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Thursday, December 20, 2018
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General Sullivan Monument and homestead located on Route 108/Newmarket Road. Courtesy Todd Selig
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The Historic District Commission is reviewing an application for a new single-family house on a vacant wooded lot near the General Sullivan Monument. The site at 23 Newmarket Road is located behind (to the east of) the General Sullivan House with frontage on a hill overlooking the Oyster River.
The photograph above attempts to portray the General Sullivan Monument and homestead as Ansel Adams might have done if he had come to the Northeast to document beautiful locations ... like Durham.
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A group of carolers from the Oyster River Middle School will stop by the Durham Town Hall lobby tomorrow, Friday, December 21st at approximately 10:30 AM to do some singing to ring in the holidays. The public is most welcome to attend. Last year the Town Hall staff was quite impressed with the talent of these terrific young people and their teacher, Jarika Olberg, the ORMS Choral Director. They sing a collection of holiday songs.
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A reminder that due to vacation schedules in the Administrator's Office, there will be no "Friday Updates" published on December 28, 2018. The next publication will be on Friday, January 4, 2019.
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Admin. Selig will be on vacation with his family next week visiting relatives in Tucson, AZ. During his absence, Business Manager Gail Jablonski will serve in the role of Acting Administrator.
Happy holidays!
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HOLIDAY REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION SCHEDULE
The refuse and recycling collection will be altered for the following holidays:
NO COLLECTION on Tuesday, 12/25/18 (Christmas day), and Tuesday, 1/1/19 (New Years day). Day of collection will be pushed ahead one day for the rest of the week. There will be NO COMMERCIAL RECYCLING COLLECTION on Friday, 12/28/18 or Friday, 1/4/19. All items must be out by 7AM as always.
The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Tuesday, 12/25/18 and Tuesday, 1/1/19 for the holidays. However, the Transfer Station will be open for shortened days on Wednesday, 12/26/18 and Wednesday, 1/2/19 from 7:30 AM to 12:00 Noon.
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FREE HOLIDAY PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN
In coordination with the Durham Business Association, the parking kiosks in the immediate downtown business area will allow free parking to encourage residents and others to shop the downtown during the holidays. The screen on the applicable kiosks will inform parkers of the free parking and will not accept any payment. No receipts on your dashboard will be required during the Holiday Parking period! The grace period that allows for free parking for shoppers will commence Tuesday, December 18th, and run through Friday January 4th! Merry Christmas!
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ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE CLOSED FROM DEC 24, 2018 THROUGH JAN 1, 2019
Due to vacation scheduling, the Administrator's Office will be closed beginning Monday, December 24, 2018 through Tuesday, January 1, 2019. The office will reopen on Wednesday, January 2, 2018.
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WRAP FOR CHARITY
IS A NON PROFIT WRAPPING EVENT
BEING HELD AT DURHAM BIKE & SPORTS-64 Main St, Durham
Drop you gifts and they will be wrapped and decorated with bows, ribbons, tags……
Donations are welcome, Cash please.
The Non-Profits being represented include:
The Freedom Cafe
Waysmeet
Friends in Action
Growing Places
SPCA
Womenade
Dates and Times: Friday, December 21, 3 - 8PM
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These young ladies were running a hot chocolate stand on Garden Lane last Saturday, selling hot chocolate and homemade cookies, ornaments, and pot holders. Courtesy John Pacheo, US Postal Carrier.
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MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE OFFERS OPINION ON DURHAM FINANCIAL CONDITION
Moody's has provided us with its Annual Issuer Comment Report for Durham. This report was published on http://Moodys.com on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.
Credit Overview: Durham's credit position is very good, and its Aa2 bond rating is slightly stronger than the median rating of Aa3 for US cities. Notable credit factors include a very healthy financial position, a modestly sized tax base with a very strong wealth and income profile, an affordable debt burden, and a somewhat elevated pension liability.
Finances: The town has a very healthy financial position, which is relatively favorable with respect to its assigned rating of Aa2. Durham's cash balance as a percent of operating revenues (88.7%) is far superior to the US median. Of note, this metric contracted from 2013 to 2017. Also, the available fund balance as a percent of operating revenues (27.6%) is a little weaker than other Moody's-rated cities nationwide.
Economy and Tax Base: The economy and tax base of Durham are very healthy overall and are comparable to its Aa2 rating. The median family income equates to a robust 182.9% of the US level. In addition, the town's full value per capita ($65,234) is below the US median, but increased from 2013 to 2017. Furthermore, the total full value ($1.1 billion) is weaker than the US median.
