Friday Updates - October28, 2022

Friday, October 28, 2022

PARKS & REC. DOWNTOWN TRICK-or-TREAT EVENT WENT SUPER WELL!

The downtown trick-or-treating event last Sunday went very smoothly and was well-attended by community members and their families, numerous student organizations/teams from UNH (who greeted children and passed out candy), downtown businesses, and Town departments.  

Following the event, a Durham resident wrote: “Thank you for another wonderful downtown trick or treating! I'm so impressed with all of the great events Durham Parks and Rec. organizes and hosts. I know it is a lot of effort and wanted to share that it is much appreciated. These events and activities bring so much vibrancy to our community--supporting residents and businesses.”

TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTS CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR DURHAM

In January 2021, Durham joined the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), in which local governments commit to the GCoM pledge to:

• Undertake measures to reduce/limit greenhouse gas emissions.
• Prepare for the impacts of climate change.
• Increase access to sustainable energy.
• Track progress toward these objectives.

Under GCoM, Durham must complete the following within 3 years:

• Greenhouse Gas Inventory (complete)
• Target for reducing greenhouse gases (complete)
• Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (ongoing)
• Goals for reducing risks (ongoing)
• Climate Action Plan (complete/on-going)

In addition, Durham will provide updates to GCoM every 2 years.

In the summer of 2021, UNH Sustainability Fellow Cathy Fletcher began work on the Climate Action Plan for Durham. The main purpose of the plan includes:

• Outlines specific actions.
• Estimates each action’s impact on reducing emissions or increasing resilience.
• Includes an implementation plan and how to measure progress.

Actions that fall under mitigation and/or adaptation/resilience are:

• Mitigation:  Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Adaptation/Resilience:  Preparing for and managing the risks of climate change impacts (Example:  increase in flooding)

The importance of the CAP for Durham is that it outlines what actions Durham will take to reduce its emissions and increase its resiliency to climate change impacts. 

Before her departure in June of 2022, Ms. Fletcher developed a draft plan which was placed on the Sustainable Durham website for community review and collected feedback from the Town’s department heads and also the Durham community through an online survey. In May 2022, Ms. Fletcher gave presentations of the proposed plan to the Human Rights Commission, Land Stewardship Subcommittee, Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee, and Conservation Commission.

In July 2022, Durham welcomed new UNH Sustainability Fellow Rafidah Rahman to continue working on finalizing the Climate Action Plan, as well as other projects and outreach in conjunction with the Durham Energy Committee and Administrator’s Office. Rafidah is working on her Master of Science in Sustainability, under the Department of Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University where she is a Merit Scholar.  

At the October 17, 2022, Town Council meeting, the Council approved a plan to submit to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy before the October 31, 2022, deadline for its feedback.

FREE 1-HOUR PARKING REMINDER IN IDENTIFIED AREAS WITHIN DOWNTOWN DURHAM (with ticket)

A friendly reminder that the following parking areas have the first hour free parking in downtown Durham with a meter receipt displayed. * 

• Main Street (in front of the stores and restaurants)
• The downtown parking lot located at the Southwest corner of the Madbury Road and Pettee Brook Lane Intersection (University Market Lot)
• Madbury Road (Westerly side, between Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane)
• Jenkins Court 

*Durham residents/taxpayers displaying a valid Durham Resident/Taxpayer sticker on their front windshield receive a second hour free.

DPW WAS OUT GRADING DURHAM'S GRAVEL ROADWAYS THIS WEEK

The Durham Public Works’ Highway Division completed Fall maintenance work on the Town’s gravel roadways this week. A road grader was used on Dame Road to scratch the surface of the gravel, carrying some aggregate along its blade to smooth imperfections and re-establish the crown at the center of the roadway.

THE PLANNING BOARD WAS VERY, VERY BUSY THIS PAST WEDNESDAY - The meeting ran until 11:30 PM.

The board finalized its recommendations on the proposed Solar Energy Systems ordinance. The draft ordinance now goes back to the Town Council for consideration and a public hearing. The Planning Board approved the site plan for a four-story mixed-use project at 74 Main Street, next to Aroma Joe’s. There will be a commercial use, possibly a restaurant or café, on the first floor, two floors of office and meeting space for Democracy House/the Foundation for Civic Leadership and 12 residential units on the second and third floors. 

