Friday Updates - October 30, 2020

Friday, October 30, 2020

View of the Town Landing on a late afternoon in the fall. Courtesy Bernie Casey

DURHAM FIRE CONDUCTS HOSE TESTING

The Durham Fire Department recently conducted hose testing on all fire hose maintained on the department’s apparatus to ensure all hose is fully functional and in good working order.  The hoses are laid out on Angell Road in Lee.  This road is used for the annual hose testing since it is a dead end road with very minimal traffic.  

Due to the ongoing efforts of Durham Fire Captain Gary Kustra in diligently maintaining the department’s hose supply, the current hose stock was found to be in good working order and there were only two lengths of hose in need of replacement. 

Congratulations to Captain Kustra on a job well done!   

Parks and Recreation Halloween display contestant

VEHICLE BREAK-INS….CONTINUE - In Newmarket Road Area of Town

Unfortunately, the Durham Police Department has taken multiple reports of vehicle break-ins again, this time at a business on Newmarket Road. 

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.

Specifically, please be mindful of leaving purses and valuables in plain view. Durham Police are investigating that this could be tied to a string of break-ins in the region. 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.

SEWER LINE CROSSING COLLEGE BROOK BETWEEN 29/31 AND 3 CHESLEY DRIVE

DPW revisited a 10” diameter ductile iron suspended sewer line crossing College Brook. The sewer line crossing was originally built around 1946 as part of the original section of homes on Faculty Road. An inquiry from the Planning Board was received following a resident concern, which raised the theory that the pipe crossing acts a dam during high rain events. The volume of water displaced by the exposed pipe crossing is de minimus as compared to the full bank width flow that is available during a high flow event, indicating no damming effect is likely.

DPW will investigate a collection system improvement for this crossing to eliminate the potential for failure. Future alternatives to this could include re-routing this entire line and eliminating the crossing, directional drilling under the brook, or installing a sleeve over the existing line to further reinforce it.

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 ARTIE BOUTIN COMPLETES FIRE OFFICER II TRAINING PROGRAM

This course is based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and is designed for the Fire Officer who is ready to assume more of a leadership role by moving into the middle management level of his department. This course expands on the knowledge base attained in Fire Officer I by revisiting some of the same subjects and adding additional material including management, government structure, and departmental budget planning and management. This intensive multi-week course requires a dedicated and substantial time commitment by those attending the course.  

Congratulations to Artie on successfully completing this valuable training program!

TOWN COUNCIL TO CONSIDER CONTRACT WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT OF NH INC. OF ROCHESTER, NH TO PROVIDE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING DISPOSAL SERVICES FOR DURHAM COMMENCING ON NOVEMBER 20, 2020 FOR A PERIOD OF 5 YEARS, , WITH A 5-YEAR RENEWAL UPON MUTUAL CONSENT OF BOTH PARTIES

The Town of Durham currently contracts with Waste Management of New Hampshire for solid waste and recycling disposal services at its Turnkey Landfill located in Rochester, NH, and its Billerica MA Material Recycling Facility.  The services are provided through Contract Amendment Two which was entered into on November 20, 2015 for a five-year duration. This contract is now set to expire on November 20, 2020, at which time Durham will have limited solid waste and recycling disposal options. 

Many communities in the region, and throughout the United States, have encountered large financial and operational challenges entering solid waste and recycling negotiations during a time in which disposal and processing fees have increased more than 5 times, in comparison to historical processing fees.  This dramatic increase is a result of China’s “National Sword” policy. This policy was announced by China in 2017 and essentially banned the import of many plastics and recyclable materials which were formerly sent to processors in China. This policy had a profound effect on the recyclable material market, given that over the last 25 years China handled almost half the world’s waste materials.  The “National Sword” policy went into effect in January of 2018 and was compounded by a reduction in the number import licenses issued which allow businesses to import recyclable materials into China.  Prior to the ban, China had been the largest global importer of recyclable waste including paper, plastic, and scrap metal for decades.   The National Sword policy has decreased the import of plastics and mixed paper to China by 99 percent and one-third, respectively.  This downturn has created a glut in the recycled materials market which in turn, greatly increased processing fees and significantly limited alternatives for viable recycling options. 

Over the past year Durham Public Works has continued to meet with Durham’s Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee to solicit input and develop strategies around future solid waste disposal and recycling options and contract provisions. Although   alternative waste service providers were evaluated, it became apparent that due to the proximity of the Waste Management Rochester, Turnkey disposal option for Durham, Waste Management remained the most competitive solution. Durham Public Works entered into discussions around continued solid waste disposal services with Waste Management early in 2020. Initial proposals received from Waste Management were concerning and had the potential for solid waste and recycling processing costs to escalate substantially and included a six percent annual escalator each year, for both processing and transportation fees.  Over the next six months and after numerous meetings with Waste Management, the Town was successful in developing a satisfactory agreement which provides the necessary flexibility and acceptable financial terms and conditions for the recycling and disposal of its municipal solid waste and recyclables.

The proposed contract is structured in a manner that provides the Town with some assurance that as recyclable material pricing recovers from the current depressed market conditions, the Town is positioned to see decreases in our processing fees through the establishment of a “blended value” revenue offset which is deducted from the $140 per Ton processing and transportation fee.  This “blended value”  is calculated using both the “Secondary Materials Pricing” Index for commingled containers and “RISI Pulp and Paper Institute” Index for  Mixed Paper and Old Corrugated Containers (OCC). Each of these indices have a solid track record of accuracy and reliability with regard to representing recycled commodity pricing. 

For financial comparison , Durham Public Works developed an incremental cost analysis to determine the projected solid waste disposal budgetary impact resulting from the new contract proposal. Please note, the analysis is intended to provide a snapshot in time analysis if pricing were to remain unchanged for the duration of the contract and indicates an annual increase of approximately $29,000. This analysis assumes fixed volumes and pricing which likely will fluctuate. In addition, the Town was successful in negotiating a more appropriate 3.5% annual increase in processing, disposal, and transportation fees, rather than the 6% originally proposed.  When the proposed contract is evaluated against the many municipalities surveyed, the Waste Management contract and recyclable processing costs assessed to the Town of Durham is on par and in some cases more competitive.  

On October 15, 2020, the Durham Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC) met to review the proposed contract.  After a thorough discussion, the Committee unanimously endorsed the recommendation to the Town Council for the contract award to Waste Management of New Hampshire. Durham Public Works respectfully requests, and Admin. Selig recommends, the approval of a 5-year contract beginning on November 20, 2020 and extending through December 31, 2025, with a five-year renewal upon mutual consent of the parties, all subject to annual funding.  

First snowfall in 2020, Oct 30th. Courtesy Carol Birch

STORMWATER NPDES MS4 PERMIT PROGRAM UPDATE

The stormwater program continues to be a primary focus for Durham Public Works.  During the week of October 15th,  Town Engineer April Talon and Public Works Director Richard Reine had a kick off meeting with representatives of Environmental Partners to discuss plans to assist the Town with  its MS4 Stormwater permitting requirements, which must be completed during the Year 3 permit year ending June 30, 2021.  Environmental Partners will assist the Town with its GIS stormwater mapping efforts, and completing  dry weather outfall testing and outfall screening within the MS4 area.

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.   

SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING ROLL OFF TRUCK

Durham Public Works accepted delivery of the new 2021 Mack roll off truck! This truck replaces the 2005 Sterling roll off truck and is a front-line piece of equipment used in the Solid Waste Management program. This equipment is used each and every day at the transfer station as well as  for the transport of solid waste and recyclable materials for processing.  

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 FINANCIAL REPORT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Business Manager Gail Jablonski has compiled a financial report for 2020 through September 30, 2020 for review by the Town Council.  

The Town’s expenditures as of September 30, 2020 show a total expenditure of $12,203,812 or 72.6% of the total approved budget amount of $16,814,060. To compare, the amount expended as of September 31, 2019 was 73.6%.

Expenses:

The Council has been provided with a breakdown of COVID expenses to date and the grants from which we have or are expected to receive reimbursement. We will continue to monitor our expenses and submit for reimbursement as required.

As reported in the second quarter report, the Town continues to anticipate savings in our police and fire departments due to staff vacancies. Other salary costs will be seen in public works as they have had an opening since July, which they are attempting to fill. In addition, we are delaying the hiring of the GIS Coordinator until March 1, 2021.

The Recreation Department is anticipating a reduction in spending due to the cancellation of programs, however, this will also result in a reduction of revenue. 

The Emergency Management account reflects funds spent (less salaries) on items related to COVID-19.

Revenue:

We are estimating a loss of approximately $150,000 of anticipated revenues from the parking meters due to the temporary shutdown of meters and the lower than normal usage in the fall. This loss of revenue will impact the amount of revenue we will be able to transfer into the General Fund budget at the end of the year.

The Recreation Department is also anticipating a loss in revenue due to program cancellations of approximately 20% or $20,000.

General Notes:

Rene Kelley, Police Chief, David Emanuel, Fire Chief and Rich Reine, Public Works Director have all indicated that they are forecasting no issues within their budgets for 2020. Although there may be a few accounts that will be overspent they will be offset by savings in other areas.

PUBLIC WORKS WINTER MAINTENANCE PREPARATION – With winter approaching, DPW breaks out the snow plow blades…

With the approaching winter season Durham Public Works staff continue to transition from construction and maintenance operations to winter operations. Following completion of the upcoming brush and yard waste collection, a primary focus will be winter maintenance emergency response. Pre-planning activities include, setting up plows and deicing equipment, inspecting equipment, reviewing treatment and plow routes while identifying potential hazards, coordinating weather forecast monitoring, and ensuring sufficient supplies and contractor commitments. Durham Public Works has planned a winter operations meeting which will include calibration of deicing material spreaders, reviewing policies and performing a dry run of routes with assigned equipment.

Residents Andrew Corrow and Janet Mackie resetting the granite base for Alfred Smith's (1791 - 1876) burial marker at the Schoolhouse Lane burial ground. Alfred was a Veteran of the War of 1812. Thanks go out to DPW Building and Grounds Division for crushed stone to use as base material. Thanks to DPW Wastewater Division for the use of their tripod hoist lifting device. Now to prepare the base to reset the marker. Members of the Save Our Stones (SoS) Committee, a sub-committee of the Durham Heritage Commission, work weekly, spring through fall, to preserve the 90 burial grounds in Durham.

Another spooky contestant from the Parks & Recreation Halloween contest.

Impressive boulders at West Foss Farm. Courtesy Carol Birch

FIRE HYDRANT WINTERIZATION 

Durham Public Works Water Division staff are continuing the ongoing winterization of fire hydrants within the Town water system. This includes inspection and draining of the hydrant barrel to prevent freezing during inclement conditions. The UNH and Town of Durham Water System is responsible for the operation and maintenance of over 160 hydrants across the Town and UNH campus.

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.

The turkeys didn’t seem too concerned over Hazardous Waste Collection Day held at DPW last Saturday! Courtesy Bill Cote

EVERSOURCE STANDARD MAINTENANCE TREE TRIMMING – In vicinity of Main St. and Mast Road

Eversource vegetation managers have notified the Department of Public Works and Tree Warden that Circuit 380x1 which is located near Main Street and Mast Road is scheduled for standard maintenance trim in 2020. Work in the Durham area is expected to start the first week of November and be completed by the end of 2020. Eversource has indicated that all abutting customers have been notified of their intent to trim and remove. The contractor for this project is Asplundh Tree Experts.