Friday Updates - September 1, 2023

Friday, September 1, 2023

A lone cormorant hangs out on a log in in the middle of Beards Creek. Courtesy, Craig Stevens, DCAT Coordinator

The Planning Board recently approved modifications at the former Goss manufacturing plant located at 121 Technology Drive submitted by current owner, R.J. Kelly, relative to a variety of upgrades and improvements there. CEO Brandon Kelly responded to Dir. of Planning Michael Behrendt with the following message: “Thank you very much Michael. Working with Durham has truly been a breath of fresh air. We very much appreciate your support.”

As always, there's a lot happing in Durham! The annual budget development process is under way, UNH is kicking off the development of a new 10-year Master Plan, a wayward squirrel is wanted by Durham Police for vandalism to our College Road/Main Street traffic lights (see his mug shot down below), and A LOT of resources are available to residents at the Swap Show located at the Raymond A. LaRoche Transfer Station and Recycling Center.

Hunting season opens Sept. 1st so be sure to wear ORANGE when out in the woods.

Labor Day, the official end to the summer season, is Monday! :(

DURHAM TOWN OFFICES AND LIBRARY CLOSED ON MONDAY FOR LABOR DAY BUT NO CHANGES AT TRANSFER STATION OR WITH SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE

All Town Offices and the Library will be closed on Monday, September 4, for the Labor Day Holiday. The Raymond. A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be OPEN on Saturday, September 2nd from 7:30am – 3:00pm. Additionally, there will be NO changes to the curbside collection schedule next week.

EXPECT DISRUPTIONS TO DURHAM EMAIL SYSTEM THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND

The IT department has informed Town staff about an upcoming change in our email system that will affect email communications this coming weekend. In an effort to enhance online safety, the Town will be migrating our spam filter solution from one system to another that will be more effective.

The migration is scheduled to take place over the Labor Day Weekend. During this period, staff may experience some minor disruptions in email delivery and filtering services. This could impact emails from residents to staff and departments as well.

Jan Dean and UNH President James Dean would like to offer a few hours on Sunday afternoon, September 3rd when “The Garden is Open,” offering anyone, perhaps fellow garden enthusiasts or otherwise interested folks, to come and stroll the grounds. As any gardener accepts, Mother Nature always rules and this summer’s rains have, at times, been a challenge! But, still, plantings are more or less at their peak and it just seems like a good time to share. 

Interested enthusiasts are welcome to stop by between 1-4 PM on Sept. 3rd.

UPCOMING DEPARTMENT BUDGET MEETINGS WITH ADMIN. SELIG SCHEDULED AS PART OF FY24 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Business Manager Gail Jablonski has begun scheduling the department meetings where she and Admin. Selig will meet with the department heads and staff and discuss their 2024 Proposed Budgets and CIP documents. These meetings will be held in person at the Town Hall. All meetings will be held in the 2nd floor conference room, with the exception of the Fire Budget and Police and Parking Budgets, which will be held in the Council Chambers.

Interested members of the Town Council (fewer than a quorum) are welcome to attend as appropriate.

In addition, staff will be presenting the Department Head Proposed 2024-2033 CIP to the Planning Board on the evening of Wednesday, September 13th. This is a great opportunity for members of the Council as well as interested residents to tune in to see what’s potentially in store for the Town with respect to our 10-year capital project future. Click HERE to see the 2024-2033 CIP projects proposed by departments for consideration by the Administrator for inclusion in the draft CIP plan that will ultimately be presented to the Council in late-October.

DEPARTMENT PROPOSED 2024 BUDGET AND CIP MEETINGS                            

Tuesday - September 5th - Fire Budget and CIP (UNH Attending)

Wednesday - September 6th - Public Works CIP (including water and wastewater)

Thursday - September 7th - Police and Parking Budget and CIP

Thursday - September 14th - Land Stewardship

Monday - September 18th - Public Works Budget (including water and wastewater)

Wednesday - September 20th - Planning Budget

Wednesday - September 20th - Assessing Budget

Wednesday - September 20th - Town Clerk/Tax Collector Budget

Thursday - September 21st - Code/Zoning Budget

Thursday - September 21st - Recreation/Ice Rink Budget

Tuesday - September 26th - IT/DCAT/GIS Budget and CIP

Wednesday - September 27th - Library Budget

Thursday - September 28th - All Other Budgets (Business, Town Admin, Outside Services, Committees, General Gov't) Other entities and external groups as needed.

