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Friday, September 27, 2019
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It's apple season! That means apples are now available locally at both Emery Farm (147 Piscataqua Road), and Tecee's Farm (240 Mast Road) . Courtesy Todd Selig
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Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins Sunday evening for the year 5780 in the Hebrew calendar. L'shana tova!
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ACTIVE SHOOTER EXERCISE AT DURHAM TOWN HALL - Town Hall to CLOSE From 3 - 5PM on Monday, October 7, 2019.
On Monday, October 7, 2019, the Town Hall will be closed from 3 - 5PM to conduct an active shooter exercise developed by the Durham Police Department in which scenarios are set up to give employees and emergency responders alike important training in this area. Note, however, that the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office will reopen that day from 5 - 6PM.
All Town Hall offices will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, October 8th at 8AM.
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TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY HOLIDAY IN DURHAM - OCTOBER 14
All Town offices will be closed on Monday, October 14th for the Indigenous Peoples' Day holiday in Durham. October 14th is also celebrated as Columbus Day.
Although the offices will be closed, there will be NO CHANGES TO THE REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION SCHEDULE. PLEASE HAVE ALL ITEMS OUT BY 7AM AS ALWAYS. View the Holiday pick-up schedule HERE, then scroll down to the bottom of the page.
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DURHAM FARMERS' MARKET - Each Monday afternoon in the Sammy's downtown lot off Pettee Brook Lane
Be sure to stop by the Durham Farmers' Market being held on Monday afternoons at the Sammy's/Store 24 Parking Lot. A variety of locally produced farm products, prepared foods, and fine crafts will be available Mondays 2:15 - 6:00 PM.
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REPLACING THE OUT OF ORDER LIBRARY EV CHARGING STATION
The Durham Energy Committee is looking at options to replace the long out-of-order electric vehicle charging station at the library. The committee would like your input to help determine whether to recommend replacing it with a reliable unit by indicating:
- How often would you use a charger in this location?
- If you used the original charging station, how often did you use it?
- If you are thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle, is the availability of charging stations in Durham an important part of your decision making?
- In addition to the library location, the Town also maintains a charging station in the Pettee Brook parking area. Is there another location where you would like to see a charging station?
- If you had to prioritize the list of locations, where would the library charging station be in your list?
Please share your answers and any other thoughts on EV charging stations with mailto:John.lannamann@unh.edu
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DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS ATTEND PTSD SEMINAR
Chief Dave Emanuel, Assistant Chief Randy Trull, Deputy Chief John Powers, and Captain Jason Best recently attended a seminar at the Dover Elks titled “Turn PSTD into PTG: It Will Change Your Life”. The seminar was organized by the Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District and featured Battalion Chief David Griffin as a guest speaker.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has increasingly impacted first responders as often times, affected individuals are reluctant to discuss incidents that have had a lasting effect on them, or they don’t know where to turn for help. The impact can be mitigated by teaching members how to turn PTSD into Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). PTG is defined as a phenomenon where a person becomes stronger and creates a more meaningful life in the wake of tragedy or trauma.
Chief Griffin suffered from PTSD after his involvement as the first due engineer on a multiple line of duty death incident in Charleston, South Carolina where nine firefighters perished. Today Chief Griffin is an international speaker, author, instructor, and captain in the emergency services profession. He shared with attendees his experience in being diagnosed with PTSD and through hard work turning it into PTG proving that PTSD can be overcome and individuals who suffer from it can live a mentally healthy and successful life.
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OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE
At the September 18 school board meeting, the ORCSD and Durham Park & Recreation department reported on a successful 5 weeks REACH camp. These self-funded programs provided summer enrichment and fun for hundreds of kids this summer. This is the 4th summer for this collaboration between DPR and ORCSD. The ORCSD morning camps served over 430 campers, with 177 participating in the afternoon DPR camps this summer. The free summer lunch program served over 1600 lunches over the 5 weeks.
The school board also approved an additional school nurse position to support student health needs and selected the bond repayment schedule for the proposed new middle school. The budget goal for 2020-2021 school year will be on the next meeting's agenda.
School board agendas and minutes, along with links to meeting videos and email addresses for board members are on the school district web site HERE. Agendas are usually posted the Friday before each meeting.
