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Friday, February 22, 2019
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Entrance to the Stolworthy Wildlife Sanctuary, located off Old Bagdad Road near the Oyster River Middle School. Courtesy Todd Selig
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The four acre Marion J. Stolworthy Wildlife Sanctuary lies between the Oyster River Middle School and Old Bagdad Road. It is landlocked, but between access via Old Bagdad Road and the Middle School and High School properties, this is a wonderful in-town wooded parcel to explore for even the most novice of hikers.
It’s just a beautiful natural area offering peace and quiet from the world around. There are clear trails visible to guide one through the woods and the forest canopy allows for very attractive, shaded, and easy walking -- though of course there are some modest slopes/uneven surfaces.
From downtown Durham take Madbury Road, right on Bagdad Rd, right on Old Bagdad Rd — trail entrance via old woods road (40’ ROW) through Sullivan property.
OR... Take Madbury Road, then right on Woodman, left on Dennison, right on Coe Drive, then left into Middle School parking area. Park in the back, take trail behind school, around outdoor amphitheater and playground to trail/woods road entrance.
The parcel is protected in perpetuity as a wildlife sanctuary along with activities that help maintain it as such. This week’s “Friday Updates” includes images from the Marion J. Stolworthy Wildlife Sanctuary. If the weather is nice during Oyster River school vacation next week, why not take an hour with your family and explore this local resource?
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OFFICE HOURS TO CHANGE IN TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2019
After much consideration and many comments from the citizens of Durham, the Town Clerk/Collector’s Office has decided to change the hours in the office from 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Due to the decrease in hours for the public to come into the office it will stay open until 6:00pm the first Monday of the month. The new hours will start on Monday, March 4, 2019.
Thank you for supporting the department in this decision.
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2019 MARCH TOWN ELECTION - CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING
To view the questionnaires completed by the candidates listed above running for Town elected offices, click HERE.
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HELP REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE: BILLS HB 558, HB 559, and HB 560 IN STATE HOUSE MARCH 6
On March 6, the New Hampshire legislature will consider three bills that would help reduce plastic waste.
Numerous independent scientific and governmental studies around the world conclude that single-use plastic bags cause numerous problems. (These bags typically are thin, two-handled bags used for groceries and carryout.) The 2018 “New York State Plastic Bag Task Force Report” succinctly lists the types of problems. Plastic bags are:
- Derived from fossil fuels.
- A source of litter on land and in waterways.
- A source of avoidable excess packaging waste typically used for mere minutes.
- Harmful to marine habitats and wildlife.
- Problematic, creating tangles and jams in recycling and waste water processing equipment.
- Costly for municipalities and recycling centers in terms of time and money to manage.
Recycling, surprisingly, is not the answer: As little as 3 percent of these single-use plastic bags are actually recycled. When these bags do end up in municipal recycling bins, they jam recycling machines, which are costly to repair, so even Durham resorts to burying them. The average useful life of a single-use plastic bag is only 12 minutes, but because they do not break down in landfills, they remain in our environment for centuries.
Substituting reusable bags for the single-use bag is the best option, but such voluntary action has proven insufficient. The same New York State analysis found that “Education and outreach has only been shown to achieve a 5% reduction in the use of single-use plastic bags.” Legislation, on the other hand, has proven to reduce the use of these bags significantly.
On March 4, the Durham Town Council will consider a Resolution in support of the plastic waste reduction bills. If the Resolution is adopted, the Town will send the Resolution to the State House for the March 6 hearings. View the draft Resolution HERE.
Since the bills were first introduced this fall, Representative Judith Spang from Durham has worked with interested parties to make significant changes. The versions on the General Court website are therefore obsolete.
Texts of the bills that will be presented to the committee for consideration may be read by clicking on the name of each of the bills, below. Each bill is marked as "Unapproved" to indicate revisions not yet accepted by the committee.
