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Scout Troop 154 decorated the gravestones of veterans this week in preparation for Memorial Day.
Courtesy Todd Selig
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Monday, May 27th is Memorial Day.
The origins of Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, lie in the Civil War. Southern women laid claim to the custom of a day set aside to decorate the graves of the war dead. Union veterans laid claim to a specific date, May 30th, but it wasn't until after World War II that North and South were willing to observe Memorial Day on the same date.
If you are observing the weekend as most Americans do as the semi-official start of the summer vacation season, please pause occasionally to reflect on the meaning of the holiday. (See more on Durham's planned Memorial Day ceremonies below.)
The parade kicks off at 10 AM on Mill Pond Road next to the Town Hall, proceeds up Church Hill, and ends at Memorial Park in front of Young's. A ceremony is planned in Memorial Park.
If you know of others within the community who might want information about the Memorial Day parade/ceremony in Durham, please forward this edition of the "Friday Updates" along to them!
To sign up for the weekly "Friday Updates," click HERE.
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CALLING ON ALL AREA MILITARY VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS TO MARCH IN THE DURHAM MEMORIAL DAY PARADE ON MONDAY, MAY 27, 2019 AT 10AM
The Durham Memorial Day Parade Committee encourages all Military Veterans and active duty Service Members to participate in the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. Ideally, most participants will wear appropriate service dress uniforms. However, if you no longer have your uniform -- or it no longer fits – we still encourage you to participate. This includes marching in a military procession, walking in civilian attire, or riding in a vehicle.
Durham's Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to come together with active duty military, veterans and residents alike to honor our fallen Armed Forces service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
It is important to remember America's fallen, and support those who have and are serving in defense of our democratic freedoms. Memorial Day matters. Let us come together and keep the memory of all military service members alive.
We will be marshalling on Mill Pond Road at the intersection of Route 108. The parade route runs up Main Street and ends at the Town Military Service Memorial flagpole in front of Young's Restaurant (approximately .4 miles).
For more information please contact:
CAPT Lee Alexander, U.S. Navy (retired), 603-866-2822
Lieutenant Colonel Andy Corrow, U.S. Army (retired), 603-397-5313
Rachel Gasowski, Parks & Recreation Director, 603-817-4074
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MEMORIAL PARK FLAG - George "Curly" Frick's flag to be flown in Durham.
To commemorate Memorial Day and one of our beloved residents and veterans whom we lost a few years ago, DPW will again this year be flying the flag of resident George Frick, known by all as “Curly”, in Memorial Park.
Public Works was busy painting the white flag pole in Memorial Park this week.
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TOWN OFFICES CLOSED ON MONDAY, MAY 27, 2019 FOR MEMORIAL DAY
All Durham Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2019, in observance of Memorial Day. All Town offices will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.
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Transfer Station and Refuse/Recycling Schedule Changes for the Memorial Day Holiday are as follows:
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Saturday, May 25th - Transfer Station is CLOSED
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Monday, May 27th - NO curbside collection of refuse and recycling. Collection will be DELAYED ONE DAY ALL WEEK (i.e., Monday's collection will be on Tuesday; Tuesday's collection will be on Wednesday, etc.)
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The late John Hatch of Durham created the stained glass above located inside the Memorial Union Building (MUB) on the UNH campus. More information is provided below. Courtesy Todd Selig
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NEW HAMPSHIRE'S OFFICIAL STATE WAR MEMORIAL IS LOCATED IN DURHAM AT THE UNH MEMORIAL UNION BUILDING - Stop in to visit on Memorial Day.
Many Durham residents may not realize that New Hampshire's official state war memorial is located right here in Durham on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. Situated on the third floor of the MUB, the Memorial Room reflects that distinction and honors all New Hampshire residents who perished while in military action from World War I through present day. Funds to create this building as a war memorial came from alumni, the state, businesses, and civic groups.
In 1953, when Governor Hugh Gregg signed a proclamation declaring the UNH Memorial Union as the State's official war memorial (prior to building construction that was completed in 1957), he wrote that it was “desirable that as many youth of the state as possible should know and revere the courage and the sacrifice of New Hampshire men and women who served their country.”
Gregg and the many community members who worked to create the building wanted it to be a place to prompt discussion and thought, a place for quiet reflection, and a place of inspiration. By placing this building and this room in the state’s Land Grant University in Durham, it was hoped that generations of students to come would be inspired to have these discussions.
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The Artist... the Late Durham Resident/UNH Professor John Hatch
The windows in the MUB's Memorial Room were designed by Durham resident and UNH Art Professor John Hatch. Hatch taught at UNH from 1949 - 1985 and was best known as a painter of landscapes. Hatch captured the essence of New Hampshire in his paintings of the White Mountains and the Isles of Shoals.
Prior to his death in 1998, Hatch was honored as a “New Hampshire Living Treasure” by Governor Jeanne Shaheen who presented him with the biennial Governor's Award in Arts.