The 18-unit subdivision off Gerrish Drive had been remanded back to the Planning Board by Superior Court because the soils map was not verified in the earlier review as specified in the Subdivision Regulations. The applicant resubmitted the application and the soils map was verified by the Strafford County Conservation District. There were no significant changes from the original soils map that would affect the application, so it was re-approved on Wednesday.

The Planning Board will start its review of a package of proposed zoning amendments designed to enhance opportunities for housing at its next meeting on November 9. The amendments were prepared by the Durham Housing Task Force.

TWO QUESTIONS WILL BE ON UPCOMING NH GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2022 - Read about them here so you're not surprised by the questions at the polls.

Two questions will be on the November 8, 2022 ballot statewide and the League of Women Voters New Hampshire, a non-partisan grassroots organization, offers this explanation to help voters understand the questions and decide how to vote.

Neither the League of Women Voters nor the Town of Durham take a position on either question.

Question 1:

The intent of this question is to amend the New Hampshire constitution to delete references to registers of probate, thus eliminating this county office.

The bill to put this on the ballot passed the NH House 294 to 43 and passed the NH Senate 21 to 3.

Why this amendment is proposed: In New Hampshire, prior to 2011, the Register of Probate office in each county handled simple wills. But after 2011, when the New Hampshire state legislature approved a reorganization of the court system, many of the official duties of the Register of Probate office were stripped. After 2011, the primary job of the Register of Probate is to preserve files that have “the potential for historical significance.” --from Ballotpedia.org

To help voters understand the text of this question, League of Women Voters has shown the references to Registers of Probate currently in the NH constitution as struck-thru. No struck-thru phrases appear in the question on your ballot, which makes understanding the question harder than it needs to be. (By law, the question must be shown on the ballot as it will appear if passed.)

Text of the question:

Are you in favor of amending articles 71 and 81 of the second part of the constitution to read as follows:

[Art.] 71. [County Treasurers, Registers of Probate, County Attorneys, Sheriffs, and Registers of Deeds Elected.] The county treasurers, Registers of Probate, county attorneys, sheriffs and registers of deeds, shall be elected by the inhabitants of the several towns, in the several counties in the State, according to the method now practiced, and the laws of the state, provided nevertheless the legislature shall have authority to alter the manner of certifying the votes, and the mode of electing those officers; but not so as to deprive the people of the right they now have of electing them.



[Art.] 81. [Judges and Registers of Probate Not to Act as Counsel.] No judge or Register of Probate shall be of counsel, act as advocate, or receive any fees as advocate or counsel, in any probate business which is pending, or may be brought into any court of probate in the county of which he or she is judge or register .”

Voters may select “yes” or “no” or leave the question blank.

A “yes” vote is to eliminate the office of Register of Probate.

A “no” vote is to keep the office of Register of Probate in each county.

What happens next: If the proposed amendment is approved by two-thirds of those voting on the amendment, it takes effect, thus eliminating the office of Register of Probate from each county.

Question 2:

Text of the question: Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution?

Voters may select “yes” or “no” or leave the question blank.

A “yes” vote is to hold a constitutional convention. 

A “no” vote is to do nothing at this time.

Background: In New Hampshire, a state constitutional convention question appears on the ballot every 10 years. A constitutional convention consists of elected delegates that propose changes to the state's constitution. Any proposed changes, including a rewritten constitution, must then be approved by voters to take effect.

New Hampshire’s last such convention was in 1984. In 2012 NH voters rejected the question by a margin of 64% to 36%.

In New Hampshire a majority vote of both houses of the legislature is needed to place the following question on the ballot: "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution?" If no such question has not been submitted to the people by the legislature in ten years, the Secretary of State is required by Pt. II, Art. 100 to place the question on the ballot. That is what is happening in 2022.

In other words, this question is appearing now because it has not been on the ballot for ten years.

What happens next: If the proposed amendment is approved by a majority of those voting on the amendment, it takes effect.

If the majority of voters vote Yes, voters will choose delegates to the convention at the next election.

At the convention itself, a three-fifths vote of the delegates is required to send a proposed constitutional amendment to ratification. Nothing becomes law at the convention itself.

