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Tomorrow is Durham Farm Day! Make plans to tour the Community Gardens at Wagon Hill Farm, enjoy locally produced food at Emery Farm and Tecce Farm, and visit with the horses at Linden Woods Farm. LaRoche Farm is hosting many activities – scything, sheet mulch gardening, honey extraction, local oyster cultivation, sheep shearing, fiber demonstrations, and much more. Community picnic at LaRoche Farm at noon with steamed sweet corn from Tecce Farm and Emery Farm provided by the Agricultural Commission. View the full schedule of events HERE.
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Tropical Storm Henri is likely to transition to a hurricane that is currently heading for the northeast Sunday into Monday. Residents are encouraged to monitor the weather actively and take precautions as needed. Town departments are monitoring the situation closely.
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U.S. FDA AUTHORIZES USE OF A 3RD DOS OF THE PFIZER-BIONTECH AND MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINES FOR CERTAIN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PERSONS
On August 12th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized use of a 3rd dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for certain immunocompromised persons. The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) amendment does NOT apply to the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, or to individuals who received the Janssen vaccine as a primary series.
- CDC has updated their Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States.
- The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)recommended a 3rd dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (for persons ≥12 years) or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (for persons ≥18 years) following a primary 2-dose mRNA vaccine series, for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical condition or immuno suppressive treatment. For a list of potential conditions that would cause a person to be moderately and severely immunocompromised, see CDC’s clinical guidance linked above.
- For public health purposes, immunocompromised people are still considered “fully vaccinated” when they are at least 14 days beyond receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer- Tech or Moderna vaccines, or 14 days beyond receipt of the single dose Janssen vaccine.
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CEREMONY AT KENNY ROTNER BRIDGE
On Tuesday, August 24 at 4:00 pm there will be a brief and informal program at Durham’s Kenny Rotner foot bridge, a new span that crosses the Oyster River connecting Thompson Lane to Stevens Woods and Orchard Drive.
Todd Selig will briefly describe many reasons the Town Council named the bridge in honor of Kenny Rotner. Dennis Meadows will summarize the history of Durham’s effort to acquire Stevens Woods and build the bridge thanking the 400 private donors who provided financial support. Kenny’s immediate family members will cut ribbons officially opening the bridge.
A video of the event will be posted to Durham’s town web site.
The bridge and associated path through the woods were completed earlier this year. Several thousand pedestrians each month now use them to pass between central Durham, the Orchard Drive neighborhood, and the wonderful recreational trail system south of town.
No rain date is scheduled. If there is inclement weather, the event will be postponed.
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BUDGET AND CIP DEVELOPMENT PROCESS UNDER WAY FOR FY 2022 –and CIP to be discussed with Planning Board on Sept. 8th.
Durham’s department heads, as well as the Town’s various boards, committees, and commissions (as well as external organizations to which the Town makes payments for services such dispatch, ambulance, social service agencies, etc.) have been preparing their proposed budgets and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) requests for FY 2022 for consideration by the Administrator, Todd Selig, as part of the annual budget development process.
Beginning in September Business Manager Gail Jablonski and Mr. Selig will begin to meet with each of the Town’s department heads and members of their department to better understand budget requests, as well as departmental CIP requests. Members of the Town Council will also be invited to each of these meetings if they have an interest in doing so.
One of the Town’s Council’s approved goals for FY 2021-2022 states: “Task the administrator with meeting the following budget goals for 2022. Hold the municipal tax rate at the 2021 level or less. For the medium and long-term, the Town will continue to make an effort to control its spending, broaden the tax base, and explore innovative ways to stabilize or reduce the municipal tax rate.”
A second goal states: “Pursue opportunities to broaden the tax base that are consistent with Council goals and be mindful of the economic impact they may have on the Town’s operational and long-term fiscal health.”
Per Town Charter, the Administrator is charged with the development of the annual budget and CIP program. The proposed annual budget must be submitted to the Town Council by the last business day in October. The Town Council by Charter then has until the last business day in December to adopt a budget or the Administrator’s budget becomes the budget of the Town by default.
The requested CIP projects will be presented to and discussed with the Planning Board on Sept. 8th.
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TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES TO COMMENCE AROUND ORMS CONSTRUCTION SITE IN ADVANCE OF 2021/2022 ORCSD SCHOOL YEAR
At the Town Council meeting on July 12, 2021, Stephen Haight from CivilWorks New England, the Project Engineer for the Oyster River Middle School project, updated Council members on changes to be made to the traffic patterns around the new middle school. The traffic reorientation plan will include Coe Drive, Dennison Road, Garrison Avenue, Bagdad Road. This plan has been reviewed with town department over the course of several meetings.
We expect implementation of these changes to occur on or around August 13th. In the meantime incremental modifications are taking place but the flow of traffic remains unchanged.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR RESIGNS
Durham's Economic Development Director Christine Soutter has given her notification of leaving the service of the Town at the end of this month. Since her employment on May 13, 2019, Christine has been very instrumental in working with a number of development projects and downtown businesses that have benefitted the town. We wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.
Anyone wishing to connect with Christine before her departure may do so by emailing her at csoutter@ci.durham.nh.us.
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OYSTER RIVER NEEDS YOU, BUS DRIVERS!
The Oyster River Cooperative School District owns and operates its own fleet of school buses. As of August 11, we have space for up to 10 more drivers in our team! Without more drivers, we are unable to provide bus transportation to ORHS and ORMS athletics teams and may even need to adjust school day schedules in order to have enough time for all bus runs. ORCSD offers a guaranteed work week, health insurance, paid holidays, and a well-maintained bus fleet. Call Lisa Huppe, Transportation Director, at 603-868-1610 to apply or for more information
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DID YOU KNOW?
Bulky waste items (anything that does not fit in your garbage bin) require the purchase of a bulky waste sticker for disposal. You can purchase a sticker for your items at the Durham Public Works office (cash and checks) and/or at the transfer station (checks only) . Single item stickers are $15 and a sticker for a truckload of bulky waste is $30.$10 is the cost for an electronic bulky waste sticker (i.e. televisions, refrigerators, etc.).
When arriving at the transfer station with your. bulky waste, please be sure to check in with an attendant.They will help assist you with where to dispose of these items.
Please remember that the Swap Shop is run by volunteers and can only accept limited items.They cannot accept any upholstered furniture or liability-related items like cribs, car seats, helmets and skis/boots.
View more details about Bulky Waste fees HERE.
For details about what the Swap Shop cannot accept HERE.
Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee
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CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT TO BE HOSTED BY RAVI'S MARKET - Thursday, September 9th, 4 - 9PM
Ravi's Market, located at 7 Madbury Road, will hold a Customer Appreciation Event on Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. This is a FREE event for the community with food and drinks to be provided. Vendors will also be in attendance with samples. There will be music, raffles, and prizes.
Members of the Council are encouraged to stop by. Ravi Kumar, owner of the former Sammy's Market (now Ravi's Market), has been working hard to make improvements to the store and wants to make it more a part of the non-UNH student portion of the Durham community.
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OYSTER WORKSHOPS AT DURHAM'S COMMUNITY OYSTER GARDEN - At the Town Landing.
Have you ever wondered what oysters are up to? Where do they live, and what types of animals make their home among them? Come learn and explore at the new Durham's Community Oyster Garden with our Oyster Workshops! The Durham Community Oyster Garden is located at the Town Landing where The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will be installing cages full of young oysters. TNC will be hosting oyster workshops for the public, where they will be doing presentations about oysters and the environment. There will be interactive activities, including examining inside the oyster cages and exploring what types of animals and plants occur in an oyster habitat. If they like, volunteers will also be able to help collect data on the oysters in the garden to help in an ongoing conservation study.
The event is free, but spots are limited to 6 per event because of COVID restrictions. Luckily the events will be happening through September!
Learn more and register on the Nature Groupie website.
