Friday Updates - October 20, 2023

Friday, October 20, 2023

Durham House of Pizza is getting ready for Halloween! (Yes, there is a misspelling on the sign.) Courtesy, Todd Selig

The Parks & Rec. Department is monitoring the weather for the Downtown Trick or Treat event on Sunday and plans to make a call by 12 noon tomorrow (Saturday, 10/21). If the weather looks like it’s not going to cooperate, P&R will move the event to the rain date: Saturday, Oct. 28th from 2-4pm. 

Churchill Ice Rink is open!! Check out the live skating schedule by clicking HERE.

At the October 16 Town Council meeting, a progress report on the status of the Council Goals as of September 30, 2023, was presented to the Council. You can view the progress report HERE.

HALLOWEEN IS A BUSY TIME IN DURHAM -Trick or treating in Durham will take place on Monday, October 30th, from 5 - 7:30 PM. The Durham Police Department wants to remind all parents to think “Safety First” and recommends high visibility costumes for your little witches and gremlins. It is expected to be a very active weekend for the department as we strive to maintain a proactive and high visibility presence designed to allow everyone to enjoy the various entertainment opportunities both on the UNH campus and throughout the downtown.  

FREE HOME VISITS FOR THOSE WITH ASTHMA

McGregor EMS recently received funding from the NH Asthma Control Program to support people with asthma through home visits. Visits are tailored to the needs of the individual but can include (1) help identifying or minimizing triggers in the home (2) review of symptoms and treatments (3) help with existing asthma action plans (4) help with how to take your asthma medications. Visits are funded entirely through the grant and are offered at no cost to the patient or community. Insurance is not required. Questions regarding the program can be emailed to asthma@mcgregorems.org

To sign up for a visit, please fill out the secure form available HERE. McGregor will contact you to schedule an appointment.

PILOT PARKING PROGRAM - Dennison Rd., Garrison Ext., and Stratford Ave.

The Town of Durham is implementing a pilot parking program to better serve the community’s increasing parking demands by the UNH and Oyster River School communities. For this 2023-2024 school year, the Police Department will be selling daytime commuter passes. Anyone who has the need to park during weekday business hours is eligible to purchase the permit. The Town has recently added Dennison Road, in front of the Oyster River Middle School, as part of the newly established pilot program. 

Permit hours are Monday-Friday, 6AM-4PM, during the 2023-2024 school year. Locations that the permits maybe used are Dennison Road, Garrison Extension and Strafford Avenue. There is still no overnight parking (1AM-6AM) in any of these areas. Cost for the permit is $100 for Fall-Winter Break, $100 for Winter Break-Summer, or $200 for the academic school year. The permits can be purchased at the Durham Police Department during regular business hours. Parking on Dennison Road will remain open and free on Monday-Friday 4PM-1AM, weekends, and on holidays.

For those visitors to the area that are looking for an hourly parking option only, the newly added ParkMobile App may be used on Dennison Road, at the rate of $1.50 per hour. Please check out the ParkMobile website https://parkmobile.io/ and posted signs along the road for more information. At this time, no changes have been made to the parking spaces located on Coe Drive between the SAU and the Oyster River Middle School. These spaces will remain open and free for any visitors to the area apart from the no overnight parking (1AM-6AM).

CALL TO PARTICIPATE IN A SHORT SURVEY ON MILL POND DAM AS PART OF PH.D. DISSERTATION FOR UNH DOCTORAL STUDENT JUSTINE NWANAKWERE

Justine Nwanakwere is a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in the UNH, economics department. He is an international student and has been in NH for about 4 years. He is a husband and will soon be a father (their daughter is coming in December). Joan (his lovely wife) and Justine live at 6 Hoitt Drive in Durham and have been living there for 1 year and 2 months.

