Friday Updates - June 16, 2023

Friday, June 16, 2023

While Town Hall employees were experiencing a visit from a stuffed lion last week, other Durham residents enjoyed a glimpse of a real-life seal at Jackson's Landing. Courtesy, Drew Christie

There will be no Friday Updates next week, June 23. The Administrator's Assistant is on vacation, and the Administrator will be at a conference the last half of the week. See you on the 30th!

Summer Fest, sponsored by the Rotary and scheduled for this Saturday, June 17, has been canceled due to inclement weather.

A reminder that Sunday, June 18th is Father's Day.

RESOLUTION PASSED TO COMMEMORATE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 19

On June 5, the Durham Town Council adopted a Resolution recognizing June 19th as Juneteenth Independence Day and reaffirming Durham’s opposition to any form of oppression. The following is the Resolution wording in full:

WHEREAS, news of the end of slavery did not reach the frontier areas of the United States, in particular the State of Texas and the other Southwestern States, until months after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863; and

WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were free; and

WHEREAS, African Americans who had been slaves in the Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as “Juneteenth Independence Day”, as inspiration and encouragement for future generations; and

WHEREAS, African Americans from the Southwest have continued the tradition of observing Juneteenth Independence Day for more than 150 years; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth Independence Day began as a holiday in the State of Texas and is now celebrated in 48 States and the District of Columbia as a special day of observance in recognition of the emancipation of all slaves in the United States;

WHEREAS, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures; and

WHEREAS, the faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves and the descendants of former slaves remain an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background, religion, or race; and

WHEREAS, systems of oppression including Jim Crow, sharecropping and redlining diminished African American wealth into the twentieth century, and inequities remain to this day; and

WHEREAS, the Juneteenth Presidential Proclamation calls for Americans to celebrate the emancipation of all Black Americans and commit together to eradicate systemic racism that can never be tolerated and must always be fought against; and

WHEREAS, slavery was legal, condoned, and existed in Durham for many years; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Durham has a long history of supporting emancipation and the rights of every human, including recognition in the Congressional Record of May 21, 1838, of the pro-abolition acts of Lucy Parker and 118 other women of Durham in the State of New Hampshire.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Durham Town Council, the governing and legislative body of the Town of Durham, New Hampshire, does hereby adopt Resolution #2023-17 recognizing every June 19th going forward as Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an opportunity for the people of Durham to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the United States. 

NOW BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Juneteenth Independence Day recognizes the important role of emancipation, and that the Town of Durham respects the dignity of every human being and opposes any form of oppression.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this   5th    day of   June 2023 by a majority vote of the Durham Town Council with __9____ voting in favor, ___0___ voting against, and ___0____ abstentions.

The Durham Historic Association Museum doors are open to the public this summer every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore Durham's 400-year history in eight chronological periods, from the 17th century to the present, in air-conditioned comfort. Come see the latest exhibits and improvements to this historic space. The museum is located above Parks & Recreation on the second floor of the old brick Town Hall/District Court building on the corner of Rt. 108 at the traffic lights.

The Mill Plaza was sold on Wednesday to Torrington Properties. Torrington already owns a number of sites in Durham. An article about the sale appeared in today’s New Hampshire Business Review. To read that article, please click HERE.

INFORMAL HEARINGS FOR PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS TO BE HELD THE WEEK OF JUNE 26

Now that the notices of Durham’s preliminary revised assessments have been mailed, the last phase of the 2023 revaluation entails the holding of informal hearings. This is an opportunity for taxpayers in Durham to review their revised assessment with a representative from Municipal Resources, Inc. (MRI) who updated the residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The hearings will take place at the Durham Town Hall during the week of June 26th. 

The hearings are an informal process, and it is not necessary to hire attorneys or tax representatives. This is an opportunity for you to learn about how your property was assessed, to review information and discuss any concerns you may have regarding your revised assessment. If there are any discrepancies with your assessment or you would like your property inspected, these representatives will re-review your assessment and make any adjustments as deemed necessary. To schedule an appointment, please follow the instructions on your preliminary notification. Please do not call the Durham Assessor’s Office to discuss your assessment or to schedule appointments.

It’s important to remember that the purpose of a revaluation is not to raise property taxes. The purpose is to assess all properties fairly and equitably throughout the municipality.  In New Hampshire, property taxes are based on the market value of your property. If the revaluation is done correctly, it creates an equitable distribution of the tax load for everyone. To better understand the assessment process, please watch this short video by clicking HERE. 

The revised assessments reveal the following preliminary information:



Property taxes are a balancing act between the total taxable valuation within the municipality, tax rate and the Town’s budget. If the property assessments increase due to recent real estate market trends, and the Town’s budget doesn’t change, then the expectation is that the tax rate will drop proportionally. Conversely, if property assessments decrease and the budget stays the same, the tax rate will increase, which is what occurred in 2013. Therefore, it’s important for you not to calculate your property taxes using the current tax rate because it will change this fall.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you receive your revised assessment:

1) Unless you’ve made improvements/demolition, your current assessment reflects market value as of April 1, 2018, which is when all assessments in Durham were last updated.

2)  Your revised (new) assessment reflects market value as of April 1, 2023.

3) The real estate market has changed significantly due to market trends over the last 5 years.

4)   Do not use the current tax rate to calculate your property taxes. Based on the Town’s budget and revised assessments, a new tax rate will be determined by the NH Department of Revenue Administration sometime in September in preparation for the December tax bill.

So, how can you tell if your assessment is correct? Answering the following 4 questions can help you make that determination:

1) Can I sell my property for that amount?

The tax year begins on April 1st of any given year. Your revised assessment reflects market value as of April 1, 2023. So, the first question you should ask yourself is could you sell your property for approximately that amount on April 1st? People who purchased their property over recent years must also keep in mind that property values have continued to appreciate in value. So, if you purchased your property 2 years ago for $300,000, your assessment may reflect a slightly higher value than what you paid due to appreciation in the market. Also, due to the lack of inventory in Durham, properties continue to sell above the original asking price.  

2) Does the Assessing department have the correct information on my property?

It’s very important for all property owners to review their assessment record card to make sure the information is correct. Your assessment record card can be viewed on-line at the town’s website by clicking HERE. If you do not have internet access, the assessing office will be happy to provide you with a copy of your assessment card. 

3) What are similar properties in my neighborhood selling for?

You can do a sales search by going to the on-line data base by clicking HERE and clicking on the sales search option at the top of the page. Make sure that you choose recent sales that are similar to your own property.

4) What are similar properties in my neighborhood being assessed for?

You can also search for this information using the on-line data base by clicking HERE and clicking on the search tab at the top of the page. This information can be sorted by address, owner’s name, or Map/Block/Lot. Print-outs of the revised assessments are also available for review at the Durham Town Hall in the lobby and Assessor’s Office.  

Have you visited Packers Falls Park? If so, please help the Land Stewardship Subcommittee learn more about your experiences by completing the short questionnaire HERE.

You're invited! The Durham Historic Association is hosting its annual picnic on Saturday, June 24th, at 5:30pm at the Nutter House, located at 14 Newmarket Road. Adjacent to the Oyster River Dam and Mill Pond, the Nutter house is one of Durham's oldest, circa 1720-1740. In the picture detail it is the yellow house on the right with the center chimney. (Rain date Sunday, June 25th).

Bring your chair and picnic supper to the expansive backyard to meet property owners, DHA’s new Director Myrta Janosz and her husband, Tom. What a grand opportunity to see and enjoy the sound of the water flowing over the dam and to learn of the latest research by DHA’s Vice President Janet Mackie about this historic property.

Parking is available at the Town Hall, on one side of Mill Pond Road, and at the Landing off Old Landing Rd. It is possible to park in the breakdown lane temporarily to unload passengers, chairs, and picnic baskets, before finding a permanent parking spot. This promises to be an enjoyable evening!

ANNUAL UNH EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM TO BE TESTED MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023

Regular testing of the University of New Hampshire’s Durham campus outdoor notification system will occur Monday July 3, 2023, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The test will include the siren, a “canned” message and a recording signaling the end of the test. The entire exercise will take less than 10 minutes.  

In addition, the university will also simultaneously send test messages through its alert system to registered Durham campus cell phones, and e-mail accounts.

The outdoor notification system is designed to not only alert the campus community when there is imminent danger but also follows up with voice instructions. This two-step approach, called Alert and Inform, helps reduce confusion and restore order. 

Sirens are located on the roof of the MUB, the roof of Morse Hall, A-Lot and the dirt parking lot near the equestrian facility. The system reaches nearly a mile in all directions.  

Contact UNH Police Chief Paul Dean at 862-1427 for more information or with any questions. 

A beautiful field of dandelions in Quebec Courtesy, Neil Slepian & Marjorie Wolfson

DID YOU KNOW? - Optical Brighteners

There are some ingredients that product manufacturers are not required to list on their labels. One of these is optical brighteners, which are often included in conventional laundry detergents.

What are Optical Brighteners?

Optical brighteners are chemicals that conventional product manufacturers use in their detergent formulations to make laundry look whiter and brighter. They do this by absorbing UV rays from the sun and radiating them back to the human eye. They don’t actually remove discoloration or stains or help the cleaning process at all—they just cover them up by enhancing the whiteness of the laundry. 

The problems with optical brighteners.

Optical brighteners pose a number of potential environmental and health problems, and the long-term effects of these chemicals are still unknown. Some of the concerns are:

1. They can cause skin sensitization & allergies. Over time, people can develop skin sensitivity to the synthetic dyes and optical brighteners, causing skin irritation, rashes, and other allergies.

 2. They are bad for the environment. Optical brighteners are not easily biodegradable - meaning they go from your washing machine into our rivers and oceans where they are toxic to aquatic life. 

What can I do?

Like conventional detergents, natural detergent products clean your clothes—but unlike conventional detergents, they do it without using toxins or harmful chemicals. Look for all-natural, plant-based formulations that deliver the same cleaning strength as conventional detergents—but without toxins or other harmful substances.   To cut back on plastic packaging, consider reusing your plastic containers by visiting places like The Replenish Refillery in Dover or We Fill Good in Kittery to purchase your laundry detergent. You can also consider using all natural laundry detergent strips.

Sources: Dirtylabs.com, Cleanpeople.com, European Ecolabel Commission

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee

Questions about recycling or composting? Email us at Durhamrecycles603@gmail.com

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Check out this site to find out: www.recyclesmartma.org

Want to know more about the Swap Shop?  Find out HERE.

Public Works Director Rich Reine, Assistant Public Works Director Sam Hewitt and Fleet Supervisor Mike McCrillis attended the 2023 “Green Your Fleet” Workshop held in Loudon, NH on June 9th.  Opening remarks were provided by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan who highlighted several federal programs and grant funding opportunities which can assist communities in transitioning to alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. Durham Public Works is evaluating these technologies as it develops their capital equipment replacement plan for all equipment, including the Town’s fleet of solid waste collection vehicles. Both Electric and Compressed Natural Gas vehicles were on display with vendors providing information and demonstrations. 

RIGHT-OF-WAY VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM BEGINNING SOON

With Poison Ivy and many invasive plant species in full growth, Durham Public Works will begin its annual integrated vegetation management program. This includes the selective application of non-Glyphosate containing herbicides, Finale XL F-t/M and Final-San-O, by specially trained, licensed, and experienced professionals consistent with the Town of Durham’s 2023 State of New Hampshire, Department of Agriculture Special Permit. A copy of the Durham Public Works Right of Way Vegetation Management Standard Operating Procedures, along with the 2023 Special Permit and Interactive Map indicating areas of treatment can be view HERE. This program is designed to selectively contain undesirable roadside vegetation on target sites which could obstruct motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists’ vision while also eliminating poison ivy and noxious weeds in areas where contact with users could take place. 

EMERSON ROAD ASH TREE REMOVAL PROJECT - Work set to begin the week of June 19.

Numerous ash trees along Emerson Road and throughout Durham have succumbed to the devastating Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle causing widespread destruction of ash tree populations in North America. The EAB, originally from Asia and first detected in Michigan in 2002, lays eggs in ash tree bark, with the resulting larvae disrupting nutrient and water flow within the tree. This process weakens the tree, rendering it more susceptible to pests and diseases and eventually leading to its demise.

The impact of the EAB infestation is evident in the deteriorating condition of ash trees along Emerson Road, displaying symptoms such as dead branches, structural failure, and thinning canopies. These compromised trees pose safety hazards, as falling limbs or toppling trees may cause harm to individuals, property, and infrastructure.

Durham Public Works and the Durham Tree Warden collaborated with a consulting utility forester contracted by Eversource Energy to tackle this issue. Joint assessments were conducted along the corridor from Edgewood Road to Bagdad Road, identifying 54 dead or decaying ash trees that pose a significant risk to Eversource’s electrical infrastructure. Additionally, Durham Public Works has identified and scheduled the removal of 35 more dead and severely declining ash trees within the Town’s right-of-way. Durham Public Works contacted the affected property owners in the last week to discuss the project’s implications and address questions and concerns.

The removal process is set to commence during the week of June 19th, while the roadway is closed to through traffic due to the watermain construction project, with Eversource contractor, Northern Tree Service, and Town of Durham contractor Orion Tree, undertaking the necessary actions to address the identified hazards.

Culverts, through which Littlehale Creek, a 1-mile-long Tier 1 stream passes, are of varying sizes, construction, condition and vintage. The stacked stone culvert on Edgewood Road and a 24” reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) on Madbury Road show signs of failure. Full replacement of the stone box culvert on Edgewood Road is required as well as the rehabilitation of the Madbury Road culvert. In addition, Edgewood Road-over-Pettee Brook crossing is a 4-foot wide by 5-foot tall, stacked stone box culvert. Old railroad ties have been previously installed on the outlet end side slopes above the headwall, presumably with the intent to soften the steep slopes. The ties have begun to show signs of failure due to deterioration and overturning/sliding movement. Additionally, longitudinal cracking in the roadway has shifted fence posts in the location above the outlet side headwall. This is potentially evidence that the side slopes may be unstable and are beginning to shift, which could cause the roadway to undermine. 

Final designs and permitting have been completed and approved by the NHDES for the work, as required due to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, which provide a portion of the funding for this project. Advertisement for bidding has taken place and a pre-bid meeting was held on Thursday, June 15th which was attended by four general contracting firms. Work is planned to take place over the 2023 and 2024 construction seasons.  

EMERSON ROAD GAS MAIN TEMPORARILY BEING REPOSITIONED

Due to the substantial excavation required for the Edgewood Road over Littlehale Creek culvert replacement, the natural gas main which runs over the culvert will need to be temporarily repositioned to bypass the excavation site. Due to the complex topographical conditions in the vicinity of the excavation site, Unitil has determined that a more practical approach would be to extend and loop the gas network from its current termination point at the intersection of Madbury Road and Wood Road. The extension will involve running the new gas main north on Madbury Road and south on Emerson Road, ultimately reaching the intersection with Edgewood Road. Unitil’s excavation contractor, Neuco, is scheduled to begin construction on June 26th. The roadway within the excavation areas will be limited to alternating traffic during normal business hours.

School Resource Officer Michael Nicolosi is seen having a good time with Oyster River Middle School students on their field trip Thursday at Hilltop Fun Center. Courtesy, Durham Police Department

DURHAM POLICE CALEA ACCREDITATION - PUBLIC COMMENT PORTAL POSTED ON TOWN WEB SITE

The Durham Police Department is an Advanced level CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) agency.

As part of its re-accreditation process with CALEA, Durham Police Chief Rene Kelley would like to announce the availability of the CALEA public access portal.

For those interested, this portal allows commenting on the performance of the Durham Police Department.

The link HERE is provided as an opportunity for comments, commendations, and other information regarding the agency’s quality of service or other information relevant to the accreditation process.

If you have any problems with the website, please contact Captain Jack Dalton at: jdalton@ci.durham.nh.us.  

Redline Gear Cleaning, based in Marlborough, Massachusetts, recently teamed up with the Durham Fire Department to perform advanced cleaning and safety inspections of the fire department’s personal protective equipment (PPE) gear. Over a two-day period in early June 2023, Redline brought their staff and equipment onsite to the Durham Fire Station to streamline the process that otherwise would require costly multiple shipments of bulky gear to offsite companies.

The advanced cleaning and inspection services are compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard requirements. The standard is designed to identify critical safety deficiencies that may cause injury to a firefighter as well as to limit a firefighter’s exposure to the chemicals and carcinogens that build up over time in the fabric of the gear which ordinary laundering cannot eliminate.

For smaller departments, meeting this semi-annual requirement is difficult to attain. While fixed sites in metropolitan areas are not uncommon, mobile services are an emerging industry to meet the demands of increased firefighter safety and health awareness. Identifying deficiencies in gear requires specialized testing equipment and training in addition to dedicated laundering and sanitizing equipment for different components. This makes companies like Redline an extremely valuable resource to aid in fire service safety.

Each set of fire gear (or turn-out gear) consists of 10 components or pieces that are individually inspected, tested, washed, and dried before it is reassembled for use. In total, 42 complete sets of gear (or approximately 420 pieces) were serviced and cleaned. Of those, only 4 critical safety deficiencies requiring repair were found. 

The department wishes to extend its appreciation to the community for their commitment in supporting a standard of excellence for firefighter safety. The department also extends its sincere appreciation to Firefighter Barry LaVigne for his ongoing efforts in coordinating this important and critical service.  

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

WEEK #24

Well, it’s that time of year, those pesky mosquitoes are coming out along with other bugs. For some helpful tips to avoid bug bites, click HERE.

WISHING ALL BOBCATS A GREAT SUMMER!

On this last day of school, we would like to wish all students, families, and community members a relaxing summer. Congratulations to all graduates.

The ORCSD looks forward to seeing everyone on the first day of the 2023-2024 school year August 30th.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT LIMITED SUMMER HOURS UNTIL AUGUST 25

All Oyster River Cooperative School District offices will be closed on Juneteenth Monday, June 19, and open during limited summer hours between June 20 and August 25.

• District Office: Mon - Thu, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Mast Way Elementary: Mon - Thu, 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
• Moharimet Elementary: Tue - Thu, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
• Oyster River Middle School: Mon- Fri, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 
• Oyster River High School: Mon- Thu, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.