Friday Updates - December 4, 2020

Friday, December 4, 2020

Old Landing during King Tide. Courtesy Julia Belshaw

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Each year, the NH Coastal Adaption Workgroup invites citizens to grab their cameras and document extreme high tides during its annual King Tide Photo Contest to raise awareness of New Hampshire’s rising tides. Photographing King Tides is an effective way to help coastal communities identify areas prone to flooding, visualize potential impacts of sea-level rise, and plan for the future. This year, Durham resident Julia Gittes Belshaw won the Great Bay category! You can view her photo above. 

NO "FRIDAY UPDATES" ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 & JANUARY 1, 2021

Due to the Christmas and New Year's holidays, there will be no "Friday Updates" publication on Friday, December 25th or Friday, January 1st.

DURHAM AWARDED A CONSERVATION LICENSE PLANT GRANT

The New Hampshire State Conservation Committee has awarded a 2021

Conservation License Plate grant to the Town of Durham for the Wagon Hill Farm Sustainable Trail and Bridge Improvement project. The SCC 2021 grant award amount is $24,000.00.

This grant will require approval from the Governor and Executive Council. The targeted date to complete the Grant Agreement approval process is May 2021. The funds will not be officially awarded however until the Grant Agreement is fully executed by all parties.

Clark's American Bistro decorated for the holidays. Courtesy Todd Selig

PACKAGE THEFT

With the holiday season right around the corner, and online shopping at a record high, Chief Kelley is recommending the following tips to make sure you get packages securely in the coming weeks.

• If you can, and are not working from home, have your package delivered to your office or workplace.
• Have your deliveries sent to a friend or relative who you know will be home.
• Have packages held at the Post Office for pickup.
• Install a camera or other security device to monitor the area where packages are dropped off.
• Track deliveries and request carriers to leave packages in an obscure location on your property where someone driving by may not see it.
• Bring packages inside as soon as possible.  Leaving a stack of boxes by your front door is an invitation to those looking to steal what you have ordered! 

If you notice suspicious activity in your neighborhood, especially out of place vehicles or people without carrier uniforms going to houses and moving packages, please contact the Durham Police immediately.  

WINTER PARKING BAN - Now in effect

The Durham Winter Parking ban commences 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 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.  

UPDATE FROM ORCSD

Oyster River High School returned from the Thanksgiving holiday break with freshmen having the opportunity to come into the high school for academic support and enrichment activities on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. About half of 9th graders chose to participate. This program will expand to grades 9-12 next week.

The school district is seeking to hire additional bus drivers and paraprofessionals. 

The School Board approved a preliminary 2021-2022 budget that represents a 3% spending increase over the current school year budget. The budget will be reviewed at a public hearing in January, and again at the district Deliberative Session in February leading up to a public vote on the budget in March.

The committee to Improve Instructional Strategies had its first meeting on December 3. This committee includes school administrators, parents, teachers, and school board members.

The school board will meet with the ORHS Student Senate the morning of December 9, and with the Barrington School Board the evening of December 9, followed by the next regular school board meeting on December 16.

MAIN STREET SOUTH SIDEWALK PROJECT REACHES NEAR COMPLETION

Construction project supported with 80% USDOT/Federal Highways funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). UNH is managing this project on behalf of the Town/NHDOT. Project is substantially complete. Awaiting final electrical permits for lighting and shelter installation in next month.

Main Street surfacing (fullwidth) Sage Way to roundabout in coordination with Town–delayed to spring 2021

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERS CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKS

Proper use of child safety seats can help keep our children safe but, do you know whether your child’s car seat has been properly installed?  According to the Safe Ride 4 Kids website, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 in the United States.  Many deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper installation of age and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats.  

Firefighter Warren Kadden of the Durham Fire Department recently attended a certification-level course to become a certified car seat installer.  He joins Fire Marshal Brendan O’Sullivan at the Durham Fire Department who is also a certified car seat installer.  

The car seat inspection/installation service is offered to community members at no charge.  To schedule a car seat installation or car seat safety check with Warren or Brendan, please call the Fire Department at (603) 862-1426 or (603) 868-5531.

SWAP SHOP TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

DPW officials recently met with a subcommittee of the Integrated Solid Waste Committee and coordinators of the Swap Shop to evaluate the possibility or re-opening. The consensus was to continue to keep closed. A poll was taken of the volunteers to determine if there was any interest in opening and found that concerns over Covid including possible spikes in the fall and winter remained and people felt it was a better approach to keep closed until spring. We will keep updating the community as things change.