Friday Updates - November 10, 2023

Thursday, November 9, 2023

An early snowfall covered autumn decorations on Thursday morning. Courtesy, Todd Selig

Town Offices are closed for the holiday tomorrow so this week's "Friday Updates" are on ... Thursday!

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the U.S. observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.  

Town Offices will also be closed Friday, November 10 in observance of Veteran's Day. However, the Durham Public Library will be open on Friday, November 10, but will be closed on Saturday, November 11.

All Oyster River schools and the district office will be closed Friday, November 10, in observance of Veteran's Day.

If you missed the presentation on food composting hosted by the Durham Public Library, you can watch the presentation HERE.

ORCSD TAKES STEPS TO ADDRESS SEVERAL CASES OF HATE SPEECH AT HIGH SCHOOL – Swastikas and other hateful messages found in bathrooms. A message from Superintendent James Morse with comments from Administrator Todd Selig

At the Oyster River High School (ORHS) district officials have seen specific examples of hate speech written in the bathrooms this fall that are alarming.  

Three incidents of graffiti were found in the boys’ bathrooms with Nazi symbols: two swastikas and one with the words “Heil Hitler”. To be clear, the definition of hate speech includes symbols and need not be directed at an individual to be a violation of federal and state law and School Board Policy. In addition to antisemitic graffiti, the district has had one case of the “N” word and one case of the “F” slur, which are derogatory terms that can impact members of the Black and LGBTQ+ communities.

The school administration has met and determined the next steps. They have implemented sign-out sheets for students to use the bathrooms, and staff must check the restrooms hourly. Students are still able to use the bathrooms as needed and since implementing these procedures, no additional hate speech has been found. However, Superintendent Morse indicates this procedure does not address the underlying issue. 

Neither ORHS nor the broader Oyster River community exist in a vacuum. Students and adults alike are exposed to the news and social media. The negative portrayal of fellow Americans in politics divide the country. The recent mass shooting in Maine has brought senseless tragedy close to home. Acts of terror reported throughout the world have increased the atmosphere of anxiety.   

Hate speech refers to any form of communication that spreads, promotes, or incites hatred, discrimination, or violence against individuals or groups based on their identity, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. It is crucial for students and adults within our collective community to comprehend the significance of this issue, as it directly impacts the fabric of our communities (Durham, Lee, and Madbury) and poses threats to the fundamental principles of equality and human rights.  

The repercussions of hate speech are profound and far-reaching. For victims, it can lead to emotional distress, low self-esteem, and a sense of isolation. In extreme cases, it can escalate into physical violence. Moreover, hate speech has the potential to deepen societal divisions, fuel conflicts, and destabilize communal harmony, eroding the foundations of a just and equitable society. 

Superintendent Morse expresses that education plays a pivotal role in cultivating empathy, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of diverse perspectives. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, schools can nurture a generation of individuals who are equipped to challenge prejudice and bigotry, thereby creating a more inclusive and compassionate society. Oyster River High School is taking action. 

SAU and building-level administration have met with high school faculty to discuss these issues and next steps: 

• The High School Administration will hold class meetings to discuss hate speech on November 16.  
• Teachers will follow up during Advisory and have discussions with their advisees on the topic of hate speech on November 16, 2023, after their class meetings. The Director of DEIJ provides support and guidance to the staff for these discussions. 
• A parent forum will be held on November 27, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the ORHS Auditorium. 

Administrator Selig would add that the responsibility for addressing such issues does not rest solely with the schools. It is incumbent on the entire community to make clear at home and across societal activities that hate speech and discrimination is unacceptable, plain and simple, and to stress the importance of cultivating empathy, critical thinking, and an understanding of differing and diverse perspectives.

Neither Oyster River nor the Town of Durham support hate speech and these acts do not align with district or town values. Indeed, Durham prides itself as being A Welcome Community, though we acknowledge that there is always more work to be done. As part of the school district and the town's journey toward fostering a more inclusive, harmonious, and welcoming world, it is imperative for students, parents, and Durham, Lee, and Madbury community members, to recognize the detrimental impact of hate speech and the vital role we all play in promoting a culture of acceptance and respect.  

