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Friday, September 6, 2019
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Salt marsh at sunset on Adams Point Road
Courtesy Todd Selig
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Earlier this year, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) put out notification to its membership across the nation and beyond, calling for submission of photographs from those communities interested in participating in a 2020 ICMA calendar photo contest. ICMA is an association representing professionals in local government management. It is based in Washington, D.C. This week, Administrator Selig, who had submitted the above photograph of Adams Point for consideration, was notified that Durham was one of 14 member communities whose photograph was selected to be featured in the 2020 ICMA Photo Calendar! Durham will be featured for the month of October.
View the other winning communities photograph submissions spanning from Canada to California, and Florida to Ohio, HERE.
ALSO ... The nonpartisan NH League of Women Voters has provided information that next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mark the 100th anniversary of New Hampshire's ratification of the 19th amendment recognizing women's right to vote (House on Monday, Senate on Tuesday, Governor signed it Wednesday). Learn more about this milestone on September 10, 2019 by reading information from the National Park Service web page titled “New Hampshire and the 19th Amendment" HERE.
AND ... At Monday's Council meeting on September 9th, Sarah Wrightsman, Durham resident and Executive Director of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast will provide the Town Council with a presentation on the topic of affordable housing -- the missing middle.
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DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSTS SEPTEMBER 11TH REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
Members of the Durham Fire Department will host their annual September 11th Remembrance Ceremony on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at the Durham Fire Department, 51 College Road, Durham, NH. Members of the Town Council and the public are invited to attend.
Please plan to arrive between 8:00 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. as College Road will be closed beginning at 8:30 a.m. Opening remarks will begin at 8:45 a.m. Light refreshments will follow the ceremony.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DECISION BY PLANNING BOARD
The August 30 Friday Updates provided information regarding the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Planning Board decision of August 28, 2019. The Planning Board determined that this never-enforced condition was an inappropriate use of the zoning regulations. Specifically, the restriction of a legal behavior by adults inside of a private dwelling, that behavior being the possession of alcohol. Even the two members who served on the Board that made the initial decision in 2007 could not reconcile the reason for such a restriction. Adults may legally possess alcohol in the state of New Hampshire. Planning Board Chair Paul Rasmussen conveyed to Mr. Selig this week that If the Town Council, staff, or its citizens desire to restrict alcohol then they could pursue the processes detailed in RSA 175:7 and RSA 663:5. He also noted that the University’s Fraternity and Sorority Life department is capable of controlling the consumption of alcohol within its jurisdiction. He noted the Planning Board would have no qualms with that organization enforcing the restrictions it already has in place or implementing new ones.
In addition, the Police Department provided some additional information yesterday afternoon concerning the event that took place last Thursday evening at the SAE property to provide more clarity and clear up any confusion that was created based on last weeks' report: “We would not categorize the response to the SAE house as an out of control situation. There was an anonymous call about “blaring music” coming from the house. The officer dispatched noted a male sitting in a second story front window with his back to the road and music loudly emanating from the room. After repeated attempts to gain his attention were futile and ultimately after knocking on the front door and later the back door, she [the officer] finally got the President of SAE to come outside. She [the officer] never went inside but could see people walking around, a number of them were women. The music was stopped and a summons for violation of the Town’s noise ordinance was issued to the President. Two other officers responded as back-up, neither going in the house as the conversation was outside. While other persons came outside to observe the police interaction, no further issues were noted once the music was turned off.”
Last Friday afternoon, 8/30/19, the following message was conveyed to Administrator Selig by Chief Kurz: “SAE had a party last night with police response and alcohol present! It appears that the majority of the guests were women so it is quite easy to acknowledge that they were not “brothers”! Ironically UNH advises that NONE of the fraternities or sororities are able to host social events until the weekend of the 26th of September. Additionally no assembly permit was given to them through UNH I am advised. They will be conducting an investigation of their own!”
Sincere appreciation is conveyed to the members of the Durham Planning Board for their hard work, dedication, countless hours, and efforts on behalf of the community.
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UPDATES FROM DURHAM'S MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS
Chief Emanuel reports the DFD is planning fire prevention activities for this October for Fire Prevention week. In addition, following some extended leave due to illness/injury, the department is up to full staff this week but another member of the department will be going out for scheduled surgery for an extended period of time. A military reserve deployment of a staff member is also likely. Shift coverage is placing stress on overtime, which the department will be watching closely in conjunction with the Business Office.