Debt and Pensions: The debt and (NH Retirement System) pension liabilities of Durham are moderate overall and are somewhat unfavorable with respect to the town's Aa2 rating. The net direct debt to full value (1.8%) is higher than other Moody's-rated cities nationwide. However, this metric declined modestly from 2013 to 2017. Moreover, the town's Moody's-adjusted net pension liability to operating revenues (2.2x) is unfavorably above the US median. Favorably, this metric has declined over the last five years.
Management and Governance: New Hampshire cities have an Institutional Framework score 3 of Aa, which is high compared to the nation. Institutional Framework scores measure a sector's legal ability to increase revenues and decrease expenditures. New Hampshire cities major revenue source is property taxes. Unpredictable revenue fluctuations tend to be minor, or under 5% annually. Across the sector, fixed and mandated costs are generally less than 25% of expenditures. However, New Hampshire has public sector unions, which can limit the ability to cut expenditures. Unpredictable expenditure fluctuations tend to be minor, under 5% annually.
Sector Trends - New Hampshire Cities & Economy: New Hampshire’s economy continues to expand, largely attributed to the southeastern region of the state which benefits from the vibrant Boston economy. Job creation in manufacturing and a highly educated labor force will help fuel income gains and housing appreciation.
Over the long-term the state’s low tax burden will position the state favorably for continued economic improvement compared to other northeastern states.
Cities (like Durham) will continue to rely on modest tax increases and a generally positive trend in property valuation to maintain balanced financial operations. Pension (NH Retirement System) liabilities will continue to be slightly above the national median given the unfunded liability of the state’s retirement system.
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AN OP ED FROM CHABAD JEWISH CENTER CO-DIRECTOR: WHY THE PUBLIC MENORAH SHOULD BE EMBRACED, NOT SHUNNED
The co-director of the UNH & Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center in Durham offers a perspective on why a menorah should be allowed to be displayed in Memorial Park.
View the Op Ed HERE.
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CLAREMONT ATHEIST THREATENS SATANIC DISPLAY IF CITY NATIVITY SCENE, MENORAH NOT REMOVED
If the City of Claremont, NH does not remove a nativity scene and menorah it displays each year at Broad Street Park, an atheist is threatening to erect a display of his own. The resident indicates the city must remove the religious displays or at least move them to private property.
View the full story in the Union Leader HERE.
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DURHAM-UNH WATER LINE EXTENSION TO LEE TRAFFIC CIRCLE TO ADDRESS MBTE CONTAMINATION - AN UPDATE FROM LEE SELECTBOARD
This week, the Lee Selectboard approved the draft Lee Waterline Agreement between Durham and Lee. We plan to bring to the Town Council on Jan 7th for approval, assuming staff can pull everything together with the intervening holiday schedule.
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TOWN COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES FY 2019 BUDGET - Aggregate appropriation of all funds is $27,364,819
After considerable discussion as part of the budget approval process for the FY 2019 budget, the Council unanimously adopted the Town’s budget Monday evening, December 17, 2018.
It ultimately came to consensus around an appropriation to the Oyster River Youth Association in the amount of $28,000 for 2019 (a reduction from ORYA’s budget request of $44,025), which will be contingent upon the public release of audited financials and management letters for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2018 for the organization. While the Council had discussed either a further reduction for 2020 or possibly even removal of all future funding, that amount was not determined and will be up to subsequent Town Councils.
The Council also reinstated $12,000 in funding for a reduced subsidy for Durham residents who purchase pool passes for the UNH Outdoor Pool in 2019. The funding amount in 2018 had been set at $30,000.
After deliberation, the Council choose to include an appropriation of $300,000 in 2019 for feasibility and engineering moving towards removal of the historic Oyster River (Mill Pond) Dam. Dam repair/reconstruction has been estimated to be in the $3 - $5 million range. It is anticipated that the cost for dam removal and river/habitat restoration would be significantly offset with grant funding because the NHDES and environmental/ conservation organizations generally encourage river restoration and dam removal over dam repair/reconstruction for old dam structures that no longer serve an active purpose.
The Council reinstated the purchase in 2019 of a second police cruiser at $45,000. Mr. Selig had only recommended one cruiser in 2019 due to budget constraints.
The Council eliminated $19,100 in funding from the Assessing Department request to begin a cyclical measure and list of Durham properties; instead preferring a measure and list in 3-5 years’ time of all Durham properties in the same year.
Finally, with updated actual revenue figures versus those available from September when the budget was being finalized by staff, the Council was comfortable raising some revenue estimates, which when combined with the aforementioned reduction from the Assessing Department and spending increases, resulted in no net change to the budget tax rate impacts.
