Friday Updates - March 25, 2022

Friday, March 25, 2022

There will be a great deal of construction activity at the old middle school beginning next week as demolition work commences.

DEMOLITION OF OLD MIDDLE SCHOOL TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK

The demolition of the old Oyster River Middle School will begin the week of March 28. We expect that demo will take four weeks with all debris removed by May 2. All demolition activity will be inside the construction fencing, and traffic flows in the area will remain unchanged. Reusable furniture and building components have already been removed and repurposed by school districts in NH. In addition, all known hazardous material has been removed. The demolition team will use water hoses to minimize dust. During demolition, materials will be sorted and recycled whenever possible.

The exciting part of the demolition will take place each day between 8AM and 4PM. This is a controlled demolition process using large excavators with huge “claws” that will reach out and pinch the building down in chunks (think of a hungry yellow lobster munching its way through the building).  

After demolition is complete, construction will begin on the new athletic fields and installation of landscaping with all work to be completed in August before school starts.  Everyone involved with the project would like to thank the neighbors and residents for their patience as the construction team completes the last phase of the project.

WANT A MEMENTO FROM THE OLD ORMS (1935-2022)?

With the demolition and removal of the building, ORMS will be saving a few hundred bricks from the original 1935 structure. If you would like a brick as a memento, ORMS will be accepting donations to benefit our after-school clubs. Bricks will be available in the ORMS front office shortly after the removal of the building in early May. 

If you would like us to reserve you a brick, feel free to contact the ORMS office at 603-868-2820, and you will be added to the list!

COVID-19 SUBVARIANT OMICRON BA.2

The COVID-19 subvariant omicron BA.2 is causing outbreaks overseas and is responsible for a rising number of U.S. cases, but it is not spreading widely in New Hampshire so far. According to the CDC, the new variant accounts for about one-third of all COVID-19 cases in the country and more than half in New England. But New Hampshire state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said it makes up about 10% or fewer cases in the Granite State according to WMUR.

Researchers say BA.2 appears to be more infectious than omicron, but there’s no evidence it causes more severe disease or is more likely to evade immunity from prior infection or vaccination.

With 24 people still hospitalized with COVID-19 and two or more still dying daily, NH State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan indicates it’s clear the virus remains a risk, especially to the most vulnerable. If BA.2 or any new variant is able to spread widely, we could see hospitalizations and deaths increase again.

The NH positivity rate is now 3.6%. The positivity rate associated with UNH’s universal testing protocol for the campus community is .61%.

The troll on Faculty Road showing support for the people of Ukraine. Courtesy Janice Aviza

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.  

APRIL 15TH APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS!

April 15th is the last day to submit applications for property tax exemptions and veteran tax credits.  

Applications and information pertaining to property tax exemptions and veteran tax credits may be found on the Town’s website under the Assessing Department.

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

MILL POND DAM ON OYSTER RIVER REMOVAL PROJECT - AN UPDATE

Following the March 7, 2022 referendum vote, Durham Public Works and the Mill Pond Dam and River Restoration Project Team are working to advance the dam removal and river restoration project with the finalization of the scope of work with the Town’s consultant, VHB Engineers. 

In an effort to maximize both design and construction funds, which could potentially be eligible for reimbursement through various grants if awarded, the Town is moving forward with early actions. These early actions include grant application preparation and submittal to meet fast approaching grant deadlines, due in mid-April, along with supplemental field work and data collection. 

It is expected that following these initial actions, the design and permitting phase will get underway over the April/May 2022 timeframe. A Preliminary project schedule initially identifies the Design and Permitting (environmental, historic & cultural resources, etc.) Phase to have an 18-month duration. The construction phase will follow, commencing in early 2024 and continuing throughout the 2024 construction season, with substantial completion anticipated in late fall 2024/spring 2025. This schedule is subject to change and is highly dependent on 1) issuance of project permits, 2) alignment of the project timeline with funding availability/timing and 3) bid award. 

