 |
Celebrating July 4th, 2021 at Memorial Park, downtown Durham.
Courtesy Chet Dunn
|
___________________________
The much needed rain this week in Durham should give way to a pleasant, yet cloudy weekend, then again into soggy weather for the start of next week. Didn't we have more sunny days last summer?
|
DID YOU KNOW?
The Oyster River High School has an active group of students that are a part of the Sustainability Club. These students have worked hard to make a difference in our high school by conducting a waste audit to better understand what happens to discarded food in the school. As a result of the audit, the students decided to try and raise awareness about the importance of composting. Then, they collected donations which were used to buy compost bins. These bins were strategically placed around the high school to help capture food waste that would otherwise be thrown in the garbage.
The students in the Sustainability Club have been invaluable in raising awareness and taking action on environmental issues that impact all of us.
The group puts out regular newsletters about important related issues. One of these newsletters can be viewed HERE.
Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee
|
Mill Pond dam. Courtesy Todd Selig
|
VHB COMPLETES SUPPLEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF MILL POND DAM ON OYSTER RIVER - PLANNED FOR CONSIDERATION BY TOWN COUNCIL ON JULY 12TH
To supplement the Mill Pond Dam Feasibility Study, the VHB team completed a supplemental analysis of Alternative 3 (Dam Stabilization) without Option 1 (Pond Restoration Dredge). The goal of this supplemental analysis is to determine whether the water quality impairments within the Mill Pond impoundment can be addressed through a series of watershed management strategies. The analysis focused on answering the specific questions posed in an email from Town Councilors Welsh and Lawson to Councilor Marple dated February 24, 2021, as discussed at the March 1 Town Council meeting, as well as subsequent communication with the Town.
At the Town Council meeting on Monday evening, July 12th, the Council will receive a presentation from VHB and will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the supplemental study. That will give the Council and the public a month to evaluate the information and provide feedback as needed. The Council is not scheduled to take any action until its meeting on August 16, 2021, at which time it can determine appropriate next steps, whatever those may be.
The approved scope of work can be found HERE.
The supplemental analysis to the dam feasibility study is now available for public review and can be found on the Town website or viewed HERE.
|
DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS PLANS TO COMPLETE A RE-INSPECTION OF THE MILL POND DAM THIS SUMMER WITH VHB AND PARE CORPORATION
The Department of Public Works plans to reinspect the Mill Pond Dam this summer to monitor structural deterioration of the concrete, primarily one of the ribs nearest the gate structure. This may require lowering the Mill Pond by a few inches depending on flows in the Oyster River. See pictures below. More information will be provided to the public and abutters when the work is scheduled.
Questions and comments should be directed to Town Engineer April Talon at (603) 868-5578, or email atalon@ci.durham.nh.us
|
WHERE DOES YOUR WATER FROM THE UNH-DURHAM WATER SYSTEM COME FROM?
The UNH-Durham Water System is a jointly operated water system, meaning that both UNH and the Town of Durham contribute to the production of safe drinking water. Your water comes from combined sources provided by UNH and/or the Town at any given time. There are 1,300 water meters in the Town’s System, which are read monthly and billed quarterly and over 200 UNH meter locations.
The University owns and operates the Surface Water Treatment Plant, which includes the Lamprey River Pump Station, and the portion of the water distribution system serving the University. The brand-new $19 million Water Treatment Plant (WTP) (with construction capital costs funded 100% by UNH) became operational on March 13th, 2020 and replaces the Arthur Rollins Treatment Plant that was originally constructed in 1935. The raw water is supplied to the treatment plant from a reservoir on the Lamprey River and/or the Oyster River, or the Spruce Hole Well. The Spruce Hole Well serves a dual purpose: (1) to convey river water from the Lamprey River to artificially recharge the underlying aquifer; and (2) to convey groundwater from the Spruce Hole Well to the UNH-Durham Water System. In the treatment process chemicals are added to remove impurities through settling. The water is then filtered through layers of anthracite coal and sand. The final stage of treatment involves the addition of chlorine for disinfection, fluoride to minimize tooth decay, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) for pH control, and blended phosphate to minimize corrosion of the piping system. The maximum capacity of the WTP is about 2 million gallons per day.
