Friday Updates - April 15, 2022

Friday, April 15, 2022

DURHAM ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECKS YIELD SEVERAL FAILURES IN DURHAM

On Thursday, April 14, 2022, the Durham Police Department, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Law Enforcement Division, conducted an alcohol compliance check at all vendors who are licensed to sell such products in Durham. An underage volunteer, trained by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission to perform compliance checks, did attempt to purchase alcohol products from eighteen locations in Durham that are licensed to sell such products. The following three establishments failed: 

• University Market – 14 Jenkins Court 
• Market and Café at Emery Farm – 147 Piscataqua Road 
• Ciao Trattoria and Wine Bar – 56 Main Street 

As a result of the operation, the following individuals were each charged with: 

• Patel Sauravkumar of Durham, NH – Prohibited Sales of Alcohol 
• A juvenile of Lee, NH - Prohibited Sales of Alcohol 
• Daniel Q. Splaine of Berwick, ME – Prohibited Sales of Alcohol and Electronic Bench Warrant 

They are scheduled for arraignment on May 18, 2022, at 8:30 AM, at 7th Circuit Court, Dover District Division. 

MOHARIMET SCHOOL IS LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY HELP WITH DAY OF THE ARTIST CELEBRATION

The Moharimet community is looking for people to lead or co-lead small groups during our Day of the Artist celebration on June 2nd. The school hopes to offer a wide range of artistic experiences for our students to enjoy through small-group sessions throughout the day. The goal is for children to feel what it’s like to create art or express themselves artistically. The emphasis will be on fun and learning and not on the perfection of the finished product.  

Past celebrations have included sessions on: coil clay pots, watercolor painting, whittling, soap carving, potato stamp making, origami, and drumming. High-level experience from group leaders is not necessary, but a desire to help children in your community learn is a definite plus. If you’ve ever wanted to share your love of art, here is your chance.  

Interested in participating? Please contact the Moharimet front office (603) 742-2900 and be prepared to give: 

• your name 
• contact information 
• a description of the art you would like to share 
• grade levels most likely to benefit from your program 
• size of group you would be able to accommodate 
• your hours of availability during the Day of the Artist

OLD COURTHOUSE BOILER PROJECT - New gas line installed Friday to service new boiler.

In preparation for an upgrade of the existing heating system boiler at the Old Town Hall / Courthouse / Parks and Recreation Building, Until Gas ran a new low-pressure natural gas service to the building to provide fuel for the new boiler today. APH Plumbing + Heating will be replacing the existing 25+ year old Weil-Mclain oil-fired boiler this summer which has required significant maintenance over the last few years The project will include the removal of all existing equipment including the oil tank and the installation of a new surface mounted boiler and circulation pumps. 

ROAD GRADING TAKING PLACE ON DURHAM DIRT ROADS THIS WEEK

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

DURHAM FARM DAY IS NOW "OYSTER RIVER FARM DAY"

The Durham Agricultural Commission is excited to announce that Durham Farm Day has become Oyster River Farm Day! Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 20th for a day long celebration of farms and gardens in Durham, Lee, and Madbury! We are working with the Lee Agricultural Commission and farmers in Madbury on free, family friendly events that celebrate agricultural production on farms and gardens in all three towns. If you eat, you’re in!

PROPOSAL FOR NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE AT 52 OYSTER RIVER ROAD

The Planning Board is reviewing a proposal for a new single family house at 52 Oyster River Road at its meeting on April 27. The lot has been vacant since the development of the Faculty Road subdivision in the 1960s because of a steep slope leading down to the Oyster River. Building the house will involve importation of substantial fill and extensive regrading. Review by the Conservation Commission and Planning Board is required because of the proximity to the river. With the shortage of housing and the increased value of vacant lots we are now seeing construction on sites (with appropriate mitigation) that were simply too expensive to build on ten years or twenty ago. The board and commission are holding a site walk at the property (near the end of Burnham Lane) tomorrow/Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend all site walks.

“THE CULVERT PIPE WAS PLUGGED WITH WHAT?!”

An area of low pressure dropped 1.25” of rain over several hours last Friday morning. Durham Public Works was alerted that a culvert pipe was clogged on Hampshire Avenue which resulted in a large area of ponding on a neighboring property. The Durham Public Works Wastewater Team used their vacuum equipment to unclog the pipe and was surprised to find that it was obstructed with soccer balls!

SOME VERY POSITIVE NEWS FOR THE GREAT BAY ESTUARY – A major donor pledges $12 million over next 5 years for improvements

The Great Bay Estuary and its watershed represent one of New Hampshire’s true ecological gems, recognized locally and nationally as a significant resource for people and nature. 