The Project Team plans to integrate several public information and listening sessions for the community along with written design and project updates throughout the project schedule to gain input and feedback from interested parties. In addition, the Project Team intends to reach out to several project stakeholders and groups, as well as local Durham committees/commissions such as the Conservation Commission and Historic District Commission/Heritage Commission, to participate in targeted work sessions at key points throughout the project timeline to ensure various perspectives and interests are considered and incorporated within the design effort.

We plan to involve the NH indigenous community as part of the process as well. Many Durham residents have inquired about this point over the last several months.

ORMS FLAGPOLE HAS FOUND A NEW HOME!

The Durham Public Works Facilities and Grounds team members Nick Bennion and Chris Starkweather recently coordinated with ORSD to remove the flagpole at the old Middle School before its demolition in a few weeks. The flagpole was “transplanted” to behind the facility welcoming sign at the Transfer Station! The existing flagpole was damaged beyond repair during the January 29th Nor’easter “bomb cyclone” event.

TRANSFER STATION USED OIL RECYCLING

The Durham Public Works Department would like to kindly remind residents that the used oil recycling container at the Raymond A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center is for used motor oil. Hydraulic oil, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid are also accepted. Gasoline, diesel, home heating oil, and kerosene are NOT accepted. Residents are asked to please hold onto these fluids until Durham’s Household Hazardous Waste Day in September. 

ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING PLANNED FOR APRIL 29TH

The Town of Durham is proud of its status as the oldest Tree City USA community in New Hampshire having been designated a Tree City USA community for the past 44 years. The Town will continue our tradition of celebrating Arbor Day on Friday April 29th with the planting of three public shade trees on Main Street in front of Town and Campus and Ciao Restaurant. The new trees will be native to New England and replace 3 Japanese Zelkova’s (Zelkova serrata) which have declined significantly over the years and are no longer viable. 

Durham Public Works will be removing portions of the brick surrounding the existing trees which significantly restricts their growth and survivability and will amend the soil to create an improved growing medium for the trees to thrive.  

Members of the Land Stewardship Committee will be joining representatives from the Town and Durham Public Works to celebrate this event - Please stay tuned for more details.  

In addition, Durham Public Works will be piloting the use of Porous Pave tree wells in lieu of a hardscape material at several sites, where established street trees are located. The porous tree wells create a healthy environment for the tree and their roots by allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the tree roots below ground and improve stormwater management by reducing stormwater runoff. The material is designed to protect tree roots and encourage deep rooting thereby reducing the risk of trip hazards from root heave and sidewalk cracking.

2022 PAVEMENT MARKING PROGRAM BID AWARDED -- TO COMMENCE WEEK OF MAY 9TH IN ADVANCE OF UNH GRADUATION

Durham Public Works has awarded the contract for the 2022 Center + Edge Line Striping Program to Industrial Traffic Lines of Londonderry, NH. Approximately 160,000 linear feet of 4” yellow center and white fog lines will be applied over the course of the summer in multiple phases to align with the Road Program. The first phase will occur during the week of May 9th prior to UNH commencement.

OLD COURTHOUSE BOILER PROJECT - Switching to a new natural gas furnace.

Durham Public Works is evaluating proposals for an upgrade of the existing heating system boiler at the Old Town Hall / Courthouse / Parks + Recreation Building. The existing 25+ year old Weil-Mclain oil-fired boiler has required significant maintenance over the last few years and is due for replacement. 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. In preparation for this project, Until will be running a new low-pressure natural gas service to the building over the next several weeks to provide fuel for the new boiler. 

DURHAM YEAR END AUDIT REVIEW UNDERWAY FOR FY 2021

The Town’s external auditors at Melanson Heath have begun the process of auditing Durham’s financial records for FY 2021. Last week, two members of the team were on hand for several days speaking with the Business Office and Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office, and reviewing other financial information/reports. They will continue with the process remotely and return as needed later this spring.

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.

ATTENTION ALL DURHAM DOG OWNERS! It’s time to renew your dog’s license for 2022. (Your dog could be Durham's Top Dog!)

Dog licenses may be obtained online at Online Dog License Renewal, by mail, or in person at the Durham Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s office 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824. The fees to license your dog are $7.50 for an altered dog, $10.00 for an unaltered dog, and $2.00 if the dog owner is a senior citizen.