When plans were being made in the 1950’s for the construction of the building and the Memorial Room, John Hatch was honored with the opportunity to design a tribute window. Hatch had served in World War II in the Pacific campaign as a map topographer. Hatch was a new faculty member and had yet to earn the acclaim that would come to him later in his career, so some in the University community were surprised in his selection for this special job.
The doubts continued when his very modern design for the windows was approved over a traditional cathedral-style stained glass look. It was the only window Hatch ever made although he painted murals and created maps (such as the large map of Durham in the Town Hall foyer!) and paintings throughout the University and in other public buildings including Durham’s Town Hall. The John Hatch park, located at the Wiswall Dam in Durham, is also named in his honor.
Today, the windows are a revered piece of public art in Durham on the UNH campus.
John's widow, Maryanna Hatch, who was also very involved in Durham local government for years, now lives at (and actually helped to found) Riverwoods in Exeter. Soon there will be a Riverwoods in Durham as well!
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The Process...
The window was manufactured by and funded through a grant from Monsanto Chemical Company in Detroit, with the help of Stanley King, class of ’26, who was then director of sales. The only of its kind in the world, the window uses safety glass and required the development of a new paint pigment that was lightfast, translucent and strong in color. For the pigment to have a translucent quality, it needed to be ground for 70 hours. Each panel of optically ground glass is one quarter of an inch thick, and made of three sheets of plastics and a film of paint sandwiched between two panes of glass. (See images above and below.)
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Renovations...
In 1995, the Memorial Union Building underwent extensive renovations and the location of the Memorial Room and the windows shifted from the west end of the building to its current location at the east end of the third floor. John Hatch supervised their removal and storage.
With concerns about how the windows would fare in the move, Hatch’s collaboration with the construction company ensured their preservation. Today, students and visitors from Durham and across New Hampshire and beyond are able to enjoy the windows from an improved vantage point and can be reminded of the meaning of the building's status as a war Memorial.
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The Durham Historic Association museum is located on the second floor of the Old Town Hall/Former Courthouse, above Durham Parks & Recreation and ORYA Offices, at the corner of Newmarket and Dover Roads. Enter on the Dover Rd. side of the building under the sign. Courtesy WWW
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DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION MUSEUM - Open Memorial Day!
Stop by on Memorial Day (Monday, May 27) from 9am to noon to kick off the 2019 Summer Season...and to see up-close-and-personal the DHA's most recently acquired artifact, an Abenaki grinding pestle discovered on Wagon Hill Farm.
Come explore a sweep of Durham's centuries-old history from pre-colonial Abenaki to the present.
View more info HERE.
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UNH KINGMAN FARM IN MADBURY IS STILL OPEN – For safety reasons, access is now via Madbury Town Hall Parking Lot
This week Admin. Selig had an opportunity to check in with UNH about public access to Kingman Farm. Kingman Farm is still open to the public as it has been in the past. The one difference is the location of the parking.
Historically, parking has been located adjacent to route 155. As you may know this is a high speed roadway and there were concerns from the Town of Madbury, NHDOT and UNH regarding the safety of this access location to Route 155.
As a result, the Town of Madbury has allowed parking at the Town Hall for folks who wish to access Kingman Farm. The Town Hall property abuts the Kingman Farm property and folks can get access to the same trails from this location, although the walk is a bit longer.
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MADBURY DAY IS SATURDAY, JUNE 1st - Town Hall Road, Madbury
Enjoy some small-town celebration and family fun with morning music cafe, face painting, exhibits, Indonesian and American food vendors, music, and a parade! Book sale at the Madbury Public Library from 9 to 2, and a parade at 12 noon, followed by Oyster River Middle School Jazz Band concert, and a homemade dessert auction.
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Flags in place at the Durham Cemetery in advance of Memorial Day. Courtesy Todd Selig
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TWO NEW BUSINESSES OPEN IN DURHAM - The Baker's Corner and Oyster River Cycle & Sport
Two new businesses opened in town this week.
The Baker's Corner is located at 1 Madbury Road (the historic grey building across from the U.S. Post Office). Their Facebook post states, Come join us from 12 noon until 8 pm today (Friday, May 24th)! We have Hershey's Ice Cream, root beer on tap, custom flavored ice cream machine, pastries, and much more!
Oyster River Cycle & Sport has opened off the Sammy's Lot (14 Jenkins Court) downtown next to Bamee Thai Street Food offering a locally run full service bike and sport shop. They will service any type of bicycle and will offer a full line of bikes. They’ll also be offering clinic's on how to care for your bike and also how to use it. Group rides will take place weekly of varying level's and types.
We'll have more information on these new businesses in the future.
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Sunrise at pedestrian bridge over the Oyster River by Rt. 108. Courtesy Mark Houle
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UPDATE ON NEW OFFICE HOURS IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE - Things running smoothly to date.