Any amendment approved by the convention would be sent to the people at the next biennial November election as a ballot question. A two-thirds vote of those voting on the proposed amendment would be required to ratify the amendment. 

If the amendment does not receive a two-thirds vote, it does not take effect.

If the majority of voters vote No, there will be no constitutional convention for at least the next four years, though the Legislature could vote to put the convention question on the ballot again.

Additional Information:  

New Hampshire voters do not have the power to make or repeal laws through referendum. 

NOTE: If you choose not to vote on a question, that will not affect the outcome. Only the ballots with either Yes or No marked will be considered when determining the number of Yes votes needed to take effect.

HIGH PARTICIPATION IN LAST WEEKEND'S HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY COLLECTION EFFORT

Durham Public Works is pleased to report high participation in the October 22nd Household Hazardous Waste Day event with over 75 residents safely disposing of common household hazardous waste items. This collection event provides an opportunity for residents to properly dispose of common household hazardous wastes while protecting the environment.

RECYCLING MARKETS ARE DOWN. Here's why …

Staff at the Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA) recently spoke with a member community in NH whose recycling committee was shocked to learn that their community's costs for curbside single stream recycling is now one third more than their cost to dispose of trash. While the community doesn't market their curbside recycling through NRRA, they reached out to NRRA as a trusted resource to understand what's happening with recycling markets. The following information and chart was designed to help NRRA members and others understand the current recycling markets and share accurate information with local decision-makers in NH communities.  

The Short Answer: The economy is expected to cool off because the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates to reduce inflation. That, in turn, reduces recycling market pricing during a slower economy.  

The Details: In an effort to reduce high inflation, the Federal Reserve — the central bank of the United States — has been increasing the federal funds rate. The federal funds rate is essentially the target interest rate banks and other financial institutions pay to borrow funds. The goal of the Federal Reserve is to raise interest rates enough to slow down the economy and reduce the rate of inflation. A slower economy and rising interest rates decrease consumer spending, which in turn reduces demand for recycled materials as a feedstock for new products and packaging. Experts anticipate that the Federal Reserve will continue increasing rates through the end of 2022. 

In addition, many manufacturers and retailers have had a difficult time predicting demand in this COVID/post-COVID economy. Retail stores have recently had high inventory due to lower sales as Americans spend more on services than consumer goods. High inventory lowers the demand for recycled material as feedstock for making new goods. We can expect to see the unemployment rate increase as the economy slows down, which will reduce consumer spending (though one silver lining from a purely environmental perspective is that reduced consumer spending tends to also reduce the amount of waste generated by consumers).  

Impacts on Communities: As recyclable commodities decrease in value, communities with source separated recycling (such as Durham) are receiving less revenue for their recyclables or even paying to recycle some materials. Communities with dual or single stream recycling based on variable rates are seeing their costs for those programs increase.  

Market Pricing - Last 15 Months

As shown in the chart above based on market pricing through NRRA, most fibers and plastics saw price decreases in August, September, and October of 2022. Fibers pricing is an especially important indicator for the overall value of a residential recycling program, because fibers tend to comprise over half of all residential recycling by weight. When the price of cardboard and mixed paper — two major components of fibers in residential recycling programs — decrease dramatically, that drives down the value of the average ton of recyclables for a community. 

In the chart above, OCC stands for "old corrugated containers, which is cardboard with a corrugated liner. Mixed paper consists of various paper types mixed together. SOP stands for "sorted office papers," which is paper as typically generated by offices and a higher grade than mixed paper. 

Bottom Line: Recycling markets go up, and recycling markets go down. NRRA urges member communities to stay the course during this market downturn and avoid making drastic changes to recycling programs that will be difficult to reverse when recycling markets inevitably improve 

DURHAM WINTER PARKING BAN - BEGINS NOVEMBER 1ST

The Durham Winter Parking ban commences Tuesday November 1st and will be in effect through April 1, 2023. 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 effectively plow the streets and roadways of Durham.

A Thomas the Tank Engine family at Durham's Downtown Trick-or-Treat event last Sunday. Courtesy: Todd Selig

DURHAM, PORTSMOUTH, DOVER EXPLORING COMMUNITY POWER - NH Community Power Coalition aims to lower electricity bills, go greener. Is your town in?

