Friday Updates - March 3, 2023

Friday, March 3, 2023

Pi Day is coming right up on March 14th! The number π (spelled out as "pi") is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159. . .. The number π appears in many formulae across mathematics and physics. It is an irrational number. Its decimal representation never ends, nor enters a permanently repeating pattern. Each year we like to remind people about π and to that end, if you are stuck at home tomorrow watching the snow fall and are in need of something fun to do, feel free to be creative, express Pi in some interesting way, and then send us the photograph. We'll then include some of these in next week's edition of "Friday Updates" in advance of Pi Day! Send pictures kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

In consideration of staff and patron safety, Durham Public Library will be closed due to inclement weather on Saturday, March 3, 2023

The Raymond A. LaRoche Sr., Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be open Saturday, March 3, 2023, for normal business from 7:30am – 3:00pm.

Supervisors of the Checklist will be at the Town Hall to register voters from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, as scheduled (see full details below).

Be Careful Shoveling: This will be wet, heavy snow so it would be better to tackle shoveling in increments. Don’t overdo it!

A winter storm warning remains in effect from 10 PM this evening to 7 PM Saturday.  

WHAT: Heavy, wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 12 inches. As of this afternoon, some models show a possible high snowfall of 18 inches in this area. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Eversource will be monitoring for possible power outages due to heavy, wet snow and wind gusts.

WHERE: Portions of central, northern, and southern New Hampshire.

WHEN: From 10 PM this evening to 7 PM EST Saturday.

IMPACTS: Significant snowfall and periods of heavy, wet snowfall rates will combine with low visibility to create dangerous driving conditions.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Some sleet may mix in at times on Saturday, especially towards the Massachusetts state line.  If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions can be obtained by going to newengland511.org. 

SNOWSTORM PRECAUTIONS - Mailboxes, fences and child safety

At times mailboxes can sustain damage during the winter. If your mailbox is hit during a storm, the Public Works Department will do its best to make temporary repairs after the storm ends. If it needs replacement, DPW will replace it with a standard mailbox when possible.  Please visit our website to view the DPW mailbox policy HERE.

Additionally, if your fence is within the Town’s Right-of-Way (ROW), snowbanks may damage it. Most roads have a 50-foot ROW, meaning anything closer than 25' to the center of the road is likely in the Town’s ROW. Any such fences, shrubs, landscaping, etc. are at risk of damage, particularly when snowfall is heavy. Items in the Town’s ROW should be moved back. Snow related damage to these items are the owner’s responsibility. Please call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 to discuss items that you may be concerned about.

Children should stay away from the road during a snowstorm and avoiding snowbanks altogether. It is common for children to play and make tunnels within snowbanks piled during snow and ice operations and the extreme danger these snowbanks present is not always realized. While operators are cognizant of the possibility of children playing in snowbanks, the height of snowbanks can impair visibility, making it very difficult for the operators to react quickly. Additional snow loads on existing tunnels or forts can significantly weaken their structure, potentially collapsing them completely. Many children are fascinated with snow removal equipment, but they do not understand the power or damage they can cause. It is important to educate your children about these dangers to prevent a tragic accident from occurring.

HOAX CALLS TO OYSTER RIVER AND TEN OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS NH ON THURSDAY PROMPT POLICE RESPONSE

A little before 10 AM yesterday, numerous local NH police departments began to receive telephone calls from an individual claiming/threatening to shoot up one of their schools with possible automatic gunfire and explosives.  Reporting police departments and school districts included: Durham, Berlin, Concord, Claremont, Keene, Hillsborough, Plymouth, Exeter, Hanover, Nashua, and Peterborough. These calls were ultimately deemed a hoax based upon police investigation and response. Additionally, most NH schools are not in session this week due to February vacation week, although Oyster River was in session because the district aligns with Dover for vocational education and had last week off for Massachusetts vacation week rather than the typical NH vacation week schedule. Working in close partnership with the ORCSD, Durham police had officers stationed at the ORMS and ORHS. 

Former Durham Firefighter Mike Hoffman is leaving for Ukraine on March 13th to volunteer on a 2-week humanitarian mission bringing aid and transport to the people of Ukraine. The effort brings much needed supplies to smaller communities and others under-serviced by large NGO organizations.

