 |
|
Friday, September 4, 2020
|
_______________________
All Town Offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2020 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
-------------------------------
There will be no Farmers' Market on Monday, September 7, 2020.
-------------------------------
Although the Town offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2020, there will NO CHANGE TO YOUR REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION- PLEASE HAVE ALL ITEMS OUT BY 7AM AS ALWAYS.
|
DURHAM TOWN SEAL SCENIC PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT
Last spring Durham resident Lee Alexander contacted Todd Selig (the “Unofficial” Town Photographer) about doing a scenic photo project at the Town Landing. The Durham Town Seal contains an “idealized depiction” of a view looking east and down the Oyster River. Prominent features include a Gundalow, Town Landing, and a sunrise on the far horizon. Less obvious are the two houses on the left past town landing, one being the home of Lee and Elaine Alexander.
The intent of the photo project was to try to duplicate what was depicted in the Town Seal. Instead of a gundalow, Lee has an antique sailing canoe that has the same type of sail as a gundalow. Bought by his father in 1922, the 100-year old canoe was fully restored last summer.
In order to do this project, a number of things need to occur.
- Determine a suitable photo shoot location that shows the rising sun aligned with the river.
- The east sky needs to be clear (… mostly) at sunrise.
- The timing needs to be 2-3 hours either side of high tide (to launch/position the canoe in the river)
The photo shoot was originally planned for early May 2020 but for several reasons, had to be postponed until the end of August. As such, it was not possible to achieve all the necessary conditions shown in the Town Seal. However, the five photos do have some scenic and aesthetic qualities. Another photo shoot is tentatively planned for May 2021.
============================
Five photographs have been placed throughout this Friday Update publication; the first of which is the lead photograph above. Each photo is labeled "Scenic photo Example 1”, Scenic photo Example 2”, etc. We thought it would be fun to create a poll via Survey Monkey asking Friday Updates subscribers to select one of the five scenic photographs that best duplicates what is depicted in the Town seal (shown above).
To participate in the poll, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/durhamscenic.
|
CELEBRATION OF LIFE BEING ORGANIZED FOR THE LATE KENNY ROTNER
An informal celebration of life is being organized in memory of the late Kenny Rotner at Wagon Hill Farm with appropriate physical distancing and mask wearing tentatively for the afternoon of September 13th (with a rain date of September 20th). It will likely occur around 3 PM. More details to follow next week.
|
UNH STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS - DOWNTOWN DURHAM IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS – View a very nice video from UNH Communications.
UNH Communications and Public Affairs has created a new video for students to emphasize the importance of protecting public health and safety in Durham. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWc-Xbz5SVY&feature=youtu.be
- A reminder, per the Town’s emergency ordinance, employees of all businesses shall wear a face covering when interacting with the public and whenever they are within six feet of a co-worker or a customer.
- Members of the public entering or queued to enter, remaining in, or exiting from any business, including without limitation any outdoor area where business of any sort is conducted, work site, or Town of Durham government building, including the designated polling place at the Oyster River High School while elections are being held, must wear a face covering.
- Members of the public entering or queued to enter a restaurant or establishment serving alcoholic beverages for the purpose of picking up food for takeout or any other purpose must wear a face covering. Members of the public dining indoors or outdoors at a restaurant may remove face covering while seated at their table. Members of the public must wear a face covering when entering, using, or leaving the restroom of a restaurant.
- Members of the public utilizing sidewalks and other public ways within the Central Business, Professional Office, Church Hill, and Courthouse zoning districts as defined by the Durham Zoning Ordinance must wear a face covering when coming into contact with others and social/physical distancing of at least six feet is not be possible.
To read the full ordinance, including exceptions, go to https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/administration/durham-mask-ordinance-map
|
DURHAM FIRE CONDUCTS EMS TRAINING
On Wednesday this week, the Durham Fire Department conducted EMS training with Wentworth Douglass Hospital and utilized a new simulation unit to demonstrate their hands-on skills. The crew was excited to use the new technology and equipment because the simulator was sponsored by the Lawson family of Durham.
Above, Brian Nicholson from Wentworth Douglass, Captain Kustra, Firefighters Campbell, Lundberg, Davis, and Skerry work with Shelley (the interactive simulator) to deliver and monitor the effectiveness of respiratory and cardiac aid. Courtesy David Emanuel
|
Mobile EMS Simulation vehicle. Courtesy David Emanuel
|
DID YOU KNOW? - The cost to dispose of discarded food waste in Durham's solid waste stream per month is around $3,500.00.
Food waste that decomposes in landfills releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is at least 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In addition, food that has been thrown in the garbage makes up between 30-40% of solid landfill waste. Durham’s fee to get rid of our garbage (solid waste) in July 2020 was $11,537.33 . Using a conservative estimate of 30% of that figure coming from food waste, our town paid $3,461.20 to dispose of our food waste in one month alone!
Learn more about easy ways to compost and bring down our costs next week!
|
INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE and PARKS & REC. CREATE A COMPOST CHALLENGE - Seeking about 20 families to participate in a 6-week program...
The Durham Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee has been looking at ways to improve the town's solid waste program. Dramatic changes in the value of recyclable materials and concerns with future landfill space have challenged us to look for new solutions that are both environmentally and economically sustainable. Removing organic material from the solid waste stream through a composting program appears to be a promising idea. The committee is looking to run a pilot program to determine the ratio of household composable to non-compostable waste. We are look for at least 20 families to participate in a 6-week program that will provide us with data to help us develop a community composting program.
How Does the Challenge Work?
Families can register for the challenge by visiting the Parks & Recreation page on the Durham website. For 10 dollars, they get a 3 gallon vented container, bags and a data sheet.
Another option is to use a larger non-vented container. Mr. Fox provides a 13 gallon non-vented container for their curbside compost pickup. It is built to last and easily will hold any families weekly compost. Rubbermaid makes one the looks similar and cost just under 30 dollars at Walmart. Families choosing that option can sign up for 13 gallon compostable bags, and the data sheet at Parks and Recreation.
A household scale is not provided but would come in very handy. One can be purchased for around 20 dollars or challenge participants can weigh waste at the transfer station. Each week for six weeks, participants will weigh their compost and their regular household waste and record both on the data sheet.
What is Compostable?
Durham uses Mr. Fox Composting to pick up and process our compostable material. They have been providing commercial and residential compost services to Seacoast New Hampshire and Maine communities for 10 years. They accept food scraps including meat and dairy, corn-based cups and utensils, and some paper. We will include a list of acceptable items on participant's data sheets.
Collecting and Weighing Compost
After you have sorted compostable from non-compostable containers, we need you to weigh them each week. Since putting a full bag of household waste on a scale is challenging, an easier method is to start by weighing the empty compost container and your regular trash can. At the end of the week, weigh the full containers and subtract the weight of the empty containers. Record the net weight on the data sheet.
Where do I deposit my compost?
At the end of the week, participants will need to bring their compost bags to the the Durham Transfer Station. It is located at 100 Durham Point Road and is open Tuesdays and Saturdays 7:30AM to 2:30PM You need a resident transfer station sticker that can be obtained at either Town Hall or the Durham Public Works office. As you drive in, you will notice some green containers next to the green building. Dump your compost here.
Since you are already driving up to the transfer station, you should also bring your corrugated cardboard and aluminum cans. The town makes money off of recycling these materials. Corrugated cardboard has three layers and is commonly used to make Amazon boxes. You can drop it off in the green shed next to the compost container. Aluminum cans go in the blue containers at the far side of the transfer station. Don't crush the cans before recycling them since by doing so you risk contamination and it makes them more difficult for counting machines.
Compost Awards
If it is a challenge there has to be a prize. The families with the top three highest percentage of compostable to non-compostable waste will receive a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Thanks for taking the challenge and helping us improve the Durham solid waste program.
|
EMERALD ASH BORER RESEARCH CONTINUES AT DOE FARM
Todd Johnson, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at UNH, is spearheading a research project at Durham’s Doe Farm. Todd and his team are investigating the role of tree size and age on the suitability of native green ash to the non-native emerald ash borer (EAB) and the impact of two species of parasitic wasps released to slow down the growth of the borer populations. You can read Todd’s latest detailed project update HERE. You can learn more about the EAB and read past project updates on the Doe Farm website HERE.
|
DURHAM FARMERS' MARKET - Each Monday Afternoon in the Sammy's Downtown Lot off Pettee Brook Lane
The Durham Farmers' Market is now open again this season on Monday afternoons through Monday, October 5, 2020 from 2:15- 5:30, closing 1/2 hour earlier than previous years. Vendors will adhere to predetermined sanitation and Covid 19 prevention standards. THE MARKET WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 BECAUSE OF THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.
Customers are requested to wear masks, maintain 6’ distance from others, and send only one person per household to shop if possible.
The market has several new vendors participating this year and they are pleased to have prepared food, maple products (including ice cream!), garden plants, and assorted vegetables available.
One positive aspect is that folks can walk downtown to access the market and while they are there, shop/eat in other downtown establishments.
|
HOW DOES COVID-19 TESTING WORK AT UNH? – Putting the statistics into perspective.
The good news is every UNH student is required to have a negative Covid-19 test result before traveling to the UNH campus in Durham. And upon arrival they were immediately tested, and they’re being tested twice a week until the end of the semester in order to continue physically coming onto campus from wherever they are living (perhaps in Durham, perhaps in Dover, perhaps at home with mom and dad). Employees and contractors are being tested once a week by UNH, and they live throughout the region and across NH/MA. No other community in the state or region is doing the level of testing that the University of New Hampshire is doing for its students, faculty, staff, and contractors, all being accomplished to protect both the campus and greater Durham community.
The best source of active case information for Durham, Lee, and Madbury (Oyster River) will be the NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) Covid-19 dashboard, which can be found online at https://www.nh.gov/covid19/dashboard/summary.htm.
Any positive test result at UNH is immediately reported to the state, contact traced by NH DHHS, and tracked to the community in which the individual actually lives. Simply because a student, faculty, or staff member tests positive as part of the UNH testing protocols does not mean those individuals are actually living in Durham. We have 15 Covid-19 cases in Durham as of 9/3/20 per NH DHHS. (Lee and Madbury both have 0 cases; Barrington has 1-4 cases.) Once identified by NH DHHS, individuals are ordered to self-quarantine by the state, and the NH DHHS contact tracers follow up to check on these people.
In addition, UNH has two on campus residential facilities they have stood up to care for Covid-19 positive individuals for students living on campus or off campus in Durham where those young people may remain for the duration of their self-quarantine while continuing with classes on-line. They are provided meals in their rooms, etc. Most students who are able, however, simply head home to their parents until they are cleared to return physically to campus.
To view the latest UNH in-house testing dashboard, go to https://www.unh.edu/coronavirus
|
ZOOM SESSION WITH COLONIAL DURHAM ARCHITECTUAL TEAM FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON MILL PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL (Color Palettes) – September 12 @ 2 PM
The owners of the Mill Plaza, Colonial Durham Associates (CDA), invite interested members of the public to a follow-up discussion with Sharon Ames, a Senior Architect at Harriman, and Emily Innes, Dir. of Planning at Harriman, on September 12, from 10am-12pm. Note that this conversation is not part of the Durham Planning Board’s formal public hearing process. Colonial Durham would like an opportunity to discuss color palettes with interested community members, and that will be the focus of the discussion on the 12th. The Zoom format will allow Colonial Durham to present options for discussion.
If interested, please join Colonial Durham on Saturday, September 12 from 10am-12pm by registering HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
If unable to make the meeting, interested community members may submit comments to the Planning Board (mailto:kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us) for their review and/or attend their hearing on the 23rd. Note that all questions outside the conversation on the 12th must be directed to the Planning Board to be part of the public hearing process. Colonial Durham will also record the discussion on September 12 to send to the Planning Board.
|
2020 CURBSIDE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
The Holiday Season is approaching quickly. Below is the 2020 Curbside Holiday Schedule for your convenience.
|
STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS SUPPORT HABITAT RESTORATION AT OYSTER RIVER FOREST AND THOMPSON FOREST
Durham received two grants that have helped control invasive plants and allow native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees to thrive at two conservation areas: Oyster River Forest (ORF) and Thompson Forest (TF). A two-year $9,050 grant from the State Conservation Committee was used to contract with the Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD) to apply targeted herbicide on glossy buckthorn, autumn olive, multiflora rose, and Asiatic bittersweet vines growing among native vegetation in a section of the 60-acre early successional habitat at Oyster River Forest. This grant is supported by funds from the sale of the Conservation License Plate (Moose Plate) through the NH State Conservation Committee grant program.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Wildlife Program provided a $4,350 grant to Durham focused on creating and enhancing early successional shrub and young forest habitat at Thompson Forest. The grant was based on a habitat improvement plan developed by Durham Land Stewardship Coordinator, Ellen Snyder, part of an effort begun in 2017 in partnership with NH Fish and Game. The overarching goal of this project is to control invasive plant species to enhance habitat for New England cottontail and other early successional habitat-dependent species.
You can read more about these projects on the Oyster River Forest webpage HERE.
|
PREP’S CRITICAL ADVANCES FOR OUR ESTUARIES (CArE) PROGRAM IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PROGRESS IN IMPROVING HEALTH OF GREAT BAY ESTUARY
In an effort to keep you abreast of efforts within the Great Bay Estuary, we wanted to share this information from the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) concerning the new CArE program, made possible through the funding collaboration between Eversource and Durham (with $525,000 in SRP settlement funds targeted toward to the Estuary).
Overview: PREP partnered with the Town of Durham to design CArE: a three-year initiative to focus new resources on areas of critical need identified by PREP, its partners, and the 52 communities of the Piscataqua Region watershed. A four-part plan outlines high-level guidance that PREP and our Management, Executive, and Technical Advisory committees can use to develop detailed project plans and budgets to support the initiative.
CArE is focused on four critical areas of need that will greatly strengthen the ability of PREP, our partners, and our communities to protect the health of our estuaries:
Part A – develop a holistic approach to the research and monitoring initiatives currently managed by diverse partners;
Part B – enhance capacity to manage, synthesize, and share monitoring data;
Part C – develop and promote science-based metrics to calculate regulatory credit for nonstructural best management practices (BMPs); and
Part D – support and facilitate a coordinated communication strategy to ignite the growing sense of stewardship among the region’s communities.
Learn more about the program HERE.
|
PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES RELATED TO AGRICULTURE BEFORE PLANNING BOARD AT PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPT. 9
The Planning Board is holding a public hearing on September 9 on extensive amendments to the Durham Zoning Ordinance related to Agriculture. You can see the pertinent documents at this link:
https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_planning/zoning-amendment-agriculture. The first item is a memo from Town Planner Michael Behrendt explaining various documents related to the amendments. Please feel free to contact Michael mailto:mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us if you have any questions or if you would like to send written comments about the amendments to the planning board.
|
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING DATES IN SEPTEMBER
The Durham Town Council will be meeting on the following dates in September:
Monday, September 14, 2020
Monday, September 21, 2020
|
UNH DEVELOPS “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 UNH and Durham 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.
https://unh.starrezhousing.com/StarRezPortalX/5A581337/18/684/Community-COVID_19_Incident_Re
|
2021 ROAD PROGRAM DESIGN
Durham Public Works has coordinated with Geotechnical Contractor, Miller Engineering and Testing, to provide Geotechnical Engineering services in support of the 2021 Road Program. The 2021 anticipated Road Program pavement improvements consist of a combination of mill and overlay and full roadway reconstruction utilizing pavement reclamation and/or over excavation and replacement along with subgrade drainage improvements. Candidate Roads for the reclamation program include Kelsey Drive, Mathes Cove Road, Sullivan Falls Road and Tall Pines Road.
The physical testing program will be initiated on Tuesday, September 8th through Wednesday September 9th to assess the existing engineering properties (i.e. thickness, relative density and composition) of pavement and subsurface soils on these roadways. Test borings utilizing a truck mounted drill rig will be advanced to a depth of 6 feet at approximately 500 foot intervals on each roadway. Core samples will be extracted for evaluation and laboratory grain size analysis along with other soil index testing for classification will occur to identify engineering properties.