By embracing diversity, upholding the values of empathy and understanding, we can all contribute to the creation of a more just and inclusive global community where every individual is valued and respected, regardless of their background or identity. 

For Oyster River students who are seeking support, they are always able and encouraged to seek out a counselor, administrator, or another trusted adult. Additionally, for parents and caregivers who would like additional guidance on how to navigate discussions of hate speech and antisemitism, the district has provided helpful resources below:

•  Talking to Children about Hate Crimes and Anti-Semitism - The National Child Traumatic Stress Network 
• Parent’s & Educator’s Quick-Guide to Hate Speech - ConnectSafely 
• Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate: A Guide for Educators and Families - Anti-Defamation League (ADL) 
• Discussing Hate & Violence with Children - Anti-Defamation League (ADL) 

USNH/UNH KICKS OFF PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH PROCESS – Durham residents invited to participate in upcoming Listening Session to inform Presidential Search Committee on November 14

The UNH Presidential Search Committee and search firm seek to understand better the opportunities ahead for the next president, the challenges that may arise, and the institutional context in which they will lead. The committee invites the university's various stakeholders to share their input through a series of hybrid (in-person or online) listening sessions.

In preparation for the general listening session, the committee has developed a series of questions for consideration to review in advance.  You can see these questions by clicking HERE.

Listening Session Schedule…

Tuesday - November 14, 2023 - UNH, Durham

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm   General Session, open to all to include Durham residents 

In-person: Memorial Union Building – Granite State Room

Zoom: https://unh.zoom.us/j/99534438788; Meeting ID: 995 3443 8788

The remnants of a rock wall at Foss Farm. Courtesy, Carol Birch

DURHAM PROPERTY TAX AND UTILITY BILLS DUE IN DECEMBER

Property Tax Bills Due: Monday, December 18, 2023

Utility Bills Due: Tuesday, December 14, 2023

Property tax bills will be mailed by November 17, 2023, and will be due on December 18, 2023. Utility bills (water/sewer) will be mailed by November 14, 2023, and due on December 14, 2023. Bills may be paid by cash, check or credit card (additional fees apply for credit/debit cards). Payments are accepted in person, online, or by mail to the Town Office at 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824, or to our Lock Box (self-addressed envelope included with bill). 

The Durham Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office is here to help you answer any questions regarding property tax or utility bills. You may contact us by email at rdeane@ci.durham.nh.us or phone 603-868-5577 or you may stop in the office between 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday. For questions regarding your property assessment, please contact Town Assessor, Jim Rice, at 603-868-8064 or jrice@ci.durham.nh.us.

Durham has received the finalized 2023 tax rate from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. 

The new combined full rate (Town, County, State School, Local School) for 2023 is $20.48, a decrease of $8.56 cents (or 29.47%) compared to the 2022 rate of $29.04. The decrease is due to the full revaluation conducted in Durham this past year. 

In terms of allocation of the different portions of the tax rate, the Town portion of the rate represents 28.1% of the total Durham property tax bill. The County portion represents 8.6% of the bill. The School portion represents 63.3% of the bill (56.5% Local School and 6.8% State School).

Each of the levels of government, Durham Town Council, ORCSD School Board, and Strafford County Commissioners, work diligently to keep spending to a minimum while still endeavoring to meet the ever-changing demands of the community.

In the end, three factors impact the tax rate: spending (intended to meet goals/community programming expectations), revenue (user fees, grants, motor vehicle registrations, permits, etc.), and assessed valuation. 

Auditors Plodzik & Sanderson completed the Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Auditors will provide a presentation to the Town Council on their findings at the upcoming regularly scheduled Council meeting on November 20, 2023. You can view the report online HERE. 

Kudos are offered to the hard working staff in the Durham Business Office for all of their work on the annual audit process.