Part-time Economic Development Director Christine Soutter is working on a project with Public Works Director Lynch to enhance signage in the downtown area to guide visitors to public parking areas more easily/clearly. She is also working on the development of a trails/outdoor parks map.
Chief Kurz reports his department is in full gear with the University back in session. The start of the school year has gone well.
IT Manager Luke Vincent notes that the blade server hosting our GIS system is down and needs to be rebuilt. In addition, the DFD is exploring whether it might be more efficient for UNH IT to handle technology issues within the Fire Department. Note the DFD is located on the UNH Campus on College Road.
Interim Library Director Susan Wagner indicated that the Library is wrapping up building and landscaping issues, carpets have been cleaned, the elevator inspected, etc. UNH Proves did a great job cleaning up the rain garden, raked the parking lot, and weeded the front garden. The electric vehicle charger is inoperable and the Library, DPW, and Energy Committee are deciding what to do with this item, whether to keep or replace it, whether to replace it with the same type of charging device in the Pettee Brook parking lot for standardization, and whether the Library or some other location would be the best spot for a charger. The Library is also in the process of updating its web site.
Public Works Director Mike Lynch notes that the NHDOT undertook repairs on the Bennett Road bridge this week and we were able to reopen the road on Tuesday. NHDOT will be back later this fall to re-deck the bridge, which will require a road closure. Three staff members are currently out at DPW due to illness/injury, etc. one of whom will be out for an extended period. We plan to begin roadside trimming in the next week or so. It will likely be contracted out, and Admin. Selig understands a vender has been identified.
Parks & Recreation Director Rachel Gasowski reports that fall programs start next week. All of the offerings are on line. An adult trip is scheduled to the Botanical Gardens in Booth Bay using the recreation van. Parks & Rec. is also planning an upcoming trail race in partnership with ORYA at Tibbetts Field. And the Churchill Rink is scheduled to open in mid-October right after Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day weekend.
Business Manager Gail Jablonski is working on the budget and CIP development along with Administrator Selig. Each day meetings are scheduled with departments, boards, external organizations, etc. for them to explain and provide justification for their requests for FY 2020. It's going to be a difficult budget year once again. Costs are generally up and we don't see significant revenue/tax base growth to offset expenses. For example, we had projected an expansion of the tax base by about $9 million in 2019. The actual came in around $6 million.
Collective Bargaining Negotiations will begin in the fall for successor bargaining agreements with both AFSCME representing the majority of the Town's DPW employees and the Durham Professional Municipal Managers Unit (DPMMA) representing varied staff in general managerial posts from Fire Captain to Town Engineer to Police Captan to some Administrative Assistants from across departments.
Code Officer Audrey Cline reports that Riverwoods Durham hopes to occupy a portion of C-Section/Wing for their administrative staff in October, followed by a phased occupation through the start of the early 2020 timeframe. In addition, we have found a part-time replacement for our assistant code officer to help with trash violations, parked car complaints, over occupancy concerns, etc. He is a student at UNH who is pursuing a degree after serving in the U.S. Navy.
Dir. of Planning Michael Behrendt notes that he’s organizing a preconstruction meeting for the project at 56 Main Street. In addition, $153,000 has been raised so far toward the Orchard Drive conservation project.
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MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES - ENCEPHALITIS (EEE) AND WEST NILE VIRUS
The Town of Durham has been monitoring the activity of both encephalitis and West Nile Virus outbreaks within the area and would like to remind residents that these are serious health concerns and to please take the following precautions in order to prevent the occurrence of EEE and West Nile:
Eliminate standing water and other mosquito breeding locations.
In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days!
- Remove old tires from your property.
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or other containers.
- Don't overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside.
- Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs. If not in use, keep empty and covered and keep covers free of standing water.
- Aerate garden ponds or stock them with fish.
- Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
- Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.
Be aware of where mosquitoes live and breed and keep them from entering your home.
- Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Weeds, tall grass, and bushes provide an outdoor home for the adult Culex pipiens mosquito (the common northern house mosquito), which is most commonly associated with West Nile virus.
- Mosquitoes can enter homes through unscreened windows or doors, or broken screens. Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all screens in your home that have tears or holes.
- Resting mosquitoes can often be flushed from indoor resting sites by using sweeping motions under beds, behind bedside tables etc. and once in flight, exterminated prior to sleeping at night.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites
- If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite. Children and adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks.
- Consider the use of an effective insect repellent, such as one containing DEET. Repellent containing 30% or less DEET (N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) are recommended for use by children and adults. Use DEET according to the manufacturer's directions. Children should not apply DEET to themselves. Repellents that contain Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus have also been determined to be effective.
- Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and bug zappers have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.
View more information regarding EEE and West Nile at the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services' website HERE.
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Completed repaving, new sidewalks, asphalt curbing, and roadway line striping on Faculty Road. Courtesy Todd Selig
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COUNCIL SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS CURBING OPTIONS UTILIZED IN DURHAM ON SEPTEMBER 9TH
As part of the 20219 paving and sidewalk program, Faculty Road was repaved and the deteriorated sidewalk was fully reconstructed this summer. The sloped granite curbing that had been utilized for many years was removed and bituminous asphalt curbing was installed.
Residents from the Faculty Road neighborhood submitted a petition expressing concern about the replacement of sloped granite curbing with asphalt and requested the Council consider reinstalling granite curbing again on Faculty Road in the future. This triggered a broader question about the different kinds of curbing utilized in Town in various locations and for different applications.
On Monday, September 9th, the Council will discuss the issue. Director of Planning Michael Behrendt has prepared a memorandum for the Council outlining different curbing options and Public Works Director Lynch has provided general information about curbing use and costs in Durham. View this information, HERE.
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PRESENTATION OF 2020-2029 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM TO PLANNING BOARD SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 11
Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Administrator Selig will attend the Planning Board meeting next Wednesday, September 11th, to discuss projects that have been proposed for consideration by departments, boards, committees, and commissions as part of the 2020-2029 Capital Improvements Program. The meeting will begin at 7PM and will be held in the Council chambers at the Town Hall, 8 Newmarket Road.
This is an excellent opportunity for Mr. Selig and Ms. Jablonski to obtain the guidance of the Planning Board as part of the process of formulating a Capital Budget for the Town Council to consider later this fall.
The Durham Town Charter, Section 5.8 "Capital Improvement Plan", requires that "The Town Administrator, after consultation with the Planning Board, shall prepare and submit to the Council a capital improvements plan at least one (1) month prior to the final date for submission of the budget."
The Council receives the draft plan (including all requests) at this time (2 months prior to receiving the budget) and the formal proposed CIP at the same time as the budget in the beginning of November.
View the proposed CIP document HERE.
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Public Works Director Mike Lynch providing an overview of his budget to Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Administrator Selig, on Wednesday afternoon this week.
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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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SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING IN DURHAM - 2019 AND BEYOND - If you care about how we recycle in Durham, you should attend this forum on September 10.
Please join representatives of the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee, Durham Public Works Department, Durham Town Council, and Alex Fried of Post Landfill (and an Oyster River graduate) on September 10, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the Durham Public Library community room, 49 Madbury Road, for a conversation about Durham’s solid waste program and how and what we recycle. It will be an opportunity for our Durham community to take the first steps together envisioning what will be needed to meet today’s waste and recycling challenges.
This will be the 2nd of 3 community conversations the IWMAC is holding in order to have a holistic conversation with interested community members regarding trash and recycling locally. The first gathering was held in Council chambers in the spring. This 2nd session will be a repeat of the first in an effort to give residents who were unable to attend the first meeting an opportunity to discuss how we might manage our landfill waste and our recyclables. Pay As You Throw (PAYT) and composting will be part of the conversation. As we share information and ideas we will also keep in mind the 2019/2020 sustainability goals adopted by the the Town Council as they pertain to waste management.
Be part of the conversation and join us on September 10 at the Durham Public Library at 7:00 PM.
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DURHAM POLICE MAINTAIN ADVANCED ACCREDITATION STATUS
As many residents are aware, the Durham Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Only thirty-one (31) police departments the size of Durham Police (no more than 24 police officers) in the entire United States is designated as accredited.
The Durham Police possess “Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation” which provides agencies an opportunity to go beyond the implementation of basic best practices. Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation is available for agencies having an organizational commitment to consistently exceed basic service delivery. Advanced accreditation provides agencies additional means to verify accountability to those expecting and relying upon the highest level of public safety services. Additionally Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation utilizes additional standards to further validate an agency’s ongoing commitment to attaining the highest level of professionalism possible. These advanced standards can also provide agencies additional reductions in exposure to risks associated with civil liability.
In past years, to determine accredited status, CALEA would send assessors to Durham to inspect the department every third-year and evaluate whether the department has remained in compliance with accreditation standards.
A newly adopted format involves an on-line inspection remotely accomplished every year with assessors arriving in Durham on the fourth year. Captain David Holmstock, who is the department’s accreditation manager, coordinates access to Durham Police files and works collaboratively allowing the assessor to inspect and validate our adherence to best practices and policies.
That exercise was just concluded and Captain Holmstock advises that the department received acknowledgment from CALEA staff that after this inspection of the department was 100% successful with all standards marked “In Compliance”! Congratulations to the entire staff at Durham for this achievement!
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l-r: Durham Deputy Chief John Powers (NH Building Code Review Board); Durham Permit Tech Karen Edwards (Secretary, NH Building Officials Support Staff); Durham Code Administrator Audrey Cline (President, NH Seacoast Code Officials Association); ICC CEO Dominic Sims; ICC President Bryant
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ADOPTION OF 2015 BUILDING AND FIRE CODES
Durham staff joined the International Code Council President Bill Bryant and CEO Dominic Sims to acknowledge the adoption of the 2015 Building and Fire Codes that become effective September 15, 2019. Gathered on the second deck in the Captain's Lounge aboard the M/S Mount Washington, Lake Winnipesaukee graced the day with perfect weather for the brunch cruise hosted by the New Hampshire Building Officials Association.
It took a lot of hands to bring successful legislation forward, and many people were recognized for their contributions to this effort. Members of the New Hampshire State Legislature who sponsored and supported the adoption included Representatives Beaudoin, McGuire, McWilliams, Sytek and Plummer, as well as Senator French.
Building and Safety Officials were represented from the five New Hampshire Chapters of the International Code Council; NH Building Officials Association (NHBOA), NH Seacoast Code Officials Association (NHSCOA), NH Building Officials Support Staff (NHBOSS), Lakes Region Safety Officials Association (LRSOA), and the New Hampshire Fire Prevention Society (NHFPS).
Also in attendance were members of the fire service including New Hampshire Fire Marshall Paul Parisi, Deputy Fire Marshal Sean Toomey FPE, and Chief Ken Jones of the NH Association of Fire Chiefs. New Hampshire Building Code Review Board Chairman Shawn Bergeron, New Hampshire Homebuilders Association Sharon Wayman, ICC Board member Steve McDaniel from New York State, and several past presidents of NHBOA rounded out the guest list.
The International Code Council (ICC) is a member-focused nonprofit association with over 64,000 members. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. The International Code Council provides a wide range of building safety solutions including product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification and training. It develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.
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EVERSOURCE TREE CUTTING ON DURHAM POINT ROAD HAS BEGUN
Eversource has started cutting trees along a two-mile section of Durham Point Road to accommodate a distribution line upgrade pursuant to a recent approval by the Planning Board. Under state law, approval by the board is required on designated scenic roads for removal or trimming of any tree in the road right of way with a diameter of 4-3/4 inches.
After much deliberation the Planning Board approved the removal of 48 trees (reduced from the original application to remove 137 trees). Due to the exceptional scenic quality of Durham Point Road with its well-preserved tree canopy, the board imposed numerous special conditions on trimming of trees including this condition:
“Evaluation zone. Eversource generally trims branches within a box surrounding the utility lines as follows: 10 feet below the lines, 15 feet above the lines, and 8 feet to either side of the lines. This is the standard (PUC 307.10) used throughout the state and is endorsed by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. In the case of Durham’s four designated scenic roads (including Durham Point Road, Bay Road, Bennett Road, and Packers Falls Road), the standard box shall be used as an “evaluation zone” taking into consideration tree health, age, size, species, special site conditions and other factors that could allow some overhanging branches within the box to remain. Removal of branches will be determined if there are signs of defect or injury or to obtain the minimum clearance for the safety and reliability of the electrical system. The natural canopy of the roadside forest on Durham Point Road will be considered during Eversource’s decision-making process.”
The Planning Board also stipulated that the proposed heights of new utility poles be reduced and that an arborist be hired by the Town to oversee the trimming of the trees (with the cost to be fully reimbursed by Eversource).
After interviewing four candidates the Town hired Erik Keenan, a certified arborist with Keenan Tree Care in Raymond, NH. He will report back to the Town about the project on a regular basis.
The tree removal and trimming is expected to take about two months.
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Members of the Historic District Commission meet with Public Works Director Michael Lynch to review the pilot flag program the crosswalk in front of the Town Hall Thursday evening. Courtesy Todd Selig
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NEW PILOT FLAG IDEA IN FRONT OF TOWN HALL ON NEWMARKET ROAD TO BE TESTED AT CROSSWALK TO INCREASE VISIBILITY IN PROCESS OF BEING INSTALLED
In an effort to increase the visibility of pedestrians utilizing the crosswalk in front of the Town Hall across busy Newmarket Road, the Town is moving ahead with a pilot program of installing posts with a basket holding brightly colored red flags to utilize when crossing the crosswalk.
