Friday Updates - January 11th, 2019

Friday, January 11, 2019

Durham resident Brad Gregg took this photograph of a beautiful Bard Owl sitting in a tree on Bennett Road.

A final reminder that next Tuesday, January 15, 2019 from 7 - 9PM, the Town will be holding a Right-to-Know Information Session for Durham's elected officials, board/committee members, and town staff. Town attorney Laura Spector-Morgan will hold the session in the Town Council chambers. It will be aired live over DCAT, Channel 22, as well as taped for rebroadcast.

CONSIDERING A CHANGE IN HOURS FOR THE TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE

The Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office is considering a change in its hours of operation. Currently, the office is open from 8AM - 5PM Monday thru Friday. As the office does not close for a “lunch hour” it is available to the public for a total of 45 hours weekly. This is a two and one-half person office with meetings, training, vacations, sickness, etc., and there are times only one clerk will be on duty and may not finish servicing customers that are in the office until well after 5PM. Afterward the clerk then has to balance and process necessary payments that can take an additional 30 to 45 minutes.

The Clerk's Office is considering closing the office to customers at 4:30 PM to allow time to complete the necessary daily balancing and processing that must occur at the end of each work day. This change amounts to 2 ½ hours, the office will still be open 42-1/2 hours weekly.    

Durham the FY 2019 budget development process, the Town opted not to allocate additional staffing toward this function in deference to keeping spending increases for 2019 as low as possible.

If the idea moves forward, we'd be looking at a March 1st implementation date.

Feedback concerning the proposal can be sent to Town Clerk/Tax Collector Lorrie Pitt at lpitt@ci.durham.nh.us.

PLACEMENT OF REFERENDUM QUESTION ON THE MARCH 12, 2019 TOWN ELECTION WARRANT asking residents if they are in favor of raising and appropriating not more than $2,680,000 for the construction of a new Dover Road Pump Station force main -- UNH to pay 2/3 of this cost, the residual paid for solely by Durham sewer system users, not the general tax base.

The Durham Town Council will meet on Monday, February 4, 2019 beginning at 7PM. The following Public Hearings regarding the the placement of a referendum question on the March 12, 2019 Town Election Warrant relating to bonding for the construction of a new force main at the Dover Road Pump Station.

Hold Second Public Hearing in accordance with 33:8-d II (b), for the placement of a proposed referendum question on the March 12, 2019 Town Election ballot asking residents if they are in favor of raising and appropriating the sum of $2,680,000 for the purpose of constructing a new Dover Road Pump Station force main, with said sum to be in addition to any federal, state or private funds made available therefor, and of authorizing the issuance of not more than $2,680,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provision of the municipal finance act, RSA Chapter 33, and authorizing the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon? The Council unanimously recommends this appropriation. By Agreement, two-thirds (2/3) of the annual payments are to be paid by UNH, and one-third (1/3) of those payments will be paid for by Durham sewer system users. 2/3 ballot vote required.

Hold Public Hearing in accordance with Section 5.12(A) of the Durham Town Charter and Vote on a Resolution to incur debt of $2,680,000 for the purpose of constructing a new Dover Road Pump Station force main, with said sum to be in addition to any federal, state or private funds made available therefor, and of authorizing the issuance of not more than $2,680,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provision of the municipal finance act, RSA Chapter 33, and authorizing the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon? The Council unanimously recommends this appropriation. By Agreement, two-thirds (2/3) of the annual payments are to be paid by UNH, and one-third (1/3) of those payments will be paid for by Durham sewer system users. 2/3 ballot vote required.

Dover Road/Route 108 Pump Station. Courtesy DCAT Studios

$2.68 MILLION DOVER ROAD FORCE MAIN PROJECT PROPOSED REFERENDUM TO BE PLACED ON THE MARCH 12, 2019 TOWN ELECTION BALLOT - UNH to pay 2/3 of this cost, the residual paid for solely by Durham sewer system users, 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 to be placed 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.

A second Public Hearing will be held on the referendum question for Monday, February 4, 2019, per RSA 33:8-d II (b).

