Friday Updates - November 13, 2020

Friday, November 13, 2020

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A few basic tips on Covid-19 pandemic hygiene:

• Continue to wear a mask, wash hands frequently, and maintain physical distancing of six feet or more;
• Avoid large gatherings;
• Limit your close contacts. A close contact is defined as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 10 minutes starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic cases, two days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. Reducing close contacts decreases the likelihood of contracting COVID-19;
• If you are in quarantine, follow the rules and stay in quarantine.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, chills, muscle aches, loss of taste and smell and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. For more about the symptoms of COVID-19, go to CDC COVID-19 FAQs.

UNH OFFERS “HOT LINE” TO REPORT CONCERNS AROUND PANDEMIC – Available for use by community members as well.

The University is very concerned about student behavior that may affect the health, safety and welfare of the Durham and UNH community, specifically as it relates to COVID-19. An on-line reporting form is where UNH students, staff, and faculty, as well as members of the Durham community, can report the following concerns: 

Students not wearing masks. 

Students not properly social distancing. 

Parties or large gatherings where students are not wearing masks and/or social distancing. 

Students who refuse to put on mask or properly social distance after being asked. 

This form is not for reporting emergencies or reporting incidents to the police. If there is an emergency or you want to report an incident/issue to the police, please call 911 or Durham Police at 603-868-2324.

Access the form HERE.

INFORMATION CONCERNING UNH STUDENTS AS THEY GEAR UP FOR THE END OF SEMESTER AND PREPARE TO RETURN HOME -- In-person learning ends at Thanksgiving.

Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases, UNH has received many requests from students asking to leave on-campus housing, or to finish the remainder of the semester as a remote student.

Since November 6, UNH has had 66 students go home to continue their studies remotely; 39 voluntarily and 27 involuntary (evictions). If UNH students are planning to return to their family's residence for the winter break, they are advised to take every possible precaution to reduce their risk of contracting the virus before they leave.

These students must ontinue to submit their COVID-19 tests until they are ready to leave the UNH campus in Durham. For ultimate safety, UNH students have been advised to consider sheltering in place—only leaving their room to attend classes and labs, to get meals, for safe exercise, to study in the library, or for other essential tasks.

Despite the rising cases, UNH and the Town are incredibly proud of what UNH students have accomplished this semester. All of us, both on campus and off, want students to remain safe.

UNH students will return home to their families after Thanksgiving for remote learning until the end of semester. They will return to Durham in February for the spring semester. During the interim, UNH will continue to offer Covid-19 testing to UNH students who choose to remain locally in off campus private housing.

ORMS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Both exterior and interior metal stud framing is progressing well and more of the beautiful emerald green exterior wall sheathing is being installed. The next component of the wall system is also being added in the form of the light blue (which dries to dark blue) weather barrier being sprayed onto the green wall sheathing. (The light blue color in combination with the emerald green is tough to experience by all but the most colorblind observers.)

Roofing on the high roof portion of the school has started with installation of the protective gypsum, insulating, and membrane layers of the composite system. The roof is scheduled to receive ten inches of insulation (with an R value of 60) as part of the high energy efficiency goals for the building! The high roof should be close to 50% complete by the end of the week.

Installation of the blue colored underground duct lines has commenced and the sections are being backfilled as soon as they are completed and tested.

Sixty percent of the concrete flatwork is complete with the goal being full completion by the end of the month. The next layer of the exterior wall system will begin installation late next week. This consists of a combination rigid insulation board laminated to a nailable, fire retardant treated plywood sheathing. The plywood will later receive a rainscreen material and eventually support one of the scheduled siding materials.

ORCSD AND TEACHER UNION GUILD DISCUSSIONS ON EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS DURING PANDEMIC

The ORCSD School Board’s negotiating team met with the Teacher Union Guild president this week.  Although no specific plans were agreed to, both sides are committed to working together to improve educational options for the District.

HOLIDAY CLOSING SCHEDULE FOR TOWN DEPARTMENTS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION MILL PLAZA SITE WALK

The Conservation Commission will hold a site walk at Mill Plaza on Friday, December 20th at 9:00 am, and the public is welcome. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Plan to park in the parking lot in front of the former Wildcat Fitness.  