Mike will be paired up with lead driver, David Gaston of Britain, who has done the trip numerous times. They will work with small aid coordinating organizations that provide lists of specific communities throughout Ukraine and exact their needs. 

If you would like to know more about this mission and help bring food, warm clothing, sanitary supplies, and medical supplies to the citizens of Ukraine, please see Mike’s Facebook page HERE

Thank you for being caring citizens of the world!

Former Town Councilor Dale Leo “Pete” Chinburg passed away on February 20 at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and family.

Pete was born in Eldora, Iowa on February 19, 1930. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the Upper University of Iowa and bachelor’s and Master of Engineering degree from the University of Iowa. He served in the Air Force from 1953-1958 and graduated with the class of 55-I to earn his pilots wings. It was while he was briefly stationed in North Carolina that he met the love of his life, Ellen Hastings, a beautiful young nurse. After only 8 dates and a long-distance courtship of 9 months, the couple married. They lived in Colorado and Iowa City and then they moved to Los Angeles for his job as a Program Manager at Marshall Laboratories.

The adventurous couple had 4 sons in quick succession, and then moved across the country to Durham, NH so that Pete could take a job as Associate Director of the Space Science Center at University of New Hampshire. He held various program management positions at UNH from 1967-1981. 

Pete served on the Durham Town Council from October of 1996 until March 2003 and was a long-term Rotarian. Pete will be remembered as a gentleman who adored his wife and loved his family, friends and country. He continued to have weekly breakfast with his local veteran’s group in Durham until just recently. To read the full obituary, please click HERE.

Seacoast Eat Local is seeking new vendors interested in selling at the Durham Farmer's Market, especially baked goods, meats, seafood, and fresh vegetables. The market takes place on Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will run from June 5th to October 2nd, 2023. It will be held at the new mini-park downtown, on the knoll at 66 Main Street, just to the left of Town and Campus. This new location was a great success last year. There is live music and comfortable places to sit and enjoy the market atmosphere.

If you are a vendor or know somebody who might be interested in joining the Durham Farmer’s Market, please fill out the new vendor inquiry form HERE. Community and nonprofit organizations offering additional activities to engage the Durham and UNH community (on a one-time or ongoing basis) are also welcome to join the market. Email morgan@seacoasteatlocal.org if you are involved with an organization that would like to participate. Take a look at additional details for the Durham Farmers' Market HERE.

DO YOU NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR MAKE CHANGES BEFORE THE UPCOMING TOWN ELECTION ON MARCH 14?

The Supervisors of the Checklist will hold the following session for the purpose of accepting new voters and for making changes in party, address, or name:

Saturday, March 4, 2023    2:00 – 2:30 PM     Durham Town Hall

New registrations, as well as changes to current registrations, will also be accepted at the Town Hall through March 3 during regular business hours for the Town/School Election (March 14). At that point, the Checklist will be updated. New registrations, party changes, and name changes will then be accepted by the Supervisors at that Election. Address changes can be made with the ballot clerks.

Applicants for registration, whether at Town Hall or at any Election, should bring with them proofs of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile. Driver’s license and passport are helpful. Affidavits may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking. 

A photo ID is especially important for both registration and for receiving a ballot. At this election, we are being required to implement the new Affidavit Ballot law (SB 418), which requires people who are registering to vote for the first time in New Hampshire but who do not have an appropriate photo ID with them to use a special affidavit ballot for voting and to send certain information to the Secretary of State within 7 days in order to have their vote counted.

UPCOMING 2023 TOWN ELECTION AND ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION

The 2023 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at the Oyster River High School, Multipurpose Room, Coe Drive, Durham, N.H. The polling hours are 7:00 am - 7:00 pm. If you are unable to vote in person, you may qualify for an absentee ballot. Please click HERE or call the Durham Town Clerk’s Office at 603-868-5577 for more information on how to vote absentee.  

The following is a list of candidates that have filed for positions for the March 14, 2023 Town & Oyster River Cooperative School District Election. To read about each Town Candidate's qualifications and interests, please click HERE.