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 1/3rd 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 it is a single point of failure, the existing force main was recommended for upgrade. The purpose of this project is to replace the existing force main with a new pipe located upland of the high tide line, along an accessible alignment.

The selected force main alignment will be routed along the shoulder of Route 108 (Dover Road) for approximately 400 linear feet, and then continue within the paved travel-way of Old Piscataqua Road. Old Piscataqua Road dead ends approximately 1,500 feet east of Dover Road. The sewer alignment will continue in an easterly direction through a short stretch of Town-owned property before entering NHDOT’s extended Route 4 road right-of-way. The force main alignment will parallel Route 4 and be approximately 100 feet south of the centerline of Route 4. West of the WWTF property, the force main alignment will turn and continue in a southerly direction. The force main alignment will cross a private property owned by UNH before entering the Town-owned WWTF property. The alignment ends at the southern side of the WWTF property where the force main will connect to the existing Headworks building. 

The total anticipated length of the new future force main piping is approximately 3,400 linear feet of 20-inch HDPE.

The existing force main will remain in service to provide redundancy to the system. Following the completion of the construction of the new force main the Town will investigate the interior condition of the existing force main to determine if any modifications or improvements need to be made.

To take advantage of the cost-savings associated when combining projects, the 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.

The Council unanimously supported the project on January 7th.

FILING PERIOD FOR DURHAM ELECTED OFFICES FOR MARCH 12, 2019 TOWN ELECTION

The filing period for local Durham elected offices for the March Town Election is Wednesday, January 23, 2019 through 5:00 PM Friday, February 1, 2019. There is no filing fee required.

Citizens who might choose to become involved in Durham Town government may file for one of the positions below at the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office during the filing period noted above. Questions may also be directed to that office by calling 603-868-5577 or emailing Town Clerk-Tax Collector Lorrie Pitt at mailto:lpitt@ci.durham.nh.us

Residents interested in learning more about any of these positions are invited to contact the Administrator's Office at 603-868-5571 or write to mailto:tselig@ci.durham.nh.us.

The 2019 Town elections will take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at the Oyster River High School. Polling hours will be from 7AM to 7PM.

Town Council, 3 positions (3-year terms)

Library Board of Trustees, 3 positions (3-year terms)

Trustees of the Trust Funds, 1 position (3-year term)

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPORTANT BUDGET AND SCHOOL MEETING DATES TO REMEMBER

January 8th - Budget Public Hearing - ORHS Auditorium - 7PM - Snow Date: January 9th

Town Meetings for School District Budget Overview

January 7th - Durham Town Council Meeting - 7PM - Durham Town Hall

January 14th - Lee Selectmen Meeting - 6:30 PM - Lee Safety Complex

February 4th - Madbury Selectmen Meeting - 7PM - Madbury Town Hall

January 23rd thru February 1st until 5PM - Filing Period for School District Openings (No filing fee required)

1 Moderator, 1 year term

2 At large School Board positions, 3 year terms

February 5th - Annual Meeting Session I - Deliberative - ORHS Auditorium - 7PM - Snow Date: February 7th

February 12th - Candidates' Night - ORHS Room C-120 - 7PM - Snow Date: February 13th

March 12th - Annual Meeting Session II - Voting Day - Vote in Town of residence:

Durham - ORHS - 7AM - 7PM

Lee - Lee Safety Complex - 7AM - 7PM

Madbury- Madbury Town Hall - 11AM - 7:30 PM

Report of the District February 2019 Edition - Available the end of February at: SAU Office, Town Halls, Libraries, Schools, and posted on the ORCSD website.

If unable to pick up a report, please contact Wendy at 603-389-3286 or via email mailto:wdifruscio@orcsd.org

BUDGET INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON DISTRICT WEBSITE AT: 

http://www.orcsd.org/ QUICK LINKS/BUDGET FY 19-20

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED ON MONDAY FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CIVIL RIGHTS DAY HOLIDAY

All Town offices will be closed for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Day holiday on Monday, January 21, 2019.