HB 558 prohibits food service businesses from providing a single-use plastic straw to a customer unless specifically requested. New Hampshire would thereby join a growing number of states and cities taking this step.
HB 559 gives statutory authority to municipalities to enact ordinances to reduce plastic waste, which they are not at present “enabled” by the State to do.
HB 560 would ban distribution of single-use plastic bags statewide, with several exemptions.
Information about the legislature in general, including legislators and individual bills, may be found at the General Court website.
Information about and how to contact the relevant House committees (for HB 559: Municipal and County Government; for HB 558 and HB 560: Commerce and Consumer Affairs) may be found HERE.
A thank you is extended to Judith Spang, Peter Wolfe, and Robin Mower for pulling this information together.
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An old stone gatepost/boundary marker in the Stolworthy Wildlife Sanctuary. Courtesy Todd Selig
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ICE SAFETY ON LOCAL RIVERS AND PONDS - Residents are Encouraged to Exercise Caution!
This time of year Durham families and UNH students can frequently be found recreating on frozen water along the Oyster River, Lamprey River, the Mill Pond, or elsewhere in NH. Walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating, and playing sports are dangerous pastimes on any frozen body of water when you don't know how to tell if ice is thick enough to withstand weight.
There are ways to assist in gauging the potential safety of ice, such as observing its color, testing its thickness and being aware of external factors such as temperature, local conditions and local knowledge. However, no sport undertaken on ice over water bodies is ever without risk. Therefore, residents are cautioned that If in doubt as to the condition of the ice, do not go onto the ice; moreover, it never pays to be too early or too late in the season.
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HOUSING IN DURHAM: WHO'S MISSING?
Sara Wrightsman is the Executive Director at Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast. She and here husband are also Durham residents who live in a quirky one bedroom on Main Street and love this community!
She has authored the first of a multi-part series exploring the issue of affordable and workforce housing in Durham -- "Who's Missing?"
"Durham's housing stock lends itself well to four person plus families and students at the University of NH. There isn't a lot left for those of us in the middle," she writes.
Read the full article, which is very concise, on the CelebrateDurhamNH web page.
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THE BIWEEKLY VALUE - The Official Newsletter of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at UNH
The UNH Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is now publishing a new biweekly newsletter titled The Biweekly Value. The February 22nd edition may be viewed HERE.
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A reminder from the Assistant to the Public Works Director Janice Richard that GLASS/CANS/PLASTICS recycling will be collected by DPW during the week of February 25th!
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CHANGES TO CURBSIDE RECYCLING HAVE BEGUN! -- Curbside glass/plastics v. cardboard/paper collection to return to alternating weeks
Due to a significant change in the global marketing of recyclables, the Integrated Waste Management Committee (IWMAC) and Town Administration have decided to return to a dual recycling collection as we did prior to 2015. This decision was made with both environmental and fiscal responsibilities in mind. Recycling used to generate revenues to offset costs of operating, however the current market conditions have not only tonnage costs but escalating ones. A link to the recycling collection calendar is provided below, as well as in the DPW newsletter, to assist residents in knowing what to put out each week. Below is the definition of each category:
CO-MINGLED RECYCLABLES
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DPW does its best to find ways to bring in revenue to offset escalating costs. With the price of cardboard remaining stable in this uncertain recycling market, DPW encourages residents to bring cardboard to the Transfer Station when possible. Aluminum cans also do generate some revenue at this point. If residents are able to bring up cans and cardboard separately at the Transfer Station, this will help to offset costs. Thank you!
View the 2019 Recycling Collection Calendar HERE.
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CURBSIDE COLLECTION REMINDER DURING SNOWSTORMS - Please don't put trash out the night before the storm.
