Friday, March 1, 2024

Winter in Durham 100 years ago! Courtesy, Durham Historic Association

Hopefully everyone had a very good Oyster River February school vacation week!

TOWN COUNCIL TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION CALLING FOR CEASEFIRE IN GAZA

At the February 19, 2024 Town Council meeting, a motion was made and approved that “The Durham Town Council hereby directs Admin. Selig to craft a resolution for discussion and approval at the Council’s next meeting that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the provision of humanitarian aid.”  The Town Council will be considering this draft Resolution at their meeting on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

You can download a copy of the Resolution, Council Communication and suggested edits HERE.

The impetus for the Resolution came about after many people over the course of approx. 80 minutes spoke during Public Comments at the February 19th meeting. Those speaking requested the Council create a resolution on the need for a ceasefire.

To watch this part of the meeting on DCAT from the 19th, please click HERE and then choose Public Comments.

TOWN ELECTION -- MARCH 12, 2024

The 2024 Durham Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Voting will take place at the Oyster River High School-Multipurpose Room from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Sample ballots are available for viewing on the Town of Durham’s website, at the Durham Post Office, or in the Durham Town Clerk’s Office. Please click HERE for more information.

Absentee Ballots are now available for qualified voters that cannot make it to the polls on election day. Please note that New Hampshire does not offer mail-in voting, but rather “absentee voting,” which is limited to qualified voters that cannot appear in-person on election day. Applications for absentee ballots and information on absentee voting may be found on the Town of Durham’s website HERE, or you may pick up an application and absentee ballot at the Durham Town Clerk’s office between the hours of 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday.  

Please contact the Durham Town Clerk’s Office by email at rdeane@ci.durham.nh.us or by phone at 603-868-5577 if you have any questions about voting.

FORUM TO BE HELD FOR SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

Jaclyn Jensen, advisor of the ORHS Student Senate, would like to invite you to a candidate forum on Thursday, March 7th at 6:00 PM in the Oyster River High School auditorium for the candidates running for school board.

The student senators have generated questions for candidates to respond to about their candidacy, qualifications, and vision for the district.

SESSION BEING HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACCEPTING NEW VOTERS FOR THE DURHAM VOTER CHECKLIST AND FOR MAKING CHANGES IN PARTY, ADDRESS, OR NAME

Saturday, March 2, 2024   4:00 – 4:30 PM     Durham Town Hall

Applicants for registration should bring with them proofs of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile (in Durham). Driver’s license and passport are helpful. Affidavits may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking. 

A new voter checklist has just been printed. There are two at the town hall, one in the foyer at the big square table, and one in the clerk’s office. This is an updated version from the primary election. Changes to party or name, or names of new registrations since January 23 will NOT show up until after March 2. Shortly after that date, a final checklist for use at the town election will be printed.

A person’s party is not important EXCEPT at a primary. The State Primary will be held early in September. The final date to change party for that election will be June 4, 2024. You may make these changes in the Town Clerk’s office during office hours, at the election on March 12, or at any of the Supervisors’ posted sessions. You may also register to vote at any of these times.

PUBLIC HEARING ON ZONING AMENDMENTS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING- Continued from February 28 meeting.

The Planning Board is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, March 13 (continued from the hearing on February 28) on a set of zoning amendments intended to facilitate the creation of workforce housing. The amendments include the rezoning of one parcel of land to a higher density district, the inclusion of a set of requirements for a workforce housing project, and specification where a workforce housing project would be allowed – in the four Research-Industry zones.

The subject parcel is a 117-acre lot located on the north side of Route 4 opposite Harmony Homes. Given its size, a large development could potentially be clustered and located so that it would be virtually not visible from the surrounding roads and handful of residences. Valuable natural resources on the property could be protected in perpetuity. You can see the proposed amendments HERE.

The proposal was prepared and endorsed by the Durham Housing Task Force. You can see information related to housing at the task force website HERE. The impetus for these amendments was a discussion with Dan Keefe, owner of the subject parcel, John and Maggie Randolph, proprietors of Harmony Homes, and Town Planner Michael Behrendt. If the zoning amendments are adopted, the property could be sold to any party for development of any use allowed in the zone. If the site is to be developed for workforce housing, the Randolphs are a likely candidate as they have experience creating workforce housing. John and Maggie Randolph have become noted advocates for workforce housing in the Seacoast region and across the state. The task force had an interesting discussion with them at their meeting on January 8 which can be viewed HERE.