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The oysters have arrived! 4 cages this year. Courtesy April Talon
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PLANNING BOARD
At its meeting on Wednesday, August 18, the Planning Board voted narrowly to not advance a proposal from the Agricultural Commission to rezone numerous lots in the vicinity of Route 4/Piscataqua Road from Residence Coastal to Rural. The commission could still present the request to the Town Council if it wishes. The board is meeting again this coming Wednesday, August 25. The only significant item on the agenda is the continued review of Mill Plaza. The site plan for the parking lot at 19 Main Street has been postponed from August 25 to the September 8 meeting at the applicant’s request. The Gerrish Drive subdivision will also be reviewed on September 8.
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OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS - August 18, 2021
Classes begin on Monday, August 30 in Oyster River. The school day will run from 8:00am-2:50pm for ORMS and ORHS, and from 9:00am-3:35pm for Mast Way and Moharimet schools. Fall sports practices at ORHS began August 16. The change in school hours is to align with school bus routes and timing.
Designer Ryan Tirell of Lavallee Brensinger Architects presented the plans for furnishings of the new Oyster River Middle School. Classrooms and furniture are designed to be flexible and easy to reconfigure to support a wide variety of student and teacher needs. Construction is on track for the new school to open after February break in 2022.
ORCSD will be partnering with UNH through New Hampshire's Safer At School Screening (SASS) program to offer voluntary COVID-19 screening testing. Watch for details early in the school year.
With school starting, School Board meetings will be in the High School Library beginning Hwith the next meeting on September 1.
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DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR YOUR SOLAR EXEMPTION - A reminder from Assessor Jim Rice.
While inspecting properties for improvements/renovations, it has been noted that several property owners in Durham who have installed solar equipment have not applied for their solar exemption.
If you own property in Durham and have recently installed, upgraded or replaced a “solar energy system” that utilizes solar energy to heat or cool the interior of your building; heat water or to provide electricity, you may qualify for a solar exemption. If you are already receiving a solar exemption, you do not need to reapply.
The Town of Durham adopted the Exemption for Solar Systems per RSA 72:62 where you may qualify for a solar exemption from your property tax assessment.
To qualify for this exemption, you must submit a PA-29 exemption application by April 15, 2022. Applications are located on the Town’s website or you may pick one up at the Assessor’s Office. Your application must also include the total installation cost and a detailed list of what equipment was installed on your property.
If approved, this exemption will be applied to your assessment.
If you have any questions, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 603-868-8064.
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SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE NH BIOBLITZ COMING THIS SEPTEMBER!
A BioBlitz is a species scavenger hunt where anyone can help find and record data on as many different species (plants, animals, insects, fungi) as possible in a certain area and a short amount of time. UNH Extension is sponsoring the NH BioBlitz during the month of September to get community members outside exploring species found on town-owned land in NH!
Find out how to participate HERE.
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INVASIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION WALK - Wednesday, Sep 1, 2021, 5:30 - 7:00 PM, Riverside Gardens, Dover, NH
Whether you own a quarter acre residential property or a 50-acre woodlot, non-native invasive plants present landowners with challenging management considerations. These plants can reduce biodiversity, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and inhibit forest regeneration. Join landowners and native plant growers Leslie and Ken Herd and Strafford County Forester Rebecca DiGirolomo for an educational evening walk to learn about invasive plant identification, ecology, and management considerations.
Registration: Please email rebecca.digirolomo@unh.edu or call 603-749-2529
Space: Limited to 20 participants, pre-registration required. Additional information on the location and where to park will be provided upon registration.
Special COVID-19 Safety Precautions: Participants will be required to complete a simple online health screening before leaving home.
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, water, snacks, and sturdy footwear.
Additional details: This event will be held rain or shine, please dress appropriately as we will be outdoors and walking through fields and forest edges.
Cost: This event is free and open to the public.
About UNH Cooperative Extension: UNH Cooperative Extension puts trusted information and practical knowledge in the hands of citizens and businesses in New Hampshire. UNH Cooperative Extension is at work in every New Hampshire county, making the state’s critical industries stronger; developing vibrant communities and municipal leaders; fostering healthy families and an informed and engaged citizenry; and keeping the state’s natural resources healthy and productive.
