Friday Updates - July 26th, 2019

Friday, July 26, 2019

Courtesy Todd Selig

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Today, Administrator Selig, along with Sherry Godlewski, the Resilience and Adaptation Manager for the NH Department of Environmental Services, are in Smithfield, Rhode Island where they were both invited to speak at an EBC New England Climate Change Resilience & Adaptation Summit. Rhode Island Senator, Sheldon Whitehouse, was the keynote speaker. View the Summit agenda HERE.

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Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to attend the Music On Main Street event, sponsored by Durham Parks & Recreation, next Thursday evening, August 1st, from 6 - 8PM, downtown Main Street.

PLANNING & ZONING OFFICE CLOSED 1-3:30 PM ON AUGUST 6TH

The Planning, Zoning, & Assessing Office will be CLOSED between the hours of 1:00 and 3:30 PM on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

DURHAM DAY 2019 - Cancelled due to WHF shoreline stabilization efforts/construction activities.

Due to the current efforts underway to restore and stabilize the shoreline at Wagon Hill Farm, this year's Durham Day event has been cancelled. Durham Parks and Recreation plans to have a big Trick-or-Treat event in October that should be of great interest. More details will follow in upcoming "Friday Updates".

LITTLEHALE POND CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT

The construction phase for the Littlehale Pond culvert replacement project began this week. The section of Bagdad Road near the Emerson Road intersection will be closed to traffic and will remain closed up through the end of August.

Questions regarding this project can be addressed to Town Engineer April Talon at 603-868-5578 or mailto:atalon@ci.durham.nh.us.

PLANNING BOARD APPROVES APPLICATION FOR EVERSOURCE TREE TRIMMING/CUTTING ON DURHAM POINT ROAD WITH NUMEROUS CONDITIONS

The Planning Board approved the application, with numerous conditions, from Eversource Energy for the selective removal and trimming of trees along Durham Point Road at its meeting this past Wednesday. Durham has four designed scenic roads: Durham Point Road, Bay Road, Bennett Road, and Packers Falls Road. State law RSA 231:158 requires review and approval by the Planning Board, following a public hearing, for the removal or trimming of any tree with a diameter of 4-3/4 inches located within the Town’s right of way. (The statute requires the same process for the removal of a stone wall on a scenic road.) Eversource typically appears before the board for each scenic road with an application following its four year tree maintenance cycle. This application for tree trimming/cutting was one of the most contentious in memory due to special appreciation in the community for Durham Point Road with its beautiful tree canopy, questions by some residents about the need for Eversource to make significant changes to the aged 50 year old distribution line on Durham Point Road, and some general distrust expressed by some residents concerning the utility, engendered in part from perceptions by residents concerning the Seacoast Reliability Project.

The public hearing was held on June 12 and 26 and then reopened for additional public input on July 24. Many residents living on and near Durham Point Road and other town residents spoke at the hearings, largely in opposition to the plans. In response to concerns Eversource reduced the number of trees proposed to be removed from 137 to 48. The approval was carefully crafted by the Planning Board to require a level of scrutiny and care that is unprecedented. The tree cutting must follow the board’s general policy with some changes that were made to the policy) and the board also specified lower heights for new poles, a stringent oversight process including the hiring of a Town arborist for the project (with the cost to be paid by Eversource), and this tighter standard for guiding trimming:

Evaluation zone. Eversource generally trims branches within a box surrounding the utility lines as follows: 10 feet below the lines, 15 feet above the lines, and 8 feet to either side of the lines. This is the standard (PUC 307.10) used throughout the state and is endorsed by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. In the case of Durham’s four designated scenic roads (including Durham Point Road, Bay Road, Bennett Road, and Packers Falls Road), the standard box shall be used as an “evaluation zone” taking into consideration tree health, age, size, species, special site conditions and other factors that could allow some overhanging branches within the box to remain. Removal of branches will be determined if there are signs of defect or injury or to obtain the minimum clearance for the safety and reliability of the electrical system. The natural canopy of the roadside forest on Durham Point Rd will be considered during Eversource’s decision-making process.

TAKE PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS DURING HOT WEATHER!

The National Weather Service in Gray has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for Strafford and Rockingham Counties, which is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening including the cities of Barrington, Rochester, Dover, Rollinsford, Somersworth, Durham, Madbury, Greenland, Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, and Seabrook.

Heat Index Values Above 105 due to temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees and dewpoints in the low 70s.

Timing - The heat index values will rise into the mid to upper 90s by mid-morning and exceed 100 degrees most of the afternoon and early evening.

Impacts - The combination of heat and humidity will make it difficult for the human body to regulate its internal temperature. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are possible for those who are exposed to the heat.