His research area is in environmental economics. Specifically, he is interested in the economic valuation of environmental resources with a focus on dams, rivers, wildlife, and wildlife habitats. Using some economic models, he tries to estimate the monetary values (use and non-use) that individuals have for these environmental resources (also known as non-market goods) which are useful for policy. This survey is about dams, using the Mill Pond Dam in Durham as a case study. This is part of Justine’s dissertation and is strictly for academic purposes. You do not need any special training to participate, only your honest response. The survey is anonymous and only to be completed by Durham residents. It will take about 7 - 10 minutes to complete the survey. More information is provided on the first page of the survey. Justine would really appreciate your participation and would be happy to provide interested residents with a copy of his findings. Kindly follow the link HERE to participate and feel free to send it to anyone you may know in Durham to participate as well. 

DURHAM WINTER PARKING BAN BEGINS NOVEMBER 1ST

The Durham Winter Parking ban begins Wednesday, November 1st and will be in effect through April 1, 2024. 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 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM. 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 effectively plow the streets and roadways of Durham.

Join us on Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 PM at the Durham Public Library to learn more about composting, and how you can benefit from its advantages. There will be a give-away of a backyard compost bin (value: $68) at the event. There will also be 25-count compostable bag giveaways. A representative from Mr. Fox, a local curbside Compost service, will be attending and giving away a free bag of compost! Don’t miss it!

Examples of things you can compost in a backyard compost bin:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Used tea and coffee grounds
• Crushed eggshells
• Grass clippings
• Flowers and green plant cuttings
• Many (but not all) weeds

See more about backyard composting HERE.

Examples of things you can compost at the transfer station through Mr. Fox:

• All food waste (including meat and dairy)
• Brown paper towels, napkins, toilet paper/paper towel tubes
• Garden trimmings
• Soiled pizza boxes
• Corks

See more items that can be composted at the transfer station HERE.

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

Questions about recycling or composting? Email us at DurhamRecycles603@gmail.com

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Click HERE.

Want to know more about the Swap Shop?  Click HERE.

DPW FALL NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE – Leaf and Yard Waste Collection Begins November 6th

Durham Public Works’ Fall Newsletter is now available by clicking HERE.  Check out the many fall projects that are being done as well as important information on Hazardous Waste Day and Fall Leaf & Yard Waste Residential Curbside Collection Program. The Newsletter is also available in a hard copy version which can be picked up at the Durham Public Works, Durham Police Department, Durham Town Hall, and the Durham Public Library.

The Fall Leaf and Yard Waste Residential Curbside Collection Program begins on November 6th at 7:00 am. Please place acceptable materials curbside no earlier than November 3rd. A list of acceptable and unacceptable materials can be found in the Fall Newsletter.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY COLLECTION EFFORT

Durham Public Works reports high participation from the October 14th Household Hazardous Waste Day event with over 70 residents disposing of common household hazardous waste items. This extremely important program provides an opportunity for residents to properly dispose of common household hazardous wastes while protecting the environment.

Durham Public Works and Continental Paving, Inc. are nearing completion on the Emerson Road Roadway Construction Project. Binder course pavement within the reclamation limits from Madbury Road to the western entrance of Littlehale Road will remain in place through the Winter. This will allow the roadway to experience a freeze/thaw cycle to help enhance subsurface compaction prior to wearing course pavement application in the spring/summer of 2024. A mill and overlay treatment within the corridor from the western entrance of Littlehale Road to Bagdad Road was completed this week along with repairs to the stormwater catch basins. Additionally, the bituminous sidewalks were replaced, and compliant ADA ramps installed. Pavement markings will be installed next week to delineate the roadway center and crosswalks.

WAGON HILL FIELD MOWING

Durham Public Works Facilities and Grounds Division Team member, Chris Starkweather, began the annual mow of the Wagon Hill Farm fields this week. The roughly 80-acre field will take approximately two weeks to complete. DPW strategically times the mowing to avoid nesting season and peak pollinator times of the year.

