Friday Updates - January 26, 2024

Friday, January 26, 2024

Durham's indomitable Town Moderator Chris Regan working at the polls on Primary Day. Courtesy, Todd Selig

The International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, is an international memorial day on January 27th that commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945, an attempt to implement its "final solution" to the Jewish question. January 27th was chosen to commemorate the date when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Russian Army in 1945.

If you've ever considered filing for local (town/school) elective offices, additional information can be found below. Don't hesitate to contact the Administrator's Office or Superintendent's Office to learn more about any of the positions listed.

DURHAM IN THE NEWS ON PRIMARY DAY | FINAL ELECTION RESULTS FROM THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE

Durham received its fair share of Primary coverage on Tuesday. In one article, “New Hampshire’s G.O.P. Primary Sets a State Turnout Record,”

Town Clerk Rachel Deane had a chance to weigh in on the election and commented on expected turnout at the polls in Durham:

“Not all towns were experiencing a surge. Rachel Deane, the Durham town clerk, said the vote count was much lower than the last primary as of 5 p.m. — around 2,800 ballots cast, compared with over 5,000 total in 2020. Ms. Deane attributed the drop-off in part to students at nearby University of New Hampshire having resumed classes. She said that President Biden’s absence from the ballot and Ron DeSantis’s recent departure from the race may have also affected turnout.”

Resident Diane McCann sent along a NY Times article entitled, “Fear and Loathing in Durham, NH.” Several people at the polls in Durham were interviewed concerning their feelings about this cycle's election.

The Town Clerk’s Office has posted the official election results on the web site. You can find detailed results HERE.  There were 71 write-in votes cast that said "Ceasefire." 10 were cast that said "Robert Kennedy."

A thank you is extended once again to all of the election officials and volunteers who ran a smooth and organized Presidential Primary Election in Durham!

6:45 AM on Primary Day -- the entrance to Durham's polling place at Oyster River High School,, January 23, 2024. Courtesy, Todd Selig

THE FILING PERIOD IS NOW OPEN FOR LOCAL DURHAM AND OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTIVE OFFICES

The 2024 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Oyster River High School, Multipurpose Room, Coe Drive, Durham, N.H. The polling hours are 7:00 am - 7:00 pm. 

The following are the open Town offices and the residents who have currently filed for that office in red:

• Three positions for Town Councilor (3-year term)
• One position for Town Councilor (1-year term to finish retiring member’s term) - James Bubar
• Two positions for Durham Public Library Board of Trustees (3-year term) - Callie Langton & Susan Wagner
• One position for Town Moderator (2-year term) - Chris Regan
• One position for Supervisor of the Checklist (6-year term)
• One position for Trustee of the Trust Funds (3-year term)
• One position for Trustee of the Trust Funds (1-year term) - Alberto Manalo

To learn more about the candidates running for Town office, please click HERE (this site will continue to be updated as more information is obtained).

Residents interested in running for Town office should file their declaration at the Durham Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office before Friday, February 2, 2024, 5:00 pm. If you would like to learn more about any Town elective office, responsibilities, time commitments, etc. please give the Administrator's Office a call at (603) 858-5571 or write to kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

The following open Oyster River School Board offices are:

• One position for Moderator (1-year term)
• Three School Board Positions (3-year terms) - one position from Durham, Lee and Madbury each

The filing period ends on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 5:00pm. Individuals interested in a School Board position should contact School District Clerk Susan Caswell at 603-498-7054 to set up a time to file, or Wendy DiFruscio at the SAU 603-389-3286 to make an appointment.  

DURHAM’S UNUSUAL CHARTER FORM OF TOWN GOVERNMENT – Town Council/Town Manager

There are two basic forms of town government under New Hampshire law: (1) traditional, board of selectperson/town meeting form; and (2) town council/town manager form described in RSA Chapter 49-D. Each form has several variations.

The board of selectperson/town meeting is the traditional, "pure democracy" form of town government, where the voters themselves, acting at town meeting, are the legislative body of a community. Budgetary, legislative, and other questions are put before the voters in the form of warrant articles, the merits of which are debated, and then voted on at the meeting held on or around the 2nd Tuesday in March.

The selectboard acts as the governing body and carries out the decisions of the town meeting and manages the prudential affairs of the town over the course of the year including town property and municipal staff. The board of selectpersons sometimes creates “administrative assistant" or “town administrator” positions, which have only those powers specifically delegated to them by the selectboard, which can change from year to year as the selectboard changes. Madbury and Lee have an administrative assistant and town administrator, respectively, which fall into these categories. Alternatively, a town at the annual town meeting may adopt the provisions of RSA 37, establishing a statutory town manager position. The town manager is selected with special reference to education, training, and experience to perform the duties of the office, and without reference to political belief. When a town manager position is created, the management of town property and the hiring and firing of municipal staff is transferred from the selectpersons to the town manager. The selectboard, therefore, assumes a policy focus with the town manager carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities of managing the municipality.