Although the Town offices are closed, there will be NO CHANGE to the regularly scheduled refuse and recycling routes. As always, residents are asked to please have all items out by 7AM on their respective collection days.

ORCSD Superintendent James Morse and ORCSD Business Manager Sue Caswell provided an update on the Oyster River Cooperative School District's FY 2019/20 Budget at the Town Council meeting on Monday, January 7, 2019. Courtesy Todd Selig

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSED BUDGET (Including Art. 4 ORESPA Contract) TOTALS $45,981,838 for 2019/20 – When combined with projected revenue increases, this equates to 3.49% over 2018/19

On Monday evening, January 7, 2019, Superintendent Jim Morse and Business Manager Susan Caswell provided a presentation to the Town Council concerning School Board goals, accomplishments, and budget information for the district.

Some highlights from the presentation included:

• Mast Way School has been recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School — Blue Ribbon School recipient for 2018. It was the only such designated school in NH!
• Smarter Balanced Test Scores in Grades 3-8 are some of the highest in NH
• SAT — High aggregate score – 1158 with 99% participation.
• Math Scores – NHSAS and SAT continue to be one of the highest in the state.
• College placement rate – 80%

            67% enter 4 year college program

            13% enter 3, 2, 1 year college program

            15% Milieary or Work

            5% Gap

• High School graduate rate – 99.44
• Special Needs – 100% graduation rate.
• Enrollment at Oyster River remains strong, with a total enrollment in 2018-19 of 2,186 (including 167 tuition students and 24 preschool students).

The School District proposed budget for 2019-20 totals $45,981,838, which includes the following major expenditure drivers:

            Negotiated agreement with ORESPA - $41,378   

            5.7% increase in Health Insurance - $313,500   

            Capital Account: funds for Middle School Project - $800,000   

            Capital Account: Moharimet Project - $755,320   

            Staffing: 1 Counselor & 1 Elem. Asst. SpEd Dir. - $206,000   

            Guild Agreement (Year 3 of 3) - $587,169

In terms of school tax rate impacts, the proposal is estimated to have the following implications for Durham, Lee, and Madbury: Durham - $.52; Lee* - $1.91; Madbury* - ($.20).

*=Does not include any additional assessed value.

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 will be presented at the February 5 Deliberative Session, which will take place at 7:00 PM in the high school auditorium. 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.

COUNTY COMMISSION RECOMMENDS $73,812,020 BUDGET FOR FY 2019 – An increase of 3.34% over 2018

The Strafford County Commission has submitted its budget for the calendar year 2019 and proposes $73,812,020 in operating expenditures with revenues of $41,019,459. The proposed amount to be raised by taxes is $32,792,561, an increase of 3.34% over 2018. The 3.34% proposed tax increase is slightly less than then the last five (5) months (from July through November 2018) Consumer Price Index (CPI) average increase for our area.

This budget proposal includes funding the two of Strafford County’s three contracts for union-represented employees and the non-union employees. The House of Corrections’ union and the County are now at impasse. 

The Commissioners report that labor shortages continue at Riverside Rest Home (RRH) in the area of nurses, but Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs) has shown some improvement. However, staffing is adequate to ensure the safety and proper care for the County's residents.

Health insurance cost increases continue to be a concern. In an effort to mitigate this, Strafford County changed health insurance carriers to Anthem Blue Cross, effective January 1, 2019.

The courtyard covering project for Riverside Rest Home has run into some problems. In fact, the County has stopped the project and included additional funding in the 2019 operating budget to bring Commissioner Leo Lessard’s project to fruition. Three major problems with the project include: additional sprinkler work that is needed beyond original projections; the increased costs of steel due to new tariffs; and the County has identified that the current structure was not built to plan specifications. To be specific, the plans for the exterior walls of the courtyard called for block reinforced with rebar and concrete. When construction was to begin, an X-ray of the walls showed that there was no concrete reinforcement. The current structure is safe, but cannot support the roof without modification.

The House of Corrections and Riverside Rest Home have generated additional revenue to support the necessary County cost increases.