The Town of Durham owns and operates the Lee Well and Pump Station, Foss Farm and Beech Hill Storage Tanks, the Town reservoir behind the Wiswall Dam on the Lamprey River, Technology Drive and Madbury Road pressure stations and the portion of the distribution system serving the residents and businesses of the Town. The Town’s portion of the water system is under direct control of the Durham Public Works Department. The Lee Well is a gravel packed well located on Angel Rd. in Lee, N.H. The Town of Durham owns the land on which the wellhead and pump house are sited. The well has an estimated safe yield of approximately 550,000 gallons per day. The well water is naturally filtered underground. Water pumped into the distribution system has chlorine added as a disinfectant, fluoride to minimize tooth decay, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) for pH control, and blended phosphate to minimize corrosion of the piping system.
The Spruce Hole Water Supply is jointly owned between UNH and Durham and was brought online in 2016 providing additional water capacity and redundancy to the UNH-Durham water system. The location of the Spruce Hole Well (the Town’s Gravel Pit) was acquired by the Town of Durham in 1982 and it has been used as a gravel/borrow pit for Town use only.
The UNH/Durham Water System was awarded the 2017 Source Water Sustainability Award for our efforts in Water Conservation and development of the Spruce Hole Well and Artificial Recharge Project.
|
19 MAIN STREET PARKING LOT - An update.
The site plan application to the Planning Board for a parking lot at 19 Main Street has been postponed from the July 14 meeting to August 11 at the applicant’s request. The reason for the request is that the Zoning Board of Adjustment is hearing an appeal on the application and the applicant seeks to continue working on the design.
The original application included a large retaining wall, needed because the site drops off significantly to the rear. The Zoning Ordinance allows “surface parking” by conditional use in the district but not “structured parking.” There are specific definitions for both in the ordinance and the interpretation is fairly technical. The Planning Board deemed the design to be surface parking but several abutters appealed that determination. The Zoning Board of Adjustment agreed with the abutters thereby not allowing the proposal to move forward as designed.
The applicant submitted a revised plan to the Planning Board using sloping ground rather than a retaining wall to connect the finish grade of the proposed parking lot with the existing grade below. The Planning Board found that this revised design met the definition of surface parking. The abutters appealed this decision as well and the Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear that appeal this Tuesday. The applicant has appealed the ZBA’s first decision about the retaining wall to superior court. So the application is somewhat in flux at this time. View the site plan and related documents HERE and information related to the current ZBA appeal HERE
|
SIGNAGE PLAN FOR NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL ALONG COE DRIVE RETAINING WALL BEING DEVELOPED
The construction team for the new ORMS is evaluating sign plans to denote the new facility for the retaining wall that now fronts a portion of Coe Drive. Last week, temporary cut out lettering was fabricated and applied to the retaining wall to get a sense of size, scale, etc. The color will be the standard Oyster River blue used for other school facilities.
With rain later in the week, the temporary letters began to wilt! The consensus of the team was that the lettering should be slight larger 24" v 18" used in this photo with a darker blue highlight around each and more centered on the wall itself. Design and pricing continues for the effort.
|
PRESENTATION SCHEDULED ON PROPOSED TRAFFIC PATTERN AROUND THE NEW OYSTER RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, JULY 12TH
With the new Oyster River Middle School scheduled to open in March of 2022, the project team and Town staff have developed a series of planned changes to the traffic patterns around the new middle school.
Project Engineer, Stephen Haight of CivilWorks New England, has been invited to attend next Monday night’s Council meeting to provide information to Councilors and the community with respect to the envisioned traffic reorientation plan for Coe Drive, Dennison Road, Garrison Avenue, and Bagdad Road. This proposal has been reviewed with town department over the course of several meetings and is ready to move forward in part in time for this fall's ORCSD school opening.
The Council will receive the presentation from Stephen Haight of CivilWorks New England regarding the planned traffic pattern around the new Oyster River Middle School and hold question and answer session as necessary.
|
DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR YOUR SOLAR EXEMPTION - A reminder from Assessor Jim Rice.
While inspecting properties for improvements/renovations, it has been noted that several property owners in Durham who have installed solar equipment have not applied for their solar exemption.
If you own property in Durham and have recently installed, upgraded or replaced a “solar energy system” that utilizes solar energy to heat or cool the interior of your building; heat water or to provide electricity, you may qualify for a solar exemption. If you are already receiving a solar exemption, you do not need to reapply.
The Town of Durham adopted the Exemption for Solar Systems per RSA 72:62 where you may qualify for a solar exemption from your property tax assessment.
To qualify for this exemption, you must submit a PA-29 exemption application by April 15, 2022. Applications are located on the Town’s website or you may pick one up at the Assessor’s Office. Your application must also include the total installation cost and a detailed list of what equipment was installed on your property.
If approved, this exemption will be applied to your assessment.
If you have any questions, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 603-868-8064.
|
DURHAM CONSERVATION COMMISSION DISCUSSION REGARDING PESTICIDES
The Conservation Commission had a highly informative discussion on Monday about pesticides with three experts from UNH/Cooperative Extension. Many topics were covered including the proper use of pesticides (which actually includes herbicides), organic vs. synthetic pesticides, issues related to agriculture, invasive species, ticks and mosquitoes, requirements for commercial applications, municipal policy, and services offered by Cooperative Extension. The commission is planning to develop a half dozen short articles about various related topics for future inclusion in Friday Updates. You can watch the discussion HERE (Item 7 on the agenda):
|
FIREFIGHTER/AEMT VACANCY (Salary Range: $46,244 to $48,584)
The Town of Durham, NH is accepting applications fill an open vacancy and to create a hiring eligibility list for the position of Firefighter/AEMT. The hiring eligibility list may be active for up to eighteen months.
The full position posting and Town of Durham application may be found on the Town’s website HERE.
Applications will be reviewed on Friday, June 18, 2021. Position to remain open until filled.
|
The Reverend Nathan Bourne and his wife Nicole. Courtesy St. George's Episcopal Church
|
ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH REOPENS FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP - Sunday, July 11th at 9AM
St. George’s Episcopal Church is excited to announce that we will once again be open for in-person services. The church’s first service will be this Sunday, July 11th, at 9am in our sanctuary at 1 Park Ct. There will be a single service each Sunday at 9am for the remainder of the summer. For more than 16 months, we have offered services solely online, on Zoom. The online format, while limiting in some ways, has opened up new possibilities for people to worship from anywhere. We will continue to livestream its worship on Zoom, creating a hybrid experience open to those who can and cannot gather in person. You can find more information on joining virtually at our website (https://www.stgeorgesdurham.org/). There you can also find the Covid-19 precautions that will be in place to make worship safe and comfortable for all who want to participate. St. George’s is open to and welcoming of all people. We would love for you to join us for worship.
St. George’s also recently called a new Rector (head pastor) to serve both the church and their chaplaincy to UNH. The Rev. Nathan Bourne comes to St. George’s after having served for four years at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth. Nathan holds a Masters of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and was ordained in Western North Carolina, where he was born and raised. Before ordination, Nathan worked as a gardener at a Convent in Tennessee, spent a year doing botany research, and taught English in the Republic of Georgia. He and his wife, Nicole, are expecting their first child later this month. We are excited to welcome them to the community and for this next chapter in the life of the church.
|
PART-TIME TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT VACANCY
The Town of Durham is looking for a part time Transfer Station Attendant. The position is part time, non-benefits. Applicants must be comfortable dealing with public and have a Solid Waste Operators License, level 1 minimum or the ability to obtain license within 2 months of hire. Duties include checking in residents, ensuring materials are disposed of in proper locations, ability to operate a loader and skid steer, maintenance and cleaning of facility. Pay $14-$17/Hr based on experience. Hours will be Saturday from 7am-3:30pm, potential for more hours. Valid driver’s license, background check will be performed. Applications accepted until the position is filled.
Applications are available at the Public Works Office, contact below:
Janice Richard
Assistant to the Director
100 Stone Quarry Drive
Durham, NH 03824
868-5578
|
NEW TO A DURHAM BOARD OR COMMITTEE -- WATCH THE REPLAY OF THE ANNUAL ORIENTATION FOR NEW BOARD/COMMITTEE/COMMISSION MEMBERS WITH MR. SELIG ON DCAT ON DEMAND
On June 19, 2019, Administrator Selig organized an orientation session for chairs, vice chairs, and other committee members of the various Town boards, commissions, and committees. It was a a full evening of orientation concerning the rules of the road for board members on topics such as the Right-to-Know Law, posting meeting, minutes, public comment, etc., and something that members of all town boards, commissions, and committees need to be aware of.
Following a year + under the pandemic, rather than host a new workshop, we are encouraging interested board members to watch the replay from 2019.
The orientation can be viewed on DCAT On Demand.
|
WHY IS PET WASTE A PROBLEM? - Do Your Part, Scoop the Poop!
Many NH towns have over 1,000 dogs living in them, and each dog "goes" once or twice a day. That's a lot of poop! Not only is it gross when it is left around, but it can be dangerous. Harmful bacteria and parasites - such as Giardia or Salmonella - that live in pet waste, can come in contact with other people and pets or wash into nearby waterways or storm drains.
