Friday Updates - April 14, 2023

Friday, April 14, 2023

Warmer spring weather has arrived! Time to bring in bird feeders (to avoid attracting bears!) and switch over to summer tires.

The Public Works Spring Newsletter is Available online HERE.

SPRING BULKY WASTE PICKUP TO BEGIN MAY 1ST

The Spring Bulky Waste Residential Curbside Collection Program begins on May 1st at 7:00am.

Please place acceptable bulky waste items curbside no earlier than April 29th. Please see what items are acceptable for collection in the Spring Newsletter above.

The Raymond A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center located at 100 Durham Point Road will accept bulky waste items free of charge on May 2nd, 4th, 9th, and 11th from 7:30am – 3:00pm. Residents are encouraged to visit the facility during these hours to ensure proper recycling of their materials occurs.

The Durham Public Works has had a good response to the Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA) annual backyard compost bin sale. However, they need 10 more purchases to fulfill their order. See the "Did You Know?" section below to learn more about the benefits of composting. If you would like a compost bin, please bring a check made out to the NRRA to the Public Works Department to reserve a bin.

If you have questions about composting and would like to see a bin before reserving it, visit the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee table at Durham’s Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 22, from 10 to 2. There will be a sample bin there, and the Committee members can answer your questions. You can also sign up to reserve a bin and drop off your check with them at that time. The deadline to reserve a bin is Monday, April 24 at 4 PM.

In the past the Town of Durham has asked the State of NH Department of Transportation to review the layout and design of the intersection of Madbury Road and Route 4. Due to a large number of accidents there, the Town has requested that safety improvements be made. NHDOT has responded favorably to this request. Matt Lampron, Project Manager of NHDOT and Darren Blood of GM2 Inc. will be at the Council meeting of April 17 to present several options for increased safety measures at this intersection. To watch the Council meeting online, click HERE and choose "Live." The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and the Agenda for the meeting can be found HERE.

UPCOMING RETIREMENT PARTY FOR LORRIE PITT & JENNIE BERRY ON APRIL 19TH

There will be a combined retirement party for Lorrie Pitt & Jennie Berry this Wednesday, April 19, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers of the Town Hall. Light refreshments will be served. Presentations and sharing will begin at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome! Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking at the Town Hall.

WE NEED YOU! - Consider Volunteering for a Durham Board, Committee or Commission

The following are openings for volunteers needed on Durham Boards, Committees and Commissions:

• Conservation Commission - 1 Alternate Position
• Historic District Commission - 1 Alternate Position
• Lamprey River Advisory Committee - 1 Citizen Representative
• Oyster River Advisory Committee - 1 Citizen Representative
• Planning Board - 5 Alternate Positions
• Public Library Board of Trustees - 2 Alternate Positions
• Trustees of the Trust Funds - 2 Alternate Positions
• Zoning Board of Adjustment - 1 Regular Position, 3 Alternate Positions

If you have any interest in volunteering for one of these positions, please contact Administrative Assistant, Karen Edwards, at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

Lenticular clouds spotted over Wagon Hill Courtesy, Deborah Alberts, Chair of Great Bay Stewards

DURHAM ACHIEVES 45 YEARS AS A TREE CITY USA MUNICIPALITY

The Town of Durham has now been recognized for the 45th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Forests, as a “Tree City USA” municipality. A celebration of this achievement will be held on Arbor Day, April 28, with a Tree Planting at 10:00 AM at the Planting Island located at Main Street and Madbury Road. Durham is the longest standing “Tree City USA” in New Hampshire. The award is given to recognize Durham’s ongoing commitment to effective urban forestry management.   Started in 1976, Tree City USA is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs. The first Tree City USA cohort was comprised of 42 communities in 16 states. Today, the program includes more than 3,600 communities from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. 

For the month of April 2023, the Durham Historic Association will receive a $1 donation for each purchase of a specially marked Bloomin' 4 Good bouquet at the Hannaford store located at 7 Mill Road, Durham NH.

The Durham Historic Association's mission is:

1. To preserve the memory of events connected with the history of the Town of Durham, or of individuals who may have resided there;

2. To serve as guardian of the town's history;

3. To preserve the artifacts of the town's history;

4. 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.

The Durham Historic Association will hold its annual meeting this Sunday, April 16th at 1:30 p.m. in the Durham Town Hall Council Chambers. There will be a brief business meeting for the election of officers and directors for 2023-2025.  Annual membership dues will also be collected at this time.

Following the business meeting, Alan Hoffman from New Hampshire Humanities will present “Lafayette and Human Rights”.