INTRODUCING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR DAYTIME DURHAM COMMUTER PARKING

The Town of Durham is introducing a pilot program to determine the need for parking options for daytime commuters to Durham. 

The parking area will be on Garrison Avenue Extension and Strafford Avenue, in front of the fraternity and sorority houses. The permits will be valid Monday through Friday, from 6AM-4PM only. The cost will be $100.00 per UNH Spring or Fall semester. 

Applications will be available at the Durham Police Department, at 86 Dover Road, Durham. Please call ahead with any questions and for availability at (603) 868-2324.

ANNUAL REGISTRATION SURCHARGE ON ELECTRICAL & PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLES ENACTED BY STATE OF NH EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

On June 6, 2023, Governor Sununu signed HB2 into law with an effective date of July 1, 2023. HB2 establishes a surcharge on annual registration for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to offset the loss of road toll revenues derived from transportation fuel taxation.

How does this change impact Durham Residents?

Starting September 1, 2023, all owners of electric and hybrid vehicles will be assessed an additional charge at time of their vehicle registration. This fee applies to transactions for new vehicles, renewals, and transfers.    

• RSA 2 36: 132, I: Battery electric vehicles will be assessed a surcharge of $100.
• RSA 236:132, V: Plug-in hybrid vehicles will be assessed a charge of $50. 
• DEFINITIONS: 
• 236:132 Definitions.
• I. " Battery electric vehicle " means any vehicle that operates solely by use of a battery or battery pack, or that is powered primarily through the use of an electric battery or battery pack and uses a flywheel or capacitor that stores energy produced by an electric motor or through regenerative braking to assist in vehicle operation. 
• V. " Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle "means a hybrid electric vehicle that has the capability to charge the battery or batteries used for vehicle propulsion from an off-vehicle electric source, such that the off-vehicle source cannot be connected to the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.

2023 CIVIL FORFEITURE FEES FOR PAST DUE DOG LICENSES - There are still 84 dogs unregistered in Durham.

The deadline to receive a dog license without penalty was April 30, 2023. Failure to license your dog is a violation of NH State law (RSA 466:1). In addition to the annual license fee, residents that are past due will now be charged a late fee of $1.00 per month, per dog, for each month after June 1st. and a $25.00 civil forfeiture fee after September 1st. Failure to license your dog puts you at risk of losing custody of your dog. Please call the Durham Town Clerk’s Office at 603-868-5577 immediately if you have moved or if you no longer have your dog. All questions may be directed to the Town Clerk-Tax Collector, Rachel Deane, email: rdeane@ci.durham.nh.us or telephone: 603-868-5577.

TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE PASSES NH DMV AUDIT ... WITH FLYING COLORS!

On August 29, 2023, an audit was performed by the NH Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at the Durham Municipal Agent (Town Clerk’s) Office. This DMV review was conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards applicable to performance audits and, accordingly, DMV auditors included such tests of the records, on a selected sample, and such other review procedures as DMV staff considered necessary and appropriate in the circumstances.

Test of Controls

The DMV auditor requested staff in the Town Clerk’s Office to produce the following documents and inventory to ensure that they were in compliance within the limited review areas with State of New Hampshire laws, administrative rules, and policies and procedures for the DMV:

1. All inventory on hand as of August 29, 2023, to be reconciled against inventory records provided by the VISION/MAAP system.

2. State Daily Registration Logs and Deposit/ACH Transfer Initiation Receipts from the date of the last audit (October 28, 2022) to the current audit date (August 29, 2023).

3. Inventory receipts and damaged inventory documents from the date of the last audit (October 28, 2022) to the current audit date (August 29, 2023).

NH DMV Audit Comments...

“This was [Town Clerk/Tax Collector] Rachel’s [Dean's] first audit as Municipal Agent and it was such a pleasure meeting and working with her and her staff. It appears they enjoy working together. The Agent’s office is highly organized and appears to run efficiently. During the audit, customers were asked to provide proper identification as required by Saf-C 1903.01 (c) and RSA 261:148. During the reconciliation of inventory and the two-month sampling of ACH transfer records, no discrepancies were found resulting in a perfect audit.”

Conclusions

The Town Clerk’s Office is in compliance with the applicable statutes for municipal agents, rules, and procedures. The physical setup of the Agent’s office and procedures in place provide adequate security for the revenue and inventories entrusted to the Agent.

At the conclusion of the audit, all inventory items entrusted to the Agent were accounted for.