We offer the following tips for staying cool during the sizzling hot days of summer:

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check in on relatives and neighbors.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, take frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.
Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency - call 911 for assistance.

Left: Temporary storage of the Personal Protective Equipment

Right: Status of the mold remediation on the walls of the fire station.

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT FLOODING UPDATE

During a recent heavy rainstorm on 07/12/19, the Durham Fire Department experienced severe flooding in approximately 50% of the first floor of the Service Building which houses the fire department. After the water was removed, testing determined that mold was growing in several interior wood studded walls of the building.

Serv-Pro was retained by UNH to dehumidify the hallway and to remove and/or repair the water-damaged wallboard where necessary in the gear/personal protective equipment (PPE) storage room, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) room and two garage bays.

It was determined that a significant amount of wallboard and fiberglass insulation needed to be removed to prevent further growth of mold.

The on-duty staff disassembled the wall-mounted storage rack from the PPE room and relocated it to the apparatus bays, where the Forestry unit is normally parked. The Forestry unit has been temporarily relocated to the Lee Fire Department as the forestry tools and equipment are in the open bed of the pickup and not protected from the weather.

The remediation work is ongoing at this time.

2020 CENSUS

A representative of the U.S. Census Bureau met with Administrator Todd Selig, Audrey Cline, Christine Soutter, and Michael Behrendt on Wednesday to start planning for the 2020 Census. The bureau reaches out to municipalities to coordinate planning in order to achieve the highest possible level of participation. The decennial census is mandated in the U.S. Constitution for the purpose of counting every resident of the country (including citizens and noncitizens and students from overseas). The result determines the number of seats each state has in the U. S. House of Representatives (though we will surely not gain a third delegate here in New Hampshire) and how more than $675 billion dollars in federal funding is spent.

The bureau will start mailings in March 2020. One form is sent to each household. Residents will also be able to respond electronically. It is actually legally required that each household complete the census (though we are not aware of any enforcement actions in this regard). Counting residents in “group quarters” such as dormitories, fraternities and sororities, and nursing facilities is especially challenging. We will coordinate with the bureau and UNH and other site managers to obtain accurate counts.

Results of the census are completely confidential and are not passed on to any other government agencies. We are looking forward to working with the bureau to facilitate an outstanding response rate for the community. Administrator Selig is also planning a very entertaining contest with some neighboring towns for the highest participation rate (more on this later).

DURHAM RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AMTRAK DOWNEASTER SUMMER TRIP IDEAS

With 10 trains daily, the Amtrak Downeaster is A car free connection to a variety of exciting destinations, from Brunswick, ME to Boston, MA and points in between. From craft breweries and world-class restaurants, to beautiful beaches and endless shopping sprees- let the Amtrak Downeaster take you on a summer adventure.

Check out day trip ideas from any of the many Downeaster Stations available:

· Brunswick, Maine

· Freeport, Maine

· Portland, Maine

· Old Orchard Beach, Maine

· Saco, Maine

· Wells, Maine

· Dover, New Hampshire

· Durham, New Hampshire

· Exeter, New Hampshire

· Haverhill, Massachusetts

· Boston, Massachusetts

DURHAM FARMERS' MARKET - Each Monday afternoon in the Sammy's downtown lot off Pettee Brook Lane

Be sure to stop by the Durham Farmers' Market being held on Monday afternoons at the Sammy's/Store 24 Parking Lot. A variety of locally produced farm products, prepared foods, and fine crafts will be available Mondays 2:15 - 6:00 PM.

There will be regular as well as guest vendors with an increasing variety of vegetables available as the season progresses.Beginning Monday August 5 there will be live acoustic music at the market so be sure to stop by!

One positive aspect is that folks can walk downtown to access the market and while they are there, shop/eat in other downtown establishments.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LAUNCHES BACKPACK DRIVE

The New Hampshire Department of Education has launched its 4th Annual Backpack Drive to make it easier for Granite State students to go back to school in the Fall. The Department is asking people to donate new backpacks for students of all ages from now through August 16.

Drop off the new backpacks at the Durham Town Hall (Administrator's Office). The backpacks will be given to school nurses across the state, who will distribute them to students in need. Durham will arrange to transport backpacks to the Department of Education to facilitate donations.

In its first year, the Backdrive Drive collected 170 backpacks. Last year, that grew to more than 500. For more information, contact Diana Fenton at (603) 271-3189 or mailto:Diana.fenton@doe.nh.gov.

EVERSOURCE SEACOAST RELIABILITY PROJECT ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE UPDATED AS OF JULY 17, 2019 -- *Schedule is subject to change and will be updated periodically.

The following is the updated Eversource SRP anticipated construction schedule for Durham and Little Bay. A full schedule can be viewed HERE.