Please do not put your trash out the night before your trash day if we are expected to get snow fall. This week many residents had their barrels out the night before the storm and they were covered with the 6-8 inches of snow that fell, as well as the snow pushed off the roadway from the plow. The sanitation workers are not responsible for digging out the curbside collection containers for each home. If a storm is expected, put your items out in the morning, by 7am per ordinance as always.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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Amy Warhaft, Part-time FD Secretary
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NEW PART-TIME SECRETARY AT DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT
On February 18, 2019 the Durham Fire Department welcomed Amy Warhaft to the position of Part-Time Secretary.
Amy previously worked at Durkee Personnel as Computer Software Instructor and she has also served in previous administrative roles for the University of Michigan and the University of Alberta, Canada. Amy has Master of Arts in Archaeology.
Welcome aboard Amy!
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OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS
Voters at the February 5 Deliberative Session unanimously endorsed the proposed 2019-20 budget. It totals $47.5 million and represents a net increase of about 3.5%.
The main drivers increasing the budget this year are:
- Salary increases (mostly required by agreements with unions).
- $755,000 to improve safety at Moharimet (after a major safety improvement at Mast Way last year).
- $800,000 to develop detailed designs, plans and costs for a proposed new middle school building—in preparation for a March 2020 vote.
- Two new positions, one in elementary special education and the other in high school counseling.
The Moharimet safety project received a $100,000 state matching grant.
Final action on the budget will come on March 12 when district voters will vote in their town polling locations. There will also be an election of two at-large Board seats
Durham—Oyster River High School 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
Lee—Lee Safety Complex 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM
Madbury—Madbury Town Hall 11:00AM-7:30 PM
Contact information for school board members is on the main School Board page of the ORCSD website.
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DURHAM LISTED AS SECOND BEST PLACE TO RETIRE IN NH BY FORBES – The Elephantine Bakery in Portsmouth must have given it the edge!
While we were runner up to the City of Portsmouth, Durham still ranks #2 in the state as the best place to retire.
Portsmouth honors are clearly due to the opening of a fabulous new bakery there by two Durham residents, Nadine and Sherif Farag. In fact, Farag Breads (now the Elephantine Bakery) began right here in Durham at 23 Littlehale Road.
The Elephantine Bakery produces bread that has the perfect blend of crust, texture, and taste. It’s truly quite delicious.
Sherif grew up in Durham and like many New Hampshire kids, moved away for college and career. On a vacation to Paris with his wife Nadine, he took a baking class, and loved it. They stayed, and he completed an intensive class/apprenticeship. As they thought about their next steps, Durham seemed like a great place to move back to and start a business. Last fall they opened Farag Breads and began producing small batches of hand-made bread as part of a home-based business in town. With very limited retail/kitchen space available in Durham, Farag and Nadine ultimately chose to open their store in Portsmouth.
They have a regular selection of breads that include Fougasse, Rustic Sourdough Boule, Olive Boule, French Boule, Pain de Campagne, and Rosemary Focaccia. I understand from Town Councilors Al Howland and Sally Tobias that they also make some great cookies!
Learn more about Sherif and Nadine’s new bakery in Portsmouth HERE.
Learn more about Durham being listed as the #2 best place to live in NH for retirees HERE.
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Baroo, the official mascot of ORMS Robotics Team 2820E
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ORMS ROBOTICS TEAM 2820E QUALIFIES FOR VEX IQ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
An eighth grade all-girl Robotics team from OR Middle School has qualified and will be competing in this year's VEX IQ World Championships. They qualified with their STEM Research Project.
The Team includes: Maya Ajit who does both programs and engineers; Sonia Barth-Malone who does most of the engineering; and Kathy McEwan who does programs and is the moral support and snack-provider of the team. Baroo (pictured above) is the official mascot of the team.
Anyone interested in contributing to Team 2820E's page for fund-raising the registration cost for the VEX IQ World Championships may do so HERE.