Please contact the Town Planner Michael Behrendt with any questions or comments at: mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us

HISTORIC DISTRICT/HERITAGE COMMISSION TO REVIEW REQUEST FOR FREESTANDING SOLAR ARRAY

The Historic District/Heritage Commission is meeting Thursday, March 7. The commission will review an application for a freestanding solar array to serve St. George’s Episcopal Church. To see more information on this project, please click HERE.

The Commission will also be reviewing an application to replace the windows and doors in the attached garage at 10 Newmarket Road, the restored Federal-style house across Mill Pond Road from Town Hall. And there will be a discussion on developing a historical plaque for the Old Brick Town Hall. For the full agenda, please click HERE.

Recycle Smart has designed a go-to guide for what can and cannot be put in home recycling. It is an at-a-glance reference that can be printed out and put somewhere convenient for those times you find yourself wondering: can I recycle this?

The top row pictures the types of things that are recyclable, and the bottom row pictures the materials that cause the biggest problems at materials recovery facilities (MRFs).

Please remember that although there are some categories that cannot be recycled curbside, there are often better ways to dispose of these items without putting them in your garbage.

For example:

Plastic bags

You can bring plastic bags (and other stretchable plastics) to the Dover Chamber of Commerce where they turn them into Trex decking.

Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce

550 Central Ave.

Dover New Hampshire, 03820

603-742-2218

Clothing and linens

Echosmith is a local family run business that recycles clothing and linen. The Durham Transfer Station has an EcoSmith bin available for drop offs. (Please be sure your items are covered with plastic so they don’t get wet inside the bin due to inclement weather). To learn more about what EcoSmith recycles, check out this link: https://ecosmithrecyclers.com/materials/

Hazardous items

Household hazardous waste materials are collected once per annum during a special event at Durham Public Works. The Durham Transfer Station does however accept oil-based paint products year-round. Please call Durham Public Works at 603-868-5578 for additional details.

Also, Staples stores recycle several types of batteries, etc. To see their full list of recyclable items, please check out this link: https://www.staples.com/stores/recycling

Tanglers

Staples stores also recycle many types of electronics and cables. Please see the link above that lists the items they accept. 

Food or Liquid

The Durham Transfer Station offers a drop off for compostable food items. Mr. Fox also provides curbside pickup for compost. https://mrfoxcomposting.com/residential-services/

Source: Recycle Smart

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Check here: www.Recyclesmartma.org

This January, two storms produced historic flooding, storm damage, and coastal erosion along New Hampshire’s tidal shoreline. Individuals, families, and businesses experienced significant and costly impacts. These events show that flooding is already a very challenging and real experience for people living and working along New Hampshire’s tidal shoreline. In response to these storms and feedback from past participants, the New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW) is announcing updates to its annual Rising Tides Photo Contest, scheduled for March 9-12, 2024.

This year CAW renamed the event to “Picturing Rising Tides.” Picturing Rising Tides will generate visual and narrative documentation of high tide events and showcase the need to plan and prepare for an increasing frequency and extent of high tide flooding. Photographs and videos taken during the submission period, March 9-12, 2024, or in the last year (since March 13, 2023) are all eligible. Ten entries will be selected through a public voting process to display at local events, libraries, and community spaces. These displays will promote critical dialogue about rising sea levels.  

What to Enter: Participants may submit photographs or videos that show high water, flooding, flood impacts, flood safety, flood mitigation, flood proofing, erosion, local landmarks, buildings, bridges, culverts, piers, seawalls, roadways, beaches, people, wildlife, salt marsh, rivers, and estuarine environments. Photographs and videos must be taken along New Hampshire’s tidal shoreline. For tips on where to go, explore the Picturing Rising Tides Map HERE. 

How to Enter: Photo and video entries must be submitted via the online entry form available on the CAW website HERE during the Contest Submission Period, March 9-12, 2024. Entries submitted via mail, email, or social media will not be accepted. 

Back by popular demand, CAW will host two site visits during the submission period. These visits provide an opportunity to take photos or videos of high tide flooding and learn about local impacts of sea level rise. Volunteer board members and municipal staff, technical assistance providers, natural resource professionals, researchers and students, elected officials, interested residents or community leaders are especially encouraged to attend. Stay tuned for more information and event registration coming soon. Registration will be free. 