The Hyder House wing of RRH continues to be busy. Since the County took over the operations of Hyder House three and a half years ago, it has admitted 942 residents. 

Strafford County is proud to announce that for the fifth year in a row, it has been one of the few governmental agencies in New Hampshire to receive the Government Finance Officers Association’s Award for Financial Reporting. This award recognizes “fiscal transparency.”

A public hearing and meeting with the full Strafford County Delegation has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. (SNOW DATE: Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 7:00 p.m..) in Superior Courtroom II of the William A. Grimes Strafford County Justice and Administration Building. At this time, the County Delegation (consisting of all of the elected NH House and NH Senate members from Strafford County) will receive public input on the Commissioners Proposed 2019 Operating Budget at the Public Hearing and conduct any other business that may legally come before the Delegation at that time.

Barn at Wagon Hill Farm at dusk. Courtesy Todd Selig

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - FIREFIGHTER/AEMT

The Town of Durham, NH is accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/AEMT.

The full job posting and Town of Durham application may found on the Town of Durham website.

Please submit a cover letter, resume and Town of Durham application by e-mail in .pdf format as one document. Submit to mailto:fire@ci.durham.nh.us and include your last name, date and firefighter/AEMT in the title of your .pdf document. Submit application materials by January 19, 2019 at noon. Position to remain open until filled.

DURHAM POLICE RECEIVE TRAINING TO ASSIST ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS

The Durham Police were provided with instruction to help the officers enhance their capacity to handle calls involving persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Alyssa Mackey from the Residence at Salem Woods provided a very thought-provoking and relevant Alzheimer’s training that involved an officer volunteer, Rob Keith, who she provided with gloves that had the fingers tied together, very dark sun glasses, hearing protectors, and nose clips. All the devices were designed to hinder the senses similar to a person with Alzheimer’s might experience. 

While the officers were amused at Officer Keith’s attempts at accomplishing simple tasks, the seriousness of the symptoms distinguished by Alzheimer’s was not missed by any of them. With an aging population and police the first responders to persons in crisis, recognizing the traits and nuances of persons with dementia or Alzheimer’s is critical to successful outcomes.

The instruction enabled the officers to learn techniques to effectively question and interview persons with Alzheimer’s disease while determining the most effective response while communicating and collaborating with caregivers in the community.

The solar panels atop the Durham Public Library have incurred squirrel damage. Courtesy Todd Selig

SQUIRRELS DAMAGE SOLAR ARRAY ON LIBRARY ROOF

There was a bumper crop of squirrels in New Hampshire this year. The fast moving critters frustrated many farmers by chomping their way through apple orchards, pumpkin patches and corn fields. But that’s not all. They also ate their way through the electronics and circuitry atop the roof of the Durham Public Library associated with our 15 kW solar array there. ReVision Energy, which owns the panels, will be on hand Monday morning to make repairs and to install squirrel guards so we do not have a repeat performance in 2019. 

In 2017, there was a bumper crop of acorns and other food that contributed to a larger-than-normal squirrel population this summer across the region.

This past summer, there was not as much food, so the squirrels began looking for nutrition wherever they could find it, including farms and … solar arrays?!?!

New England is home to both red and gray squirrels. Known for their bushy tails, the rodents are a common sight in town parks and backyards, and people enjoy watching their frenetic movements.

They eat everything from beechnuts and acorns to berries and seeds.

Durham's holiday tree at Memorial Park this past December. Courtesy Todd Selig

TOWN COUNCIL ESTABLISHES WORKING COMMITTEE FRAMEWORK TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE CONCERNING HOW TO MAKE THE ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING EVENT AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE FOR ALL PEOPLE

The annual Tree Lighting event/celebration put on by the Town of Durham in early December has become an annual tradition that is welcomed and enjoyed by many as a special community event that brings people together as we enter the darker and colder times of winter.

This became very apparent with the public response that was generated by the Human Rights Commission's recommendation late last year that perhaps this event should be discontinued based on the idea that the tradition could be looked upon as having a religious connotation and therefore might lead some community members to feel excluded. This issue came to the forefront with the request by a local rabbi to put up a menorah next to the adorned tree.