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RESIDENTS ASKED TO ASSIST THEIR LETTER CARRIERS BY CLEARING SNOW FROM AROUND THEIR MAILBOXES AND PROVIDE SALT AND/OR SAND TO AREAS THAT MAY BE SLIPPERY WITH ICE
Residents are asked to:
- Clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver the mail, and to drive away from the box without danger or the need for backing;
- Clear walkways of snow and ice and allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips or falls;
- Keep steps clear of ice and snow and in good repair so as not to cause injury to the letter carriers or others who visit the customer’s home; and
- Make sure overhangs are clear and free of snow and ice to avoid injury.
Whether mail arrives on foot or by postal vehicle, the letter carrier needs access to the mailbox to deposit your mail. Please make sure the mailbox itself is visible and free of snow and ice, and make sure it is safely accessible for your letter carrier.
Letter carriers are instructed to hold mail to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared but they often risk injury trying to provide the best service they can to the customers they serve. Please show them your appreciation by ensuring they are safe when delivering your mail.
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DURHAM POLICE STRATEGIC PLAN
The Durham Police have updated their 2019 Strategic Plan with their most recent SWOT exercise. Chief Kurz led discussions with the entire staff in January to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that the department faces in the future. Much of this insightful discussion may ultimately impact the police but the community as well. The SWOT is discussed at the end of the Strategic Plan.
View the plan HERE.
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NOTICE OF VACANCIES ON TOWN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
On April 30, 2019, terms on various Town boards, commissions, and committees will expire. In mid-April, the Town Council will begin the process for making its annual appointments/reappointments to town boards, with appointments to take effect May 1, 2019.
The Durham Town Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of Durham who have the ability, desire, and time needed to fill these vacancies.
Citizens interested in board appointments may stop in or contact the Administrator’s office at 868-5571 and ask for a board application form. Applications are also available on the home page of the Town of Durham website at the top of the home page under “Helpful Resources”, then “Town Documents”, then “forms”, then “Application for Appointment”.
Completed applications may be mailed to the Administrator’s office, or submitted via email to mailto:jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday, March 22, 2019.
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YOUR SWAP SHOP AT THE DURHAM TRANSFER STATION AND RECYCLING CENTER
The Durham Swap Shop is a wonderful example of how residents express their commitment to recycling. Whether you’re new to town or a long term ‘shopper’, we recommend that you come on over and see what’s new. The Swap Shop is at the Durham Transfer Station at 100 Durham Point Road. The Swap Shop hours are 9:00 am to 2:30 pm every Tuesday and Saturday.
Drop off of good-condition items is free and take-away is also free. Lots of reusables are saved from the landfill in the process. The Swap Shop continues to seek volunteers who can donate 3 hours occasionally to help with organizing and displaying items. It’s fun work in a friendly atmosphere and volunteers feel good about facilitating re-use. Please contact Cristina mailto:foggdrive@yahoo.com (or via 868-5578) to sign up for a morning or afternoon slot. Online sign up is an option HERE. New volunteers should contact Cristina for first-time shadowing to learn the process. It would be effective and tremendously helpful to have as many as 100 volunteers who might be scheduled to chip in over the course of any two month period. That is why we continue to ask people to sign up. “Many hands”… Much appreciation goes out to our continuing volunteers who help to keep this valued community service going!
Until the threat of snow is gone, the drop off of bulky items like furniture and doors/windows is prohibited. Please note that bulky waste coupons and electronic/appliance stickers must be purchased at the Transfer Station or at the Public Works Office for any such items to be dropped off. Only checks are accepted as payment. Details may be found in the Public Works Annual Newsletter available HERE.
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Durham Firefighters Ken Lundberg (left) and Scott Campbell (right) read to youngsters during the Read Across America celebration. Courtesy Durham FD
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READ ACROSS AMERICA
Members of the Durham Fire Department recently enjoyed participating in a Read Across America celebration by being guest readers to elementary school students from Durham, Lee, and Madbury at the Mast Way School. The staff at the Durham Public Library kindly assisted fire department members in selecting some fantastic books to read to the second graders; titles which included Big Frank’s Fire Truck, Firefighter Duckies and Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms.
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SWAP SHOP VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED -- WHY NOT?
The Swap Shop at the Durham Transfer Center has been busy this winter despite the cold weather! Many boxes of items have been dropped off and then taken to “new” homes which is exactly what the Swap Shop is all about! Save some money and keep useful items out of the landfill!
With spring teasing us a little with warmer temperatures, why not consider volunteering? You not only get to meet other people in town, but you also have a chance to find things you never thought you needed! And things you are really looking for! What other volunteering endeavor is as much fun or helpful?
So, even if you are only a little curious please send an email to find out more. The shifts are only 3 hours and you and signing up is easy. You can volunteer as little or as much as you would like. Thank you and let’s all help keep the Swap Shop open and vibrant!
Please mailto:foggdrive@yahoo.com or talk to the volunteer the next time you “shop!”
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Durham residents Mark and Susie Houle send greetings from Tasmania. Mark is proudly wearing his Durham t-shirt!
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COUNCIL ADOPTS THE PROVISIONS OF RSA 80:52-A AUTHORIZING THE PREPAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES ONE (1) YEAR IN ADVANCE OF THE DUE DATE OF THE TAXES
With recent changes in federal tax laws, property owners in Durham and throughout New Hampshire inquired about prepaying their 2018 property taxes back in 2017.
RSA 80:52-a “Prepayment” states that: “Any town by vote . . . of the town council and any city by vote of its governing board may authorize the prepayment of taxes and authorize the collector of taxes to accept payments in prepayment of taxes.”
At the Town Council meeting on Monday, February 18, the Town Council adopted Resolution 2019-05 (as presented) adopting the provisions of RSA 80:52-A authorizing the prepayment of property taxes one (1) year in advance of the due date of the taxes. View the resolution HERE.
There is no dollar limit on a property tax prepayment , however, RSA 80:52-a provides that no taxpayer can prepay more than 2 years in advance of the due date of taxes. Since property taxes generally become past due for interest accrual purposes on or after December 1 in any tax year, in tax year 2019 property taxes could be prepaid for the year of levy 2019 and the year of levy 2020.
For administration ease, the Town Clerk-Tax Collector and Assessor are recommending prepayment of taxes only one (1) year in advance of the due date of the taxes.
Any amount paid before actual notice of assessed taxes is credited against the taxes that are eventually assessed against the subject property. Once the tax bill is issued by the municipality, the prepayment is then applied to the tax bill. If the prepayment does not cover the tax bill, the taxpayer must pay the difference.
The taxpayer does not accrue interest on the prepayment amount.
When the municipality receives a property tax prepayment under RSA 80:52-a, the taxpayer must indicate what future tax year that prepayment will apply to.
Prepaid property taxes are not refundable. Any overage will be applied to future property tax bills.
For accounting purposes, prepayment of property taxes must be booked as deferred revenue.
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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 TO BE 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
At the January 7, 2019 Town Council meeting, the Council held a public hearing as required by RSA 33:8-d II (a) on a referendum question that will be on the March 12, 2019 Town Election Ballot to authorize the issuance of not more than $2,680,000 of bonds or notes, issued in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33), for the construction of a new Dover Road Pump Station force main.
Per the current Town of Durham/UNH Water and Wastewater agreement, funding for this project is split 2/3rd UNH and 1/3rd Town sewer users, so the Town’s sewer users are responsible for 1/3 share of $893,333.
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 the existing force main represents a potential 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 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, so the Town will take advantage of economies of scale to undertake both projects simultaneously.
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"The Most Interesting Lamb in the World”. A sign of spring can be found at Liberty Hall Farm on Bennett Road, new lambs. Courtesy Theresa Walker
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BIKESHARE-BIKE CULTURE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SCHEDULED
In coordination with the Town of Durham, UNH Campus Planning will host a town-gown conversation on March 4th, 5:15 at the Dairy Bar. This facilitated conversation will include a review of comparator institution bikeshare, shared transport programs, and discussion about whether such programs would be good fit for our UNH/Durham community.