Picking up our pet's waste and throwing it out is a small change than can make a big difference in keeping our waters clean.
Five small changes that make a big difference:
- Always carry a biodegradable bag when you walk your dog.
- Always pick up that poop.
- Always dispose of in in a trash can.
- Never put bagged or unbagged waste in a storm drain.
|
POLICE WILL CHECK ON HOMES WHILE RESIDENTS ARE AWAY IF REQUESTED - Call the DPD for assistance at (603) 868-2324.
With summer here and vacations planned, Police Chief Rene Kelley would like to take this opportunity to let residents know that while you are away, Durham Officers will check your home to ensure everything is just as you left it. To get your home on the Durham house check list, simply call the department at (603) 868-2324 during normal business hours. The women and men of the Durham Police Department wish you all a safe and happy summer season.
|
NANCY PAGE GRAVESTONE SET IN PLACE ALONG NEW MAIN STREET SIDEWALK NEAR UNH LUNDHOLM GYMNASIUM
UNH completed its new 800-foot long sidewalk extending from Lundholm Gymnasium to the roundabout along Main Street in January. The university finished one related item, relocation of the Nancy Page gravestone, just yesterday. The stone had lain in the path of the proposed sidewalk and the university recognized from the beginning of the project that this resource would require special care.
The gravestone reads, “Nancy Page, widow of John D. Page, died September 1, 1865 ae [at the age of] 72 yrs 4 mos.” It once marked her grave in the Clough-Thompson burial ground nearby. The remains from that burial ground were disinterred in 1906 and reburied at the Old Parish Cemetery in Lee when the family sold its land to the college. Regrettably, the Nancy Page grave was not relocated because she was not related to the Clough-Thompson family. Her gravestone had been moved from the burial site twice in the 1960s likely as part of transportation projects and had broken into several pieces and deteriorated.
UNH established a working group, including representatives of the Durham Heritage Commission and Durham Historic Association, to oversee the sidewalk project and treatment of the grave marker. UNH hired Preservation Company to provide preservation guidance and Independent Archaeological Consulting who conducted an archaeological investigation of the site. The process was overseen by the New Hampshire Division of Historic Resources. The marble stone was remounted and secured in an attractive frame on a concrete base with a granite border and relocated next to Nancy Page’s remains.
A QR code on the gravestone takes you to this description on the Town’s website. You can also see the detailed relocation plan at this link.
|
OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATORY WEEKEND OF SOCCER
In an effort to recognize the phenomenal 60 year success of the Oyster River High School Soccer program, Paul Bamford, OR’s golf coach and soccer alum, is organizing a celebratory weekend of soccer to be held September 24-25, 2021 at the high school. The event is doubling as a fundraiser for the proposed press box/sound system ($175,000+) to be attached to the newly installed bleachers. “The Voice of the Boston Bruins” and former OR/UNH soccer star Jack Edwards will serve as MC.
To commemorate the weekend, a unique event T-shirt, co-designed by Elijah Edwards, Jack’s son (front of shirt), along with Wolfe Ramsay, a star member of this year’s OR basketball team (back of shirt) is being offered. T-shirts can be ordered separately for $25. All orders are on-line only, to be picked up at the event.
Registration instructions for attendance, game/food ticket purchase, and all other information are included HERE.
|
Enjoying the view on top of the wagon at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Mark Houle
|
SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST
The Supervisors of the Checklist will hold a session on Thursday July 22 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at the Durham Town Hall in the office of the Clerk. The purpose of this session will be for new voter registrations, requests for the correction of the checklist, and/or change of political party affiliation. Voters may check party affiliation online HERE.
Residents who have received a letter from the Supervisors regarding being removed from the Checklist during our verification process may re-register at this session. All of these tasks may be accomplished at the Town Hall any time during regular business hours.
Applicants for registration or re-registration, whether at the Clerk’s office or with the Supervisors, should bring with them proofs of identity, age (18 by the next election, which is March 2022), citizenship, and domicile. Affidavits may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking.
|
DON'T LEAVE ANIMALS IN VEHICLES DURING HOT WEATHER
With the arrival of summer-like weather, Durham Police Chief Rene Kelley wants to remind all pet owners 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.
Please view information HERE from the Humane Society of the United States for helpful information and their warning of the dangers of leaving a pet unattended in a parked car.
|
Courtesy Laura Harper Lake of ArtfulHarper Design
|
DURHAM FARM DAY IS BACK! - Mark August 21st on your calendars.