NOTE: Property owners adjacent to the line will receive two weeks advance notice for tree clearing and construction activities.

DURHAM

Survey of power line corridor, stone walls, roadways and EMF readings: Complete

---- In some cases, stakes will need to be replaced periodically

---- Environmental surveys will be performed throughout the corridor just prior to tree clearing and construction activities

Eversource Cable House relocation (at 295 Durham Point Road): July 2019 – August 2020

---- Pre-construction activities: July

---- Relocation to temporary location: August

---- Relocation to permanent location (after construction): August 2020Tree clearing of access roads: June – August

Tree clearing in residential areas: July, September

---- Foss Farm Road, Bennet Road, Route 108: July

---- Timberbrook Lane, Cutts Road, Ffrost Drive, Sandy Brook Drive, Longmarsh Road,Durham Point Road: September

Overhead line construction: July – Early 2020

---- UNH to Mill Road: July - August

---- Foss Farm Road, Bennet Road, Route 108: September – October

---- Longmarsh Road, Timberbrook Lane, Cutts Road, Ffrost Drive, Sandy Brook Drive,Durham Point Road: October – December

---- Route 4 to UNH: October – December

---- Mill Road, Foss Farm Road, Bennett Road: Early 2020

UNH underground construction: May – August

LITTLE BAY

Little BayJet plow trial run: Early September
Existing cable removal: Early – Mid September
Trench excavation at shorelines: Early October
Jet plow cable burial: October
Hand jetting in Little Bay: October – November
Concrete mattress installations: Late November

TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RIDE WITH A DURHAM POLICE OFFICER

A Durham resident approached Chief Kurz about a concept that he had recently involving teens that were in the process of obtaining their driver’s license. His idea was that if the young driver had an opportunity to accompany an officer on patrol that the insight to driving behavior would be extremely valuable.

As Chief Kurz pointed out, the Durham Police have long had a program where any Durham resident can accompany a police officer on patrol by simply contacting the Durham Police at 868-2324 or by emailing Chief Kurz at mailto:dkurz@ci.durham.nh.us and setting up a time to do so. While there is a liability wavier to sign, any parent can do so for their minor teen.

Chief Kurz and his staff welcome residents to contact them and gain insight as to how Durham Police deliver services to the community.

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT RESPONSES - For Period April 1 - June 30, 2019

OPENING A BUSINESS IN TOWN? EXPANDING YOUR CURRENT SPACE? CALL US FIRST

The Town of Durham wants to work with you early in the process to avoid surprises down the road. We welcome the opportunity to meet with potential businesses, building owners, developers and commercial realtors to discuss your ideas and go over any steps that may need to be taken during the buildout of the facility.

Simply reach out to Christine Soutter at 603-590-1387 or mailto:csoutter@ci.durham.nh.us and she will arrange an onsite meeting with representatives from the fire department, code enforcement, planning and economic development to go over your ideas.

No need to guess, wonder or assume--just contact us.

LOOKING AT ALTERNATE LOCATIONS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE AT TOWN HALL

At a recent Town Council meeting, Councilors Al Howland, Sally Tobias, Kenny Rotner, and Kitty Marple suggested we evaluate whether it might be possible to move the Economic Development Office from the lower level of the Town Hall behind the staff break room in square footage originally intended for storage space to a more appropriate/suitable location in the building.

The Economic Development Office was created after the Town Hall project was under active construction so the space was not envisioned as part of the original building plans.

A site walk was scheduled with Architect/Durham resident Art Guadano (Art deigned the Town Hall), staff, and Councilors Tobias, Rotner, and Howland. Based on this walk through, it was determined the best location would be to carve out space within the Planning/Zoning/Assessing Office on the 2nd floor, which would require some reconfiguration via construction.

Administrator Selig asked Mr. Guadano to prepare a plan that would recommend/outline a solution and the estimated cost for possible inclusion/consideration as part of the upcoming FY 2020 budget process.

NATURE CONSERVANCY AND TOWN OF DURHAM TEAMING UP TO BRING OYSTER GARDEN TO AN OLD LANDING NEAR YOU...

The Public Works Department is teaming up with The Nature Conservancy New Hampshire Chapter’s volunteer Oyster Conservationist program to pilot a Durham Community Oyster Garden at the Town Landing off of Old Landing Road to engage Durham community members and improve the health of Great Bay and the Piscataqua Estuary through oyster restoration.

TNC will provide the Town with 3 oyster cages in late July that would be located along the water at the Town Landing and sit in the tidal portion of the Oyster River. The Town would “foster” them and volunteers could sign up to pull the cages up out of the water so that the oysters could be cleaned, counted and inspected. The Town and community members would then work with TNC over the summer to provide data to them at different intervals. TNC would collect the cages in late September so that the Oysters could be counted and measured and placed with their oyster restoration areas in the estuary. In addition, we plan to install a panel with signage where the public could visit the site and learn about oyster restoration efforts.