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MAINE JOINS NEW HAMPSHIRE'S "HANDS FREE ELECTRONIC DEVICE" LAW
New Hampshire’s “Hands Free” law has been in effect since July 2015 and has now been joined by our neighbor to the north, Maine! Both States’ law is virtually identical and was created due to the large number of fatal car crashes that have been attributed to “distraction”. Research has concluded that a texting vehicle operator is 23 times more likely to crash.
Both States’ law prohibits the use of hand held electronic devices capable of providing voice or data communication while driving or even when temporarily halted/stopped in traffic for a stop sign, traffic signal or other momentary delays. An electronic device includes cell phones, GPS, tablets, iPods, iPad or other devices that require data entry. Of course, any call being made to 911 or other public safety entity will not be a violation.
It is important to understand that the ban applies while drivers are stopped temporarily, such as at a red light, but not if they have pulled-over and are stopped off the side of the roadway. Vehicle operators can answer the phone but not holding it to the ear or typing emails or other messages. It also does not allow programming GPS systems unless drivers are pulled off the road.
Drivers can use a variety of ways to comply with the law and still talk on their phones. For example, drivers can attach a Bluetooth device to an older car’s sun visor and sync it to their cellphone. Many newer cars can also make hands-free calls through Bluetooth integrated into the car’s system. If anyone is confused or would like to speak with an officer about the law, please call the Durham Police @ 603-868-2324.
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Pink Water Lilly off Sweet Trail in Durham. Courtesy Bill Doucet
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VOLUNTEER WORK DAY AT DOE FARM: SATURDAY, SEPT 28TH
Please join us on Saturday, September 28th from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm for a volunteer work at Doe Farm. We will be working on the following:
- build two foot bridges on the Lower Loop.
- Trailbrush out the new trail on Moat Island.
- Install trail juncture sign posts
Hope you can join us….sign up HERE. We will have all the tools. Just bring work gloves and a water bottle and meet at the clearing. This will also be a great opportunity to enjoy one of Durham’s crown jewel conservation areas that includes wonderful trail loops along the Wild & Scenic Lamprey River, picnic areas, beautiful forests, historic features, and more. For more information contact Ellen Snyder, mailto:ellensnyder1@gmail.com, Durham Land Stewardship Coordinator)
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BUDGET DEVELOPMENT FOR FY 2020 CONTINUES – A number of challenges identified…
Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Administrator Selig are drilling down into the budget and so far (recognizing there is a great deal more work to do in evaluating and analyzing figures/requests/assessments/revenues/estimates over the next 5 or so weeks) some concerns/issues have been identified on the horizon. Here are some challenges we are collectively facing…
Challenge 1. Our FY 2019 tax base has not grown as much as we had projected last year, coming in around $6 million versus the $9 million anticipated. This may make it a challenge to hit the estimated 2019 tax rate projection to be set later this fall. We are hopeful FY 2019 revenues will ultimately be sufficient to offset the lower than projected overall assessments.
Challenge 2. Because FY 2019 came in with lower than anticipated tax base growth, we’re starting off planning/budgeting FY 2020 with a handicap. To compound that, there is just not a lot in the hopper in terms of big ticket development projects for next year to add to the tax base over the next 12 months. We’re realistically looking at somewhere between $4 – $6 million in increased assessed valuation (though we are still drilling down on this number). The only significant potential addition would be as a result of the Eversource Seacoast Reliability Project, projected by Eversource in 2016 of having an investment value in Durham of around $43 million ($84.3 total investment value across 4 towns) as part of the NH Site Evaluation Committee process, yet we will not have a clear idea of how much the Durham infrastructure is worth until our contract utility appraiser undertakes a physical inspection of work actually complete as of March 30, 2020. As you know, there is still a NH Supreme Court appeal and a Federal District Court appeal outstanding for Seacoast Reliability, and historical Eversource property assessments in Durham (and in municipalities across much of NH) dating back several years are under appeal by the utility.
Challenge 3. General Fund projected revenues are down at this point for FY 2020 by about 3.6% or ($260,000) compared to 2019.