It’s also a chance to discuss other issues relating to the growing use of bikes in-town and on campus. UNH will be coordinating invitations to various stakeholders. Durham Town Council, Planning Board, and Energy Committee members may find of particular interest. (space limited to facility capacity about 50 people).
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DURHAM OFFICIALS ATTEND MEETING ON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AT BUNKER CREEK-ROUTE 4
Town Engineer April Talon, Fire Chief Dave Emanuel, and Police Chief Dave Kurz attended a meeting with approximately 70 officials today, all part of the bridge replacement at Bunker Creek on Route 4. While some of the conversation focused upon officials having a host of permits related to protected fish, birds and other wildlife that frequent the area, traffic was a major topic. While construction may begin in August of 2019, there will be one-lane traffic during much of the project. Unfortunately for the traveling public and police, fire, rescue and public works, during a five (5) day period in early summer of 2020, Route 4 will be closed. The Durham group urged the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to use Friday Updates as a venue that reaches much of the Durham community. As they committed to doing so, there will be further information as it becomes available.
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Bubbling brook within the Stolworthy Wildlife Sanctuary. Courtesy Todd Selig
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PRINTED AND ONLINE VERSIONS OF 2018 DURHAM ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE
The printed version of the 2018 Town of Durham Annual Report is ready to be picked up by interested residents/taxpayers at the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office. Copies will also available at the Durham Public Library. The report may also be viewed on the town website HERE.
Kudos are extended to Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry for her outstanding work in pulling this important historical document together for the community.
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UNH DESIGNATED TOP TIER “R1” RESEARCH UNIVERSITY BY CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION
UNH has risen to the top echelon of research universities in the country as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which released the 2018 update to its classifications of the nation’s higher education institutions last month. UNH is now among the 130 doctoral-granting universities in the “very high research activity,” or R1, category.
Designation as an R1 university will boost UNH efforts to attract talented undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, faculty, and staff. It also indicates to federal and state agencies, private foundations and philanthropists, and business and industry that UNH has the capacity to conduct high-quality research and education.
View more information HERE.
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While Stolworthy offers a beautiful nature walk, there is also evidence of human activity. Here, children from the middle school have laid old sticks and logs along this downed tree. Courtesy Todd Selig
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SITE IDENTIFIED FOR 2019 DURHAM FARMERS’ MARKET – Sammy’s/Store 24 Parking Lot
After much discussion, a new site has been identified for the 2019 Farmers’ Market in Durham organized by the Seacoast Growers Association. If you remember, the Durham Farmers’ Market had been located at Jackson’s Landing for a few years but the location was not ideal and attendance had trailed off there. It was simply out of sight and out of mind!
Following a thorough vetting of alternative sites in the fall, the Town Hall site was tentatively identified as a viable location but over the last month, downtown merchants working through Celebrate Durham suggested using a portion of the Sammy’s/Store 24 Lot. A site walk occurred last week and ultimately the growers have accepted this location for their 2019 market.
A thank you is extended to Sarah Grandy from The Main Street Makery, Durham Parking Officer Sandra Hebert, Town Councilor Sally Tobias, and resident Julia Griewank from the Seacoast Growers for working with us as part of this site selection process.
View a petition received from 29 downtown Durham business owners in support of the Sammy’s Lot/Store 24 parking lot location HERE.
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SITE CHOSEN FOR PROPOSED NEW $46 MILLION OYSTER RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL - The current in town Middle School location
The Oyster River School Board has determined that that the proposed new middle school will be built on the current site, following the recommendation of architect Stephen Blatt who explored a series of options in 2016, and of the Superintendent’s Middle School Facilities Committee which met throughout the 2017-2018 school year. One possible site for the new school would be on the current athletic fields.