The ideas is that pedestrians will take a flag out of the bucket on one side of the crosswalk, hold it high or wave it for optimal visibility, and deposit it on the other side once they traverse the crosswalk.
We are hopeful that this low cost idea may be of value. If so, it is possible it could be considered for other crosswalks in town.
At last evening’s Historic District Committee meeting, Public Works Director Mike Lynch and members of the board took a brief site walk outside the Town Hall to view one of the two posts and baskets with flags that will eventually be put in place. Once it is in operation, we’d appreciate your feedback.
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ROADSIDE TRIMMING IN DURHAM SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE SECOND WEEK OF SEPTEMBER
The growth of saplings, branches, and weeds along Durham roadsides is a real concern obstructing signage, sight distances, and in some cases forcing vehicles and people out of their lane.
Public Works is aware of the concern in numerous areas around town. Resources have been stretched thin at DPW across many competing priorities this summer, including some illness, position vacancies, and summer vacation schedules.
A crew will begin general roadside cutting during the second week of September. Roadside trimming is not the most attractive process but it is necessary to keep foliage from growing into the roadways/sidewalks and over time keeps saplings from growing into trees below utility lines, which ultimately becomes an issue as they get taller.
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MICRO MOBILITY CONCERNS
Some of the discussion at last week’s Traffic Safety Committee concerning e-scooters (electric scooters) potentially coming to Durham also involved earlier agenda items related to parking in the downtown and the applicability of corrals for these devices. This topic is very concerning to the TSC as the Town is not prepared for the arrival via a contractual arrangement between the vendors and the University of New Hampshire and/or any other private entity (think large student housing complexes) located with the jurisdictional boundaries of Durham. In fact, there was discussion about the Town’s ability to even create an ordinance and the potential of seeking enabling legislation though Concord. That discussion lead to the idea of suggesting to the Town Council that it enable a moratorium on allowing e-scooters in Durham until staff has time to research, plan, implement and then evaluate potential ordinances related to all aspects of having e-scooters within Durham. Conclusions: Chief Kurz is to engage with the Town’s legal counsel to develop proposal for Town Council consideration establishing a moratorium and then begin reviewing necessary elements for the creation of a comprehensive ordinance on e-scooters. We will potentially schedule a “First Reading” for an ordinance creating a moratorium to be presented to the Council by the October 7, 2019, assuming the Town has the legal ability to do so under NH law. Meanwhile, we understand members of the UNH student body are very interested in bringing such devices to Durham and UNH. Note, the UNH Student Senate has not taken a formal position on this issue to date.
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TOWN COUNCIL-INITIATED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING AIR B&B ESTABLISHMENTS
The Town Council initiated an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to address the advent of the Air Bed and Breakfast-type of establishment and sent it to the Planning Board for review. The board is holding a public hearing on September 25 on the proposal, which can be viewed HERE.
A bed and breakfast operation provides homeowners with some extra income but it can also have significant adverse impacts upon a neighborhood in terms of traffic, parking, trash, noise, unruly guests, and partying, if it is not carefully managed. Feel free to email comments to the Town Planner at mailto:mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us. The hearing was originally scheduled for September 11 but we had to push it back because the newspaper forgot to run the ad!
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OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES
At the September 4 meeting, the school board and administrators recognized the custodial staff for their dedication and excellent work preparing schools for the start of the school year. The opening day enrollment of the Oyster River Schools was 2219.
The school board and Oyster River Teachers' Guild have unanimously approved a proposed 5 year contract covering 2020-2025 school years. This agreement will be presented to voters for approval in March.
Athletic Director Andrew Lathrop will be investigating forming cooperative high school lacrosse teams with Newmarket High. The proposal would have both girls' and boys' teams based at ORHS with players from both schools.
The school board also discussed financing options for the proposed new middle school building. This is important to estimating the budget and tax impact of the project. The construction manager will present a Guaranteed Maximum Price by mid-November. There will be several opportunities for the community to learn about and discuss the proposal at school board meetings or at school and community events this fall ahead of a vote at the March 2020 election.