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OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATORY WEEKEND OF SOCCER
In an effort to recognize the phenomenal 60 year success of the Oyster River High School Soccer program, Paul Bamford, OR’s golf coach and soccer alum, is organizing a celebratory weekend of soccer to be held September 24-25, 2021 at the high school. The event is doubling as a fundraiser for the proposed press box/sound system ($175,000+) to be attached to the newly installed bleachers. “The Voice of the Boston Bruins” and former OR/UNH soccer star Jack Edwards will serve as MC.
To commemorate the weekend, a unique event T-shirt, co-designed by Elijah Edwards, Jack’s son (front of shirt), along with Wolfe Ramsay, a star member of this year’s OR basketball team (back of shirt) is being offered. T-shirts can be ordered separately for $25. All orders are on-line only, to be picked up at the event.
Registration instructions for attendance, game/food ticket purchase, and all other information are included HERE.
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TOWN OF DURHAM FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS
Did you know that the Town has a Facebook & Twitter account and frequently posts Durham & UNH news, happenings, and articles of interest in our area and the seacoast?
Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
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Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.
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What's happening at DPL this fall?
Check out our Upcoming Events page to read about some great programs coming this fall, including several on NH history and infrastructure from the NHHC, a lecture on Nicholas Black Elk just in time for Indigenous Peoples Day in Durham and a variety of adult art and employment and college interview related programs! Did you know that DPL offers free access to a great number of digital resources including: ebooks and audiobooks, language and CE courses, streaming films and music, daily digital newspapers, job search and business marketing databases as well as much, much more? Visit our website to read more! Need help signing up for or navigating any of these? Give us a call at 603-868-6699 during business hours to set up a device help time with one of our staff!
Congrats Summer Readers!
We've reached the end of the official Tails & Tales Summer Reading program in Youth Services. Congratulations summer readers! You have read appx. 110,000 minutes during the five weeks! For the month of August, pick up your prize book and Bagel Works certificate for a free bagel and cream cheese at the Youth Services desk. DPL would also like to thank all of the local businesses who have sponsored prizes for the summer reading program: Bagel Works, Wildcat Pizza, Big Bean, Clarks, Dunkin, Golick's Barrington, The Juicery, Hop 'n Grind, Oyster River Cycle and Sports, the Seadogs, Sweetened Memories, Monkey Minds Escape Room, and Hayden Sports. There's still fun to be had in August while we get ready for fall programming! Try out the August Literary Calendar to continue with your summer reading goals!
Interested in joining our team? DPL is hiring for a Library Assistant position in Youth Services! For a complete job description and application information, click HERE! Questions? Check out our website at http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/! As always, library staff is available by phone during business hours at 603-868-6699 or by email at mailto:durhampl@gmail.com
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HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A Brief History of Durham, NH 1600 - 1976 (A little volume that was the Heritage Project of the Durham Historic Association Bicentennial celebration)
Preface - "Since before God made the first little green apples, oysters have probably been growin in the Oyster River; and some of the largest and juiciest to be found anywhere in the world are still growing here today. The following vignettes from rollicking history of Durham town on the Oyster River are therefore presented between the shells of an oyster."
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1765 - "Voted that those tradesmen who shall be judged by the Selectmen that their respective occupations and businesses are so profitable that their income is sufficient to pay a larger tax should be doomed as much more as the Selectmen should judge equitable."
1765 - The Parish of Lee was established from the western part of Durham, and incorporated with full town privileges. Named by John Cartland, a Friend, who came from Lee, Scotland, Lee Hill was early called Federalist Hill because of the large number of Federalists living nearby.
1765 - "We the under Named Subscribers do hereby Inlist our Selves under the Command of Samuel Demerit Esq., in a Troop of horse to Ride as Troopers under his Command of which Troops the Honorable Clement March Esq., is Colonel." (signed by 38, from B. Brackett to Philip Yeaton).
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Have a very nice weekend.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
a: 8 Newmarket Rd., Durham, NH 03824 USA
t: 603.868.5571 | w: www.ci.durham.nh.us
He/him/his pronouns
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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