A community training event will take place on TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 FROM 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

Please contact Town Engineer April Talon at 603-868-5578 or mailto:atalon@ci.durham.nh.us for more information or if you are interested in signing up!

View more information regarding oyster reef restoration efforts HERE

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR MONTHS OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

The Town Council will be meeting only once in both August and September.

The August Town Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 19.

The September Town Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9.

CHANGE TO STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE BUILDING CODE

The State of New Hampshire has approved the change in the State Building Code from 2009 to 2015 beginning September 15, 2019. All construction must conform to the 2015 building codes after that date. The Codes affected are the International Residential Code, the International Building Code, the International Existing Building Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Plumbing Code, and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.

Copies of the 2015 codes can be reviewed in the Building Office at the Town Hall, 8 Newmarket Road. Copies for purchase can be found at http://www.iccsafe.org. Questions may be directed to Code Enforcement Officer, Audrey Cline, at 603-868-8064 or mailto:acline@ci.durham.nh.us.

DURHAM PETITIONS NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (NHDOT) TO LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON A SECTION OF ROUTE 108/NEWMARKET ROAD

After receiving concerns from a neighborhood on Route 108 adjacent to the Newmarket Town Line regarding the speed of traffic, the Durham Traffic Safety Committee commenced an analysis of the traffic. The study included measured speed variations, vehicle counts and other factors including sight distance. Councilor Jim Lawson, a member of the committee, compiled the data and produced a comprehensive report. The report will be the foundation of Durham’s request to lower the speed limit from Stagecoach to the Newmarket Town line to 30MPH. As Route 108 is a State road, permission must be granted by the Commissioner of the NHDOT. Without that permission, Durham is unable to implement any changes to the roadway.

Chief Kurz has sent a formal request to Commissioner Victoria Sheehan which can be viewed HERE, along with Councilor Lawson's report supporting the Town's position.

Courtesy Todd Selig

HELP US BUILD A BETTER DURHAM

$100,000 still needed to be raised through donations by the end of August to purchase and conserve the Orchard Drive Woods Property!

Through a private fund-raising venture the Town of Durham has a chance to purchase this property, which has been offered for sale with house lots from the Oyster River Cooperative School District (ORCSD).

Buying it would keep the property undeveloped and add an important parcel for the greenbelt of protected land on the south of town. Acquisition of the land will also increase protection for hundreds of feet of Oyster River frontage. Because Thompson Lane is on the north side of Oyster River directly opposite the land, purchasing Orchard Drive Woods would make it possible to construct a new bridge for walking and biking across the river connecting the Faculty and Foss Farm neighborhoods.

Protecting Orchard Drive Woods would protect permanent public access to miles of hiking, biking, running, and skiing trails that already exist on 2,000 acres adjacent land, including the UNH MacDonald Lot. Durham has agreements with NH Fish and Game and UNH that would let the town extend the trail system from Orchard Drive Woods as far as Durham’s Doe Farm, which would be a tremendous benefit for both Durham and UNH in terms of easy access from downtown Durham and the UNH campus.

This addition to our trail network will create direct downtown to trails access for all of Durham to enjoy !

Find out more about the Orchard Drive property and how you can be a part of building a better Durham on the Celebrate Durham website HERE.

$12,500 AWARDED TO DURHAM FROM THOMAS W. HAAS FUND FROM NCHF FOR ORCHARD DRIVE WOODS CONSERVATION EFFORT – $100,000 still needed to be raised through donations by the end of August

Durham has been awarded a generous grant from the Thomas W. Haas Fund to help conserve the Orchard Drive Woods. As you know, the Town of Durham has a chance to purchase this property, which has been offered for sale with house lots from the Oyster River Cooperative School District (ORCSD).

The Backstory…

Orchard Drive Woods was on the market for residential development. After a public hearing, the ORCSD, owner of the 25-acre Orchard Drive Woods, offered the property to the Town of Durham as a bargain sale. The Town Council has agreed to the purchase, provided the funds can be raised through grants and private donations that don’t impact local taxes. The Council created a special fund for this purpose. It has already accumulated over $50,000. If the remaining $100,000 can be raised before the end of August, the state’s Recreation Trails Grant Program will consider the Town’s request for $80,000 to help build the bridge.

A new pedestrian bridge crossing the Oyster River between Orchard Drive Woods and Thompson Lane, accessible to foot traffic, bikes, and skis, would greatly improve the connection between downtown neighborhoods, UNH, and natural areas off Orchard Drive. It would link the center of town and the UNH campus to miles of existing trails on UNH and NH land.

