Friday Updates - May 8, 2020

Friday, May 8, 2020

Durham's Top Dog! The 2020 Top Dog winner is... Pippa Brooks.

UPDATED COVID-19 CASE INFORMATION FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE (As of 5/7/20, 9AM)

Number of Persons with COVID‐19: 2,146

Recovered: 1,165 (41%)

Deaths attributed to COVID-19: 114 (4%)

Total Current COVID-19 Cases: 1,564

Persons who have been hospitalized for COVID-19: 308 (11%)

Current hospitalizations: 113

Persons Tested Negative at Selected Laboratories: 27,829

Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL: 11,797

Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL: 532

Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time): 3,050

By clicking HERE, you can view summary information by NH county and demographic as well.

UNH TO RESUME IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION FOR FALL SEMESTER - An announcement from President James W. Dean, Jr.

After weeks of analysis and planning, and in consultation with the university system board of trustees, I am pleased to say that UNH is planning to welcome new and continuing students onto our campuses for the fall semester for in-person instruction. We pride ourselves on student success and we know that UNH students learn, grow and thrive best when they are able to experience in-person interactions and support services that our campuses provide. This decision is also based on discussions with faculty and staff leadership as well as listening to our students who overwhelmingly are telling us they want to come back to our campuses to experience the fullness of university life.

Our intention for the fall semester comes with several caveats. First, the health and safety of students, staff, faculty and our community remains our top priority. A return this fall will not look the same as any other time in UNH history. We don’t have all of the answers and ask for your patience and support as we continue to make decisions based on the evolving guidance from state and federal public health officials. We recognize this is an important decision and we take it seriously. We also recognize we have a responsibility to the communities we are located in and we will continue to make every effort possible to mitigate risks to our neighbors.

The university’s senior leaders, in partnership with a number of task forces across our campuses, are working to address questions about what living, learning and dining arrangements on our campuses may look like during this time of ongoing physical distancing or other measures. Plans for the fall include: 

• A robust testing system will need to be in place prior to the start of the academic year and will continue during the school year. We are consulting with the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services and area hospitals. Anyone showing symptoms will be tested promptly and quarantined if positive, in space we will set aside for that purpose.  
• We are reviewing several tracing and tracking options for early and thorough identification of at-risk contacts.
• We will follow and adhere to clear public health guidance, including physical distancing and dramatically enhanced cleaning of campuses' spaces, especially classrooms and common spaces.
• We will have ample masks/face protection and sanitizer.
• There will be options and flexibility for your education. Classes will be offered in a blended format to ensure access for everyone. Students can choose to stay home, be on campus and go to class, or be on campus but only attend some classes in person. 
• We will provide appropriate accommodations to those employees who are at higher risk for the coronavirus. As a society, we are learning a lot right now about which jobs are most amenable to remote work, and about new and better ways to do such work. Additional information for faculty and staff will be forthcoming. 

While there are still many unknowns, we do know that our success will require the support and commitment of everyone, especially our students. We have a shared responsibility to comply daily with safety and health protocols.

Collectively we must make smart decisions to keep ourselves as well as our neighbors safe and healthy. This won’t be easy, but given how well the UNH community responded to the pandemic this spring, I am confident we can do this—together. We will be in touch regularly with updates. Thank you again for everything you’ve done to end this academic year on a high note and for everything I know you will do to keep us strong and successful. Be well, be safe. 

President James W. Dean, Jr.

UNH ENROLLMENT TRENDS - Data from UNH Institutional Research

In response to a thoughtful concern from resident Joshua Meyrowitz regarding information in last week's "Friday Updates," the Town sought to obtain additional information on UNH enrollment patterns and trends to better inform the community.

The University has directed us to its Institutional Research page HERE where a wealth of data may be found.

For example, UNH reports the following Fall enrollment data for the last ten years:

• 2010 - 14,469
• 2011 - 14,596
• 2012 - 14,761
• 2013 - 14,466
• 2014 - 14,637
• 2015 - 14,891
• 2016 - 14,817
• 2017 - 15,066
• 2018 - 15,035
• 2019 - 14,509

As can clearly be gleaned, there was a drop in enrollment of 526 students from Fall 2018 to Fall 2019. UNH has indicated it is working to address this challenge in an environment with fewer overall college-bound seniors across the nation.

