Friday Updates - January 24, 2025

Friday, January 24, 2025

Last Sunday's snowstorm brought some significant snow to the area along with the cold temperatures. Courtesy, Todd Selig

The delivery of law enforcement services and the public’s perception of the delivery of these services are subjective and often complex. While there are many aspects to such perceptions, generally they can be grouped into three categories: overall public image of the police department, perceptions of the outcome of the delivery of police services, and perceptions of police procedure and how it impacts real people on a personal level.

The “Friday Updates” has been utilized as a medium to recommit how the police chief, police administrative staff, and police officers at the Durham Police Department view their role as an important part of the Durham community. Such reaffirmation is important as there should be an understanding of the type of service a person will receive from their local police department.

It is the Town Charter, adopted by the citizens of Durham, that authorizes and bestows the use of policing powers from the Town Council to the Administrator to the Durham Police Department, which is one reason why the Team at the department works diligently to be as transparent as possible. By providing the community the department’s annual Response to Resistance Report and other key annual reporting metrics, citizens can view when force was used by officers and under what circumstances, as well as other data points such as the department’s annual bias review and pursuit analysis, all serving to support the proposition that the public’s trust bestowed upon the organization is warranted.

The dedicated, hard-working, and intelligent staff at the Durham Police Department understand their role as Guardians in service to the Durham community.

To see the 2024 Response to Resistance Report as well as other important reports, click HERE.

PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETING FOR STRAFFORD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BUDGET - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2025, 7:00 PM - Snow date of Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

A Public Hearing and Meeting to receive public input on the Strafford County Commissioners 2025 Proposed Budget, as well as any other business that may legally come before the Delegation, will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Jury Assembly Room, Second Floor of the Justice and Administration Building. For information on Zoom participation, click HERE.

The proposed budget can be found HERE.

A sign of spring on a very cold morning! Two new lambs joined the flock at Liberty Hall Farm on Bennett Road. Courtesy, Theresa Walker

WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE STATE HOUSE? 

Check out the following links to learn about pending legislation and communicate with elected state officials.

The General Court of New Hampshire -- the main website for the State House is https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ From this home page, you can search for legislation, contact representatives, or head directly to the websites for the House of Representatives or the Senate.

House of Representatives weekly calendar-- Find the day's or prior days' schedule HERE. The calendar also lists aides for engaging and following legislation through the House.

Legislators and citizens are reminded of the availability to submit testimony online for bills coming up for a public hearing using the House Sign-in Form and Online Testimony Submission on the General Court website HERE.

All onsite public meetings of standing committees are livestreamed and archived on the YouTube channel HERE.

Senate Meeting Schedule -- Find the day's or prior day's schedule HERE.

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON SITE PLANS AND ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS

There are numerous public hearings coming up related to site plan applications and proposed zoning amendments.

Planning Board - Public Hearings on February 12

1) A preliminary review for Phase II of Riverwoods, to be located on the northerly side of Stone Quarry Drive. For more information, click HERE.

2) A review for façade improvements and site enhancements for the rear building at Mill Plaza. For more information, click HERE. 

Town Council - Public Hearings on February 17

1) a significant rewrite of the Definitions article in the Zoning Ordinance. For more information, click HERE.

2) minor changes in the purview of the Historic District Commission. For more information, click HERE.  

The Planning Board has forwarded a proposed amendment to the Town Council regarding Student Rentals, the Three-Unrelated Rule, and Habitable Floor Area. It is tentatively scheduled for first reading on February 3 with a possible public hearing on February 17. For more information, click HERE.

Public Works employees have been doing some deep cleaning at the Town Hall. Even the landing above the entrance received a vacuuming today. Courtesy, Craig Stevens, DCAT Coordinator

FRUIT TREE PRUNING WORKSHOPS TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY

There will be a series of fruit tree pruning workshops in the month of February within the watershed community. These workshops will be held in different locations from 1-4pm. During the workshop, we will go over techniques and practices of pruning with 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. Bryan dreams of a posse of pruners, all reimagining and engaging in the magic of fruits and trees still here. 

When: 1-4pm.

• Saturday February 15th: Emery Farm (older apples, blueberries) 147 Piscataqua Rd, Durham, NH
• Sunday February 16th: LaRoche Farm (varying ages of apples) 41 Bennett Road Durham NH
• Saturday February 22nd: 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: Suggested Donation of $10 to Bryan Cassidy by cash or check are welcome. No one will be turned away related to cost, please be welcome as you are.  

Please RSVP to bryancassidy77@gmail.com or with any further questions!

