|
|
Oyster River High School holiday concert. Courtesy Todd Selig
|
_________________________
|
The holidays in January? Thanks to a snow day back in December, the holiday season at Oyster River was extended into the new year! The Oyster River High School (ORHS) Music Department was pleased to host its annual concert on Tuesday, January 14th, at 7:00pm.
The concert allowed students to showcase what they have been working on over the duration of the first semester, and featured songs performed by the string orchestra, band, and chorus with a few holiday-themed pieces that were originally meant to be heard on December 17th. The concert ran for about 90 minutes, taking place in the ORHS auditorium. Several photographs from the concert can be found within this week’s edition of “Friday Updates.” The students did just a terrific job!
|
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 20, 2020.
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.
|
FILING PERIOD FOR ELECTIVE OFFICES COMING UP AT THE END OF JANUARY
The Town and ORCSD elections will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the Oyster River High School. Polling hours will be from 7AM to 7PM.
The filing period for local elective offices in the Town of Durham is January 22, 2020 through January 31, 2020 at 5PM.
The following positions are open during this election cycle:
Durham Town Council: Three (3) positions with 3-year terms
Library Board of Trustees: Two (2) positions with 3-year terms
Moderator: One (1) position with 2-year term
Supervisor of the Checklist: One (1) position with 6-year term and one (1) position with 4-year term
Town Clerk-Tax Collector: One (1) position with 3-year term
Town Treasurer: One (1) position with 3-year term
Trustee of the Trust Funds: One (1) position with 3-year term
If you would like to learn more about any elective office, responsibilities, time commitments, etc. please give the Administrator's Office a call at (603) 858-5571 or write to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us
|
TOWN COUNCIL GOALS UPDATE - QUARTERLY REPORT AS OF DEC. 31ST.
Administrator Selig has provided the Town Council with a progress report on quarterly goals as of 12/31/19. View the updated goals HERE.
|
TOWN COUNCIL TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING ON JANUARY 27TH
The Durham Town Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, January 27, 2020 at 6:30 PM in the Council chambers for the sole purpose of approving and signing the March 10, 2020 Town Election Warrant.
The next regular meeting of the Town Council will be held on Monday, February 3, 2020.
|
A REPORT ON THE ORCSD PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD THIS PAST WEEK ON JANUARY 15TH – Proposed Middle School project and the proposed 2020-21 Budget were the focus.
Two public hearings were held Wednesday night, January 15, 2020 on the bond for the proposed middle school and the proposed 2020-21 ORCSD budget. During the first public hearing Superintendent Morse presented the highlights of the new middle school. The building was designed with a focus on four pillars: academic, safety, wellness and sustainability. The assistant superintendent shared that the current building is in need of replacement, that the infrastructure is old and expensive to repair, there are numerous safety and handicap accessibility concerns, and that 45% of the classrooms do not meet current size standards. Music space in the current school is not close to adequate for the hundreds of children participating in instrument lessons. The new school will have dedicated classrooms for music classroom instruction and a recital hall for performances, that also can be rented out to those interested. The proposed new building addresses safety issues by separating buses from car traffic and having a safe drop-off point for students in which they do not walk between moving vehicle. In addition, the proposed school will meet 2020 standards for handicapped accessibility. Finally, the new school will be sustainable, 1st, by building a super insulated building, 2nd, by relying on the earth to heat and cool the building using geo-thermal systems, 3rd, by using triple pane glass, and 4th, by using solar. It is estimated that these efforts will reduce the cost per kWh from 51 cents to 19 cents, and reduce the fossil fuel footprint by 85%.
The second public hearing was on the proposed 2020-21 budget. The School Board goal was that the proposed budget not exceed a 3.5% increase to the amount apportioned to the towns, inclusive of the middle school bond, the teachers negotiated agreement and the operating budget. The proposed budget increases the operating budget by $91,979. The bond for the middle school adds $625,000 and finally a five year teacher contract will add $627,364 for the first year. The budget includes no new positions in order to meet the Board’s goal. The budget increase is 2.83%, the lowest budget increase since 2015-16.
The Deliberative Session is February 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at Oyster River High School. A community dinner will precede the session.
|
FROM THE SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST - NH Presidential Primary is coming up on 2/11/2020!
