Friday Updates - February 24, 2023

Friday, February 24, 2023

Durham experienced some winter weather this week! Snow is also tentatively expected in the week to come. 

The Town has a new Facebook page and would love to welcome you back. Please click HERE to follow. 

Durham Public Works would like to remind residents that the Raymond A. LaRoche Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center located at 100 Durham Point Road accepts brush and tree limbs no greater than 5” in diameter free of charge to Durham residents. The Facility is open Tuesday’s and Saturday’s from 7:30am – 3:00pm. A reminder that a permit is required to use the Facility which may be obtained from either the Durham Public Works Office or Durham Town Hall.

The 2022 Town Reports are done! You can pick up a hard copy at the Durham Town Hall or you can read it in digital form by clicking HERE.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE ON DURHAM'S HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Calling on some new voices: are you ready for an exciting opportunity? The Durham Human Rights Commission is expanding its numbers and are looking for 2 new Durham residents to join. This is your chance to make sure that discrimination in all forms is not welcome in Durham, and that our community's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is continued. Past topics included LGBTQ+, religious, and Indigenous rights. The Commission will be developing 2023 goals in line with the master plan of Durham. Diversity of membership on this committee is ideal, and the Commission welcomes your interest if you haven’t considered town service before. The Commission meets about six times per year, and meeting times can be flexible. If interested, please contact Janet Perkins-Howland at thehowl@comcast.net. To learn more about the Commission, please click HERE.

Seacoast Eat Local is seeking new vendors interested in selling at the Durham Farmer's Market, especially baked goods, meats, seafood, and fresh vegetables. The market takes place on Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will run from June 5th to October 2nd, 2023. It will be held at the new mini-park downtown, on the knoll at 66 Main Street, just to the left of Town and Campus. This new location was a great success last year. There is live music and comfortable places to sit and enjoy the market atmosphere.

If you are a vendor or know somebody who might be interested in joining the Durham Farmer’s Market, please fill out the new vendor inquiry form HERE. Community and nonprofit organizations offering additional activities to engage the Durham and UNH community (on a one-time or ongoing basis) are also welcome to join the market. Email morgan@seacoasteatlocal.org if you are involved with an organization that would like to participate. Take a look at additional details for the Durham Farmers' Market HERE.

DO YOU NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR MAKE CHANGES BEFORE THE UPCOMING TOWN ELECTION ON MARCH 14?

The Supervisors of the Checklist will hold the following session for the purpose of accepting new voters and for making changes in party, address, or name:

Saturday, March 4, 2023    2:00 – 2:30 PM     Durham Town Hall

New registrations, as well as changes to current registrations, will also be accepted at the Town Hall through March 3 during regular business hours for the Town/School Election (March 14). At that point, the Checklist will be updated. New registrations, party changes, and name changes will then be accepted by the Supervisors at that Election. Address changes can be made with the ballot clerks.

Applicants for registration, whether at Town Hall or at any Election, should bring with them proofs of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile. Driver’s license and passport are helpful. Affidavits may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking. 

A photo ID is especially important for both registration and for receiving a ballot. At this election, we are being required to implement the new Affidavit Ballot law (SB 418), which requires people who are registering to vote for the first time in New Hampshire but who do not have an appropriate photo ID with them to use a special affidavit ballot for voting and to send certain information to the Secretary of State within 7 days in order to have their vote counted.

UPCOMING 2023 TOWN ELECTION AND ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION

The 2023 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at the Oyster River High School, Multipurpose Room, Coe Drive, Durham, N.H. The polling hours are 7:00 am - 7:00 pm. If you are unable to vote in person, you may qualify for an absentee ballot. Please click HERE or call the Durham Town Clerk’s Office at 603-868-5577 for more information on how to vote absentee.  

The following is a list of candidates that have filed for positions for the March 14, 2023 Town & Oyster River Cooperative School District Election. To read about each Town Candidate's qualifications and interests, please click HERE.