We therefore estimate an amount of $9,288,780 ($9,145,780 of general tax revenue and $143,000 of Tax Increment Financing District tax revenue) shall be raised by taxation which together with estimated operating revenues of $18,176,039 for the aggregate amount of $27,364,819 will be raised and appropriated for the use of the several departments of the town government for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019.
In total, next year’s budget is projected to increase the 2019 local municipal portion of the tax rate by 3.12% from $ 7.37 (formerly $8.48 but adjusted due to 2018 statistical revaluation update) to $7.60, an increase of 23 cents. The tax rate has remained at $7.37 for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. The proposed increase would cost the average Durham property taxpayer with a home valued at $350,000 an additional $80.50 in taxes for 2019.
The proposed Sewer (Wastewater) Fund budget reflects a 2.73% decrease in user fees in 2019 (a rate of $8.71 per hundred cubic feet), while the proposed Water Fund budget carries an anticipated 16.9% increase in user fees (a rate of $7.08 per hundred cubic feet) for FY 2019.
When the operational budget is combined with our various operating funds to include water, sewer, capital projects, and the like, the operation and management of local town government in Durham represents a $30 million operation.
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TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES PARTIAL FUNDING FOR ORYA CONTINGENT UPON AUDIT
The Town Council came to consensus around an appropriation to the Oyster River Youth Association in the amount of $28,000 for 2019 (a reduction from ORYA’s budget request of $44,025), which will be contingent upon the public release of audited financials and management letters for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2018 for the organization. While the Council had discussed either a further reduction for 2020 or possibly even removal of all future funding, that amount was not determined and will be up to subsequent Town Councils.
View more of the story in Foster's Daily Democrat about this issue HERE.
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The two maps above show the locations of recent student housing developments in Durham. Courtesy Durham Planning Dept.
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TOWN COUNCIL PASSES AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE
On Monday, December 17, 2018, the Town Council passed a set of amendments to the zoning ordinance applicable to the downtown.
Four years ago, in December 2014, the Town increased the required habitable area per occupant in apartments for unrelated households in most zoning districts from 300 to 600 square feet. The purpose of that change was to slow down the creation of new student housing projects after the addition of around 2,000 beds in new private developments over the prior ten years and to encourage the creation of apartments with fewer occupants that would be more attractive to non-student households. The two maps above show the locations of those recent developments.
After December 2014 virtually no new mixed-use projects were built.
A working group was formed to explore changes to the zoning ordinance that would spark new development, especially of the type that the community has voiced support for through the master plan. The members of the group were Town Council members Al Howland, Jim Lawson, and Sally Tobias, Administrator Todd Selig, Town Planner Michael Behrendt, and former Economic Development Director Mary Ellen Humphrey.
The working group presented a set of proposed changes to the Town Council, which then initiated the zoning change and sent it to the Planning Board for review. The board analyzed the draft in depth and proposed numerous additional changes. The Town Council adopted the amendments as proposed by the Planning Board on Monday evening and they are now in effect.
The goal of the changes is to accomplish several things:
- To facilitate desirable development by allowing more dwelling units on a lot, requiring less interior square footage per occupant, removing the interior square footage requirement for unrelated couples, and providing flexibility in the distribution of commercial and residential space in the building (while retaining the same percentages of each as presently required);
- At the same time, to incorporate new requirements: any new dwelling unit may not have more than 2 bedrooms, the maximum allowance of 3 unrelated occupants in a unit is extended to the Central Business District, and the provision to pay a fee in lieu of creating parking would be granted only for good cause; and
- Ultimately, to encourage the creation of smaller apartments downtown with a diverse mix of graduate students, post-college roommates, working people, married and unmarried couples alike, small families, and seniors, as well as undergraduate students.
View the adopted amendments HERE.
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Illustration of route for $2.68 million Dover Road Force Main project between pump station on Dover Road and WWTP. Courtesy DPW
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$2.68 MILLION DOVER ROAD FORCE MAIN PROJECT PROPOSED REFERENDUM TO BE PLACED ON THE MARCH 12, 2019 TOWN ELECTION BALLOT - UNH to pay 2/3 of this cost, the residual paid for solely by Durham water customers, not the general tax base.
The Town of Durham owns, operates and maintains 17 miles of sanitary sewer, including the existing 3,000-foot Dover Road Pump Station force main. The 18-inch asbestos-cement (AC) force main was originally installed in 1967 and conveys ALL the Town’s wastewater flows to the Durham Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF). Because of the location and age of the force main, coupled with no immediate backup provisions, and the fact that it is a single point of failure, the existing force main was recommended for upgrade.