Visit the CAW Website HERE for official rules and more information about how to enter, what to enter, recognition, and events.  Questions? Contact Lucy Perkins at Lucy.L.Perkins@des.nh.gov or 603-559-9101.

PUBLIC WORKS WINTER MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Thanks in part to what will be one of the strongest El Nino’s on record, Durham Public Works’ Snow and Ice Control Team has been fortunate to have only been required to respond for 11 weather events so far this season. This compares to 17 events over the same period in 2022-2023 and 21 events in the 2023-2024 winter seasons. With meteorological Spring officially upon us, the Durham Public Works Team will slowly begin to transition into construction season operations. While the general theme of above average temperatures will continue through March, the Team will be prepared to handle any additional winter precipitation events should they materialize.

The Town of Durham is working collaboratively with the University of New Hampshire to implement recommendations resulting from a Pedestrian Crossing Safety Review of several high use crosswalks throughout Durham and on the UNH campus. In June 2023, the team contracted with Engineering firm Tighe and Bond and a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) to undertake a review of these high use crosswalks to identify enhancements (i.e. signage, pavement markings, lighting adjustments, sightline improvements, roadway geometric changes, and crosswalk relocations) which 1) comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 2) are contextually appropriate and 3) are appropriate based on the mix of users (pedestrians, micromobility device users, cyclists and motorists).

The Project Team identified several crosswalks throughout Town that would benefit from the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Systems. An RRFB consists of two rectangular LED bars, pole mounted on each side of a crosswalk that is activated by pedestrians as a warning device to alert drivers of their presence prior to entering the roadway. Capital funding was allocated in FY24 to fund this type of improvement at the following crossings which will begin later this Spring:

1)    Newmarket Road at Schoolhouse Lane

2)    Dover Road at Young Drive

3)    Main Street at Park Court

4)    Main Street at #66 (adjacent to new parking lot)

PLANNING CONTINUES FOR TRANSITION TO AUTOMATED CURBSIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM IN DURHAM

Capital funding was allocated in Fiscal Year 2024 for the purchase of two new automated solid waste curbside collection vehicles, complete with standardized collection carts for each collection point in Town. Durham Public Works' Curbside Municipal Solid Waste Collection Program consists of two collection vehicles that operate four days per week. Each vehicle is operated by a single collection equipment operator and services approximately 1,900 collection points, collecting an average of 20 tons of household trash and 12 tons of recycling per week.

While these semi-automated collection vehicles have the capability to mechanically hoist certain receptacles, the large majority of the containers set curbside presently require manual loading by the single collection equipment operator, as it is not in a container compatible with automated collection. Collection efficiencies are further reduced by uncontained household trash and recycling which is frequently windblown, lending itself to unsightly areas and animal scavenging. These factors significantly reduce Public Works' ability to maintain right-of-way cleanliness. Since the current fleet of Collection Vehicles require replacement due to age and condition, over the past two years, Public Works prioritized this issue and began to explore the potential advantages that would result from the transition to what has become an industry standard of a fully automated curbside collection program, complete with standardized collection carts. Automated Collection Equipment Operators of automated curbside collection vehicles utilize a remotely operated arm from the driver's seat to unload material carts, eliminating the need to exit the vehicle at each collection point.

To further understand the details of the current program, the Department undertook a series of comprehensive curbside audits targeting the network of approximately 1,900 collection points. These audits were designed to gather information on metrics such as program participation, quantity of disposed materials and recycling participation and contamination levels. Additionally, to gain a further understanding of the potential program benefits, the Department had consultations with surrounding municipalities who have established similar programs, as well as, soliciting input from automated collection vehicle manufacturers. Based on these discussions, it was determined that the average community with an established automated collection program can collect 700-900 stops per day with an aggregate material weight of 10-12 tons utilizing a single truck and operator. Based on the results of the curbside audit and combined with industry standards, DPW is projecting that their Curbside Municipal Solid Waste Collection Program could be completed with a single, split body truck collecting both single stream recycling and solid waste over the course of four-five days, inclusive of conversion of the commercial recycling route to cart based automated collection. This increase in efficiency would result in the reduction of one truck and more efficient collection operations, providing program cost savings and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Public Works Department was also successful in obtaining a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant to fund 45% of the costs for battery electric solid waste collection vehicles and DC Fast Changing Stations. The Department is in the due diligence phase evaluating the available EV technology and potential limitations to ensure the investment and integration of an EV solid waste and recycling collection vehicle will be compatible with year-round operational requirements.  Additionally, street aesthetics would be enhanced significantly with the elimination of wind-induced scattering and recycling would be further incentivized through the uniform placement of standardized collection carts. Furthermore, a transition to an automated collection program would result in a safer working environment by minimizing physical strain and reducing the risk of operator injuries while increasing their longevity.