Well done, Rachel Deane, Cheryl Hildreth, and Audrey MacKenzie!

In coordination with the University System of New Hampshire’s (USNH) comprehensive re-evaluation of its educational assets and strategies in support of its mission for the state, the University of New Hampshire Durham, Manchester, and Concord campuses have begun an update of its Campus Master Plan.

UNH has retained Perkins & Will of Boston, Massachusetts to provide technical and programmatic assistance in a comprehensive process that will run through the academic year 2023-24.

The University Campus Master Plan was last updated in 2013 and directed campus growth and development for the past decade. Since 2013, UNH has completed over $240M of capital construction and adapted to changing demographics, enrollment, and the COVID pandemic.

In 2022, as a precursor to this campus master plan process, the USNH completed a first phase review of the Durham, Keene, and Plymouth campuses to assess facilities and space utilization from a macro scale.

The 2024 Campus Master Plan will capture UNH’s unique sense of place and identity. The process will include the campus community's shared vision for its future, including how the physical campus and available space aligns with and supports UNH’s mission, sustainability, and academic objectives. The Town of Durham will participate as part of the process as has been the case in the past. We are fortunate that a close and collaboration relationship has been established over time to foster open communication and involvement between UNH and Durham. Durham also includes UNH as part of its own Master Planning efforts!

Any master plan is both a process and a product. The process can inform projects and initiatives already in progress and create a broader perspective and forum for ongoing decision-making, community input, communications, and implementation. The product will be a flexible roadmap that UNH will continuously refer to for its sustainable development and preservation of the system’s assets.

Last week, Admin. Selig participated in a planning meeting of UNH administrators intended to set in place the upcoming master planning process.  

Durham Town officials, working with scientists at the University of New Hampshire, and coastal experts at the NH Department of Environmental Services (shown above from this morning's "virtual site walk"), along with the Strafford Regional Planning Commission, have submitted a grant application seeking about $2 million to continue work already begun to restore and protect the shoreline of Wagon Hill Farm, a wonderful Town-owned property offering community gardens, history, recreation, and conservation/ stewardship. 

The property is 139 acres, 99 acres on one side of Route 4 and about 40 acres across the street. A hay wagon sits atop the hill overlooking Route 4. 

The Town completed an initial restoration project on about 300 linear feet of shoreline in 2019. At this time, project partners hope the grant will allow Durham to complete the project for the rest of the 2,100 feet or so.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced the 2023 National Coastal Resilience Fund's request for proposals in the spring. Grant funds can be utilized to make investments in planning, design, and implementation of natural and nature-based solutions. The goal is to enhance protections for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural coastal hazards and to improve habitats for fish and wildlife.

The entire remaining shoreline requires tree limbing to allow in more sunshine. About 15% of saltmarsh is missing and these erosional areas are all expanding, with the high bank under extreme hydraulic attack. Where there still exists salt marsh, over 75% of that shoreline exhibits an erosional face over 3 feet high. This will require armor to protect. There are some western shoreline locations where rock remained after marsh was eroded away. Mudflat slopes are flatter and algae is colonizing rock. [These areas show the slowest rates of erosion.]

If the grant is received by Durham, project activities will include:

• Restore salt marsh
• Arrest erosion
• Accommodate migration with SLR
• Protect efforts with fence
• Outreach and education
• Maintenance
• Monitoring

Representatives from Durham, UNH, and the NHDES Coastal Program met on Friday morning with NCRF grant reviewers as part of a "virtual site visit" to outline plans for the grant funds if they are ultimately awarded to Durham. 

The Seacoast Economic Developers Stakeholders Committee sponsored a tour on Tuesday of the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, located in the large facility at 121 Technology Drive. Town Councilor Joe Friedman, Planning Board member Heather Grant, and Town Planner Michael Behrendt joined the tour. 

UNH’s Olson Center helps “small, medium and large manufacturers remain competitive within the continually evolving global advanced manufacturing landscape.” They work to foster partnerships related to research and development of products, processes, and materials and to provide a mechanism for manufacturers to engage with university students and faculty in finding innovative solutions to current technological challenges.

John Roth, Director of the Olson Center, lead the tour. Those attending were astounded by the cutting-edge level of activity, much involving 3-D printing, not to mention the remarkable presentation by John Roth, who designed much of the equipment. Darren Winham, Exeter’s Economic Development Director said, “What Dr. Roth has done with the Olson Center in two short years is incredible. Now that the service providers have toured the facility and met with the Doc, they can refer their business clients to this important regional asset."