A reminder that the new hours in the Clerk’s Office changed on March first. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. This allows the clerks to balance and finish the office duties between 4:30 and 5:00 each day. So far things have been running very well and the clerks are very happy with the change. There have been very few concerns expressed.
For those folks who have a hardship getting to the office before 4:30 PM, the Town Clerk/Tax Collector's office is staying open till 6:00 PM on the first Monday of each month, excluding Monday Holidays.
Please contact Lorrie Pitt, Town Clerk at lpitt@ci.durham.nh.us if you have any questions or concerns.
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Durham’s own Sarah Wrightsman was honored last night as one of the 10 to Watch winners. Sarah can be seen in front row, far right, wearing green. Read more about the contest and Sarah HERE. Courtesy Seacoast Online
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DURHAM'S SARAH WRIGHTSMAN NAMED "10 TO WATCH" IN THE SEACOAST!
Sarah Wrightsman, executive director of the Workforce Housing Coalition and a Durham resident, recently joined the Durham Planning Board.
On Wednesday evening, she won a 10 to Watch award presented by the Catapult Seacoast young professionals network and Seacoast Media Group, which showcases the driving forces behind today’s new economy, innovation, and community organizing, by spotlighting young people tangibly impacting the Seacoast region.
You can read the Foster's article HERE.
In accepting the award Sarah said, “I am a person who just says yes to everything.”
Couldn’t we use more of this kind of enthusiasm! Congratulations, Sarah!
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TOWN PLANNER MICHAEL BEHRENDT JOINS BOARD OF WORKFORCE HOUSING COALITION OF GREATER SEACOAST
Town Planner Michael Behrendt is pleased to note that he has joined the board of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast (as a private citizen, not in his capacity as Town Planner).
As stated on its website: “The mission of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast is to ensure the development of a range of housing options are available and affordable to the diverse workforce of the greater seacoast region of New Hampshire and Maine. We are not a housing developer, but a coalition of advocates and educators. Our strategy is to be a catalyst through creating, sustaining, and nurturing a united coalition of business, government and community groups to accomplish our goals. We educate, advocate, and engage the communities we serve on the importance of diversified, accessible and quality housing for professionals.”
You can read more about the coalition, based in Raymond, NH, by clicking HERE.
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SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING IN DURHAM - 2019 AND BEYOND - If you care about how we recycle in Durham, you should attend this forum on June 5th.
Please join representatives of the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee, Durham Public Works Department, Durham Town Council, and Alex Fried of Post Landfill (and an Oyster River graduate) on June 5, 2019 at 7:00 PM in Council chambers for a conversation about Durham’s solid waste program and how and what we recycle. It will be an opportunity for our Durham community to take the first steps together envisioning what will be needed to meet today’s waste and recycling challenges.
This will be a conceptual session to be followed in the fall by two meetings for the purpose of continuing the discussion with more specifics, which could help us reach Durham’s sustainability goals.
As you know, Pay As You Throw (PAYT) and Pay Per Bag has been discussed for Durham as a possible approach. The IWMAC is taking a step back to have a holistic conversation with interested community members about how to address trash and recycling locally. Be a part of the conversation.
We look forward to seeing you June 5th at Town Hall.
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The boys and girls of Troop 154 decorating veterans’ graves in various Durham cemeteries with American flags this week. Courtesy Katie Fiermonti
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NEW PART-TIME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR – CHRISTINE SOUTTER
We are pleased to announce the arrival of our new part-time Economic Development Director, Christine Soutter, who began this past Monday, May 13th. Following three in-person interviews and after completing all intended conversations with Durham/UNH partners along with carefully considering information gleaned through a detailed reference check process, Christine represented the best all around fit for Durham and will serve our needs very well.
Christine had previously worked as a Business Resource Specialist for the NH Division of Economic Development, and most recently as the Economic Development Manager for the City of Somersworth. She also volunteers where she lives in Exeter on the Town of Exeter Budget Recommendations Committee, the Town of Exeter Human Services Funding Committee, on the board of the Exeter Area Charitable Foundation, and as a consultant with the Rochester Opera House.
Christine's office hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8AM to 5PM. She may be reached at 603-590-1387 or emailed at mailto:csoutter@ci.durham.nh.us.
Read an article in this week's Foster's Daily Democrat about Christine Soutter HERE.
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ANNUAL ORIENTATION FOR TOWN BOARD, COMMITTEE, AND TRUSTEE CHAIRS/VICE CHAIRS AND OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS - Mark your calendars for an exciting discussion with Mr. Selig on June 19th! :)
On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM in the Council chambers at Town Hall, Administrator Todd Selig will hold an orientation session for chairs, vice chairs, and other committee members of the various Town boards, commissions, and committees.
The purpose of this annual orientation is to provide chairs, vice chairs, and other committee members with information on the proper structure of meetings, the role of the committee chair, vice chair, secretary, alternates, and Council representatives, as well as outlining the basics of the Right-to-Know Law, including agenda preparation and posting, minutes of meetings, and e-mail correspondence.