The Presidential Primary is coming up very quickly (February 11). The Supervisors are very busy preparing the checklist so that it will be as complete as possible on election day.
If you are not registered yet, please do so before the deadline of February 4. If you wait any longer than that you will have to register at the polls where you may have to wait in a long line. You may register at the Durham Town Hall any time they are open, which is 8:00 – 4:30 every day. Whether you register there or at the election, please bring proofs of identity (photo ID), age (must be 18 by election day), citizenship (passport/passcard, birth certificate, naturalization papers), and domicile (driver’s license, lease, car registration, mail, etc.). If you do not have one or more of these, affidavits are available to sign under oath.
Besides registering with the Town Clerk or at the polls on election day, the Supervisors will also be available at the following times:
- Tuesday January 21 from 7:00 – 7:30 PM at the Town Hall. (Filing to run for town or school office begins the next day)
- Wednesday January 29 from 11:00 – 1:30 at UNH at Holloway Commons
- Tuesday February 4 from 6:30 – 7:00 in the auditorium at ORHS just prior to the school deliberative session.
If you are interested in volunteering on election day, contact the Town Clerk’s office either via phone or email, and someone will get in touch with you. We especially need help with registering new voters and with checking voters in, although we do need help in other areas.
|
PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS TO BE PLACED ON THE MARCH 10, 2020 TOWN ELECTION BALLOT
On Monday, December 2, 2019, the Durham Town Council held a public hearing at its regular meeting relative to various proposed amendments to the Durham Town Charter for placement on the March 10, 2020 Town Election ballot.
For the past several years, the Administrator’s Office has been accumulating various Charter amendments that have been identified as needing to be made. Amendments to the Town Charter were last made in March 2009. In addition, the town’s attorney, Laura Spector-Morgan, has also reviewed the Charter and has identified other areas within the Charter she felt could also be amended.
Below is a link to the draft language and format of amendments that are being recommended by unanimous vote of the Town Council for placement on the Town Election ballot for March 10, 2020. Explanations for each of the recommended changes are provided here for the Council’s information but cannot legally be placed on the election ballot itself.
The most significant change is an increase in the bond threshold requiring a referendum vote of the Town. The current bond threshold of $1,000,000.00 has been in existence since the adoption of the Charter in 1987. One recommended amendment would raise the cap to reflect the rate of inflation since that time, which in today’s dollars would be $2,288,768.96. (Rounded to $2,300,000.00). In essence, $1 million today does not buy what it once did almost 33 years ago.
View the recommended Charter changes HERE.
|
MILL POND DAM FEASIBILITY STUDY - Update on First Public Informational Meeting
The first public informational meeting was held last night for the Mill Pond Dam Feasibility Study. Peter Walker, Environmental Scientist with VHB and Allen Orsi, Dam Engineer with Pare Corp as well as Town Engineer April Talon, presented the scope of the feasibility study, project timeline for deliverables, as well as results from the December 18, 2019 dam inspection. Approximately 20 residents attended the meeting in addition to representatives from UNH, NH Fish and Game and NHDES Dam Bureau.
The full presentation will be posted on the project’s website HERE. The meeting can also be viewed on DCAT on Demand HERE.
Questions and comments should be directed to Town Engineer April Talon at (603) 868-5578, or mailto:atalon@ci.durham.nh.us
Below are two photos of a cell wall of the Mill Pond Dam taken in the 2017 and the recent 2019 inspection completed as part of the dam feasibility study, showing the progression of deterioration.
|
REVISED MILL PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT SUBMITTED TO PLANNING BOARD BY COLONIAL DURHAM - Colonial Durham Associates will make its formal presentation of the revised plan at the Planning Board meeting on January 22.
Colonial Durham Associates has submitted to the Planning Board a revised site plan and associated application materials for its proposed redevelopment of Mill Plaza. The documents, dated 1/2/20, are available on the Town website.
Compared to the previous plan, the new plan has a smaller total footprint and fewer residential beds (258 beds in 108 apartments, down from 330 beds in the previous proposal). These changes result from eliminating a portion of the L-shaped building and shifting the middle building to the north, i.e., further from the Faculty Road neighborhood. On the other hand, this middle building is proposed to be 4 stories tall, rather than 3 stories. In addition to the residential units, the proposed project contains approximately 44,800 square feet of new commercial space, including retail, office, restaurant and a bank with drive-through.