A public informational session will be held in advance of the conversion to introduce the program to the community. The session will be advertised through the Friday Updates publication and on the Town Website. 

2024 PAVEMENT MARKING PROGRAM BID AWARDED – To Commence Week of May 6th in Advance of UNH Graduation

Durham Public Works has awarded the contract for the 2024 Center + Edge Line Striping Program to Industrial Traffic Lines of Londonderry, NH. Approximately 160,000 linear feet of 4” yellow center and white fog lines will be applied over the course of the summer in multiple phases to align with the Department’s Road Program. The first phase will occur during the week of May 6th prior to UNH commencement.

2024 ROADWAY CRACK SEALING PROGRAM BID AWARDED

Durham Public Works has awarded the contract for the 2024 Crack Sealing Program to Indus, Inc. of Braintree, MA. Indus will apply a polymer crumb-rubber modified (PCRM) crack sealant to Ross Road, Meader Lane, Ellison Lane, Shearwater Street, Cormorant Circle, and Razorbill Circle. PCRM is a high-performance crack sealant that consists of a performance-graded asphalt binder cross-linked with an SBS polymer and a proprietary adhesion promoter to produce an asphalt that has the ability to resist deforming at high temperatures while also being able to stretch and flex at lower temperatures. This high-performance asphalt is then blended with a finely ground crumb-rubber. During this blending process, the rubber particles absorb the polymer-modified asphalt and swell, increasing in volume and further enhancing the same properties afforded by the SBS polymer. The result is a material that has unmatched adhesion, elasticity, and load bearing capacity across a wide range of temperatures. Crack sealing operations are scheduled to occur during the week of April 26th and the list of projected roadways is subject to change without notice.

DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS SEEKS SEASONAL LABORERS

The Public Works Department is seeking several highly motivated team members to join an exceptional team of professionals to serve in the role of Part-Time Seasonal Laborer.

The successful candidates will assist the Operations Manager and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor in completing routine public works projects such as landscaping, park and facility maintenance, and road maintenance.

The salary for these part-time, seasonal positions is $16-18/hr, depending upon qualifications. These 40 hour/week positions run from May-August and normal work hours are 7:00am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday.

The successful candidates must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license or may be 16 or 17 years of age with signed parental permission. Experience with small engine operation, including lawn mowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers is desired.

Applications are available at Durham Public Works or online HERE.

Please submit applications to Durham Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us by 4:30 PM on April 1st, 2024. 

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

WEEK #9

What do you do if your clothes catch on FIRE?

STOP, DROP, COVER, ROLL.

These are the four things to do if your clothes catch on fire.

1.   Stop do not run!

2.   Drop to the ground!

3.   Cover your face!

4.   Roll on the ground!

For a helpful video on this topic which some firefighter friends from the Billings Fire Department made to explain the process, with a special guest SPARKEY THE FIRE DOG, click HERE.

The Choir at the Community Church—directed by David Ervin—is preparing for two unique and timely performances of Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man” on Saturday, March 9 & Sunday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Church. The Welsh composer is, quite simply, a phenomenon in contemporary music, and “The Armed Man,” his Mass for Peace, is the primary explanation of his enduring popularity. Premiering in the autumn of 2000 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the work remains Great Britain’s favorite piece of contemporary music. It’s a poignant reflection on war, conflict and the vocation of peace.

Many sections of the work are worthy of deep reflection – not least the Agnus Dei and the Sanctus – but it’s the haunting Benedictus that captivates listeners to the greatest extent.

Never one to define himself by one set of beliefs, Jenkins uses all sorts of inspirations for the text of “The Armed Man”, including the Muslim call to prayer, the sixteenth-century 'L’Homme Armé' Mass tradition, and ancient religious texts.