Read on for exciting news about Annual Durham Farm Day, Saturday, August 21st from 10am – 4pm, rain or shine!
- NEW! Farm Day contests taking place at LaRoche Farm include homegrown food competitions – longest green bean, heaviest zucchini, and funniest looking tomato! One entry per household. Keep your eyes on your garden in the weeks ahead for contestants and bring them to LaRoche Farm on August 21st to enter the contests!
- NEW! Did you tap your maple trees and make syrup this spring? If so, consider bringing some syrup for people to sample at Farm Day! Did you tap birch or other trees to make syrup? Bring it along!
- NEW! Hay bale tossing and stacking competitions, scything demonstrations, sheet mulching for your garden demonstrations, and arts and craft activities for kids!
- Returning activities at LaRoche Farm include information on bees and other pollinators, local honey sampling, hay rides, sugar shack tours, antique tractor display, visiting with farm animals, sheep shearing demonstrations, spinning and weaving demonstrations, the list goes on! There will be also be a tour of UNH Fairchild Dairy and UNH Woodman Farm with a strict pre-registration policy and a limit on the number of participants. Details about these tours will follow at a later date.
The Agricultural Commission is looking for volunteers to help with activities taking place at LaRoche Farm on Farm Day. Help is needed with shucking and steaming local corn for the BYO picnic lunch, accepting and judging entries in the homegrown food contests, staffing the Durham maple syrup tasting table, overseeing the hay bale tossing and stacking contests, and much more. Please contact Theresa Walker if you are able to help, theresawalker@comcast.net, 603-659-7226.
|
Riverwoods resident Ellie Lonske created this beautiful image of the old brick Town Hall using mixed media. This extraordinary structure, now housing the Durham Historic Association and the Durham Recreation Department, was built by shipbuilder and merchant Joseph Coe in 1825. According to the 1992 walking tour booklet produced by the Durham Historic Association, the Town purchased the building in 1840 for a town hall. Twelve years later funds were allocated to convert the top two floors into a meeting space that was fitted out with a chandelier, settees, and a stove. The hall was used later for basketball and dances. The first floor was occupied by the Durham District Court for a number of years. The federal-style building is notable for its curving corner entrance (Even the door is curved) and curved hipped roof, multi-sash upper windows, tall chimneys, and rich red brick.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
Join DPL for Tails & Tales this July!
All summer reading is under way and this year's programming runs this year from June 28th through July 30th!
Return your Adult Summer Reading Challenge card each week for our Friday drawings! Need a new one? Download one HERE or pick one up at the library! There is NO registration and no pressure. Write down your book titles and contact info. on the card and return the card with your books! Congrats to our Week 1 winners, Darrel Covell and Maria Bowen-Gerard! Join us July 12th and 14th, when we are pleased to offer two NHHC programs, Sustainability: An American Literary History with professor/historian Abby Goode and Homer's Odysseus with storyteller Sebastian Lockwood. And on July 19th, welcome back Ann McClellan and trace the evolution of Storytelling in the Digital Age! And our ongoing Meditation & Yoga with JiongJiong Hu continues through July! Register today!
Summer Reading 2021 registration is still open in Youth Services! Summer reading this year runs from June 28th through July 30th and you can register any time! Join us for our weekly Joint Library Zoom Program with the Eric Carle Museum: Drawing Animals on Thursday, July 15th at 10:30 AM. Register for a NEW joint program HERE each week of summer reading! This summer is packed with reading fun from reading logs/Bingo boards, prizes, beading, crafts, YA Zoom Mondays, Storytime, Baby Lap-sit, Crafty Critters grab 'n go crafts and much more! We will be using READsquared again and Page Turners is new to us this year! The full youth July calendar is also available to download anytime!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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."
________________________
1750 - Winborn Adams, grandson of Hugh Adams, was inn-holder, followed by his widow. He was commissioned to raise a company for the Revolution. He proved to be a brave officer and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel, when killed at Bemis Heights in 1777. The inn still stands.
|
If you know of others who might find Durham's weekly "Friday Updates" of interest, please pass them along. It's possible to sign up for them HERE.
Have a very nice weekend.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
a: 8 Newmarket Rd., Durham, NH 03824 USA
t: 603.868.5571 | w: www.ci.durham.nh.us
He/him/his pronouns
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
---
|
|
|
|
|
|
