Friday, July 26, 2024

Summer flowers in Durham. Courtesy, Todd Selig

A reminder to stop by Durham’s Farmers Market every Monday afternoon. Learn more HERE. In addition, Seacoast Harvest shares great information every week about farm fresh products in our area. Learn more HERE.

The Tall Ships will be in Portsmouth this weekend, including the gundalow Piscataqua!  A gundalow is a shallow drafted type of cargo barge, once common in the Gulf of Maine’s rivers and estuaries. The Piscataqua gundalow began as a simple undecked barge, first appearing in the mid 1600s, poled or rowed with long sweeps (oars). From the 1700s into the 1900s gundalows evolved into fully decked flat-bottomed cargo carriers with a cabin and lateen sail that could be lowered to “shoot” under bridges. The sail acted as an ‘auxiliary engine’ since gundalows depended on the tides to take them upriver on the rising tide and downriver on the falling tide.

Built from wood lot timber, most salt-water farmers, fishermen or traders simply built their own. No two gundalows were alike. Gundalows were widely used in Durham in the community's early years and as such, a mighty gundalow is pictured prominently on Durham's seal (see above)!

PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ANIMALS IN VEHICLES DURING HOT WEATHER

A remainder to pet owners in this hot summery weather to please leave their pets at home instead of bringing them with you and leaving them alone locked in a vehicle. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise quickly to levels that are dangerous to our furry friends. 

DURHAM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REVIEWS WORKING DRAFT OF RESOLUTION DEALING WITH THE MAY 1st EVENTS ON THE UNH CAMPUS 

At the meeting of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) this week on July 25, members of the board reviewed a working draft of a resolution pertaining to the events that took place on the UNH campus on May 1st.  Town Councilors Burton, Register, and Friedrichs created an initial draft for presentation to the HRC, which was amended by Admin. Selig with a number of possible suggestions.  

Following the meeting, a longtime resident of Durham who watched the meeting on DCAT wrote that “. . . we are living through what for younger community members is an unprecedented period of distrust and uncertainty. (Older residents remember the Vietnam War and social watershed years of the late 1960s and may have different perceptions.) The HRC honored related safety and justice concerns reflected in topics discussed at today's meeting, for which I commend all participants.”

The HRC has scheduled a special work session for noon on July 30 to continue working on the draft resolution.

To watch the HRC meeting from July 25 on DCAT On Demand, please click HERE. 

To review the first iteration of a draft resolution initially discussed by the HRC, click HERE. To review a second iteration with amendments by Administrator Selig, click HERE.

Councilor Register is preparing a more streamlined draft for consideration by the commission when it meets again next week. That draft is still in process at the time of this writing.

BUDGET AND CIP DEVELOPMENT PROCESS UNDER WAY FOR FY 2025 - Departments working to develop budget requests

Durham’s department heads, as well as the Town’s various boards, committees, and commissions (as well as external organizations to which the Town makes payments for services such dispatch, ambulance, social service agencies, etc.) have begun (or will shortly begin) the process of preparing their proposed budgets and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) requests for FY 2025 (January 1 – December 31) for consideration by Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Administrator Todd Selig as part of the annual budget development process.

Budget proposals from departments are due to the Business Office for wages by July 31, for the CIP by August 7, and for general budget lines by August 21. 

Beginning in late-August through the month of September, Ms. Jablonski and Mr. Selig will begin to meet with each of the Town’s department heads and members of their departments to better understand budget requests, as well as departmental CIP requests. Members of the Town Council will also be invited to each of these meetings if they have an interest in doing so.

One of the Town’s Council’s approved goals for FY 2024-2025 states: "The Council and Administrator, working together, will strive to hold the municipal tax rate at the 2024 level plus inflation (CPI-U for Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH) or less, and continue to make an effort to control spending, enhance revenues, broaden the tax base, and explore innovative ways to stabilize or reduce the municipal tax rate."