The purpose of this project is to replace the existing force main with a new pipe located upland of the high tide line, along an accessible alignment.
The selected force main alignment will be routed along the shoulder of Route 108 (Dover Road) for approximately 400 linear feet, and then continue within the paved travel-way of Old Piscataqua Road. Old Piscataqua Road dead ends approximately 1,500 feet east of Dover Road. The sewer alignment will continue in an easterly direction through a short stretch of Town-owned property before entering NHDOT’s extended Route 4 road right-of-way.
The force main alignment will parallel Route 4 and be approximately 100 feet south of the centerline of Route 4. West of the WWTF property, the force main alignment will turn and continue in a southerly direction. The force main alignment will cross a private property owned by UNH before entering the Town-owned WWTF property. The alignment ends at the southern side of the WWTF property where the force main will connect to the existing Headworks building.
The total anticipated length of the new future force main piping is approximately 3,400 linear feet of 20-inch HDPE.
The existing force main will remain in service to provide redundancy to the system. Following the completion of the construction of the new force main the Town will investigate the interior condition of the existing force main to determine if any modifications or improvements need to be made.
To take advantage of the cost-savings associated when combining projects, the proposed 2019 CIP also includes $350,000 to design and construct a replacement water main within the same contract as the force main replacement project. To design and construct the water main in a stand-alone project could cost the Town anywhere from $750,000 - $1M.
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EVERSOURCE ROADSIDE TRIMMING/MAINTENANCE PLANNED FOR LATE-2018/EARLY-2019
Eversource’s Vegetation Management Division has provided us with the list of roads within the Town of Durham where line trimming is scheduled to be completed in December 2018 and January 2019. This trimming work is essential in keeping the lights on during storm events and as such, the Town actively encourages such activity by the utility. This work is not related to the proposed Seacoast Reliability Project. A list of roads where trimming is planned follows:
Adams Point Road, Bagdad Road, Bay Road, Beards Landing, Beech Hill Road, Bennett Road, Briarwood Lane, Church Hill, Coe Drive, Colony Cove Road, Constable Road, Cowell Park, Cutts , Dame, Davis, Deer Meadow, Denbow, Dennison, Durham Point, Edgerly Garrison Road, Edgewood Road, Emerson Road, Fairchild Drive, Falls Way, Ffrost Drive, Fox Hill Road, Garrison Avenue, Hampshire Avenue, Langley Road, Laurel Lane, Littlehale Road, Little John Road, Long Marsh Road, Lundy Lane, Maple Street, Marden Way, Mathes Terrace, Mathes Cove Road, Newmarket Road, Old Bagdad Road, Packers Falls Road, Palmer Drive, Pinecrest Lane, Quad Way, Rocky Lane, Sandy Brook Drive, Scotland Road, Strafford Avenue, Sunnyside Drive, Timberbrook Lane, Wiley Road, Willey Creek Road, Wood Road, and York Drive.
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ANNUAL RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW INFORMATIONAL SESSION
Each year the Town of Durham organizes a Right-to-Know Informational Session for Durham’s elected officials, board/committee members, and Town staff. An invitation is also extended to the ORCSD School Board members and the Towns of Lee and Madbury.
This year the Right-to-Know Law presentation will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Council chambers at Durham Town Hall. It will also be shown live over DCAT, as well as taped for rebroadcast.
It is especially important that newly appointed Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Secretaries attend this session, as well as new members to the various town boards and committees.
Town attorney, Laura Spector-Morgan, will hold the session and has asked that we provide her with the number of anticipated attendees so that she can have an appropriate amount of handouts available. Please RSVP to mailto:jberry@ci.durham.nh.us by Friday, January 11th.
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DPW STAFF MEMBERS SEEK PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN KEEPING SIDEWALKS CLEAR OF TRASH CANS DURING SNOW EVENTS
DPW staff member Sam Hewitt has asked if we could put a reminder in the "Friday Updates" about trash cans being put on sideways.
It makes it difficult when Sam and the rest of the DPW team is cleaning the sidewalks during a storm and needs to get out of the tractor to move the trashcans out of the way.
Thank you for your assistance!
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LAND STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR TO WALK SEVERAL PARCELS TO POST BOUNDARY MARKERS THIS WEEK
Ellen Snyder, the Town's part-time Land Stewardship Coordinator, will walk the boundaries of several conservation areas this week to post our new boundary signs.
She hopes to do Thompson Forest, Doe Farm, Oyster River Forest, and Longmarsh parcels.