The town council/town manager is the second form of town government (with a few possible variations) allowing a town to adopt a charter establishing a representative body - the town council - which has powers analogous to those of a city council. The charter must provide for the appointment of a town manager by the council, who shall have all the powers of town managers as set out in RSA Chapter 37 (the town manager may be referred to by a similar name - in Durham it is the “administrator”). The council may have as many as 15 members (!), and must have an odd number unless the vote of the chair is reserved for breaking ties. Durham’s town council, approved in 1988 at Town Meeting and put into effect in 1989, has 9 members. At the time, Durham wanted to ensure there were a large number of members sitting around the table in order to bring multiple perspectives to weighty issues facing the community.  

The adoption of a town council-town manager charter abolishes the traditional board of selectperson/town meeting form of government.

The town council functions as both the governing body and legislative body, as do city councils in cities. Where the town council is both the governing body and the legislative body, it generally has all the powers and duties of selectmen, city councils and boards of aldermen, and may address all matters that general law requires to be done at town meetings, all as provided by RSA 49-D:3, l(a).

Durham's town council may both make local laws (called ordinances) and adopt a budget without further action of the town. The "administrator" proposes an annual budget to the town council. Only bond questions on a single issue with proposed debt in excess of $2.3 million must be approved by referendum. Referendum matters may also be brought to a vote of the town.  

The Town of Newmarket operates under a slight variation of the town council-town manager format. In Newmarket, the town council may adopt ordinances, but the budget still requires adoption by the community at a special annual budgetary town meeting.

The only other town in NH that operates exactly like Durham is Derry, NH. Durham and Derry are in essence the only two towns in NH that have the governmental structure of cities with a council/manager format.

View the Town of Durham's Charter HERE.

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2024 STRAFFORD COUNTY OPERATING BUDGET SET FOR JAN. 31st

A public hearing and meeting with the Strafford County Delegation has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 31, 2024 (snow date of Thursday, February 1, 2024) at 6 PM I the Superior Courtroom I of the William A. Grimes Strafford County Justice and Administration Building in Dover, NH. At this time, the Delegation (comprised of the elected NH House members within Strafford County) will receive public input on the County Commissioners’ Proposed 2024 Operating Budget. To view the Count Commissioners’ proposed budget online, click HERE.

Durham residents should find a mailing from Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) in their mailboxes this week, with all the information they should need for the transition to Community Power. Most all residents will be transitioned automatically to the lowest priced power plan, Granite Basic. Additional plans with more renewable green power content are also available to residents who choose to “opt-up” for a few dollars per month. There will be a public Information Session on Tuesday, January 30th, at 7 PM in Town Hall or by Zoom registration at the link HERE.  

Gale Bailey and Tuck Pescosolido check in voters on Primary Day. Courtesy, Todd Selig

CIAO TRATTORIA IS CLOSING

We are sad to note that Ciao Trattoria and Wine Bar in Durham is closing. Tomorrow, January 27, is the last day. Here is a portion of an article that appeared in Foster’s Daily Democrat last Saturday.

DURHAM — Ciao Trattoria and Wine Bar will close soon, following a farewell celebration Saturday, Jan. 27. 

The 56 Main St. restaurant is owned by Doug and Kim Clark, who also own Clark's American Bistro at 48 Main St.

Doug Clark said they gave it their best shot and now their plan is to devote their efforts to Clark's American Bistro.

"We are planning a graceful ending," said Doug Clark. "We want to thank our customers and our staff.

The farewell event, dubbed "Goodbye Ciao" is set for Saturday, Jan. 27, from 5-8 p.m., and reservations are being accepted [at this link: HERE].”

Going forward, Clark's American Bistro will be open seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Our thanks to Doug and Kim Clark for operating Ciao these last few years. We will miss the Italian food and inviting atmosphere of Ciao Trattoria.  

The warmer weather this week melted the ice on the Oyster River. Courtesy, Carol Birch

CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROPOSED FOR LANGLEY PROPERTY

This past Monday the Conservation Commission voted unanimously to support a grant application from Duane Hyde, Land Conservation Director of the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for funding to purchase a conservation easement on an important property in town.   To download the letter to read, click HERE.