Lafayette's first foray into human rights work was during the American Revolution which he saw as a cause important to all people. He continued to promote universal natural rights throughout his life. During the French Revolution he drafted "the Rights of Man and the Citizen" and later supported other revolutions in Europe and South America as well as causes designed to deliver human rights to the oppressed. In particular, the abolition of slavery engaged Lafayette continuously, from the American Revolution and his return tour of the United States until his death in 1834. Lafayette said: "I would never have drawn my sword in the cause of America, if I could have conceived that thereby I was founding a land of slavery."

This event is open to the general public. Refreshments will be served. 

BRING IN YOUR BIRD FEEDERS – The bears are coming out of hibernation and are hungry!  

The Granite State’s black bears will soon be emerging from their winter dens and begin actively searching for any available food sources. While there may be some leftover nuts from last fall, bears will be primarily reliant on spring greens for food. Because of this limited menu, bears will be easily enticed by a wide variety of human-produced food sources, especially bird feeders.

With the recent onset of spring-like conditions, officials are asking the New Hampshire public to be both proactive and responsible by taking down bird feeders no later than April 1 in the North Country, and immediately in central and southern parts of the state where bear activity has already been reported.

Backyard farmers should protect poultry, livestock, and bees with electric fencing, being sure to remember these fencing needs when picking up new chicks this spring. Additionally, residents can help prevent attracting bears by securing dumpsters and garbage cans, and storing grills, pet food, and animal feed indoors. The easiest way to solve a bear–human conflict is to prevent it in the first place. Please do your part to help protect New Hampshire’s bears!

Despite continued pleas asking homeowners not to feed birds during the non-winter months, bird feeders typically are the direct cause of 25% of annual bear–human encounters. There is abundant food for birds in the spring and summer, so consider a bird bath or flowering plants that attract birds instead. In addition to bird feeders, other bear attractants include unprotected chickens and other poultry (23%) and unsecured garbage cans/dumpsters (38%).

Help build respectful relationships with bears:

• Stop feeding wild birds by April 1. If you live south of the White Mountains consider removing bird feeders March 15 or at the onset of spring-like weather conditions, whichever comes first since conditions fluctuate throughout the state.
• Clean up any spilled birdseed and dispose of it in a secured trash container.
• Secure all garbage in airtight containers inside a garage or adequate storage area, and put garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before. If using a dumpster, inform your dumpster company that you need one with metal locking tops and doors that are inaccessible to bears and other wildlife.
• Never put meat scraps in your compost pile.
• Don’t leave pet food dishes outside overnight.
• Clean and store outdoor grills after each use.
• Never deliberately feed bears. You will be encouraging these animals to rely on human-related foods, which will affect their wild behavior and reduce their chance of survival.

If you have questions regarding bear-related issues, you can get advice by calling a toll-free number coordinated jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department: 1-888-749-2327 (1-888-SHY-BEAR).

For more Information please see the NH Fish and Game Website HERE

Work in progress at Tideline Public House. Opening soon! Courtesy, Scott Letourneau

TOWN STAFF ATTEND DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

The Durham Business Association held its annual meeting Wednesday morning at the Three Chimneys Inn. Police Chief Rene Kelley, Fire Chief Dave Emanuel, Recreation Director Rachel Gasowski, and Town Planner Michael Behrendt updated the business group on the many things going on in town.

DID YOU KNOW? - REASONS TO START COMPOSTING NOW

• It’s good for the environment. About half of what we throw into the garbage bin is food and garden vegetation. Composting reduces greenhouse emissions and reduces your carbon footprint, because when organic waste ends up in landfill, it decomposes without oxygen, and produces methane and carbon dioxide, both of which contribute to Global Warming.
• Every bit helps. We generate 21,500,000 tons of food waste each year. If we compost that food it would reduce the same amount of greenhouse gas as taking 2 million cars off the road. 
• Compost helps your garden to retain nutrients and water. Compost is a nutrient rich fertilizer that helps soil retain water. Compost also improves soil aeration.
• Compost will save you money. It’s economical – you probably already have all of the things you need to make compost, and you’ll save money in the long run by not having to buy soil and plant food. By using the compost that you have made as a soil conditioner or mulch, this will reduce the need to purchase these products, which can lead to significant savings.
• No need for chemicals. Compost eliminates the need for chemicals, additives and sulfurs – more organic compost means less chemicals, which equates to a cleaner, healthier environment .
• Composting is convenient. No need to bag your leaves and other garden waste and take it to the transfer station. Add them to your composter and watch them turn into compost.