The Wilcox Garden along Route 108/Newmarket Road at bridge spanning Oyster River. “This Garden in honor of Dorothy Wilcox. A Teacher, Historian, and Friend.” Courtesy Todd Selig 

SAMMY'S MARKET HOSTS DAILY FOOD DRIVE

To support Durham's local food pantries, Sammy's Market is hosting a daily food drive.  Bins available for dry and canned food items drop off.

5 Madbury Road

Open:  Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm / Sunday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Delivery available

603.785.0279

STATE ELECTION SUPPORT COMMITTEE IN CONCORD HEARS CONCERNS THIS WEEK

The NH Select Committee on 2020 Emergency Election Support, which is charged with advising the state on the use of $3.2 million in CARES Act money for election support, met three times this week. On Wednesday and Thursday the committee heard over five hours of testimony from city and town clerks, moderators, and supervisors of the checklist about the many, many challenges municipalities are going to face as they try to hold state and federal elections during a pandemic. The New Hampshire Municipal Association reports the committee is planning to meet at 2:00 every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the next few weeks.

REMINDER - Memorial Day Holiday coming up | Transfer Station will be CLOSED ON SATURDAY, MAY 23. 

Curbside collection of refuse and recycling will be delayed one day on the week of 5/25- 5/29, for example, if your collection is normally on Monday, it will be on Tuesday that week, Tuesday’s on Wednesday’s, etc.

SPRING CLEANUP POSTPONEMENT UPDATE AND UPCOMING BULKY WASTE DAYS AT THE TRANSFER STATION - Residents/Taxpayers may bring their own bulky waste to facility for free on 6 special days with extended hours.

There has been much confusion in the community regarding the cancellation of Spring Cleanup. As communicated on Friday updates and social media, due to proactive changes in shift staffing to guard against an all-out COVID-19 outbreak at DPW, concerns about COVID-19 contamination on bulky materials brought curbside, and the necessity to have multiple people working in close proximity to collect such materials, the Town opted to indefinitely postpone the spring cleanup until further notice. Similar issues exist with allowing residents to bring these heavy/bulky materials to the facility directly. Unfortunately the message of the cancellation has not reached all residents. 

In an effort to assist the community in getting rid of their materials in a safe manner to both residents and DPW employees, the Town has decided to implement the following...

On the days listed below, folks with Resident/Tax payer permits may enter the Transfer Station to get rid of BULKY WASTE ITEMS ONLY and will not require coupons. 

• Wednesday, May 13th and Thursday, May 14th between the hours of 7:30AM- 7:30PM
• Wednesday, May 20th and Thursday, May 21st between the hours of 7:30AM- 7:30PM
• Wednesday, June 3rd and Thursday, June 4th between the hours of 7:30AM- 7:30PM

** Residents will have to unload their own material

** We will restrict drop off to 3 vehicles at a time with a dumpster for each vehicle drop off point. Vehicles would wait in line for a vehicle to clear.

We ask that all regular trash and recycling and “normal” dump activities be limited to regular Transfer Station hours, Tuesday and Saturday, 7:30am - 3:00pm.  

$376,000 AVAILABLE TO DURHAM FROM FEDERAL/STATE GOVERNMENT TO OFFSET COVID-RELATED EXPENSES

Gov. Sununu has notified municipalities that the state is making approx. $40 million available to counties and municipalities to offset costs associated with the pandemic. Based upon 2018 census data, Durham will be eligible for up to $376,000 in funding. The Business Office and departments will monitor closely and follow up as required under program guidelines.

TOWN HALL OPERATIONAL PLANNING IN AGE OF COVID-19

In following various public health guidelines Durham's Town Offices adapted to a largely virtual environment such that most in-person operations were curtailed. Employees have still been available to the public by phone or email for any assistance they might need, and on a case by case situation, on a walk-in basis. 