Per Town Charter, the Administrator is charged with the development of the annual budget and CIP program. The proposed annual budget must be submitted to the Town Council by the last business day in October. The Town Council by Charter then has until the last business day in December to adopt a budget or the Administrator’s budget becomes the budget of the Town by default.

The requested CIP projects will be presented initially to the Planning Board in September (9/11/24) for the board’s feedback and then integrated into the formal budget proposal for FY 2025 by Administrator Selig for the end of October as described above. 

 Below is the schedule for the departmental meetings with Ms. Jablonski and Mr. Selig to discuss next year’s budget and CIP. 

• Aug. 29 – 1-2:00 p.m. IT Budget and CIP
• Aug. 29 – 2-3:00 p.m. GIS Budget and CIP
• Sept. 4 – 3:00 p.m. McGregor Ambulance
• Sept. 5 – 9-12:00 p.m. Public Works CIP (and Budget if time permits)
• Sept. 5 – 1:00 p.m. Fire Department Budget & CIP
• Sept. 6 – 9-11:00 a.m. Police Budget and CIP
• Sept. 9 – 1-3:00 p.m. Parks & Rec and Ice Rink Budget and CIP
• Sept. 11 – 1-3:00 p.m. Misc. Budgets (Business, Admin, Outside Services, Committees, Gen. Gov’t)
• Sept. 12 – 11-12:00 p.m. Tax Collector/Clerk’s Budget
• Sept. 12 – 1-2:00 p.m. Library Budget
• Sept. 18 – 1-2:00 p.m. Planning Budget
• Sept. 18 – 2-3:00 p.m. Assessing Budget
• Sept. 19 – 11-12:00 p.m. Zoning/Code Enforcement Budget
• Sept. 19 – 1-2:00 p.m. Land Stewardship Budget
• Sept. 19 – 2-4:00 p.m. Public Works Budget

TOWN COUNCIL SCHEDULES PUBLIC HEARING ON POTENTIALLY AMENDING THE “SERVICE-CONNECTED TOTAL DISABILITY TAX CREDIT” AND ADOPTING THE “ALL VETERANS’ TAX CREDIT.”

Due to the increase in property assessments from the 2023 revaluation and cost-of-living increases, the Service-Connected Total Disability Credit for those Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled needs to be reviewed and possibly revised. Additionally, the All-Veterans’ Tax Credit should be reviewed and possibly adopted.

In 2023, the Town of Durham increased the exemption amount for disabled persons who are not Veterans from $110,000 to $175,000. Using the current tax rate of $20.48, this exemption amount calculates to an exemption of $3,584 in property taxes ($175,000/1,000 x $20.84).  

Currently, the Veteran tax credit for Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled is $2,500.

The Town of Durham last updated the Veterans Tax Credit for Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled on August 16, 2021, from $2,000 to $2,500. Between 2021 and the current data for 2024, the inflation rate based upon the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased 20.1%. Additionally, because of the 2023 revaluation, property assessments for single family homes have increased an average of 48%. Due to these changes, it is time to review, discuss, and potentially revise the Veterans Tax Credit for Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled as deemed necessary.

The All-Veterans’ Tax Credit, RSA 72:28-b, went into law effective August 8, 2016. This law allows for Veterans who did not serve during active war time to still be eligible to receive a credit on their property taxes. These Veterans are typically referred to as “gap” Veterans. To evaluate the impact on the Town, data from the New Hampshire Employment Security agency and the Housing Assistance Council has been analyzed to infer an estimated number of “gap” Veterans. From these calculations an estimated 72 “gap” Veterans may be eligible to receive this credit.

Typically, Durham is compared to nine different Seacoast cities and towns. When comparing these cities and towns, only three have yet to adopt the All-Veterans’ Tax Credit. Due to this, it is time to review, discuss and possibly adopt the All-Veterans’ Tax Credit.

It should be noted that any increase to the Service-Connected Total Disability Credit and the possible adoption of the All-Veterans’ Tax Credit would have an effective date of April 1, 2025.