Three positions for Town Councilor (3-year term)

• Wayne Burton
• Emily Friedrichs
• Sally W. Needell

Two positions for Durham Public Library Board of Trustees (3-year term)

• Robin Glasser
• Kimberly Sweetman

One position for Durham Public Library Board of Trustees (1-year term)

• Randall O'Brien

One position for Trustee of the Trust Funds (3-year term)

• Theodore Howard

One position for Town Clerk-Tax Collector (3-year term)

• Rachel Deane

One position for Town Treasurer (3-year term)

• Karl A. Van Asselt

Two positions for School Board At-Large (3-year term)

• Denise Day
• Giana Gelsey

One position for School Board Durham Member (1-year term)

• Thomas Newkirk

One position for School District Moderator

• Michael Williams

DURHAM’S END OF YEAR FINANCIAL REPORT THROUGH 12/31/22

In compliance with section 5.6 of the Durham Town Charter, Business Manager Gail Jablonski provided the Town Council with an unaudited year-end financial report for 2022. 

Our external auditors will be here for their preliminary work beginning in March. This year we have new auditors, Plodzik & Sanderson, so we anticipate they will require some additional days to get up to date on everything.

Revenues: The Town’s revenue as of December 31, 2022, is estimated to be over what was originally forecast by approximately $300,000. A few areas to note where revenues exceeded expectations were in the interest collected on late tax payments, building permits, meals, and rental payment from the State of NH, recreation fees, refuse/recycling fees, grants received by the Fire Department, and interest on investments.

Expenses: The Town’s unaudited expenditures as of December 31, 2022, show a total expenditure of 97.2% of the total approved budget amount or a savings to the Town of approximately $500,000.

Each department was instrumental in keeping the budget in check and there are no areas to report significant overages with the exception of the Direct Assistance (Welfare). In 2022 the Town assisted eleven applicants with rent, electricity, and heating oil expenses. We currently have two active cases of public assistance.

The MIS and Building Inspection departments had significant savings due to open positions. An offer of employment was recently extended to a candidate for the MIS department.

There are no major items to be noted for the Other Funds Summary, which includes Water, Sewer, Parking, Depot Road, Churchill Rink, and Library Funds.

AN UPDATE ON DURHAM’S ONGOING PROPERTY REVALUATION PROCESS

Callback appointments continue to take place and be scheduled for properties which had an initial exterior-only visit. Data entry is 83% complete, leaving only a small portion of data to be entered from initial visits. Remaining data entry will come from properties needing an initial visit or from callback appointments having a second visit. Under 280 properties still need an initial visit. We anticipate all properties will be visited by the middle of April.

Meanwhile, appraisal supervisors from our contractor, MRI, have been reviewing all properties, correcting database errors, and updating database tables. The condo, depreciation, and land curve tables have been updated, but may be adjusted in response to sale data and information gathered during sales field review.

Next Phases: The next phases in the process will continue simultaneously as MRI contractors conduct sales field review next month to update neighborhood factors and site indexes. Neighborhood factors affect land values of certain areas in Durham to account for location desirability demonstrated through the market sales. Site indexes further adjust for specific property conditions within the neighborhood. A full field review is anticipated during April, once the database has been adjusted with sale information and all measure and list data has been entered. 

DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR YOUR SOLAR EXEMPTION!

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, 2023. Applications are located on the Town’s website HERE, or you may pick one up at the Assessor’s Office. Your application must also include the invoice that includes a detailed list of what equipment was installed on your property and cost of the project. 

If approved, this exemption will be applied to your 2023 assessment. If you have any questions, please contact the Assessor’s Office at (603) 868-8064.

DID YOU KNOW? - Which detergent is eco-friendly?

It can be confusing to determine which detergent brand is genuinely eco-friendly and plastic

free while also being the best at cleaning. If you are looking for a natural laundry detergent

that is both zero-waste and plastic free, then you'll want to click HERE to learn more:

Source: Green Hive

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee

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

EVERY DROP MATTERS – POOP PATROL!

Protect our community’s outdoor playgrounds for yourself, your pooch, and our environment. Add your name and our Town in the form HERE and take the pledge to scoop the poop, every time. Did you know that NHDES reports out which Towns have received the most pledges!? Please help us to show how much our community cares. Also, if you see that someone has left their pooch’s poop behind, please pick it up!

