Friday Updates - April 22, 2022

Friday, April 22, 2022

ASSESSOR TO INSPECT PROPERTIES REQUIRING BUILDING PERMITS IN THE COMING WEEKS

It’s that time of year again when assessor, Jim Rice, will be inspecting all properties in Durham during March and April that have recently undergone new construction such as building new homes, additions, made renovations or have recently been demolished.   

If you have any questions, please contact the Assessing Department at (603) 868-8064. 

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION MAY 2ND, 10 AM AT 66 MAIN STREET

The Town of Durham will be celebrating Arbor Day on Monday May 2nd at 10:00 with the planting of three public shade trees in an area adjacent to 66 Main Street. The public is welcome to join in on the festivities.  

The Town of Durham is the longest running Tree City USA Community in the State of New Hampshire at 44 consecutive years and Arbor Day is a national holiday created to recognize the importance of trees. This year’s celebration coincides with the 150th anniversary of this tree planter’s holiday. Trees have many positive impacts on the community including improving soil and water conservation, storing carbon, moderating local climate by providing shade, regulating temperature extremes, increasing wildlife habitat, and improving the land's capacity to adapt to climate change. 

WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

The Wastewater Division crews are taking advantage of the warmer weather with the kickoff of the annual cleaning of the Towns sewer collection pipes. This process involves using the Towns jet/vacuum truck to clean the inside of the sewage pipes with a high-pressure hose that is fed into each pipe between manholes. This process takes place annually and ensures that the collection system is clean and less susceptible to sewage backups.

RAT POISON FOUND IN YARDS WITHIN BEARDS LANDING NEIGHBORHOOD

Rat poison was found in the Beards Landing neighborhood and the surrounding houses and areas adjacent to the house(s) where it was located may also have pieces dropped in their yards as well. It would certainly be prudent for residents to check their yards to protect their young children and animals that may possibly pick it up and ingest it. At this time we have no reason to believe that a person(s) placed it in the reporting parties yard. It is very possible someone used it and an animal picked it up and dropped it on the ground in that area. We simply have no idea. To help make this a bit more clear, a few details follow…

Mr. Starr of 4 Beards Landing reported two days ago that he found pieces of rat poisoning in his yard and his dog consumed some of it, necessitating a rush to the emergency room to save the dog. Mr. Starr said he found the random pieces in his yard and was not sure if it was dropped by an animal that had carried it away from a location unknown and subsequently dropped it there. Mr. Starr sent an email chain warning his neighbors of the issue. Sgt. Pestana will be completing a report on his return to duty. 

Roni Pekins sent Admin. Selig a voicemail related to the same event.  DPD subsequently called her and confirmed that she was only responding to the email sent out by Mr. Starr. 

Pekins informed DPD that she was aware that Ryan Morrill at 2 Beards Landing experienced a similar event. She said Morrill lives next door to Starr and although his dog had a piece in its mouth, it did not swallow or bite it. Because this incident was not reported to DPD, Assistant Chief Holmstock asked Sgt. Ruby to try and contact Morrill to get a written statement and confirm the facts related to his incident. 

Deputy Chief Holmstock followed up with SRO Nicolosi who checked with all of the schools. The school system only uses Have-A-Heart traps and does not use poison. 

Again, at this time we do not believe that someone is placing poison in peoples yards unless further information is developed. We do have reason to believe an animal may have located the poison at a residence or site unknown that is using it and carried it off where it eventually was dropped in and around that area.

CHILD INJURED ALLEGEDLY USING A TOW ROPE AT WAGON HILL FARM 

The Town has been contacted by a law firm representing a family whose child was allegedly injured utilizing a tow rope while sledding at Wagon Hill Farm. The child on February 26, 2022, allegedly attempted to use the tow rope, but mistakenly grabbed onto the wrong side of the rope and was pulled into the machine. As a result, the child broke their arm according to the attorney representing the family.  

The Town of Durham has no municipal tow rope at Wagon Hill Farm. Town staff have no firsthand knowledge concerning the existence of a tow rope being set up by an unknown person or persons on the alleged day in question. Interestingly, there was a social media Facebook inquiry on the day in question asking whether there was a tow rope at the property, yet when the police dept. went to investigate what if anything might be going on at Wagon Hill Farm, there was no tow rope observed by police.  

The matter has been reported to the Town’s insurance carrier for follow up.

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

ICONS OF DURHAM POSTER - Interested members of community can obtain copies at Town Clerk's Office with a $100 donation to the Durham Historical and Cultural Resource Trust

We are pleased to announce the availability of this wonderful new poster showcasing the icons of Durham. Ellie Lonske, a resident of Riverwoods and new member of the Town Council, created these 34 mixed-media images over the past year. You can acquire the poster (in a rolled tube) for a $100 donation to the Durham Historical and Cultural Resources Trust, an account set up to support the rehabilitation and enhancement of significant Town properties, including the Bickford-Chesley house at Wagon Hill Farm, the Old Courthouse, and Smith Chapel among others.

Just stop into the Town Clerk’s office to order the poster. You can pay by cash or check made out to “DHCRT” (but not with a credit card). We will order the poster from the printer in batches when we receive 20 orders so we will let you know once it is on hand to be picked up. The estimated cost for the production of each poster is $22.00. 

Our many thanks to Ellie for her generosity in providing that proceeds benefit the trust and for creating this fabulous artwork that Durham residents and other aficionados of our special community will appreciate for many, many years (including one building that is already gone). Each week or so we will include in Friday Updates a different image from the poster with a brief description, starting at the upper left and proceeding from there. In the meantime, see how many icons you recognize.

DURHAM FARM DAY IS NOW "OYSTER RIVER FARM DAY" - Date set for Saturday, August 20th.

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!

APPROVAL OF NEW MULTIRESIDENTIAL BUILDING AT 32 MADBURY ROAD

The Planning Board approved a new multiresidential building at 32 Madbury Road at its meeting on Wednesday. The structure, to be situated in the northeast corner of the Madbury Road/Garrison Avenue intersection, will contain 6 dwelling units and 17 beds. The Professional Office District does not allow multiresidential uses now but the zoning ordinance allows a 50% expansion of existing nonconforming uses by conditional use. The existing student housing apartments on the lot contain 12 dwelling units and 34 beds. The front section of the property will also be redeveloped with new parking, landscaping, footpaths, and stormwater facilities.

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.)

Details will be updated HERE by Friday, April 22.

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.

This photograph was taken on a blustery April 19 as members of the Wagon Hill Farm Community Garden repaired old raised beds -- a skill several had honed over the years. Courtesy Robin Mower

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.