HIGHLIGHTING OUR VOLUNTEERS - Micah Warnock on the Zoning Board

For the next few weeks in the Friday Updates, we will be profiling some of the dedicated volunteers who serve on Town Boards, Committees and Commissions. The goal is to honor those who work diligently to better this Town, as well as to encourage others to consider volunteering. This week's profile is of Micah Warnock, member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment

How long have you lived in Durham? I have lived in Durham since June of 2016.

How long have you been on the Zoning Board? I have been on the Zoning Board for roughly 7 years, 2 as Chair.

Why were you interested in joining the Zoning Board? I have been a civil servant my entire life. I believe giving back to your community is something we all should do. The Zoning Board helps to make sure developments that need relief from existing ordinances do so without burdening those surrounding them.

What would you say to those thinking about joining the Zoning Board? Being a part of any board much less the Zoning Board gives a better understanding on how your local government makes their decisions. If you have questions on how things are decided or would like to be part of that decision making process, participating on boards gives you that opportunity.

The Zoning Board currently has two openings for alternate members. Starting out as an alternate member is a great way to learn more about a board. Alternates attend all meetings but only vote if a regular member is absent. Click below to learn more about applying for a position.

Did You Know?  Dog Waste Disposal

Are you looking for the most sustainable option for dog waste disposal?

Is dog waste compostable?

Currently, dog waste is not compostable if you are composting with Mr. Fox and either paying to have your compost picked up curbside, or dropping your compost off at the transfer station.

What are the most sustainable dog waste bags?

Because so many dog waste bags end up in our landfill, it’s important to think about how they affect our environment. For this reason, choosing dog waste bags with the lowest environmental impact is an important decision.

Buying dog waste bags that are compostable, biodegradable or plant-based is not the best option. Compostable, biodegradable or plant-based dog waste bags will create methane gas as they decompose in a landfill. Instead, consider either reusing your own household plastic bags (i.e. bread bags, small vegetable bags) or purchasing bags made of 50 to 75% post-consumer recycled plastic. This will help to cut back on plastic waste by reusing plastics. 

Earth Rated pet waste bags is one business that makes pet waste bags from recycled plastic. But please note, Earth Rated pet waste bags are made in China and not here in the United States. 

We encourage you to do your own research to find the sustainable option that works best for you.

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/

THE ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES A FREE PRESENTATION - Live from the Mt. Washington Observatory!

The Active Retirement Association (ARA) invites you to a FREE VIRTUAL presentation via Zoom from the Mt. Washington Observatory by Mike Carmon, Summit Weather Operations Manager, who will discuss how the weather atop Mt. Washington affects New England. He will also cover recent studies that have analyzed trends in Mt. Washington’s weather and climate over the past 90 years.

The presentation will take place on Monday, February 3, 2025, 2:00 – 3:30 PM. This FREE virtual meeting via Zoom is open to the public. Registration for non-ARA members is required at seacoastara@gmail.com.

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 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.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

January 27: All Oyster River schools will be closed for a teacher workshop day (grades 5-8 parent teacher conferences).

ORCSD Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year will be open from January 28 to February 7, 2025. Registrations for all incoming kindergarten students will be accepted in person only during the daytime and evening sessions listed HERE. If you cannot come in person on these dates, you may complete registration forms at the SAU office between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. starting Monday, February 10.

Important Dates to Remember:

January 22 through *January 31 until *5:00 PM - Filing period for school district openings (no filing fee required).

• One Moderator position - 1 year term
• Two At-Large School Board positions - 3 years term
• One Lee School Board position - 2 years term

February 4 - Annual Meeting Session I - Deliberative - ORMS Morse Recital Hall 7:00 PM. Snow date: February 6th same time and location

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

Report of the District February 2025 Edition

Available at the end of February at the SAU Office, ORCSD schools, and posted on the ORCSD website. If unable to pick up a report, please contact Wendy DiFruscio at 603-389-3286 or via email. Budget information can be found at www.orcsd.org under Budgets FY 25-26.

January 30 8th Grade Information Night

For ORMS 8th grade students and their families. 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Auditorium at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824).

January 30 Coffee House

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. MPR at the Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Coffee House celebrates the quarterly launch of the award-winning student publication Mouth of the River. The $5 admission can be purchased at the door and is one of MOR's primary fundraising sources. Food and drink are included with admission.

February 4 Extended Learning Opportunities and CTE Info Night

For ORHS students and their families. 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Auditorium at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824).

School Board Update

On January 22, the ORCSD School Board and Barrington School Board met for their annual joint board meeting. Oyster River High School (ORHS) Principal Rebecca Noe and Director of Counseling Shannon Caron presented learning opportunities, discussed ongoing and future collaboration with ORCSD and Barrington middle schools to ensure student readiness, and answered questions from board members. A recording of this meeting is available on the ORCSD YouTube channel HERE.