At the conclusion of the orientation, Administrator Selig will open the floor for a question and answer session.
All board and committee members are welcome to attend, so please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important and informative orientation.
An agenda for this orientation can be viewed HERE.
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Planting marsh grass as part of the Wagon Hill Farm shoreline stabilization project. Courtesy Wayne Burton
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MARSH GRASSES BEING PLANTED THIS WEEK AT WHF LIVING SHORELINE RESTORATION PROJECT
Public Works Director Mike Lynch reports that the marsh grasses we’ve been growing at the greenhouse for over a year are being planted at Wagon Hill Farm along the newly restored shoreline. You may want to stop over there to take a look when you have a chance.
This is a collaborative project between Durham, UNH researchers, the NHDES, the Army Corps. and others to create a PILOT demonstration project of regional significance that will also address the significant erosion we've experienced along the shoreline at Wagon Hill Farm for decades. In the last 18 years, for example, we've lost approx. 20 feet of shoreline to erosion. To put this in very concrete terms, we've had to move the fencing back three times over the last fifteen years, as it began falling into the estuary as the shoreline receded by about a foot per year.
A living shoreline utilizes marsh grasses, slopes, elevations, rocks, logs, and other natural measures, along with improved drainage and relocated walking trails, to mitigate the impacts of the tide/waves/sea level rise and other contributing factors causing erosion, including trail use, human and animal (horses, dogs, etc.) activity, compression of the soils, shading from trees, rainfall, etc.
Longer term, we've considered use of a boardwalk system to further protect the shoreline from human impacts, but which would continue to allow views of the water. The current project focuses on the grassy meadow area where Durham Day is typically held. There is additional shoreline that would be addressed as part of future phases, as funding becomes available.
DOWNTOWN DURHAM DAY? - Due to construction at WHF, we'll likely need to find another location for Durham Day this fall.
Because the WHF shoreline restoration is under way, and because the extremely wet spring caused some project delays, Public Works Director Mike Lynch indicates we may not be able to hold Durham Day in this location (as it will still be under construction or new grass have been planted and there will be a time when we'll need to keep the area clear. As a result, the Parks & Recreation Committee is thinking about where else we could hold Durham Day. One idea they have considered is to hold it downtown.
Send your thoughts about his concept to Parks & Recreation Director Rachel Gasowski at rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us.
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LOW & MODERATE INCOME HOMEOWNERS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF - An opportunity for qualifying Durham residents.
The “Low & Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief” application is now available. This application can be picked up at the Planning & Zoning Office at the Durham Town Hall or found online HERE. It should be submitted to the State of NH Department of Revenue Administration prior to June 30, 2019.
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WHY IS PET WASTE A PROBLEM? - Do Your Part, Scoop the Poop!
Rain or snow runoff can carry pet waste directly into waterways or storm drains, which usually empty without any treatment into a stream, river, or estuary. Untreated fecal matter can be a source of harmful bacteria and nutrients. Just as we don’t want human sewage in our water, it is important to prevent pet waste from being carried into our waterways.
It isn’t just water quality that can suffer. Leaving pet waste on the ground, especially in public areas like parks or playing fields, may pose a risk to children, adults, and even pets.
Consider This …
Pet waste carries disease causing organisms such as Giardia and Salmonella which can make water unsafe for drinking or swimming; to protect the public from illness, swimming beaches and shellfish beds can be shut down due to bacterial contamination, and pet waste can be a cause of that contamination. Pet waste left on playing fields or in parks can be unhealthy and messy.
Let’s work together to keep pet waste out of our water resources and recreational areas.
Do Your Part: Scoop the Poop!
Scooping your pooch’s poop isn’t just a courtesy for those walking behind you; it’s the healthy and environmentally sound thing to do. Picking up after your dog is not only easy, in Durham it’s the law!,
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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY - Morning of Saturday, October 26, 2019
The 2019 Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held at the Department of Public Works facility located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive. As in the past, all hazardous waste will be collected by appointment only, between 8 - 11:30 AM. To register, you must call DPW at 603-868-5571 or mailto:publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us. REMEMBER - THE MAXIMUM COLLECTED PER HOUSEHOLD IS FIVE GALLONS. NO EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE WASTE, ASBESTOS, SILVEX OR INFECTIOUS/BIOLOGICAL WASTE WILL BE ACCEPTED.
NOT ACCEPTED AT HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY - LATEX AND OLD-BASED PAINTS, MOTOR OIL, AND ANTI-FREEZE. These items can be brought up to the Transfer Station with a permit throughout the year. Latex paints must be dried out first, motor oil, anti-freeze and oil-based paints can go up as is. Typically, hazardous waste is categorized as toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or otherwise hazardous. Please check the manufacturer's label.
