Friday Updates - October 23, 2020

Friday, October 23, 2020

A new 110-foot pedestrian boardwalk was built by volunteers last weekend on the Merrick property off Bagdad Road, with funding from private donors. Courtesy John Nachilly.

MERRICK TRAIL BRIDGE IS COMPLETED!

Construction of the new pedestrian bridge (actually a 110-foot boardwalk) on the Merrick property off Bagdad Road was completed last Saturday. Volunteers put in 30 hours to build the boardwalk, which provides a sustainable, dry bridge across a wetland.

Pressure-treated lumber has been in short supply due to the pandemic, so we were fortunate to receive this delivery from Middleton Lumber. Conservation Commission member John Nachilly designed the structure, ordered the materials, and led the volunteer crew in building the boardwalk. The pressure-treated stringers and decking sit on granite slabs that were re-purposed and supplied by DPW. Christian Hull, a neighbor to the property, used his tractor to assist John in placing the 11 granite slabs in preparation for the build.

Thanks to John and Christian and the other volunteers that helped with the construction: Rob Sullivan, Charlie Blitzer, Tom Haines, Ellen Snyder, and ORCSD students Sam Haskell. Andy Carlson, and Henry Miller. Much appreciation to neighbors Dick and Eleanor Lilly for loaning an extension cord and power to saw up the boards, as well as use of their yard as a trail detour until the boardwalk was completed. Many thanks to the Merrick family for allowing public access to the trail network on their property. You can find a trail map HERE. Finally, thanks to the many donors who funded this project for the benefit of the community.

TOWN OF DURHAM LISTED ONCE AGAIN AS ONE OF SAFEST COLLEGE TOWNS IN AMERICA

The Town of Durham again has made the list of Safest College Towns in America. This year the Town has climbed four spots to be ranked fourth in the nation according to research firm, Safewise. Safewise uses FBI crime statistics on property and violent crimes. Durham is also ranked as the ninth safest community in New Hampshire. 

The Safewise findings also noted that the 50 safest college towns had property crimes that were 2.5 times lower than the national average. Violent crimes in the 50 safest college towns were 4 times lower than the national average. One more reason why college towns are a desirable place to live.

FIRE DANGER STATUS - The Governor's Proclamation has been rescinded

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

"We have worked with the Governor’s Office to lift the fire restrictions which have been in place since late September.  Effective Wednesday, October 21, 2020, all open burning is back to the normal permit requirements and the online system will be up and running."

Triceratops root? Courtesy Carol Birch

FALL LEAF AND BRUSH CURBSIDE COLLECTION BEGINS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020. 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 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.

• 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.

FIREFIGHTER DAVE BLATCHFORD COMPLETES FIRE INSTRUCTOR I CERTIFICATION COURSE

Firefighter Dave Blatchford recently completed the Fire Instructor I Certification Program at the NH Fire Academy in Concord, NH.  

This certification course is based on Fire Instructor I professional qualifications standards pursuant to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1041, 2012 edition. This program provides the aspiring fire and emergency services instructor with the basic knowledge to prepare and deliver modern training programs. Instruction was comprised of both in-class and online assignments and lectures.  This intensive multi-week course requires a dedicated and substantial time commitment by those attending the course.  

Congratulations to Dave on successfully completing this valuable certification course!  

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.   

Fading maples. Courtesy Carol Birch

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.

Durham Town Treasurer Karl Van Asselt stopped in to Town Hall for a visit yesterday. We were impressed to catch him in a suit, not something we see very often. Here he is with his M mask (for music, money, University of Michigan, mishegoss?) posing with Lorrie Pitt, Rachel Deane, Gail Jablonski, and Donna Hamel, all in their coordinated black outfits.

Pretty fall path. Courtesy Carol Birch

DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO BEDROOM FIRE AT 21 MADBURY ROAD ON OCTOBER 16, 2020

On Friday, October 16, 2020 at 7:21 PM the Durham Fire Department responded to 21 Madbury Road for a report of a fire in a bedroom on the third floor.

The on-duty fire department personnel requested a first alarm assignment when they arrived to find smoke in the building and a sprinkler water flow as the facility was being evacuated. 

The fire was extinguished by the fire protection sprinkler system and property damage was minimized by early notification of the fire by the building occupants, modern building construction, the building fire alarm, and fire sprinkler systems. 

Fire and smoke damage was limited to the apartment of origin and the water damage was limited to the apartment and areas on two floors directly below the fire. Thankfully, no one was injured at or during the fire incident. 

Mutual aid assistance was provided by the communities of Newmarket, Lee, Madbury, Somersworth, and Exeter. 

Acting Fire Marshal Brendan O’Sullivan determined that the cause of the fire was related to an electronic smoking device and the charging unit for the device which was plugged into an electrical outlet by the resident’s bed. 

The Durham Fire Department issues caution and encourages proper use, storage, and charging of electronic devices in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. This incident serves as an important reminder to not leave any electronics plugged in and charging when unattended. 

Fire Chief Dave Emanuel extends sincere appreciation to the Durham Police and Fire Department personnel, mutual aid companies, facility maintenance staff, and building residents for their assistance during the event.

ROADWAY, DRAINAGE, WATER, AND SIDEWALK STANDARD ENGINEERING DETAILS BEING DEVELOPED BY DPW

Durham Public Works technical staff are finalizing the development of standard construction details for water, sewer, drainage, roadway, and sidewalk construction. These can be shared with developers, engineers, and contractors who are interested in planning to complete work within the Town of Durham. These standard details will provide uniformity around material and infrastructure engineering standards by providing specific requirements for materials such as hydrants, pipeline materials, drainage structures, etc. DPW Rich Reine determined that such standards would be immensely useful in Durham and has worked with Town Engineer April Talon to bring them to fruition.

CONSTRUCTION REPORT FROM OYSTER RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT – It’s not easy being green! 

Last Friday, the project celebrated the raising of the last structural steel beam into place in what’s known as the “topping off” of the building. Over the past few weeks, the beam was signed by students, staff, and others who have been involved with the project prior to being hoisted into place. Novel Iron Works and their steel erector Rose Steel did a fantastic job fabricating and erecting the almost 200 tons of steel required for the new middle school. Their work was accomplished in two months which has really helped keep us on schedule!  

Concrete flatwork is continuing on both the slabs on grade and the deck slabs. Premier Concrete started off the week with a 250 yard pour on Monday followed by 80 yards for the Concert Hall slab on grade on Tuesday. The goal is for another 250 yard pour this Friday. With cold weather approaching, the race to complete the concrete work is on!

Exterior and interior wall framing has commenced and a new color has appeared on the campus in the form of the emerald green sheathing known as “DensGlass”. Depending on the manufacturer, it comes in different colors and this is our first time with this particular one. Although we personally like how green it makes the project look as we lose our summer green leaves and lawn color, this is only one of many temporary color schemes passerby’s will experience over the course of construction. As different layers of materials are applied, the building will be changing colors a number of times before the various finish sidings are applied next summer through fall. We hope you will enjoy at least some of the color combinations before the final sidings are in place. We do promise they will not be as flamboyant as the green DensGlass…..

Under slab piping and ductwork are continuing along with the final grade preparation for the slab on grade pours. This work is being coordinated via 3D modeling software to minimize conflicts and unnecessary excavations as the many different pipes and duct runs are placed in between the myriad of underground footings throughout the footprint of the building.

A Cranesbill in the sun. Courtesy Carol Birch

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.

This morning a few public works and planning staff members joined Dennis Meadows, Suzanne McDonald, and Colin Ware for a walk through the woods on the Town’s conservation land at 30 Newmarket Road. They spotted a snapping turtle hanging out in the wetland, just minding his own business. With a shell about 1-1/2 feet long, Theo is bigger than he appears in this photo.  Courtesy Michael Behrendt