The Durham Public Works Highway Team constructed three (3) bioretention areas at its Stone Quarry Drive Campus recently as part of the Parking Lot Reconstruction Project. These engineered systems, also known as rain gardens, are designed to mimic natural processes to capture, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff. They function as a form of green infrastructure and are highly effective at removing common stormwater pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals.

DIRT/GRAVEL ROAD GRADING – Rolling Operations to Occur Early Next Week

Please be advised that Durham Public Works will be grading Dame Road, Longmarsh Road, Winecellar Road, and 254 Main Street from Monday October 23rd to Wednesday October 25th, 2023. The roadway will be restricted to one lane in the work area with alternating traffic between 7:00am and 4:00pm.  Access to adjacent residences, businesses and institutions within the work areas will be maintained at all times. Disruptions to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic are expected to be minimal; however, the commuting public should seek alternative routes if possible and allow additional time to reach their destinations. Thank you for your patience.  For additional information please contact Durham Public Works at (603) 868-5578.

Several of Durham Public Works’ Divisions responded to a large water main break on Coe Drive near the Oyster River High School on the evening of October 6th. A repair clamp at a pipe joint failed due to corrosion. The team worked tirelessly until 3:00 AM Saturday to repair the pipe segment, ensuring that water service was restored to the High School in advance of a large event planned for the following day.

Durham Public Works and its contractor, Restoration Masons, completed repairs to the exterior of the Old Courthouse facility this week. This project addressed several areas where deteriorating mortar joints and crumbling bricks were present. Damaged mortar and bricks were removed and replaced using historically accurate techniques and materials to maintain the architectural authenticity of the structure.

REGULAR PART-TIME MECHANIC POSITION OPEN

The successful candidate will assist the Durham Public Works' Fleet Services Supervisor in the maintenance, repair, and installation of a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment within the Public Works Fleet. Responsibilities include diagnosing and troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, performing regular preventative maintenance on equipment, ensuring equipment is operating safely and efficiently, and keeping accurate and detailed maintenance records. In this versatile and exciting role, you will report to the Fleet Services Supervisor and Operations Manager.

The salary for this position is $23.00 - $25.00/hr, depending upon qualifications. Flexible scheduling is available for this 24-hour per week position, with normal work hours from 7:00am – 3:30pm Monday – Friday.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of (1) year of experience or formal training in the maintenance of fleet vehicles and heavy equipment. Possession of a Class B Commercial Driver’s License and State Inspection Certification desired.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs. Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us.

PART-TIME TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT POSITION OPEN

The successful candidate will assist in the operation of the Raymond A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center during public open hours on Saturdays. The Transfer Station Attendant will frequently interact with residents to ensure that materials are placed in the proper receptacles and answers questions regarding solid waste and recycling. Additionally, the Attendant will perform general facility maintenance and cleaning as well as operates a skid steer and backhoe to transport/consolidate materials.

The salary for this part-time position is $17/hr. The successful candidate will possess an NHDES Solid Waste Operator License or the ability to obtain within (6) months of hire.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs. Please send resume and completed application to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us.

Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers (ORPP) visited the Durham Police Department and completed and arts and crafts project with Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Officer Emily Bolton. The preschoolers made Jack O’ Lantern Police Masks, toured the station, and explored a police car. Thanks for visiting ORPP!

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 (https://saferide4kids.com/blog/), 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. 

Fire Marshal Brendan O’Sullivan and Firefighter Warren Kadden of the Durham Fire Department are both certified car seat installers. POP (Problem-Oriented Policing) Officer Emily Bolton of the Durham Police Department is also a certified car seat installer.

The car seat inspection/installation service is offered free of 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 or by email at Durham.fire@UNH.edu. 

To schedule a car seat installation or car seat safety check with POP Officer Bolton, please email Emily at ebolton@ci.durham.nh.us. 

This is truly a fantastic program and Administrator Selig urges new parents to take advantage of it. He and his wife did when their older daughter was born in Durham many years ago!

This Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, the Durham Fire Department will host an open house at the fire station. In keeping with National Fire Prevention month, which occurs annually during the month of October, the open house hopes to bring awareness to the importance of fire prevention in the home and in the community. For more information, please scan the QR code. The Fire Department hopes to see you there!

The Durham Professional Firefighters Local #2253 would like to introduce Smokey the Fire Dog. Smokey will give short tips on Fire Safety, weekly so Parents and guardians can generate conversation with their children about Fire Safety. Keep an eye out in the weekly updates These small questions and tips are a great way for you as a Parent to teach your kids about Fire Safety, the more they know the safer they will be.

WEEK #41

Now that Fall is here, Smokey wants to pass along some Fall safety tips.

Click HERE for some helpful tips.

JOB OPENING FOR A DCAT 22 TV CAMERA OPERATOR/CONTROL ROOM TECHNICIAN  

An as-needed position in the DCAT/IT Department for a TV camera operator/control room technician is available. The person in this position will perform highly responsible work supporting and maintaining the operation of the Town’s audio/video recording systems. This position focuses on the video recording of public meetings, generally during the evening hours.  The position pays $20.00 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. Position is open until filled. Click HERE for full job description.

Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Craig Stevens, Durham TV Coordinator, 8 Newmarket Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or email: cstevens@ci.durham.nh.us. 

SUPPORT THE OYSTER RIVER CLASS OF 2024!

Oyster River Alumni Association's Project Graduation 2024 is desiring to help others and raising money in the process!

ORAA is asking the community to bag up all the coats, clothes, shoes, books, magazines - any household items they don’t use, and let the members of Project Graduation 2024 come take everything away! 

ORAA Project Graduation 2024 has partnered with Savers. Whatever items are collected, Savers will weigh on December 2nd and will send a check directly to Project Graduation 2024, helping TO KEEP OYSTER RIVER SENIORS SAFE after graduation.

The deadline for item pick-up is December 1, 2023. There will also be times to drop off items on October 30 and November 13. Click HERE for further information on drop off times and what items can be donated.

2024 OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY

Graduation will be held on June 7, 2024 (rain date June 8). June 7th is a great day for graduations!

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

Congratulations to ORHS students Owen Nealon, James Li, and Chris Hawley! All three received a National Merit Scholar Letter of Commendation.

The first Coffee House of the year will take place on November 9th at the high school.

The Superintendent Search continues smoothly thanks to the dedication and hard work of the search committee. The district website has all the dates and details HERE.

OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SENATE TO HOST MENTAL HEALTH PANEL

The ORHS Student Senate invites you to attend Mental Health Matters: Breaking the Stigma, on October 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium (55 Coe Dr., Durham).

The goal of this panel conversation is to continue our community conversation on mental health. The theme is "breaking the stigma related to mental health".

Panelists will reflect a variety of perspectives including students, faculty, and mental health professionals in our community. You may submit a question for the panel by completing the question submission form HERE. 

Want some insects with your IPA? How about sea life with a local cider?

Seacoast Sips of Science, a series that brings UNH scientists into Seacoast-area breweries and other venues to share their latest research in a relaxed, interactive environment, returns with six events this coming academic year.

Seacoast Sips of Science traces its origins to 2016, when Seacoast Sips of Science director Christine Caputo, associate professor of chemistry, launched a three-day Pint of Science festival at Seacoast-area breweries. The event rebranded as Seacoast Sips of Science after COVID, and in 2022 it expanded to host monthly events. In addition to Caputo, volunteer organizers are UNH Ph.D. students Emily Andrews, Jo Field and Caroline Kanaskie; Dovev Levine, assistant dean for graduate student affairs/assistant vice provost for outreach and engagement; and Beth Potier, director of research communications.

Seacoast Sips of Science has partnered with the UNH Graduate School, and receives funding from the UNH Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach.