Friday Updates - February 28, 2025

Friday, February 28, 2025

These guys were photographed before the warm weather started! Courtesy, Carol Birch

ABSENTEE BALLOTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2025 TOWN AND SCHOOL ELECTIONS

The 2025 Durham Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the Multipurpose Room at Oyster River High School. The polls will be open from 7:00am until 7:00pm. You may qualify for an absentee ballot if you are a registered voter and unable to make it to the polls to vote in-person on election day.

Please visit the Durham Town Clerk’s Office between 8am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday to complete an absentee ballot application, or log onto the town’s website HERE. Please direct all questions about absentee voting to Rachel Deane by emailing rdeane@ci.durham.nh.us or by calling 603-868-5577.

To see who is running for Town positions, click HERE. To watch the Oyster River School Board's Candidate Forum from February 20, click HERE.

PUBLIC NOTICE – BALLOT TESTING FOR 2025 TOWN ELECTION

The Town of Durham will conduct a test of the AccuVote ballot counting device per NH-RSA 656:42 on Monday, March 3, 2025, starting at 10:00am. The testing will take place at the Durham Town Hall, First Floor Conference Room, at 8 Newmarket Road in Durham, NH 03824. If you have any questions about ballot testing, please contact the Durham Town Clerk’s Office at phone: 603-868-5577.

REGISTER TO VOTE PRIOR TO THE UPCOMING TOWN ELECTION ON MARCH 11

Supervisors of the Checklist will be holding a public session at the Town Hall (8 Newmarket Rd) for the purpose of registering new voters and accepting changes to name, address, and/or party on Saturday March 1, 2025, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM.

This will be the last chance to register to vote before the Town/School election on March 11 at Oyster River High School from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. You may also register to vote or make changes to your registration at the Town Hall any time the Clerk’s office is open until the above date, or at the polls on Election Day.

Applicants for registration must bring with them proofs of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile (in Durham). Affidavits are no longer accepted. The list of proofs currently accepted, especially for domicile, is rather complicated. A NH Driver’s License with your local address is the easiest thing to bring for identification, age, and proof of domicile in Durham. However, it does not prove citizenship, even if it is a Real ID, so you must also bring another document for that.  If you are unsure of what is necessary and what will be accepted, please call the Clerk’s office at 603-868-5577 or check the Secretary of State’s website HERE and click on the link ‘Registering to Vote in New Hampshire.’

Note: Remember to bring your driver’s or non-driver’s license with you to the polls even if you are already registered. You will need a photo ID to receive your ballot!

"FOOD TOGETHER DURHAM" - Agricultural Commission Survey

Durham has strong historical roots in growing food, and the many back- and front-yard gardens that dot our neighborhoods show that growing food locally remains at the core of our community. For many, it is an enjoyable way to connect with the outdoors while harvesting the benefits of fresher, more diverse and nutritious food, and sharing their bounties with family, friends and neighbors.

Growing food can also bring together and strengthen communities. The Durham Agricultural Commission, with partnership and support from undergraduate student researchers at the University of New Hampshire, is interested in learning whether our town residents view opportunities for more neighborhoods to produce food together. Your responses to the short survey will help the Durham Agricultural Commission better understand your perspectives, and help aspiring neighborhoods connect toward Food Together Durham.

To participate in the survey, please click HERE. Please complete the survey no later than March 9, 2025. 

February 28 marks the 25th anniversary of employment for Administrative Assistant Karen Edwards. Karen began working as the Administrative Assistant in the Planning, Zoning and Assessing Office in 2000. She helped support all three departments as well as the Planning Board, Zoning Board and HDC. Over the years she worked to keep the departments organized and to implement new computer technology to help things run efficiently.

In 2023 when Administrative Assistant Jen Berry retired from the Administrator's Office, Karen moved into Jen's position. She now works to support Administrator Todd Selig and the Town Council. Just this year the creation of the Town Report was no longer contracted to an outside vendor as Karen took over the development of the Report herself.

Karen has enjoyed working for the Town of Durham all these years and hopes to celebrate her 30th anniversary before she retires.

Congratulations, Karen! 25 years of service with the Town of Durham and it's citizens is a very significant accomplishment.

Tim’s Drunken Sauces and Rubs, located at 8 Jenkins Court, Suite 2, began with a love for BBQ and late-night wood smoking during the pandemic. What started as a backyard hobby turned into a food trailer, traveling across New Hampshire and winning over fans with bold sauces and rubs. After a year in Durham’s food truck park, Tim’s opened a downtown restaurant to serve locals and students alike.

Tim’s Drunken Barbecue, proudly serving Southeast NH with the tastiest sauces, smokiest meats, and boldest rubs. From late-night meals, to game day menus and everything in between. Whether you’re here for a quick bite, meeting your friends, or just craving something saucy, Tim’s delivers flavor-packed food with every bite.

Tim’s mission? Deliver smoky, saucy, unforgettable flavor every time.

For more information, click HERE.

It was a great day for the "Discover Durham Trails" walk last Sunday! Lead by Emma Tutein from UNH Coop extension, the group learned about identifying animal tracks and also being more aware of surroundings when walking in the woods and enjoying simple things like a bird song, woodpecker drilling sound or water trickling under the ice.

The next "Discover Durham Trails" event will take place Friday, March 14 at 6:30PM. 

THE EDGE, THE OLSON CENTER AND THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE - Durham and UNH Working Together in Partnership

In December, the University of New Hampshire distributed a Request for Proposals for a Master Development Partner for The Edge Innovation District to be located on UNH land near the intersection of Main Street and Mast Road. The proposals were due two weeks ago, and it is expected that UNH will make its selection in the near future. 

The Town of Durham is pleased to be involved in this important venture: much of the development will be subject to Town taxes and Town zoning and planning review. In order to facilitate the innovative, large-scale, mixed-use project, the Planning Board is crafting a new Planned Unit Development ordinance. On Wednesday, the board completed its first review of the proposed ordinance. Once the Planning Board completes the ordinance it will be sent to the Town Council for consideration. 

For more information on The Edge project along with the cutting-edge John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center located at 121 Technology Drive, click HERE.  

STRAFFORD REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION IN NEED OF ONE MORE RESPRESENTATIVE FROM DURHAM

Durham has the ability to have three representatives on the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) and currently there is one opening for a representative from Durham

The nine regional planning commissions in New Hampshire serve in an advisory role to local governments. SRPC includes 18 municipalities. Their mission is to assure that the region is responsive to the needs of its residents, achieved through coordination with state and federal agencies, the implementation of regional plans, and local planning assistance. SRPC’s staff provide services to the region in land use, natural resource planning, transportation, economic development, hazard mitigation, public health, and data collection and analysis. 

You can see a presentation given to the Planning Board on Wednesday about SRPC from one of Durham's representatives, Mike Lerhman, HERE.  The presentation begins at 17 minutes. You can see a lot of interesting information about SRPC and regional planning at their website HERE.

If you are interested in becoming a representative to SRPC, please contact Administrative Assistant Karen Edwards at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

Did You Know?  Cutting Boards

Eventually, all cutting boards–no matter the material–will wear out over time. Once they become excessively worn, developing grooves that are too deep to refinish and have become difficult to clean, they should be replaced. In addition, plastic cutting boards can release microplastics into food when used, meaning that when you cut on them, tiny plastic particles can potentially get transferred to your food. Wear and tear matters: 

As plastic cutting boards become scratched or worn, they are more likely to release microplastics. 

Which types of cutting boards are most sustainable?

Wood, bamboo, and composite are the best cutting board materials for durable, non-toxic, and eco-friendly cutting boards. These materials are naturally resilient and gentle on knives. NOTE: When choosing a cutting board, be sure it is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. The Forest Stewardship Council is an organization that promotes responsible forest management. 

What do I do with my old cutting boards?

• Discarded cutting boards do not belong in curbside recycle bins.
• Wood and bamboo cutting boards are plant-based, which makes them biodegradable and you can compost them in your backyard.
• Durham’s Swap Shop (opens April 5, weather permitting) will accept used plastic cutting boards (in good condition only)and wooden cutting boards. If a plastic cutting board is old and/or heavily used, it should be thrown in the trash.  

Sources: Let’s Go Green, PubMed

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

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

Check us out on Instagram: sustainable.durham.nh

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

DURHAM'S GOOD PLANET APPAREL AND NEW MOON CONSIGNMENT SPONSOR "RESALE ROCKS!"