The Town Council called a special meeting on December 10, 2018 to discuss the topic further. An ensuing dialogue at that meeting led to the recommendation that a committee be formed to evaluate the Town’s current practice, take into consideration established law, and propose possible alternatives/enhancements to the Town of Durham's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony that might lead to more inclusiveness without diminishing the importance and festivities associated with this event.

At its meeting on January 7th, the Council established a short-term working committee consisting of 5-7 people to look at the issue concerning how to make the annual Tree Lighting event as inclusive as possible for all people. 

It is understood that the committee will strive to get wide input from various community members and might consult with appropriate legal representatives and even explore what is being done in other towns. The committee will be appointed by the Town Council and report its findings and recommendations to the Town Council at the appropriate time. One member will be the Parks & Recreation Director who coordinates the annual Tree Lighting event.

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.

Durham firefighters conduct ice rescue training with new extraction sled.

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION HOSTS "UNEARTHING THE CLUES AT THE BURNHAM GARRISON - Saturday, January 26th at 1PM in the Durham Town Hall Council Chambers

How did residents of the Oyster River Plantation live during the 1600s and what articles did they use in their homes? Archaeologist Meghan Howey will share some surprising discoveries about life in Durham more than three centuries ago. Professor Howey and her crew have been surveying the Burnham Garrison site, one of the fortified houses on the Oyster River that withstood many attacks, including the French and Indian attack of 1694.

Dr. Meghan Howey is the James H. Hayes and Claire Short Hayes Professor of the Humanities at UNH and her research involves “A Deep Time, Multi-Archive Narrative of the Anthropocene in the Great Bay”. In this capacity, she is the Director of the Great Bay Archaeological Survey (GBAS), a community-engaged and interdisciplinary archaeology program. Refreshments will be served. Snow date is Sunday, January 27th. Visit the DHA on Facebook.

EVERSOURCE ROADSIDE TRIMMING/MAINTENANCE IN PROCESS IN DURHAM

Eversource’s Vegetation Management Division has provided us with the list of roads within the Town of Durham where line trimming is scheduled to be completed in December 2018 and January 2019. This trimming work is essential in keeping the lights on during storm events and as such, the Town actively encourages such activity by the utility. This work is not related to the proposed Seacoast Reliability Project. A list of roads where trimming is planned follows:

Adams Point Road, Bagdad Road, Bay Road, Beards Landing, Beech Hill Road, Bennett Road, Briarwood Lane, Church Hill, Coe Drive, Colony Cove Road, Constable Road, Cowell Park, Cutts , Dame, Davis, Deer Meadow, Denbow, Dennison, Durham Point, Edgerly Garrison Road, Edgewood Road, Emerson Road, Fairchild Drive, Falls Way, Ffrost Drive, Fox Hill Road, Garrison Avenue, Hampshire Avenue, Langley Road, Laurel Lane, Littlehale Road, Little John Road, Long Marsh Road, Lundy Lane, Maple Street, Marden Way, Mathes Terrace, Mathes Cove Road, Newmarket Road, Old Bagdad Road, Packers Falls Road, Palmer Drive, Pinecrest Lane, Quad Way, Rocky Lane, Sandy Brook Drive, Scotland Road, Strafford Avenue, Sunnyside Drive, Timberbrook Lane, Wiley Road, Willey Creek Road, Wood Road, and York Drive.

TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES EXTENSION OF DURHAM/UNH WATER SYSTEM TO LEE TRAFFIC CIRCLE TO ADDRESS MtBE CONTAMINATION – Project will bring safe, potable water to Lee Circle properties

The Lee Traffic Circle water system extension project is being implemented by Durham/UNH/NHDES/Lee to provide safe, potable drinking water to the Mobile gas station and to 6 surrounding properties at the Lee Traffic Circle that are currently in violation of the 13 micrograms per liter (ug/L) maximum contaminant level (MCL) drinking water standard for MtBE and warrant connection to a water supply.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Service (NHDES) MtBE Bureau will fund the connection of these properties to the Durham/UNH Water System as part of this project. The cost of the water line extension is approximately $1.5M. Additionally the Durham/UNH Water System has secured $1M in funding towards the construction of the new UNH water treatment plant. 

The 7,000 LF water main extension will originate at Durham's well site in Lee (the so-called Lee Well) and then be installed cross-country toward Route 4, before extending west along the north side of Route 4 to the Lee traffic circle.

While the initial extension would be constructed to serve only the affected MtBE contaminated properties, other residential property owners in Lee along the new water line route could request a connection to the water system, pay a connection fee, and become a Durham water user. Requests for water line extensions beyond what are built initially for this project would be come to the Durham-UNH Water/Wastewater Committee and Town Council for approval and will be subject to the available remaining reserve.

In order to determine the impact to the Durham/UNH water system, NHDES contracted directly with Weston and Sampson engineers to perform a water system modeling study. Results of this study identified 3 deficiencies in the distribution system which would need to be improved. These deficiencies are currently in the Town’s Capital Improvements Plan as specific projects to be funded by the water users. NHDES will also fund the design and construction of these distribution system improvements including the upgrade of the PRV/Booster station at Technology Drive as part of the Lee Waterline Extension project. These system improvements total approx. $750,000.

The Durham-UNH water/wastewater/stormwater committee has held multiple meetings with the representatives from the Town of Lee, Weston and Sampson Engineers, Underwood Engineers, and Gary Lynn and Tal Hubbard at NHDES MtBE Bureau as well as Rick Skarinka, NHDES Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau.

Extending water service to the 13 MtBE-affected properties in Lee will return a net-positive revenue to the Town of Durham based on current rates. This assumes a capital reserve payment, operational costs, and labor costs for expenditures and connection fees and water use fees for revenue.

The Town Council approved the Lee water main extension of the Durham-UNH Water System to the MtBE Contaminated Sites at the Lee Traffic Circle on Monday evening, January 7th. Appreciation is extended to UNH, NHDES, the Town of Lee, and project lead Town Engineer April Talon for their close collaboration and being open to out of the box solutions to addressing this complex issue. It’s quite unusual for four government entities to work together so seamlessly.

Conservation Commission member John Nachilly places a new “Town Property Boundary” sign along Horsehide Creek, one of several parcels that comprise Durham’s 120-acre Longmarsh Preserve that also includes the Transfer Station on Durham Point Road. Courtesy Ellen Snyder

TRAVERSING TOWN PROPERTY BOUNDARIES & AND POSTING THEM WITH DURHAM BOUNDARY MARKERS - A Report from the Land Stewardship Coordinator, Ellen Snyder

This winter, Land Stewardship Coordinator Ellen Snyder and volunteers are walking the boundaries of town-owned conservation areas to post the new “Town Property Boundary” signs. It is easier to walk about this time of year, when wetlands and the ground are frozen and the hardwoods have no leaves. You can see a long distance through the woods, which is helpful when taking a compass bearing or looking for a stonewall. The lack of snow is also helpful, although the bitter temperatures and wind make for very cold hands.

Before Christmas, volunteer Gale Carey and Ellen placed signs along the Doe Farm boundary. This month, Conservation Commission member John Nachilly and Ellen are walking the boundaries of the Longmarsh Preserve. The Town owns several parcels that extend from the Class VI portion of Longmarsh Road out to Durham Point Road, encompassing Colby Marsh, Langmaid Farm, Horsehide Creek, and the Transfer Station, totaling 120 acres. These properties have convoluted boundaries with many twists and turns, and sometimes cut across wetlands or ponds. Ellen and John are using the boundary surveys (of varying vintage and detail) for each property and those of abutting lands to locate the Longmarsh Preserve boundaries.