At its meeting on July 15, 2024, the Town Council scheduled a Public Hearing for these items for their meeting on Monday, August 12, 2024. The estimated tax impact on the full tax rate would be approximately $.02 each. 

Presently, the Town of Durham has not appropriated any additional monies to cover any additional tax credits as estimated by the adoption of RSA 72:28-b All Veteran’s Tax Credit or for increasing the total and permanent disabled veteran tax credit. If approved/adopted, monies will be appropriated for the 2025 town budget.

In the image above, you will find the electric utility rates for the fall (August 2024 through January 2025) rate period through the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) of which Durham is a (founding!) member. The good news is that an in update provided by Admin. Selig earlier this summer, he had mistakenly provided the preliminary rates – yet the final rates are actually slightly lower!

Administrator Selig’s direction from the Town Council from the prior rate setting period, which carries forward, is to select the greenest plan possible through CPCNH that is also less expensive than the Eversource default rate. As such, Admin. Selig is pleased to report that Granite Plus (33% green), which is currently the highest green product allowable by CPCNH as a local option default rate, will be the Durham default mix for the upcoming rate period. 

By selecting Granite Plus as the default with a 33% green mix versus the 25% default green mix with Eversource, we will be saving Durham residents around 11% over the Eversource rate and making strides toward our Climate Action Plan/greenhouse gas reduction goals. 

Note as well that Durham, Exeter, Newmarket, Dover, and Portsmouth are planning a competition to be announced within the next few weeks in order to highlight opportunities for residents to “opt-up” to a high renewable mix of energy. Stay tuned for details in the coming weeks.

Durham resident and Energy Committee member Steve Holmgren is Durham’s representative to the CPCNH Board of Directors.  

Durham will be included in the thirteenth edition of the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) Americans. The MEI is the first nationwide evaluation of municipal laws, policies, and services affecting the LGBTQ+ community. This year, HRC will evaluate the 506 cities rated in last year’s publication. For more information regarding the MEI, please visit their website at hrc.org/mei.

HOW ARE THESE COMMUNITIES CHOSEN?

The towns/cities selected for rating are: the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the United States, the five largest cities or municipalities in each state, the cities home to the state’s two largest public universities (including undergraduate and graduate enrollment), 75 cities with high proportions of same-sex couples drawn from an analysis of the 2010 Census results by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law which ranked the 25 large cities (population exceeding 250,000), 25 mid-size cities (population between 100,000 and 250,000), and 25 small cities (population below 100,000) and 98 cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state groups members and supporters in 2016.

In the past twelve years, Durham has received the highest score in NH of those communities surveyed. The 2023 results follow:

2023 NH MEI Scores:

• Concord - 69
• Derry - 58
• Dover - 80
• Durham - 96
• Keene - 67
• Manchester - 85
• Nashua - 75
• Plymouth - 44
• Portsmouth - 89
• Rochester - 53

Town staff and the Town's Human Rights Commission evaluate MEI criteria to consider whether it is possible to increase our score for future years. Durham had sought to be the top scoring community in NH thirteen years ago, and we have to date succeeded every year since that time, endeavoring to incrementally improve our openness and inclusiveness over time as appropriate. Durham's score in 2023 was up 2 points over 2022.

Lisa Beaudoin, Administrative Assistant in the Business Office, is retiring next Wednesday after 24½ years of service to the Town of Durham. The Town would love for her to stay another six months to reach her silver anniversary, but she is ready now for the next phase of her life.

Lisa started working here on January 17, 2000. It happened to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Town Hall was closed. But there was a lot of work waiting for her, so she was here. That was an early indication of Lisa’s unusual dedication. 

Lisa grew up in Berwick, Maine not far from Prime Tanning, and she remembers the smell of the raw leather hides and chemicals used in the tanning process. She worked at the company sometime after graduating from Noble High School (The factory closed down in 2008). She later applied to the Town of Durham when she saw an opening, thinking rightly that local government would be a good place to work.