If you have questions about composting and would like to see a bin before reserving it, visit the IWMAC table at Durham’s Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 22, from 10 to 2. There will be a sample bin there, and the members of IWMAC can answer your questions . You can also sign up to reserve a bin and drop off your check at that time. 

Please note: The deadline to reserve a bin is Monday, April 24 at 4 PM. 

Source: vitality4life.com

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee

Questions about recycling or composting? Email us at Durhamrecycles603@gmail.com

The Durham and Lee Agricultural Commissions invite you to the 10th Annual Strafford County Farm Bureau Farm Style Breakfast Fundraiser this Sunday, April 16th, 2023 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Jeremiah Smith Grange Hall, 1 Lee Hook Road, Lee. We guarantee the food is delicious and plentiful! Buy tickets at the door, $12 for adults, $8 for children 14 and under. The breakfast is in benefit of the Strafford County Farm Bureau’s Youth In Agriculture Grant Program.

AGE OF CHAMPIONS HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR COMING TO DURHAM

The 2023 Age of Champions Health & Wellness Fair will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 AM – 1 PM at the UNH Lundholm Gymnasium in Durham, NH and will feature free parking. The Age of Champions Health & Wellness Fair is a community-oriented inter-generational wellness event, made possible by the Center of Aging and Community Living (CACL) in partnership with UNH and several vendors and sponsors from throughout the New England region. The event provides high-impact, real-world experience for UNH students about to head out to the workforce and introduces the community to informational resources, organizations that serve older adults, demonstrations, and workshops to engage participants in the joy of healthy aging.

This year long time Durham residents, Gayle & Bob Hylen, will be receiving the Excellence in Volunteerism Award.

For more information, contact Bridget Drake at bridget.drake@unh.edu or click HERE.

DPW WINTER SEASON WRAP-UP

The Public Works Team responded to 20 winter storm events in the 2022-2023 season, which began on November 17th and concluded on March 14th. A combination of storm types including Nor’easters, Alberta Clippers, Inland Runners, and Frontal Boundaries resulted in 46.8” of snow and 16.82” of liquid precipitation in Durham. Despite many challenges this season, including two high-impact events, limited resource availability and dramatic fluctuations in air temperature and storm type, the team performed exceptionally well in allowing the motoring public to reach their destinations safely. In preparation for the off-season, highway crews lubricated and dismounted plows, hung material spreaders, and remounted truck tailgates this week.

Please be advised that as part of the Emerson Road Watermain Project, a lane closure on Madbury Road at the Emerson Road intersection will occur on Thursday, April 20th. Durham Public Works and its contractor, Pichette Brothers Construction will complete the Emerson Road Watermain Project in two phases (Edgewood Road to Madbury Road and Edgewood Road to Littlehale Road) with the Edgewood Road to Madbury Road phase occurring first. During each phase, the roadway section will be closed to through traffic between 7:00am and 5:00pm, with temporary detours as shown above in place. Disruptions to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic can be expected, and we ask that the commuting public seek alternative routes if possible and allow additional time to reach their destinations. Please direct all questions to Durham Public Works by calling 603-868-5578 or emailing publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us. 

The Public Works Highway Team completed drainage improvements to the roadway shoulder in the vicinity of 124 Mill Road this week. Improper grading and a lack of stormwater conveyances resulted in significant roadway icing from runoff this past winter. The Team installed a drainage swale and driveway culvert to properly convey stormwater runoff and prevent future icing.

WATER TANK INSPECTIONS FOR FOSS FARM AND BEECH HILL

Public Works working with the University of New Hampshire Facilities and Operations staff solicited bids for the inspection and cleaning of the Town’s and Universities two water tanks totaling 3.6 million gallons of storage. The main focus of this project is to evaluate the condition of the tanks and develop specific recommendations that will allow Durham and UNH to maximize the serviceable life of each tank and provide information for possible modifications and rehabilitation to improve operational effectiveness or replacement.

A thorough inspection of the tank(s) is planned in accordance with AWWA D101-53 (R1986) “Inspecting and Repairing Steel Water Tanks, Standpipes, Reservoirs and Elevated Tanks for Water Storage” Part A, NFPA, EPA and OSHA standards as applicable. This inspection would be conducted by a two-man crew consisting of a NACE Trained Coatings Inspector and a qualified assistant. The interior underwater evaluations will be conducted using a Remote Operated Vehicle, (ROV). This specially designed underwater vehicle completely replaces the need for diving or taking tanks off line. ROVs operated by a qualified technician provide high quality video inspection of 100% of all internal surfaces, including the roof, through closed circuit TV. The video from the underwater camera is directly viewed on the ground by the inspector/operator. ROVs can be equipped with a powerful rotating wire brush for cleaning surface debris and corrosion, which allows for direct examination of metal loss, pit depth and concrete cracking.