Traffic flow will not be impacted and the drill rig will be stored overnight on the roadside, clearly marked by safety barriers. Bore holes will be will be filled with soil from test borings and be temporarily patched with cold patch asphalt until a permanent hot mix asphalt patch is installed. Please contact Durham Public Works with any questions at (603) 868-5578.
|
Resident Lisa Vail Maurice, along with other volunteers, assisted the Town Clerk's office in mailing out absentee ballots on Thursday this week. Courtesy DCAT Studios
|
VOTER REGISTRATION
If you have not yet registered to vote and wish to vote in the primary, you must come in person to the polls (Oyster River High School gymnasium) while the polls are open (Tuesday 9/8 from 7:00 AM to 7 PM) to do this before you vote.
If you register in person you will be asked to show Proof of Identification, Age (18 by the September 8 election), Citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), and Domicile within Durham. Affidavits may be signed in the absence of proofs.
Voter registration for the November 3 General Election will continue at the town hall until October 25 (and then again on election day).
June 2 was the last day to change party in New Hampshire before the State Primary. If you wish to check your standing, you may do so at https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/Partyinfo.aspx. You can also check your absentee ballot status at this website.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
The Town Clerk’s Office will be open from 3:00pm-5:00pm on, Monday, Labor Day, to accept absentee ballots and to request an absentee ballot no other business will be conducted. If you miss this deadline, you will have to appear at the Polling Place, at Oyster River High School, from 7:00am to 7:00pm to cast your vote.
If you have requested an absentee ballot and not received it, please contact the Town Clerk, Lorrie Pitt at mailto:lpitt@ci.durham.nh.us , 603-868-5577.
|
DPW PROVIDING ELECTION LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR SEPT. AND NOV.
DPW staff is working with town election officials and ORHS administration to prepare for the local and federal elections that are scheduled for September and November. Both elections will take place at the high school and there will be many changes and protocols associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
|
A CALL FOR HELP WITH THE LAST PHASE OF THE OYSTER RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT - A project, which if fully funded, that would span the Oyster River between Thompson Lane and Orchard Drive.
Durham recently acquired Stevens Woods, a 25 acre parcel of undeveloped land at the end of Orchard Drive just south of the Oyster River and across from Thompson Lane. On the land the town will soon construct a small parking area and install a trail-head kiosk. This will complete a trail network extending across more than 2000 acres of undeveloped land south to the recreational facilities at Doe Farm. Please join us in the fund-raising effort required to build a new bridge from Thompson Lane across the Oyster River to the land. This link will greatly improve the public’s trail access from the center of Durham. It will also permit much easier and safer walking among Durham neighborhoods.
The NH Recreational Trails Program will provide $80,000 to help this effort, if we can raise the remainder of the funds by September 17. The total will permit us to construct the bridge and abutments, assemble and install the bridge. All required permits, studies, and engineering designs have been completed and paid for. Every gift will therefore be used solely to finance the construction work. Several Durham residents have offered to match all donations 1:1 up to a total of $60,000. Thus your gift will be effectively doubled! You can donate by check or by credit card. We plan to complete the bridge before the end of this winter.
|
Macallen Dam. Courtesy Town of Newmarket
|
NEWMARKET’S MACALLEN DAM PROJECT UNDER WAY
Please be advised that the Macallen Dam Project in Newmarket has started. The Lamprey River will be drawn down over the next few days and the draw down will run until October 31st. The river will be draw down 7 feet from its normal level.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact Newmarket Public Works Director Rick Malasky at mailto:rmalasky@newmarketnh.gov.
|
REMINDER- Household Hazardous Waste Day- Morning of Saturday October 24, 2020
Household Hazardous Waste Day will be conducted this year with restrictions due to Covid- Masks will be required, residents are asked to stay in cars and all Covid safe social distancing and safety protocols will be in place. The 2020 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 8-11:30AM. To register, you must call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 or e-mail 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.
Consider reducing your purchase of products with hazardous ingredients; read labels thoroughly. Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in anything other than their original containers and never remove labels. Never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become un-recyclable. Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.
NOT ACCEPTED AT HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY- LATEX AND OIL BASED PAINTS , MOTOR OIL, AND ANTI-FREEZE. These items can be brought up to the Transfer Station with your permit throughout the year. Latex paints must be dried out first, motor oil, antifreeze, 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.
|
SCHOOL BOARD NEWS - September 2, 2020
The school board joins the community in mourning the passing of Dr. Kenneth Rotner and recognizes his long and dedicated service to our children and families.
September 2 was the first day of the 2020-2021 school year in Oyster River. Thanks to students, families, teachers, and staff alike for continuing to work to adapt education to the current circumstances. Based on the remote/hybrid school approaches for the start of this school year, over 400 students spent part of the first day of school in school buildings, while others are learning in a fully remote model and many more will spend some time remote and some time in school buildings.
The School Board expects to appoint a new member at its September 16 meeting to fill Dr. Rotner's at-large seat until the next election in March 2021. All interested individuals who are adult residents of Durham, Lee, or Madbury should send a letter of interest and resume explaining their background and interest in joining the school board to the superintendent by September 9. Please contact any member of the school board or the superintendent if you'd like more information on school board service.
Construction at the new middle school project is on schedule as structural steel arrives and goes up. Over 7 miles of geothermal piping has been installed, 14,000 yards of concrete poured using 103 tons of rebar, and the primary roof covering is on track to be added before winter.
Starting September 16 school board meetings will be held in the High School auditorium and be open to public attendance once again. Meetings will continue to be streamed live HERE and archived on the ORCSDVideo YouTube channel.
|
DURHAM SERGEANT FRANK DALY TAPPED FOR DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF POSITION IN NORTH HAMPTON, NH
The Town is pleased and a little melancholy to report that Sergeant Frank Daly has been hired by North Hampton Police Chief (and Durham resident) Katherine Mone to be her new Deputy Chief there. We’re all thrilled for Frank (and Katherine). We’re also sad to see him go. Frank grew up in North Hampton so he’s going … home! That’s a nice thing to see.
After a process that included a written test, oral board, and staff review, Durham Police Chief Rene Kelley is promoting Randy Pelletier and Craig Forrest to the rank of Sergeant. Their promotions were effective Monday, 08/31/2020.
With Frank’s resignation Durham will be three officers short of our authorized compliment of 21 full-time officers. The DPD is working diligently to fill one position now and will attempt to identify two officers to hire for January 1, 2021.
|
MOST STUDENTS AT UNH REPORT FEELING SAFE; FRATERNITY BROTHERS AND SORORITY SISTERS GET QUARANTINED
Hoping to quell rising public anxiety, University of New Hampshire officials have sent a letter to the UNH community urging them not to panic after a fraternity and a sorority were placed in a 14-day quarantine because members tested positive for COVID-19.
Officials did not name the fraternity or sorority. A female living in the sorority and a male living in the fraternity tested positive for Covid-19 during the routine two-times per week testing regiment for UNH students.
“Please do not panic,” wrote Peter Degnan, the school’s medical director, and Paul Dean, its police chief, in Tuesday’s letter to the community. “UNH is working in partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to notify those who have tested positive and their identified close contacts as quickly as possible.”
Besides the off-campus cases involving the two Greek houses, the school reported 11 cases on campus as of Wednesday, according to DHHS public information officer Laura Montenegro.
Also in the letter, Degnan and Dean said a non-student had tested positive for COVID-19 after going to a local bar this past weekend. The bar was not named. NH Department of Health and Human Services contact tracers were following up on the situation.
UNH’s academic year began Monday. Pre-arrival and arrival testing of the school’s more than 20,700 students, faculty, staff, contractors and others produced 37 positive test results.
Read a complete article about this topic in the Union Leader, HERE.
|
CLOSED LANDFILL AT THE DOVER ROAD TRANSFER STATION – Public Works crews plan to perform maintenance trimming on overgrown areas of the landfill cap, tentatively scheduled for Sept 8th.
In September 2019 NHDES indicated that based on slightly elevated PFAS compounds in a few of the monitoring wells, further delineation is necessary to potentially establish limits. Stantec suggested that two additional well pairs be installed at locations further downstream of the movement of the PFAS (on the western side of Horsehide Brook). Estimates for the installation of these new wells including PFAS monitoring was $16,000. This work will be in addition to the yearly monitoring costs of $17,000. This is tentatively being proposed in 2021 budget within the contracted services line item for the transfer station which increases this line item substantially. Recognizing this significant budget impact, we intend to revisit this issue with NHDES to determine if other options may be equally effective in managing this increase.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steel at ORMS construction zone. Courtesy Todd Selig
|
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENING WITH THE OYSTER RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT…
Safety fencing to separate the existing school from the construction activities has been reviewed, placed, and inspected to prevent accidental access from the school to the construction site. Delivery schedules are being coordinated with student bus arrivals and departures to make access to the school safe and easy for students.
