsel.

NEW RAYMOND A. LAROCHE SR. TRANSFER STATION PERMITS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON

2025 Transfer Station Permits will be available at Durham Public Works or the Town Clerk / Tax Collector’s Office at Town Hall beginning on December 31st. This permit is required for entry and is available free of charge for Durham residents.

The stickers also allow an extra hour of parking downtown for free in the Bobcat Corner lot and along Main Street in front of the shops between Pettee Brook Lane and Madbury Rd.

THE WAYSMEET CENTER IN DURHAM NEEDS LOCAL SUPPORT IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO FULFILL ITS MISSION

Through the Cornucopia Food Pantry, the organization’s on-site residential community, and offerings in their community space, Waysmeet exists to serve as a hub of connection and support for the Durham and Seacoast Community. It is through support from the greater community that they are able to keep their programs vibrant and thriving. 

This year held challenges as the organization navigated changes in leadership and the task of rethinking how it will remain sustainably funded into the future. In early 2024, they bid farewell to the leadership of Alissa Megee and Shanti Scott. Shanti and Alissa served the center for close to a decade as interns, volunteers, board members, and staff. In their place, the organization welcomed long-time Waysmeet volunteer and former board member, Thomas Young, as Interim Executive Director. 

This fall semester welcomed seven new residents to Waysmeet for a total of eight UNH students who call the center home. They enjoy an ongoing partnership with the UNH Organic Gardening Club, which hosts community dinners in the Waysmeet gathering space. 

In recent months, Waysmeet has seen an increased need at Cornucopia, and the organization is now serving an average of 125 households per week. Each month they distribute 9,300 pounds of food rescued from local grocery stores and 5,500 pounds of food from the NH Food Bank. Waysmeet has been supported by twenty-one food pantry volunteers who collectively serve at least seventy-eight hours per week. 

If they meet their 2025 fundraising goals, Waysmeet will enhance the efficiency of its 114-year-old building. To reduce their impact on the earth and the cost of utilities, Waysmeet wants to conduct an energy audit, upgrade the heating system, and transition away from oil as their primary fuel source. They hope to switch to more efficient refrigerators and freezers in the food pantry and install LED lighting and programmable thermostats. In addition, to ensure the dignity and comfort of its residents, they want to renovate the residential kitchen, make needed improvements to the residential bathrooms, and repave the driveway and parking area. 

If you would like to learn more about supporting The Waysmeet Center located at 15 Mill Road in Durham, you can do so HERE. 

This wonderful poster is available showcasing the many icons of Durham. Ellie Lonske, a resident of Riverwoods, created these 34 mixed-media images several years ago and compiled them into this poster. You can acquire the poster (in a rolled tube) as a gift for a $50 donation to the Durham Historical and Cultural Resources Trust, an account set up to support the rehabilitation and enhancement of significant Town properties, including the Wagon Hill Farmhouse, the Old Courthouse, and Smith Chapel among others.

Just stop into the Town Clerk’s office to order the poster. You can pay by cash or check made out to “DHCRT” (but not with a credit card). Our many thanks, again, to Ellie for her generosity in providing for all proceeds to benefit the trust and for her creating this fabulous artwork that Durham residents and other aficionados of our special community will appreciate for many years. See how many icons you recognize.

Did You Know?  Plastic Water Bottles

Plastic bottles can take up to 700 years to breakdown, and even then, they never fully disappear and can still harm the environment as microplastics. 

A simple, cost-effective way to combat the single use plastic bottle problem is to choose a reusable water bottle instead.

IWMAC extends a warm thank you to Fire Chief David Emanuel and his team for making the choice to shift to reusable water bottles. Choices like this lead to sustainable change.

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

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

Check us out on Instagram: sustainable.durham.nh

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Check here: https://recyclesmartma.org/

MADBURY ROAD COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT UPDATE – Construction Resumed This Week

Durham Public Works and its contractor, G.W. Brooks & Son, Inc. are nearing completion for the season on the Phase 2 Roadway and Drainage Improvements portion of the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project. Decorative Lighting pole and fixture installation is underway with final connections anticipated to occur by Eversource Electric to power lights over the next 2 weeks. Masonry construction within the amenity belt pedestrian crossing “bump-outs” began. The roadway will remain open to two-way traffic during this period and parking will remain closed on the East side until construction of the amenity belt is completed or suspended due to weather conditions.

UNSOLICITED WATERLINE INSURANCE NOTICE – A Message From Durham Public Works

Over the last couple of weeks, Durham Public Works has fielded calls from a few residents within the UNH/Durham Water System regarding a recent unsolicited mailing by the insurance carrier HomeServe. The entity is offering protection against damage to your waterline that would require repairs. It’s been reported that the company claims that many homeowner insurance policies do not provide coverage for this type of building system. In addition, they allegedly claim that the water service line is the homeowner's responsibility. To clarify, the homeowner’s responsibility extends only from their home to the curb stop isolation valve typically located near their property line. The remaining segment is the responsibility of the Town of Durham. Like any building system, plumbing is susceptible to wear and tear the longer it ages.

The Department cannot make a recommendation on this service and suggests homeowners research such as product and consider whether it has value before making a decision. 

The team at the Fire Department has prepared and submitted an application for a grant totaling $562,120.00 for replacement Self- contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment (40 units at $14,053 each) that would provide Durham firefighters with the safest available PPE that meets modern standards consisting of a SCBA harness/backpack, face piece, and two cylinders.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

No School December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025

All Oyster River schools and the SAU office will be closed during Winter Break. School will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2024.

ORCSD School Board Openings and Warrant Deadline

OPENINGS: Individuals wishing to file for a school district opening must do so between Wednesday, 1/22/25, and up until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 1/31/25: one moderator position (1-year term) and two At-Large School Board members for the ensuing three years. There is no filing fee to register for placement on the ballot. Contact School District Clerk Susan Caswell at 603-550-2592 to set up a time to file, or Wendy DiFruscio at the SAU 603-389-3286 to make an appointment.

WARRANT DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting petitioned warrant articles for Session I of the Oyster River School District Annual Meeting is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. All petitioned articles must be submitted in writing, signed by 25 or more registered voters from Durham, Lee, or Madbury and given to a school board member or delivered to the school district office (SAU #5, 36 Coe Drive, Durham). For additional information contact Wendy DiFruscio at the school district office at wdifruscio@orcsd.org, or 603-389-3286.

Notice of Public Budget Hearing

The ORCSD School Board will hold a public budget hearing on the proposed 2025-2026 school budget January 15, 2025, 7:00 p.m., in the Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824).

ORCSD School Board and Oyster River Teachers' Guild Announcement

The ORCSD School Board and the Oyster River Teachers' Guild are pleased to announce they have completed a new teachers’ contract. This agreement reflects a collaborative effort to ensure the continued excellence of education in our district while remaining mindful of the district’s fiscal responsibility. 

The Teachers’ Guild and the School Board demonstrated their full support by unanimously ratifying the contract.

We believe this agreement benefits students and staff, emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and shared goals, invests in our educators, and strengthens the foundation of our schools.

Oyster River High School Receives a Certificate of Inclusion

ORHS has been awarded a Certificate of Inclusion recognizing its commitment to creating an inclusive school community. The certificate was received following the school's participation in the Special Olympics New Hampshire's Unified Champion Schools program.