Lisa and Gail Jablonski, the Business Manager, provide human resource services for the Town. Lisa also handles benefits for active employees and retirees, processes payroll, and does intake for welfare applicants.

There are many things that she wants to do after she retires. Possible travel destinations include Prince Edward Island, Scotland, France, and Italy. She has seven siblings (Lisa was seventh out of eight), all of whom are in the area except for one brother who moved to Florida. Many are already retired, and they have been going on trips while Lisa has been working. She might join them now. Lisa adores her many nieces and nephews, including a few new ones that she has not met yet.

Lisa loves being outside – sailing, swimming, hanging out on the lake or at the beach, and paddle boarding where she has had close encounters with a seal and a giant snapping turtle in recent years. 

And she is a serious bird watcher. Chickadees, juncos, cardinals, nuthatches, woodpeckers, bluebirds, and baby turkeys visit her home which straddles the Durham and Madbury town line. She has a barn full of swallows, bats, and baby robins. She hears owls hooting at night but has not seen them yet. A groundhog is eating her sunflowers but that is okay.

Lisa says, “I have learned a great deal in this job, and I have met a lot of awesome people. I always loved coming to work, but I knew it was time to retire when I found myself thinking more about what I would rather be doing than being here working. It will be different now. I will miss everybody.”  

Lisa’s last day is next Wednesday, July 31. Her replacement, Jessica Landry, starts work in August. The staff will all miss Lisa's big smile and that joyous laugh. We wish for Lisa much satisfaction in this new phase in her life.  

Due to weather issues, the Durham Historic Association's Annual Picnic was postponed again to Saturday, August 3, with a rain date of Sunday, August 4. Pack your picnic supper and join the DHA at the Milne Nature Sanctuary from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. to explore this peaceful park on Mill Pond Road. Diana Carroll will share her recollections of her long relationship with Margery and Lorus Milne, the Keepers of the Swans, who gave this land to the Town. Parking is limited in the area to about 20 cars, so plan to carpool, contact a friend in Faculty Development to share their driveway, or to walk from the Town Hall or Community Church parking lots.

Did you know that 60.8% of Durham’s residential energy emissions come from Fuel Oil? By switching to electricity, you could reduce your home’s footprint by up to 72%, and even save money by retrofitting inefficient appliances. Use this free tool HERE to find out your energy savings. 

The Town of Durham is updating its 2022 Climate Action Plan for 2025-2030 with the help of UNH Sustainability Fellow, Sophie Goodwin. To read the 2022 Climate Action Plan, please click HERE.

Mitigating and adapting to climate change requires the engagement and commitment of the entire community. Sophie is asking for your input on climate action in Durham.

To provide input, please use the virtual suggestion box HERE or email Sophie at sophie.goodwin@unh.edu

ALTHOUGH STRAFFORD COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT AFFIRMED DURHAM PLANNING BOARD DECISION, CASE APPEALED TO NH SUPREME COURT BY LITIGANT - Town & Campus, Inc. v. Town of Durham, Town of Durham Planning Board

This appeal concerns the approval of an amendment to a site plan application regarding a lot located at 74 Main Street in the Town of Durham (the “Town”), owned by Clark Properties, LLC (the “intervenor”). Town & Campus, Inc. (the “petitioner”) is the owner of the lot located at 72 Main Street, abutting the 74 Main Street lot.

The petitioner runs its business establishment (Aroma Joe’s) at 72 Main Street. The two lots originated from a subdivision application approved by the Planning Board in 2018. As a result of the subdivision, the petitioner and intervenor executed and recorded three easements as required by the Board. In July 2021, the intervenor applied for a site plan approval to construct a multipurpose building and make associated site improvements on the 74 Main Street lot. The Planning Board conditionally approved the 2021 site plan application on October 26, 2022. Subsequently the Planning Board approved amendments to the application. 