Once again, the Town of Durham will host the Top Dog raffle. This raffle was created to motivate and remind dog owners to license their pets every year by April 30, as state law requires. Residents automatically register for the Top Dog raffle when they obtain a dog license before April 30. The winner of the Top Dog raffle will receive a gift basket donated by the clerk’s office and their dog’s biography will be featured in the Durham Friday Update. 

Bo MacGregor was the lucky winner in 2021. Your dog could be the next Top Dog! Please contact the Town Clerk's office for more details on raffle rules and regulations. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT ROOF REPAIRS NEEDED TO ADDRESS LEAKS

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 the Town’s Insurance Carrier, Primex, it was determined that the best course of action was to replace the existing 15+ year old inferior asphalt roofing material with EDPM rubber. Durham Public Works has issued an Invitation for Bids for this project and will be evaluating proposals next week, with construction scheduled to begin in May. 

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR 2022 - Brick edged sidewalks to be replaced over time with concrete only sidewalks to eliminate failed aesthetic feature from late-1990's. Granite edging will remain.

Durham Public Works is kicking off the 2022 Road and Sidewalk Program with work planned to commence in early April. Work will include roadway reclamation, milling and paving of approximately 1.51 miles of roadway on Town owned roads including, Wednesday Hill Road, Mast Road, Timberbrook Lane, Pendexter Road and Back River Road.  

The scope of work includes pavement overlays for roadways owned and maintained within the University of New Hampshire (UNH) campus, specifically North Drive and Sage Way. The value of this work is contained within the Town’s capital improvement plan and funded entirely by the University. 

The program also includes crack sealing pavement preservation activities along sections of Durham Point Road and Pettee Brook Lane/Main Street and a targeted mill and pave program consisting of approximately 2,000 square yards of isolated repairs on Durham Point Road.

The 2022 Sidewalk Program consists of reconstruction of sections of deteriorated concrete sidewalks with brick edging in multiple phases of construction. Phases I and II are planned for construction improvements in 2022 and include the sidewalks on Route 108 from School House Lane, extending past the Old Court House to 12 Dover Road. Also included are sidewalks from Bayview Road to Park Court.  

These sidewalks currently have non-compliant accessible ramps, areas of failed and overturned curbing, dislodged bricks with upheaved and deteriorated concrete panels. The project will remove the existing concrete and brick banded sidewalks and replace with new concrete panels eliminating the failed brick banding and sections of upheaved bricks

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.

STRAFFORD COUNTY FARM BUREAU FUNDRAISER BREAKFAST - Sunday, April 3, 2022

Back this year it will be held at the Jeremiah Smith Grange Hall , 1 Lee Hook Rd. in Lee from 7:30 AM to 12:00 Noon.

Eat in,or if you are still not comfortable about inside seating, tables for outside seating, or take out will be available.

Menu includes: plain, blueberry, and pumpkin buttermilk pancakes and french toast with local strawberry, blueberry, pumpkin whipped cream, rhubarb, and real maple syrup toppings, scrambled eggs,strata( eggs, bread,sausage, onions, cheese all baked like a casserole... yum!) , homefries, bacon, ham, breakfast sausage, homemade corned beef hash and baked beans, fruit salad, Cabot triple cream vanilla bean Greek Yogurt, juice and beverages, and you never know what other goodies the "seasoned" cooks will come up with! (Sure to have some new yummy surprises!)

Adults $12, children 14 and under $8. Tickets will be available at the door.  

Hope to see you there, and please bring some friends to this fun community event!. You won't go away hungry! 

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION - Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet

For the month of March 2022, the Durham Historic Association will receive a $1 donation for each purchase of a Bloomin' 4 Good bouquet with the red circle sticker 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; and
• 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. 

HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL

In consultation with the Town’s Tree Warden, Orion Tree Service, removed five hazardous trees of varying species within the Durham Town Cemetery this week. These trees posed a significant risk to the gravestones and the safety of visitors in their vicinity. All trees were safely removed without incident.

