Friday Updates - July 28, 2017

                    NEWS & HAPPENINGS...

Friday, July 28, 2017

A kayaker thoroughly enjoying a beautiful summer day on Little Bay.  Courtesy Jen Sanders

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A reminder not to miss the Music On Main & Summer Block Party next Thursday, August 3rd from 6:00-8:00pm. Meet on Main Street for an evening of family fun and live music. A portion of Main Street will be closed for this event. Rain date for this event is: Thursday August 10th 6-8pm. This is a family-friendly event for all ages.

WATER SHUT OFF ON STRAFFORD AVENUE - TUESDAY, AUGUST 1ST

Water on Strafford Avenue will be shut off on Tuesday, August 1st for a valve replacement. This is a UNH project as it is a valve that is part of their infrastructure. It is estimated the job will shut down water between 8-3:30. UNH will be in touch with the affected properties. The roadway will remain open and passable.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 2017

The Durham Town Council will hold only one meeting in August, which will be on Monday, August 7, 2017.

The Town Council meeting dates for September will be Monday, September 11 and Monday, September 18, 2017.

ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE CLOSED WEEK OF AUGUST 14, 2017
Due to vacation scheduling, the Administrator's Office will be closed the week of August 14-18, 2017. The office will reopen on Monday, August 21, 2017.

PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS - AUGUST 9, 2017

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on extensive proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance on August 9, 2017. Feel free to contact Michel Behrendt, Town Planner at mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us with any questions or concerns or if you would like for him to forward any comments to the Planning Board in advance of the public hearing.

The Planning Board has been working on these amendments for a number of years now. Note that they do not include any changes to the Zoning Map nor to the allowed uses in the Table of Uses. We expect after the adoption of the Future Land Use Chapter of the Master Plan at the end of 2017 to propose additional amendments in 2018, including changes to the Zoning Map and allowed uses in the Table of Uses.

View the proposed amendments HERE.

COLONIAL DURHAM ASSOCIATES VARIANCE APPLICATIONS FOR PROPOSED MILL PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT

Colonial Durham Associates submitted applications for two variances for the proposed Mill Plaza redevelopment:  1) for a drive through facility for a pharmacy and 2) to allow for three 4-story buildings, each with only one floor of nonresidential space.  The applications will be on the agenda of the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Tuesday, August 8.  View the applications HERE.

GRANT SUPPORTS NEW UNH SOCCER AND LACROSSE FACILITY TO BE USED BY ORYA

A grant from the Eleanor and Clarence Prevo Fund will launch the development of a new soccer and lacrosse facility at the University of New Hampshire and support Northeast Passage, which empowers people with disabilities to engage in athletic pursuits.

The new facility, to be built adjacent to Wildcat Stadium on the site of Lewis Field, will be used by UNH athletic teams and the Oyster River Youth Association’s soccer program strengthening ties between the university and the broader Durham community.

UNH’s competitive and successful Division I athletics program is a rallying point for school pride. Upgraded athletic facilities help the department accomplish its objectives to recruit the best student-athletes in the nation, compete regionally and nationally, brand UNH Athletics to top future student-athletes, support overall student recruitment and provide a fan experience second to none in the region.

The Eleanor and Clarence Prevo Fund is a donor-advised fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and was created by donors who wish to remain anonymous. The grant includes $800,000 for the soccer and lacrosse facility and $200,000 for Northeast Passage.

This grant is part of the university’s largest-ever fund-raising campaign, Celebrate 150, to provide support for students, faculty, infrastructure and programs. The campaign is on track to exceed the goal of $275 million when it concludes June 30, 2018. The university’s athletic facilities and venues were identified as priorities in the campus’ master plan as well as the campaign priorities to improve recruitment, student satisfaction and overall visibility in a competitive marketplace.

Seal at Little Bay. Courtesy Jen Sanders

CONCERNS REMAIN RELATIVE TO EVERSOURCE SEACOAST RELIABILITY PROJECT

In a letter addressed to Administrator Selig dated July 10, 2017, concerning the proposed Eversource Seacoast Reliability Project currently before the NH Site Evaluation Committee (SEC), and the additional analysis and study Eversource consultants had performed as a result of questions and concerns raised by Durham’s independent experts which the Town shared with the utility last February, Eversource President William Quinlan stated his belief that Eversource’s revised submittals provided additional modeling points and confirmed and enhanced the company’s confidence in their conclusion that there would be minimal adverse environmental impacts to the Little Bay and the surrounding environment as a result of the proposed underwater cable installation utilizing jet plow technology.

Admin. Selig wrote back to Mr. Quinlan this week in a letter dated July 27, 2017, to indicate that after reviewing new and revised material submitted by Eversource, a joint testimony was prepared and submitted by the GeoInsight-Woods Hole Group technical team and Dr. Steve Jones of the University of New Hampshire to the SEC on July 24, 2017, to present concerns that still remain and must be addressed to adequately evaluate the risks and uncertainties for the Little Bay crossing component of the SRP. Mr. Selig conveyed Durham’s concerns that at this time there are inadequate protections to ensure that no unreasonable adverse effects on water quality and the natural environment will result from the SRP.

View the letter from Administrator Selig to President Quinlan dated July 27, 2017 HERE.

DURHAM TO RECEIVE $255,708 IN UNANTICIPATED HIGHWAY FUNDING FROM STATE THIS YEAR

On Monday of this week, Gov. Chris Sununu announced the return of $30 million to NH municipalities for road improvements as a result of signing Senate Bill 38, making an appropriation to the NH Department of Transportation for local highway aid and aid for municipal bridges.

There are restrictions on how towns and cities can use the block grant. For instance, according to the legislation, municipalities cannot spend the money on projects that have already been budgeted with local funds for 2017.

In Durham, the funds will likely go toward the town’s 10-year road program, though due to funding constraints it is for all practical purposes a 13- to 15-year road program. This infusion of capital will therefore be very helpful in addressing our local roadway infrastructure in 2017. We’re always running behind in addressing roadway needs as a result of limited funding.

Over the last decade, the state legislature has downshifted millions of dollars from the state to the local level, and has failed to sufficiently fund the needs of the University of NH, creating an additional burden on the local taxpayer, particularly in Durham as the host to the state’s flagship public university. In that context, it’s very positive to see this one time infusion of dollars directed toward local infrastructure.

Admin. Selig asked DPW Director Mike Lynch to develop a list of roadways/projects that could be moved up to 2017 as a result of the unanticipated funds. Director Lynch recommends the following:

The Town annually budgets around $450,000 to address the repaving of Durham roadways in cash. Many other communities bond their roads which in fact costs more over time as a result of principle and interest costs. The roadways that were budgeted for repaving in 2017 included: Old Landing Road, Packers Falls Road, Simons Lane, Spinney Lane.

In terms of process, the Council will have to schedule a public hearing on the acceptance and expenditure of unanticipated funding in an amount over $10,000 from the state.

GENERAL SULLIVAN HOUSE OPEN TO PUBLIC - SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

The General Sullivan house, 21 Newmarket Road, will be open to the public on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 1 - 4PM to celebrate its 300th birthday. It was purchased in August of 1717 by Passon Hugh Adams. "(It) was then a new house." History of Strafford County, John Scales 1914

DHA SUMMER SATURDAYS AT THE MUSEUM

The Durham Historic Association is hosting “Summer Saturdays at the Museum,"  where every Saturday afternoon 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. throughout the summer visitors may explore Durham’s history in eight chronological periods from the 17th century to the present in air-conditioned comfort.  The museum is located on the second floor of the old brick Town Hall/District Court building at the traffic light on the corner.

SWAP SHOP CORNER: A NEW FEATURE IN FRIDAY UPDATES

Heads up! Durham’s Swap Shop, located at the transfer station, soon will be undergoing changes in procedures to help ensure that it continues to function as a favorite spot to meet other community members as well as a way to give used items a new life.

Dedicated volunteers make it work (and have fun at the same time), but they could really use both cooperation from Swap Shop patrons and more help. Volunteers for specific projects, for regular scheduling, and for occasional pitching in are all welcome, as are graphic artists and writers!

If you even think you might want to help out, please call Jane at 603-868-7598.

BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS DURING THE SUMMER - Permit approval process can take up to two weeks in summer.

Residents are reminded that due to increased numbers of building permit applications submitted during the summer months, approval of a residential building permit can take up to two weeks.

Residents are encouraged to submit building permit applications for their projects well in advance of the start date to ensure that they will have a building permit before the project begins. 

No work is allowed on a home without a building permit.

5TH ANNUAL DURHAM FARM DAY - Saturday, August 19th, 10am - 4pm 

The 5th Annual Durham Farm Day is Saturday, August 19th, rain or shine! Sponsored by the Durham Agricultural Commission, this is a day-long celebration of Durham's working landscape of farms and gardens, including tours of UNH agricultural research facilities, a walking tour of downtown gardens, and much, much more. The full schedule of events is available on the Town's website.

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 very complex. While there are many aspects to that perception generally they can be grouped under three general categories: overall public image of the agency, perceptions of the outcome of the delivery of services, and perceptions of police procedure and how it impacted “me” personally.

Last year Chief Kurz took the opportunity to commit to the community how the Durham Police Department views its role as part of the Durham community. That 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 the “new topic” for police managers across the country! With Plato considering such topics about 2,400 years ago, it is obviously not a new concept but 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 the department members are committed to function as part of the community, demonstrate compassion and employ consistency in the way they 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.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AT DURHAM PD
Work at the police department this week was focused upon completing the foundation walls by waterproofing and insulating the foundation. The last of the footings and piers that will hold the steel skeleton was completed as depicted by the cement trucks pouring the last of the cement.

DURHAM POLICE AND ADMIN. SELIG HEADING TO CALEA REVIEW THIS WEEKEND IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

The Durham Police Department has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 1999. Every three-years CALEA inspectors visit the police department to ensure that the department has remained in compliance by reviewing agency documents, observing officers on patrol and essentially ensuring that the Durham Police is adhering to established policies. The inspectors write a report of their findings and that report and the department are then queried by Commissioners at one of three meetings held annually.

Chief Kurz and several members of his staff, joined by Administrator Todd Selig will be traveling to this year’s meeting in Providence, RI on Friday. On Saturday morning the Commissioners will query Chief Kurz and his staff on the finalized report.

View the full report from the CALEA assessment team HERE.

DURHAM FILES FOR EXTENSION ON LONGMARSH ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT | Longmarsh Road Project Intersects with Macallen Dam Project in Newmarket Causing Impediment to Work Through with Various Project Partners

The current period of performance completion date for the Longmarsh Road Culvert Replacement Project awarded to the Town of Durham under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR 4139 is August 2, 2017. Durham has requested a 12 month extension to the project grant period of August 2, 2018.

The following is a sequence of events that have taken place over the last year.

In the summer of 2016, Longmarsh project team received information from Town of Newmarket consultant for Macallen Dam that NHDES Dam Bureau was considering increased flows from Lamprey to Oyster watershed from south to north at Moat Island ‘flow split’ resulting in a new significantly higher 100-year event as the required design flow at Longmarsh. Longmarsh was designed to receive ~2,200 CFS as noted above. That was to be revised to ~6,000 CFS under the new flow model. NHDES Dam Bureau confirmed via letter and also after a November 2016 meeting on the Longmarsh and Macallen projects that the increased flows were accepted for Macallen Dam as the new 100-year event and that improvements to Longmarsh shall not increase the base flood elevation (BFE) at Macallen Dam.

The Longmarsh design team considered new alternates at Longmarsh Road for the updated 100-year event flow including lowering the Longmarsh Road profile and increasing the span of the replacement bridge. Hydraulics at Longmarsh Road are controlled by tail water effects downstream at the northerly crossing of Hamel Brook under NH Route 108. A significant increase in span length at Longmarsh Road combined with lowering the profile is required to maintain the BFE at Macallen Dam while not overtopping Longmarsh Road during the updated 100-year storm event. Project estimate for engineering and construction in 2018 was set at $141,000 and $1,067,000 respectively for a total of $1,208,000. The resultant BCA for the revised project is 0.62. A BCA of 1.0 minimum is required. As of July 17, FEMA has confirmed that the project as modified to meet the required flow as set by the NHDES Dam Bureau, is no longer cost effective.

The Town respectively requests a 12 month extension so that we can continue to explore “out of the box” construction techniques to potentially reduce project costs. We would also request time to pursue further discussions with the Dam Bureau and other agencies.

The current project budget is as follows:

$612,458 (75% federal share)

$204,152 (25% non-federal match)
$816,610 (Total Project Cost)

So far to date, none of the 75% federal share of $612,458 has been expended and none of the 25% non-federal matching funds of $204,152 have been expended.

Project completion schedule should extension be granted is as follows:

Final Design/Permitting – Summer/Fall 2017
Bid Phase – Winter 2017/18
Construction- Spring 2018

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!

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.

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 868-2324.

DPW crews replaced sections of the sidewalk along Mill Road this week. Courtesy DCAT Studios

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

On Wednesday this week, members of the Human Rights Commission met to follow up on a request by Durham resident Neal Ferris with respect to the creation of an Indigenous Peoples' Day in Durham, as well as having a follow up discussion with respect to the controversial mural at the Durham Post Office. The group also discussed expanding membership on the Commission.

View the minutes of the July 26, 2017 HRC meeting HERE.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY - Morning of Saturday September 30, 2017
The 2017 Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held at the Department of Public Works facility located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive. As in the past, all hazardous waste will be collected by appointment only, between 8-11:30AM. To register, you must call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 or e-mail publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us. Remember - The MAXIMUM COLLECTED PER HOUSEHOLD IS FIVE GALLONS.

NO EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE WASTE, ASBESTOS,
SILVEX OR INFECTIOUS/BIOLOGICAL WASTE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Consider reducing your purchase of products with hazardous ingredients; read labels thoroughly. Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in anything other than their original containers and never remove labels. Never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become un-recyclable. Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.

NOT ACCEPTED AT HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY- LATEX AND OIL BASED PAINTS, MOTOR OIL, AND ANTI-FREEZE. These items can be brought up to the Transfer Station with your permit throughout the year. Latex paints must be dried out first, motor oil, anti-freeze and oil based paints can go up as is. Typically, hazardous waste is categorized as toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise hazardous. Please check the manufacturer’s label.

EXAMPLE OF COMMON HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE ITEMS

UPCOMING PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM AT THE UNH OUTDOOR POOL – Summer Splash & Potluck Picnic at the UNH Outdoor Pool
A new DPR event is now scheduled for Saturday, August 12th- Summer Splash and Potluck Picnic from 6-9pm at the UNH Outdoor Pool. Jen Malone from UNH was great to work with and comped the department an hour out of the 3hour rental. We will have live music for this event too!

Folks can sign up for the potluck HERE.

DURHAM FARMERS’ MARKET OPEN MONDAY AFTERNOONS AT JACKSON’S LANDING
The Seacoast Growers Association is operating the Durham Farmers’ Market on Mondays at Jackson’s Landing, 10 Old Piscataqua Road, from 2:15 – 6 PM. The season officially opened June 5th.

LAMPREY RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUMMER NEWSLETTER
The Lamprey River Advisory Committee has published its 2017 summer newsletter which is available for viewing HERE.