The Public Works Traffic Control Division took advantage of the above average temperatures this week to begin its annual Roadway Paint Marking Program. Team member Tom Macaione is seen above completing parking stall painting along Dennison Road. Durham Public Works is responsible for the annual maintenance of 1,500 crosswalk, stop bar, and other stencils along the Town of Durham’s 120 lane miles of roadway.

EDGEWOOD ROAD SEWER REHABILITATION PLANNED

Durham Public Works is recommending awarding Green Mountain Pipeline Services, LLC to rehabilitate approximately 2,100 feet of 8-inch and 10-inch sewer and 10 manholes on Edgewood Road. A large portion of the pipeline is clay pipe that dates back to the 1940’s. This area was identified by the Town as a high priority for inspection and repair. Ten manhole inspections were completed along with closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection and documentation of this sewer pipeline which allowed for the development of specifications for the proposed rehabilitation. The sewer main along Edgewood Road was found generally to be in good condition with the exception of pipe segments which had small to medium joint offsets, one section had a fracture, and one section had a hole. Maintaining the soundness of the sewer collection system is essential to minimize the amount of ground water infiltration and extraneous flows which would unnecessarily be conveyed to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment.

DURHAM POLICE CONDUCT ALCOHOL SALES COMPLIANCE CHECKS - One local business fails.

On Thursday, April 13th, 2023, 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, attempted to purchase alcohol products from sixteen locations in Durham that are licensed to sell such products. The following establishment failed:

• Clark’s American Bistro – 48 Main Street

As a result of the operation, Lisa Deltwas, age 38, of Hampton, NH, was charged with Prohibited Sales of Alcohol.

On March 22 and March 28, Durham Firefighters participated in FAST (Firefighter Assistance Search Team) board training. Adam Mills with FAST Rescue Board provided each shift of the Durham Fire Department with scenario based, hands-on training using the FAST Rescue Board system. The FAST Rescue Board is a device that can be used in aiding the removal of a downed firefighter or civilian. The FAST Board is a 45” long, 18” wide device that has two lashing straps that connect at one connection point. The board can be placed on its side at a 45 ° angle to reduce the horizontal profile from 18” to 13.5”. The base of the board is tapered to 11” to reduce drag and is designed specifically to fit between the beams of a ground ladder. There are oversized handles along each side of the board that are raised 3.5” off the ground to allow for easy gripping with a gloved hand. All of the carabiners are unique to the board’s individual components allowing them to be identified by touch alone. The board can be rigged for either a vertical or a horizontal lift.

This training is a valuable tool that will help firefighters to keep the members of our community safe while supporting a standard of excellence for firefighter safety.

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 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 #15

Don’t over plug outlets.

Teach you kids not to overload power strips or extension cords, better yet, have them ask you to plug in devices. Click HERE for more information. 

THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IN OYSTER RIVER WILL BE FRIDAY, JUNE 16th

The last day of school in the Oyster River Cooperative School District for the 2022-2023 school year is Friday, June 16, with early dismissal.

Friday, May 26, previously a teacher workshop day, is now a regular school day.

These decisions were made by the Oyster River Cooperative School Board with the interests of students and staff in mind to stabilize the calendar due to the large number of snow days experienced this winter.

ORCSD EARTH WEEK CELEBRATIONS & PLASTIC-FREE LUNCH DAY

Oyster River will be celebrating Earth Week April 17-21 and on April 19, we will join school cafeterias across the US, including the nation's largest school districts (Dallas, San Diego, Portland OR, Chicago, and NYC) to reduce single-use plastic foodware. The "Plastic Free Lunch" concept was developed by Cafeteria Culture, an environmental education nonprofit organization and a group of 5th grade students who, after studying plastic pollution for two years, discovered that their lunches contained shocking amounts of single-use foodware and packaging.

NOW OPEN: OYSTER RIVER SPRING MERCH STORE

You have until April 23 to buy your 2023 Oyster River spring apparel. To ship to your school when ordering online, please select your school from the drop-down menu. Proceeds will benefit the high school. Click HERE to order.

Thank you to all who came to our spring BBQ community dinner at the High School Thursday, April 13. It was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces. We hope everyone had a good time!

Thank you, also, to our staff, parents, guardians, students, and community members who took part and assisted with the coin drive fundraiser. It takes a village! We're hoping to be able to provide an update on the funds raised in the coming weeks.