LAFAYETTE TRAIL MARKER DEDICATION AT DURHAM TOWN HALL- MAY 20TH

The Town was contacted in January by Julien Icher, founder and president of The Lafayette Trail, Inc., with an attractive proposal. His organization documents, maps, and marks the path of General Lafayette on his farewell tour of the United States in 1824 and 1825. The Lafayette Trail donates plaques to cities and towns around the country to celebrate the general’s stops in preparation for the bicentennial of his tour. They have installed over 60 markers and suggested placing one here to commemorate his visit to Durham. We will hold a public dedication ceremony with Mr. Icher on Friday, May 20, at 10:00 am in the small green space on the north side of the Town Hall lot for the placement of our own plaque.

Lafayette returned to America to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in which he had fought as a young volunteer. There is an account at the Durham Historic Association of Lafayette’s stop in Durham on June 23, 1825. He was greeted with a 24-gun salute (in recognition of the number of states in the union at the time) and escorted to a large gathering in front of Kelly’s Hotel (where Nick’s Bricks is now, near the stop light). He was entertained briefly at the Ebenezer Smith House (situated next to the post office) before departing for Dover and then Portland. According to a master’s thesis by Walter Newman Dooley submitted to the UNH history department in 1941, the committee welcoming Lafayette here “included the principal figures of the Oyster River village: George Ffrost, Benjamin Mathes, Jr., Joseph W. Page, Alfred Smith, Moses Noble, the town clerk John A. Richardson, George Hull, William P. Ffrost, and William J. Thompson.”

Details for the plaque, in accordance with requirements by The Lafayette Trail, were determined in collaboration among Town staff, the Durham Heritage Commission, and the Durham Historic Association. The green space, catty corner from the actual site of the former Kelly’s Hotel, was selected as the most practical location. The 2 feet x 3 feet cast aluminum plaque will be mounted on a pole about 4 feet above the ground. Our thanks to Mr. Icher and the William Pomeroy Foundation which is paying for production of the plaque. The Town’s only expense will be for installation by the Public Works Department.

Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (born in 1757) was a French aristocrat and military officer. Rising to the rank of general, he commanded troops in several battles serving with General Washington and General John Sullivan of Durham. After the war Lafayette returned to France and was involved with the French Revolution of 1789. He is considered a national hero in both countries. General Lafayette was actually only in his late 60’s when he returned for his triumphal tour in America a half century after the war.  He died in 1834.  

A sure sign of spring, Max the ram lamb, the newest member of the Great Bay Wool Works flock at Liberty Hall Farm on Bennett Road. Photo courtesy Theresa Walker

2022 ROAD PROGRAM PREPARATION UNDER WAY

In between winter storm emergency responses, Durham Public Works crews have been preparing roadways in advance of the 2022 Road Program. DPW Highway crews have removed several hazardous trees and trimmed back others within the road right-of-way. This week, the team focused on drainage swale restoration in select areas. Representatives from Continental Paving, the Town’s 2022 paving contractor, recently met with DPW to perform a final preconstruction review of roadways and scheduling. Durham Public Works anticipates construction will begin as soon as April 4th provided the weather cooperates!

DPW STAFF PARTICIPATE IN DRINKING WATER COURSE

Operations Manager Shane Bickford and Facilities and Grounds Supervisor Nick Bennion recently participated in a 24-hour training course on water treatment and distribution hosted by the NHDES Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau. Topics included basic water chemistry, corrosion control, disinfection, cross connection control, source protection, water system components, and water treatment processes. 

Durham Police SRO Michael Nicolosi and Detective Cazeau put two police candidates through the push-up portion of the physical agility test. Durham Police are looking to hire four officers to attend the June 2022 police academy in Concord, NH. 

Figure 1. Proposed sampling design and location of sensor nodes.

The class will work with Tom Brightman, Durham’s Land Stewardship Coordinator, to place a sign at the trailhead with general information about the research, explaining that it is a long-term UNH project and what the class is hoping to learn from it. Signage will include contact information for UNH faculty teaching the course, e.g., Jessica Ernakovich and Alix Contosta. Initial signage will be temporary as we collaborate with the Town to develop more permanent options.