The Superintendent’s Committee explored a number of possible new sites, but chose the current site because of its proximity to the high school, athletic fields, UNH, and to resources in the town, particularly the Durham Library. It will also remain a walking and biking campus for many Durham students. Building on-site also avoids the costs of new land purchase and of building an infrastructure (power, access roads, water, waste disposal) that were estimated to add $3 million to the cost of the project.
Preliminary plans for the proposed $46 million dollar project were presented at the February 5 Deliberative Session. A vote on the warrant for a new middle school is expected to take place in March of 2020. If approved by a majority of 60%, construction will begin immediately with completion in Spring 2022.
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Even though Sunday was a gray afternoon in the snow covered Stolworthy woods, by looking carefully one could identify specs of color. Courtesy Todd Selig
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FREE WINTER SAND/SALT MIX AVAILABLE TO DURHAM HOUSEHOLDS
The Department of Public Works has winter sand/salt mix available for RESIDENTIAL USE ONLY at the Public Works department located just outside the gate near the mailbox. As many may recall, this used to be in the old Town Hall parking lot until the property was sold and the Town Hall moved.
Residents may fill a few pails as needed for their homes throughout the winter. This is NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE.
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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 https://www.moodys.com/ 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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Who lives in this home in the Stolworthy Wildlife Sanctuary? Courtesy Todd Selig
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HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR YOUR SOLAR EXEMPTION YET?
If you own property in Durham and recently installed 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 has 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, 2019. 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 2019 assessment.
If you have any questions, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 603-868-8064.
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TOWN COUNCIL OPTS TO PURSUE REHEARING REQUEST OF SEACOAST RELIABILITY PROJECT APPROVAL TO THE NH SITE EVALUATION COMMITTEE - Durham has expended $300,086 to date. Appeal will cost an estimated $40,000.
Following consultation with legal counsel Monday evening, February 18, 2019, the Town Council opted to proceed with a request for rehearing of the NH Site Evaluation Committee’s (SEC) unanimous approval concerning the Eversource Seacoast Reliabilty Project. Should that request fail, the Town plans to file an appeal of the SEC’s decision with the NH Supreme Court.
The Eversource Seacoast Reliability Project was approved by NH Site Evaluation Committee on Monday afternoon, December 10th.
To date, Durham has expended $300,086 as part of the process between expert environmental consultants at Geoinsight/Woods Hole Group ($194,800) and Legal Services at Orr & Reno ($105,285). Legal costs have been shared 50/50 with UNH up until this time but the cost of appealing the project moving forward will be 100% borne by Durham.
We estimate the cost of the rehearing request will be in the $8,000 range with the cost of an appeal to the NH Supreme Court in the $32,000 range.
On a positive note, many of the conditions that NHDES included in the permit language for the proposed jet plow crossing of Little Bay, as well as numerous protections for historic and scenic resources, are a direct result of our collective (Durham/UNH) intervention, along with that of the Durham Historic Association. In particular, DHA members Janet Mackie and Nancy Sandberg have done yeoman’s work striving to protect our local historic resources.
It’s a significant project that will have an impact on the Great Bay Estuary and on Durham/UNH.
During the SEC process, both Durham/UNH and CLF highlighted the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) State of the Estuaries Report, the data it contained, and its numerous recommendations to safeguard and enhance the health of the Great Bay Estuary.
If you have thoughts/concerns about this issue, you can send them to the Town Council at mailto:council@ci.durham.nh.us.
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TALKING TRASH – Property owners are asked to pick up trash/debris around properties as the snow melts.
As the snow melts and spring approaches, the accumulated under–snow debris becomes visible and will be cited as a trash violation if not removed forthwith. We suggest that each property have a responsible person reviewing the snow coverage/snow melt daily, and remove all debris that becomes uncovered.
As a review, please see Durham’s trash citation process below.