Challenge 4. Expenditure requests are up by about $1.4 +/- million. Expenditure requests from departments and boards/committees/external entities can be categorized as generally reasonable requests and represent good initiatives that ideally we would undertake as a Town if resources were not a factor – but of course available resources are a factor.
Challenge 5. With our best information to date (realizing this could change based on further evaluation/analysis/review), even if we kept spending constant with FY 2019, in essence cutting all $1.4 million requested, with weaker projected assessed valuation and estimated revenues, we’d still see a 3% increase in the tax rate for FY 2020.
Challenge 6. About $550,000 of our cost increase is contractually driven by collective bargaining agreements or required by other factors generally outside of our control (increase in insurance costs, service contracts, etc.). This would put us at about a 9.5% increase in next year’s tax rate.
Mr. Selig and Ms. Jablonski don't yet have firm solutions at this time. Departments are actively in the process of prioritizing budget requests, and we continue to evaluate, problem solve, and whittle down requests.
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IT’S BUDGET SEASON, SO PLEASE EXCUSE THE DELAY IN MR. SELIG FOLLOWING UP ON EMAILS, VOICEMAILS, LETTERS, ETC.
Budget season is upon us in Durham and as such, Administrator Selig is actively working with the Business Office and our various department, boards, committees, and commissions in formulating a proposed budget for consideration by the Town Council. By Town Charter, Mr. Selig has until the last business day in October to propose a budget to the Council. The Council then has until the last business day in December to adopt a budget of its own, or the Administrator’s proposed budget becomes the FY 2020 budget by default.
At this time of year, Mr. Selig is in constant budget meetings, in additional to normal responsibilities, and as such responding to correspondence is typically delayed. Urgent matters should be sent to the attention of Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry, mailto:jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
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Courtesy Great Bay Rowing
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DURHAM PADDLES FORWARD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CLIMATE ADAPTATION MASTER PLAN
The Town of Durham has received partial grant funding to prepare a Climate Adaptation Master Plan. The staff will work closely with Kyle Pimental, Principal Regional Planner at Strafford Regional Planning Commission; Amanda Stone, Natural Resource Specialist with UNH Cooperative Extension; and Lisa Wise, Climate Adaptation Program Manager with New Hampshire Sea Grant, in developing the plan. The purpose of the project is to strengthen Durham’s resilience with innovative solutions that will reduce public and private risk and vulnerability. The chapter will follow up on some of the issues covered in the other 2015 master plan chapters including natural resource conservation, sea level rise, threats to infrastructure, impacts on septic systems, spread of invasive species, and other impacts of climate change.
We will solicit significant input from various Town boards including the Agricultural Commission, Conservation Commission, Energy Committee, and Planning Board and from the broader Durham community. Town Administrator Todd Selig and Town Planner Michael Behrendt attended a kick off meeting about the project on Wednesday. The Town is contributing $3,500 in cash and the equivalent of $3,500 in staff and volunteer time. The remainder of the $26,310 cost is covered by several grants. We expect the plan to begin this January and be completed by June 2021.
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DURHAM CONSERVATION COMMISSION AND AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION SEND STATEMENTS TO TOWN COUNCIL RE: AQUACULTURE APPLICATIONS IN OYSTER RIVER
This past Monday, the Conservation Commission voted to forward the following statement to the Town Council regarding the applications for aquaculture in the Oyster River:
“The Durham Conservation Commission believes that shellfish aquaculture will have a positive impact on water quality. The Commission would support shellfish aquaculture in the Oyster River in approved areas. Any approved method of shellfish aquaculture must minimize the impacts on the natural and aesthetic characteristics of the area.”
The commission voted 5-1 in favor of the statement.
Last week, the Durham Agricultural Commission shared the following statement with the Town Council regarding the three aquaculture permits being reviewed by NH Fish and Game for the Oyster River:
"The Durham Agricultural Commission has reviewed the information made available for the proposed aquaculture operations in the Oyster River and supports the proposals. We believe that the locations are appropriate, the operations have been vetted by NH Fish and Game, and an increase in aquaculture production is keeping with the Agricultural Commission’s directive to promote, enhance, and encourage local food production, agricultural resources, and agricultural-based economic opportunities."