Anyone interested in helping Durham acquire the land may do so by downloading the official gift form HERE.

For questions about the Orchard Drive Woods project, contact town volunteer Dennis Meadows at mailto:lataillede@aol.com or by phone at (603) 397-7442.

John Natchilly and Jim Lawson admire the bridge at Doe Farm after finishing up the ramp to the bridge built by SCA-AmeriCorps in June. Courtesy Ellen Snyder

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR STEWARDSHIP!

Are you tired of lying on the beach? Finished all your summer reading and Netflix binge watching? Need a new activity for your cross-training? Then check out these outdoor volunteer opportunities with the Durham Land Stewardship crew. Feel free to volunteer for one or more of the following and know that you are contributing to the care of Durham’s conservation areas. Please mailto:ellensnyder1@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering for one of these events.

Doe Farm kiosk: August 7th and August 8th at 8:30 am – Noon.

Assist Epping boat builder and carpenter to build a new information kiosk. Learn excellent building skills.

Doe Farm trail blazing and trail trimming.

Assist Land Stewardship Coordinator Ellen Snyder with new paint blazes for the Doe Farm trails. If you have a weed trimmer, Ellen is looking for help trimming back the trails. No set dates. Contact Ellen if interested in spending a couple hours here or there.

Milne Nature Sanctuary, spreading wood chips and pulling invasive plants - Thursday, August 15, 2019, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Park along Mill Pond Road and meet at the Milne Sanctuary. All tools will be provided. Bring work gloves.

Thompson Forest pulling invasive buckthorn seedlings.

The damp weather has made for excellent and easy conditions for pulling buckthorn seedlings. If you want to spend a few hours helping restore the woods at Thompson Forest this is a great activity for a family, a group, or ones and twos. Contact Ellen Snyder and we’ll find a couple hours to pull buckthorn together. You will learn about invasives, Thompson Forest, and other stewardship activities going on around town.

In other stewardship news….

Ben Slama and his Scout mates built the final two picnic tables at Moat Island, which is part of Doe Farm. They floated the table pieces from the dock of Conservation Commission member Coleen Fuerst over to Moat Island. This was a much shorter route than carrying the heavy lumber from the mainland, especially on the hottest day of the year at over 100 degrees! Thanks Ben and Scout Troop 154 for this great project: four picnic tables, two Leopold benches, and four sign posts at Doe Farm.

The SCA-AmeriCorps submitted their final report on their two-week hitch at Doe Farm in June. Read their report HERE. They built four new bridges, including two from a spruce tree cut from Doe Farm. This week, John Nachilly, Jim Lawson, and Ellen Snyder put some finishing touches on the SCA bridge ramps and scoped out sites for some of the final bridgework. Check out the trails and bridges at Doe Farm! Dennis Lewis of Candia completed the restoration of a stone culvert/crossing, providing much better access to a nice loop trail.

At their July monthly meeting the Conservation Commission approved funding from the Conservation Fund (which comes from Land Use Change Tax) for some final projects at Doe Farm: a new information kiosk, re-grading and other improvements to the entrance and parking area, a few more bridges and wetlands permitting. They also approved funding for two small bridges for the Thompson Forest trail and stump grinding to improve mowing of that trail.

Invasive plant control by contractors continues this summer at Oyster River Forest and Doe Farm, helping to restore and maintain the health of the meadows and woods. Ellen Snyder, through a contract with the Wildlife Management Institute, is hand-pulling invasive plants in the Thompson Forest meadow.

CHIEF KURZ'S ANNUAL DISCUSSION OF POLICING IN DURHAM

Delivery of law enforcement services and the public’s perception of this delivery are very subjective and extremely complex. While there are many aspects to these perceptions, generally they can be grouped under three general categories: overall public image of the agency itself, perceptions of the outcomes of the delivery of law enforcement services, and perceptions of how police procedures impacted “me” personally.

Each year Chief Kurz takes the slower pace of the summer season to reiterate the commitment of the Durham Police Department to the Durham community and explain how the agency views its role as part of the community. This reaffirmation is important as there should be an understanding of what a person will receive when they call the Durham Police for assistance. In Plato’s “Republic”, Plato viewed a perfect democracy giving the greatest amount of power to those called the Guardians who would protect the democracy and focus upon ethics, integrity and virtue. Sir Robert Peel, who some refer to as the father of modern policing, stated that the “police are the people and the people are the police”. With so many videos of poor police interaction and/or misconduct on the nightly news, the concept of a Warrior versus Guardian delivery of policing services has emerged as an important topic for police managers across the country! With Plato considering such ideas 2,400 years ago, it is obviously not a new concept but residents should know that the guardian role has been the philosophy of the Durham Police for the past 20 plus years. Every member of the organization believes that creating strong connections and community engagement will lead to improved public safety and more effective delivery of policing services. As guardians we are committed to function as part of the community, demonstrate compassion and employ consistency in the way we do things. While that does not eliminate mistakes or misunderstandings, the entire agency is committed to doing the right thing at the right time and continuously trying to do it better!

