Friday Updates - October 2, 2020

Friday, October 2, 2020

Autumn foliage in Durham. Courtesy Todd Selig

NO BURN PERMITS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ISSUED DUE TO ELEVATED FIRE DANGER AS A RESULT OF DROUGHT

The State of New Hampshire has shut down the online burn permitting system until further notice. No burn permits are currently being issued due to elevated fire danger.  

Per the State of New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources: 

It is important to note that even with moderate and extreme drought conditions currently affecting our state, the fire danger will continue to fluctuate with changing weather conditions. This fluctuation should not be interpreted to mean that the effects of drought on wildfire potential have been abated, even when the fire danger periodically drops to low or moderate. It simply is a rating of the potential for fires to ignite, spread and require suppression action. Please understand that current fire restrictions imposed at the state level must remain in effect to protect the state’s citizens and natural resources until conditions improve reducing the threat of wildfire.   

REMINDER- NO BRUSH ACCEPTED AT THE TRANSFER STATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE (for the same reason as outlined above)

As residents know, it has not rained in quite some time. As of the 16th of September, the State of New Hampshire has posted a high fire danger condition and the Durham FD has stopped issuing burn permits. BRUSH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED at the Town Transfer Station until there is a change in the fire conditions. Although currently we are not allowed to burn or collect the material at the Transfer Station, DPW still plans on conducting Fall Cleanup of brush and leaves in November, more details to follow on those dates in the coming weeks.  

HALLOWEEN PLANNING IN DURHAM (Trick-or-Treating, etc.)? - What's the scoop?

As we formulate our planning around Halloween in Durham (and across the Oyster River School District) as a result of the pandemic, we are reaching out to Madbury, Lee, and the ORCSD to formulate a plan. At this point, after sitting in on a NH Department of Public Health/NH Municipal Association conference call with guidance on Sept. 30th, we’re planning to proceed with Halloween trick-or-treating on Oct. 30th (from 5 - 7 PM) as usual but with a variety of CDC pandemic-related recommendations in place such as mask wearing (facial coverings versus costume masks), avoiding large gatherings and parties, practicing frequent hand cleaning/sanitizing, maintaining physical distancing, staying home if not feeling well, etc. Lee and Madbury are moving in this direction as well. If neighborhood homes want to participate, turn the porch light on.  If not, turn the porch lights off.

Parks & Rec. Director Rachel Gasowski is looking at the CDC and state recommendations around Halloween and will be putting together a flyer for the community. In addition, Durham Parks & Rec. is developing some other ideas for the community that will be of interest when they are fully fleshed out.  (Pardon the Halloween pun!)

BUDGET DEVELOPMENT FOR FY 2021 CONTINUES – A number of challenges identified…

Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Administrator Selig are drilling down into the budget and so far (recognizing there is a great deal more work to do in evaluating and analyzing figures/requests/assessments/revenues/estimates over the next 4 weeks) some concerns/issues have been identified on the horizon. Here are some early challenges we are collectively facing…

Challenge 1. The pandemic is slowing down the entire process! With remote working for some staff at different times/days of the week, the inability to meet in person as we have traditionally done, and numerous pandemic-related big issues pulling at everyone’s time, etc. things are simply moving slowly.  

Challenge 2. There is just not a lot in the hopper in terms of big ticket development projects for next year to add to the tax base over the next 12 months (and unfortunately beyond at this point in time). We’re realistically looking at somewhere between $8 – $12 million in increased assessed valuation (though we are still drilling down on this number). For the second year in a row, the only significant potential addition to the Durham tax base would be as a result of the Eversource Seacoast Reliability Project, projected by Eversource in 2016 of having an investment value in Durham of around $43 million ($84.3 total investment value across 4 towns) as part of the NH Site Evaluation Committee process, yet we will not have a clear idea of how much the Durham infrastructure will be valued at and attributed to 2021 until our contract utility appraiser provides additional information. As you know, Eversource property assessments in Durham (and in municipalities across much of NH) dating back several years are under appeal by the utility.  