The prior audit firm, Melanson, provided auditing services to Durham for the last ten years. By Town Charter, every ten years the Town must engage a new independent auditing firm.

In accordance with the Town Charter, Administrator Selig has provided to the Town Council for review and consideration by Councilors the Administrator’s proposed 2024 Budget, which includes the General Fund, Water Fund, Sewer (Wastewater) Fund, Library Fund, Parking Fund, Depot Road Lot Fund, Churchill Rink Fund, and Downtown TIF Fund budgets, as well as the Administrator’s proposed 2024-2033 Capital Improvement Plan incorporating the FY 2024 Capital Fund budget utilizing a ten-year time horizon.  

At this time, we’re projecting an increase in the overall assessed valuation of Durham in 2024 of approximately 1%, a positive increase of $19,917,133. Mr. Selig notes for the record once again this year that without meaningful future tax base growth generated from new construction, it is extraordinarily challenging to maintain a flat (or reduced) tax rate for Durham.  

Projected non-tax General Fund revenues are up by $865,955 (or 11.1%) in 2024, representing a positive impact to the Town’s bottom line.  

A primary driver within Durham’s municipal budget are personnel-related costs that account for 61.9% of total spending as part of the proposed 2023 budget. 

Fiscal Year 2024 Budgetary Proposal

This year’s budget cycle has resulted in a proposed 2024 General Fund budget totaling $19,315,015 -- a spending increase of $1,058,766 or 5.8% compared to FY 2023.  Increases are due to required wages and benefits as a result of recently ratified collective bargaining contracts, a 3% COLA for non-union personnel, insurance increases, energy/fuel costs, steep increases in various supplies, materials, and construction services, and other miscellaneous requests that will be discussed as part of the upcoming budget process. 

In total, this year’s budgetary proposal is projected to maintain the 2024 local municipal portion of the tax rate with a 0.00% increase -- the same level as proposed in 2023 at $5.75 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. For comparative purposes, the tax rate had remained at $7.37 (formerly $8.48 but adjusted due to 2018 statistical revaluation update) for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. The proposed budget would therefore cost the average Durham property taxpayer with a home valued at $450,000 an additional $0.00 in taxes for 2024 for the municipal portion of the tax rate.  This budget proposal is consistent with Town Council goals.  

The proposed Water Fund budget carries an anticipated 1.9% increase in user fees (a rate of $10.61 per hundred cubic feet) for FY 2024.  

The proposed Sewer (Wastewater) Fund budget reflects a 7.69% increase in user fees in 2024 (a rate of $10.31 per hundred cubic feet).  

A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held on November 13^th at 7 PM at a special budget work session scheduled by the Town Council. You can provide feedback at council@ci.durham.nh.us. 

Below are the links for the 2024 Proposed Budget, 2024-2033 Proposed CIP and the 2024 Proposed Information Booklet. If anyone would like to view a hard copy of these documents, they can be viewed in the foyer at the Town Hall or at the Durham Public Library. 

Proposed 2024 Budget - Click HERE

Proposed 2024-2033 CIP - Click HERE

Proposed Budget Information Booklet - Click HERE

TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES DURHAM FOR WAVE 2 LAUNCH WITH THE COMMUNITY POWER COALITION OF NH

After more than two years of planning and study, the Town Council, upon recommendation of the Administrator, voted unanimously this past Monday evening to authorize Durham to switch to CPCNH as the default power provider for the Town, starting in March 2024.

The default utility rates for Eversource for the winter-spring season will be known by mid-December, and CPCNH will set their rates about a week later.

There will be an outreach plan to educate and prepare residents for the transition, with more details in the coming months. 

This marks a major milestone for the launch of Community Power in Durham in which the idea is to offer a default electric supply at a rate equal to or less than Eversource and/or NH Elec. Coop. with a higher mix of renewable energy. Moving more residents to forms of energy with a higher renewable content will help to further Durham’s climate and sustainability goals per our Climate Action Plan which you can read HERE.  