It is the Durham Town Code which authorizes and bestows the use of policing powers upon the Durham Police Department, which is why they work diligently to be as transparent as possible. By providing the community their annual “response to resistance” report which highlights in great detail when force was used by officers and under what circumstances, it serves to ensure that the public trust bestowed upon the organization is warranted.

It is Chief Kurz’s hope that this statement has not been too tedious or preachy, but there is the realization that it is important to reiterate the department’s philosophy to the Durham community and reaffirm to the community that the men and women of the Department understand their role as guardians in service to Durham.

LITTLE BAY BRIDGE FOOT-BIKE PATH NEARLY READY - by Brian Early, Reporter, Foster's Democrat

DOVER — Crossing Little Bay without a car is expected to become reality within the next couple weeks.

Those traveling northbound over the Spaulding Turnpike’s Little Bay bridge have likely noticed the creation of the 10-foot wide lane on the right-hand side that is separated from the vehicles lanes by jersey barriers topped with a fence.

Adam Chestnut, project engineer for the N.H. Department of Transportation, said he anticipates having the path open the first week of August, but there are still a few items to be finished, he said Wednesday.

The protected lane was not part of the original Spaulding Turnpike expansion, but was added last year after DOT closed the Gen. Sullivan Bridge due to safety concerns. The original plans called for the Gen. Sullivan to be rehabilitated, but now DOT is seeking to replace the bridge. A final decision on whether the bridge will be rehabbed or replaced is expected this fall, said state Sen. David Watters, D-Dover, who has advocated for replacement because of cost.

The opening of a new permanent pedestrian path over Little Bay could occur in 2022. Once the permanent path is opened, the northbound bridge over Little Bay would expand from three to its intended four lanes.

On Wednesday, sub-contractors from DeLucca Fence Company were seen installing the last of the fencing on the Dover side of the bridge. The entrance to the protected lane on the Dover side is located across the street from Hilton Park, where there is a paved pathway onto the bridge.

The entrance on the Newington side is in between the northbound Exit 4 on-ramp and Rockingham Electrical Supply. Workers were seen Wednesday working on that section as well.

Chestnut said there still needs to be additional pavement installed on the inside part of the jersey barriers to make it more secure in the event it was hit by a vehicle.

“That’s likely to happen next week,” he said.

There are also some punch-list items that need to be completed on the path as well, he said. DOT wants to have everything complete before opening the lane so it doesn’t have to be temporarily closed to complete unfinished items, Chestnut said.

More Headlines

The other pedestrian/bicycle section on the project, the Pomery Cove Path, which connects Dover Point Road and Hilton Drive is now complete.

Roundabout

Those traveling through the intersection of Route 4, Boston Harbor Road and Spur Road may have seen work slow down on the construction of the roundabout. All the work on the outside of the new roundabout has been completed, and now the contractor is gathering the resources for the next part of the project, Chestnut said.

“The next phase is right in the middle of Route 4,” he said. “We need to be committed once it’s started.”

Chestnut previously anticipated the initial roundabout configuration to be put in place by mid-summer. “We had to push that out a bit,” he said Wednesday.

Southbound lanes

Work continues in the middle of the highway on the Dover side, as contractors prepare to shift southbound traffic to the middle part. That will allow workers to build up the southbound section of road to be a similar grade as the northbound side. That involves building up the roadway higher than it needs to be to allow the materials to settle for 45 to 90 days.

The $287.4 million turnpike expansion is expected to be completed in the fall of 2020.

DPW employees Raymond LaRoche, Jr. and Sam Hewitt installing screening for the generator system at Town Hall. Courtesy Todd Selig

AND THE SCAMS KEEP COMING!

This week Durham Police took several calls from residents stating that they had received a message from their “grandchild” who was calling because they were in some kind of difficulty. One even indicated that they were in jail and needed bail. The strategy is to entice you to provide information such as “is this you Johnny?” so that the scammer gathers information and can add it to the storyline making the call seem more true!

Another prominent complaint this week focused upon the IRS threatening arrest if the caller did not receive a telephone call back with arrangements to make payments! Finally, a resident conveyed that a person professing to be from their credit card company wanted a call back so they could straighten out suspected fraudulent activity on their card. The caller asked to have “your date of birth and credit card available!”