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Durham Firefighter Larry Coon being sworn in on Tuesday afternoon by Town Clerk Lorrie Pitt. Also present were his wife, Audra, and their children. Courtesy DFD
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NEW FIREFIGHTER SWORN IN - LARRY COON
On May 21, 2019, Town Clerk Lorrie Pitt administered the Oath of Office to Durham’s newest firefighter, Larry Coon. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Town Council Chambers at the Durham Town Hall.
The ceremony was attended by Larry’s family, several members of the Durham Fire Department, Police Chief David Kurz, and Mr. Selig.
Larry was a lateral transfer from the Barrington Fire Department. He has served on our call department since 2014 and we are happy to have him join us as a full-time firefighter with the Durham Fire Department. Larry lives in Barrington with his wife and two children.
Welcome aboard Larry!
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EVERSOURCE, UNH, AND DURHAM ARE PARTNERING TO PLAN DEVELOPMENT OF OYSTER RIVER CLEAN INNOVATION PROJECT - Demonstration Project will Enhance Resiliency, Advance Solar and Battery Storage Clean Energy Technologies
In order to enhance the resiliency of the local electric system and advance clean energy technologies, Eversource, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the Town of Durham are partnering to plan the development of a community microgrid. The Oyster River Clean Innovation Project will propose an interconnected system of distributed energy resources, including solar and battery technology, that will act as an island during extreme weather, ensuring that power serving the campus and critical town facilities is not interrupted.
“The University of New Hampshire has long been committed to sustainability – our main campus is powered by 100 percent renewable energy, all of our campus buses run on 100 percent alternative fuel – and we’re pleased to partner with the town of Durham and Eversource to increase the resiliency of our local electric system and to contribute the expertise of our researchers to advance clean energy technologies, particularly around solar and battery technology,” said UNH President James W. Dean, Jr.
While still in the planning and development process, the Oyster River Clean Innovation Project will incorporate several leading technologies to improve the resiliency of the electric system, integrate distributed energy resources and provide environmental benefits in a safe and secure manner. The key components of the project are planned to include: solar generation to increase clean energy resources; battery storage to support the integration of intermittent resources like solar; microgrid controller software technology to manage resources when the system is temporarily operating independently from the integrated electric grid during a power interruption (or as an “island”); and robust communications infrastructure to ensure reliable microgrid operation.
Preliminary cost estimates are approximately $15 million, and the partners will seek to leverage federal grant opportunities to support the project’s development. Eversource will request approval for the project in its permanent distribution rate filing with the NH Public Utilities Commission at the end of the month.
And did you know? With the exception of Durham's Wasterwater Treatment Plant (WWTP), 100% of the municipality’s electrical use (Town buildings, street lights, etc.) is produced via renewable energy. One goal of this initiative is to evaluate whether we can power the WWTP with renewable energy as well. Durham's WWTP processes all sewage from Durham sewer users and from the University of New Hampshire. In other words, when you flush the toilette on campus, it comes to Durham's WWTP.
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Durham experienced a Full Flower or Blue Moon overhead this past weekend. Read about the rich history of naming moons HERE dating to Native American and Colonial times. Courtesy Todd Selig
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SCHEDULE FOR REPAIRING THE BEAUTIFUL STREET LIGHTS ON SCAMMELL BRIDGE - Durham had partnered with NHDOT & Affinity LED Lighting to re-energize them in 2017 with energy efficient bulbs at no cost to local taxpayers.
The NHDOT indicates it is scheduled to remove the lights on the upstream (north side) of the Scammell Bridge on 5/29 and 5/30. They decided to do this side first because the sidewalk is closed to pedestrians and to better coordinate with the Severino project also working on the Dover side of the bridge. The lights on the north sidewalk will be shut off on 5/29. The south sidewalk that is currently open to pedestrians will have lighting until NHDOT finishes the first half of the work.
If you recall, earlier this year, one of the lights blew over in high winds prompting a NHDOT structural review of each post.
To learn more about the effort to re-energize the Scammell Bridge lights, click HERE.
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DURHAM ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM - Check to see if your road/street is on the list for 2019.
This year’s road resurfacing program includes an asphalt shim, 1”overlay, and shoulder gravel back-up/widening where applicable on the following Town roads…
- Colony Cove Road
- Edgerly-Garrison Road
- Edgewood Ext.
- Ellison Lane
- Faculty Road
- Longmarsh Road
- Rosemary Lane
- Stagecoach Road
- Technology Drive
- Thompson Lane
- Willey Creek Road Main Street from Pettee Brook Ln. to Roundabout
The project will also include the following additional work…
- Durham Point Road from the end of the NHDOT project to Sumners Corner.
- Top coat Crommets Creek Bridge.
- Rebuild the speed table on Edgewood Ext. once paving is completed there.
- Cold plane 400 ft of faculty Road prior to paving.
- Top coat Cedar Point Road.