In an interesting article by Jeff McMenemy of the Portsouth Herald, electric prices have risen by almost 50% across the Seacoast and NH in the last several months so local communities are exploring what they can do to provide relief as well as greener power for residents and businesses.  

Seacoast communities Durham, Dover, Exeter, Newmarket, Rye and Portsmouth have joined the coalition. The program could launch in Durham and other first wave towns in April or May 2023.

What is Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire?

The nonprofit is a collection of communities who have united to use their combined purchasing power and flexible purchasing structure in an effort to offer lower electric rates for their residents.

The New Hampshire Coalition also formed to give residents the option to purchase their power from companies who create electricity using renewable energy.

Durham is in the “first wave” of New Hampshire municipalities that have joined together to form the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH). Amanda Merrill is Durham’s official representative to the CPCNH and Nat Balch is our alternate representative. Energy Committee member Steve Holmgren has been working with Amanda, Nat, Jim Lawson, Admin. Selig, and other members of the Energy Committee to work through aspects of program participation.  

DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS WOULD LIKE TO REMIND RESIDENTS THAT THE ANNUAL CURBSIDE FALL LEAF AND BRUSH COLLECTION BEGINS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH AT 7AM

During this curbside collection program, Durham Public Works crews collect brush (natural material from trees) first followed by the collection of leaves. It is important to note that this program runs independently from the regular curbside solid waste and recycling collection.

Leaves must be placed in paper leaf bags (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 Raymond A. LaRoche Sr. Transfer Station & Recycling Center on Durham Point Road during public open hours.

• 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

UNH ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL CLASS TOUR AT DURHAM WWTP

First Year and Sophomore students enrolled in Dr. Paula Moser’s Environmental Pollution and Control Class (CEE 520) took part in a tour of the wastewater treatment plant organized and hosted by Chief Operator Dan “Max” Driscoll and Superintendent Dan Peterson. Over 50 students attended this week which was the first site visit to the plant for these students since the start of the pandemic. A second site visit is schedule in the coming weeks.

ASPHALT PAVEMENT PATCHING TAKING PLACE IN DURHAM BEFORE COLD WEATHER SETS IN...

Durham Public Works Highway Division Crews continue to target areas in need of pavement repair before asphalt plants close in November. The patch shown is on a section of Bagdad Road where significant rutting and alligator cracking had occurred because of compromised road base materials. Sections of Wiswall Road also received attention.

TECHNOLOGY DRIVE WATER PUMP STATION PROJECT MOVES FORWARD

The Technology Drive Water Pump Station Project will provide a new water pump station for the Durham/UNH Water System at the Technology Drive /Route 155 intersection with design and construction funded entirely by the NHDES MtBE Remediation Bureau. This project is necessary to provide dependable and uninterrupted water service to the newly constructed Lee Water extension and MtBE impacted customers from the Lee Well and Beech Hill water tank while also providing a new pump station for all Durham/UNH water customers. A recommendation to NHDES for award to Apex Construction of a contract in the amount of $1,168,000 is currently underway. The work includes:

• Installation of a new prefabricated booster pump station and emergency generator along Technology Drive.
• Demolition of the existing pump station vault.
• Installation of a new automated flushing assembly along Concord Road (NH Route 4)
• Associated water main connections, hydrant assemblies, pavement repairs and Landscape restoration.

The project is scheduled to reach final completion 300 days following Issuance of notice to proceed which is expected to take place this fall, following NHDES contract approval.

OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL BOARD NEWS FOR OCTOBER 19, 2022

ORHS Senior Sabrina Golden shared her experience at Girls State and as a Senator from New Hampshire to Girls Nation last summer. Girls State and Girls Nation are programs of the American Legion Auxiliary giving participants opportunities to develop leadership and a deeper understanding of American government. Among many other highlights, Senator Golden made Girls Nation history as coauthor of the first bill to pass unanimously in the history of Girls Nation. 

Installation of the turf field at Oyster River Middle School is complete! The first game scheduled the new field will be Friday, October 21, at 4:30, featuring the ORMS 7th and 8th grade field hockey team hosting Portsmouth. Go Bobcats!

World language teachers Michele Pennelli and Heidi Sant along with Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Filippone presented the work of the committee studying K-4 World Language options. The committee is recommending a Foreign Language Exploratory program be phased in for grades K-4 over the next 2 years, becoming part of the Unified Arts rotation (along with Music, Art, and Physical Education) at Mast Way and Moharimet Schools.

