Friday Updates - March 17, 2023

Friday, March 17, 2023

Wishing everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day! May the Luck of the Irish be with you!

Due to the winter storm that occurred on March 14, 2023, the Moderators of the towns of Durham, Lee, and Madbury reached a consensus to postpone the election day for the three communities and the Oyster River Cooperative School District until Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The March 28 election for Durham residents will be held at the Oyster River High School multi-purpose room from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The candidate biographies will continue to be listed on the website HERE.

CYBER ATTACK ON DURHAM IT INFRASTRUCTURE THWARTED THIS WEEK

On Wednesday of this week, staff discovered several phone extensions had variable call forwarding turned on to international numbers. The Town’s VoIP (voice over IP) provider was immediately contacted. Further investigation by the VoIP found that an administrative account was used to make changes across the business group. The VoIP provider and Town IT and department staff addressed the issue. Staff continue monitoring for suspicious activity.

DURHAM/UNH TRAIN STATION NEARS 1 MILLIONTH PASSENGER 

The Durham/UNH Train Station along the route of the Amtrak Downeaster is rapidly approaching its 1 millionth passenger! We expect the 1 million passenger rider milestone may be reached this coming week so stay tuned. Many of us remember when the inaugural run of the Amtrak Downeaster pulled into the Durham/UNH Station on December 14, 2021.

CONCERNS INCREASE OVER EPPING WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SURCHARGE OF ONLY PARTIALLY TREATED WASTEWATER INTO THE FEDERALLY DESIGNATED WILD AND SCENIC LAMPREY RIVER

Durham and UNH are monitoring the situation closely as NHDES and EPA engage with Epping to address wastewater surcharge of only partially treated wastewater flow into the Lamprey River and Great Bay Watershed stemming from deficiencies/processing failures at Epping’s wastewater plant. Basic concerns include: 

• Impacts (cost/operational/water quality) to the UNH/Durham Water Treatment Plant;
• Impacts to the resiliency of the Durham/UNH water system;
• Implications for our Spruce Hole well/aquifer, which Durham/UNH rely upon for water reserve during low-flow/in-stream flow restriction periods in the late-summer/fall when 12,000 UNH students return to campus;
• Inability to recharge our Spruce Hole aquifer during typical periods of plentiful flow due to potential ongoing year-round (per Epping operators) wastewater surcharge;
• Potential negative perception that Durham/UNH water customers are drinking untreated, surcharged Epping wastewater (which is not the case as the Durham/UNH water system is now tapping alternative water sources within our joint Town/UNH water system as a contingency);
• Potential impacts to the Lamprey’s riverine ecosystem (pants, wildlife, wetlands, etc.);
• Potential impacts to community boat launch areas along the Lamprey;
• Potential impacts to recreation and human fish consumption;
• Potential impacts to private wells along the Lamprey River;
• Concern about potential chlorine-related fish kills within the Lamprey during summer low flow (and other) conditions;
• Potential impacts to the Great Bay Estuary in terms of nitrogen and other untreated materials polluting/entering the watershed at cross purposes with the Great Bay Total Nitrogen General Permit;

Administrator Selig provided correspondence to the NH Department of Environmental Services this week expressing ongoing concern about the Epping situation. The Durham/UNH water system will be sending a more detailed technical memorandum to the EPA and NHDES later this month expressing our joint concerns. 

The Durham Historic Association will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, April 16th at 1:30 p.m. in the Durham Town Hall Council Chambers. There will be a brief business meeting for the election of officers and directors for 2023-2025.  Annual membership dues will also be collected at this time.

Following the business meeting, Alan Hoffman from New Hampshire Humanities will present “Lafayette and Human Rights”.

General Lafayette's first foray into human rights work was during the American Revolution, which he saw as a cause important to all people. He continued to promote universal natural rights throughout his life. During the French Revolution he drafted "the Rights of Man and the Citizen" and later supported other revolutions in Europe and South America as well as causes designed to deliver human rights to the oppressed. In particular, the abolition of slavery engaged General Lafayette continuously, from the American Revolution and his return tour of the United States, until his death in 1834. General Lafayette said: "I would never have drawn my sword in the cause of America, if I could have conceived that thereby I was founding a land of slavery."

This event is open to the general public. Refreshments will be served. 

AFSCME LOCAL 863 REPRESENTING DURHAM PUBLC WORKS STAFF and TOWN OF DURHAM EXECUTE SUCCESSOR BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR THREE YEAR CONTRACT

The American Federation for State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 863 representing the majority of Durham’s DPW personnel and the Town of Durham executed a successor bargaining agreement in an informal signing ceremony this morning following ratification by both parties. To view the successor agreement, spanning from 1/1/23 – 12/31/25, click HERE. Among other minor changes, the contract calls for a Cost of Living adjustment of 4% in 2023, 3% in 2024, and 3% in 2025. 