Durham has a trash citation process for litter on private property. It is a graduated fine that starts with a Courtesy Notification, then fines of $150, $300, and $1000 for each subsequent period an offense has been found to continue. Each property will receive one Courtesy Notification per academic year. Many properties have already received their one courtesy notification for this academic year. The next offense will be issued a Notice of Violation and a fine of $150 payable to the Town of Durham, submitted to the Building Office. A re-inspection date/time will be written on the citation; if the re-inspection shows that the trash issue is on-going a second Notice of Violation will be issued with a fine of $300. A final Notice of Violation and fine of $1000 will be issued for each subsequent failed re-inspection.
Trash citations are written for situations such as:
- Overflowing dumpsters.
- Trash containers put out for pick-up, which are overflowing/spilt/torn with trash/recyclables spread about.
- Trash containers that are put out more than 24 hours in advance or more than 124 hours after scheduled pick-up.
- Unsightly debris in yards, lawns, and along the street frontage, such as an abundance of cans, bottles and cups.
- Bulky items left outside that are not designed as outdoor furniture (such as mattresses and couches).
- Generally it is expected that any of the situations above will be addressed by the tenants or property managers before 9am each morning, including weekend mornings.
Questions should be directed to Code Enforcement Officer Audrey Cline mailto:acline@ci.durham.nh.us.
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This wooden bridge leads from the Stolworthy Wildlife Sanctuary to the High School athletic fields. Courtesy Todd Selig
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FARM STYLE BREAKFAST FUND-RAISER - Sunday, March 17, 2019
Delicious breakfast! - The 6th Annual Strafford County Farm Bureau Farm Style Fund-raiser Breakfast will be held Sunday, March 17th from 7:30am-12:00pm At the Jeremiah Smith Grange Hall, 1 Lee Hook Rd Lee NH. Co-sponsored by Lee & Durham Agricultural Commissions. Proceeds benefit agricultural outreach and youth grant programs.
Tickets $10/adult, $7/children 14 and under. Purchase tickets at the door. Call Matt Scruton, 941-4956, or Laura Gund, 659-2044, or Erick Sawtelle, 659-8106, for more information.
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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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FEBRUARY VACATION WEEK PARKS & REC. PROGRAMS
Durham Parks & Recreation has a full week of drop in programs scheduled for February vacation. Join us for open gym, family swim times, a moonlight hike, and a night of laser tag! All programs, with the exception of laser tag are free to participate.
Please visit http://durhamrec.recdesk.com. for more information on our vacation week programs.
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JOIN THE DURHAM LIBRARY THIS WEEK FOR:
Thurs. Feb. 28th at 10:30 a.m.
Come and see an incredible Magic Show!
A Vacation Program with the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries.
Magic by George performs amazing magic tricks before your eyes. Kids will be amazed! Don't miss it! All are welcome.
This event will be held at the Durham Public Library upstairs in the Community Room.
AND ...
Device Help Offered On Thursdays!
Need help with your new phone, tablet, or other mobile device? Our Device Help staff can lend a hand with some of the basics.
Stop by the circulation desk or call at 603-868-6699 to sign up for a session. We currently have two 20-minute sessions available on Thursdays, at 11:00 and 11:20 am.
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*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May.
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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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1899 - "To see if the Town will vote to light the streets of Durham village." In 1900 $367 was paid Newmarket Electric Light, Heat and Power Co. for street lights. Each year thereafter a petition appeared in the warrant to light some new area of the town.
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This path leads from Stolworthy up to Baghdad Road. It serves as a short cut for many Middle School students to school and home. Courtesy Todd Selig
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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 left side of the page. Click on "Friday Updates" then enter your email address and first and last name.
Administrator Selig will be on vacation for ORCSD February school break next week. During his absence, Police Chief David Kurz will serve as Acting Administrator. Chief Kurz has big plans…
Have a very nice weekend.
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