- Shim and top coat the Bagdad Road/Littlehale Pond/dam/culvert area.
The sidewalk replacement work consists of Faculty Road and Durham Point Road and repairs to tip downs on existing sidewalks as needed.
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COLONY COVE ROAD WORK TO BEGIN MAY 28TH
DPW will begin road work in the Colony Cove Road area on Tuesday, May 28th. The contractor will be reclaiming a portion of Colony Cove Rd. followed by a shim and overlay of the entire neighborhood. This begins the 2019 Road Program paving.
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RECYCLING SCHEDULE REMINDER... As of February 2019 curbside recycling has been on an alternating schedule, one week bottles, cans and glass, the following week paper and cardboard. There are still many folks combining their recyclables. Please refer to your newsletter or see schedule attached here.
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AMTRAK DOWNEASTER SCHEDULE CHANGES HAVE ARRIVED AS OF MAY 20TH
We’ve learned that the Downeaster will be implementing schedule changes later this month.
Primary changes:
- All five roundtrips will now serve Freeport and Brunswick – this is a first as service continues to be incrementally enhanced.
- Weekend train times in Durham shift +- 30 minutes in various directions.Weekday train times remain virtually unchanged.
- Late night train (Garden Events etc) now stops all the time in Durham 12:47am (no longer flag stop)….
Full schedule can be found at https://amtrakdowneaster.com/printable-schedules (May 20 not posted til day of)
Learn more about the Amtrak Downeaster at http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com
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FOOD FRIENDLY YARDS - The Durham Ag. Commission can be a great resource.
The Durham Agricultural Commission encourages Durham residents to produce their own food through the Food Friendly Yards program. We are a resource for residents wishing to learn more about growing fruit, starting vegetable gardens and creating pollinator habitat in their own yards. We can provide information about raising poultry and other livestock where appropriate. Each year we host a Food Friendly Yards Tour on Farm Day, inviting residents to visit and learn from their neighbors.
For more information or questions, mailto:foodfriendlyyards@gmail.com
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The Milne memorial stone at the Milne Nature Sanctuary will be surrounded by new perennial plantings as part of a volunteer work day on June 1st. Courtesy Ellen Snyder
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RESTORING THE MILNE NATURE SANCTUARY - Join in as part of the volunteer work party on June 1st!
The Milne Nature Sanctuary Committee is looking for volunteers to help plant native perennials and pollinator-friendly plants on Saturday, June 1st from 9:00 am - 12:00.
If interested, please sign up on Nature Groupie by clicking HERE.
Here is some more background...
If you’ve driven down Mill Pond Road lately, you may have noticed that the Milne property, which was given to the Town by Margery Milne as a nature sanctuary and a place where residents could enjoy quiet, reflective time in nature, is somewhat changed.
During April, the Milne Nature Sanctuary Committee began efforts to restore the health of the one-acre property that lies on the shores of College Brook, Oyster River, and Mill Pond. Volunteers from Theta Chi, Phillips Exeter, and the Durham community pulled invasive plants and spread bark mulch on trails. Orion Tree Service removed some dead and dying trees and invasive Norway maples and ground stumps that were cut in previous years. The Durham DPW then cleared large boulders and stumps along the road. This stretch will be replaced with a wood, split-rail fence, allowing for easier weed trimming and mowing to limit growth of invasive plants.
The next phase includes a volunteer work day on June 1st. On that day we will be planting an array of native perennials and pollinator-friendly plants around the Milne memorial stone. We will also plant native shrubs from the State Forest Nursery in several areas where invasive plants were removed. For those interested in stonework, we will also re-build a stone wall on the property.
The Saturday, June 1st work day (9:00 a.m. --- noon) will begin with an overview of the stewardship plans for the Milne Nature Sanctuary. Please see sign-up above. In preparation for Saturday, we are getting the site ready on Friday, May 31st, from 9:30-12:00. Anyone interested in helping on Friday, please email Ellen Snyder at ellensnyder1@gmail.com.
Thanks for considering and hope to see you there!
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Ben Slama and fellow Scouts work on Eagle Scout project at Doe Farm. Courtesy Ellen Snyder
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SCOUTS AT DOE FARM
Last Sunday, Scout Ben Slama completed another piece of his Eagle Scout project by installing four sign posts at Doe Farm with help from his Scout mates.
In April, Ben delivered and built two large picnic tables at Doe Farm. These were used last weekend during the annual Scout Troup 154 campout. They had a big contingent for the campout, including girls for the first time. Scout leader Gary Hochgraf said one of the girls started the campfire with a flint and steel, one of the skills learned in Scouting.
Congratulations to all the Scouts for a successful weekend and for helping to care for Doe Farm, including their “leave no trace” outdoor ethic.