TOWN OF DURHAM AND DPMMA UNIT REPRESENTING TOWN’S MIDDLE MANAGERS REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON SUCCESSOR BARGAINING AGREEMENT

The Durham Professional Municipal Management Association (DPMMA) representing many of the Town’s middle managers including our fire captains, police lieutenant, town engineer, wastewater superintendent, and several others reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) at the conclusion of their negotiation session earlier this week. The TA follows several months of negotiations, which kicked off in late fall. Details will be forthcoming once each negotiation team has had an opportunity to brief their respective constituent groups. 

On April 30, 2023, terms on various Town boards, commissions, and committees will expire. In April, the Town Council will begin the process for making its annual appointments/ reappointments to Town boards, with appointments to take effect May 1, 2023. The Durham Town Council is seeking interested residents of the Town of Durham who have the ability, desire, and time needed to fill these vacancies, which are listed above.

Citizens interested in board appointments may stop in or contact the Administrator’s office at 603-868-5571 and ask for a board application form. Applications are also available on the Town’s web site by clicking HERE.

Completed applications may be mailed to the Administrator’s Office or submitted via email to kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

APRIL 15TH PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION/CREDIT APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING FOR ELDERLY/VETERANS/DISABLED/SOLAR SYSTEMS!

April 15th is the last day to submit applications for property tax exemptions and veteran tax credits. Durham residents may apply for Tax Credits and/or Exemptions if you are a Veteran, a Veteran's spouse, a disabled Veteran, a resident age 65 or older, a resident who is blind, a resident who is disabled, or a resident who has installed a solar system on your home provided you meet the criteria for each. If you believe you qualify, the Application for Property Tax Credit/Exemptions, along with the required supporting documentation must be submitted to the Assessor's Office by April 15th to qualify for the upcoming tax year.

Applications and information pertaining to property tax exemptions and veteran tax credits may be found on the Town’s website by clicking HERE.

If you have any questions, please contact the Assessing Department at (603) 868-8064. 

The Durham Great Bay Rotary is planning for Summerfest 2023 to be held on June 17, from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. at UNH Boulder Field. The Rotary needs sponsors and has vendor spaces available. If you would like to help sponsor this event or want to be involved as a vendor, please click HERE for full information.

SOLICITATION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS ON RENEWAL OF COMCAST CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

The Town of Durham is soliciting comments on the renewal of the Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement. The Town Council must undertake a process to ascertain the cable related needs and interests of the community before a renewed agreement can be approved. Please Note: Pricing, channel lineup and system build-out are not areas of which the Town has oversight as part of this process.

Please submit any comments or concerns on this renewal agreement to Administrative Assistant, Karen Edwards, at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us or at 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824.

The current Agreement is available for viewing in the Administrator’s Office located on the second floor of the Town Hall at 8 Newmarket Road during normal office hours 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CRITERIA FOR CONDITIONAL USES IN THE WETLAND AND SHORELAND OVERLAY DISTRICTS 

The Conservation Commission is considering changes to the four criteria used to evaluate conditional uses in the wetland and shoreland overlay districts. The Wetland Conservation Overlay District includes all wetlands (with some exceptions) and an adjacent buffer ranging from 75 to 150 feet depending on the type of wetland and the zoning district. The Shoreland Protection Overlay District includes the estuary (Great and Little Bays), rivers, and streams and an adjacent buffer ranging from 25 to 125 feet depending on the specific water body. 

There is a hierarchy for where various types of uses/activities/structures are allowed depending on potential impact, including Permitted Uses allowed by right; Permitted Uses allowed if there is sufficient erosion control, restoration of the disturbed area, and minimal impact on the resource; Conditional Uses requiring an involved review process and compliance with eight general criteria four specific natural resource criteria; and Prohibited Uses which are not allowed (unless one receives a variance). While the four natural resource conditional use criteria are demanding, they give the Conservation Commission and Planning Board little flexibility in how they review an application.

The Conservation Commission established a Wetland and Shoreland Committee to develop changes to the criteria. The Conservation Commission is now evaluating the proposal submitted by the Wetland and Shoreland Committee and will be making its own changes (at its meeting on March 27). 

Once the proposal is acceptable, the commission will forward the draft to the Planning Board for consideration as a zoning amendment. The proposed language is no less rigorous than the existing, but it would allow the commission and board to look at additional factors related to the project. Though not currently available on the website, the proposal will be forthcoming as the process moves forward.

The Wetland and Shoreland Committee is also reviewing the entire WCOD and SPOD and expects to submit significant proposed changes to both overlay districts months from now.

FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

This week has been Flood Safety Awareness Week. On the topic of flooding, residents should be aware of shallow flooding. Shallow flooding occurs in flat areas where a lack of stream capacity means water cannot drain away easily. Shallow flooding can result in water collecting in floodplains, low-lying urbanized areas, and other places with drainage problems. Just 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars and most vehicles will begin to float in just 12 inches of water. Twenty-four inches of water will sweep most vehicles away, including SUVs and pick-ups. 

ACTIVE SHOOTER & EMERGENCY WORKSHOP TAKING PLACE IN LEE - Interested Durham residents invited to attend.

Offered by the Seacoast Village Project (SVP), the Active Retirement Association (ARA), & the Lee Police Department, there will be an Active Shooter & Emergency Workshop on April 26, from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. at the Lee Public Safety Complex, 20 George Bennett Road, Lee. Everyone is welcome to attend but registration is required.

This important workshop is based on the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event (CRASE) which provides practical information on how to respond to a shooter situation. Much of the information is applicable to fire and weather emergencies as well. Lessons learned from previous shooter events will be presented along with slides and videos. While this can be a difficult topic, it is an important one to address in these times. There will be time for discussion and Q & A. The workshop is being presented to state and university system employees throughout New Hampshire. It is highly recommended to anyone wanting to be prepared for the unexpected.  For more information, click HERE.

The Durham and Lee Agricultural Commissions invite you to the 10th Annual Strafford County Farm Bureau Farm Style Breakfast Fundraiser on Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 7:30am to 12:00pm at the Jeremiah Smith Grange Hall, 1 Lee Hook Road, Lee. We guarantee the food is delicious and plentiful! Buy tickets at the door, $12 for adults, $8 for children 14 and under. The breakfast is in benefit of the Strafford County Farm Bureau’s Youth In Agriculture Grant Program.

DO YOU OWN A LOCAL BUSINESS THAT USES SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES? We invite you to be part of Durham’s Earth Day event, April 22, 2023. The Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC) would like to let Durham residents know that your business is using sustainable practices. You may choose to participate by bringing your business to the event or by advertising your practices with the support of IWMAC. Please contact Durhamrecycles603@gmail.com for more information.

DID YOU KNOW? - Think about your daily food decisions

Our daily food decisions can have a significant impact on not only our health, but the health of our planet. Here are some tips to help you eat with the earth in mind and make conscious decisions when it comes to what's on your plate.

Buy Local

Minimize the carbon footprint of your shopping trips by taking a weekly trip to local grocery stores or combine shopping with other car trips. When in season, check out local farmers markets and farm stands. Not only will you support local businesses you'll also lessen the environmental impact of your purchases through reduced vehicle travel time.

Start composting today

Composting is an excellent way to re-purpose food scraps, transforming them into nutrient-rich soil for yards or potted plants. Sign up with Mr. Fox Composting for curbside service, or you can bring your compost to the transfer station for drop off. Another idea would be to learn how to start your own compost pile in your backyard.

Save your food scraps

Save your scraps like celery, onions, carrots, corn, bell peppers, and more to make broth for soups and cooking. Frozen tomatoes are great for salsa, overripe bananas for banana breads, and leftover berries for smoothies. Give otherwise overlooked food a second life.

Source: Cariuma

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee

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

DURHAM ROADWAYS POSTED FOR RESTRICTED WEIGHT LIMITS BEGINNING MARCH 15

A reminder to residents and contractors that unless specifically permitted by the written directive of the Public Works Director, it is unlawful for any person, partnership or corporation to haul, transport or cause to be transported by a vehicle with a gross weight over six (6) tons any material over restricted Class V roads from 12:01 am on March 15th through 11:59 pm on April 30th. To see the full list of restricted roadways, please click HERE.

DPW clearing snow from Pettee Brook Lane after this week's snowstorm.

2023 ROAD AND SIDEWALK PROGRAM TO BEGIN IN EARLY APRIL

The 2023 Road and Sidewalk Program contract was recently awarded to Continental Paving of Londonderry, NH, with work scheduled to begin in early April. The Program will include roadway reclamation, milling, paving, and drainage improvements to Emerson Road following the Water Main Replacement Project. Additionally, paved surfaces at the Durham Public Works campus will receive drainage improvements prior to a full reclamation and paving. Furthermore, a targeted mill and fill program is planned for several roadways including Durham Point Road, Wiswall Road, and Bagdad Road. 

The scope of work includes pavement overlays for roadways owned and maintained within the University of New Hampshire (UNH) campus, specifically College Road, McDaniel Drive, Field House Rear Drive and Spinney Lane. The value of this work is contained within the Town’s capital improvement plan and funded entirely by the University.