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Map of Aquaculture Applications in Oyster River just off Wagon Hill Farm shoreline. Courtesy NHF&G
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AQUACULTURE APPLICATIONS PENDING BEFORE NHF&G - Presentation to Town Council on September 9, 2019 followed by Public Input
On Tuesday, August 20, 2019, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department held a public hearing on three proposed marine aquaculture license applications at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Region 3 Office, 225 Main St., Durham. The applications are as follows:
Gallagher application
Rankin application
Virgin Oyster application
Generally speaking, the sites would be located south of Wagon Hill Farm near the confluence with Little Bay. Various kinds of shellfish would be raised including oysters, clams, and quahogs. The methods include trays that would be submerged at all times and others that would float on top of the water.
Durham resident Malcolm Sandberg attended the hearing and reported to the Administrator that the hearing was very well attended and concluded around 1PM. He said that no one there appeared to be opposed to oysters or oyster restoration in the river or estuary. All but one or two speakers from the standing room only crowd opposed commercial operations. The public hearing on the application was closed; however, the public comment period was continued to November 2, 2019 to allow additional research by impacted parties, including the Town of Durham, abutting Durham property owners, UNH Crew, Great Bay Rowing, and the general public.
Robert Atwood, Biologist for the NH Fish & Game Department, has been invited to attend the Town Council meeting on Monday, September 9, 2019 beginning at 7PM in the Town Hall Council chambers to provide an overview for three proposed marine aquaculture license applications to be placed at mouth of the Oyster River located off Wagon Hill Farm shoreline. Mr. Atwood gave a presentation to the Durham Conservation Commission at its meeting on Monday, August 26, 2019. View Mr. Atwood's PowerPoint presentation to the DCC, along with notes from the public hearing conducted by the NH Fish & Game Department HERE.
At the conclusion of Mr. Atwood’s presentation on September 9th, the Town Council will open the floor to receive input from the public in regards to the three applications pending before the NH Fish and Game. Comments/concerns obtained from the public will be taken into consideration when, at its October 7, 2019 meeting, the Council will discuss and develop its recommendations to be submitted to Fish and Game prior to November 2, 2019 for its consideration regarding this matter.
This is not a formal Public Hearing of the Town Council.
Members of the public desiring to provide input will be allowed between 3 to 5 minutes each to speak, depending upon the number of speakers.
Submit feedback to NHF&G at mailto:Robert.Atwood@wildlife.nh.gov.
Submit feedback to the Town Council at mailto:council@ci.durham.nh.us.
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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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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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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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Sunflower plants at the home of Durham resident Bill Brown taken by USPS carrier John Pacheco. Bill said he stands 6 feet 2 inches tall. The plants average 11 feet tall and the flowers average 7 inches in diameter.
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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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2019 Lee Fair, Saturday, Sep 7, 2019. Opening Ceremonies at 10AM, Little River Park, Lee, NH. View schedule of events HERE.
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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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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY UPCOMING EVENTS
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Join us Saturday, September 7th, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm for
STEAM Saturday. This week: Coffee Filter Art. All ages Drop-In Program.
STEAM Saturdays! Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Activities in the Storytime room. All are welcome.
Join us on Tuesday, September 17th, at 6:00 pm for The Real Eastern Coyote, with Project Coyote's Chris Schadler
Learn the true story of the eastern coyote – how and when it arrived in New England, how it lives among us but is rarely seen and how it contributes to keep our forests and fields healthy. Learn why it is a creature of our own making! It is smart, beneficial and by its presence, gives “wild” back to our wild lands.
Chris Schadler, M.S., Conservation Biology, will discuss coexistence strategies, whether you farm, hike or garden. According to Chris, "Understanding the mind and ecology of the coyote can keep us one step ahead of problems." Schadler brings to her work and this talk, 30 years of wolf and coyote research, sheep farming, and teaching, and will demonstrate that "knowledge is power" when it comes to living with coyotes. No registration. All are Welcome.
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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 - Doctor and Mrs. George McGregor arrived to care for our physical needs. He served the community for 33 years, not only as an efficient physician but as selectman, bank director, county medical referee and a well-loved town "character." The ambulance service bears his name.
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Have a very nice weekend.
... And if you find the weekly "Friday Updates" of interest, please pass along to a friend/neighbor and encourage them to subscribe. While the weekly publication is long (sorry!), the reality is that there is a LOT happening in this wonderful community and we work hard to let people know about it so they can become involved. Currently we have around 3,300 active subscribers plus those who view them on line and via social media. It also doubles as an integral part of our emergency broadcast system. In essence, the "Friday Updates" is Administrator Selig's weekly update to the Town Council that is also shared with the community. In Durham we try to be very open with what is going on so people can both understand issues and become involved if they choose to do so.
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