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Sunrise in downtown Durham this past week. Courtesy Matt Pappas
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WANTED: SECRETARY (PART-TIME) AT DURHAM FIRE DEPT.
The Durham Fire Department is seeking a part-time secretary. The part-time secretary is a 28 hour per week position. The hourly pay ranges between $14 and $18 per hour. No benefits are included with this position.
All interested candidates please submit a cover letter, resume and Town of Durham application by mailto:fire@ci.durham.nh.us. The full job description and Town of Durham application may be found on the town’s website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us.
Please submit the requested documents in .pdf format as one document. Please include your last name, date and part-time secretary in the title of your .pdf document. The job posting will remain open until January 7, 2019 or until filled.
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WINTER PARKING BAN - Nov. 1st thru April 1st
The Durham Winter Parking ban commences Thursday November 1st and will be in effect through April 1, 2016. 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 STREET 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.
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WINTER FOOD BASKETS - The Waysmeet Center/Cornucopia Food Pantry
The Cornucopia Food Pantry of the Waysmeet Center is providing Winter Food Baskets again on December 17 and 18, 2018. We urgently need and welcome donations of food, paper supplies, personal items, monetary donations as well as volunteer efforts and time. We especially welcome donations of core items such as stuffing mix, pancake mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, muffin mix, rice, potatoes, onions, fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, milk, cereal and recipes you want to share. We are accepting donations right through December 19, and of course accept donations at any time for our weekly food pantry times. Last year, we provided almost 900 food baskets for Thanksgiving, winter and Earth Day, thanks to your help! Please help us out by donating food, funds or your time in helping organize and distribute the baskets. you can find more information in the attached packets and can also sign up on our Facebook site or directly at sign up genius HERE.
If you or someone you know needs a food basket they can fill out a simple request form for pick up or delivery. For more information call 603-862-1165 or email Larry Brickner-Wood at mailto:Larry.Brickner-Wood@unh.edu or Alissa Megee mailto:Alissawaysmeet@gmail.com. or http://www.waysmeetcenter.org.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPECIAL WINTER HOLIDAY OPENINGS OF THE CORNUCOPIA FOOD PANTRY
The Cornucopia Food Pantry at the Waysmeet Center needs your help to provide some special opening items to distribute food right before the upcoming winter holiday season. We need help on December 17 and 18 from 9-5 (or any portion thereof) as we organize and distribute our winter holiday food baskets. We also need volunteers from 11-1 p.m. on Friday December 21, and on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, from 10-12 noon to distribute food right before the Christmas holiday week. Our regular volunteer crew are not available on the 21st and 24th and we need 4-6 people to help serve our customers on those days. Please e-mail Alissa Megee at mailto:alissawaysmeet@gmail.com, Larry Brickner-Wood at mailto:Larry.Brickner-Wood@unh.edu or call 603-862-1165 if you can help at all! Thank you for helping to serve our community!
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TOWN OF DURHAM FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS
Did you know that the Town has a Facebook & Twitter account and frequently posts Durham & UNH news, happenings, and articles of interest in our area and the seacoast?
Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
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Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.
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DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE - VACANCIES
The Parks & Recreation Committee is seeking community members with a passion for recreation and an interest in helping to guide the P&R Department forward to fill two vacancies currently open. Interested members of the community should reach out to Rachel Gasowski mailto:rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us.
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JOIN THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR:
Make-It-Take-it Craft!
Sat. Dec. 22nd through Dec. 31st
Join us for a fun make-it-take-it craft all week in the storytime/craft room.We will be making all different kinds of winter snowflakes.
ALSO . . .
Please check our website for Holiday Hours.
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HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A Brief History of Durham, NH 1600 - 1976 (A little volume that was the Heritage Project of the Durham Historic Association Bicentennial celebration)
Preface - "Since before God made the first little green apples, oysters have probably been growin in the Oyster River; and some of the largest and juiciest to be found anywhere in the world are still growing here today. The following vignettes from rollicking history of Durham town on the Oyster River are therefore presented between the shells of an oyster."
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1880 - Body of Peter Duvall, employed as wood chopper, was found in Horn's Woods by small girls. His companion, Otis, was tried in Dover, sentenced to 30 years hard labor, but paroled in 1906 for good behavior. Local folks resented his sentence and "thought he should dance on hemp."
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If you know of others who would find the weekly "Friday Updates" of interest, please pass them along. Folks can sign up on the Town's web site HERE on the right side of the page.
Have a very nice holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
T: 603-868-5571
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
https://www.ci.durham.nh.us
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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