Durham's own Good Planet Apparel and New Moon consignment store are sponsoring a new endeavor called Resale Rocks.

Resale Rocks is a 3-day market of 30+ second hand clothing vendors to promote a more sustainable lifestyle by choosing upcycled, thrifted and repaired clothing. There will be live music throughout the weekend as well as cocktails & mocktails. This market is an opportunity for people to shop local and sustainably while enjoying music and drinks! 

Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, February 28, March 1 & 2

Location: Live Freely - 356 Lafayette Road Hampton NH 

Hours: Friday 5-9, Saturday 11-5, Sunday 12-4

DO YOU KNOW A COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO DESERVES RECOGNITION?

The Center on Aging and Community Living (CACL) is seeking nominations for the 2025 UNH Wildcat Inspirational Award.

The Wildcat Inspirational Award recognizes individuals that exemplify what it means to age well. Ideal candidates are those who inspire the people around them through their engagement in healthy, active aging. 

To be considered for the award, nominees must be 60 years of age or older. Additionally, nominees should have a demonstrated history of inspiring those in their community through acts of:

• Community Service
• Education and Learning
• Commitment to Active Aging
• Leadership
• Innovation

Please consider nominating someone today by going to this link HERE. Applications are due Monday, March 3rd. The award will be presented at the 2025 Age of Champions event on Saturday, April 26 at the Hamel Rec Center

THE ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS A FREE DISCUSSION ON “WHY AM I ALWAYS WORRYING?”

Did you know that stress can contribute to heart disease, cancer, lowered immunity, digestive issues/reflux, less productivity, disturbed sleep, and relationship problems? The Active Retirement Association (ARA) invites you to a FREE presentation to learn the difference between stress and anxiety, the origins and types of stress, and techniques on how to be calmer and therefore healthier. Presenter Dean Pratt, MBA, MA, MS, MDiv, is a psychotherapist at the Seacoast Mental Health Center specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, and the aging brain. He will discuss at least 30 ways to reduce stress.

This FREE event is open to the public and will take place on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 10:00 – 11:30 AM, at the Durham Community Church, 17 Main Street, Durham, NH, and also via Zoom. Pre-registration is required for ARA non-members at seacoastara@gmail.com. Please be sure to indicate whether you plan to attend in person or via Zoom.

The ARA is an organization for people ages 50 and over, whether retired or not. Originally begun by and affiliated with UNH, it has over 350 members from New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and beyond. The ARA is committed to expanding the world of its members by offering lectures, workshops, discussion groups, films, cultural tours, walks/hikes, on-demand member interest groups, and much more. For more information visit https://www.unh.edu/ara/ or to inquire about membership write to arainfo1982@gmail.com

The Active Retirement Association, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is not affiliated with any political, religious, ethnic, or special interest group.

The Seacoast Big Band will be giving a performance at Oyster River Middle School on March 4, 2025 at 8PM. The band will be featuring the music of Dan Gailey, who is the current Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Kansas. The concert is free and open to the public!

Dan is an award-winning composer, arranger and educator, and he will be directing the band that evening. The Seacoast Big Band has been a part of the artistic community in the Seacoast region for more than 40 years and have been featured with some of the most prominent names in jazz, including: Clark Terry, Frank Wess, Louis Bellson, among many others. The band was previously directed by David Seiler and is currently under the artistic direction of Nathan Jorgensen.

We hope that you can join us for a beautiful evening of swinging and contemporary jazz gems!

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

All Oyster River schools will be closed on March 14 for a Teacher's Workshop Day.

March 5 Oyster River High School Art Show

The Oyster River High School (ORHS) Art Department presents Creating Connections, an exhibition of the 2025 Scholastic Art Award entries (drawings, paintings, sculpture, photography). At the Durham Public Library (49 Madbury Rd, Durham, NH 03824). The public reception is on March 5, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

March 11 ORCSD Faculty Concert

Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824) 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Raffles and fundraising proceeds will be donated to Save the Music Foundation.

March 11 - Annual Meeting Session II - Voting Day - Vote in Town of Residence

• 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, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

March 13 ORMS/HS Chamber Orchestra Concert

Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824) 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

March 20 Humanities Night

At Oyster River Middle School. Additional details will be made available next week.