Given the excitement generated around Durham resident Amy Bekkerman's last Jeopardy! appearance, we wanted residents to know that she will be appearing once again in Jeopardy's Champions Wildcard Tournament next Thursday, November 16, 2023.

Good luck Amy!

Town Council Resolution #2023-23 authorized the acceptance and expenditure of $290,000 in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Community-Based Restoration Program, for the design of a fish ladder at the Oyster River Reservoir Dam (the dam at UNH). This installment of funding is the first to be released to the Town and it is part of the larger project funding award from NOAA.

The fate of the Mill Pond Dam on Oyster River was decided on March 7, 2022, with 74% of voters supporting removing the dam, upholding a previous decision by the Town Council that had been challenged. The vote was 1,706 to 596. 2,365 people voted in the election, more than double the average turnout of a little less than 1,100 for town elections.

The dam, which is roughly 140 feet long, forms the 9.5-acre Mill Pond. It was constructed in 1913, replacing the last of a series of timber dams, which had been in place since the 1600's. The current dam was privately built to maintain the beauty of the Mill Pond and to supply water power, a purpose it no longer serves.

According to figures provided by the Town at the time, the cost to remove the dam was estimated to be about $1.46 million. In 2021, Town officials anticipated about $875,000 of that cost would be covered by grants, consistent with other dam removal projects in the area, meaning the cost to remove the dam would be considerably less for the Town's taxpayers versus saving it, in addition to anticipated environmental benefits associated with dam removal. 

Following the March 2022, referendum vote, Durham Public Works began investigating potential grant programs with the overall goal of securing funding to pay for a majority of the project costs.

In November 2022, Durham Public Works and the Town’s consultant VHB Engineers, submitted an extensive $3,537,201 grant application package titled, “Restoration of the Oyster River Herring Run through Removal of the Mill Pond Head-of-Tide Dam and Installation of Fish Passage on the Oyster Reservoir Dam, Durham, NH,” to NOAA as part of their funding opportunity titled Restoring Fish Passage though Barrier Removal under the Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Major goals of the project include: 1) Advance restoration efforts for diadromous fish populations by eliminating a barrier to upstream fish passage, 2) Improve the Oyster River’s declining water quality and strengthen the Oyster River’s natural ecosystem, 3) Increase the Oyster River’s flood resilience and reduce Durham’s vulnerability to the growing risk of coastal storms, 4) Increase public safety by eliminating unsafe dam infrastructure.

A head‐of‐tide dam, the Mill Pond Dam is the lowest barrier in the Oyster River watershed, located approximately 2.9 miles from the river’s discharge into the Great Bay. Historically, the river herring returns to the Oyster River have been one of the highest yearly returns among all coastal rivers monitored by New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFGD). However, the numbers of returning river herring have been declining since 1990 and are now less than 5% percent of those seen at the peak from 1990–1992. This decline is largely attributed to a decrease in water quality and water levels along the river and throughout Mill Pond, as well as impediments to downstream migration. Removing the Mill Pond Dam and installing a new fish ladder at the Oyster Reservoir Dam, the next upstream barrier, would substantially contribute to the restoration of this important fish run. Other sea‐run species that could benefit from unobstructed passage include the Oyster River’s declining American eel population and brook trout. Rainbow smelt, as head‐of tide spawners, would also likely reap significant benefits from dam removal.

In the spring of 2023, the Town was formally notified that NOAA accepted the Town’s full proposal for $3,537,201. This grant program does not require a match commitment. NOAA has indicated that the remaining construction funding of approximately $3.2M for FY24 (Mill Pond Dam Removal and River Restoration) and FY25 (Oyster Reservoir Dam fish passage) will be released when the final designs and cost estimates have been further developed.

Data collection, final design, environmental permitting, and Section 106 consultation efforts began in May 2022 and are expected to be completed by early 2024. The Implementation Start Date (i.e., removal of the dam and restoration of the river channel) at this time is estimated to be spring/summer 2024, with removal of the dam and restoration of the river expected to be completed by October 2024. Installation of the fishway at the Oyster Reservoir Dam is expected to occur in 2025.