These calls are distasteful and very troubling to all of us as they clearly are designed to weaken our resolve and part you with hard earned money. Even when we know that the call is not true and is a scam, most of us receiving the call are troubled and exhausted in the aftermath. However, if you think the call may be legitimate, call the credit card company number of the reverse side of your card and make inquiries that way. This ensures you are calling the appropriate number as you initiated the call.

While most of these cases are virtually impossible to resolve as they routinely operate from third-world countries, The Durham Police believe to be informed is to be forearmed. If in doubt of a call or a letter, please feel free to contact the Durham Police at 603-868-2324.

DURHAM SEEKS INTERESTED LANDOWNERS WITH SEPTIC SYSTEMS FOR WATER QUALITY INSTALLATION PROJECT

The Town of Durham, in partnership with the Strafford Regional Planning Commission, received a watershed assistance grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The funding is to install two permeable reactive barriers (PRB) within the Oyster or Lamprey River watersheds to address nonpoint source pollution from residential septic systems. PRB’s are relatively new technologies, which are now being piloted in the Great Bay watershed, and seek to control nitrogen with a formulation of wood chips, additives, and sand or gravel to transform inorganic nitrogen to nitrogen gas.

The Town is currently evaluating potential locations and is looking for private landowners, with septic systems, who are interested in participating as a pilot site for the project. There is no cost to the homeowner and the project is entirely voluntary.

If you’d like to learn more about the project before volunteering, please reach out to Kyle Pimental at mailto:kpimental@strafford.org. He is the project manager for this effort and can help answer any questions you may have.

THE LATEST NEWS REGARDING THE EVERSOURCE SEACOAST RELIABILITY PROJECT - U.S. Army Corps Issues Permit

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued an Individual Permit for the Seacoast Reliability Project, allowing work to proceed by the utility within jurisdictional wetlands under the Department of the Army review. This includes the crossing of Little Bay and the laying of concrete mattresses.

In response to a public notice dated April 23, 2019, the Army Corps received 199 public comments. All were in opposition to the project, of which 128 contained public hearing requests. Of the 128 comments containing public hearing requests, 47 contained requests for the project to be discussed and reconsidered, 35 requested a hearing to allow for public input, 27 were requested out of opposition, and 19 contained identical comments including "public hearing request to include a review of the research being used for this permit decision and an explanation of the expected impact on Great Bay."

In its decision, the Army Corps determined that the Corps' public notice combined with the multiple Eversource and SEC public hearings offered the public ample opportunity to comment. The Corp's decision mentioned that issues raised in this case were clearly stated and could be evaluated with the existing information. The Corps determined holding a public hearing would not provide any new or substantive information "nor would it aid in our understanding of the relevant facts and issues."

"The Army Corps therefore determines that it is not necessary to conduct a public hearing in this matter.”

Eversource previously notified the NH Site Evaluation Committee, which unanimously approved the project in December 2018, that it would not conduct work in areas where it did not yet have a permit to operate. With the issuance of the permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers, that work can now begin.

Eversource also has not started any tree trimming work on Durham Point Road, a locally designated scenic road, where it needs to obtain Planning Board approval to conduct tree work within the town’s right-of-way. New poles, however, have been installed, and the Planning Board has approved the installation of new poles within some wetland areas. The Planning Board has reopened a public hearing on the proposed tree trimming work within certain parameters. Eversource has apparently offered to lower the height of the new poles on Durham Point Road by around 5 – 10 feet.

After the SEC denied a motion submitted by Durham, groups of residents, and the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) to rehear the case, the residents/CLF filed separate appeals to the NH Supreme Court. The CLF appeal is narrowly focused on whether the state’s Executive Council needs to approve the concrete mattress placed over the cables to be buried under Little Bay between Durham and Newington that would be exposed during low tides. The CLF argues it requires that approval, while Eversource maintains the SEC was right to approve it.

The Town of Durham did not appeal the case after the Town Council, upon recommendation by the Administrator, approved a $1.1 million settlement with Eversource. The Town of Newington has also previously reached a settlement with Eversource.

View the Army Corps of Engineers permit for waters and wetlands HERE.

New shelving at the Swap Shop. Courtesy Cristina Dolcino

THE SWAP SHOP HAS A NEW LOOK!

The Durham Swap Shop sure looks nice these days thanks to the support and work of many local people! There is a new set of pine shelving inside the Swap Shop and walls up in the back section. In a joint venture, the Town of Durham paid for the supplies and the Durham Great Bay Rotary and the Community Toolbox members used their building knowledge to construct the shelves. Our new shelves allow “shoppers” easier access to see the gently used and functional items dropped off by Durham residents. We are very grateful to eight Rotarians and four Community Toolbox volunteers for their time and energy. The building of additional new shelving will take place in the future. Sports, hardware, plumbing, and lighting are now located in the back along with furniture. Be sure to walk around to check out these areas.