A generous donor has agreed to make a $12 million investment over the next five years that will boost efforts to promote clean water, accessible lands for recreation and education, habitat for fish and wildlife, climate resilience, and engaged communities that are committed to supporting the Great Bay Estuary and its watershed.  

This initiative is called Great Bay 2030, and the vision was developed and proposed by five partners – Conservation Law Foundation, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership – that have been working collaboratively with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation on shared goals for investment and action in Great Bay since 2015.  

The goal of Great Bay 2030 is to bring more resources to address five focal areas where collaboration and investment can make a big difference for the future of the watershed. These include: Foster a Culture of Stewardship, Restore Critical Habitats, Enhance Water Quality and Quantity, Adapt to Climate Change, and Protect Priority Lands. 

The people who are closest to the work already being done will best know the needs and emerging opportunities in these focal areas. To foster a network of invested partners, Great Bay 2030 will focus on building decentralized capacity to think strategically, work collaboratively, develop project ideas, and implement and evaluate projects. Stay tuned this spring as a process is developed for putting these funds to use in a strategic and collaborative way. 

SWAP SHOP NEWS - The Swap Shop is open on Tuesday’s and Saturday’s from 9:00am – 2:30pm.

The Durham Public Works Department and Swap Shop Volunteers would like to remind residents that the Transfer Station’s Swap Shop does not accept certain items. While we would like to keep reusable items out of the waste stream and the landfill, indoor storage space is limited, and other safety concerns must be considered. When entering the Transfer Station, it is mandatory to stop and check-in with one of the Attendants to review the items you wish to donate to the Swap Shop. The Attendant(s) will evaluate each item(s) based on the criteria below to determine if it will be accepted. A bulky waste coupon may be required in situations where the item(s) is not accepted. We encourage residents to discuss other options for donating their goods with the attendants and Swap Shop Volunteers. A reminder that users of the Swap Shop are encouraged to remain at the facility for no longer than thirty minutes during any one visit to allow other residents an opportunity to view and take items. The following is a list of items that are not accepted at the Swap Shop:

• Dirty, moldy or stained items. Stained fabrics may go into the Ecosmith Textile Recycling bin.
• Broken, non-functioning or items missing pieces (a chair without a leg, desk without a drawer or drawer knobs, etc..)
• Boxes full of unsorted items (unless approved by a Transfer Station Attendant or Swap Shop Volunteer.)
• Upholstered furniture (mattresses, box springs, chairs, couches, headboards, pillows, etc.).
• Electronic items (all of which require an electronic coupon for disposal):

Refrigerators

Dehumidifiers

Air Conditioners

Other items containing a refrigerant

Televisions

Computer Monitors

• Construction materials of any kind (wood, shingles, sheetrock, insulation, etc.)
• Concrete, bricks, stone, solid fill.
• Appliances larger than a microwave (appliances containing refrigerant that have an electronic coupon will be considered for donation).
• Hazardous Materials or Chemicals (oils, gas, diesel, kerosene, propane, oxygen, mercury containing items, etc.)
• Food, beverages, cosmetics
• Textbooks, dated manuals, reference books (can be recycled using the Discover Books bin)
• Skies, ski boots, snow boards
• Child safety equipment (car seats, helmets)
• Weapons
• Broken glass (including glass from picture frames)
• Clothing and shoes (Use the Salvation Army bin for clothing and shoes in good condition. The Ecosmith bins for these and any stained bedding, towels, fabric stuffed animals, etc.)

POLICE DEPARTMENT ROOF REPAIRS

Durham Public Works was alerted following the January 29th “bomb cyclone” Nor’easter event that several water stains had appeared on the ceilings Police Department within the center portion of the building. Following an investigation by the DPW’s roofing contractor and Primex, it was determined that the best course of action was to replace the existing 15+ year old rolled and asphalt roofing material with EDPM rubber. In preparation for this project, Revision Energy will be removing the solar panels on the building next week. The roofing portion of the project was awarded to New England Roofing and construction is expected to begin over the next few weeks. 

REMEMBER TO PLEASE SHARE THE ROAD - "SHARROWS"

As Spring arrives and more bicyclists begin to share the road, please be aware of Durham’s use of shared lane markings known as “sharrows”. A sharrow is a large painted arrow on the road that accompanies an image of a cyclist and is intended to encourage sharing of general-purpose travel lanes by automobiles and bicycles. 

The position of the painted sharrow and direction of the “arrows” indicate the position of travel and suggested lane position for the bicycles. Durham has sharrows on many of its arterial and collector roadways, notably in areas where narrow lanes exist and where cyclists are encouraged to ride away from parked cars.

EMERSON ROAD WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT

The Emerson Road watermain project will replace a section of deteriorated water main on Emerson Road between the intersection of Madbury Road and the western entrance to Littlehale Road. This section of Watermain has experienced a significant break history over the last several years and is beyond its useful life. 