WINTER PARKING BAN - Now in effect

The Durham Winter Parking ban commences Sunday November 1st and will be in effect through April 1, 2021. As many know, parking on Main Street, Jenkins Court and any Town owned parking lot is prohibited between 1:00AM and 6:00AM throughout the year. But the Winter Parking ban prohibits parking ON ANY STREET from November 1st to April 1st between 1:00AM and 6:00AM. As the ordinance states,

“Any vehicle so parked during the prohibited hours and dates shall be subject to being towed away at the owner’s risk. The owner or owners shall be required to pay all towing costs and a fine before the vehicle is released.”  

For the first few weeks, the Durham Police will endeavor to issue warnings designed to remind everyone of the Winter ban but were a surprise snowstorm to occur during this period, there should be an awareness that vehicles may be towed to allow for Durham Public Works to more effectively plow the streets and roadways of Durham.  

SWAP SHOP TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

DPW officials recently met with a subcommittee of the Integrated Solid Waste Committee and coordinators of the Swap Shop to evaluate the possibility or re-opening. The consensus was to continue to keep closed. A poll was taken of the volunteers to determine if there was any interest in opening and found that concerns over Covid including possible spikes in the fall and winter remained and people felt it was a better approach to keep closed until spring. We will keep updating the community as things change.   

FALL LEAF AND BRUSH CURBSIDE COLLECTION BEGAN ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020. All items were to be out by 7am! 

As of the end of the day today, Friday November 13, DPW will have completed the collection of brush for Fall Cleanup.  Leaves will be collected next week to conclude the Fall Cleanup.  Fall Cleanup is separate from your regular curbside collection!

Leaves should be placed in paper leaf bags (remember, plastic bags are not recyclable and will not be picked up). Paper bags may be purchased at Aubuchon Hardware and stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot. Loose leaves will not be accepted but may be brought to the Transfer Station & Recycling Center on Durham Point Road.

• Remember, backyard composting of your leaves and brush reduces the flow of waste, while at the same time, produces valuable organic matter for the soil. It improves your soil and the plants growing in it.

BRUSH ACCEPTED AT THE TRANSFER STATION AGAIN AS OF SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH!

The ban on burning brush has been lifted for the time being. We will accept brush once again at the Transfer Station.  

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERS CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKS

Proper use of child safety seats can help keep our children safe but, do you know whether your child’s car seat has been properly installed?  According to the Safe Ride 4 Kids website, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 in the United States.  Many deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper installation of age and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats.  

Firefighter Warren Kadden of the Durham Fire Department recently attended a certification-level course to become a certified car seat installer.  He joins Fire Marshal Brendan O’Sullivan at the Durham Fire Department who is also a certified car seat installer.  

The car seat inspection/installation service is offered to community members at no charge.  To schedule a car seat installation or car seat safety check with Warren or Brendan, please call the Fire Department at (603) 862-1426 or (603) 868-5531.

DURHAM FIRE CONDUCTS ANNUAL PUMP TESTING

The Durham Fire Department recently conducted annual pump testing at the Lee Fire Department, all of Durham Fire’s apparatus pumps are tested each year in compliance with NFPA standards. This allows any issues with the performance of the pump or truck to be identified. Tests check for proper pressures, drafting capacities, correct flow, and the proper RPM’s of the motor. These tests are performed by a third-party company and is in conjunction with Lee and Madbury Fire Departments as a cost saving measure. Maintenance personnel are usually on hand to correct any issue that may arise. 

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT PROGRAM NOTICE - Citizen Assistance Request Program during Covid-19 Pandemic

Chief Kelley would like to remind our citizens that the Citizen Assist Request Program remains active during the duration of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to elderly members of the community and other members that may be in need obtaining food or medication due to illness, medical condition or other needs not readily identifiable. Due to the nature of the Covid-19 Pandemic, private citizens and Durham Police Officers will coordinate efforts to procure and deliver needed services to community members.  

Citizen Requesting Services

1. Call the Durham Police Department at 603-868-2324 between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm. 
2. Provide your name, address and phone number, location of item to be picked up and indicate if it has already been paid for. 
3. Wait for a volunteer or Durham Police Department member to contact you. Officers have been instructed to wait no longer than 30 minutes to contact a volunteer before calling you back and providing you direct assistance.