THUNDER OVER NH AIR SHOW TO TAKE PLACE AT PEASE SEPT. 9-10 – Expect some airplane noise (and acrobatics) across the region!

When the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show last took over Seacoast air space two years ago, approximately 50,000 people saw and heard the aircraft in action, up close and personal, at the Pease Air National Guard Base. The 2023 edition of the Thunder Over New Hampshire show will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10. The Air Force's F-16 Viper Demo Team is headlining the performances.

The Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team will be joined by N.H. Air National Guard KC-46A tankers, the Vermont Air National Guard F-15 Eagle, the KC-135 Demo Team from Fairchild Air Force Base, the U.S. Special Operations Command Pura Commandos, aerobatic pilot Rob Holland, the N.H. Army Guard UH-60 Blackhawk, aerobatic pilot Kent Pietsch, the P-51C “Mad Max” with pilot Lou Horschel and the Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Truck.

The air show will feature about a dozen flying performances by both military and civilian pilots and dozens of aircraft on display on the ground as well as educational hands-on activities for all ages. 

Superintendent of Schools Jim Morse is both sad and excited to share that he will be retiring on June 30, 2024. Sad because he will miss everyone, and excited to start a new chapter in his life. He's been an educator for 47 years and did not anticipate education to be his destiny. But when he entered a classroom as an art teacher in 1976, he knew he had found his calling.

Oyster River was Jim's fourth superintendent position. When he started in the role, it was a difficult time in the district’s history. Trust was low. His first goal was to bring the district back together, which was achieved over the course of his first two years.

Shortly after, the School Board authorized the creation of the first five-year strategic plan. Their adoption of the plan laid the foundation for most work to follow and set the course for future budget development. The board has since updated the plan that followed.

Over the past 11 years Oyster River has worked to fulfill its mission of “Working Together to Engage Every Learner."

Some examples of the district’s success during the last decade cited by Dr. Morse include:

• Near 100% graduation rate
• 100% graduation rate for students with disabilities
• An incredibly high college placement rate
• Some of the highest SAT scores in New Hampshire and the country
• Innovative programs like social-emotional learning and Muti-Tiered Systems of Support to assist all children
• Full day kindergarten
• Advanced mathematics program
• One-to-one devices for all students K-12
• Expansion of counseling and school psychologist staff
• New athletic fields at the middle school and high school
• A brand-new middle school which is the first project in New Hampshire to achieve LEED V4 Gold for Building Design and Construction
• Extended learning opportunities such as dual enrollment and UNH courses to supplement and enhance our high school, and so many others

These achievements were accomplished by the ORCSD while considering their impact on taxpayers. Dr. Morse reports that the district budget’s average growth over these past years was around 3% even when inflation soared.

Dr. Morse notes that he will dearly miss Oyster River, the amazing employees, the students, and the entire community.

He writes: 

"I am proud of OR students and proud of OR staff. I am thankful for the support of Durham, Lee, and Madbury. I’m grateful Barrington students can attend ORHS as it has allowed us to continue to offer a robust program of studies.

But most importantly, I will miss your amazing children. Their hunger for learning is unbridled and their commitment to each other is inspiring. I will always remember the excited faces of kindergarten children arriving on their first day of school and I’ll remember the excitement of graduation. I call them the bookends of a child’s school experience.

The Beatles sang, “There are places I’ll remember all my life.” ORCSD is that place for me."

The IWMAC (Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee) is working with the Durham Public Library in September and beyond to bring attention to the importance of sustainable living. IWMAC will be sharing information and resources to help you understand recycling and its benefits, the difference composting can make, the easy ways you can reuse and repurpose items, and simple ways you can cut back on single-use plastics. 

As this educational program begins to be rolled out for residents, it’s important to highlight what the Raymond A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center already has to offer:

Scrap Metal Disposal

If you have an item that is 50 percent or more metal, you can put it in the metal container at the transfer station (please remove as much non-metal material as possible first).

Mr. Fox Composting

There is collecting of compost (bins located next to the cardboard shed). Mr. Fox is a company that collects the compost materials. This option is available for those residents who do not have backyard compost but would still like to contribute to the compost movement (it’s super easy to do!). Click HERE for a link to learn what types of items are acceptable for composting at the transfer station:

Oral Care Product Recycling

Oral care products are recycled through Crest and Oral-B’s Recycle On Us program. There is a cardboard box outside the green hut (or inside during bad weather) that collects toothpaste tubes (caps on), toothbrushes, brush heads, floss containers, floss, floss picks and mouthwash containers (caps on).

Used Books Repurposing

There is a bin for used books (or you can bring them to the Swap Shop). Books that are put in the bin are distributed to communities in need.

EcoSmith 

This local business offers a bin for used clothes, shoes, household items and textiles. Please be sure that all dropped off items are placed in closed plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet). Learn more about EcoSmith and the items they accept HERE.

Swap Shop

Open on Saturdays and Tuesdays from 9am-2:30pm, the Swap Shop is a great place to bring your used Items. All items must be safe, clean, functional and in at least “good” condition and must be approved by a Swap Shop volunteer before drop-off. Learn more about the Swap Shop HERE.

More Resources

The Public Works Department has created a great tool, a Story Board, that can give you even more information about recycling and what is available at the transfer station. Click HERE to learn more.

If you have a recycling question about a particular item, you can click HERE to use a helpful search tool to find out how to properly dispose of it.

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

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

Durham Public Works and its contractor, East Coast Signals, completed electrical repairs to the traffic signal at the College Road and Main Street intersection this week. After investigating the reason for the signal being in flashing mode, it was discovered that a family of squirrels had established their home inside the main pole and had started to gnaw through some of the signal wires! 

FALL HUNTING SEASON IS UPON US - Remember to Wear Orange When You Are In the Woods!

The Durham Police Department would like to remind all community members that fall hunting season begins soon in New Hampshire, and it is important to stay safe and wear orange when entering the woods. All dates listed below may be subject to limitations in certain areas. Please visit the website HERE for updated information concerning when and where hunting is authorized to occur.

September 1                              Black bear/dates vary for method and WMU

September - January                 Waterfowl/dates vary by species and zone

September 15 - December 15     Deer/archery

September 15 - December 15    Fall turkey/archery

October 16 - October 22             Fall turkey/shotgun 

September - March                    Small game and furbearers/dates vary by species and region

October 1 - December 31           Pheasant

October 21 - October 29             Moose (by permit only)

October 21 - 22                          Youth deer-hunting weekend

October 28 - November 7           Deer/muzzle loader

November 8 - December 3         Deer/regular firearms (closes one week early in WMU A)

School Resource Officer Michael Nicolosi and Officer James Failla visited the Oyster River High School Dance Team to support them during their car wash event on 8/22/2023. Pictured above is Emma Smith, Lilly Smith, Elizabeth Bessette, Mia Higginbotham, Abby Trojan, Sienna Schaier. 

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 #34

Playing outside at night is always fun but we need to be safe. For some helpful tips on safety, click HERE.

DURHAM REPRESENTATIVES SOUGHT FOR LAMPREY RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Lamprey River Advisory Committee is looking for some additional members as representatives from Durham. The Committee meets every third Tuesday evening of the month.

If you are interested, please contact Administrative Assistant, Karen Edwards, at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us. You can learn more about the Lamprey River Local Advisory Committee HERE.

JOB OPENING FOR REGULAR PART-TIME MECHANIC

The Public Works Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to serve in the role of Regular Part-Time Equipment Mechanic.

The successful candidate will assist the 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.

JOB OPENING FOR PART-TIME TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT

The Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Transfer Station Attendant.

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.

Growing Places has openings at the Our Time Before School program at Moharimet Elementary School. Open to children in grades K-4 and operating from 7:00 am until the start of school, "Our Time" fosters an open and accepting environment, where differences are celebrated, and friendships are nurtured. Our wide array of choices includes open-ended arts and crafts, active games and sports, quiet games, and reading. Most days include some time outside enjoying the wonderful playground at Moharimet Elementary School.

To register or learn more about this program please email Erin at erinevans@growingplacesnh.org

Growing Places is a non-profit Early Education and Youth Recreation organization that has been serving families in the community for more than 40 years. To learn more about the organization please click HERE or follow on Facebook or Instagram!

UNIVERSITY DAY IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 - Rain Date: September 14

UNH will be hosting University Day on Thursday, September 7th (Rain date: Thursday, September 14th). Main Street will be closed from Garrison Avenue to Edgewood Road for the event from approximately 10 AM to 8 PM.

The event will take place on both sides of Main Street. Citizens may wish to plan ahead for any travel plans they may currently have scheduled for those dates.