Challenge 3. General Fund projected revenues for 2020 (our current fiscal year) are down at this point by about 1% or ($115,000) mainly due to a loss of revenue when we shut the parking kiosks down for a few months at the start of the coronavirus (and continued weak demand for downtown parking during the pandemic). We are projecting for 2021 that our revenues will remain at this lower amount.

Challenge 4. Expenditure requests are for 2021 are up by about. $800,000 over 2020 (versus $1.4 million requested by departments at this time last year). Expenditure requests from departments and boards/committees/external entities can be categorized as generally reasonable requests and represent good initiatives that ideally we would undertake as a Town if resources were not a factor – but of course available resources are a factor – and it’s a pandemic. 

Challenge 5. With our best information to date (realizing this could change based on further evaluation/analysis/review), even if we kept spending constant with FY 2020, in essence cutting all $800,000 requested, with a weakening projected assessed valuation and estimated revenues, we’d still see a 1.11% increase in the tax rate for FY 2021. Not good. 

Challenge 6. About $600,000 of our cost increase is contractually driven by collective bargaining agreements or required by other factors generally outside of our control (increase in insurance costs, service contracts, etc.). This would put us at about a 7.33% increase in next year’s tax rate alone.

Mr. Selig and Ms. Jablonski don't yet have firm solutions at this time. Departments are actively in the process of prioritizing budget requests, and we continue to evaluate, problem solve, and whittle down requests. More to come...

FALL LEAF AND BRUSH CURBSIDE COLLECTION BEGINS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH. All items must be out by 7am! 

During Fall Cleanup, Public Works picks up brush (natural material from trees) first followed by the collection of leaves.  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 Lowes or Home Depot.  Loose leaves will not be accepted but may be brought to the Transfer Station & Recycling Center on Durham Point Road.
• Brush should be placed in one direction, bundled and tied with string (no wire please). 
• Brush and limbs must be no greater than 5 feet in length and 5 inches in diameter.  No stumps will be accepted.
• The amount of brush and limbs is limited to ONE TRUCKLOAD PER HOUSEHOLD.
• Cutting off small limbs from branches will help maximize each load.
• 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.

Honey for sale at Garden Lane from the beehives they have in their backyard. Courtesy John Pacheco

A REMINDER THAT IT IS NOT OKAY TO DUMP YARD WASTE/LEAVES IN THE RIVER!

A resident in Durham let us know that they had seen some folks dump leaves from their lawn into the river last fall. Residents who live along the Oyster River or Lamprey River may be unaware that their actions are harmful for the river. 

State law (RSA 482-A:3) “prohibits filling streams and wetlands with waste materials, including yard waste.” The law specifically states, “No person shall excavate, remove, fill, dredge, or construct any structures in or on any bank, flat, marsh, or swamp in and adjacent to any waters of the state without a permit” from the state.

Doing so causes decomposing yard waste to use oxygen that aquatic wildlife needs to live. It blocks sun and smothers plant life that’s food for animals including turtles, ducks, chipmunks and deer, the city reports. 

Yard waste can also stimulate algae and other nuisance weeds that form foul-smelling, green mats on the water surface and degrade water quality. 

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.

VEHICLE BREAK-INS AT WAGON HILL FARM

The Durham Police Department has recently responded to several vehicle break-ins at Wagon Hill Farm. Chief Kelley would like to remind citizens to take their personal items out of the vehicle or hide them prior to leaving the vehicle unattended in a public place. Be aware of any suspicious activity when walking to and from your vehicle. If you feel something is suspicious, you can reach the department at 868-2324. If you feel what you are observing is an emergency, please call 911. 

UPDATE ON THE ORCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT 

Another busy week at the ORMS construction site was highlighted by the first lost production day due to bad weather. Wednesday’s rain and high winds prevented steel erection from occurring … but one lost day in five months is pretty good! The steel erector hopes to make up the lost time on Saturday.

After a near flawless erection of the second mega-truss last Friday, work continued on the steel throughout the week with 2/3 of the steel erection being slated for completion by the end of the week. All decking is on site and this will help in keeping the work on schedule. The topping off date (placement of the final beam) is scheduled for October 23rd. Students at ORMS will all have the opportunity to sign the last beam over the next few weeks as part of the event.