Thanks should also be given to the Swap Shop volunteers who worked additional hours during the heat wave to clean, reorganize, and set-up the items. Appreciation is also given to the residents who thoughtfully brought water and popsicles to volunteers during the high temperatures last weekend.

Volunteering at the Swap Shop is a fun and friendly opportunity to chat with people you know, take home interesting items, and support our Durham community! Call or text 603-969-4732. Email Cristina at mailto:foggdrive@yahoo.com

The drop off items can be done on Saturdays and Tuesdays until 2:00.

With more volunteers the Swap Shop will continue for all residents!

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE

The Agricultural Commission held an information session on July 8th on proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance designed to enable more agriculture in town. The presentation about the proposed amendments can be reviewed on DCAT and the draft Agricultural Ordinance is posted on the Town website.

Please contact Agricultural Commission Chair Theresa Walker or Town Planner Michael Behrendt with any questions about the amendments, mailto:theresawalker@comcast.net, mailto:mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us.

7TH ANNUAL DURHAM FARM DAY IS SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH, RAIN OR SHINE!

The Agricultural Commission is pleased to host the 7th Annual Durham Farm Day on Saturday, August 17th, 10am – 6pm, rain or shine and fun for the whole family. There will be tours of UNH Woodman Farm, UNH Fairchild Dairy, UNH Sustainable Agricultural Production High Tunnels and Fields and the community gardens at Wagon Hill Farm. Also, lots to see and do at LaRoche Farm, Linden Woods Farm, as well as locally grown food available at Emery Farm and Tecce Farm. The Durham Historic Association and Young’s Restaurant are again joining this annual celebration of Durham working landscape of farms, gardens, and forests. Full schedule of events available soon. If you eat, you’re in!

2019 DURHAM HISTORIC TREASURE HUNT

The 2019 Durham Historic Treasure Hunt is open to Durham residents ages 8-17, and will run through the end of August.

View more details HERE.

LAMPREY RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUMMER 2019 NEWSLETTER

The Lamprey River Advisory Committee has published its 2019 summer newsletter which is available for viewing HERE.

HOUSING IN DURHAM: HOUSING AND THE ECONOMY

Sara Wrightsman is the Executive Director at Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast. She and here husband are also Durham residents who live in a quirky one bedroom on Main Street and love this community!

"Housing in Durham" is a multi-part series exploring the issue of affordable and workforce housing in Durham. "Housing and the Economy" is part two of the series.

Read the full article on the Celebrate Durham website HERE.

THE GREAT GOOGLY EYE MYSTERY OF 2019!

Has Durham been invade by strange google eyed aliens? Or perhaps there is a mysterious googly eyed bearing prankster out to flummox us all . Hmmm ... it's anyone's guess, but... the fact is googly eyes are popping up all over town.

Check out the Great Googly Eye Mystery of 2019 on the Celebrate Durham website HERE.

Courtesy Todd Selig

Click Here for DCAT 22 Programming & Video On Demand Info

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.

Click Here for Community Programs & Events

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.

Click Here for all Parks & Recreation Events

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY UPCOMING EVENTS

Congratulations Summer Readers!

For "A Universe of Stories," we read approximately 200,000 minutes together in five weeks with 390 Readers signed up! Way to go! Keep Reading. If you missed the fun finale, you can still pick up your Bagel Works Gift Certificate and prize book at the Children’s/YA Desk. Also, if you won a raffle prize, they can be picked up at the Children’s/YA Desk as well.

A big thank-you to:

The Bagel Works, The Sea Dogs, Wildcat Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Hayden Sports, Young’s Restaurant, Franz's Foods, Water Country, Canobie Lake, Park, Hop ‘n Grind, Moe’s of Durham, Monkey Minds Escape Rooms,and Durham House of Pizza for their summer reading prize donations.

We appreciate all of your support!

And thank-you to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for all of their support of our summer reading program and Music on the Library Lawn concerts. Every year, The Friends of the DPL help us bring wonderful programs to the Durham Public Library.

Click Here For Durham Public Library Programs & Events

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."

________________________

1923 - N.H. College functioned as a single administrative unit. Hoever, the variety of subjects being taught and the size of the school required a fundamental reorganization. A university pattern was adopted, with separate colleges for Agriculture, Liberal Arts, Technology and Graduate School.

Have a very nice weekend. It's supposed to be a beauty!

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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Friday Updates - July 26th, 2019

Friday, July 26, 201﻿9

Friday Updates

Friday, July 26, 2019