At this time we will tentatively plan to continue the status quo through May 31st, provided the Governor does not extend the order to a later date. 

Efforts are now under way to plan for a potential resumption of “new normal” operations as of June 1st. We’ll likely recommend that the public wear masks when entering public buildings after that point in time, and other operational changes will be put in place.  

LIBRARY PANDEMIC PLANNING

The Library is very active planning for a phased reopening of services consistent with public health recommendations.

PARKS & REC PANDEMIC PLANNING

The Parks & Recreation Department is carefully evaluating public health recommendations and guidelines with respect to its programs and services for the community, particular pertaining to summer programs. The Governor’s committee on gradually reopening services in NH is expected to offer guidelines focusing on camps, etc. P&R is also collaborating with the ORCSD on Reach for this summer. See expanded discussion of Reach described in the Parks & Recreation area below. 

NEIGHBORHOOD LIGHTS - The DFD will visit Durham neighborhoods Saturday nights in a parade-like fashion to lift spirits as outlined below.

The Town of Durham’s available emergency services units will be conducting rolling community visits through Durham neighborhoods on Saturday evenings between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for the next several weeks. Residents are encouraged to exercise appropriate social distancing with their neighbors if they come outside during the parade.

The apparatus parade will train through the following streets twice during their visits:

Saturday, 05/09/2020: Durham Point Road, Deer Meadow Road, Fox Hill Road, Mathes Cove Road, Colony Cove Road, Edgerly–Garrison Road.  

Saturday, 05/16/2020: Stone Quarry Drive, Briggs Way, Riverview Road,  

Shearwater Street, Cormorant Circle, Morgan Way, Williams Way, Tirrell Place, and Cedar Point Road.   

The intent of this visit is to spread cheer by giving the kids and families something to look forward to as well as to let the community know that their emergency responders are still here and available to respond. Different neighborhoods will be visited each week. 

This event subject to change due to emergency or service responses. 

UPDATE FROM CONCORD – NH House of Representatives Exploring Safe Venues for Socially Distant In-Person Sessions.

The NH House of Representatives is still not scheduling hearings, and the full House is not planning to meet anytime soon, because right now it has only five bills to act on. There is the further problem of finding a place where 400 people can meet safely. According to the New Hampshire Municipal Association, in today’s House calendar, the Speaker states, “We are exploring other venues where we could all meet to do our work in a socially distant and respectable manner.”

PLANNING FOR ORHS GRADUATION CEREMONY

In last week's Friday Updates two possibilities for graduation locations were shared; one at Lee Speedway and the other at the high school. It was determined this week that holding a “parade style” graduation at the high school was the most practicable and what the kids would like to see happen. As the logistics of the Speedway were thought through it became apparent it would be logistically impractical. Given the class of 2020 wanted to experience graduation together it has been decided to hold a “parade style” graduation at Oyster River High School.

Principal Filippone, Mrs. Healy, administration, counselors, and students are all working to plan graduation. The date will remain as June 12th. The time will likely be earlier than the traditional time of 6:00 PM. More information will be shared with the community once the details have been determined.

It is hoped that the ORCSD can open its schools as it traditionally does in the fall.

“POOPER SCOOPER” REGULATIONS

Durham has regulations regarding the need for owners to “clean-up” after their pet. The ordinance requires that any person having custody of a dog cannot be on any public property without having in their possession a device such as a mechanical device such as a pooper scooper, a trowel, a shovel, a plastic bag or other appropriate container to remove excrement/feces and to subsequently dispose of the waste in a trash receptacle and NOT leave bags at trail sites. 

The importance of such an ordinance is to keep playgrounds and other public areas free of such debris. Additionally many people may not be aware that dog feces contain zoonotic pathogens that endanger human health and pathogens that endanger the health of other pets including E.coli and Salmonella bacteria, Hookworm, Roundworm and Whipworm. Additionally dog (animal) feces is a leading cause of stormwater pollution, and the Town of Durham’s 2017 MS4 Stormwater Permit requires that the community be informed of the proper management of pet waste, including citing existing ordinances where appropriate.