The plan shows 424 on-site parking spaces, including 340 surface spaces and 84 spaces in a garage. (This represents an increase of 79 spaces from the current total.) The plan also identifies 157 additional off-site parking spaces on an adjacent parcel owned by Toomerfs, LLC, although those off-site spaces are the subject of a separate application and are not tied to the Mill Plaza Project.
Colonial Durham Associates will make its formal presentation of the revised plan at the Planning Board meeting on January 22. In addition, the revised plan was reviewed by the Technical Review Group at its meeting on Tuesday, January 14, at 10:00 am.
Due to the size and complexity of this proposed project, the Planning Board will hold a series of public hearings over the coming months to review specific aspects of the proposal, including utilities, landscaping and lighting, stormwater management and wetland/stream protection, and traffic impacts.
|
PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING AGRICULTURE
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on extensive proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance regarding agriculture on February 12. The amendments were developed by the Durham Agricultural Commission. The purpose of the changes is to: a) encourage and facilitate agriculture pursuant to the Agricultural Resources Master Plan; b) enhance the ordinance, much of which is out of date and burdensome; and c) align with the state’s definition of agriculture.
View the proposal and related documents HERE.
Feel free to contact Michael Behrendt, Durham Town Planner at 603-868-8064, mailto:mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us with any questions or if you would like to send a comment to the Planning Board.
|
DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT - Assistant Clerk Vacancy-Regular Part -Time Position
The Durham, New Hampshire Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Regular Part -Time Assistant Clerk. The applicant selected to serve as Assistant Clerk will provide support services to this nationally accredited police department. Hours for this position will be Monday through Friday, 12 PM to 5 PM. This position pays $17.00/hour for 25 hours of work each week. The anticipated date of hire is FEBRUARY 17, 2020. Interviews will be scheduled for Thursday and Friday, January 30th and 31st. This position provides paid days off. There are no other benefits.
The part time Assistant Clerk duties will include receiving customers, typing, key boarding and data entry, record keeping, telephone, some radio communications and other duties as assigned. A qualified applicant must have demonstrable skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Candidates with an Associate’s Degree or equivalent credits earned are preferred. Candidates should have outstanding verbal and written skills, a strong attention to detail and be able to demonstrate a high level of organizational skill.
Applicants must be 18 years old by the anticipated date of appointment.
Visible piercings other than earrings are not allowed. Tattoos that cannot be covered up while wearing short sleeve shirts or short pants will disqualify a candidate.
Town of Durham Applications, Cover Letters, and Resumes must be received by
Captain David Holmstock by the close of business on Friday, January 24, 2020 at: Durham Police Department, 86 Dover Road, Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Applications may be obtained on the town website at:
https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/police/employment-information
Females and Minorities are encouraged to apply!
The Durham Police Department is an equal opportunity employer.
|
HDC VOTES TO DESIGNATE THE PINES GUEST HOUSE AS A HISTORIC BUILDING
At its meeting last week the Durham Heritage Commission voted to designate the Pines Guest House at 47 Dover Road as a historic building. The Fire Department had recently informed owners Mary Margaret and Roger Jaques that an open staircase inside the building would need to be enclosed under the Fire Code. However, the department noted an exception to this requirement for historic buildings. John Powers, Deputy Fire Chief, thought the site might qualify so he brought a request to the commission for consideration. Indeed, given the extraordinary architecture and history of the property this was an easy decision for the Heritage Commission which voted unanimously for the designation.
The Pines Guest House is located on 14 acres of open fields and woods with extensive frontage on Beard’s Creek. The oldest part of the structure dates from 1760 and various additions were built over time. The house, beautifully restored by the Jaques, contains many original furnishings and is filled with intriguing memorabilia and decorative works including pewter, china, mercury glass, cut glass, colored glass, ivory, and copper pieces collected by Viola Smith, an earlier owner.
Mary Margaret and Roger Jaques enjoy sharing their countless stories about the distinctive property and its history. According to Mr. Jaques, the Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the Revolutionary War, visited the property during his triumphal return tour of the country in 1825. Lafayette had fought with Washington and General John Sullivan and Sullivan’s widow purchased this house after selling the Sullivan House (the landmark property overlooking the Oyster River). Lafayette visited Mrs. Sullivan here and took a nap in one of the bedrooms, now aptly named the Lafayette Room.