The Town Council received a presentation from a representative of NH Fish & Game at its last meeting concerning the three proposals and took feedback from the public. The Council will develop a recommendation in October after considering all of the input it receives for presentation to NH Fish & Game by November 2.
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REMINDER! HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY - Morning of Saturday, October 26, 2019
The 2019 Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held at the Department of Public Works facility located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive. As in the past, all hazardous waste will be collected by appointment only, between 8 - 11:30 AM. To register, you must call DPW at 603-868-5571 or mailto:publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us. REMEMBER - THE MAXIMUM COLLECTED PER HOUSEHOLD IS FIVE GALLONS. NO EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE WASTE, ASBESTOS, SILVEX OR INFECTIOUS/BIOLOGICAL WASTE WILL BE ACCEPTED.
NOT ACCEPTED AT HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY - LATEX AND OLD-BASED PAINTS, MOTOR OIL, AND ANTI-FREEZE. These items can be brought up to the Transfer Station with a permit throughout the year. Latex paints must be dried out first, motor oil, anti-freeze and oil-based paints can go up as is. Typically, hazardous waste is categorized as toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or otherwise hazardous. Please check the manufacturer's label.
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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PEER SUPPORT TRAINING
Durham Firefighters Skerry, Kadden, Boutin and O’Sullivan attended a two-day seminar on the topic of Behavioral Health Peer Support designed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) for our members. This course helps to give the firefighters tools to assist each other in times of need. Peer Support has been a focus of the Association of Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire (PFFNH) in developing a statewide peer support team. The training was delivered by IAFF Master Instructors and provides valuable insight and knowledge for firefighters. The event was sponsored by the IAFF, PFFNH and Wentworth Douglas Hospital.
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Durham Point Road resident, Emily Slama, spotted this Bobcat in her back yard on Monday morning this week. Courtesy Emily Slama
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TOWN OF DURHAM FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS
Did you know that the Town has a Facebook & Twitter account and frequently posts Durham & UNH news, happenings, and articles of interest in our area and the seacoast?
Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
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Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.
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UPCOMING PARKS & RECREATION EVENTS:
Trot in the Trees 5K Trail Race: Sunday, October 20, 2019. Race will start and end at Tibbetts Field with a course through Powder Major Forest. View more information about the race and how to register HERE.
Downtown Trick-or-Treat and Main Street Monster Mash Bash: Saturday, October 26, 2019, 2 - 4PM
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY UPCOMING EVENTS
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Join us Wednesday, October 2nd, 6:00-7:30 pm for The Value of a Book with Kenneth Gloss
Kenneth Gloss, proprietor of the internationally known Brattle Book Shop in Boston’s Downtown Crossing section, will give a free and open talk. Ken will discuss the value of old and rare books.
Ken, a frequent guest appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow since 1998, will talk in part about the history of his historic bookshop which goes back to circa 1825. He is a second-generation owner.
Ken will talk about and show some of his favorite finds and describe some of the joys of the "hunt," as well as explain what makes a book go up in value.
There is also a Q&A session then Gloss will offer free verbal appraisals of all books that attendees have brought with them.
Special Saturday Program! Saturday, October 5th at 10:30 am Carol & Crew Puppet Show!
Join us for this fun interactive family puppet show with Carol & Crew!Carol's performances are highly entertaining for children.Don't miss it. All are welcome! It will be held in the DPL storytime room.
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*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May.
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HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A Brief History of Durham, NH 1600 - 1976 (A little volume that was the Heritage Project of the Durham Historic Association Bicentennial celebration)
Preface - "Since before God made the first little green apples, oysters have probably been growin in the Oyster River; and some of the largest and juiciest to be found anywhere in the world are still growing here today. The following vignettes from rollicking history of Durham town on the Oyster River are therefore presented between the shells of an oyster."
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1934 - We have the distinction of having the fire station burn. Two students rescued one of the engines and started for Massachusetts to visit a girl, but were stopped by state police. Damaged was the Daniel Webster plough, but now restored and safe at his birthplace in Salisbury.
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Have a very good weekend. Enjoy the foliage that is just beginning to turn...
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Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
a: 8 Newmarket Rd., Durham, NH 03824 USA
t: 603.868.5571 | w: www.ci.durham.nh.us | e: tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
He/him/his pronouns
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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