The petitioner, Town & Campus, Inc., appealed a decision of the Town of Durham Planning Board, approving an amendment to a previously approved site plan. The Court (Howard, C.J.) granted the applicant Clark Properties, LLC’s motion to intervene in the matter. The petitioner and intervenor also filed a motion to dismiss, which the Court (Howard, C.J.) granted in part and denied in part. 

The Strafford County Superior Court held a hearing on the merits on the remaining issues on January 5, 2024. Durham was represented by its attorney, Laura Spector from The Mitchell Group. 

On February 29, 2024, the Court AFFIRMED the Planning Board’s decision. To view the decision, click HERE. 

Town & Campus, Inc. has now appealed the case to the NH Supreme Court.

FEDERAL FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS FOR UPCOMING WINTER SEASON AVAILABLE

The Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is pleased to announce the opening of the Federal Fuel Assistance Program for the upcoming season. This program is designed to help eligible households manage their energy costs and ensure they stay warm during the colder months. CAPSC is accepting priority fuel applications for the 2024-2025 fuel season. Priority applicants are those ages 60 years or older, have a documented disability, have a child under the age of 6 years old in the household, or are using wood as a primary heating source.  Non-priority applications open September 1st, 2024. To apply or learn more, click HERE.

UPDATE FROM THE LAND STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR – SARA CALLAGHAN

Work over the course of the last month has included attending the Land Stewardship and Conservation Commission meetings, meeting with the education/outreach subcommittee, hosting a work-day at the Milne Nature Sanctuary, completing a site walk at the Pike property, completing trail maintenance at Stolworthy and Longmarsh Preserve, completing Wild Parsnip management at Oyster River Forest, and Coordinating trail mowing at Oyster River Forest and Thompson Forest.

The decision of Durham withdrawing from the Bee City USA Program is based on several factors. In January 2017, the Town of Durham Agricultural Commission submitted the Initial Application for Bee City USA Certification. At that time, it was thought that honeybees and beekeeping would be the primary focus. However, when later acquired by the Xerces Society, the scope of Bee City USA program expanded to include new initiatives and activities for all “beneficial pollinator” species and associated habitats.  

During the past few years, the annual reporting requirements for annual Bee City USA recertification have become more time-consuming. This includes compiling a detailed report on Education and Outreach, Enhancing Pollinator Health and Habitat, Policies and Practices, Annual Conservation by the Numbers, and Narrative of Accomplishments. Some reporting requirements are for activities that are beyond the primary focus of the Durham Agricultural Commission.

During the past year, the Agricultural Commission solicited interest from other Durham committees and boards to take the lead for the Bee City USA program. However, they were already busy with their own initiatives, and declined to step forward.

Durham is proud that it was the first town in New England to receive Bee City USA certification (in March 2017). Also, some of the Bee City USA related activities previously reported will likely continue. This includes Durham’s: “Dandelion Lawn” competition, “Less Mow May”, and “Re-think your Lawn” initiatives; “Basics on Backyard Beekeeping” seminars; Elementary/Middle school presentations on beekeeping and pollinators; Durham’s annual Farm Day event

The importance of taking local action to maintain or improve key habitats for honeybees and other beneficial pollinators will continue to be promoted in Durham. Perhaps at some later time, there may be renewed interest in Durham in becoming a certified Bee City USA town again.

A tremendous thank you is extended to resident and Durham Agricultural Commission member Lee Alexander, as well as to the Ag. Commission as a whole, who have collectively shepherded this program from the start over many years. Thank you.

We know about the importance of reusing, repurposing and recycling. But inevitably we end up with items that we just aren’t sure what to do with.

For a very helpful guide with a list of items that may be more challenging to dispose of in a responsible way, please click HERE.  We will highlight some of these items in future weeks but for now, we’d like to share the entire guide with you.

Source: Bluedotliving.com

A big thank you to resident Diane McCann for sharing this great information with us!

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: www.Recyclesmartma.org

Want to learn more about the Swap Shop? Click HERE.