BE AWARE OF SALT USAGE DURING WINTER MAINTENANCE

As the winter season continues, it’s important to make sure that winter salt being applied to driveways is being used in an environmentally safe way. Companies that are certified Green SnowPro professionals are trained to remove snow and ice using practices that keep both the public and the environment safe. To find a list of Green SnowPro certified contractors, click HERE. 

REGULAR PART-TIME MECHANIC NEEDED

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

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.    

2 OPENINGS AVAILABLE ON DURHAM'S HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Calling on some new voices: are you ready for an exciting opportunity? The Durham Human Rights Commission is expanding its numbers and are looking for 2 new Durham residents to join. This is your chance to make sure that discrimination in all forms is not welcome in Durham, and that our community's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is continued. Past topics included LGBTQ+, religious, and Indigenous rights. The Commission will be developing 2023 goals in line with the master plan of Durham. Diversity of membership on this committee is ideal, and the Commission welcomes your interest if you haven’t considered town service before. The Commission meets about six times per year, and meeting times can be flexible. If interested, please contact Janet Perkins-Howland at thehowl@comcast.net. To learn more about the Commission, please click HERE.

On Wednesday, 3/1/2023, Durham Police and Fire responded to a motor vehicle accident on Route 4, near the Scammel Bridge. One vehicle involved ended up fifty feet over a bank and the driver was unable to get out. Pictured are police officer’s CJ Young and James Failla, Firefighter’s Barry Lavigne, Artie Boutin, and Scott Campbell, and an employee of Smitty’s Towing, working together to rescue one of the occupants of the motor vehicle crash from a deep gully the car landed in. A great example of the constant teamwork our emergency services always engage in!

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 #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!

Click HERE for a fun video that some firefighter friends from the Billings Fire Department made to explain the process, with a special guest SMOKEY THE FIRE DOG.

ORSD Superintendent Dr. James Morse has released a newsletter for the month of February. You can download and read the newsletter by clicking HERE.

COLLECT YOUR LOOSE CHANGE AND SUPPORT OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS!

The Oyster River High School Press Box/Sound System Committee is organizing a school 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.

Details and instructions for drop-off will be provided to students and their families in the next few weeks, but if other residents choose to make a tax-deductible donation, they may drop off their coins April 3-7 between 9am-4pm at any of the Oyster River Schools (Mast Way, Moharimet, OR Middle School, and OR High School). 

The coins must be in a zip lock bag with the person’s name/address (for tax deduction notification) and the amount of coin donated written in permanent marker on the outside of the bag. Please, no paper/plastic shopping bags or other containers! The committee, administration, parents, and students of the district thank you in advance for your generosity!

For additional information, please contact Paul Bamford, Committee Chair, at pdb53@yahoo.com or 603-494-9624. 

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

School District and town elections are March 14, 2023. The School District ballot is available HERE. In addition to electing 3 school board members and the moderator, voters will vote Yes or No on the 2023-2024 school budget and to reserve funds for future solar array purchase. Voters from all three towns can vote on all three school board seats including the Durham seat which must be held by a Durham resident. The budget represents a 1.54% increase in total spending, and a 1.5% increase in general fund spending from 2022-2023 to 2023-2024. More information on the budget and the annual report of the district are HERE.

Assistant superintendent Suzanne Filippone presented student achievement data from elementary and middle school standardized testing and discussed how student learning growth is measured and monitored. These data show that more students meet or exceed academic standards now than pre-pandemic. Data presented are posted HERE.

A personal note from outgoing School Board Chair Michael Williams: "I have been writing these brief highlights of School Board meetings for 4 years and hope they have provided more accessible information about ORCSD School Board activity. There is always more detail on the district web site and in meeting recordings. Please continue to share your input with the School Board (orcsdsb@orcsd.org). As I leave the School Board, I am grateful for the continued support the Oyster River community gives to public education and ORCSD, and for the ways that the community holds schools and the School Board accountable to serving our students and community."

DURHAM DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE TO HOLD CAUCUS

The Durham Democratic Committee will hold its caucus to elect officers and state convention delegates on Thursday, March 16 at 6 PM. This will be a hybrid meeting in person at Durham Public Library in the community room and also on Zoom. Only registered Democrats are able to vote in the caucus.

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