Portions of the rambling structure exemplify the Italianate architectural style (popular in the mid-19th century) with hallmark features including brackets under overhanging eaves, cornerboards, double windows, a hipped roof, a tower, a cupola, and those amazing oversized scrolls at the entrance. Here are some pictures of the building including the open staircase. You can read more about The Pines Guest House at their website HERE.
|
DURHAM ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING - Special Architects Presentation of Middle School Plans February 5
The Durham Energy Committee is proud to announce a presentation of the plans for Durham's new middle school at its meeting on Feb 5, 2020 in the Council Chambers. Ron Lamarre, Principal Architect at Lavallee Brensinger and Todd Allen, ORCSD Assistant Superintendent, will give a presentation regarding energy-related details of the proposed “Net Zero” Oyster River Middle School. The half-hour presentation will open the 7:00 p.m. meeting, with a question-and-answer period to follow, and will focus on energy-related details of the building.
The public is warmly encouraged to attend this meeting. For those unable to be there in person, the meeting will be broadcast live on DCAT Cable Channel 22 and will be available afterward in the Energy Committee section of the DCAT website. Please join us for a great opportunity to learn about the building and to ask questions.
|
NO GRIEVANCES FILED AT DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 24 YEARS
Police Chief Kurz has prepares numerous reports each year as part of the department’s national accreditation requirements. One of them tracks grievances filed by staff members. For the past 24 years, including the calendar year 2019, there have been no grievances filed by any member of the department staff. Chief Kurz notes in his memo to Admin. Selig, “It is with pleasure that I am able to inform you that since 1996, when I began as police chief, only one grievance has been filed by any member of the Durham Police Department during these years.
Chief Kurz attributes this situation to the department’s collective commitment to sustain an atmosphere where management and staff work together resolving procedural acts and/or omissions before they become problematic. Additionally, he believes that the department’s hiring process is so well tuned that even when employee turnover occurs, that each employee remaining is committed to collaborative problem solving, which ultimately sustains a positive work environment.
The entire department is to be commended for this collective success.
|
PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETING OF THE STRAFFORD COUNTY DELEGATION REGARDING PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET - Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 2020, 7:00 P.M.
A public hearing and meeting before the Strafford County Delegation will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. (SNOW DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 2020) in Superior Courtroom II, Second Floor of the William A. Grimes Strafford County Justice and Administration Building, 259 County Farm Road, Dover, NH on the Strafford County Commissioners’ Proposed Operating Budget for 2020. The public hearing is to receive public input on the Proposed Operating Budget. A public meeting will be held after the public hearing to hear any other business that may legally come before the Delegation at that time.
Operating Proposed County Expenditures $76,714,024.00
Revenues 42,814,181.00
Amount to be Raised by Taxation $33,899,843.00
Information and directions may be obtained by contacting the Strafford County Commissioners office at (603)516-7100.
|
2019 INTERNAL AFFAIRS REVIEW AND STATISTICAL SUMMARY FOR DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW
As part of its national accreditation requirements through the Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), the Durham Police Department prepares numerous reports each year to track important issues. As they say in LEAN, if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it!
This year the department conducted no Internal Affairs Investigations from January – December 2019. This is the fourth year in a row that the department has no investigations rise to the level needed for an internal investigation by the department.
The department did, however, have three informational complaints filed against Durham officers in 2019. Two of the complaints were determined to be “Minor” in nature and one was determined to be “Serious” in nature. You can review the complaints and actions taken by clicking HERE.
|
EVERSOURCE SEACOAST RELIABILITY PROJECT CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN LITTLE BAY NOW COMPLETE
The Town has been notified by Eversource that all construction operations in Little Bay associated with the Seacoast Reliability Project are complete with the installation of the submarine cables and concrete mattresses. All barges and associated equipment have moved away from the Project Site for demobilization.