On Friday Durham Public Works installed the base for a new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) System at the crosswalk on Newmarket Road between the Town Hall and Tideline. Courtesy, Craig Stevens, DCAT Coordinator

This past weekend, Durham Police Sergeant Randy Pelletier was conducting a directed patrol of Wagon Hill Farm where he has become quite popular with all of his K9 friends. One “special friend" named Minnie runs to greet him whenever he stops by.  Courtesy, Katie Fiermonti

DURHAM NAMED EARLIER THIS YEAR AS ONE OF THE SAFEST COLLEGE TOWNS IN AMERICA

One of the most peaceful towns in New Hampshire, Durham continues to rate high in various safest American college town rankings (#6). Its violent crime rate of 0.7 is one of the lowest in the state and throughout the country.

"Durham residents enjoy both the joys of rural and urban living, with plenty of wildlife, marshlands, and sandy beaches, as well as easy access to modern amenities, the report says."

Joining Durham on the roster of states with some of the safest college towns in America are Milton, Massachusetts, Rexburg, Idaho, and Madison, New Jersey, according to the list.

To read more, click HERE. 

DURHAM POLICE THIRD CYCLE CALEA COMPLIANCE REVIEW COMPLETED AS PART OF NATIONAL ACCREDITATION PROCESS

The Durham Police Department is an “Advanced” Nationally Accredited Police Department under the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The CALEA Advanced Program is when an agency goes beyond the implementation of basic best practices, to consistently exceed basic service delivery. Every four years, assessors from CALEA visit the Durham Police Department and ensure the department remains in compliance with over 600 National Standards that govern the department’s policies and procedures. During the first three years of the four-year cycle, the department undergoes a remote review conducted by a CALEA Compliance Service Member (CSM).

Between July 12th and July 20th, CSM Tim Garner, who has over 27 years of experience as an assessor with CALEA, reviewed a selected portion of the Durham Police Department’s policies and proofs, with the cooperation and assistance from Durham’s accreditation team.

CSM Garner passed along to Chief Kelley that he found the Durham Police Department’s commitment to accreditation and professionalism exceptional. CSM Garner will provide Chief Kelley with an official report of his findings upon completion. In 2025, the department will be up for re-accreditation for their 9th Award.

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/Guardian to teach your kids about Fire Safety. The more they know the safer they will be.

WEEK #30

Bad weather is always a possibility in the summer.  For some helpful tips for safety, click HERE.

LIVE MUSIC AT THREE CHIMNEYS INN

Three Chimneys Inn in Durham is having live music on their outdoor terrace. Tonight, July 26, from 6-9:00 p.m. come hear solo guitarist, Terry Bickhardt. This is a free concert.

On August 9 come hear the Dueling Pianos. $65 includes a three-course meal and the show, $29 is for the show only which begins at 7pm. Tickets may be purchased through a link on their website, threechimneysinn.com or at Headlinerscomedyclub.com.  

MEET AND GREET WITH SUPERINTENDENT ROBERT SHAPS

The ORCSD warmly invites the Oyster River community to attend a Meet and Greet with Superintendent Robert Shaps on Wednesday, August 14. During this event, Dr. Shaps will share key ideas and listen to community feedback, thoughts, and hopes for ORCSD. No RSVP required.

Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

ORCSD REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

The start of the school year is upon us, and the 2024-2025 registration portal is now open. Please register your student(s) via PowerSchool's parent portal HERE. 

The ORCSD leadership asks that you please complete the registration process no later than Monday, August 19, 2024, to provide us with the information we need to plan for our students' learning experience this year.

If you need PowerSchool login assistance, please contact your school directly.

Mast Way Elementary School: 603-659-3001

Summer hours until August 23: Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Moharimet Elementary School: 603-742-2900

Summer hours until August 23: Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Oyster River Middle School: 603-868-2820

Summer hours until August 23: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Oyster River High School: 603-868-2375

Summer hours until August 23: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.