Development of the 2023-2024 school budget has begun. The School Board will review and discuss the proposed budget at budget workshops and regular meetings over the next 2 months, beginning with a workshop on October 27 and the next regular meeting on November 2. The School Board is expected to adopt a proposed budget in December. After that a public hearing will be held in January, followed by the annual Deliberative Session in February where voters determine what will appear on the ballot, and finally the March election where voters have final say on the school district budget. The new budget takes effect on July 1, 2023.

There is no school for students in Oyster River on November 8 due to the general election, and no school on November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. 

DURHAM POLICE REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND IACP CONFERENCE 2022 - LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND A BLAST FROM THE PAST!

Recently, Deputy Chief David Holmstock and Sergeant Gregory Ruby attended the 2022 International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference (IACP) in Dallas, TX.

The IACP Conference is the largest law enforcement leadership training event in the United States and attracts more than 16,000 public safety professionals each year. The event allows law enforcement professionals the opportunity to learn new techniques, advance their knowledge and careers, and equip their departments for ongoing success.

At this year’s event, old acquaintances were rekindled when D.C. Holmstock and Sgt. Ruby ran into former Durham officers, Chief Michael Bilodeau (Newington PD) and Chief Kathryn Mone (North Hampton PD). 

It's wonderful to see so many familiar faces in this week's "Friday Updates"!

SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST will hold the following sessions for the purpose of accepting new registrations.

Monday, October 31, 2022, 4-5 PM, Durham Town Hall

THIS WILL BE THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER TO VOTE BEFORE THE ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 8. 

 Applicants for registration should bring with them proofs of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile. Driver’s license and passport are helpful. Affidavits may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking. Please note that anyone who will have turned 18 by November 8, 2022 (born on or before 11/08/2004) may register at this time, or with the Town Clerk at the Town Hall any time before the end of the October 31 session. New Hampshire also allows voter registration at the polls. However, there will likely be a line there.  

You never know what one might see in downtown Durham! The raccoon was dressed up as a bumblebee and was being walked on a leash! Following the event, several calls were made by concerned citizens to NH Fish & Game as well as to UNH Police regarding the raccoon. Those agencies were going to try to find the owner to ensure the animal was licensed and had the appropriate vaccinations so as not to pose a safety risk to the community. If you have information about the owner, please contact UNH Police at (603) 862-1427. Courtesy Todd Selig

IT'S TIME FOR SEASONAL MOWING AT WAGON HILL FARM

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 acres of field will take approximately two weeks to complete.

SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING DISPOSAL PROCEDURES - A Reminder to Residents

The Durham Public Works Department would like to kindly remind residents of the following: 

1. Solid waste collected curbside must be in a tied bag and preferably placed into a lock-on style container for ease of disposal. The collection vehicles are operated by a single employee who on average handles between 10,000 – 14,000 pounds of solid waste per day. 
2. Commingled and mixed paper recycling are collected on alternate weeks. A container which includes a mixture of these materials will not be collected. Please refer to the information graphic below which illustrates common commingled contaminates.
3. Our collection vehicles do not handle large boxes well. They get caught at the top of the compaction hopper, causing other materials to back-up and eventually overflow. This is particularly dangerous when the truck is driving down the road, as the cardboard is prone to flying out of the hopper. We kindly ask that all cardboard be cut into 2’x2’ pieces before being placed in your blue bin or other recycling container and when disposing of at the Transfer Station. We also ask that loose cardboard left beside containers be tied with string for ease of handling. Please refer to the informational graphic below which illustrates common cardboard contaminates. It is important to note that when disposing of cardboard curbside, it may be commingled with mixed paper products.

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION HOSTS FALL PROGRAM ON NOV. 6TH

The Durham Historic Association will host its fall program on Sunday, November 6 at 2 p.m. in the Durham Town Hall Council Chambers. Presenters will examine the history of six diverse objects from our collection, two of which were recently gifted to the museum. These items include the return to Durham of an extraordinary portrait, pest remedies, a 19th century musical instrument, an ingenious, low-tech communications device, and more. Something of interest to all! 

This event is open to the general public. Refreshments will be served.