|
INTERMITTENT TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION LINE PROBLEMS
The Durham Fire Department has observed intermittent telephone line problems in Town and on Campus that have disrupted the ability for fire alarm systems to contact their communications centers which often results in an alarm system trouble signal being sent for missing a “check-in”. The fire department does follow up on such calls for non-emergency service. As the telephone problem appears to have increased in frequency, the fire department requests residents, property owners, and landlords/property managers to ask people to call 911 if their alarms are activated due to an emergency. A telephone call to E911 is a recommendation to increase resiliency in communications and to ensure timely notification to emergency services. The fire department is working with the telephone company to ensure that the problem is corrected and asks telephone customers to contact their provider directly if they experience telephone service interruptions.
|
HANDS-ON FRUIT PRUNING MENTORSHIP THROUGH THE DURHAM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
Starting in February, Bryan Cassidy of the Durham Agricultural Commission will be pruning fruit trees in Durham and Lee and is welcoming anyone who wishes to join in to learn techniques, advice, and fun outside. Blueberry, Peach, Apple, Pear, Raspberry, and yes, restoring old apple trees as well. Bryan hopes by sharing and connecting with community members others may feel empowered to care for their own fruit trees, maybe their neighbors, or begin planting anew. Bryan will be pruning within the months of February and March. Please write in for more details, questions or interest to learn from Bryan at mailto:bryancassidy77@gmail.com
|
ALZHEIMER'S/DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP AVAILABLE
Please join Meghan Wentworth, Memory Care Manager, and Officer Holly Malasky, of the Durham Police Department, for an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group. The group takes place every second Wednesday of the Month, from 6pm to 7:30pm, in the UNH Room at Brookdale Spruce Wood. Our caregiver support group creates a safe, confidential, and supportive environment. It gives a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. It also educates and informs participants about dementia and helps participants develop methods and skills to solve problems. This group encourages caregivers to maintain their own personal, physical, and emotional health as well as optimally care for the persons with dementia. For more information and to register please contact Meghan at mailto:meghan.wentworth@brookdale.com or by telephone at 603-841-6068.
|
DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION PRESENTS: The Adams Family and Adams Point: "More Than Just Gundalows" - Family Life, Destination, and History.
On Saturday, January 25th at 1 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers at Durham Town Hall (snow date, Sunday, January 26th), Durham native Michael Provost will present The Adams Family and Adams Point: “More Than Just Gundalows” - Family Life, Destination, and History. He will give us an up-close-and-personal account of the rise and fall of the Adams legacy, sharing information collected from local research. This event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.
|
RESIDENTIAL MAIL DELIVERY DURHAM WINTER MONTHS
Please be sure to shovel out around your mailbox as shown in the illustration above.
The US Postal Service asks residents to please shovel out access to their mailboxes, whether their mail delivery is curbside along the road or a pathway and up stairs to their house, so that letter carriers can deliver mail safely. In addition, mail carriers aWire out late after dark delivering packages so residents are asked to leave their porch lights on. I've attached the official postal form notice. Customers that don't clear out access to their mailboxes will not receive mail.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, January 18th, Drop in 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
STEAM Saturdays! This week: Penny Spinners!
Join us for fun family Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) Saturday programming. Drop in All ages and all are welcome!
The Library will be closed Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 21st at 6:00 pm
Bessie's Story, book discussion and signing with Thomas Farman
Watching the Lights Go Out is an inspiring story about a charming, brave, unpretentious chocolate Lab who gradually loses her eyesight. The author chronologically leads the reader from the original diagnosis of terminal blindness for his beloved four-year-old pet through the two-and-a-half-year transition to sightlessness. In the process, Bessie unwittingly becomes an expert mentor and teacher for the high-wire act of growing older with grace and optimism. Open to all. No registration required.
Wednesday, January 22nd at 6:30 pm
Maximize Your Social Security Retirements Benefits with Andrew Githmark
As a certified National Social Security Advisor® (NSSA®). He will cover what spousal benefits regardless of status and review the potential effects that working in retirement and having a public employee or government pension can have on your benefits and answer other questions. This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*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."
________________________
1957 - All Durham churches held their Fair Day simultaneously, the first Thursday of December. The plan proved so successful for each church that it has continued. National magazines featured this unique cooperation. As new churches have been established they join in Fair Day also.
|
Have a very nice weekend. Stay warm!
|
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
a: 8 Newmarket Rd., Durham, NH 03824 USA
t: 603.868.5571 | w: www.ci.durham.nh.us
He/him/his pronouns
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
---
|
|
|
|
|
|