Under slab piping and conduit work is continuing in various areas along with the final preparation work of placing insulation, vapor barriers, and reinforcing mesh in the front portion of the building prior to next week’s scheduled first floor slab pour. Major concrete pours on the second section of erected steel are planned for early next week as well.

Spray on fireproofing of the steel has begun this week and the first exterior metal studs began going up on Thursday.

“POOPER SCOOPER” REGULATIONS IN EFFECT IN DURHAM!

The Durham Town Council passed 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. 

As the Durham Police patrol the community they have been monitoring if the dog walker is observed with such devices. If not they have been provided with a warning of the ordinance and encouraged to abide by the new law with the knowledge that we seek compliance, not the issuance of a summons.  

The importance of such an ordinance is to keep sidewalks, 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.

UNH DAIRY BAR TO CLOSE DUE TO PANDEMIC LIKELY THROUGH THE UNH WINTER BREAK

We’re sorry to have to share this announcement from UNH Hospitality Services but effective immediately the UNH Dairy Bar restaurant is closed due to operational challenges related to accommodation of staff and customers as the cooler weather approaches and impacts the outdoor-only sales required for COVID adaptation. This closure will likely be through the UNH winter break. 

The Amtrak Downeaster ticket vestibule will remain open daily during Downeaster service hours for access to the Amtrak Quik-Trak machine and ATM.  

High tide at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Nick Isaak

INVASIVE SPECIES HERBICIDE APPLICATION AT DOE FARM OCTOBER 7-9

Turf Pro, a Certified Pesticide Applicator, will be spraying herbicide on invasive plants at Doe Farm on October 7 - 9, 2020. This is a continuation of work at Doe Farm to create a healthy, naturally regenerating forest. The application of herbicide is done carefully and safely by the contractors with the use of some equipment and machinery. Although the application is safe, it is recommended that visitors avoid visiting Doe Farm on those days, to allow the contractors to complete their work safely.

NO CALL IS TOO SMALL – Just a friendly reminder that if you see something wrong, odd, or not quite right, please call the Durham Police.

With the beginning of the UNH academic year it is a great time to remind all that the very essence of community policing is that our community and the police work together to confront crime and the fear of crime. 

The vast majority of Durham residents understand that the police cannot be everywhere simultaneously to observe criminal or suspicious activity as it occurs. The department finds it difficult to patrol residential areas with the frequency residents, businesses and the police prefer. Chief Kelley urges you to contact the police at 868-2324 or 911 if you see, hear or sense something is not quite right. An officer will respond quickly and resolve what may or may not be criminal activity. 

When law enforcement works directly with residents and businesses we collectively are going a long way toward reducing crime, improving quality of life, and enhancing public safety. While we are all concerned about a person’s privacy, if you see something, say something, the Durham Police want you to know that no call is too small.

Amazing fungi in Foss Farm. Courtesy Carol Birch

 “DRUG TAKE BACK" PROGRAM AT DURHAM POLICE UNDER WAY - A great way to safely dispose of old drugs/medicine.

Just a friendly reminder that Durham residents can drop off unwanted or expired prescriptions at the Durham Police Station Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM for no cost and it’s all anonymous. Doing so prevents prescription drug abuse as six out of ten teenagers who have taken prescription narcotics state that they get them from their parents or relative’s medicine cabinets. Additionally, using this service keeps trace drugs out of our lakes, streams and estuaries as wastewater treatment plants cannot remove many of the compounds found in medications; so when flushed or put in a landfill, drugs are discharged into our surface and ground water and consumed by fish and wildlife. If you have a question about this service that is provided to Durham residents only, please call the Durham Police during business hours Monday through Friday at 603-868-2324.

DPW THANKFUL FOR VOLUNTEER GROUP FROM UNH

Four volunteers from the UNH PrOVES Program did a clean-up of the flagpole garden at the Town Cemetery on Friday, September 25th.  Part time DPW worker Ian Moore assisted as well. Thank you for doing a fantastic job!