Durham Public Works completed test pits this week to evaluate the subsurface materials and verify the location of several underground utilities. The test pit in the picture above shows the top of a “check valve” placed in line with the existing watermain. The valve restricts water from flowing up Emerson Road toward Madbury Road unless a fire or low-pressure condition is present.

Durham Public Works is in the process of evaluating contractor price proposals. Construction of the new water main is anticipated to be completed this summer, subject to bid prices and availability of water main pipe material which has experienced delays due to supply chain impacts.

FROM SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST  

Party change: RSA 654:34, IV states that no person shall affiliate or disaffiliate from a party between the first Wednesday in June and the day before the state primary. This means that no party changes may be made this year after Tuesday May 31. If a voter is registered Undeclared at a primary, they may pick which party ballot to vote, and may then change back to Undeclared as they leave the polling place. However, if they are affiliated with a party (Republican or Democrat), they may only vote within that party and may NOT change party until at least the next day. One may choose to change party INSTEAD OF voting on primary day. Party changes may be made up through May 31 in the Town Clerk’s office at the Durham Town Hall any time during their office hours.  

Registration: Registration to vote may also be done at the Town Clerk’s office at any time up until about 10 days before the election. The Supervisors of the Checklist will be holding two special sessions for both accepting applications for new voter registration and changes of political party affiliation, as well as requests for other corrections to the checklist

Mon, April 25, 5:15 - 5:45 PM, Durham Town Hall

Tue, May 31, 7 - 7:30 PM, Durham Town Hall

Applicants for registration should bring with them proofs of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile. Driver’s license and passport are helpful. Affidavits may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking.

2022 ROAD PROGRAM UPDATE

Over the last several weeks, Durham Public Works and its paving contractor, Continental Paving, have been hard at work on 2022 Road Program candidates. The Durham Public Works Highway Team completed select “box-out” excavations of poor subsurface materials and replaced several crossroad drainage culverts in preparation of the road construction. 

The asphalt surface on Wednesday Hill Road, Timberbrook Lane, Mast Road, and a portion of Pendexter Lane was pulverized and the remaining aggregate was reclaimed into the base material to increase the structural component of the roadway to provide a suitable foundation for the pavement cross sections. Binder course pavement was installed and will remain in place until late Summer/early Fall to allow for proper compaction and field verification of storm water flow patterns before applying the final wearing course. 

Additionally, Back River Road received a milling of the top 1.5” of asphalt, followed by a coat of asphalt tack emulsion and new wearing course pavement. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2022 CRACK SEALING PROGRAM IN DURHAM

Durham Public Works has awarded the contract for the 2022 Crack Sealing Program to Indus, Inc. of Braintree, MA. Indus will apply a polymer crumb-rubber modified (PCRM) crack sealant to Pettee Brook Lane and sections of Main Street and Durham Point Road. PCRM is a high-performance crack sealant that consists of a performance-graded asphalt binder cross-linked with an SBS polymer and a proprietary adhesion promoter to produce an asphalt that has the ability to resist deforming at high temperatures while also being able to stretch and flex at lower temperatures. This high-performance asphalt is then blended with a finely ground crumb-rubber. During this blending process, the rubber particles absorb the polymer-modified asphalt and swell, increasing in volume and further enhancing the same properties afforded by the SBS polymer. The result is a material that has unmatched adhesion, elasticity, and load bearing capacity across a wide range of temperatures. Crack sealing operations are scheduled to occur during the week of May 2nd.

LEE WELL STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS UNDER WAY - The well will be off line for about a month during this period.

The Durham Public Works continues to progress on a major rehabilitation of the Lee Well and the Pump House Facility. Over the last week, Water Division staff working with Weston and Sampson Engineers field crews began work on a full redevelopment of the well. This included the removal and replacement of all pumping equipment as well as chemical treatments to break down and dissolve mineral deposits within the well casing and screen structures to reestablish well pumping and specific capacity. This process included obtaining a Temporary Groundwater Discharge Permit from the NHDES Drinking and Groundwater Bureau. Additionally, DPW’s roofing contractor, Southers Construction completed a full renovation of the roof structure, soffit vents, trim, and gable siding. A portion of this funding for this project was obtained through the American Rescue Plan Act’s Infrastructure Bill.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT!

For the month of April 2022, the Durham Historic Association will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of a $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Hannaford store located at 7 Mill Road, Durham NH. 

The Durham Historic Association's mission is:

• To preserve the memory of events connected with the history of the Town of Durham, or of individuals who may have resided there;
• To serve as guardian of the town's history;
• To preserve the artifacts of the town's history;
• To inform and educate the citizens of Durham and others of the history of the town and how contemporary Durham arises out of its past.