Steel erection continues to be the major focus for the project this week with 12 trailer loads of steel scheduled for delivery! Mid-morning on Thursday, one of the large trusses supporting the steel over the recital hall was scheduled to be set utilizing two large cranes. A third crane is being utilized to set other steel. You can see the balcony riser system for the recital hall now in place and also visualize the height of the school as the first section of roof steel has been erected.
Underground utility work is nearly finished with the second of the two stormwater infiltration areas being completed this week.
Plumbers are working on tying in the geothermal piping in the underground vault space and installing under slab piping for the kitchen and bathroom areas of the first floor.
|
DURHAM'S ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION EVENTS MOVE ONLINE
The Active Retirement Association based in Durham will go virtual for its Fall 2020 programs for the first time in its 38-year history.
“We want to help ensure the safety of our members and do our small part in preventing spread of COVID-19 to the community,” said Ed Perkins, director of public relations. “There will be no indoor programming, at least for the fall.”
Online programs also extend services beyond the New Hampshire-Maine-Massachusetts area already served, Perkins said.
At the same time, membership cost for the 2020-21 year has been cut in half to $25. Following an academic calendar, ARA membership runs from July through June. Some outdoor activities like hiking and cycling may be available for area ARA members, following all CDC and state guidelines, whenever it is safe to do so.
View more information HERE.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Congratulations Emily Brake! Winner of the Library Haiku Contest!
Enjoy Emily’s winning entry above and thank you to all of our local poets and patrons who voted!
|
DPL’s CURRENT LIBRARY SERVICES
The Library is open for 20-minute visits to the Library for quick browsing and checkouts and the use of computers, printer, and copy machine. Notary services are available by appointment only. Meeting rooms and the Cafe will remain closed until further notice.
During this phase of reopening, we are limiting the number of patrons in the building to no more than 50% of our normal comfortable browsing capacity on the main floor. We also request that anyone using the Library do so wearing a cloth mask or face covering. Masks will be available to patrons who request them. Currently, we ask that patrons not gather or congregate in the Library. Our contactless “Library to-go” services continue. Find our Library Director's most recent update HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
Adult Programs Registration Has Begun For Fall!
Registration has begun for some of our adult programs. Visit the Upcoming Events page on our website for fall virtual programming and registration information for introduction to guitar lessons with EarCraft's Scott Sutherland, NH Legends & Ghosts, Thanksgiving cooking course, and using your library resources! There are also many great resources to be discovered on the DPL website at any time! Stream movies and music, check out ebooks and audiobooks, take professional development and language courses, get live device help each week, attend guided meditation, research with EBSCO and explore Novelist, Consumer Reports, Explora, and more! Questions? Contact us at 603-868-6699. We are happy to help!
-----------------------------------------------
Registration has Begun for Youth Services Fall Virtual Programs!
Programs begin Tuesday, September 8th.
Youth Services September Calendar
Youth Services October Calendar
Programs include Zoom Storytimes, Baby Lap-sit, STEAM crafts to go, Young Adult Compassion Project, Crafts, Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th grade) book group, Patch club and more. Don't miss our Joint library program with the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries, "Creatures of the Night" an on-line visit from Squam Lake Science Center on Saturday, October 17th at 10:30 am.
Check out our Storywalk book, Waking Dragons by Jane Yolen in the rain garden behind the library. There will be a new, Fall Storywalk book starting the week of Sept. 21st.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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."
________________________
1649 - The Moat is a 2-acre island in the Lamprey River, and has long been a deed landmark. Included in the 6-acre farm owned by the Doe family since 1706, it was willed to the Town in 1909 by Olinthus Doe. The farm is now managed as a forest.
|
_____________________________
If you know of others who might find Durham's weekly "Friday Updates" of interest, please pass them along. It's possible to sign up for them HERE.
Have a very nice weekend.
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
He/him/his pronouns
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
---
|
|
|
|
|
|