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BAY ROAD CLOSURE IN NEWMARKET DELAYED FOR ONE MONTH
A few weeks ago the Town of Newmarket had informed us that they will be replacing a culvert at 110 Bay Road this summer. This road work will require Bay Road to be closed at this location and was originally scheduled for approximately July 15th- August 26th. At this time it is expected to be pushed out for another month. There will be no through traffic during this time, the Town of Newmarket will be responsible for signage and message boards alerting travelers of the road closure. Below is a map of the location of the work.
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Lost and Found Notice: These good-looking sunglasses were recently left at DPW by an unknown member of the public. If they belong to you, please call Janice Richard at (603) 868-5571 or email jrichard@ci.durham.nh.us. Courtesy DPW
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MAY IS NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH - Learn about the favorite local historic sites of Town Council members.
The Historic District Commission/Heritage Commission asked our Town Councilors for their favorite historic building or site in Durham. The responses for this week’s "Friday Update," with more to follow:
Andrew Corrow – “My favorite places are the nearly 80 historic burial grounds scattered throughout our community. Why? These people, many that lived during the 17th and 18th centuries, built this community. It's important to preserve these spaces for residents and others to reflect on how far we have come and reflect on the struggles involved in getting there.”
Carden Welsh – “You cannot beat the Oyster River Massacre (as commemorated in the park below the dam) as a striking example of the difficulty of two cultures coexisting in colonial America. I get chills, walking there and thinking of that day over 300 years ago when mill worker John Dean left his home in the early morning and was ambushed here, at the start of the battle.”
Sally Tobias – “I am going to have go with the Oyster River Massacre as well. My 7th great grandmother was Abigail Pittman Willey who was captured and taken into Canada. She chose to stay in Canada and when news that her husband had died remarried. From my research she suffered spousal abuse from her husband Stephen and saw captivity in Canada a better deal. An interesting twist to a tragic event.”
Kenny Rotner -- “Mine is the Spruce Bog. Long before any of us and our descendants had their way with this area, and the Native American history that we know of comes mainly from their interactions with colonizers, Nature was declaring itself. Knowing that the bog was once filled with glacial ice is pretty amazing and it helps for me to put into perspective what we call ‘history’".
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MAY IS BUILDING SAFETY MONTH
The month of May is Building Safety Month. Each week Durham's Code Office will focus on a topic involving building safety.
This week the topic is “Construction Professionals and Homeowners: Partners in Safety.”
Whether you are going through a minor remodeling job or major construction, the code official wants your project to be a success. Building safety professionals play a major role in keeping the public safe. They can also help avoid potential problems that could put you at risk and cost you time and money.
You can click HERE for more resources on this subject, or call the Building Department to schedule a time to speak with the Building Inspector, Audrey Cline. Email kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.
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A busy bee atop a dandelion in Durham this past weekend. Courtesy Todd Selig
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DANDELIONS ARE BEE-UTIFUL - 2nd Annual Contest for the Durham Lawn(s) with the Most Dandelions
As part of Durham’s Bee Friendly Program, the Agricultural Commission is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Contest to encourage town residents to both recognize and demonstrate the importance of dandelions for honey bees and other pollinators.
Town residents are invited to submit a photo(s) of their residential lawn where dandelions are either allowed -- or encouraged! -- to grow.
Send a photo(s) via e-mail to:
Lee Alexander
e-mail: mailto:leelaine-alex@comcast.net
mobile: 603-866-2822
Please include name, address, and phone number.
Each contest participant will receive a small (2 oz.) squeeze bottle of “Lee’s Bees” Wildflower Honey.
Based on a fair (but somewhat subjective) site evaluation, the lawn judged to have the highest density of dandelions will receive a large (16 oz.) squeeze bottle of honey.
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IT DEPARTMENT WORKS TO MAKE ENHANCEMENTS IN TOWN NETWORKS
Durham's IT Department is working on making a moderately significant network change starting this week. The new configuration will allow the Town Hall’s Fairpoint fiber Internet connection to become primary for both buildings (Town Hall and Police Department) with the Police Department’s Comcast Internet connection serving as a backup. This is a big step toward a larger goal of centralizing our servers at the Town Hall and making the Police Department our disaster recovery (DR) site. It is also the first of quite a few changes coming this summer (the others being Windows 10, new PCs, and migration to Office365). In addition this work will also allow DCAT to setup broadcasting equipment in the community room at the DPD to host live meetings.
We anticipate several, half hour outages over a 4-6 hour window, if things go to plan. Internet access, Desktop IMC, mail, printing, file server access, and wifi will all be affected briefly during this service window and might be also minimally disrupted during any pre-staging.
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Above: Annual DPD arrest statistics. Bottom Left: German police officers visit Durham Police Station. Bottom Right: UNH students undertake bike/ped campaign. Courtesy DPD
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DURHAM POLICE ACADEMIC YEAR ARREST STATS
The nuances of arrest data in Durham is not an uncomplicated issue and is not typical of a most municipal police agencies due our role as the host community for the University of New Hampshire. The Durham Police Department assimilates arrest data in three separate categories. In the first instance, arrest statistics are accomplished by weekly activity, secondly by the UNH academic year and finally, by the calendar year mirroring the Town’s financial operating budget. Each category allows for a better understanding of the demands facing the department during these periods. This past weekend marked the end of the UNH academic year that began last Fall. With graduation having occurred, Chief Kurz can now report this year’s data and compare the arrest occurrences to previous years.