The Land Stewardship Subcommittee has reviewed this project and recommended approval. Based on this recommendation, permission was provided by the Town for the effort to proceed.  

This is a very nice example of the collaborative opportunities that exist between Durham and the University of New Hampshire.

WITH A BOOM, A POWER OUTAGE AT DURHAM'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

On Tuesday the 22nd, at 1545 hours, a very loud explosion echoed throughout the facility followed by loss of line power. The excessively high wind gust presumably impacts a tree branch which made contact with the adjacent shared power lines that feed the homes next to the treatment facility and back fed resulting in a blown fuse at the Rt. 4 transformer. Eversource was notified and by 1715 hours line power was restored. All went smoothly with the onsite facility generator performed as programmed.

Note, the Durham WWTP handles wastewater from both Durham and UNH.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY OYSTER RIVER ROOM PAINTING - Looking good!

Durham Public Work’s painting contractor, New England Painting, completed painting operations within the Oyster River Conference Room at the Durham Public Library this week. The walls and coffered ceilings received a fresh coat of paint, whose color had faded over the last 10 years. New England Painting crews performed very well and were able to complete the work in two days, minimizing the amount of program disruptions.

EMERSON ROAD WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT - Neighborhood meeting to take place March 30th

Neighborhood Meeting scheduled for Wednesday March 30th at 8:00 AM – As part to of the Town’s Water main replacement program, 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 has scheduled a neighborhood meeting with abutters of the project. The Director of Public Works, Assistant Director of Public Works, and Town Engineer, along with the Department’s Engineering consultant, Underwood Engineers will host the meeting on Wednesday March 30th at 8:00 AM at the intersection of Emerson Road and Edgewood Road. The meeting will inform residents about the project, answer questions and describe the project impacts to residents, including any scheduled water service interruptions and traffic impacts for the duration of the project. Doorhanger notices inviting project abutters to this neighborhood informational meeting have been distributed on Friday March 25th. For those project abutters or interested parties unable to attend the meeting, please feel free to contact Durham Public Works at (603) 868-5578 with any questions.  

This project is currently out to bid with a bid opening scheduled for April 14th, 2022. Construction of the new water main is planned to be completed this summer, subject to availability of water main pipe material which has experienced delays due to supply chain impacts

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT MAJOR COMPONENT UPGRADES - Engineering firm selected as part of Request for Qualifications selection process

On March 16th , staff from DPW including operators at the Wastewater Treatment Plant interviewed Environmental Partners as the most advantageous firm who submitted their Statement of Qualifications in response to the Department’s Request for a Statement of Qualifications for the plant and equipment rehabilitation. Following a due diligence process including a reference check, Environmental Partners was selected as the most qualified consulting firm and was asked to begin developing a draft scope and fee for review and negotiations with the Town.

The plant rehabilitation includes, the primary clarifiers, aeration tanks, secondary clarifiers, structural walls, pipe gallery and other miscellaneous facility upgrades and is funded by the Town of Durham and University of New Hampshire in a one third/two third share, respectively. These structures and mechanisms are exceeding twenty years in service and require rehabilitation or replacement. DPW expects to bring a contract award recommendation to the Town Council for this spring.

BARK MULCH ARRIVES AT DPW! (Ready for the spring spreading season!)

In preparation for the spring growing season, Durham Public Works received 90 cubic yards of mulch this week. Several volunteer groups are scheduled to assist the Facilities and Grounds team in spreading this mulch within parks in the Downtown area and other parks beginning next month.

SWAP SHOP REOPENS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 2ND

The Swap Shop will be opening for the season on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022! 

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.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FIRE ALARM UPGRADES - Alarm systems were pretty good in 1977, but they are a lot better today.

During the week of March 21st , project contractor Norris Fire upgraded the fire alarm system at the treatment plant. This process involved installing a new fire alarm panel, a remote annunciator, and sixty-seven associated detectors and pull boxes. The original system was installed in 1977 with upgrades in 1998. Due to its age lack of availability of replacement parts along with frequent troublesome false alarms, this system was in need of replacement. Norris Fire did an excellent job, especially in their efforts in deciphering the old and existing wires to integrate the entire system.