These types of projects involve securing funding from numerous sources with different (and sometimes conflicting) requirements, negotiating a price with the landowner and addressing their various concerns, complying with complex law, obtaining Town approvals when needed, and keeping the deal moving forward over the course of several years as the details keep changing. 

To download a map showing the areas proposed for this easement, please click HERE. 

Are you wishing for spring weather? Want to try your hand at gardening in a welcoming community garden? Wagon Hill Farm Community Garden invites interested people to check out wagonhillcommunitygarden.com to learn more about this organization! The organization has over 100 beds and 80+ members. Members cultivate their own beds, share the community garden work, share tools and garden materials, and enjoy making new friends with other members while gardening.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please see our website for further Garden Guideline details and submit the Plot Request form on the Contact Us tab. Our first annual meeting of members will be in mid-March. We look forward to welcoming you then! 

Since 2008, the Certified B Corp community has grown, as more people demand that businesses act on our world’s biggest challenges.

B Corp companies have successfully completed an assessment overseen by B-Lab, an American non-profit organization. IB-Lab judges companies on criteria such as their carbon footprint, commitment to workplace diversity, transparency, fair trade accountability and who owns the business.

Currently, more than 6,000 companies across 150 sectors have achieved B Corp accreditation. By meeting rigorous B Corp standards, these companies have earned steadfast customer loyalty and trust of their products. B Corps demonstrate daily that businesses can be a force for good.

From vitamins to sneakers, B Corp companies offer a wide range of products. Click HERE for a sample of what B Corps have to offer.

Sources: www.raconteur.net

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Check here: www.Recyclesmartma.org

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

WEEK #4

Last week we talked about an Escape Plan. This is having a couple of different ways to out of your home in an emergency.

Now we need a Family Meeting Place. Pick one spot in your yard (the mailbox, a big tree or even a neighbor’s house). The important thing is everyone in the family goes to the same place in an escape emergency, so you all know everyone is out of the house and safe.

Deborah Hirsch Mayer and Penny Drooker help voters with same-day registrations on Primary Day. Courtesy, Todd Selig

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

Bill Sullivan was nominated and named the new Principal of Oyster River Middle School. Mr. Sullivan came to the district in 2000 as a 5th grade classroom teacher. In 2011 he became the Vice Principal of ORMS and has been the interim Principal since the beginning of the school year. Congratulations to Mr. Sullivan!

Kindergarten Registration Open Feb. 5-13

Oyster River kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year will be open February 5-13, 2024. Registration packets and in-person registration schedule are available by clicking HERE.

R.E.A.C.H. Summer Camps Registration To Open Feb. 19 (Grades 1-8)

ORCSD is collaborating again this year with the Town of Durham Parks & Recreation Department (DPR) to provide unique and engaging camp opportunities for Oyster River students between the weeks of July 8 and August 2, 2024. Camp registration can be completed through DPR's RecDesk portal HERE and will remain open through April 19 or until full.

Oyster River High School Poetry Out Loud

High school students partaking in the national arts education program will compete on January 29, 2024, in the Oyster River High School Library 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Snow date for the event is January 30, 2024.

On February 1st, the district will be hosting an Internet and Digital Safety event for adults only. The topic will be represented by the NH Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). This will be held at the middle school and begin at 6:00 P.M. more details can be found on the district website HERE.

ORCSD OPENING FOR BALLOT CLERK (LEE RESIDENTS ONLY)

The SAU Office is looking for a resident of the Town of Lee, NH, to serve as a Ballot Clerk for the February 6, 2024, Deliberative Session (snow date February 8). The meeting is being held at the Oyster River Middle School in the Concert Hall at 7:00 p.m. (1 Coe Dr. Durham, NH 03824). If you need additional information or are interested in serving as a Ballot Clerk, please contact Wendy at the SAU Office at 603-389-3286 or wdifruscio@orcsd.org.

To view the official announcement, please click HERE.

UNH SPRING AND SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT - Even more opening on February 13!

Whether you’re looking for day or overnight youth programs and camps, from academic enrichment to sports, UNH Youth Programs provide an endless array of opportunities for students from kindergarten through high school. Programs are held on the main UNH campus in Durham and throughout the State. Programs include: 

• Athletic Camps, like Basketball, Field Hockey, Football, Gymnastics, Soccer, Volleyball, and more!
• Academic Enrichment Programs, like Camp Pageturner, Writers Academy, and more!
• Arts Programs, like Theatre, Dance, Summer Youth Music School, and more!
• Recreational Activities, like Camp Wildcat, Sailing, Kayaking, Paddle boarding, and more!
• STEM Programs, like KEEPERS, Tech Camp, and more!

Learn more and enroll today by clicking HERE.