The Program consists of continued phased reconstruction of sections of deteriorated concrete sidewalks with brick edging within the Downtown corridor. Planned construction improvements in 2023 include the sidewalk segment on Main Street that extends from Smith Park Lane down Newmarket Road to Mill Pond Road. These sidewalks currently have non-complainant accessible ramps, areas of failed and overturned curbing, dislodged bricks with up-heaved and deteriorated concrete panels. This project will remove the existing concrete and brick banded sidewalks and replace them with new concrete panels eliminating the failed brick banding and sections of up-heaved bricks. Additionally, the bituminous sidewalks along Emerson Road from Bagdad Road to Edgewood Road will be replaced and compliant ADA ramps installed.

REGULAR PART-TIME MECHANIC NEEDED AT DPW

The Public Works Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Regular Part-Time Equipment Mechanic. The successful candidate will assist the Fleet Services Supervisor in the maintenance, repair, and installation of a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment within the Public Works Fleet. Responsibilities include diagnosing and troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, performing regular preventative maintenance on equipment, ensuring equipment is operating safely and efficiently, and keeping accurate and detailed maintenance records. In this versatile and exciting role, you will report to the Fleet Services Supervisor and Operations Manager.

The salary for this position is $23.00 - $25.00 per hour, depending upon qualifications. Flexible scheduling is available for this 24 hour per week position, with normal work hours from 7:00am – 3:30pm Monday – Friday. The successful candidate will have a minimum of (1) year of experience or formal training in the maintenance of fleet vehicles and heavy equipment. Possession of a Class B Commercial Driver’s License and State Inspection Certification desired.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs. Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Department of 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 March 10th, 2023.

PART-TIME SEASONAL LABORERS NEEDED AT DPW

The Public Works Department is seeking several highly motivated team members to join an exceptional team of Public Works 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 $14-16/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 lead blowers is desired.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs. Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Department of 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 March 10th, 2023.    

Oyster River Women’s Hockey Team scores the first goal last Saturday in the high school state hockey championship in Manchester. While they played a great game, ORHS ultimately lost 3-2. Photo courtesy Todd Selig

SEEKING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK - DURHAM POLICE COMMUNITY SURVEY NOW ON LINE RELATIVE TO LOCAL SAFETY, SERVICE DELIVERY, ETC.

The Durham Police Department is conducting a survey of Durham community members to better understand concerns about crime in the community, and the Durham Police Department wants to hear from you! Your response is greatly appreciated and will help us make future improvements to our service. Please complete the survey by April 1st, 2023. 

The survey should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Simply click the link HERE to get started! 

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 #11

Well now that we have set the clocks forward in hopes for spring, there are some things in the house we need to check on.

1.     New Battery’s in the smoke detectors.

2.     If we have fire extinguishers in the house, we need to check to see that they         are in working order.

3.     Make sure everyone knows our escape plan that we made up.

4.     Make sure everyone knows our meeting place in the event of an emergency.

Click HERE for a helpful link for smoke detectors:

Don't miss this exciting opportunity and buy your tickets HERE before the last petal falls!

Friday, March 17 at 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 18 at 1:00 and 7:00 pm

Location: Oyster River High School Auditorium (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

This March 24, the Oyster River Cooperative School District will be welcoming Ms. Tona Brown for a special concert. Tona is an internationally acclaimed musician, and she was the first transgender woman of color to perform for a sitting president. She frequently speaks and performs at universities—and we’re lucky to be hosting her! The concert is at 7:00 pm at the Middle School's Recital Hall (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). 

Free admission and seating limited. First come first serve!

The Oyster River High School Press Box/Sound System Committee is organizing a district-wide coin drive April 3-7 to help fund the construction of a new press box and sound system at the high school athletic complex. 

Place your coins in a Zip Lock bag (no plastic or paper shopping bags, no cans or Tupperware, please). With a permanent marker, legibly write the student's name, grade and teacher's name, classroom, and donation amount. Please notify Paul Bamford if a parent or guardian works for an organization that matches funds by writing the organization's name outside the bag. Between April 3-7, place your bag in the receptacles provided by each school (do NOT empty its contents).

Families and individuals wishing to make a tax-deductible donation can contact Paul Bamford, Committee Chair, at pdb53@yahoo.com or 603-494-9624. 

ORCSD COMMUNITY DINNER APRIL 13 - Save the Date!

The district's last community dinner at the Oyster River High School welcomed about 300 community members. Will you join us on April 13? More information coming soon!

DURHAM DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE HAS RESCHEDULED THEIR CAUCUS

The Durham Democratic Committee will hold its caucus to elect officers and state convention delegates on Monday, March 27 at 6 PM (postponed from March 16). This will be a hybrid meeting in person at Durham Public Library in the community room and also on Zoom. Our State Representatives will provide a legislative update & there will be a brief business meeting. Voting to start at 6:30. Only registered Democrats are able to vote in the caucus.

 For questions, please reach out to Susan Roman at reganroman@comcast.net.