Just over a quarter of all plastics are used for packaging and approximately 95% of the plastic used in packaging is disposed of after one use. One-third of this packaging is not collected, becoming pollution that generates significant economic costs by reducing the productivity of vital natural systems such as our oceans. This damage to our natural systems exceeds the profit of the packaging industry according to a report by McKinsey. 

What You Can Do

• Push back on the amount of plastics used in grocery stores. Consider purchasing food items from a local farm co-op or farmers market. If you go to the grocery store, bring your reusable bags and produce bags. Let grocery store management know how you feel about the amount of plastics being used.
• Collect your packaging materials (plastic air bags, Styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, etc.) and bring them to a shipping and mailing service that accepts packaging materials for reuse. The Postal Center USA in Lee is one example.
• Bring your single-use plastic bags (and other plastics that stretch) to the Dover Chamber of Commerce. They accept single-use plastics that will be later turned into Trex decking.

Source: MIT Technology Review

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

Questions about recycling or composting? Email us at DurhamRecycles603@gmail.com

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Click HERE.

Want to know more about the Swap Shop?  Click HERE.

View from the Kenny Rotner Bridge. Courtesy, Carol Birch

AS PART OF PROPOSED FY 2024 BUDGET, DURHAM’S ANNUAL SPRING BULKY WASTE COLLECTION CLEANUP WOULD END

The Administrator’s proposed budget includes a significant planned policy change for 2024 that will move forward with aligning Durham’s MSW and recycling practices with its sustainability goals by permanently discontinuing the annual spring bulky waste collection cleanup program. This will free up 4-6 weeks of valuable DPW staff time every springtime to address an ever-expanding list of expectations/responsibilities for the department. The Town will open the Transfer Station for two or three days during an identified period of time for residents to transport their own bulky waste materials to the facility for disposal at no cost during this finite identified time period.

To provide feedback on this proposal as part of the FY 2024 budget process, residents can write to council@ci.durham.nh.us.

2024 BUDGET PROPOSES TO MOVE TO A VOLUME BASED TRASH COLLECTION SYSTEM IN DURHAM – Would require the Town to provide new standardized size toters for every household.

The FY 2024 budget includes $1,937,600 (offset with $723,681 in external grant funding) to replace the Town’s two existing refuse/recycling collection trucks with two EV collection vehicles and the purchase of standardized fixed size toter bins, enabling Durham to forge ahead in 2024/25 with a new volume-based collection system intended to further incentivize the Town’s recycling and sustainability goals through the use of new standardized toter bins that will be required for MSW and recycling curbside collection.

As many residents may know, George York has retired from operating Durham Village Garage. He sold the business on January 1 of this year. George, a beloved fixture in town, opened Durham Village Garage 40 years ago. Click HERE to read a full profile on George.

LONGTIME TOWN ASSESSOR JIM RICE WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 2024 -- TOWN ASSESSOR POSITION AVAILABLE

Town Assessor, Jim Rice, has announced that he will be retiring at the end of February 2024. Therefore, the Town is accepting applications for the position of Town Assessor. This is a full-time, 40-hour per week position, with a salary range of $83,232 – $105,932. The anticipated start date will be January of 2024.

The Town Assessor is responsible, in part, for supervising and administering the inspection and appraisal of residential, commercial, and industrial property to establish the appropriate property value for tax assessment purposes, performing statistical updates and valuations of all property types in the town, utilizing computer assisted mass appraisal systems (CAMA), ensuring proper administration of state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures concerning property appraisal, taxation, exemptions, credits, easements, abatements, utility, timber, and excavation taxes, and creating and delivering the real estate tax billing file and warrants to the Tax Collector. For a full job description see https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs.

The potential candidate will have a Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in Business Management, Finance, Public Administration, or other related field; and, five or more years of progressively responsible experience as an appraiser of real property, assessor, or in other related fields involving Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal and/or Multi-Regression Analysis; or, any combination or education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.