Three positions for Town Councilor (3-year term)

• Wayne Burton
• Emily Friedrichs
• Sally W. Needell

Two positions for Durham Public Library Board of Trustees (3-year term)

• Robin Glasser
• Kimberly Sweetman

One position for Durham Public Library Board of Trustees (1-year term)

• Randall O'Brien

One position for Trustee of the Trust Funds (3-year term)

• Theodore Howard

One position for Town Clerk-Tax Collector (3-year term)

• Rachel Deane

One position for Town Treasurer (3-year term)

• Karl A. Van Asselt

Two positions for School Board At-Large (3-year term)

• Denise Day
• Giana Gelsey

One position for School Board Durham Member (1-year term)

• Thomas Newkirk

One position for School District Moderator

• Michael Williams

DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR YOUR SOLAR EXEMPTION!

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

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

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

To qualify for this exemption, you must submit a PA-29 exemption application by April 15, 2023. Applications are located on the Town’s website HERE, or you may pick one up at the Assessor’s Office. Your application must also include the invoice that includes a detailed list of what equipment was installed on your property and cost of the project. 

If approved, this exemption will be applied to your 2023 assessment. If you have any questions, please contact the Assessor’s Office at (603) 868-8064.

The Planning Board thanked Nick Germain for his service to the board at its meeting on Wednesday. Nick had to step down as a member last year due to increased demands on his time from his work schedule and the birth of his beautiful daughter Isla Rose. The Town hopes that Nick and his wife Kaitlyn are at least managing to get some sleep now!

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSING GRANT AWARDED TO HELP DETERMINE HOUSING NEEDS IN DURHAM

The Town has just received a $25,000 Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) grant from New Hampshire Housing. The grant will fund a housing needs analysis and a public forum to discuss housing issues in town. 

Last year, the Durham Housing Task Force developed an extensive set of proposed zoning amendments to increase housing opportunities in town. The Planning Board tabled the amendments after citizens expressed concerns about them and returned them to the task force for more study. A number of new members were added to the task force, the Town Council revised the charge of the task force, and the Town secured this grant to address two main concerns raised at the public hearing. The town hopes to hire a consultant soon to conduct the analysis, and the plan is to hold a forum this coming fall. Based on substantial new input the task force will modify the proposal over the next year or so accordingly.

Duane Hyde, Land Conservation Director for the Southeast Land Trust (SELT), is finalizing details for the conveyance of open space from Bonnie Pike to the Town of Durham. SELT will hold a conservation easement on the 36-acre property which includes almost a quarter mile of frontage on the Lamprey River. The site is part of an extensive forest block composed of multiple properties, including the Town’s Thompson Forest located to the northwest. The site is outlined above in red.

Have you visited Jackson’s Landing and its trails? If so, please help the Land Stewardship Subcommittee learn more about your experiences by completing the Jackson’s Landing and trails questionnaire HERE. Thank you! 

With the Durham Agricultural Commissions' endorsement, there will be a series of fruit tree pruning workshops in the month of February within our watershed community. Join in reconnecting with the landscapes to restore and recommit your relationships to place. These workshops will be held in different locations on Saturdays from 1-4 pm. During the workshop, techniques and practices of pruning will be discussed with fellow community member Bryan Cassidy who will support participants to actively engage in pruning in the later part of the workshop. Bryan believes that pruning fruit trees benefits the ecosystem (wildlife and human) through shelter, fruit, and health but maybe more importantly our interdependence of belonging and supporting the abundant gifts that come from a little attention close at hand and foot.

When: Saturdays 1-4 pm.

February 11th: LaRoche Farm (older apples/peaches) 41 Bennett Road Durham NH

February 18th: Emery Farm (older apples) 147 Piscataqua Rd, Durham, NH

February 25th: Tuckaway Farm (blueberries) 36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd, Lee, NH

What to bring: Wardrobe for the weather, water/snacks, and any tools available to you (loppers, pruning saw, pole saw, gloves, safety glasses to prevent falling wood shavings from saw cuts.) 

Cost: These workshops will be by donation to welcome all who are interested without a fee for entrance. Any donation is gratefully accepted, without any expectation, to Bryan Cassidy by cash or check.

Please write to bryancassidy77@gmail.com your intentions to join a workshop to gain more information such as parking for an event, or with any questions you may have.

92.7% of Durham’s emissions come from the built environment and transportation, and one of the most significant actions in the Durham Climate Action Plan is to increase energy efficiency in homes and businesses to reduce emissions. Achieving this depends on Durham’s residents and businesses taking action. Durham's UNH Sustainability Fellow, Rafidah Rahman, has been working with the Town of Durham on the Climate Action Plan. She has written an article which focuses on weatherization, which is a tremendous opportunity to maintain comfort in our homes and offices and to reduce our energy bills and carbon footprint. 

To read the entire article and gain some great insight, click HERE. To learn more about Durham's Climate Action Plan, click HERE.

In addition, you can take advantage of incentives offered through NHSaves and up to $1,200 in federal tax credits. This includes a 30% tax credit (up to $150) for an Energy Audit through a BPI-certified Weatherize contractor. 

If your house qualifies (i.e., is very leaky), NHSaves will reduce the cost of an energy audit to $100 and will cover 75% of the cost of weatherizing, up to $6,000. 

DID YOU KNOW? - What do I do with plastic bags?

Durham’s curbside recycling program does not currently accept plastic bags, film, or wrap of any kind - not even if plastic bags are placed in curbside bins filled with recyclable items.

Why can’t I put my plastic bags in my curbside recycle bin?

Plastic bags, wraps, and films get tangled up in the equipment in facilities that serve curbside recycling programs, causing problems for recyclers. After this, they are landfilled. Make sure flexible packages don’t make their way into your curbside recycling bin!

Where can I bring my plastic bags, films and wraps?

Store drop-off programs have been the primary means of recovering clean and dry bags, film, and wrap for more than 20 years. Retailers usually consolidate the material with other film-like pallet wrap at their distribution centers and then sell the material to companies making products like composite lumber, bags and film, containers, crates and pallets.

Hannaford on Grapevine Drive in Dover is a local store that accepts these items. To find other local stores that accept plastic bags, films, and wraps. please click HERE.

What is recyclable through a store drop off?

What is not recyclable through a store drop off?

What does “Recycle if Clean & Dry” mean?

Plastic bags, wraps, and films need to be clean and dry when you drop them off them at the store. This means no crumbs, no food residue, and no liquid inside them. You don’t need to rinse out and air-dry each and every bag, but if there are crumbs, shake them out. If the bag is damp, let the water evaporate before stuffing it into the bin. And if there’s a lot of food residue that doesn’t come off easily, it is best to not recycle it.

What does “Remove Paper Label Before Recycling” mean?

Most plastic mailers have paper shipping labels on them, and some other wraps and bags have paper labels as well. Paper labels are detrimental to the Store Drop-off recycling process. You can help by peeling off any paper labels before taking your bag to the Store Drop-Off location. If the labels don’t peel off easily, you can cut them off with scissors.

Please note: .…it’s important to remember that it’s even more sustainable to cut back on plastic use whenever possible. Re-usable items are always a better option. 

Sources: How2Recycle, Bagandfilmrecycling.org

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee

Questions about recycling or composting? Email us at Durhamrecycles603@gmail.com

EVERY DROP MATTERS – POOP PATROL!

Protect our community’s outdoor playgrounds for yourself, your pooch, and our environment. Add your name and our Town in the form HERE and take the pledge to scoop the poop, every time. Did you know that NHDES reports out which Towns have received the most pledges!? Please help us to show how much our community cares. Also, if you see that someone has left their pooch’s poop behind, please pick it up!

BE AWARE OF SALT USAGE DURING WINTER MAINTENANCE

As the winter season continues, it’s important to make sure that winter salt being applied to driveways is being used in an environmentally safe way. Companies that are certified Green SnowPro professionals are trained to remove snow and ice using practices that keep both the public and the environment safe. To find a list of Green SnowPro certified contractors, click HERE. 

Several large American Ash (Fraxinus americana) trees located at Wagon Hill Farm have been showing signs of steady decline over the last several years. Each of these trees have multiple defects including substantial decay, trunk splits, fruiting bodies present, included bark, insect damage, previous failures, cracks and cavities. There are several “targets” within the fall distance of these trees including the Bickford-Chesley farmhouse and barn, pedestrians, overhead wires, and vehicles.  In an effort to prolong the life of these trees and delay the eventual removal, Durham Public Works and the Durham Tree Warden have been monitoring the condition of six of these trees, as shown in the diagram above. Unfortunately, at this time it has been determined that a removal of three of these trees is the prudent action. DPW has consulted with other Forestry experts and has engaged the expertise of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands and visited the site with the State’s Community and Urban Foresters to solicit their opinion on this removal plan. The Division of Forest and Lands staff are in agreement with the Town’s assessment and proposed removal plan of trees number 2, 4 and 5, in the interest of public safety. A temporary closure of the parking lots and the area surrounding of each tree will be required during removal. Notice of scheduled closure will be provided through a traffic advisory posted on the Town’s website, Facebook page and the placement of a variable message board on site.  DPW will continue to monitor the remaining ash trees and expect over time additional removals may be necessary.  

DPW Wastewater Division Operators Chad Pierce and Ian Anderson managed a location effort to identify the precise positions of wastewater collection pipes on Madbury Court. This work is in preparation for soil borings in that area which is taking place in advance of a sewer main relocation as part of the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project. The crew used a specialized camera with a sending signal attached to it to locate and identify the exact position of the sewer pipe and depth, while using a handheld meter on the surface. This will help to ensure that when the borings are performed, no sewer pipes are damaged.

Over the last 2 weeks, Durham Public Works’ Buildings and Grounds Division took advantage of above-average temperatures to complete their annual Urban Public Shade Tree Trimming Program. Dozens of trees within the Downtown and surrounding Town facilities were pruned by Division Supervisor Nick Bennion and team member Chris Starkweather. Pruning helps to improve the health of a tree by removing dead or diseased branches, which can spread to other parts of the tree or nearby trees. Pruning is also beneficial as it can help to maintain the shape and appearance of a tree, making it more attractive and enhancing the overall beauty of a public space. Additionally, pruning can help stimulate new growth by removing dead or overgrown branches, which can help the tree become more robust and resilient.

EMERSON ROAD WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE

Delivery of 2,500 lineal feet of McWane Ductile iron pipe has been accepted to be used in the Emerson Road Watermain Replacement Project scheduled to begin this Spring.

In Spring 2022, Durham Public Works awarded a contract to Pichette Brothers Construction of Manchester, NH for the replacement of approximately 2,500 lineal feet of 6” and 8” cast iron water piping on Emerson Road between Madbury Road and the westerly entrance of Littlehale Road. The watermain has experienced significant break history recently with six watermain breaks in as many years. During each emergency response break event, customers experienced unplanned and extended water service interruptions, and the roadway longevity was greatly impacted by required roadway trench excavations to access the water main and make the necessary repair. Significant supply chain disruptions delayed pipe delivery by 9 months, thus delaying the project until this year.

DPW will be holding a pre-construction meeting with Pichette Brothers on March 8^th to review project logistics and set a firm date for construction commencement. A neighborhood meeting with residents abutting the project will be scheduled soon with notification through door hangers and the Friday Updates publication. A road closure and detour route of sections of Emerson Road is planned. A traffic advisory will be provided prior to any closure.   

The contract for the 2023 Crack Sealing Program has been awarded to Indus, Inc. of Braintree, MA. Indus will apply a polymer crumb-rubber modified (PCRM) crack sealant to University Market Parking Lot, Metered Parking Lot, Edgewood Road, sections of Mill Pond Road, Faculty Road, sections of Bagdad Road, Canney Road, Longmarsh Road, and Sandy Brook Drive. PCRM is a high-performance crack sealant that consists of a performance-graded asphalt binder cross-linked with an SBS polymer and a proprietary adhesion promoter to produce an asphalt that has the ability to resist deforming at high temperatures while also being able to stretch and flex at lower temperatures. This high-performance asphalt is then blended with a finely ground crumb-rubber. During this blending process, the rubber particles absorb the polymer-modified asphalt and swell, increasing in volume and further enhancing the same properties afforded by the SBS polymer. The result is a material that has unmatched adhesion, elasticity, and load bearing capacity across a wide range of temperatures. Crack sealing operations are scheduled to occur during the week of May 1^st and the list of projected roadways is subject to change without notice.

LIBERTY MUTUAL TO PROVIDE VOLUNTEERS AS PART OF THEIR "SERVE WITH LIBERTY" PROGRAM

The Town of Durham has been selected to have 12 volunteers for a two-week period from Liberty Mutual as part of its “Serve with Liberty” Program. Following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Liberty Mutual has once again begun this important community service program. Volunteers from Liberty Mutual will work with the DPW staff beginning on May 1st to plant flowers, landscape, mulch, rake and beautify areas within the Durham community. The Town is extremely appreciative for the assistance the Liberty Mutual staff will provide and look forward to working with them!

The contract for the 2023 Center + Edge Line Striping Program has been awarded to Industrial Traffic Lines of Londonderry, NH. Approximately 160,000 linear feet of 4” yellow center and white fog lines will be applied over the course of the summer in multiple phases to align with the Road Program. The first phase will occur during the week of May 8th prior to UNH commencement.

REGULAR PART-TIME MECHANIC NEEDED

The Public Works Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Regular Part-Time Equipment Mechanic. The successful candidate will assist the Fleet Services Supervisor in the maintenance, repair, and installation of a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment within the Public Works Fleet. Responsibilities include diagnosing and troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, performing regular preventative maintenance on equipment, ensuring equipment is operating safely and efficiently, and keeping accurate and detailed maintenance records. In this versatile and exciting role, you will report to the Fleet Services Supervisor and Operations Manager.

The salary for this position is $23.00 - $25.00 per hour, depending upon qualifications. Flexible scheduling is available for this 24 hour per week position, with normal work hours from 7:00am – 3:30pm Monday – Friday. The successful candidate will have a minimum of (1) year of experience or formal training in the maintenance of fleet vehicles and heavy equipment. Possession of a Class B Commercial Driver’s License and State Inspection Certification desired.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs. Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us by 4:30 PM on March 10th, 2023.

PART-TIME SEASONAL LABORERS NEEDED

The Public Works Department is seeking several highly motivated team members to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Part-Time Seasonal Laborer. The successful candidates will assist the Operations Manager and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor in completing routine public works projects such as landscaping, park and facility maintenance, and road maintenance.

The salary for these part-time, seasonal positions is $14-16/hr, depending upon qualifications. These 40 hour/week positions run from May-August and normal work hours are 7:00am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday. The successful candidates must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license or may be 16 or 17 years of age with signed parental permission. Experience with small engine operation, including lawn mowers, string trimmers, and lead blowers is desired.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs. Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us by 4:30 PM on March 10th, 2023.    

Officer Burke is representing the Durham Police Department this year in the upcoming Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) Battle of the Badges, Police versus Fire, hockey game.

The game will be held on March 18, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH. CHaD Battle of the Badges Hockey proceeds are used to help CHaD kids with critical services such as support when they are in pediatric intensive care and management of chronic illnesses, as well as patient and family support services that are so important to the well-being of kids and their futures. This is Officer Burke’s third year playing in the game. 

If you would like to learn more about the CHaD Battle of the Badges game or want to donate to CHaD under Officer Burke’s page, click HERE.

POLICE DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE NEW BASEMENT FLOOR COATING

The Town FY 2023 Budget includes funding to address a portion of the basement floor at the Durham Police Department with a deteriorating concrete coating. A contract was recently awarded to Epoxy Floor New England to remove the existing coating and apply a Dur-A-Chip Micro Chip Flooring System. This seamless, decorative flooring system consists of 100% solid epoxy body coating with a decorative colored vinyl chip broadcast, finished with a durable urethane topcoat ensuring excellent wear and chemical resistance. The project is expected to last one week and will be completed in late May / early June.

The Durham Professional Firefighters Local #2253 would like to introduce Smokey the Fire Dog. Smokey will give short tips on Fire Safety, weekly so Parents can generate conversation with their children about Fire Safety. Keep an eye out in the weekly updates These small questions and tips are a great way for you as a Parent to teach your kids about Fire Safety, the more they know the safer they will be.

WEEK #8

Playing in the house is fun, but some areas that are not safe to play around are fireplaces or stoves, also if your outside stay away from fire pits and cooking devices.

DON’T PLAY AROUND FIREPLACES OR STOVES.

Fireplaces and stoves or any kind of cooking device have enough heat on the surface to cause burns. Along with the possibility of open flames to catch loose clothing on fire. HERE is a good link for more information.