AMTRAK DOWNEASTER PLANNING MEETING – Planning for when public health conditions allow for resumed service.

Todd Selig along with John Carroll participated in an Amtrak Downeaster Zoom meeting this morning in which Downeaster operational issues were discussed, reports shared from stations, as well as strategies/plans for an eventual reopening as pandemic conditions allow. The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster, is using this down time to make numerous rail line/service/public health planning enhancements.  

DID YOU KNOW? - A tidbit from the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee

The Town of Durham can make money from selling aluminum cans. There are separate blue bins at the co-mingle drop off station at the Durham Transfer Station strictly for aluminum cans. The last load the town sold was 1900 lbs at $.30/lb. That’s $570! NOTE: Rates do fluctuate monthly. If you put your aluminum cans out in the mixed plastics recycling pickup, they will be recycled but we lose the $$ opportunity to make some money!

DURHAM'S NEW POLICE OFFICER SWORN IN!

Craig Forrest was sworn-in by Town Clerk Lori Pitt on Monday and had his badged pinned to him by his wife Amanda.  Craig fills the vacancy of Danny Brooks who left Durham to assume the role as Deputy Chief in Barrington.  In an interesting full-circle story, Craig had applied for a full-time position at Durham Police in 2014 and ironically would have been offered a position with Durham but Rochester’s process was slightly ahead of ours and he obviously accepted the “sure thing!”  

We are excited to be able to obtain the services of Craig who brings six years of experience in Rochester combined with his BS in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University.  Craig and Amanda have a 1 year old daughter, Keira, and live in Barrington.  Although Craig is a certified police officer in New Hampshire, he will be assigned to work with a certified Field Training Officer (FTO) for the next 8 to 12 weeks.  During this phase Durham officers are indoctrinated to the policies and procedures of how a Durham officer provides guardian services to the community.  There will be familiarity to the roadways, radio systems and all of the policies and procedures of the organization.  Once completed, Craig will be assigned to a patrol shift and begin working singularly.



The Durham Police currently has one vacancy due to School Resource Officer Tom Kilroy resigning to accept employment with the Federal Probation and Parole Agency. Another position will become vacant with the retirement of Chief Kurz in July.  Both these positions will remain vacant for the remainder of the year with due consideration given to the Covid-19 challenges we all face.  After January of 2021, the department will begin a selection process to identify potential candidates.  

IF YOU HEAR SOMETHING . . . SAY SOMETHING

The Durham Police are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to any of your concerns. In our community there are many off-campus rental properties where some of the residents are outstanding examples of the students who attend UNH. Sadly there are others who are not so considerate of their neighbors and the noise they create is a challenge for the entire neighborhood. While it certainly has been much quieter during the Covid-19 pandemic with UNH closed, there are still situations that warrant you notifying the police.  

Chief Kurz urges residents to contact the department if there are concerns about noise, behavior or other issues related to these problematic properties. Believing that the issue is not important enough to contact the police is an error. Feeling that you are bothering the police is an error. The reality is that if there is no call to the police, which does create a history of problems that is tracked; the silence from our residents equates to “there is no problem” and complicates the Town taking affirmative actions! For instance, if the Durham Police research calls to a specific property and there are none, then it is very difficult to validate a concern and work collaboratively with UNH or through the court system about a problem property! While frustration with a difficult property is not pleasant, to remain silent simply does not offer us a resolution.  

Chief Kurz urges residents that if you hear disruptive or loud activity this weekend, or any other time, you are encouraged to contact the Durham Police via 603-868-2324 or 911 if the situation warrants an emergency response. Calling 603-868-2324 for this type of activity may be the preferred manner!

Courtesy John Pacheco

WORK AT THE ORMS HAS BEGUN – There is a new parking configuration on Coe Drive

DPW has restriped Coe Drive on the middle school end to accommodate construction activity and related on street parking during the new ORMS building project and likely after completion in some form as well. And on that note, construction activity and site work has now begun at ORMS!

 In case residents are wondering why the General Sullivan monument sign is missing, it has been taken down for some badly needed restoration.