Please mail resumes with references and cover letters to the Town of Durham, Attn: Karen Edwards, 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824 or email them to kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us. Application deadline is December 1, 2023. Position open until filled.  

This scarecrow had a frosty cap on Thursday morning. Courtesy, Todd Selig

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR DURHAM FIREFIGHTERS HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE PROGRAM

The Durham Professional Firefighters are hosting the annual Toy Bank for the Oyster River Community residents. This year there is an application program to assure no child falls through the cracks this holiday season. 

Click HERE for an online application or contact the fire station at (603) 862-1426 and one of our Elves will get back to you! Application due date is Friday, December 15th. Toy pickup will be set up by appointment December 18-22 at The Durham Fire Station (51 College Rd Durham NH 03824).

The Durham Professional Firefighters Local #2253 would like to introduce Smokey the Fire Dog. Smokey will give short tips on Fire Safety, weekly so Parents and guardians can generate conversation with their children about Fire Safety. Keep an eye out in the weekly updates These small questions and tips are a great way for you as a Parent to teach your kids about Fire Safety, the more they know the safer they will be.

WEEK #44

As the weather gets colder, Smokey wants us all to be warm and safe. For some helpful tips, click HERE. 

AMARE CANTARE PRESENTS MORE LOVE AT OYSTER RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Please join Amare Cantare for a concert on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the Oyster River Middle School exploring various facets of love, ranging from Haydn’s humorous depiction of “Harmony in Marriage” to Gwyneth Walker’s energetic arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing?” and Elaine Hagenberg’s eloquent “When We Love.” The centerpiece of the program is “Five Hebrew Love Songs” by Eric Whitacre, which features guest artists Ryan Shannon, violin, and Catherine York, piano. To purchase tickets, please click HERE.

Amare Cantare is an auditioned chamber chorus that strives for musical excellence in the performance of challenging and diverse repertoire. They seek to foster a vital arts community, collaborate with other organizations, provide opportunities for artistic fulfillment for singers, and a shared love of music with audiences. Since 1977, Amare Cantare (“to love to sing”) has performed masterworks and choral music from six centuries. Based in Durham, New Hampshire, the group’s members come from all over the Seacoast. 

On December 9th, On Belay will be hosting the 15th Annual Gingerbread Build Fundraiser. Teams of up to six can enter and prizes will be awarded for a number of categories. Each participating team helps us provide our free adventure programs for kids impacted by a loved one’s cancer. This year's event will take place at Oyster River High School. Please see https://www.on-belay.org/events for more information.

On Belay programs encourage participants to uncover their inner resilience, create community, and connect with other children experiencing the impact of having a loved one with cancer.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS AT THE ORCSD DISTRICT OFFICE 

Parking at the SAU and Service Building during business hours is by permit only (36 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Vehicles parked during business hours that are not displaying a valid SAU parking permit will be ticketed by the Town of Durham.  

HIGHLIGHTING SUSTAINABILITY AT ORCSD

The ORCSD Sustainability Committee proudly hosted two exciting opportunities in November. On November 6, students, staff, families, and community members were invited to attend Kiss the Ground, a viewing and panel conversation where Oyster River students shared their school's sustainability practices. 

On November 8, our district joined schools across the US and celebrated Plastic-Free Lunch Day, a nationwide initiative to reduce plastic foodware and packaging. For the occasion Oyster River school lunches were served with limited single-use plastic foodware and packaging.

ORCSD INCLEMENT WEATHER SEASONAL REMINDER

This is a reminder, as we soon enter inclement weather season, that there is no perfect weather call. Having the following options helps the school district determine the end of the school year with more predictability which benefits everyone. 

• Snow days: Snow days will be used for predicted heavy snow events. 
• Remote Learning: Remote learning days will be used when experiencing significant winter weather. 
• Delayed Start: Delay starts are for when the weather is predicting thaw by mid-morning.