GERMAN POLICE OFFICERS VISIT DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Durham Police had very special guests this week from Germany! Durham resident Katirina Luxem brought her college friends who were visiting her to the Durham Police station so that they could see how law enforcement services are provided in the Durham community.
Manuela Bach and Markus Schaefer are both police officers in the City of Cologne, Germany and their discussions with some of the Durham officers offered everyone an opportunity to understand how unique policing is in various countries and communities.
We all appreciated the fact that their English was significantly better than our German!
UNH STUDENT PLANNING COMMITTEE PEDESTRIAN/BIKE CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY
The Durham Traffic Safety Committee entertained a proposal from the UNH Student Planning Committee that is comprised of students majoring in urban and other types of planning. As part of their initiative for safer pedestrian and bicycle activity in the downtown area, they proposed to complete markings at crosswalks that would enhance the awareness of those using crosswalks. Last week they applied sidewalk stenciling chalk at a number of crosswalks both on and off campus as well as displaying flyers at bus shelter flyers and ground mounted stake messages. While the stencil chalk paint should only last 1-2 weeks in normal weather, the program is being evaluated to determine the viability of a more permanent signage for pedestrians to enter crosswalks by “looking” first and then crossing.
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PART-TIME SEASONAL HELP WANTED AT DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - If you know of a local youth, 18 years or older, please pass this local summer employment opportunity along!
DPW is still accepting applications for Seasonal summer help - mowing, general landscaping and facility maintenance, support to other DPW staff, etc. If interested, please feel free to fill out an application at the Public Works office located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive. Pay will start at $11/HR+ depending on experience. All applicants must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license to apply.
Applications may also be requested via e-mail at mailto:publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us or by calling 603-868-5578. Application and copy of valid driver’s license to be submitted to the Public Works Department. Submit applications to mailto:publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us or write to Durham Public Works, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824.
This is really one of the best summer jobs out there! Be outside all summer, give back to your community, and be self-directed.
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GROWING PLACES COWABUNGA AND TIMBERNOOK CAMPS JUNE 24-AUGUST 16
Growing Places Early Education and Youth Recreation hosts two camp experiences each summer. The first is Camp Cowabunga, a traditional summer camp for children aged 5-12 years old. Hosted within the Oyster River School District, campers can look forward to daily themed activities, a trip to the UNH pool, and a field trip each week. Camp opens at 7:30am and closes at 4:30pm. Extended care is available until 5:30pm. Two snacks and sunscreen provided daily. To enroll email moharimet@growingplacesnh.org. Growing Places TimberNook, a sensory rich nature camp, will run for six weeks this summer, right in the Moharimet woods. Camps vary in theme and ages, so please check out the TimberNook website HERE to find the right camp for your child.
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Preparing for Memorial Day. Courtesy Todd Selig
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TOWN OF DURHAM FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS
Did you know that the Town has a Facebook & Twitter account and frequently posts Durham & UNH news, happenings, and articles of interest in our area and the seacoast?
Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
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Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.
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R.E.A.C.H. SUMMER DAY CAMP - July 8 - August 9, 2019
R.E.A.C.H. Summer Day Camp is a community-based summer camp collaboration between Oyster River Cooperative School District and Durham Parks & Recreation. It meets Monday- Thursday, July 8 through August 9 at the Oyster River Middle School. Campers can participate in a morning ORCSD program, and then have the option to transition to afternoon camp with Durham Parks & Recreation. Since Oyster River is providing lunch for all school-aged kids, there is no need to pack one! To complete the week, Durham Parks and Recreation is also offering Friday Field Trips.
Read more about the program in the April 2019 Celebrate Durham blog HERE.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY UPCOMING EVENTS
The Durham Public Library will be closed on Monday, May 27th, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular hours resume on Tuesday, May 28th.
It's almost time for summer vacation! Come in and register for the Summer Reading Program, "A Universe of Stories", beginning June 10th, for both children and adults. Summer Calendar coming soon.
June 24th at 6:00pm
Save the date for the DPL's first summer reading event!
"Chasing the Moon" A film By Robert Stone (See image above)
Sneak Peek Screening in partnership with PBS
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One of the many decorated gravesites in Durham's municipal cemetery located off Old Concord Road. Courtesy Todd Selig
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MEMORIAL DAY CLOSING
Each year for Memorial Day we close with the following poem written in 1915 by John McCrae, a Canadian physician, poet, and solider who died in France in 1918.
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In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high,
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Wishing all a safe and peaceful Memorial Day weekend.
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