Finding the boundaries is akin to a treasure hunt. The boundary surveys show locations of boundary monuments: stonewalls, barbed wire, drill holes in stone, iron pipes or rods, and other notations. Last week they found a particularly nice corner monument just as the survey noted: “0.65’ x 1.15’ GRANITE BOUND FOUND W/ X MARKED ON TOP.” Finding a boundary line that has no stonewalls or other monument requires orienteering skills, including following a compass bearing and pacing the distance. Once this initial traverse of the properties is completed with boundary signs posted at corners and other points, the boundaries will be much easier to find in the future.

John and Ellen have discovered interesting terrain and cool features including rock ledges, old quarries, beaver ponds, old trails, and a heron rookery. If anyone is interested in helping with this boundary project, contact Ellen Snyder mailto:ellensnyder1@gmail.com

ROTARY CLUB OF DURHAM-GREAT BAY WILL HOST DURHAM/UNH FIREWORKS IN 2019

On Wednesday, July 3, 2019, the Rotary Club of Durham – Great Bay will present The Durham Great Bay Fourth of July Fireworks at Wildcat Stadium in conjunction with the University of New Hampshire and the Town of Durham.

In 2019, in partnership with the University of New Hampshire, Rotary is breathing life into this important community effort. Rotary is seeking support from businesses in the area to help make this event a huge success. This is a wonderful community event that draws families from all surrounding communities including Lee, Madbury, Barrington, Newmarket, Dover, and beyond thus building a stronger community.

Both residents and local businesses can become a sponsor and most importantly, join Rotary for a fun evening of fireworks and celebrating our Nations 243rd birthday. We plan to have food, fun and games for children. Last year the Food Trucks and Bouncy Area were big hits. We will be working with Durham Recreation Department again for a great children’s fun area.

For more information, contact Durham-Great Bay Rotary President Tom Broisvert at mailto:tports@comcast.net.

OYSTER RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB INVITES RESIDENTS TO GO “UNDER THE SEA” WITH THEM!

Starting tonight, January 11th the ORMS Drama Club will be putting on 3 performances of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.

The cast and crew of 65 5th-8th graders has worked for the last 3 months to bring this memorable Disney story to life. The show consists of favorite songs from the movie like Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl and Part of Your World; as well as new songs written just for the stage musical, like She’s in Love, Human Stuff, and One Step Closer.

Students have learned the music and choreography, in addition to doing some thoughtful character work to give these cartoon personalities depth and humanity. Come enjoy the vibrant music, colorful costumes, and fun of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.

Performances will be held at Oyster River High School Auditorium on January 11th at 7pm, January 12th at 7pm, and January 13th at 3pm. Tickets are available at the door with a suggested donation of $5. Run time is 1 hour 30 minutes including a brief intermission, a good length show for young children.

American and Tree City "40 Year" Flags proudly (and beautifully) flying at Town Hall this afternoon. Courtesy Todd Selig

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.

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.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY PARKS & RECREATION DEPT. PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Durham Parks & Recreation has a variety of programs scheduled for January and February to kick off 2019! The community can look forward to:

• Hip Hop & Breakdance Class
• Off The Beaten Path
• Backcountry Snow Sports
• Backcountry Cooking
• A Healthy New Year After School Cooking Program
• After School Archery Clinic (Middle School)
• Community Archery Clinic (Ages 8+)
• After School Magic Class
• Ski, Sled & SkateTeacher Workshop Day: Monday, January 28th.
• Danger Awareness Workshop for families and kids: Saturday, February 2nd

More program information and online registration is open at http://durhamrec.recdesk.com.

JOIN US AT THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR:

Saturday STEAM Family Program This week: Make Slime! - January, 12th at 10:30 am

AND . . .

Baby Lapsit on Wednesday, January 16th at 10:30

WEEKLY ARREST REPORT

*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May.

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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1885 - Townspeople depended upon springs or dug wells for water. Whitcher, Hoitt, Smith, and later Pettee, drilled wells and used wind or gasoline-powered pumps to service the village. NHC used its own electric power. Follet Brook was dammed for fire protection.

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.

Have a very nice weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, NH

T: 603-868-5571 

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us  

https://www.ci.durham.nh.us

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